2003 Ford Explorer complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AND THE EITHER THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART IMMEDIATELY OR THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER, I HAVE OWNED IT FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS AND TOOK CARE OF IT. I ALSO PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR IT AND AFTER ABOUT THREE YEARS OUT OF NOWHERE MY O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND MY CAR STARTED SHIFTING WRONG. I HAD THE SOLENOID ON TRANNY REPLACED SOON AS I PUT IT IN 4WHEEL DRIVE MY O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN AND SHIFTING WRONG. THIS IS MAKING THE CAR ACCELERATE TO MUCH AT TIMES AND ALMOST NOT WANTING TO SHIFT OTHERS.SO WHILE WAITING THINKING I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOLLOWED BY A LIGHT TICKING NOISE, THAT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER OVER ABOUT A MONTH.SO THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AN PUT ON A COMPUTER THEY SAID I SHOULD JUNK IT, YES ITS 5 YEARS OLD BUT I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THEIR AND I PAID ALOT FOR IT.SO NO ONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT I MYSELF BELIEVE BUT FORD.I BEEN TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MY TIMING CHAIN IS BAD ON THE ENGINE.THE CAR STILL RUNS ALTHOUGH I WONT DRIVE IT COMPLETELY UNSAFE. ITS A NICE LOOKING CAR BUT I SEEN ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL HOW IS THAT AND ITS DANGEROUS? ME AND MY DAUGHTER WRECKED AFTER SUDDEN ACCELERATION THANKFULLY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND BURNT HER BUT WE WERE BOTH FINE OTHERWISE. I JUST NOW THIS IS DANGEROUS,FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT AND WHY IT HAPPENED AND HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

WELL THIS WILL BE THE 2ND TRANSMISSION FOR MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER, THE FIRST WAS AT 88700 MILES ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP ALMOST 2 WEEKS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT HEARD A LOUD PING WHILE DRIVING HOME, AT 9:00 AT NIGHT, TOOK IN TO DEALER AND THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD WATER IN IT. NOW I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD, NEVER TOWED ANYTHING, HIGHWAY MILES. SO, I FIX ALL THAT( ABOUT $3,000.00 IN ONE MONTH) NOW THIS PAST WEEKEND COMING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE TRUCK GIVES A LARGE SHUDDER 3 TIMES, I ALMOST GET RUN OVER BY A TOUR BUS BECAUSE TRUCK IS GETTING READY TO DIE. LIMP HOME CAN'T DRIVE OVER 60 MILES AN HOUR, WENT BACK ROADS HOME, DID NOT LIKE GOING UP SMALL HILLS. WHEN 1 MILE FROM HOME O/D OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING BAD. PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY, BARELY. NOW I'M PISSED BECAUSE HERE I GO AGAIN POURING OUT MONEY TO FIX AND ALMOST GOT HIT ON INTERSTATE. *TR

WHILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. MY SON HAD TO MANUALLY PULL UP ON THE GAS PEDAL ON THE FLOOR TO CORRECT THIS. WE WERE ABLE TO RECREATE IT AGAIN BY PRESSING DOWN HEAVILY ON THE GAS PEDAL - AND THIS TIME WE WERE READY TO MANUALLY PULL UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. WE VERIFIED THAT THE FLOOR MATS WERE NOT OBSTRUCTING THE GAS PEDAL IN ANY WAY. *TR

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. IT WAS A SCARY MOMENT; LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CRASH. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE HIGH FAILURE RATE FOR TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 03 EXPLORERS, BUT REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN OFFER TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION AT AN EXORBITANT RATE. THEY SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS, BUT HAVE REFUSED TO DO SO, IN SPITE OF MANY COMPLAINTS.

ALMOST EVERY OLDER MODEL FORD EXPLORER THAT I SEE ON THE ROAD HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE. FOR A WHILE I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM CLOSING MY BACK LIFT GATE. THERE SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE LATCH. I LATER REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (#04S20) ON (WHAT I THOUGHT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRACKED PANEL) LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE AND BALL STUD BRACKET. RIGHT AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE DEALER ON MY VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2011, I REALIZED THAT THE LIFTGATE WORKED PERFECT. IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THAT THE MISALIGNMENT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE LIFTGATE CLOSING CORRECTLY.....WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PANEL.....WHICH RESULTED IN THE CRACK.......FORD HAS DONE A RECALL ON WHAT HAS RESULTED IN THE CRACK BUT THEY HAVE NOT STEPPED FORWARD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE THAT HAS OCCURRED DUE TO THE DEFECT.....IT IS UNFAIR FOR US TO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR DAMAGES DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.......PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE AS APPROPRIATE. *TR

I RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO BUCK, MAKE LOUD NOISES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTICS TEST PERFORMED WHICH DETERMINED THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE THAT I AM REFERENCING IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH 73,859 MILES (AT THE TIME OF THE DIAGNOSIS). I DID RESEARCH WHICH REVEALED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2003 FORD EXPLORERS WITH APPROXIMATELY THE SAME NUMBER OF MILES. I DID GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE COMPLAINT IS THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE REQUIRING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS AT SUCH LOW MILES. WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER........PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD DEVELOPED ON THE LIFTGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN THE OVER DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, SERVO PACK AND CLUTCH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE OVER-DRIVE AND ENGINE SERVICE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH DETECTED THAT THE GEAR RATIO AND PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID WERE DEFECTIVE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,583. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ UPDATED 04/05/11

CRUISE CONTROL OFTEN TIMES "TAKES OFF" AND DOES NOT HOLD THE SPEED AS SET. I HAVE LOOKED DOWN AT THE SPEEDOMETER SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND MYSELF GOING WELL BEYOND 85MPH - AFTER SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 60. I HAVE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR MY VEHICLE TO STOP CONTINUOUSLY SPEEDING UP. THEN, THERE ARE TIMES WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. THE GREEN LIGHT WILL COME ON, BUT THE SPEED WILL NOT HOLD. IN THESE INSTANCES, MY SPEED ACTUALLY DECREASES.

FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFTGATE PANEL HAS CRACK AND IT EXPANDS DURING COLD WEATHER AND IT AFFECTS REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SECURITY AS REAR LIFTGATE FLIES OPEN WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT WHEN DRIVING. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS MAKE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND. COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL 2003 FORD EXPLORERS. IT GROUND DOWN THE WHEEL LUGS FROM THE INSIDE AND THE TIRE CAME OFF ON THE FREEWAY DOING 60MPH. THE ROTORS GOT EATEN UP ON THE INSIDE TOO. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG AND I HEARD A POP NOISE AND THE PANEL UNDER THE BACK WINDOW WAS CRACKED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 4.0L ON I40W, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE WHILE THE RPMS WERE CONSTANTLY GOING UP. THIS PUT ME IN THE INTERSTATE WITH NO POWER AS THE GEARS WEREN'T SHIFTING. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND TOLD ME THEY REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BREAK THE TRANSMISSION DOWN IN ORDER TO KNOW FOR SURE. I SEARCHED ONLINE FOR ANY COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND CAME ACROSS A SITE WHERE PEOPLE WITH VEHICLES JUST LIKE MINE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. AS OF NOW I'M STILL WAITING ON FORD TO LET ME KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY TRUCK, BUT WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I SEE NO REASON FOR THEM NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AS WELL AS HAVE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE COMPANY DID NOTHING TO ADDRESS THIS...THE CAR WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND WE HAD TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

NO SECOND GEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW PANEL WAS FRACTURED NEAR THE BOTTOM. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW WOULD FRACTURE FROM THE VEHICLE AND BREAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO A RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY, I STARTED THE SUV A FEW MINUTES BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE TO LET IT WARM UP BECAUSE NY IS COLD, AND THEN LEFT TO RUN SOME ERRANDS. I REALIZED RIGHT AWAY THAT THE TRUCK SOUNDED A LITTLE FUNNY WHEN ACCELERATING, SO THE RADIO WENT OFF SO I COULD LISTEN. I FOUND THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, IN THIS AUTOMATIC VEHICLE, THE OVERDRIVE WAS KICKING ON PREMATURELY. THEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I CAME HOME AND STARTED RESEARCHING IT AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, SO HERE I AM, IN THE SAME BOAT AS EVERYONE ELSE, ABOUT TO LOOK UP NUMBERS TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS BECAUSE THE DEALER IS DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY MONEY OFF OF MY WITH THIS ONE. *TR

REAR HATCH CRACKED NEAR THE FORD LOGO. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I DO NOT DRIVE IT HARD AND MAKE SURE THAT IT GETS THE PROPER UPKEEP. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING AND THE TIME I GOT HOME THAT EVENING THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING VERY HARD IF IT WOULD EVEN SHIFT AT ALL. MY O/D OFF LIGHT ALSO STARTED FLASHING. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE WITH MY TRANSMISSION UNTIL I CHECKED ONLINE TO FIND THAT THERE IS ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT WILL COST ATLEAST 3200 OR MORE TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION BUT STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND FORD HASN'T ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS OR WAS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION SEEING THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IF ANYONE CAN TELL ME IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS MATTER. *LN

ENGINE REVS TO NEARLY 5000 RPM BEFORE SLAMMING INTO 2ND GEAR. HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE JUNK.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND THE TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE! AN 03?! PLEASE! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CHANGING GEARS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,655 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,260.

SOME SORT OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE DEALING WITH THE SHIFTING SOLENOID. THIS LEADS TO SPORADIC SHIFTING BETWEEN THE LOWER GEARS. THIS LEAD TO VERY HARD DRIVING IN SLOW AND ICY CONDITIONS. THE CAR WOULD BE AT SUCH HIGH RPMS AT SLOW SPEEDS SUCH AS 20-30 MPH THAT THE CAR WOULD LOOSE TRACTION, SO FAR I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT THE POTENTIAL IS VERY APPARENT. *TR

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, THEN THE OD (OVERDRIVE) LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. THEN THE EXPLORER HAD DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HIGHER RPMS THAN USUAL, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 0 TO 30MPH. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE EXPLORER WAS PURCHASED AND EXCLUSIVELY SERVICED SINCE WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEW IN JULY 2003. THEY WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH 2003 EXPLORERS. THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAVE NO 2ND OR 5TH GEARS, INT. SERVO FAILED AND CASE BORE DAMAGED. THEY WANT OVER $3,600 TO REPAIR (AND THAT, THEY SAY IS A DISCOUNT!). I THEN TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHO WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WERE 2 OTHER EXPLORERS CURRENTLY THERE BEING REPAIRED FOR THE SAME THING. AN INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A CONSUMER RIP-OFF! *TR

I HAVE 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND AFTER 7YEARS A CRACK HAS FORMED FROM THE REAR WINDOW DOWN TO THE FORD LOGO ON THE REAR PANEL OR TRUNK DOOR. *TR

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT ONLY HAS 70000K AND THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY IN NEED OF REBUILD. IT DOESN'T DRIVE IN REVERSE AND DOESN'T GO FASTER THAN 25MPH WITHOUT SOUNDING AS IF THE ENGINE IS GOING TO FALL OFF. IT KICKS BACK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS AND THE RPM IS WORKING HARD WITH THE TRUCK GOING NOWHERE FAST. I CANT AFFORD TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AS IM STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH AN EIGHT YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THIS LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ON HOW THERE IS NO DIPSTICK TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVEALED AT TIME OF PURCHASE I THINK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED UNDER THE TAIL GATE WINDOW. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR TAILGATE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE TAILGATE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR R HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 04/25/11

"OD (OVERDRIVE)" LIGHT BLINKING IN DASH. THEN "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ON 12-31-10. HIGHER RPM'S IN ENGINE THEN USUAL, TO SHIFT GEARS IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TRANS HAVING THUMPING SOUNDING WHEN PLACED INTO PARK, DRIVE OR REVERSE. BROKEN SERVO SIDEARM INSIDE TRANSMISSION.. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 62,000 MILES ON IT. TAKEN TO LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP. ESTIMATE OF $1,475 TO FIX. *TR

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER REACHES EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURES. IN MILD WEATHER ON A SUNNY DAY THE INTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD CAN BECOME SO HOT IT CAN EASILY MELT ITEMS PLACED AGAINST IT. ADDITIONALLY, IT APPEARS THIS IS THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

METAL CRACKED INTO FROM LIFTGATE WINDOW TO BOTTOM OF LIFTGATE. JUST WENT TO WORK ONE DAY AND CAME HOME TO FIND THIS HUGE CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE DOOR. I HAD NOT OPENED THE LIFTGATE THAT DAY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND PERSONALLY WITNESSING OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE OTHER DAY, I WAS SITTING IN A LINE OF CARS WAITING FOR MY TURN TO GO THROUGH A 4-WAY STOP WHEN MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. I HAD PLENTY OF FUEL AND THE ELECTRICAL WORKED. THE ENGINE SIMPLY WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. AFTER SOME INSPECTION, THE REPAIRMAN DETERMINED THAT I HAD BLOWN A FUSE. THE CAUSE WAS MY ABS SENSOR CONTINUALLY SENDING OUT AN PROBLEM SIGNAL. THE CAUSE OF THAT WAS MY WHEEL BEARINGS GOING BAD. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT AT LEAST THREE OF MY WHEELS HAVE BAD BEARINGS. THE REPAIRS ARE INCREDIBLY COSTLY (WELL OVER $1,000). AND THE MECHANICAL FAILURE IS DANGEROUS, INCLUDING WHEEL SEPARATION, WHEEL SEIZING UP AND BRAKE FAILURE. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. I DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE DAILY AND IF THE CAR HAD FAILED THERE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY BAD. WHILE WHEEL BEARINGS TO FAIL, THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS INCREDIBLY RARE TO SEE MULTIPLE BEARINGS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. WELL, EXCEPT FOR FORDS. HE SAID THE EXPLORER AND FOCUS (ESPECIALLY THE '02 & '03 MODELS) HAVE A REPUTATION FOR WEARING OUT. SOMETIMES, MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME WHEEL. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH PROVED HIM RIGHT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE '02 & '03 FORD EXPLORERS. I REALIZE WE'RE GOING ON 8 OR 9 YEARS SINCE THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED, BUT HOW COULD THE SAME ISSUE ON HUNDREDS OF CARS NOT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED YET? THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO

PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR PANEL CRACKING UP, BEING REPLACED TWICE, STILL CRACKED AGAIN, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION NOT ABLE TO CHECK IT DURING A TRIP UNLESS YOU GO UNDER THE TRUCK, LAST THING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH STICKING CAUSING TO DRAIN BATTERY AND NOT ABLE TO ORDER PART BECAUSE THE MANUAL ARE WRONG. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW HINGE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANY FURTHER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,634 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PANEL HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED 04/28/11 UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF UPDATED 01/04/12 *LN

CRACK IN PANEL BELOW REAR GLASS OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER. PANEL JUST CRACKED FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT. WENT TO TRADE IN FOR NEW EXPLORER AND DEALER EVEN COMPLAINED ABOUT DAMAGE. *TR

CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR HATCH WINDOW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING WAS ABNORMALLY COVERED BY AN UNKNOWN PLASTIC SHEET. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 02/03/11*LJ UPDATED 02/04/11*JB

O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKS ON DASHBOARD AND VEHICLE SHIFTS HARD. WAS ADVISED THAT TRANSMISSION REBUILD WAS NECESSARY. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER 5R55-W TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEREIN THE INTERNAL LINKAGES, SERVO VALVE AND BEARINGS FAILED AT STARTUP, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNMOVABLE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER AND STRANDING THE DRIVER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH DOOR HAS FRACTURED UNDER THE GLASS. SHE NOTICED THE FRACTURE ONCE THE TEMPERATURE BECAME COOLER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FUNCTIONED BUT THE HEAT DID NOT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN THE HEATING COIL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE REACTOR COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,700.

AT 110000 MILES WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND HEARD "BUMPING, RUMBLING SOUND", CAR WAS NOT HANDLING WELL, GOT OFF AT NEXT EXIT 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF VEHICLE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY NOTED THAT THE WHEEL STUDS WERE BAD AND THE WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD, REPLACED BOTH. AT 140000 MILES WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND HEARD SAME SOUND, STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THAT THEY FOUND RUST ON THE ROTORS/LUGS/WHEEL, CLEANED IT AND RETORQUED WHEELS TO 130 FT LBS, STATED THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES!! AT 151000 HEARD SAME SOUND, I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD AT 30 MPH, STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE AGAIN (TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED, SO THIS IS NOT THE SAME WHEEL AS PREVIOUSLY). DEALERSHIP AGAIN CLEANED THE ROTORS/LUGS/WHEEL AND RETORQUED WHEELS TO 125 FT LBS THIS TIME AND STATED THAT WITH SOME OF THE PREVIOUS PROBLEMS THEY WERE ATTRIBUTING IT TO DELAMINATION OF A COATING ON THE ALUMINUM WHEELS, BUT THAT WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF WHEEL. BY LUCK AND CAREFUL MONITORING WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THIS ISSUE - YET! A FRONT WHEEL FALLING OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD LIKELY BE DEADLY. THERE ARE REPEATED REPORTS ON THIS PROBLEM, IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENCE. THE ONLY TIME THE WHEEL STUDS WERE SHEARED AND BEARINGS WERE BAD IS WHEN I DID NOT CATCH IT IN TIME AND THE WHEEL ACTUALLY CAME OFF, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THE I

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND RECENTLY THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT WENT ON, I HAVE CHANGE THE CAP 3 TIMES, RESET THE COMPUTER, CHECK THE CHARCOAL CANISTER, THE FUEL LINES AND ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USERS MANUAL BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK, NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ALSO WENT ON, I CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM... NO SOLUTION FROM THE DEALER OR ONLINE YET. *TR

I SENT A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO FORD REGARDING MY SITUATION WITH MY TRANSMISSION FAILING ON ME AND THE LOCAL FORD DEALER CHARGING ME $4,300 SINCE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I TRULY HOPE THAT FORD GETS THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND ADDRESSES THIS ISSUES AS I'M SEEING MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS POP-UP EVERYWHERE REGARDING THIS. POOR EXCUSE!!! DEAR VALUED CUSTOMER, THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER INQUIRING FOR ANY RECALLS ON YOUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I SINCERELY UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION THAT THIS TRANSMISSION CONCERN ON YOUR VEHICLE HAS BROUGHT YOU. PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AREAS OF CONCERN THROUGH INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER AND DEALERSHIP FEEDBACK. IF A CONCERN IS NOTED, A RECALL IS CONDUCTED TO REMEDY A SAFETY OR EMISSIONS CONCERN IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY. THUS, I HAVE REVIEWED IF ANY AVAILABLE COVERAGES OR PROGRAMS MAY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TOWARDS YOUR VEHICLE REPAIR. AFTER EXTENSIVELY REVIEWING YOUR SITUATION, I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS, WARRANTIES OR OTHER COVERAGES AVAILABLE THAT MAY COVER THE REPAIR ON YOUR VEHICLE. WHILE THIS IS SO, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BRING YOUR CONCERN INTO OUR ATTENTION AS THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE CAN BUILD ON. IF A PROGRAM IS ANNOUNCED ON A SPECIFIC COMPONENT AND/OR FOR THE TRANSMISSI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFT GATE THAT EXTENDED ACROSS. THERE WERE ALSO THREE OTHER SMALLER CRACKS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW LOOKED AS IF IT WOULD EXPLODE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 83,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE RPMS INCREASED UP TO 405 AND THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THE BANDS IN THE TRANSMISSION ARE SHOT AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62010.