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
Parking brake, Power train, Structure, Equipment, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Aug 16, 2010
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 SALES DEPEND ON IT. *TR
Power train, Wheels, Aug 11, 2010
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
Power train, Jul 30, 2010
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
Power train, Jul 7, 2010
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
Parking brake, Power train, Jun 29, 2010
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 VERY UPSET AT THE INCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE LEFT MYSELF, MY KIDS, OR MY MOM CRITICALLY OR FATALLY INJURED. I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW, AND I AM VERY AFRAID TO PARK IT. IF I HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE TO DRIVE RIGHT NOW, I CERTAINLY WOULD BE DRIVING IT INSTEAD OF THE FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Parking brake, Power train, Jun 22, 2010
MY CAR MOVE BACKWARDS WITH PARKING SHIFT,EMERGENCY AND ENGINE STOPS IN A RAMP DRIVING INTO MY GARAGE. *TR
Power train, May 9, 2010
OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Power train, Apr 18, 2010
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
Power train, Apr 10, 2010
STEERING COLUMN.. HARD TO SHIFT INTO PARK. *TR
Power train, Mar 16, 2010
TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND TAKING A LONG TIME GOING INTO GEAR AND JERKING INTO GEAR SINCE AROUND 67000 MILES. IT NOW HAS OVER 91000 MILES AND KEEPS GETTING WORSE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL EXPLORER. *TR
Power train, Mar 14, 2010
FORD 2003 EXPLORER OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE TO BE TOLD FORD HAS THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY'VE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. COULD BREAK DOWN ON STREET AND STRAND MOTORIST. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. I FEEL MY FAMILIES SAFETY WAS JEOPARDIZED BY FORDS NEGLECT. *TR
Power train, Mar 9, 2010
THE O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD,SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN I ACCELERATE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGH,FORD SAYS IT IS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM,BUT I HAVE VISITED SEVERAL SITES TODAY WITH COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS,ALL MAKES,ALL MODELS OF FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. I HAVE 2003 FORD EXPLORER .THE VEHICLE JUST WENT OVER 80,000 MILE. *TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2010
OVER DRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING; TRANSMISSION IS REVVING HIGH.. ONLY HAS 79,000 ON IT! *TR
Power train, Jan 28, 2010
2003 O/D LIGHT BLINKING, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON LIGHT TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DETECTED. LOTS OF FORDS TRANSMISSIONS SEEM TO HAVE FLAWS NEED TO FORCE A RECALL.*CW
Power train, Structure, Jan 24, 2010
2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT - OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTING FLASHING AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR. ENGINE REVS TO 3200 RPMS AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE BEFORE FEATHERING THE GAS TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. VERTICAL CRACK IN FIBERGLASS TAILGATE PANEL JUST BELOW REAR WINDOW GLASS. NO IMPACT TO TAILGATE OCCURRED-CRACK JUST APPEARED. *TR
Power train, Jan 19, 2010
2003 FORD EXPLORER "O/D OFF" LIGHT BLINKING. *TR
Power train, Jan 13, 2010
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND THE O/D LIGHT CONSTANTLY BLINKS. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLUGGISH SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND MY CAR FAILED AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM EVEN AFTER A TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED. HOPING THIS PROBLEM COULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THIS IS TOO WIDE SPREAD FOR IT TO BE A CONSUMER ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Dec 19, 2009
DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER ON HIGHWAY WHEN GEAR SLIPPED..O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING! IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION THEY SAY BUT I HAVEN'T DONE THE REPAIR YET. *TR
Power train, Dec 7, 2009
I STARTED NOTICING THAT MY EXPLORER WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS STAYING ON, ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD THE COMPUTER TESTED AND IT RESULTED IN CODE P0775. I CALLED FORD (IN BETHLEHEM PA) AND THEY COULD NOT GET ME IN UNTIL THE W/O 7/20. SINCE I WAS LEAVING FOR VACATION AND NEEDED IT, I TOOK IT TO BETHLEHEM TRANSMISSIONS. AFTER THEY FIXED IT REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND $3309.70 LATER, THE OWNER STATED TO ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 EXPLORERS. SO I CALLED FORD, WHO TOLD ME TO TAKE MY RECEIPT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THAT WAS A WASTE OF MY TIME B/C THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS RUDE, AND DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. MY TRUCK ONLY HAD 82,000 MILES ON. I UPGRADED TO THIS VEHICLE TO NOT HAVE PROBLEMS. WELL, I RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION WITH FORD, SO I AM NOW COMING TO YOU. THERE ARE NO RECALLS, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF, I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO SPEND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THE TSI FOR THIS ISSUE IS 5R55W. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME? THIS IS ALOT OF MONEY AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE STANDING BY THEIR PRODUCT AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE THE COMPLETE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR, BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Nov 30, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE COLUMN SHIFT LEVER HAD FRACTURED. HE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD-WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RE-OCCURRED, THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Power train, Nov 30, 2009
I HAVE NOTICED OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER GETTING HARDER TO MOVE FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND VISE-VERSA. NOW, THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED GEAR SELECTOR (PRND321) AT TIMES WON'T COME OUT OF PARK. I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE GEAR SELECT LEVER/BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE INTERFACE TO RELEASE. I HAVEN'T AS YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Power train, Nov 19, 2009
THE REAR END ON THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER STARTS TO WHINE, THEN GROWL' THEN LEAK THEN GO BAD. THE REAREND ON THE FORD EXPLORERS EVIDENTLY GO BAD OFTEN. THE OWNERS WOULD BE PUT IN DANGER WHEN THE BREAKDOWN OCCURS ON THE ROAD. THE EXPLORER IS A FAMILY VEHICLE SO THE REAREND GOING OUT ON A TRIP AWAY COULD BE DISASTER. I GOOGLED 2003 FORD EXPLORER REAREND PROBLEMS AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. *TR
Power train, Nov 17, 2009
2003 FORD EXPLORER XLS AWD - DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE BEGINS VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY. O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. TRANSMISSION BAD. $3000 TO REPLACE. *TR
Power train, Oct 1, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEALS ON 3 AXLES WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED; THEREFORE, THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE AND BOTH REAR AXLES WERE REPAIRED. THE AXLES WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND WERE REPAIRED AGAIN FOUR WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE AXLES COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,828 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,294.
Power train, Sep 23, 2009
OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE, THEN THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT, WE WERE ON INTERSTATE 70 EASTBOUND BETWEEN WHEELING WV AND WASHINGTON PA TRAVELING AT 65 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW WITHOUT WARNING WE WERE NEARLY HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER THAT HAD BEEN FOLLOWING US! WE SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE AND LO AND BEHOLD HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WERE LISTED ON NUMEROUS SITES, THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND BEFORE ITS ALL DONE IT WILL COST AT LEAST $2300 TO REPAIR AS THE TRANSMISSION WENT ALL AT ONCE WITH NO WARNING AT ALL! THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE DIY MECHANIC TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SEALED (NO DIPSTICK) SO I GUESS I AM GRATEFUL THAT THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SWERVE ENOUGH TO NOT HIT US OR FORD WOULD BE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DEATHS! *TR