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.
Engine, Nov 15, 2014
ENGINE STALLS OUT WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT OCCURS AT RANDOM WITH NO WARNING. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND LEAVES MYSELF AND FAMILY IN A, POWERLESS, DEFENSELESS, POTENTIALLY FATAL, SITUATION. *TR
Power train, Nov 4, 2014
THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 65 MPH YOU FEEL THE TRUCK HESITATING, SINCE THIS TRUCK DID NOT COME WITH DIP STICK TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT IS HARD TO CHECK UNLESS YOU TAKE IT TO A TECH OR STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK IT UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK RUNNING TRANS FOR THE FLUID TO DRIP, IT IS REALLY STUPID YOU CAN BE RUN OVER BY A CAR OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, IT SEEMS LIKE THE MANUFACTURES ARE GETTING STUPID, IN A EMERGENCY AND YOU ARE IN THE HIGHWAY CROSSING THE STATE LINE HOW CAN YOU CHECK THE FLUID ON TRANSMISSION, IT NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO ADD THE DIP STICK PRETTY PRONTO, IT NEED THE FORD COMPANY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADD THE DIP STICK, I SUBMITTED SEVERAL REPORTS TO THEM THEY DON'T CARE AT ALL. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO UNLOCK OR LOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A CHIME SOUNDED AFTER THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Seat belts, Oct 22, 2014
THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELTS DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH RETRACTION FORCE LIKE IT USED TO BE, THEY HANG OUT, DAMAGING THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM AND DOOR SEAL, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. IT HAS BEING A PROBLEM NOT RETRACING THE BELT LIKE IT SUPPOSE TO. *TR
Steering, Oct 19, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 55MPH AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, IT AUTOMIATCALLY PULLED TO THE LEFT AND CAUSING MY VECHICLE TO ROLL SEVERAL TIMES. (3-5 TIMES) VEHICLE IS NOW TOTALLED. I RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE AND I'M UNDER OBSERVATION FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS. I'M HIGHLY CONCERNED DUE TO THE LEVEL OF OTHER VEHICLES THAT ARE MY SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
Power train, Sep 30, 2014
MY FORD SPORT TRAC HAS FAILED TO LOCK WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT IS PUT INTO THE PARK POSITION. WHEN YOU START TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL AND YOU WILL HEAR A CLICKING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS DONE THIS FOR SOME TIME AND I HAD IT FIXED ONCE BUT IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. *TR
Air bags, Sep 24, 2014
I WAS PICKING MY DAUGHTER UP FROM SCHOOL. WE GOT INTO THE CAR PUT OUR SEATBELTS ON I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN GEAR. I PICKED MY FOOT UP AND MOVED TO THE GAS WHEN I NOTICED A CAR COMING UP FROM BESIDE ME AND THEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CRACKING THE WINDSHIELD AND PULLING THE DASH COVER AWAY FROM THE RADIO AND AIR VENT. WE CALLED FORD MOTOR AND WE WERE TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE EXAMINED. FORD CUSTOMER CARE HAS LEFT MESSAGES AT OUR HOME NUMBER WHEN WE RETURN THE CALLS WE ASK THEM TO CALL OUR CELL NUMBERS AND THEY WILL NOT. I THINK THE DO NOT WANT TO TALK TO US. A WEEK LATER THE DEALERSHIP CALLED AND SAID THAT FORD MOTOR WOULD PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC BUT WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THAT THE AIRBAG FAILING IS NO DIFFERENT THEN HAVING TO CHANGE OUT THE BRAKES FROM WEAR AND TEAR. WE WERE NOT AWARE THAT A SAFETY FEATURE HAD AN EXPIRATION DATE. I WAS TO THE UNDERSTANDING THAT A SAFETY FEATURE SHOULD LAST THE LIFT TIME OF THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE OF THIS I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING ANY CARS WITH AIRBAGS. WE WERE NOT ASKING FORD MOTOR FOR ANYTHING ADDITIONAL BUT TO JUST REPAIR THE CAR AND WE CAN NEVER TALK TO ANYONE AT THE COMPANY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 23, 2014
BOUGHT SUV IN DECEMBER OF 2012 AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK FINE. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THERE WERE SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE CRUISE WOULD NOT ENGAGE WITHOUT PUSHING IT ON & OFF SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER JUNE OF 2013 IT RARELY ENGAGED AT ALL AT ANY SPEED. NOW, SEPTEMBER 2014 IT WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. AFRAID IT MIGHT CAUSE SHORT &/OR A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. NOTICED RECALL IDENTIFIED THIS PROBLEM ON 2002 MODELS. THIS VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY BUILT IN 2002, SO AM WONDERING IF THIS MIGHT BE ONE THAT GOT MISSED IN THE RECALL? OWN A 1994 F-250 THAT HAS BOTH 1993 AND 1994 PARTS ON IT. *TR
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.
Service brakes, Sep 17, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 34 MPH DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ABRUPTLY MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND PASSENGER'S DASH BOARD AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AS THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, FLAMES EMITTED OUT OF IT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
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
Engine, Sep 7, 2014
MY TRUCK JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY BY 5,000 MILES AND I WAS DRIVING AND HIT A BUMP AND MY #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE. SCARED ME TO DEATH BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN. I HAD JUST TURNED OFF A RED LIGHT SO I HAD NO SPEED AT ALL. $500 TO PUT A HELIO COIL IN IT. THEN I HIT 170,000 AND ANOTHER ONE BLEW OUT WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND WE HAD TO LIMP HOME. TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THE TRUCK COULD HAVE STARTED FIRE. I HAD EVERY SINGLE SERVICE BY FORD UNTIL THE FIRST ONE BLEW. NEVER EVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING UNTIL I SEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET. WHAT IF I HAD MY HOOD OPEN CHANGING THE AIR FILTER AND OR OTHER PART AND ONE OF THEM HAD BLOWN? COULD KILL ANYONE. HOW IS THAT SAFE. AND THE FACT THAT YOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE WITH NO CELL COVERAGE AND YOU HAVE TO DRIVE A TICKING TIME BOMB. PLEASE HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR DESIGN FLAW. I TAKE CARE OF MY FORD EXPLORER, AFTER ALL IT COST 36K NEW AND I WANT TO GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BUILT TO LAST WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT SUV WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SPARK PLUG ISSUE. THE ONLY REASON I STILL HAVE IT IS BECAUSE I LOVE IT. (LAST NUMBER ON VIN IS 5 BUT IT WOULDN'T LET ME ENTER IT.) *TR
Steering, Engine, Aug 15, 2014
MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WILL STALL AND I LOSE ALL POWER. NO POWER STEERING. I AM ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND CAN TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND ANY CODES ETC ON WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON THING. *TR
Air bags, Aug 15, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, FLIPPED OVER, AND CRASHED INTO A RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND ONE INJURY WAS REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
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.
Power train, Aug 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Power train, Aug 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR WAS FLASHING. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE OVERHAULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,300. UPDATED 9/12/14*CN UPDATED 09/23/14
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Aug 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE PUSHING WATER INTO THE FUSE BOX WHEN IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
Suspension, Power train, Service brakes, Jul 28, 2014
I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE FIRST INCIDENT INVOLVED THE SUSPENSION ( SWAY BARS SNAPPED, TIRES HAD TO BE REPAIRED). SECOND INCIDENT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE AND A WIGGLING DRIVE SHAFT ALONG WITH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ( PARTS DEEMED DEFECTIVE BY MECHANICS) , AND EMERGENCY BRAKES THAT SNAPPED OFF IN MY MECHANICS HANDS BECAUSE THEY WERE RUSTY. NOW IT IS TRANSMISSION WORK FOR A POSSIBLE FAULTY SENSOR. FORD NEEDS TO RECALLS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO CATASROPHIC EQUIPMENT FAILURE! IVE CALLED THEM EVERY TIME AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUES BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THEN DOCUMENT THEM AND SAY HAVE A NICE DAY! *JS
Engine, Jul 25, 2014
THE CAR WAS IDLING ROUGH AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, EVEN AFTER I HAD THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP (PEP BOYS) CHECK AND FIX THINGS. THEY ADVISED ME TO GO TO THE FORD DEALER, AND SAID IT MAY BE THE TIMING CHAIN. FUTURE FORD RAN DIAGNOSTIC, SAID IT MAY BE TIMING CHAIN BUT HAVE TO OPEN ENGINE TO VERIFY. ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS $1500 TO OPEN ENGINE AND $2500 TO FIX). DID NOT HAVE WORK DONE YET. THE ENGINE HAS A LOUD RATTLING SOUND THAT STARTED SUDDENLY AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE, AND INCREASES UPON ACCELERATION. THERE IS AN OILY SMELL. AT STOP LIGHT WHEN IDLING, THE IDLE IS SLOW AND A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND - IDLE SOUNDS LIKE CAR IS ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. THE NORMAL IDLE SOUND FOR THE CAR IS SMOOTH AND LIKE A SOFT HUM. CALLED FORD TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, AS THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE THAT ARE LISTED ON THE FORD WEBSITE ABOUT SEVERAL YEARS OF THE FORD EXPLORER. MILEAGE NOW IS 150,000 MILES. FORD SAID THERE IS NO RECALL, BUT KEEP RECEIPTS FOR WORK DONE IN CASE OF ONE IN THE FUTURE.
Electrical system, Jul 21, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON A CURVE AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF , I WAS ABLE TO STOP ,AND TURN THE CAR ON AGAIN, THAT WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT HAPPENED , THE OTHER TWO TIMES THE CAR WAS AT LOW SPEED , AROUND 30 MPH . *TR