2003 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,313 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 69 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 66 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgate, hinge and attachmentsSep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V442000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Campaign 03V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
356 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Aug 30, 2011
TRANSMISSION FAILURE....O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR
Power train, Aug 16, 2011
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER IS GONE. *KB
Power train, Equipment, Aug 15, 2011
O/D LIGHT SPONTANEOUSLY CAME ON. CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF. TRANSMISSION TAKES OFF SLOW. FIRST GEAR SLAMS INTO SECOND, WITH SLOW TAKEOFF CAUSES CARS BEHIND ME TO STOP SHORT BECAUSE MY TAKEOFF IS VERY SLOW. *TR
Power train, Jul 18, 2011
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAD A "THUNK" NOISE FROM DAY ONE. FORD DEALERSHIP "COULD NOT DUPLICATE" THE COMPLAINT EVEN THOUGH I TOOK IT BACK MULTIPLE TIMES. HAD TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AT 70K MILES AND NOW AT 135K MILES THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION AND ANOTHER TORQUE CONVERTER FOR RATTLING AGAIN. OD/OFF BLINKING LIGHT AND CHECK TRANSMISSION NOTICE CAME ON WITH ERRATIC SHIFTING AND LOSS OF 2ND AND 5TH GEARS. REPLACEMENT OF TRANS ELIMINATED "THUNK" AND MY $4600. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITHOUT ANY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FAULTY MATERIALS OR ENGINEERING BY FORD HAS PLAGUED HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS. WHERE IS THE EXPECTED INVESTIGATION OF THESE PROBLEMS? WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL ACCIDENTS OR INJURY TO HAVE FAULTY AUTOS RECALLED? WHY ARE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED MORE OF A SAFETY CONCERN THAN TRANSMISSIONS THAT LEAVE DRIVERS WITHOUT PROPER MOVING CAPABILITY ON THE HIGHWAY? WHERE IS THE RECALL FOR THESE UNITS? *KB
Power train, Jul 13, 2011
SUDDENLY THE TRANSFER CASE STARTED JERKING AND THE SUV WAS SHAKING BADLY THAT I ALMOST COULDN'T DRIVE IT HOME. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE THIS HAPPENING AT 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOUSE AND AT ABOUT 20-25 MILES PER HOUR! IT WAS NO CODE TO INDICATE WHERE THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN THE POWER TRAIN. I TOOK A PART THE REAR END, I FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I STARTED TO TROUBLESHOOT THE TRANSFER CASE AND I NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR WITH ACTUATOR DOES NOT SPIN THE SHAFT FROM TRANSFER CASE, REASON THAT THE TRANSFER CASE CAN'T SELECT FIRMLY THE POSITION OF HI, LOW OR 4WD!!!!. OBSERVING THAT THE MOTOR OF THE TRANSFER CASE SIFTER DOES NOT SPIN, I PURCHASED A NEW MOTOR FROM FORD,. AFTER REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED; SO, I REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE MODULE, BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX; NO RESULT. TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AROUND I UNPLUGGED THE TRANSFER CASE MOTOR SHIFT FROM THE MAIN HARNESS AND THE SUV STAYS NOW IN 4WD WITH BLINKING LIGHTS ON MY DASH FOR ABS AND 4X4 WD!!! I AM STILL WANDERING WHAT COULD HAPPENED TO ME IF THE JUMPING AND GRINDING WAS TO HAPPEND WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH 65-70 MILES PER HOUR AND THE POWER TRAIN COULD SNAP AND THE DRIVESHAFT COULD FLY OUT... WHO SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY LIFE OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S THAT I COULD HIT? I CONSIDER THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHALL RECALL THE EXPLORER'S AFFECTED AND ADDRESS THE TRANSFER CASE ISSUES. THE OLD PARTS THAT I HAVE REPLACED ARE AVAILABLE, THEY ARE FUNCTIONAL. I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND ANY ADVISE FROM ANY FORD SITES\, NEITHER FROM A QUALIFIED DIAGNOSTIC SPECIALIST. IF I GO TO FORD DEALERSHIP THEY WILL BE CHARGING TONS OF $$$ UNTIL THE CAR RUNS AGAIN; THEY DON'T CARE HOW MANY PARTS WILL REPLACE AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FORD'S MISTAKES FROM MY POCKET; THIS IS NOT RIGHT! *TR
Power train, Jun 16, 2011
THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COULD HAVE LEFT US STRANDED ON THE ROAD. FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE 2003-2004 EXPLORERS. I THINK THEY SHOULD MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT ON THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. TRANSMISSION ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST LONGER THAN 71,000 MILES. WE DID NOT MISTREAT THIS VEHICLE IN ANY WAY. *TR
Power train, May 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND UPON RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MILES, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Power train, Interior lighting, May 16, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATED FREQUENTLY AND THE DOME LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURERS RECALL AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.
Power train, Electrical system, May 11, 2011
FIRST I MUST SAY I LOVE THIS TRUCK. ITS MY SECOND ONE AND BOTH HAD SAME PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN TRUCH LURCHED FORWARD THEN O/D OFF LITE STARTED FLASHING THEN CHECK ENGINE LITE FLASHING.TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND IT CAME UP WITH A PO775 CODE, HE SAID ITS VERY COMMON AND NOT THE FIRST ONE HES SEEN DO THIS. PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID B NEEDS REPLACING FOR ABOUT $400.00 THEN AFTER REMOVING PAN WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED OVERHAUL NOW $2200.00 LATER. I THINK FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD STAND BEHIND IT. ALSO BLEND DOOR STOPPED WORKING AND ALL 4 CALIPERS SEIZED UP. DONT KNOW IF ILL EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD.ALSO POWER WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, BROKEN WIRE IN DOOR. NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE.I THINK A CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE STARTED AGAINST FORD FOR REPAIRS ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS.I CANT AFFORD TO DUMP HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS TRUCK AFTER PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR IT.
Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, May 6, 2011, crash
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND IT SOMEHOW ROLLED DOWN APPROX 150 FEET AND SMASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE VEHICLE IT WAS PARKED AND THE KEYS WERE IN THE HOUSE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY INSURANCE (STATE FARM) AND THEY HAD ME CALL A COLLISION GARAGE TO COME OUT AND THEY CAME WITHIN THE HOUR. THEY HAVE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE NEXT MORNING I CALLED FORD AND THEY DISREGARDED ANYTHING I SAID AND SAID MY INSURANCE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. I AM STILL PAYING ON A LOAN FOR THIS CAR AND I DO HAVE FULL COVERAGE BUT I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND I AM SCARED TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT OF HAPPENED IF MY DAUGHTERS WOULD OF BEEN PLAYING IN THE BACKYARD. *TR
Power train, Apr 27, 2011
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND SOMETIMES WONT ENGAGE. FREQUENTLY OCCURS AT STOP/START MOVEMENTS. OCURRS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. "O/D OFF" LIGHT IS FREQUENTLY DISPLAYED. UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE!!! *TR
Power train, Apr 27, 2011
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED AROUND 100K MILES; HIGH RPM SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WITH SUBSEQUENT FLASHING O/D LIGHT. MANY TIMES TRANSMISSION WILL "CLUNK" INTO GEAR EITHER FROM GOING INTO REVERSE, STOPPING COMPLETELY, THEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AND/OR WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY MODEL YEAR EXPLORER (03) AND SAME CODE MANY OTHERS RECEIVE (P0775) WHICH REALLY DOES NOT DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM OR LEAD A NOT SO MECHANICAL INCLINED PERSON TO TRY AND TROUBLESHOOT/BUY PARTS TO FIX. I'M CAREER MILITARY MAN W/FAMILY AND MY TRUCK IS PAID OFF NEXT MONTH--OWNED 5 YEARS AND REALLY SUCKS TO HAVE TO POSSIBLY DUMP $3K INTO A TRUCK THAT FORD HAS KNOWN CONTAINED ISSUES WITH THE 5R55W TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Apr 19, 2011
EXPLORER OD LIGHT CAME ON AND TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND THE TRUCK JUST MADE IT TO THE MECHANIC. THE TRUCK NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE EXPENSE OF $3000. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE FORD EXPLORER IS KNOWN FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. SENT AN EMAIL TO FORD AND THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ON THE EXPENSES OR ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES.
Power train, Apr 8, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND MY O/D LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE I HAVE NO 2ND OR 5TH GEAR THEY ALSO SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR. THEY SAID THE SHIFT SEALNOID WENT OUT SO NOW I CANT DRIVE MY TRUCK TELL I CAN AFFORD 3400 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED SO THAT HAS MADE IT HARDER FOR ME TO GET TO WORK AND TO GET MY FAMILY WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. *TR
Power train, Mar 30, 2011
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. *TR
Power train, Mar 26, 2011, crash
ACCELERATOR DEFECT ; THE CAR ATUOMATICALLY SPED UP WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. CAUSED DAMAGES TO 3 OTHER VEHICLES, 1 OF WHICH WAS TOTALLED. *TR
Power train, Mar 25, 2011
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.
Power train, Mar 21, 2011, crash, fire
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
Power train, Mar 15, 2011
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
Power train, Feb 28, 2011
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
Power train, Feb 25, 2011
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.
Power train, Feb 24, 2011
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
Power train, Feb 21, 2011
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 89,000 MILES. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD I'VE HAD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 89,000. I HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL BRAKE ISSUES THAT FORD REFUSED TO ADDRESS AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. *TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2011
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
Power train, Feb 19, 2011
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