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
1,313 reports, newest first.
Tires, Oct 7, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING, THE DRIVER TO PULL OF THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 7, 2003
MY INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO SSM 16771 THAT FORD HAS DEALERS ABIDING BY IN SOME ATTEMPT TO POST-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT "RE-ENGINEER" THEIR PRODUCT. MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WHICH SUFFERS FROM SYMPTOMS LISTED IN THE SSM WAS RELEASED BY THE DEALER WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS IT HAD UPON DELIVERY TO THE DEALER (ROUGH IDLE / STALLING ON COLD START). NOW THAT FORD HAS HAD THE DEALER ALTER THE ECM PROGRAMMING (I'M GUESSING TO RICHEN THE IDLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE) I WONDER IF MY VEHICLE STILL PASSES EMISSIONS AND HAS EPA CERTIFIED FUEL ECONOMY??? NOT LIKELY... *JB
Power train, Sep 25, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AS IF THE BRAKES WERE BEING PRESSED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A MECHANIC CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 24, 2003
POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER.*MR *CB
Power train, Sep 17, 2003
I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD EXPLORER 4WD V8 JUNE 4, 2003. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER,AND LESS THEN 2,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I STARTED TO NOTICE A VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MPH. THE VIBRATION BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT STAR FORD IN GLENDALE IN EARLY AUGUST. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THE VIBRATION IS COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN, PROBABLY THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2002 - 2003 4WD MOUNTAINEERS AND EXPLORERS AND THAT THE ENGINEERS AT FORD WERE WORKING ON FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. AFTER DISCUSSING THE VEHICLE'S PROBLEM WITH THE QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER AT STAR FORD, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. BUT, THE ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE VIBRATION DID NOT WORK. NOW, I AM LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT HAS A VIBRATION, THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN, WHICH THE ENGINEERS AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OR CAUSE, AND THE MECHANICS AT THE DEALER CANNOT FIX. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED AND WOULD LIKE THE VEHICLE REPLACED OR MY MONEY REFUNDED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 12, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL DETAILS. *PH
Power train, Sep 12, 2003
THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY IN THE REAR END. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED MANUFACTURER'S TSB ON ISSUE ADVISED PROBLEM CAUSED BY REAR AXLE.*AK *PH *PH
Power train, Sep 11, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT STARTED ROLLING BACK. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK
Steering, Sep 11, 2003
STEERING WHEEL BINDS WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE. THIS BINDING DOES NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE TURNED.
Structure, Sep 10, 2003
WHILE DRIVING HOOD FLEW UP WHICH IMPAIRED VISIBILITY. *AK
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2003
WHEN RETURNING TO VEHICLE CONSUMER HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF GETTING THE VEHICLE STARTED. AFTER AND HOUR OR SO VEHICLE WOULD START UP AS IF THERE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED SIX TIMES IN THE PAST. *AK
Visibility, Sep 10, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT UNDER 50 MPH, THERE IS A SQUEAK THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT SOUNDS LIKE A RUSTY SUSPENSION SPRING. HOWEVER, THIS SQUEAK IS HEARD AT EXACTLY 35 SECOND INTERVALS. I FOUND THIS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. IF IT IS TURNED OFF, THE NOISE GOES AWAY. THE NOISE IS PRESENT ANYTIME THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IS ON. I TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE TO COURTESY FORD IN POULSBO, WASHINGTON. I WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. I DONT THINK FORD WOULD WANT ITS AUTOMOBILES GOING DOWN THE STREET WITH AN INTENTIONAL LOUD SQUEAK. I THINK THIS IS SOMEHOW ASSOCIATED WITH WHAT EVER CONTORLS THE AIR HANDLING SYSTEM, SUCH AS THE COMPUTER. HELP ME FIND AN ANSWER. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 3, 2003
I PURCHASED MY 2003 SPORTRACK IN DECEMBER OF 2002 FROM SUNRISE FORD. I DROVE MY SUV HOME, PARKED IT AND WENT INSIDE FOR LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. WHEN I CAME OUT TO DRIVE DRIVE MY GUESTS AROUND THE BLOCK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I CALLED SUNRISE FORD AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY SENT THE SALES PERSON TO MY PLACE RATHER THAN A MECHANIC. HE BASICALLY BELITTLED ME INFRONT OF MY GUESTS BY TELLING ME I DID SOMETHING TO MY CAR. IT WAS EMBARASSING ENOUGH THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START NOW I HAD TO DEAL WITH THE SALES PERSON, WHO AS IT TURNS OUT KNEW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THE SPORTRACK, TELLING ME I DID SOMETHING WRONG TO MY VEHICLE TO MAKE IT NOT WANT TO START. HE FINALLY CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, HAD A MECHANIC COME OUT AND THEY TRIED TO START IT. NO LUCK. LONG STORY SHORT I FOUND SUNRISE FORD'S SALES AND SUPPORT STAFF WERE VERY HARD TO WORK WITH RIGHT AFTER MY SALE. I FELT MISLEADED. FROM ARRANGING A LOANER BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM TO GETTING A QUALIFIED PERSON TO DIAGNOSE MY VEHICLE. I HAD HAD THE CAR NEARLY 1 WEEK BEFORE THE PROBLEM COULD BE COMPLETELY SOLVED. MY NEXT PROBLEM BEGAN IN AUGUST OF 2003, ROUGHLY 9 MONTHS LATER. IT IS NOW STALLING. MOST CASES HAVE BEEN WHILE STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. OTHER TIMES JUST AFTER LEAVING THE STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, IT USUALLY STALLS IMMEDIATELY WHEN I ACCECELERATE. THE WORST CASE HAS BEEN WHILE ON THE ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY. IN ALL CASES I LOST ALL POWER, EXCEPT FOR THE RADIO, AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER HAVING THE FORD DEALERSHIP RUN A DIAGNNOSTIC TEST ON MY VEHICLE THE FOUND NOTHING...*AK
Seats, Sep 3, 2003, crash
I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. DURING THE IMPACT, MY SEATBACK (DRIVER'S) MOVED BACK SLIGHTLY AND THE CENTER OF THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, CAUSING ME TO INJURE MY BACK.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2003
FOIA REQUEST CYS OF ALL CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN NHTSA & INTERNATIONAL ENGINE GROUP RE THE 6.0 POWERSTROKE ENGINE USED IN THE 2003 FORD F250-F550 SUPER DUTY TRUCKS & THE 2003 FORD EXCURSION. *MR *NLM *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Aug 27, 2003
REAR GLASS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. LOUD WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER DASH/ENGINE. NO POWER. STALLS ON TAKE OFF. *AK
Visibility, Aug 18, 2003
2003 FORD EXPLORER SITTING IN GARAGE. REAR HATCH GLASS EXPLODED AS HATCH WAS HALF WAY TO BEING CLOSED.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 15, 2003
GASOLINE IS EXPELLED FROM THE FILLER PIPE EVERYTIME I TRY TO REFUEL THE TANK. THE PROBLEM WORSENS WITH EACH ATTEMPT TO REFUEL BECAUSE THE GAS PUMPS CONTINUOUSLY SHUT OFF FOR SAFETY REASONS. DEALER HAS REPLACED A SAFETY VALVE TO THE TANK WHICH TEMPORARILY HELPED BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOW WORSE THAN EVER. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2003, fire
WHILE DRIVING ON A BACK COUNTRY ROAD AT 15 TO 20 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THICK BLACK SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, AND UNDER INVESTIGATION.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2003, fire
WHILE DRIVING ON A BACK COUNTRY ROAD AT 15 TO 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THICK BLACK SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, AND UNDER INVESTIGATION. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL, AND TWO CONSUMERS WERE IN VEHICLE AT TIME OF INCIDENT.*AK
Air bags, Aug 14, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH NEITHER DRIVER NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE DEALER. *AK
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2003, crash
I WAS TRAVELING IN REVERSE (LESS THAN 1MPH) WHEN I STRUCK A TREE. THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER SHATTERED SENDING SHARDS OF GLASS INTO THE REAR THIRD ROW SEATING AREA. THE GLASS WASN'T SAFETY GLASS. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE (GLASS AND BODY) IS OVER $2,500.00. THERE ARE TWO AREAS OF CONCERN. FIRST, IF THERE WERE PASSENGERS IN THE 3RD ROW SEAT, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN GLASS ESPECIALLY IN THE FACIAL AREA? NUMBER TWO. WHY SHOUL THERE BE SO MUCH DAMAGE AT LESS THAN 1 MPH? IF I WAS REAR ENDED AT LET'S SAY 40 MPH, THE CAR WOULD BE TOTALLED. I FIND THIS INCIDENT POINTS OUT A DESIGN FLAW AND A SAFETY PROBLEM. JAMES HUTCHISON
Seat belts, Equipment, Aug 10, 2003
RE: SECOND (MID-SECTION) SEAT - DRIVER'S SIDE 1. SEAT BELT BECAME LODGED BEHIND SEAT RELEASE CAUSING BACK OF SEAT TO JERK FORWARD AND STRIKE MY CHILD IN BACK OF NECK. 2. FACTS: A) WHEN MY DAUGHTER (12 YEARS; 89 LBS.) LEANED FORWARD IN HER SEAT, PRESSURE WAS PLACED ON SEAT BELT CAUSING RELEASE TO ENGAGE AND JERK FORWARD; B) MY DAUGHTER WAS STILL IN SEAT BELT WHEN I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF ROAD TO CHECK ON HER; C) I WAS REPEATEDLY UNABLE TO GET THE BACK OF HER SEAT TO "LOCK IN" PLACE; D) UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND SEAT BELT TO BE LODGED SECURELY BEHIND SEAT RELEASE AND EACH TIME MY DAUGHTER MOVED FORWARD AND PLACED PRESSURE ON SEAT BELT, THE RELEASE WAS ENGAGED; E) THIS INCIDENT WASN'T THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT; E) BRAKES WEREN'T BEING USED AT TIME; F) SHE WAS SEEN IN EMERGENCY ROOM DUE TO PAIN IN HER NECK. BACK AND HEAD; SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CERVICAL STRAIN AND HAD TO WEAR A NECK COLLAR FOR FIVE DAYS. 3. CONTRIBUTING REASONS FOR OCCURRENCE: A) SEAT BELT IS SECURED TO SIDE OF VEHICLE; B) WHEN A PERSON GETS INTO THIRD ROW SEAT, IT'S EASY TO GET CAUGHT ON THE SEAT BELT CAUSING IT TO HANG BEHIND SEAT RELEASE; (C) IF SEAT BELT DOESN'T RETRACT PROPERLY, IT CATCHES BEHIND SEAT RELEASE; D) IT CAN ALSO CATCH ON FRONT OF RELEASE. 4. ADDITIONAL CONCERNS: A) SECOND SEAT RELEASE IS A TWO STEP RELEASE: IF THIS WAS A SITUATION WHERE THE BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED QUICKLY AND FIRMLY, SECOND PART OF RELEASE COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY ENGAGED CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO BE STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND THROWING HER FORWARD CAUSING HER TO STRIKE THE FRONT OF HER HEAD ON THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHICH IMPACT COULD HAVE QUITE LIKELY CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. 5. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION WHICH COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC RESULTS IF NOT CORRECTED IN ALL EXPLORERS EQUIPPED WITH THIS TYPE OF SEAT BELT AND SEATING ARRANGEMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. I LOOK FORWARD TO A RESPONSE IN THIS REGARD. *NLM
Steering, Equipment, Aug 5, 2003
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE MAKING SHARP, SLOW RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. DEALER NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, SAYS ALL SPORT TRACKS DO THAT, HOWEVER WHEN I BOUGHT IT, IT DIDN'T. I DROVE ANOTHER NEW ONE FROM THE DEALER WHILE MINE WAS IN SERVICE...AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. ALSO, THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS OUT AND BEING REPLACED AND I'VE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT.*AK
Air bags, Jul 29, 2003, crash
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT,BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK