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: suspension
77 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Aug 26, 2010, crash
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
Suspension, May 21, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND NOW 1 OR BOTH OF THE REAR ONES ARE BAD. *TR
Suspension, Wheels, Apr 22, 2010
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
Suspension, Jan 13, 2010
I SUGGEST YOU CHECK THE ONE URL SHOWN BELOW - THERE ARE OVER 400 EXAMPLES OF FORD SPRINGS FRACTURING BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE SPRING MATERIAL. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPRINGS.HTML I HAVE TWO BROKEN SPRINGS - I CALLED FORD TO ASK IF THEY WOULD FIX THE DEFECT OF COURSE THEY SAID NO WAY - NHTSA HAS NOT FORCED US TO DO A RECALL. *TR
Suspension, Jul 15, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR BEARINGS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT A REPAIR SHOP. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS IDENTICAL FAILURE WITH OTHER FORD EXPLORERS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Suspension, May 8, 2009
2003 FORD EXPLORER 4 DR. REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN. NO RUST ON OUTSIDE OF SPRING, BUT ITS BROKEN DUE TO BAD METAL USED TO MAKE IT. *TR
Suspension, Apr 19, 2009
BOTH FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER AT 67,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADWAYS AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY BOTH MYSELF AND FORD. UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS ALL 4 OF THESE BEARINGS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. *TR
Suspension, Wheels, Jan 20, 2009
I BOUGHT MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER IN SEPT 2007. AFTER DRIVING IT TO AND FROM WORK I NOTICED A LOUD HUMMING SOUND UP FRONT @ 94,000MILES. WHEN I FINALLY HAD IT LOOKED AT 2 MONTHS LATER, I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SIDE WHEEL BEARING. NOW A FEW MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BEARING IS HUMMING EVEN WORSE SO I HAD THAT ONE REPLACED. 10,000 MILES LATER THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. I DO NOT LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD, THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A $400.00 WHEEL BEARING (EACH) IN MY LIFE ON ANY TRUCK OR CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED UNTIL NOW ON A FORD EXPLORE. *TR
Suspension, Dec 8, 2008
WHILE DRIVING LOUD GRINDING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A PULLING TO THE SIDE. A DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC EVENT. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS. HAD CAR TOWED AND NEW WHEEL BEARING PLACED. A VERY EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD BE UNNEEDED REPAIR. *TR
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2008
I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT RIGHT OFF THE LOT BRAND NEW. WITHIN MONTHS I NOTICED A SMALL WET SPOT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE I MENTIONED IT TO WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND THE TOLD ME THAT MY DIFFERENTLY IS LOW BUT NOT LEAKING. THEN I ASKED WHAT ABOUT THE WET SPOT ON THE GROUND. WITH 7 MONTHS FROM THAT A HUGE PUDDLE FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR ON VACATION WITH THE VEHICLE AND DROP IT AT A FORD DEALER IT'S MY REAR DIFFERENTLY SEALS. FIXED THAT PAID FOR IT BECAUSE THEY SAY WHERE AND TEAR. ABOUT 1 YEAR LATER SAME THING GET IT FIXED ABOUT 1 YEAR AND HALF SAME THING AND CONTINUE TO FIX IT. TALK TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY SAY IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT WHEN I STARTED CALLING THEM IN 2004 IT WAS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD AND I PAID FOR THE PIECE TO BE REPAIRED. TODAY MY VEHICLE IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR A FOURTH TIME SAME EXACT PROBLEM ALTHOUGH NOW THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THE AXLE IS FROZEN IN THERE AND THEY NEED TO BREAK IT BEFORE FIXING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED. SEEKING HELP FOR THIS LEMON!!!! *TR
Suspension, Jul 31, 2008
ON 7/15/08 WE BROUGHT OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A TUNE-UP. WE THEN FOUND OUT OUR FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED REPLACING. OTHER PROBLEMS OCCURRED TOO. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND UPPER CONTROL ARM ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE ALSO HAD A FRONT PINION SEAL LEAKING. THE COST OF THE TUNE-UP WAS $555.54 WHILE ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS COSTS US $1402.30. WE WERE PREPARED TO PAY FOR THE TUNE-UP BUT NOT FOR ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS. WE ASKED IF FORD COULD HELP OUT BEFORE THIS WORK WAS DONE BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY SO WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY AND HAVE IT FIXED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THESE WERE SAFETY ISSUES. SOON AFTER WE LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WE NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES. WE BROUGHT OUR EXPLORER BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 7/31/08 ONLY TO FIND OUT THE OTHER FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAD GONE. THEY TOLD US IT WOULD COST ANOTHER $365 AND AGAIN WE ASKED IF FORD COULD HELP OUT AND THEY SAID WE WOULD NEED TO CALL FORD OURSELVES. WHICH WE DID IN THE WAITING ROOM OF THE DEALERSHIP. FORD DID NOT WANT TO HELP AT ALL. I EXPLAINED TO FORD ALL THE COMPLAINTS I FOUND ON THE NHTSA SITE AS WELL AS THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WE WERE HAVING WITH OUR EXPLORER. FORD FINALLY SAID THEY WOULD COVER $265 BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $100 AS A DEDUCTIBLE. WE SAID NO AND TRIED TO EXPLAINED TO FORD THAT THESE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND THAT FORD SHOULD COVER ALL THE EXPENSES. FORD SAID IT WAS UP TO THE NHTSA SITE TO ISSUE A RECALL AND UNTIL THAT TIME FORD WILL NOT PAY FOR THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN SAID HE WOULD COVER THE $100 BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO GO AFTER FORD ON OUR OWN FOR THE PAST EXPENSES. WE HAD THE PART FIXED BUT WE WANT FORD TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND ADMIT THESE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND COVER THE COSTS. OUR EXPLORER HAS ONLY 73000 MILES AND WE FEEL THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE. FORD SHOULD CARE MORE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Jul 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING IN HIS COMPUTER THAT WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THERE ARE CURRENTLY TEN NHTSA SERVICE BULLETINS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REAR AXLE MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/11/08. *JB
Suspension, May 5, 2008
WHEEL BEARING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AFTER 50K MILES WHICH SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON ON 2000+ MODEL YEAR FORD EXPLORERS. *TR
Suspension, Apr 23, 2008
LOUD ROARING SOUND INSIDE OF CAR. TURNED OUT TO BE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BEARING. REPLACED NOW THE REAR IS DOING THE SAME THING. MY VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH MILES FOR THESE FAILURES TO HAPPEN. *TR
Suspension, Apr 12, 2008
BEARINGS IN FORD EXPLORER ALMOST SEIZED.... THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR PROBLEM IF THEY HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. 3 OUT OF FOUR AT ONE TIME? *TR
Suspension, Apr 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. AT 50,000 75,000 AND 80,000 MILES, THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. THE TWO FRONT AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. AT 30,000 MILES, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE STATE INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THE FREQUENT FAILURES OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS MAY BE DUE TO DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, BUT HE FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. THE DEALER INFORMATION AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Suspension, Parking brake, Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2008
LOSS CONTROL OF MY SUV, AND FOUND OUT MY SPINDLE, BEARINGS AND EVERYTHING WAS SHOT! *TR
Suspension, Power train, Mar 27, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE BECOMES LOUDER AS THE VEHICLE TRAVELS FASTER. THE WHINING APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,800. UPDATED 04/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BY FORD AT 55,000 MILES DUE TO A DEFECT. THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE MAKES EXCESSIVE NOISE WHEN IN GEAR. UPDATED
Suspension, Mar 25, 2008
REFERENCE MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER 4X4. RIGHT REAR SPRING IS BROKEN. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 45,506 MILES. *TR
Suspension, Mar 19, 2008
RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BEARING AND HUB REPLACED B/C IT WAS GOING BAD. REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS B/C THE WHEEL COULD COME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND IT WAS WALKING WEARING THE BRAKE PADS OUT UNEVENLY RESULTING IN ADDITIONAL SAFETY CONCERNS. THE REPAIR SHOP IS REPLACING BEARING ASSEMBLY AND ALL BRAKES. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND NOTICE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. IT ONLY WAS DETECTED B/C WE THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTING UP WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SO WE TOOK IT IN. IF WE HADN'T, MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF THE WHEEL CAME OFF AND/OR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO BEARING BEING BAD CAUSING BRAKES TO WEAR UNEVENLY. THE REPAIR COST ABOUT $1500. *TR
Suspension, Mar 8, 2008
BOUGHT MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER IN JUNE 2005. AFTER LENGTHY TRIP HOME I NOTICED A LOUD BUZZING SOUND UP FRONT. WHEN WE FINALLY HAD IT DIAGNOSED ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WHEEL BEARING. NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BEARING IS BUZZING EVEN WORSE SO WE WILL NEED TO REPLACE THAT ONE AS WELL. WE HAVE 66,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
Suspension, Tires, Feb 19, 2008
THE SHOCKS AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE BACK LEFT PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER ARE SHOT. MY EXPLORER HAS 87,000 MILES ON IT!!! *TR
Suspension, Tires, Nov 4, 2007
1) IMPROPER ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS 2) DESTRUCTION OF ALL 4 GOODYEAR TIRES 3) FORD DENIED TO REPLACE TIRES ALTHOUGH THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (05-11-11) PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. *JB
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 18, 2007
WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING WEST ON ROUTE 64 IN THE LEFT HAND LANE NEAR ROCKY MOUNT, NC AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE AND THEN THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT CAUSING MY SON TO RUN A MOTORCYCLIST OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID BEING HIT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL. *JB
Suspension, Power train, Oct 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLUMPED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL, BRAKE, ROTOR, LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND AXLE WERE DAMAGED. REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 01/09/08.*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND REAR END VIBRATING. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR