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: structure
389 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jan 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES WERE FRACTURED AND TILTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Structure, Jan 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE FIBERGLASS WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Sep 18, 2014
NOTICED UPPER PART OF REAR TAILGATE UNDER GLASS NEXT TO FORD EMBLEM IS CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. *TR
Structure, Sep 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL OF THE LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT'S FINGERS TO BECOME PINCHED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HINGES FRACTURED ON THE LIFTGATE. THE HINGES WERE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Structure, Sep 16, 2014
A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR 2003 FORD EXPLORERS FOR THE HINGES ON THE BACK WINDOW TAILGATE. THE RIGHT SIDE HINGE ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER BROKE, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE STRONG ENOUGH TO CATCH THE GLASS BEFORE IT SNAPPED THE OTHER HINGE. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD AFTER SEEING THE RECALL NOTICE ONLINE, I WAS TOLD MY FORD WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED ON THE NHTSA SITE AND IT WAS NOT LISTED THERE EITHER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF EXPLORERS OF THE SAME YEAR ARE RECALLED AND MY HINGE BROKE, I BELIEVE THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH A LARGER RANGE OF EXPLORERS THAN LISTED. *TR
Structure, Sep 15, 2014
THE BACK PANEL ON THE HATCH IS CRACKED. *TR
Structure, Aug 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK HINGES FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Visibility, Structure, Aug 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE GLASS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE) DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING A TWO DOOR AND NOT A FOUR DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Structure, Jul 29, 2014
CRACK IN REAR LIFTGATE BODY PANEL. MAY FAIL DURING OPENING/CLOSING AND CAUSE INJURY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2002-2005 EXPLORERS. FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND COVERED IT UP. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PROGRESS. *JS
Visibility, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2014
WHEN CLOSING THE GLASS TAILGATE THE RIGHT HINGE THAT ATTACHES THE GLASS TO THE TAILGATE BROKE CAUSING THE GLASS TO DETACH FROM THE CAR AND FALL HITTING ME IN THE LEFT ARM UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ UPDATED 3/18/2015 *JS
Visibility, Structure, Jul 6, 2014
2 COMPLAINTS - BACK REAR HATCH PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS LIVE IN AUGUSTA GA AND VISIT FLORIDA AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM EVERY MAKE BODY LIKE MINE HAVE THIS CRACK AND SOME PANEL HAS EVEN FALLEN OFF. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM FOR THIS LARGE AMOUNT OF SUV'S TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SEE MORE WITH PROBLEMS THAN WITHOUT. ALSO RECENTLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW INTERMITTENTLY NOT GOING DOWN AND BACK UP AFTER ICE STORM IN AUGUSTA THIS YEAR ALL FOUR WINDOWS STOPPED GOING UP AND DOWN. THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND BODY STYLE OF FORD EXPLORERS. OWNED A 1993 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER HAD APPROX. 300,000 MILES ON IT BEFORE I GOT RID OF IT AND THE MOST HAPPENED TO THIS CAR WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR BRAKE LEAK WHICH WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PROBLEM I HAD. WISH I STILL HAD THE 1993 EXPLORER BECAUSE MY 2003 MAKES ME HESITANT ABOUT PURCHASING ANOTHER FORD EXPLORER NO MATTER HOW MUCH I LIKE THEM THIS ONE WILL MAKE TURN TO ANOTHER MAKE OF CAR. ONCE A LOYAL FORD OWNER NOT SO SURE NOW. YOU WOULD THINK THAT FORD WILL BE AS LOYAL TO US AS WE ARE OF THEM, IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU FRUSTRATED AND NOT WANTING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER. IF YOU CAN'T DEPEND ON THE SMALLER THINGS HOW CAN WE DEPEND ON THEM WITH THE LARGER THINGS. ONCE A LOYAL FORD OWNER. *JS
Structure, Jun 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE WINDOW BECAME DETACHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE LIFTGATE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE PROPERLY AND IT DEVELOPED A CRACK AT THE BOTTOM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIFT GATE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,002.
Structure, May 31, 2014
PAINT "BUBBLED UP" ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD A FEW YEARS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS CONTINUED TO FLAKE AND PEEL OFF. APPLE VALLEY FORD SERVICE REFUSED TO FIX THE PAINT PROBLEM WHEN REPORTED IN APPROXIMATELY 2006. *TR
Structure, May 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION LINES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES LINES, FUEL TANK COVER, DOOR LOCKS AND THE RUNNING BOARDS WERE ALSO CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,372. RK
Structure, Apr 26, 2014
ON FEBRUARY 18TH I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR GLASS LIFT GATE MOLDING OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REAR APPLIQUE. AFTER A GOOGLE SEARCH I REALIZED THIS IS KNOWN DEFECT THAT FORD MOTOR CO. DOES NOT RECOGNIZE OFFICIALLY. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS DEFECT. ON APRIL 25TH 2014 I OPENED THE REAR GLASS LIFT GATE TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE REAR CARGO AREA. UPON CLOSING THE GLASS LIFT GATE THE ENTIRE WINDOW SHATTERED INTO MANY PIECES AND ACTUALLY PUT THREE CUTS ON MY ARM. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER'S, MERCURY MOUNTAINEER'S AND LINCOLN AVIATOR'S ALL HAD THIS CRACKING OF THE REAR APPLIQUE. ALSO FOUND OUT WHETHER OR NOT A CRACK WAS VISIBLE MANY PEOPLE HAD THE REAR GLASS SHATTER UPON THEM WHILE CLOSING THE GLASS LIFT GATE. RIGHT NOW I MUST PAY FOR THE ENTIRE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET, INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER IT SINCE THEY SAY I HAVE A $1000.00 DEDUCTIBLE. THE COST FOR THE GLASS WAS QUOTED AT $495.25 PLUS TAX. I ALSO WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR APPLIQUE WHICH COVERS A PORTION OF THE GLASS WINDOW AT AN ADDITIONAL COST. NOT SURE WHY THIS IS NOT COVERED BY FORD SINCE THE WINDOW SHATTERING CAN CAUSE INJURY AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I WILL GET THIS FIXED AND KEEP MY RECEIPTS FOR ALL REPAIRS AND HOPE ALL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE GET SOME SORT OF REIMBURSEMENT. *TR
Structure, Wheels, Engine, Apr 24, 2014, fire
WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE INTO A STRIP MALL PARKING LOT. BEFORE I GOT OUT FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I RAN INTO A STORE AND GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO TRY AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. I FAILED, AS THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE EXPLORER WAS IN FLAMES AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT IT OUT. I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 7 WEEKS. THE USED DEALER WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. SHOULD THEY? I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON MAR. 3,2014 AT OC AUTO EXPO IN WESTMINSTER, CA. *TR
Structure, Apr 6, 2014
BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE AFTER BEING USED ONLY A FEW DOZEN TIMES EACH. THE CAUSE WAS THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE (PLASTIC) BROKE INSIDE THE DOOR. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS MEANS THAT REAR SEAT PASSENGERS CANNOT EGRESS THE VEHICLE WITHOUT IT BEING OPENED BY SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS EVIDENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY FORD VEHICLES USING THIS DOOR HANDLE - THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED YEARS AGO. *TR
Structure, Mar 23, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TOP PORTION OF THE LIFTGATE ON THE VEHICLE OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND THEN THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE FRACTURED CAUSING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL AND HANG BY ONLY ONE SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE COMPRESSION ROD WAS BENT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE COMPRESSION ROD HAD TO BE REMOVED AND THE LIFTGATE HAD TO BE TEMPORARILY FASTENED WITH HARNESSES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. *TR
Structure, Mar 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT DOOR WAS MISALIGNED AND BECAME CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE REAR LIFT DOOR HINGE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR CAUSED THE MISALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW REAR LIFT DOOR AND THE DOOR WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,273.
Structure, Feb 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE LIFT GATE OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HINGE TO BECOME FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE COMPRESSION ROD WAS ABNORMALLY BENT. THE CONTACT MADE A TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT TO THE LIFT GATE IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 4, 2014
ON THE MORNING OF 1/29/14 I WAS AT THE MARKET ,CAME OUT TO LOAD MY ITEMS INTO THE VEHICLE , OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE AT ABOUT THE 1/3 OPEN POINT THE GLASS EXPLODED INTO A MILLION PIECES . WHICH IN TURN SENT SHARDS OF GLASS INTO MY FACE ,HANDS , HEAD AND EYES . THEY WERE MINOR INJURIES BUT I'M STILL EXTRACTING GLASS FROM MY HEAD AND HANDS AND THERE IS STILL GLASS EMBEDDED IN MY HANDS . I HAVE AN APT WITH MY DR ONLY BECAUSE THERE IS GLASS IN MY EYES. MY MOTHER WAS WITH ME BUT SHE WAS AT THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SO SHE DIDN'T GET NAILED .I HAVE NEVER SEEN A WINDOW EXPLODE LIKE THIS, THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE , THE POWER OF THE FLYING GLASS WAS UNREAL SOME OF IT WENT THROUGH 3 -12 PACKS OF SODA WITH EASE. ALSO I HAVE NO RESOURCES TO GET A NEW WINDOW AS THEY ARE AROUND 700 DOLLARS . SO THIS IS WHAT I GET FROM FORD FOR BEING A LOYAL CUSTOMER ? *TR
Structure, Jan 31, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW BECAME CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Structure, Jan 31, 2014
PLASTIC REAR PANEL BELOW THE REAR GATE GLASS CRACKED DIRECTLY BESIDE THE FORD OVAL. THE PANEL IS NOW SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES. CONTACTED FORD DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE (VIA EMAIL) AND FORD WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE FAILURE OF THIS PANEL. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH EXPLORERS AND FORD HAS NOT EVEN AS MUCH AS TRIED TO HELP THE CUSTOMER WITH REPAIRS. *TR
Structure, Jan 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HITCH WAS CRACKED. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MECHANIC DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 11, 2014
I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A DEFECT IN THE TAILGATE PANEL ON THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER. IT IS CRACKED AND AS A RESULT WATER GETS INTO THE INSIDE OF THE PANEL AND LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF THE BITTER COLD DAYS HERE IN THE NORTHEAST OVER THE LAST MONTH OR SO, ICE FORMS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES WITH VISIBILITY WHICH IS DANGEROUS. IT ALSO SHORTED OUT THE REAR WIPER MOTOR AS WELL. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS SINCE IT EFFECTS SO MANY PEOPLE. *TR