2003 Ford Explorer complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO STATED THAT THE GEAR SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

THE BACK HATCH CRACKED ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HEAR THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SUV. *TR

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THREE OUT OF THE FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A TOTAL COST OF OVER $1,100. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION SUCH AS ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR OR THE WHEEL COMING OFF DURING DRIVING. THIS POTENTIALLY UNSAFE SITUATION WARRANTS A RECALL BY FORD. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL ATTACHED TO THE GLASS OF THE REAR LIFTGAGE. THE CRACK WAS SMALL AT FIRST BUT BECAME LARGER OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED FOR THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE HEATED STOPPED BLOWING HEAT AND WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE HATCH BACK OF THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER DEVELOPED A CRACK DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE. THIS DEFECT CAN BE SEEN AROUND MANY OTHER 2003 FORDS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE HATCHBACK PIECE IS RATTLING AND SEEMS LIKE IT WILL COME OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT (N/A). WHILE DRIVING THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,300.

THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN AUGUST OF 2003. BUT IRONICALLY THEY HAVE ALL APPEARED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IN SEPTEMBER 2007 THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NO LONGER WORKED. IT COST ME $2000 AND A WEEK WITHOUT A CAR, TO GET IT FIXED. IN AUGUST 2009 THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW WOULD NO LONGER WORK. IN SEPTEMBER 2009 MY SUV STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING ON THE HEATER. SINCE WE LIVED IN A WARM CLIMATE THIS DID NOT CONCERN US MUCH, AS THE HEAT HAD WORKED EVEN WITH THE CLICKING SOUND. BUT WE MOVED TO A COLDER CLIMATE AND THE HEATER WENT OUT IN MARCH 2010. IN APRIL 2010 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND FROM 4TH TO 5TH GEAR. HE COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY MORE INFORMATION AND WAS NOT WILLING TO FIX MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM (HE SUGGESTED I GO ELSEWHERE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT AN EXPERT IN TRANSMISSIONS). IN MAY 2010 THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING OFF. AFTER SPEAKING TO MECHANIC AGAIN, HE SAID IT WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IN AUGUST 2010 THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STARTED COMING ON RANDOMLY, EVEN WHEN THE DOOR IS NOT OPEN. AND IN SEPTEMBER 2010, I NOTICED MY ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON RANDOMLY. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE TRIGGERED BY ANY SPECIFIC REASON, AND DOES NOT ALWAYS COME ON. *TR

ABS LIGHT ON,SECOND WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER, FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW THEY ARE GOING OUT AGAIN. AFTER INVESTIGATION, THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR. SOMETHING ABOUT POOR DESIGN. CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEAL AND HE SAID FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS, BUT ON SUCH AN "OLD" VEHICLE, FORD ISN'T GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTION. *TR

93,000 MILES AND ABS LIGHT AND LOUD GRINDING NOISE (IN ADDITION TO APPLIQUE CRACK IN REAR). NEED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR HUB BEARINGS, BRAKE PAD ROTORS, AND PARKING BRAKE SHOES. SEARCH THE WEB ON THESE PROBLEMS, AND OVER 3 HUNDRED COMPLAINTS SEEN ON JUST ONE SITE FOR 2003 EXPLORERS ALONE. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER RIMS ARE CORRODING CHROME IS PEELING OFF COULD CAUSE RIM TO BECOME WEAK OR BREAK PEELING CHROME IS SHARP AND COULD CAUSE SEVERE CUTS TO HAND WHEN CLEANING OR HANDLING WHEELS OFF CAR. *TR

O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP FROM 2ND T 3RD GEAR. HAD THE TRANS SOLENOID PACK REPLACED WHICH HELPED FOR AWHILE BUT PROBLEM CAME BACK AFTER A MONTH OR SO. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY SAID IT'S THE 4TH AND 5TH GEAR SERVOS. *TR

THE FORD EXPLORER'S MOST FREQUENT PROBLEM - IS IT CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THIS OCCURS ON EXPLORERS FROM MODEL YEARS 2002, 2003 & 2004. WITH MOST AFFECTED EXPLORERS NOW PAST THE STANDARD WARRANTY PERIOD, MOST OWNERS WILL END UP HAVING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. BECAUSE THE CRACKED PANEL IS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT, THERE IS VERY LITTLE CHANCE OF A RECALL. FOR A SHORT TIME IN LATE 2006, FORD STARTED A "SPECIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM" FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY EXPLORERS, WHERE FORD PAID FOR ALL BUT $100 OF THE ~$450 REPAIR COST. HOWEVER SINCE JANUARY 2007, PEOPLE CALLING FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE BEGAN TO REPORT BACK THAT APPARENTLY FORD HAS ENDED THE BRIEF ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE TAILGATE HATCH IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RENT A TRAILER FROM U-HAUL, THE COMPANY WOULD NOT RENT TO ANYONE WITH A FORD EXPLORER WHICH SHE BELIEVED TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000-

2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH 74,000 MILES ON IT - O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. AROUND THE SAME TIME I NOTICED THAT WHEN GOING FROM A STOP TO A START IT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC - SUGGESTED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $4100!!! FOR A CAR THAT HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR

I HAVE CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY TIRES COMING OFF OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WHILE DRIVING FOLLOWING ANY WORK REQUIRING REMOVAL OF MY TIRES (THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES NOW). THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN 2006. THE EXPLANATION THAT I HAVE RECEIVED IS THAT THE ALUMINUM RIMS REQUIRE EXTRA TORQUING WHEN PLACING THE TIRE BACK ON THE VEHICLE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE REALLY IS BUT NOW I KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE METAL IN ALL OF THE AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH MY TIRES BEING ATTACHED TO MY VEHICLE. EVERYTHING IS CORRODED BEHIND THE HUB CAPS OF ALL 4 WHEELS. THIS COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ISSUE THAT THE WINDSTARS ARE EXPERIENCING, MAYBE THE ANNEALING PROCESS USED FOR THE METAL WAS DEFECTIVE? I DON'T KNOW BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WANT AN INVESTIGATION OPENED SO THAT IT CAN BE CORRECTED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD REGARDING THIS ISSUE SO THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR EXPLORERS. *TR

WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. AT ONLY 52,000 MILES THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A HUMMING SOUND. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. $500! *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 38 IN SC, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING REAL BAD AND THEN THE ENTIRE SUV STARTED SHAKING AND WE VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A FIELD. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAME OFF AND WE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I SAW THAT 2 OF THE 5 LUG POSTS WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE OTHER 3 WERE BENT. IN ADDITION THE MOLDING AROUND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAME OFF AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS JAMMED SHUT. AFTER EVERYONE WAS OUT SAFELY THE SUV HAS BEEN TOWED AND IS WITH AN AUTO CENTER FOR REPAIRS AND BODY WORK. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE YET FORD HAS NOT HAD ANY RECALLS DESPITE THE FREQUENCY OF THIS ISSUE. IF YOU SEARCH "2003 FORD EXPLORER PROBLEMS" IT WILL COME UP. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I CAN SEE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE PAID FOR THEIR VEHICLES TO BE REPAIRED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN ON ANOTHER WHEEL. *TR

THE TRANSMISSIONS IS FAILING IN 2ND AND 5TH GEAR. IT OCCURS EVERYDAY AND YOU CAN NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT IT STICKING IN A HIGHER GEAR, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP SAFELY. *TR

WITH NO WARNING, WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 EXPLORER YESTERDAY, THE O/D OFF LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. AFTER THAT I NOTICE THE SHIFTING OF GEARS FEELS REALLY WEIRD. IT SHIFTS SLOWER AND HARDER WHEN IT SHIFTS. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL COST ME $2000 THAT I DON'T HAVE, TO PUT INTO A VEHICLE I AM STILL PAYING ON. IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WITH THE TRANSMISSION THE WAY IT IS NOW, IT COULD LOCK UP AND MAKE ME STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND POSSIBLE GET MYSELF AND OTHERS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE THAT I HAVE, BUT I DIDN'T NOT KNOW THAT UNTIL I BEGAN DOING RESEARCH WHEN IT MESSED UP YESTERDAY. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER-4.6 LITER V8 4 WHEEL DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HAS 158,000 MILES AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SPARKPLUG BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY STATE ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE MISS FIRED AND THEN HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE ENGINE WENT TO MISSING BAD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I LIMPED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED TO REINSTALL THE PLUG AND COIL PACK. THE FORCING PUSH OF THE PLUG BROKE THE COIL PACK AND TORE THE PLUG BOOT. I JUST REPLACED THE COIL PACK AND PLUG BOOT ASSEMBLY AND REINSTALLED THE PLUG BCK IN. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE IS COMMON ON THE 4.6 LITERS, A FRIEND AND SHADETREE MECHANIC DID A MOTOR SWAP IN AN EXPEDITION WITH THIS SAME MOTOR FOR THE SAME REASON CAUSE THE PLUG IN CYLINDER #4(PASSENGER REAR) TORE THE THREADS COMING OUT AND LET LOOSE METAL INTO THE PISTON JOURNAL AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE. *TR

WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS BUCKLING AND CHIPPING IN LARGE AREAS. THE FAILURE BEGAN AT SPREAD TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 82,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

I KEEP READING ABOUT 2 COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AND FORD SHOULD TAKE ACTION ON; THE FIRST BEING THE BACK TAIL GATE... FORD DO THE RIGHT THING. THE SECOND HAS TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION, OVERDRIVE LIGHT, THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL. I USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES AND WHILE ON A FEW TRIPS THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR NO REASON, AT LEAST I THOUGHT, I THEN FOUND OUT THAT I HAD AN ABS PROBLEM AND WHEEL BEARINGS PROBLEMS. ALL HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME? AS IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH MY TRANSMISSION WAS DRIPPING FLUID ON MY NEW DRIVEWAY! THIS WAS WHILE I ONLY HAD ONLY 70,000 MILES, IT WASN'T RIGHT, I CHECKED OUT THE BRAKES, THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE HOWEVER WHEN I PULL OFF THE REAR DRUM / DISK TO CHECK THE PARKING BRAKE THAT'S WHEN I FOUND THE PROBLEM. I NEVER USE MY PARKING BRAKE, IT ROTTED AND DELAMINATED AND WAS DRAGGING HENCE THE OD LIGHT, THE OVERHEATING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH BLEW OUT THE SEAL, THE EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST WHICH WAS PARTIALLY THE CAUSE OF ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING. THE LAST PART IMPACTS THE BEARINGS, WHEN THE ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS IT CAN APPLY THE BRAKES AS IN SKIDDING OR IN TIRE SLIPPAGE ADDING TO EARLY UNNECESSARY WEAR ON BEARINGS AND AGAIN OVERHEATING OF THE TRANSMISSION. FORD NEEDS TO INSTALL A FEW "SMART" SENSORS, ONE WHICH COULD TRACK PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS, ALSO ONE FOR FAIL SAFE TEMPERATURE READINGS FOR THE TRANSMISSION. (THAT IS BEFORE IT IS COMPROMISED.) DO THE RIGHT THING FORD, YOUR S

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS ON THE REAR LIFT GATE UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HER THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE BUT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING AND TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. THE CAR HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN TOED. IT IS A DAILY COMMUTE CAR I HAVE OWNED SINCE BRAND NEW. THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD ALREADY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. ALSO THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE GONE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO COUNTLESS OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS YEAR (2003) EXPLORER. I HAVE RESEARCHED BOTH AND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS CAR. AND BOTH ARE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS FOR SAFETY REASONS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE DEFECT FROM FORD AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH APPROX. 70,000 MILES ON IT. ON JULY 15, 2010, I NOTICED THAT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT A WEEK. ON JULY 26, 2010, I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND A NEW SOLENOID PACK. THE COST OF THESE ITEMS WAS $2,500! I PROCEEDED TO DO SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 FORD EXPLORERS. THE TRANSMISSIONS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS AS NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. I FEEL FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL OF THIS ITEM AS IT HAS CAUSED MANY PEOPLE A LOT OF MONEY TO REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS THE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92000.

2003 FORD EXPLORER EXT WITH LESS THAN 85,000 MILES. AFTER HAVING MY ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKES) LIGHTS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES, I HAD THE ABS MODULE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AFTERWARDS, SO I HAD SEARS COMPLETE A FRONT END INSPECTION. FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS BOTH FRONT END WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLIES REPLACED. THIS IS APPARENTLY AFFECTING THE TIRES AND THE BRAKES AS WELL. HAD I NOT FOUND OUT WHEN I DID, THE BEARING COULD HAVE WENT OUT COMPLETELY, AND CAUSED A CRASH AND POSSIBLE INJURIES AND DEATH. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ALOT OF MILAGE ON IT AND SHOULD NOT NEED BEARINGS THIS QUICKLY. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS COMPLAINT... AFTER ALOT OF RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND ALOT OF PPL WITH THIS PROBLEM. VIEW THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO.. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2003/WHEELS_HUBS/FRONT_WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML. *TR

WHILE I AM DRIVING THE TRUCK SLOWS DOWN THEN SPEEDS BACK UP. VEHICLE IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND HAS 71,000 MILES, A FEW DAYS AGO THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THEN A DAY LATER THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THEY HOOKED THE TRUCK UP TO THE MACHINE AND 5 MALFUNCTIONS CAME UP IN THE TRANSMISSION HE SAID THAT THE 1ST AND 5TH GEAR IS SLIPPING. HE WOULD HAVE TO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD COST AT LEAST $2000. HE ALSO STATED THAT MY TRUCK WAS TOO YOUNG AND DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MILES IN IT TO ALREADY HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I SEE BY THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON CARCOMPLAINT.COM THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHO DO WE HAVE TO CONTACT IN ORDER TO HAVE FORD NOTICE THAT THEY TRUCK SHOULD GET RECALLED B/C OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS? *TR

ONE OF THE TWO HINGES THAT SECURE THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS TO THE VEHICLE RECENTLY BROKE. UNDER THE NHTSA'S GUIDANCE, FORD PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RECALL DESCRIBING AND ADDRESSING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. HOWEVER, FORD CLAIMS THAT MY TRUCK FALLS OUTSIDE THE BUILD DATES FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE, SO IT APPEARS THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO THE LATER BUILD DATES. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF IT NOT EASILY CHANGING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, AND REVERSE TO PARK. LAST NIGHT, I WAS UNLOADING SOME ITEMS FROM THE EXPLORER. THE CAR WAS IN PARK, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. I WAS STANDING IN THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER DOORWAY. I REACHED OVER TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. UPON TURNING IT OFF, THE EXPLORER IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ROLL INTO REVERSE. MY MOTHER WAS SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT AT THIS TIME AS WELL AS MY TWO BABIES, WHO WERE STRAPPED IN THEIR CAR SEATS. MY DRIVEWAY IS AN INCLINE, SO THE EXPLORER ROLLED BACKWARDS. I TRIED TO RUN WITH IT AS I WAS TRAPPED IN THE DOORWAY. THE EXPLORER GAINED SPEED GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, CAUSING ME TO BE KNOCKED DOWN, UNSURE OF WHETHER OR NOT I WAS ABOUT TO BE RUN OVER, OR WHETHER MY MOM AND CHILDREN WERE GOING TO BE INJURED. I WAS THROWN DOWN, LANDED ON MY BUTTOCKS WHICH HAS CAUSED SEVERE BRUISING, HIT MY HEAD ON THE CONCRETE, AND WAS LEFT WITH PAINFUL, OPEN CUTS ON MY LEFT ARM. MY MOTHER WAS TOSSED ABOUT CAUSING PAIN TO HER BACK. MY KIDS WERE THANKFULLY RESTRAINED IN THEIR CAR SEATS. THEY ROLLED BACKWARD INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD, THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL FORWARD BACK ACROSS THE STREET INTO MY YARD. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED, AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THIS POSITION. IT TOOK QUITE A LOT OF WORK TO GET THE CAR TO GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE SO THAT THE EXPLORER COULD BE PROPERLY MOVED. I AM VE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW, THE HINGE FOR THE WINDOW BROKE AND THE GLASS BECAME DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

I WAS APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED . I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS PREPARING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SPED UP. I INCREASED THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I WAS AFRAID THAT I WOULD HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAITING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I THEN SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. MY TACHOMETER WAS READING ABOVE 5000 RPM. I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RPM RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED BY A FORD DEALER TOMORROW. *TR

MY 2003 EXPLORER CRACKED FROM THE BACK WINDOW TO THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD TOLD ME ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO RECALL INITIATED. I HAVE 3 OTHER FRIENDS WHO ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS IT IS BY NO FAULT OF THE OWNER AND APPARENTLY IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

MY CAR IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS. OVERALL THE CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION. WHEN WASHING THE CAR THERE IS SOME CHROME PEELING FROM THE WHEEL AT THE HUB EXTENDING OUT TO THE LUG NUTS. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AFTER SOME EFFORT DUE TO THE CORROSION OF THE ALUMINUM. I CLEANED HE CORROSION FROM THE ALUMINUM AT THE HUB AND FOUND INTERNAL PITTING BETWEEN 1/8" AND 1/4" DEEP WHEN PROBING. I AM A ARCHITECT WITH A ENGINEERING BACKGROUND AND IN MY OPINION THE LOSS OF ALUMINUM STRUCTURE IS SIGNIFICANT AND THE WHEEL NO LONGER SAFE. THE OTHER WHEELS HAVE SOME CHROME PEELING AS WELL AND WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE DEPTH OF THE PITTING OR REMOVED THE WHEELS. AS FORD HAS THE EXPLORER HAS HAD ISSUES WITH WHEEL FAILURE IN THE PAST AND THIS IS A ISSUE THAT WAS NOT OBSERVABLE WHEN I CHANGED THE BRAKES ABOUT A YEAR AGO TO VERY SIGNIFICANT NOW IT MAY BE WORTH LOOKING INTO. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE ALUMINUM IF YOU LIKE AND WILL RETAIN THE RIM WHEN I GET A NEW ONE. THE OTHER THREE WHEELS HAVE NOT BEEN REMOVED IF YOU WISH TO SEE THESE IN THE NEAR FUTURE UNDISTURBED PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT. THE THREADED PORTION OF THE AXLE IS CORRODED WITH NO THREADS VISIBLE AND 10% OF THE DIAMETER LOST. THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL BEHIND THE PLASTIC CAP WAS 20% FILLED WITH CORROSION RESIDUE WHEN I REMOVED IT. THE OTHER SIDE HAS NOT BEEN OPENED UP YET. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS OVER THE YEARS INCLUDING FORDS AND NEVER HAVE SEEN AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR

REPAIR SHOP "PERRIER AUTO CENTER" CHANGE OIL FOR ME BY OVERLOAD ENGINE WITH 10 QUARTERS OF OIL AND ALSO OVERLOAD POWER STEERING FLUID THAT COST FAILED POWER STEERING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO PICK UP SPEED. ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER YET THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES IN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,900.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGES FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS TO FALL AND SHATTER FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDINGLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,950 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF OR WOULD SPORADICALLY FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 161,000.

OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION CRACK IN LIFTGATE BELOW THE GLASS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT AND TO REPAIR IT MYSELF. *TR

THE FRONT BEARINGS ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAVE GONE OUT IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR STOPPED STEERING AND I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME DRIVING IT TO THE NEAREST REPAIR STATION. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING WENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH AND THE LEFT AT THE END OF THE MONTH. THE MECHANICS THAT WORKED ON THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THEY SEE MANY OF THESE. ADDITIONALLY WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR STRUT ASSEMBLY SINCE THE SPRING ACTUALLY SNAPPED. THIS TOO WAS FAMILIAR TO THE MECHANIC. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO STATED THAT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD NOT GO THAT SOON AND THAT THIS IS A HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE FIXED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW, IT NOW HAS 135,553 MILES ON IT. HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS AND IT ACTUALLY DRIVES VERY WELL, BUT THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER 3 DAYS LATER, WAS TOLD THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,225.00. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE O/D OFF LIGHT STILL FLASHING AND AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS THEY HAVE NOW DETERMINED THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $1,325.00. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO I AND A FRIEND CAME OUT OF A GROCERY STORE TO DISCOVER THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I DROVE RIGHT OVER TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. I DO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES. IT WAS REPORTED TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I WAS DENIED REPAIR. I WAS TOLD I COULD PAY $1,000.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED OR PUT CAULKING ON IT TO HELP TO SEAL THE CRACK. I PUT THE CAULKING ON IT AS I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM RETIRED AND ON A FIXED INCOME. OVER THE COURSE OF TIME THE CRACK WIDENED CAUSING THE PANEL AND WINDOW TO SHIFT TO THE LEFT. ON MONDAY 4/12/10 I OPENED THE HATCHBACK WINDOW TO PLACE A FEW ITEMS INSIDE AND THE WINDOW CAME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD ALMOST DRIVING ME INTO THE GROUND. THE HINGES BROKE AND HAD A FRIEND NOT BEEN THERE WITH ME I COULD NOT HAVE LIFTED THAT WINDOW. HE AND I WORKED FOR 45 MINUTES TO GET IT PLACED BACK TO WHERE IT WAS NOT HANGING AND HAD TO PUT BUNGY CORDS ON TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. I HAVE HAD A HEADACHE FOR 3 DAYS NOW. I DROVE RIGHT OVER TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOOK MY INFORMATION AND CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY WHO GOT BACK TO HIM AND STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE HINGES. I TOLD HIM THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! THIS CRACK HAS WIDENED OVER THE LAST YEAR AND THE HATCHBACK HAS SHIFTED TO THE LEFT. REPLACING THE HINGES IS A TEMPORARY FIX. LIKE PUTTING A BANDAID ON A COMPOUND FRACTURE! I THINK THE ENTIRE HATCHBACK HAS

STEERING COLUMN.. HARD TO SHIFT INTO PARK. *TR

WHEEL BEARING/HUB FAILURE. *TR

THE UPPER PANEL ON THE BACK LIFT GATE, CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT HAS 2 CRACKS STARTING FROM ONE SINGLE ONE. IT HAPPENED DURING THE WINTER, SO WATER MUST BE ABLE TO GET IN UNDER THE SEAL AND FREEZE AND CRACK THE PANEL. I HAVE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THIS SAME CONDITION. THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE PANEL ITSELF TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR