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, Feb 12, 2011
NO SECOND GEAR. *TR
Power train, Feb 4, 2011
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
Power train, Feb 1, 2011
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
Power train, Jan 25, 2011
ENGINE REVS TO NEARLY 5000 RPM BEFORE SLAMMING INTO 2ND GEAR. HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE JUNK.
Power train, Jan 24, 2011
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
Power train, Jan 21, 2011
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.
Power train, Jan 17, 2011
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
Power train, Jan 11, 2011
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
Power train, Jan 9, 2011
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
Power train, Jan 5, 2011
"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
Power train, Structure, Dec 29, 2010
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
Power train, Wheels, Dec 16, 2010
2003 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4X4, FRONT AND REAR HUB BEARINGS GOING OUT ON A VEHICLE ESPECIALLY THE FRONT HUB BEARINGS. THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING WENT BAD AND LUCKILY WE WAS NOT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH OR HIGHER, WE WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 25-30 MPH. THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING FROZE UP AND WE DID A "U" TURN AND NO ONE WAS HURT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS,AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK. I CONTACTED FORD ON THIS MATTER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BY MYSELF,BUT IF THE SAME PROBLEM IS ON MANY,MANY TRUCKS THIS IS BAD AND NOT SAFE. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS? THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED ME AND TOLD ME WE SHOULD REPLACE THE TWO FRONT HUBS AND THE REAR AXLE BEARINGS ALSO,AND LOOKED AT THEM AFTER THE REPAIR AND THE OTHER ONES WERE WORN EXCESSIVE ALSO. THE REPAIR WORK FOR PARTS AND LABOR WAS $1488.00 WITH A LIMITED LIFE WARRANTY ON THE PARTS. *TR
Power train, Dec 8, 2010
O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKS ON DASHBOARD AND VEHICLE SHIFTS HARD. WAS ADVISED THAT TRANSMISSION REBUILD WAS NECESSARY. *TR
Power train, Dec 5, 2010
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
Power train, Nov 12, 2010
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 TRANSMISSION CONCERN ON YOUR VEHICLE, FORD WILL NOTIFY YOU BY MAIL. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER AND HOPE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE FUTURE TO ASSIST YOU WITH A MORE FAVORABLE RESOLUTION TO KEEP YOUR CONFIDENCE IN OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INQUIRIES AND/OR CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST A VALUED CUSTOMER LIKE YOURSELF. SINCERELY, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER *TR
Power train, Nov 3, 2010
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.
Power train, Nov 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE FROM THE PARK POSITION. IN ORDER SHIFT INTO REVERSE HE HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND ALLOW IT TO SLOWLY ROLL BACKWARDS. UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE HE ALSO NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 6TH GEAR. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
Power train, Oct 25, 2010
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.
Power train, Sep 28, 2010
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2010
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
Power train, Sep 14, 2010
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
Power train, Sep 9, 2010
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
Power train, Aug 25, 2010
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
Power train, Aug 25, 2010
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
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 21, 2010
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