NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The contact rented a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the seat warmer activated, after arriving at a Rest Stop and exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that a blister had formed on the back of her left thigh. The contact attributed the blister to a burn sustained while using the driver's side seat warmer. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic, but instead was returned to the rental company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,253. The VIN was not available.
There is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. The liftgate has been unlocking and opening automatically by itself. On only rare occasions has the liftgate opened all the way while driving. On the morning of 7/28/2022 while the vehicle was parked in my driveway the liftgate was discovered to have again unlocked by itself and opened slightly and now with one of the two hinges holding the glass sheared leaving the liftgate glass hanging by only one hinge. With the glass now hanging without having both hinge supports functioning and the inability to close and lock the liftgate, 1) the glass could fall out while driving and 2) with the liftgate unable to now close and lock, contents of the back storage area could fall out of the vehicle while driving. On 8/1/2022 the vehicle was inspected by the foreman of the Service Dept. at Healy Ford, Goshen, N.Y. I was told to take it to a body shop for realignment repair. Apparently a recall on 9/13/2022 # 04V442000 did not include my Vin. However, In driving around I do see many 2003 explorers with the identical crack on the liftgate.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-35 MPH around a curb, the driver thought that the tire was flat. The contact pulled off the road and noticed that three of the wheel studs on the driver’s side rear wheel had sheared off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and it was confirmed that the studs had sheared off and that there was also a fractured wheel stud on the passenger’s side rear wheel. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Hello my name is [XXX] just writing you cause my neighbors have program my vehicle meaning they hack my 2003 explore pretty much they want to take over my driving they trying to dominate me in this matter when in reality is not going to be possible that's why I come to your people's corporate plus they have invade my family privacy they have a gang organization watching me every where I go had few confrontation they just want me to confront them so they could put me in jail this is not going to happen i apologize for the inconvenience I told police regards this matter they didn't do nothing about it . INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM BEING CORRODED. THE CONTACT CALLED ELDER FORD (777 JOHN R RD, TROY, MI 48083, (248) 825-8646) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE METAL OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS NOT A GOOD METAL; THEREFORE, THE CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
SHIFTER BROKEN INSIDE STEERING COLUMN. STOPPED AT A GAS STATION WHEN PUTTING INTO PARK IT BROKE. HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON BRAKE PADDLE FOR 2 HOURS UNTIL TWO TRUCK ARRIVED
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, MOVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET AND INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL.
2003 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE THROTTLE IN MODEL VEHICLE. *AS *TR
ENGINE STOPS WHILE DRIVING (STALLS IN MOTION WHILE TURNING ON STREET AND HIGHWAY) RESTARTS WITHOUT PROBLEM, HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW 30 DAYS APART.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED SERVICING, INCLUDING THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND HAD NOT ISSUED ANY BRAKE SYSTEM RECALLS; HOWEVER, THERE WERE TEN TSBS FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR WINDOW, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGES WERE CRACKING AND WERE TILTED ON ONE SIDE. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN, STATED THAT THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED FORT MILL FORD AT (866) 680-5276 (LOCATED AT 801 GOLD HILL RD, FORT MILL, SC 29708) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
THIS SUV'S ARE GETTING HOT DURING THE TEXAS WEATHER, WHY ARE NOT INCLUDING A SOLAR FAN INSTALLED TO KEEP THE AIR CIRCULATING IN THE SUV, TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING WHY ARE NOT ADDING THE SYSTEM ???
THE PROBLEM THE SEAT BELTS DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH TENSION TO RETRACT CONSEQUENTLY GETTING ON THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM, CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO LOCK, TO STAY OPEN UNSECURED ALSO DAMAGING THE SEAT BELT, IT DOES NO HAVE A WAY TO INCREASE THE TENSION WHICH IT SHOULD HAVE. IT DAMAGED MY DOOR SEAL, MY LOCK MECHANISM AND THE BELT TOO.
ALL SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ACCIDENT. DEPLOYMENT HAPPEND WHILE MY WIFE AND 4 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE VEHICLE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MILES PER HOUR DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD IN LONG VALLEY NEW JERSEY. THIS ROAD IS SMOOTH, LEVEL AND FREE OF POT HOLES ETC. UNABLE TO SEE BECAUSE OF THE DOWNED AIRBAGS AND SMOKEY DUST LIKE MATERIAL FROM THE AIRBAGS SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AS BEST SHE COULD.
EXHAST MANAFOLD HAS CRACK IN IT AND SCREWS CAME LOSE AND FELL OUT WIHICH CREATED FUMES IN CAR.
WHENEVER WE ARE DRIVING IN THE CAR, MY WIFE AND I GET DIZZINESS AND NAUSEA. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER SAY THERE IS AN EGGY SMELL SOMETIMES. MOSTLY, NO ODOR BUT AN OVERWHELMING SENSE OF DIZZINESS ONLY WHEN WE ARE IN THAT CAR TO THE POINT WE AVOID DRIVING AS MUCH. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR YEARS. I THOUGHT IT WAS A SEAL ISSUE CREATING A WEIRD PRESSURE INSIDE THE CAR UNTIL IN MY RESEARCH FOR A SOLUTION I CAME ACROSS NEWS STORIES ON CARBON MONOXIDE IN OTHER FORD EXPLORERS.
REAR WINDOW LOWER PANEL PLASTIC CRACKING UP, REPLACED THREE TIMES, STILL CRACKING DUE TO NO SUPPORT AND BENDING TOO MUCH, I CALLED FORD DOES NOT CARE IF CONTINUES CRACKING UP, IT LOOKS UGLY ALSO PANELS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO OTHER CARS GETTING INTO THEIR WINDSHIELDS LOOSE PARTS. THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND NOT FIXING IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED TO HIGH AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES DUE TO THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AFTER DOOR CLOSED. SHARDS OF GLASS FLEW OUTWARD
BROKEN GEAR SHIFTER
SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INSIDE STEERING COLUMN OF MY WIFE'S EXPLORER WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE TO EXIT FROM A BOAT LAUNCH RAMP WITH NO BOAT ON THE TRAILER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON A FLATBED WRECKER TO MY GARAGE. BROKEN ELEMENT ( SEE PHOTOS) WAS NOT REPLACEABLE BY ITSELF. STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BUT RATHER A FAULTY /WEAK COMPONENT THAT REPRESENTS A DANGER. I HAVE NOTED REPORTS OF IDENTICAL INCIDENTS ONLINE. THUS FAR, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR FORD NATIONAL "CUSTOMER SERVICE" IS PREPARED TO REIMBURSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT AND FOUR BYSTANDERS PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,412.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE LUG NUTS BECAME DETACHED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND INCLUDED ALL OF THE WHEELS. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE LUG NUTS ON ALL OF THE WHEELS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
AWOKE THE MORNING OF MAY 10, 2017 TO FIND THE ENTIRE BACK LIFTGATE AND WINDOW EXPLODED OUTWARDS AND INWARDS OF OUR FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOME, WE ARE RURAL, SO NO EVIDENCE OF SOMEONE PURPOSELY BREAKING IT. OUR SHERIFF IN CASCADE COUNTY, MONTANA, STATED IT APPEARS TO BE SOMETHING INTERNAL PROBABLY THE LIFT STRUTS EXPLODING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM AS STATED ON MANY ONLINE SITES, AND MANY FORD EXPLORERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS PARTICLAR MODEL VIN NUMBER DID NOT SHOW UP AS RECALLED, ALTHOUGH WE SIT HERE LOOKING AT THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. WE WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE LOOKING INTO THIS, AS IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE AND PROVE TO BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THIS VEHICLE WERE BEING DRIVEN WHEN THIS EXPLOSION OCCURED. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS ASAP.
2003 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO MALFUNCTION TO COMPANY'S REAR WHEEL BEARING. *AS *TR
THE REAR PANEL OF MY 2003 EXPLORER CRACKED TODAY FOR NO REASON. NOT SURE IF THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN I "GOOGLED" THE PROBLEM, IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD ONCE ADDRESSED.
WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE SIX TIMES REQUIRING SIX DIFFERENT TOWS HOME. THE VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE FOR ME (DISABLED, SINGLE MOM) WHO HAS TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER AND I TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS. I FEEL UNSAFE AND IT IS NOT SAFE FOR MY DAUGHTER, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE OR GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. I THINK FORD SHOULD COME GOOD FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR
BACK GLASS EXPLODED. WHEN I PRESSED THE GATE RELEASE BUTTON, GLASS EXPLODED ON MY AND MY FOSTER CHILD I WAS HOLDING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWDERY DUST FROM THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG CLOUDED HIS VISION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR END THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION THAT INVOLVED FOUR VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS AND PAINS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD, FROM WHERE IT WAS LATER PICKED RETRIEVED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,700....UPDATED 02/22/17 *BF *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED ON A HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OTHER VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STOPPED AT THE MEDIAN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION, A BRUISED STERNUM, BACK AND NECK PAINS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 319,000.
THE REAR LIFT-GATE HAS A CRACKED PANEL.
I CONTACTED FORD REGARDING RECALL WITH THE LIFT GATE. THERE WAS RECALL IN 2004 FOR MY VEHICLE THAT WAS TAKEN CARE OF IN 2005. IN 2016 THE SAME THING HAPPEN WHERE THE LIFT GATE BOLTS BROKE AND THE GATE FELL AND THE GLASS SHATTERED ALL OVER ME. I WENT THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND GOT IT REPAIRED. AT THE TIME I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS RECALL I BOUGHT THE CAR USED SO I HAD NO IDEA OF THE CALL. FORD TOLD TO CONTACT A DEALER THE DEALER SHOP MANAGER TOLD ME FORD WILL NOT REFUND MY DEDUCTIBLE SINCE THEY REPAIRED IT UNDER THE RECALL. ALL I WANT IS MY 250 BACK BECAUSE THE SAME THING HAPPEN THAT THEY SO CALLED REPAIRED. IS THERE ANY WAY YOU CAN ASSIT ME. I DO HAVE MY BILL FROM THE REPAIR SHOP THAT MY INSURANCE STATE FARM TOOK CARE OF. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED I WAS CLOSING THE LIFT GATE WHEN IT FELL DOWN AND GLASS SHATTERED.
MY TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON. I WAS ONLY AT 117K MILES WHEN IT HAPPENED. THAT'S TO SOON FOR A TRANSMISSION TO BE ACTING UP ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S ANEW ONE ACCORDING TO CARFAX THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FOR MY EXPLORER. THE FIRST ONE WAS PUT IN ONLY AT 3 YEARS OLD. IT WILL SOMETIMES JERK INTO REVERSE OR TAKE A SECOND TO GO INTO DRIVE WHEN I SWITCH GEARS. MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT ALSO FLASHES WHICH I ASSUME MEANS MY OVERDRIVE NO LONGER WORKS. THE LIGHT ONLY COMES ON AFTER DRIVING OVER 40 MPH. SO IF I'M ON THE HIGHWAY I CAN'T GO THE SPEED LIMIT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THIS LIGHT COMING ON. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP IT NEEDS A TORQUE CONVERTER AND A REBUILD. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY TOLD ME TO BUY A NEW CAR. WHEN I GO UP HILLS MY EXPLORER ALSO HAS TROUBLE EVEN THOUGH IT SHOULDN'T. I ALSO NEED A NEW SOLENOID PACK.
I LOST CONTROL AROUND A BEN GOING 35MPH AFTER IT GOT DONE RAINING AND GOT IN AN ACCIDENT HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AND FARM POST AFTER SPINNING ABOUT 4XS CAR IS TOTALED AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF
2003 FORD EXPLORER, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TOWN I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN FOR A GROUP OF KIDS WAITING TO USE A CROSS WALK WHEN THE EXPLORER SHUT DOWN & LOST ALL POWER TO CONTROL BRAKES AND STEERING ALMOST HITTING THE KIDS.. I HAVE TAKEN TO A SHOP & WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR 5 YEARS. THE REASON I AM NOW REPORTING THIS IS BECAUSE THE CLOSE CALL I JUST HAD WITH THE CROSS WALK. THIS PROBLEM STARTS AFTER ABOUT 5 OR 10 MINUTES OF RUN TIME THEN CLEARS UP NOT RETURNING UNTIL NEXT RUN OR SOME TIME LATER...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD WERE LOOSE AND THE REAR WINDOW WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGE FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE LIFT GATE TO REMAIN UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THIS EVENING THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN STEADILY BLINKING AND THE TRANSMISSION TOOK WAY TOO LONG TO SHIFT (RPM ALMOST RED LINE) AND WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND FIRST NOTICED THE TRUCK NOT SHIFTING AND WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. IF YOU TURN THE TRUCK OFF THEN BACK ON THE O/D OFF LIGHT TURNS OFF BUT THE TRUCK STILL WON'T SHIFT CORRECTLY AND THE LIGHT STARTS TO BLINK AGAIN. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 133,000 MILES. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM.
CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC P235/70R16 DOT A308 46KW 311 NOTICED VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING, TIRE TREAD WAS SEPARATING; INSTALLED SPARE. HAD VIBRATION AGAIN A MONTH LATER. BOTH TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION. INSTALLED IN 2013; APPROX 20K MILES. REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES; HAVE OLD TIRES.
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THIS EVENING THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN STEADILY BLINKING AND THE TRANSMISSION TOOK WAY TOO LONG TO SHIFT (RPM ALMOST RED LINE) AND WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND FIRST NOTICED THE TRUCK NOT SHIFTING AND WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. IF YOU TURN THE TRUCK OFF THEN BACK ON THE O/D OFF LIGHT TURNS OFF BUT THE TRUCK STILL WON'T SHIFT CORRECTLY AND THE LIGHT STARTS TO BLINK AGAIN. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 133,000 MILES. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH CAUSED THE DOME LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
I WAS DRIVING IN MINUS 20 DEGREE CELSIUS TO TAKE HIGHWAY 15 NORTH FROM JUST AFTER PANAMA BUS STATION. IN THE ENTRANCE, MY CAR START TO SLOW DOWN TO THE 5 KMPH. IN THE BACK OF MY CARS WERE ALL ON THEIR HAZARD LIGHT AND BEING MAD AT ME. SO I DRIVE BACK TO MY HOME TAKING THE NEXT EXIT. I WISH SOMEBODY COULD TAKE THE VIDEOS AND SENT TO THE FORD COMPANY TO LET THEM KNOW MY SITUATION.
2003 FORD EXPLORER SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I LOSE BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITY. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES . TODAY 12 FEB. 2016 IS THE LATEST DATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A JERKING MOTION AND THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS, ABS SENSORS, AND ABS PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED(ENGINE COLD) ON RESIDENTIAL STREET,ALARM SOUNDED,UPON OPENING HOOD DISCOVERED FLAMES, PUT OUT IMMEDIATELY WITH EXTINGUISHER, CAR WILL NOT RUN AND THERE APPEARS TO BE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ESPECIALLY ON RIGHT SIDE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK, ARM, AND KNEES. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED AN INFLAMMATION OF THE LOWER BACK. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BOTH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
THE REAR AIR CONDITIONER LINE RUBBED AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE CAUSING BRAKE LINE FAILURE. THE RUPTURE OCCURRED DURING AN ATTEMPT TO SUDDENLY STOP. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF RUST EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE BRAKE LINE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 156,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ODDLY ENOUGH, THE MECHANIC SPECIFICALLY NOTED THAT RUST WAS NOT A FACTOR IN THIS CASE AS IS COMMON ON MANY NEWER VEHICLES. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 3/7/2006. NO COLLISION WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP.
MY DAUGHTER AND HER FIANC AND PUT THEIR 10 MONTH OLD AND THEIR 8 YEAR OLD IN THE SEATBELTS AND MY DAUGHTER GOT IN THE CAR (SHE IS PREGNANT) AND SHUT HER DOOR AND HER FIANC GOT IN AND SHUT HIS DOOR AND THE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND THE BACK AIRBAGS. THEY WERE IN PARK AT THE TIME. THERE WAS NOT REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THEY ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE SO THEY WON'T PAY ANYTHING. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER (WHO I JUST BOUGHT A $50,000 2015 FORD EXPLORER FROM HIM JANUARY 2015) AND HE SAID I COULD CALL THE SERVICE DESK WHO WAS NO HELP. STATED THERE IS NO RECALL. ANYONE I CAN CALL? THIS IS CRAZY AND DANGEROUS!!!!
MY FIANC AND I PUT OUR 10 MONTH OLD AND OUR 8 YEAR OLD IN THE SEATBELTS AND I GOT IN THE CAR (I AM PREGNANT) AND SHUT MY DOOR AND MY FIANC GOT IN AND SHUT HIS DOOR AND THE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND THE BACK AIRBAGS. WE WERE IN PARK AT THE TIME. THERE WAS NOT REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE SO THEY WON'T PAY ANYTHING. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER (WHO I JUST BOUGHT A $50,000 2015 FORD EXPLORER FROM HIM JANUARY 2015) AND HE SAID I COULD CALL THE SERVICE DESK WHO WAS NO HELP. STATED THERE IS NO RECALL. ANYONE I CAN CALL? THIS IS CRAZY AND DANGEROUS!!!!
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLS IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION STALLS, SLIPS AND DELAYS WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO THE NEXT GEAR. AS I SEARCHED FOR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION I FOUND 100'S OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MATTER. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND, THE TRANSMISSION IS A DESIGN FLAW