Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THERE WAS A CRACK LOCATED ON THE PANEL OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000.
LARGE CRACK APPEARED ON HATCH DOOR BELOW WINDOW. MANY COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET WITH SAME PROBLEM. *JS
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 105,000 MILES ON IT. YESTERDAY (4/24/12) IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO 2 AND 3 GEAR + THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT JUST STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND I AM TOLD IT WILL COST ME $4,000.000 TO REPAIR! I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE (FMCS) AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE NOR CAN THEY OFFER ME ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE COST. THE GUY I SPOKE TO AT THE FMCS WAS RATHER SHOCKED AT THE $4,000 PRICE TAG AND DID AGREE WITH ME THAT THE TRANS FAILED PREMATURELY. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO TO HELP ME. THIS CONVERSATION WAS RECORDED BY THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER OUT OF FLORIDA. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE LOOKING OVER SEVERAL BLOGS AND SEVERAL WEB SITES AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT THE FORD EXPLORER HAS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE, MOSTLY FROM THE EARLY 2000S -- ESPECIALLY THE 2002 TO 2004 FORD EXPLORER. MINE IS A 2003! *TR
REAR OF VEHICLE EMITTED A THUMPING AND POPPING SOUND. FIRST THOUGHT THAT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN OR THAT REAR END HAD MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER REGAINING CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND PULLING OFF TO SHOULDER ON THREE WHEELS AND A ROTOR, DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL AND TIRE HAD DISAPPEARED. ALL LUGS AND NUTS WERE GONE. WHEEL HAD DEPARTED FROM VEHICLE AND GONE IN AN UNKNOWN DIRECTION. ROTOR AND CALIPER WHERE STILL ATTACHED TO VEHICLE. POLICEMAN WAS LATER ABLE TO RETRIEVE WHEEL AND TIRE FROM SOME DISTANCE DOWN THE HIGHWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. RIM WAS SCORED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE INSIDE OF THE RIM. I ASSUME THAT THE RIM HAD DROPPED DOWN ONTO EITHER THE LUGS OR ROTOR PRIOR TO FINDING ITS WAY OUT OF THE FENDER WELL. BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THIS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THERE ARE RECURRENT PROBLEMS HERE. HAD REAR BEARING REPLACED ON SAME WHEEL APPROXIMATELY 16 MONTHS PRIOR. SUGGESTED REPAIRS AROUND $400.00 TO START FOR THIS INCIDENT. THERE MAY BE GREATER DAMAGE AND COST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE RESTED AND DRAGGED UPON THE REAR SUSPENSION STRUT AND TORSION BAR PRIOR TO GET IT STOPPED AND PULLED OFF OF THE PAVEMENT ONTO THE GRASSY SHOULDER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD SQUEAKING COMING FROM THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD HINGE WAS CROOKED AND THE PANEL WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE HINGES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW ON THE REAR HATCH DEVELOPED A CRACK AND THE HINGE WAS BENT DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) WERE PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
TRANSMISSION LIGHT FLASHING AND I AM TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. THIS TRANNY SHOULD BE MORE DURABLE, FORD IS BETTER THAN ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ONLINE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. *TR
WHILE IN PARKED POSITION, IGNITION STARTED, GEAR SHIFT BROKE WHILE PUTTING IN REVERSE - FAILURE OF METAL ALLOY CONNECTING GEAR SHIFT HANDLE TO STEERING COLUMN. KEY WAS STUCK IN IGNITION AND WAS NOT REMOVABLE. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. TOWING EXPENSES INCURRED AS WELL AS REPAIR EXPENSES. PROBLEM CAUSED BY WEAKNESS/FAILURE IN METAL ALLOY CONNECTING GEAR SHIFT HANDLE TO TRANSMISSION STEERING COLUMN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONNECT THE REAR TAILGATE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS), DID NOT INCLUDE THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A FRACTURE ON THE LIFT GATE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE PANEL REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000. UPDATED 04/26/12*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ON THE REAR HATCH BOTTOM MOLDING WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFTER DETACHED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILURE TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,900. ..UPDATED 04/11/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT CAME OUT IN HIS HAND. LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF. A CAST IRON BRACKET WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 05/31/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 15 MPH AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE THIRD GEAR, WHICH WOULD NOT SHIFT, AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 152,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR GLASS HATCH HOUSING WAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR HATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFT GATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FRACTURE IN THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ UPDATD 04/20/12. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK AT THE REAR HATCH BACK UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS BECOMING WIDER WHEN THE HATCH BACK WAS OPENED AND CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AGAIN AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW HATCH WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 03/21/12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR PANEL CONNECTED TO THE BACK REAR WINDOW CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW AND HAS WEAKENED THE REAR VIEW WINDOW. THE SEAL HAS ROTTED OUT DUE TO WATER SEEPING INTO THE DEFECTIVE CRACKED PANEL. UPDATED 04/09/12 WATER SEEPED INTO THE CRACKED PANEL AND CAUSED CORROSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. UPDATED 05/07/12
TRAVELING THE I-95 CORRIDOR IN NORTH CAROLINA AT APPROX. 3AM THE TRANSMISSION OVER DRIVE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS. HAD TO EASE INTO 1ST GEAR AND PLAY WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. NOT A GOOD FEELING WHEN 500 MILES FROM HOME AND IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO AAMCO AND WAS INFORMED AGAIN COMMON IN THE EXPLORER. COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR $2500.00. VEHICLE HAD 77000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. CALLED FORD FOR "GOODWILL" REPAIR. SHOULD HAVE TALKED TO A DOOR KNOB. STANDARD REPLY "VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY". DRIVING OVER FORTY YEARS, NEVER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING. THEY MAY NOT PAY NOW BUT IN THE LONG RUN THE COST WILL BE GREAT. DROVE MY LAST FORD. *TR
O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND WONT GO INTO OVERDRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION IS A SEALED UNIT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL GATE DOOR DEVELOPED A CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
DOOR ADJAR SENSOR FAILS IN 2003 FORD EXPLORER ITS ALL OVER INTERNET. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07E104000 (VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT, AS A RESULT TO THE REAR LIFTGATE HINGE FAILING TO SECURE THE WINDOW GLASS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS BETWEEN 1ST->2ND AND 2ND->3RD GEARS. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY A FORD DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO THE RECOMMENDED SERVICING. AT ONLY 80,000 MILES, IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *TR
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WHICH INCLUDE THE ELECTRONIC MOTHER BOARD HAVING BEEN REPLACED TWICE (UNDER WARRANTY), CRACKED LIFTGAGE (NOT UNDER WARRANTY COST $300), TRANSMISSION REBUILD APPROX 90,000 ($3000), DOME LIGHTS DO NOT TURN OFF, DOOR AJAR LIGHTS, ELECTRIC REAR WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN, O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND NOW THE FINAL PROBLEM AFTER HAVING REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION IN JULY 2011 IS A DRIVE TRAIN OR DRIVE LINE ISSUE. AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AFTER DROPPING FROM A HIGHER SPEED, A THUMPING HAPPENS. DIAGNOSIS FOR THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN 3 DAYS STILL WITH NO FINAL DETERMINATION. *TR
BACK GLASS HATCH HAS A HAIRLINE CRACK TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBELM. JUST SUDDENLY APPERARED, AFTER NO IMPACT. *TR
INITIALLY HAPPENED AT 98K MILES BACK IN 08. PUT IN PARK (VEHICLE ON ELEVATED DRIVEWAY). JERKED BACK AND HEARD A CLUNK- LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO A GEAR WITH VEHICLE PRESSURE- AND IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK. HIT BRAKES- AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. THEN NEUTRAL TO START IT. PARKED IT ON THE CURB FOR AN HOUR, WENT BACK OUT AND IT DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN UNTIL LAST WEEK. THINKING IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE WEATHER THIS TIME- PARKED ON MY FAIRLY STEEP DRIVEWAY AGAIN WITH LOTS OF ICE/SNOW. 189K MILES WITH THE ORIG TRANNY AND REGULAR COMPUTER UPDATES/FLUSHES. BEEN AN AMAZING TRUCK- JUST THINKING IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
I PAYED 18,000 FOR MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH THE FLEX FUEL IN 2006. ITS A VERY NICE LOOKING SUV BUT I ONLY DROVE IT FOR 2 YEARS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL. I BELEAVE A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 2 YEARS. MY CONCEARN IS THAT ITS DEFECTIVE ALL AROUND THE TRANSMISSION AND I COULD STILL DRIVE IT IF I WASNT IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE. I HAVE HAD IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, THEY WANTED ME TO PAY THEM TO TAKET OUT THE TRANNY AND WANTED WAY TO MUCH FOR ANY PARTS,SO I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A TRANSMISSION PLACE THAT BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME AND HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG.REPLACED THE SELENOID FOR LIKE 900 AND MY IT RAN FINE FOR LIKE 2 WEEKS UNTIL I PUT IN 4 W/D THAN MY O/D LIGHT STARTED BLIKING AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, THE O/D LIGHT ELUMINATED THE FIRST TIME MY TRANSMISSION EVER SLIPPED.AND IF I WENT AND DROVE IT RIGHT NOW IT WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND SOME PEOPLE MIGHT STILL DEPEND ON THERE DEFECTIVE EXPLORER TO GET SOMEWHERE.IT ACCELERATES BY ITS SELF IT SOMETIMES DOSNT WANT TO GO IN GEAR AND IF THIS IS ELECTRICAL SOMEONES VEHICLE COULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING BUT A BLINKING O/D LIGHT.AND WORST THING IS, IF FORD WOULD RECONIZE THIS PROBLEM WITH OUT SELLING NEW TRANSMISSIONS THAT WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH I COULD HAVE IT FIXED BUT NO ONE BUT FORD KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG AND THEY OBVIOUSLY DONT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT OR KNOW IF THEY ADMIT THEIR MISTAKE IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW I WANT MY MONEY
I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE REAR HATCH TRIM PANEL UNDER THE WINDOW OUT OF NOWHERE. ALSO, THE PAINT ON MY HOOD AND QUARTER PANELS HAS BEEN BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF IN HUGE CHUNKS. IT WOULD SEEM THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THESE ISSUES SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS. *TT
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WANT TO UP SHIFT, IT WILL SHIFT HARD. O/D LIGHT FLASHING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS IN A JERKING MOTION. THERE WAS ALSO A HESITATION AND THE ENGINE REVVED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE OVER DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND THEY INFORMED THE SENSOR SOLENOID WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A THIRD OPINION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED FIRST AND WAS REPAIRED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,585 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 02/27/12*LJ UPDATED 02/28/12
I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO REPORT MY TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING, AND DISCOVERING THAT MANY PEOPLE WERE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE ON THE WEB: FLASHING OVERDRIVE LIGHT, CONSTANT ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT, AND MY TRANSMISSION WAS STICKING AND NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT MY ISSUE AND IMMEDIATELY THEY SAID I DID NOT HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM I DID HAVE THE EXTENDED WHICH WAS UP TO 100000 MILES, BUT I WAS BARELY OVER BY 3000 MILES. I EXPLAINED THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. THE AGENT SOUNDED LIKE HE WAS READING FROM A SCRIPT, INCLUDING HIS SUPERVISOR SAYING I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SORRY, AND GO TO THE DEALER YOU BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. WHEN IT WAS CLEAR HE WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING, I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR, BUT IT WAS CLEAR THAT SHE WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING EITHER. ALL I WAS ASKING FOR WAS A GOODWILL REPAIR DISCOUNT, AND THEY REFUSED. I GREW UP WITH FORDS; FAIRLANE, FALCON, GALAXY, MAVERICK, LTD, TAURUS, EXPEDITION, T-BIRD, AND EXPLORER. I AM NOT GOING TO SAY I WILL NEVER DRIVE ANOTHER FORD, BUT I NO LONGER FEEL LOYAL TO THE BRAND. HONDA'S AND TOYOTA'S TRANSMISSIONS LAST LONGER AND THEY STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THIER LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INDIFFERENCE WITH MY PROBLEM. THIS IS GOING TO COST $2500 FOR A REBUILD OR $3500 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. *KB
FRONT WHEELS MADE LOUD HUMMING SOUNDS AND AT TIME FELT LIKE THEY WERE RUBBING. MECHANICS FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY'S WERE FAILING SIMULTANEOUSLY. THEY ALSO THINK THE REAR IS STARTING TO GO. THIS APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY POOR DESIGN AND/OR CRAFTMANSHIP BY MANUFACTURER. *TR
RATTLING NOISE IN 4.0 LITER-SOHC 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT. DEALER REPLACED REAR TENSIONER. NOISE REMAINED. DIAGNOSIS SAID ENGINE NOISE IS COMING FROM REAR CASSETTE AND POSSIBLY FRONT ONE. ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND TAKEN APART TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIN CASSETTES FOR @ $4K. THE CAR ONLY HAS 53,070 MILES ON IT. ONLINE SEARCH VERIFIES AN OBVIOUS ISSUE PATTERN AND COMPLAINTS TO AN INFERIOR QUALITY CASSETTE MATERIAL REQUIRING LABOR INTENSIVE ENGINE REMOVAL REPAIR. *TR
TOOK EXPLORER TO DEALERSHIP TO GET THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED AND GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE AND STRIPPED THE THREADS IN THE HEAD BUT NOT ON THE SPARK PLUG. *TR
TIMING CHAIN BROKE, WITH NO WARNING, BENT ALL THE VALVES AND WASN'T EVEN DRIVING IT. HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY WITH CAR IDLING VERY ROUGH. PULLED BACK IN DRIVEWAY AND OIL WAS POURING OUT UNDERNEATH, DUE TO CHAIN HAD BUSTED THE VALVE COVER. WELL HAD TO PULL THE MOTOR, REPLACED GUIDES, CASSETTES, AND TENSIONERS, WITH 2000.00 JUST IN PARTS ALONE. HAD CAR BACK FROM MECHANIC NOT EVEN 3 WEEKS AND ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AS IF A ROD WAS KNOCKING. WENT BACK TO MECHANIC AND TENSIONERS WERE THE CAUSE OF TIMING-CHAIN "CLANK". APPARENTLY THEY (FORD) DESIGNED THESE TENSIONERS WITH "PLASTIC" GUIDES WHICH SHRED OFF INTO THE HYDRAULIC TENSIONER PICK UP TUBE THEREFORE CLOGGING UP THE HOLE FOR OIL TO GET TO CHAIN AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNLESS YOU GET UPDATED TENSIONERS DIRECTLY FROM FORD AT 100.00 EACH. THERE ARE 3 TIMING CHAINS AND MULTIPLE TENSIONERS AS WELL, WHICH CONTINUE TO GO OUT AFTER 30,000 MILES AND NEED REPLACING, WHICH MOST CAN BE REPLACED WITH MOTOR IN BUT SOME CANT THEREFORE I HAVE HAD MOTOR OUT TWICE NOW, AT 2500.00 EACH TIME. THERE WAS AN ONP TO OWNERS BUT FORD WOULD ONLY COVER COST UP TO 100,000 MILES AND ONLY IF OWNERS COMPLAINED!! OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NOT FIX!!! WELL THIS IS A BAD DESIGN ON FORDS PART WITH PLASTIC TENSIONERS TO GUIDE YOUR TIMING CHAIN!!! NOW THEY HAVE UPDATED WITH A TOUGHER NYLON "PLASTIC". BUT HAVE NOT RECALLED THE OLD ONES SO UNLESS YOU ORDER DEALER PARTS YOU RECEIVE THE OLD PARTS WHICH ARE NO GOOD AND WILL END UP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE GLASS SHIELD CRACKED AND SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,079.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE BS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED A MECHANIC OF THE FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LIKELY NEED REPLACING.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK ONE MORNING & I NOTICED THE REAR PANEL WAS CRACKED. IT WASN'T LIKE THAT THE NIGHT BEFORE, SO IT LITERALLY HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS COSMETIC & COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I WAS TOLD THE WINDOW WOULD BE FINE, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE OF THE PANEL PIECE FALLING OFF. I HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED YET DUE TO THE EXPENSE, BUT I AM AFRAID A PIECE MAY FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD INJURE SOMEONE. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, A WEEK LATER, MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING & THE O/D LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I HAD IT TOWED & SURE ENOUGH, IT HAD TO BE REBUILT. IT ALSO NEEDED A NEW HUB BEARING AND BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *KB
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HAD STOPPED AND WAS WAITING FOR A MAIL CARRIER TO FINISH PUTTING MAIL IN A MAILBOX WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED. THE OTHER DRIVER HIT ME AT HIGH SPEED. I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PUSHED INTO THE MAIL CARRIERS VEHICLE---EVEN THOUGH HE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. I DON'T BELIEVE I HIT THE MAIL CARRIER AT HIGH SPEED, BUT STILL IT DID CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE BACK BUMPER OF HIS VEHICLE AND LIGHT DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER. THE TRUCK THEN REAR-ENDED ME AGAIN DUE TO HIS SPEED AND INABILITY TO STOP. NEITHER AIR BAG IN THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE DEPLOYED. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE DAMAGE FROM THE REAR-END HIT. THE ONLY DOOR ON MY VEHICLE THAT OPENED CORRECTLY WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. MY SEAT ON THE FRONT IS APPARENTLY BROKE AND LAYING FLAT. THE CARGO AREA WAS PUSHED INTO THE THIRD SEAT, THE THIRD SEAT INTO THE SECOND SEAT, ETC... I'M NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED OR NOT. BUT, IF THEY SHOULD HAVE THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I BELIEVE MY INJURIES WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS SEVERE IF THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED. I HAVE WHAT I GUESS MAY BE CLASSIC WHIPLASH TYPE INJURIES. BACK PAIN, NECK PAIN, AND SHOULDER PAIN; AS WELL AS, MY ELBOW WAS HURT; AND BOTH WRIST FROM TRYING TO GRAB THE STEERING WHEEL TO PREVENT MYSELF FROM BEING THROWN INTO THE STEERING COLUMN OR WINDSHIELD DURING THE SECOND HIT FROM THE REAR. ANYTHING YOU CAN TELL ME THAT WILL HELP WITH THESE QUESTIONS? I AM BEING ASKED BY OTHER PEOPLE THAT KNOW ABOUT THE WRECK WHY THE AIRB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR GLASS GOING DOWN TOWARD THE MANUFACTURER'S EMBLEM. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WAS IN THE SHOP FOR A FUEL SMELL AND DIAGNOSED WITH A FUEL TANK LEAK AROUND THE FUEL FILLER HOSE AT THE GAS TANK. THERE IS VISIBLE CRACKING ON THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE BASE OF THE FILLER NECK AS IT ATTACHES TO THE FUEL TANK WITH CONSTANT FUEL SEEPAGE. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WITH THE HOPE THAT THEY WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SERIOUS ISSUE AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND ASKED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR AN INSPECTION TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM. I LEFT MY VEHICLE WITH THEM FOR AN ENTIRE DAY AND WAS TOLD AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM FORD AND THEREFORE NO WORK OR INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS A CRITICAL FORD MOTOR COMPANY ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD TAKE A SERIOUS INTEREST IN RESOLVING SUCH A HAZARDOUS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS BOLT BRACKETS DETACHED FROM THE HINGES, CAUSING THE GLASS TO DETACH. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO THE BUILD DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE WHICH SEPARATED FROM THE STRUT AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE HINGES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CRACKED REAR PANEL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AND FORD REPAIRED IT AT NO CHARGE. THIS TIME THEY WILL NOT. I WAS TOLD IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $300.00 AND IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THE CRACK DEVELOPS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. *TR
WHEN I WAS SWITCHING THE GEAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AT A GAS STATION, THE SHIFTER LEVER WAS SNAPPED OFF. I CANNOT MOVE THE CAR ANY MORE, AND THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I FIND LOADS OF OTHERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AND FORD IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ON THIS DANGEROUS/COULD BE FATAL PROBLEM. *TT
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER, RAN TO THE STORE LAST NIGHT TO BUY GROCERIES. LOADED THINGS INTO MY TRUCK, CLOSED THE DOOR AND THINGS WERE FINE. ARRIVED HOME TO REMOVE THE GROCERIES AND THERE WAS A 6 INCH LONG CRACK ON THE REAR HATCH OF MY TRUCK RIGHT BESIDE THE FORD LOGO AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER. I TAKE PRIDE IN MY VEHICLE AND KEEP IT CLEAN AND THE OUTSIDE BODY IS PERFECT; UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT I CALLED FORD AND THERE IS NO RECALL IN REGARDS TO THIS, BUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I WANT FORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER AND SO HAS BY FAMILY SINCE THE EARLY 1980S. I WILL PROBABLY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD AS THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ISSUE THAT FORD WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE. *KB
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2003 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →