2003 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

REAR HATCH BELOW WINDOW HAS CRACKED FROM TOP OF PANEL TO BOTTOM THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO COLD WEATHER BUT I'M READING ABOUT ALL KINDS OF THESE CRACKS HAPPENING IN ALL PROVINCES AND STATES. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO ACCEPT THE FACT THIS IS A DEFECT AND MAKE A RECALL? *TR

HAD TO REPLACE WIRE HARNESS TO TRANSMISSION AFTER 85,000 MILES NOW THE OVERDRIVE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS FLASHING. *TR

I TOOK MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS REFUSE RECALL REPAIRS. WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AT MY OWN EXPENSE BECAUSE HE COULD NOT FIND RECALL NOTICE IN FORD SYSTEM. BELOW IS THE DETAILS OF RECAP. AT THIS TIME THE LIFTGATE HINGE IS BROKEN AND WINDOW IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. PLEASE HELP. VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): FORD / EXPLORER 2002-2003 FORD / MOUNTAINEER 2002-2003 MANUFACTURER: FORD MOTOR COMPANY MFR'S REPORT DATE: SEP 09, 2004 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 PE04045 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE04045. *TR

DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AND TURNS ON INTERIOR LIGHT WHICH MAKES DRIVING DIFFICULTY. INTERIOR LIGHT COME ON WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE HAS NO DAMAGE AND PERIODS OF EXTENDED WET WEATHER CAUSES SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BEFORE DAWN AND HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE (IT WAS THE SOUND OF AN EXPLOSION). I THOUGHT THAT A TIRE MAY HAVE BLOWOUT, WHICH WAS STRANGE SINCE THE CAR HAS A SET OF NEW TIRES AND I DID NOT NOTICE ANY CHANGES IN THE DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKED THE CAR USING A FLASH LIGHT. I SAW NOTHING. LATER THAT DAY WHEN I WENT TO GET GASOLINE, I SAW A CRACK IN THE PANEL THAT CONTAINED THE FORD LOGO, ABOUT 2 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE LOGO THAT EXTENDED FROM THE TOP OF THE PANEL TO THE BOTTOM. IT WAS JUST A CLEAN CRACK ON THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THIS HAPPENED ON A COLD NIGHT (19 DEG. F). FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND READ IT SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FACT THAT A PLASTIC PART IS GLUE TO A METAL PART WITH A DIFFERENT COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION. THE CAR IS A FORD EXPLORER XLT 2003. ALTHOUGH THE CRACKED PANEL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT, THE DISTRACTION CAUSED BY THE LOUD BANG NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STOPPING IN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE CLEARLY PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK. MOREOVER, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THE REAR WINDOW PANEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AT SPEED, BEING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHER MOTORISTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED ON HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE; THEREFORE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT DISAGREES AND BELIEVES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT AND WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,300. UPDATED 03-04-09 *BF THE BACK OF THE LIFTGATE PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW CRACKED. UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB

FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH DEFECT, CRACK IN HATCH, FORD HAS RELEASED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN BUT SAYS IT IS AN OWNER RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. AS A DISABLED VETERAN ON A FIXED INCOME I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH BASICALLY THE SAME ANSWER FROM FORD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATION MECHANISM FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED OFF WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE RPM'S RACED WHEN THE IGNITION WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE IDLED NORMALLY. WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS NOT IN USE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN UPDATED 06/01/10.*JB

2003 FOR EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL UNDER THE REAR GLASS HAS A CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT. NO KNOWN CAUSE. THERE APPEAR TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 58,000 MILES. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH 2003 EXPLORERS AND I WANTED TO DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM WE HAD. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. *TR

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

THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE HATCH JUST SUDDENLY CRACKED... IT WASN'T HIT OR ANYTHING, IT JUST CRACKED. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE COMPANY DID NOTHING TO ADDRESS THIS...THE CAR WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND WE HAD TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

THE BACK PANEL OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. IT IS THE PANEL JUST BELOW THE BACK WINDSHIELD. IT WAS FINE ONE DAY, AND SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE THE NEXT. I KNOW IT IS NOTHING I DID. I GOOGLED TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME THING! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT, NOT THE CUSTOMER. PLEASE, PLEASE, RECALL THIS FOR US. WE PUT OUR TRUST IN FORD BY PURCHASING THEIR VEHICLES AND WE WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THEIR MISTAKES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER 2003 WITH 93000 MILES AND THE O/D LIGHT AS WELL AS THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. FROM MY RESEARCH IT SEEMS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS ON THE CAR MENTIONED. *TR

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

I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AROUND 27 OCT 29TH 2008, TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR WHAT I PRESUMED WAS PERHAPS A NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUSH, THE SERVICE MANGER TOLD ME THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAN GO AT ANY TIME, TWO DAYS, TWO MONTHS OR TWO YEARS, TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME THAT NIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AAMCO FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTIC, WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT AT A COST RANGING FROM 2500 TO 3500, I THEN CALLED FORDS NATIONAL NUMBER TOLD THEM THAT I AM A (4) TIME EXPLORER OWNER AND ASK IF THERE IS ANY HELP OR ASSISTANCE THAT I CAN RECEIVE FORM FORD, I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WILL HONOR ANY PRICE ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO ME BY ANY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION, I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT NATIONAL HAD TOLD ME, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION FOR $2200 OUT OF THE DOOR, LATER THAT DAY THAT NUMBER WAS REDUCED TO $1900, I TOLD AAMCO TO PLEASE MOVE MY VEHICLE TO THE DESIGNATED FORD DEALERSHIP, AFTER ABOUT 5 DAYS I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS FINISHED AND WAS TEST DRIVEN AND EVERYTHING WAS OK,, THEN IT WAS TEST DRIVEN AGAIN LATER THAT DAY AND A PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND NOW THE VALVE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $400.00. I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK THEN AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AGAIN AND THERE WAS LEAK SPOTS ON MY DRIVEWAY, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SOME SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING, HOWEVER IT IS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I SHOULD REPLACE SOME SORT OF PUMP WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION FOR AND ADDITIONAL $300.....THIS IS THE CLASSIC BAIT AND SWITCH, THEY ARE THE PROFESSIONAL AND SHOULD BE COMPETENT AND EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX A TRANSMISSION. THE $1900 IS NOW $ 2600; I AM DONE WITH FORD AFTER OVER 15 YEARS OF LOYALTY. *TR

AT 110000 MILES WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND HEARD "BUMPING, RUMBLING SOUND", CAR WAS NOT HANDLING WELL, GOT OFF AT NEXT EXIT 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF VEHICLE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY NOTED THAT THE WHEEL STUDS WERE BAD AND THE WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD, REPLACED BOTH. AT 140000 MILES WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND HEARD SAME SOUND, STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THAT THEY FOUND RUST ON THE ROTORS/LUGS/WHEEL, CLEANED IT AND RETORQUED WHEELS TO 130 FT LBS, STATED THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES!! AT 151000 HEARD SAME SOUND, I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD AT 30 MPH, STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE AGAIN (TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED, SO THIS IS NOT THE SAME WHEEL AS PREVIOUSLY). DEALERSHIP AGAIN CLEANED THE ROTORS/LUGS/WHEEL AND RETORQUED WHEELS TO 125 FT LBS THIS TIME AND STATED THAT WITH SOME OF THE PREVIOUS PROBLEMS THEY WERE ATTRIBUTING IT TO DELAMINATION OF A COATING ON THE ALUMINUM WHEELS, BUT THAT WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF WHEEL. BY LUCK AND CAREFUL MONITORING WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THIS ISSUE - YET! A FRONT WHEEL FALLING OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD LIKELY BE DEADLY. THERE ARE REPEATED REPORTS ON THIS PROBLEM, IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENCE. THE ONLY TIME THE WHEEL STUDS WERE SHEARED AND BEARINGS WERE BAD IS WHEN I DID NOT CATCH IT IN TIME AND THE WHEEL ACTUALLY CAME OFF, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS THE SAME THOUGH, THE WHEEL FALLING OFF IS CAUSING THE STUDS TO SHEAR AND BEARINGS TO GO.

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN JULY, 2008 AND MECHANIC AT COUNTRY FORD NOTED NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING ON VACATION IN OCT. 2008, I NOTICED NOISE IN REAR WHICH WAS NOTICEABLE AT 35-40 MPH AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO COUNTRY FORD AND THEY FOUND THE REAR CARRIER BEARINGS WORN AND HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. COST WAS $1132. VEHICLE NOT UNDER WARRANTY (52,000 MILES). VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AS PER FORD GUIDELINES AT COUNTRY FORD SERVICE, LEVITTOWN, NY. *TR

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HEATING SYSTEM STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TURNED IT ON, THEN I FOUND THAT IF I TURNED IT TO COOL SIDE THE CLICKING STOPPED, NOW THERE IS NOT HEAT AT ALL ONLY COLD AIR. I AM TOLD BY A FORD MECHANIC THAT IT IS A BROKEN BLEND DOOR, AN EXTREMELY COMMON & COSTLY REPAIR SINCE THE BLEND DOOR IS IN A RIDICULOUS SPOT BEHIND THE DASHBOARD THAT TAKES 6-8 HOURS OF REPAIR TO REMOVE & REPLACE THE $20 PART. I FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORD OWNERS DATING BACK TO THE 1993 FORD RANGER MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM...WHY IS THIS NOT FORCED TO BE A RECALL FOR FORD TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM? THE PIN THAT BREAKS ON THE BLEND DOOR IS PLASTIC, ANY NIMROD KNOWS HEAT AND COLD WILL CAUSE PLASTIC TO BECOME BRITTLE AND BREAK, THUS YOU WOULD THINK THAT MAKING THE PIN METAL WOULD HAVE BEEN A SOLUTION YEARS AGO, IT IS ONLY A 3-4 INCH PIN...NOT THAT EXPENSIVE TO FIX BUT SURE IS COSTLY TO FIX THIS NUTTY ERROR FOR FORD. *TR

THE BACK LIFT GATE (HATCH) OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS A VERTICAL CRACK UNDER THE WINDOW NEXT TO THE CENTER FORD LOGO. I NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT 1,000S OF OTHER PEOPLE TO INCLUDE IN OUR CITY ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS. THIS HAPPENED IN WINTER. I SEE IN CAR STATS THERE ARE COMPLAINTS THERE TOO. *TR

WHILE OUT OF TOWN, VACATIONING AND TOURING FOR FALL COLORS, I LOST ALL POWER TO THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM AFTER A SHORT COFFEE STOP. WHEN I STARTED MY EXPLORER I NOTICE I HAD NO HEAT, FANS, DEFROSTER OR POWER TO THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. THINKING I HAD BLOWN A FUSE, I OPENED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND CHECKED THE FUSE DIAGRAM PAGES FOR THE SYSTEM THAT WAS NOT WORKING. I CHECKED ALL THE FUSES INDICATED BUT, I FOUND NONE OF THEM HAD BLOWN. AFTER DETOURING AND HEADING FOR THE LOCAL SMALL TOWN, I PURCHASED AN EMERGENCY FUSE REPLACEMENT AND TESTER KIT AS IT WAS NOW GETTING DARK, TRYING TO CONTINUE RE-CHECKING ANY FUSES (WHILE IN THE CONFINED AND MOST AWKWARD PLACE TO INSTALL A FUSE CONTROL PANEL UNDER THE DASH BOARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE) WAS GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT TILL DAYLIGHT. ON MY RETURN TO MY CAMPSITE I CHANGE THE HEAD LIGHTING FROM AUTO TO MANUAL AND PULLED OUT ON THE KNOB TO TURN ON THE FOG LIGHT SYSTEM. AS I DID THIS ALL POWER TO MY CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM RETURNED AND WAS WORKING NORMAL AGAIN. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A REAL PROBLEM AS THE NEXT MORNING I WOKE UP TO FROST AND 0` TEMPERATURE AND OVERCAST FOR THE DAY. *TR

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

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I NOTICED MY VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE THIS TAPING NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT IT COULD BE THEN NOTICED IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I DIDN'TTT FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY SO DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT AND GOT OFF. THE NOISE STARTED TO GET LOUDER SO I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND WAITED FOR SOMEONE TO COME PICK ME UP BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. AS I WAS SITTING THERE WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF, SOMETHING ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME OUT AND PUT VEHICLE FIRE OUT. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER PURCHASED NEW. OUT OF THE BLUE CHECK TRANSMISSION AND O/D OFF LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. AT DEALERSHIP NOW FOR REPAIR ESTIMATE. WHILE RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I WAS AMAZED TO SEE THE NUMBER OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM ON THE EXACT SAME CAR. I SPOKE WITH FORD TODAY & THEY TOLD ME SORRY AND TO "HAVE A GOOD DAY". I AM MORTIFIED AT THE PROBLEM AND THE LACK OF ASSISTANCE FORD IS WILLING TO PROVIDE WITH THIS OBVIOUSLY LARGE SPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, LATER ABS LIGHT ON. AAMCO SAID TRANNY WAS GOING OUT...PROBABLY TORQUE CONVERTER BUT COULD BE SEAL. RECOMMENDED JUNK YARD TRANNY. HE SAID THAT FORD HAD ALL KIND OF TROUBLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER - 65K MILES - BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR 7.6HP FAILED CAUSING A/C TO REMAIN IN ON POSITION WITH NO HEAT OR DEFROSTER. *TR

THE PAINT HAS BLISTERED AND IS ACTIVELY PEELING OFF OF A SUBSTANTIAL AREA OF THE HOOD OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. ACCORDING TO LEMONLAW.COM, FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATING A MAJOR PAINT DEFECT IN MANY 2000-2005 FORD, LINCOLN, AND MERCURY CARS, TRUCKS, AND SUV'S THAT USE ALUMINUM BODY PARTS. THE BULLETIN FURTHER STATES THAT, "SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT BUBBLING OR BLISTERING UNDER THE PAINT ON ALUMINUM BODY PARTS". I AM NOT A LAWYER, BUT I DO KNOW THAT WARRANTY OR NOT, THIS IS A CLEAR BREACH OF ALL EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BODY PARTS AND/OR PAINT WERE DEFECTIVE FROM THE START SINCE THE BULLETIN STATES THAT FORD RESEARCH ADMITTED THAT THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM IRON CONTAMINATION WITHIN THE ALUMINUM BODY PART PRIOR TO BEING PAINTED. I REGISTERED MY COMPLAINTS WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, ASKING FOR FULL REMEDY OF THE SITUATION. THE ONLY OFFER THEY MAKE IS A DEAL ON A NEW CAR! I HOPE THAT FILING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP THE CONSUMER WHO HAS BEEN CLEARLY HURT AND IS EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC LOSS DUE DIRECTLY TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS SITUATION REMEDIED SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008, BUT MY COMPLAINT CONTINUES TO BE PUSHED ASIDE. I BELIEVE THEY HOPE ALL OF THE CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY QUIETLY. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 4WD 4.0 6 CYL. FORD EXPLORER WITH 84,000 MILES ON IT. MY OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I HAVE JUST SEEN ONLINE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND FORD IS NOT RECALLING OR DOING ANYTHING TO HELP WITH REPAIRS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT PRESSED THE BUTTON ON HER KEY FOB TO OPEN THE GLASS ON THE REAR HATCH. AS A RESULT, ONE OF THE TWO HINGES FRACTURED AS THE WINDOW WAS OPENING. SHE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE GLASS, BUT APPARENTLY IT WAS MISALIGNED. DUE TO EXCESSIVE PRESSURE, THE GLASS SHATTERED AND DEBRIS FELL ONTO THE CONTACT AND THE GROUND. SHE CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COVERAGE DATE FOR THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO PERSONALLY PETITION TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER ON HER BEHALF. AS OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,600.

CHROME WHEELS ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED "CENTENNIAL" MODEL ARE CRACKED AND PITTED AT THE CENTER HUB WHERE THEY GET MOUNTED TO THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO BUY NEW TIRES RECENTLY, BUT THE TIRE DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL NEW TIRES ON THESE WHEELS. THEY SAY THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT THE WHEELS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THE WHEELS COULD FAIL AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED ONE OF THESE WHEELS BACK IN 2006, BUT NOW 2 MORE OF THEM ARE CRACKED. THESE ARE TOP-OF-THE-LINE CHROME WHEELS AND SELL FOR MORE THAN $400 EACH. *TR

FACTORY PAINT BLISTERING ON HOOD. VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 44,000 MILES. THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON A LONG LIST OF INTERNET SITES. FORD IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY THIS IS AFFECTING 2000-2005 VEHICLES. *TR

INITIALLY HAPPENED AT 98K MILES BACK IN 08. PUT IN PARK (VEHICLE ON ELEVATED DRIVEWAY). JERKED BACK AND HEARD A CLUNK- LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO A GEAR WITH VEHICLE PRESSURE- AND IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK. HIT BRAKES- AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. THEN NEUTRAL TO START IT. PARKED IT ON THE CURB FOR AN HOUR, WENT BACK OUT AND IT DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN UNTIL LAST WEEK. THINKING IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE WEATHER THIS TIME- PARKED ON MY FAIRLY STEEP DRIVEWAY AGAIN WITH LOTS OF ICE/SNOW. 189K MILES WITH THE ORIG TRANNY AND REGULAR COMPUTER UPDATES/FLUSHES. BEEN AN AMAZING TRUCK- JUST THINKING IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CODE WAS DISPLAYED DURING THE TESTING, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT A LETTER WITH A CHECK FOR $1,000 TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

PLASTIC BODY PART BELOW REAR WINDOW GLASS CRACKED. *TR

ON 9/4/08, DRIVING IN TOWN, I WAS AT A RED LIGHT, PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE, THEN PREPARED TO BRAKE, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED KEPT ACCELERATING. I HAD TO RIDE MY BRAKES TO KEEP MY CAR FROM GOING ANY FASTER. WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE, THE ACCELERATOR TOOK OFF AGAIN ON ITS OWN AT A FAST RATE! I PULLED OVER TO TURN OFF MY CAR, WAITED FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AND PROCEEDED AGAIN. AFTER DRIVING 5 MILES IT STARTED UP AGAIN, I RODE ON MY BRAKES THE REST OF THE WAY HOME AND THEN HAD MY HUSBAND FOLLOW ME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE WAS DAMAGED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILED COMPONENT, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

PAINT PEELING OFF MY CAR. *TR

VERTICAL CRACK IN THE BACK HATCH OF MY FORD EXPLORER 2003 JUST BELOW THE GLASS AND GOING DOWN. *TR

OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THE AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKS THEN STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY WHETHER MY AIR BAG IS ACTUALLY WORKING OR NOT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET APPARENTLY SEVERAL OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO I HAVE A CRACKED PANEL ON THE BACK HATCH , I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME CRACK AND AT THE SAME LOCATION , TOOK THE FORD DEALER IN CLARKSVILLE INDIANA WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO WEATHER , WAS TOLD SEVERAL FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM BUT UNFORTUNATELY FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NOT DOING A RECALL. WAS TOLD WOULD COST AROUND $300 TO REPLACE THE PANEL THE FORD DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THEY HAVE SEEN TOO MANY THEMSELVES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE HAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS AND, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE IT, THE LIFTGATE WOULD NOT SHUT CORRECTLY. THE HINGE SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IF HE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE, THE GLASS WILL SHATTER. HE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

RE: FORD MOTOR COMPANY FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS ILLEGALLY CHARGING CUSTOMERS FOR COMPUTER ENGINE UPDATES. IN JULY OF 2008 MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER 2003. . I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BUERGE FORD THAT MY ENGINE CODES HAD TO BE UPDATED PER FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THEY UPDATED THE ENGINE CODES IN 15 MINUTES AND CHARGED ME $128.00 DOLLARS FOR UPDATING FORDS NEW ENGINE COMPUTER CODES. THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS THAT IF THE ENGINE CODES ON MY FORD EXPLORER XLT 2003 NEEDED TO BE UPDATED TO FORDS NEW ENGINE CODES A RECALL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED, OR THE CHARGE SHOULDN'T BE PASS ON TO THE CONSUMER. A RECALL WAS NEVER DONE, AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN ILLEGALLY PASSING ON THIS CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER FOR YEARS, WITHOUT A RECALL NOTICE. NOTHING WAS AT FAULT AT MY END. I HAVE A COPY OF MY BILL FOR YOUR RECORDS ON THIS ILLEGAL CHARGE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR NOT IMPLEMENTING A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR SUV'S, CAR'S AND TRUCKS. SINCERELY. JEFFREY ROTH *TR

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

I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG AND I HEARD A POP NOISE AND THE PANEL UNDER THE BACK WINDOW WAS CRACKED. *TR

A CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM ON 2003-2005 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD HAS A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) ON THIS ISSUE SO THEY KNOW IT EXISTS AND YET THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE IS JUST ONE OF A FEW OUT THERE REGARDING THIS MATTER... HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2003/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML. *TR

ONE OF THE RIMS ON OUR FORD EXPLORER FELL OFF THE CAR AT HIGH SPEED AND, ACCORDING TO FORD, IT CAME WITHIN SECONDS OF FALLING OFF ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION (ALSO AT HIGH SPEED). THESE ARE THE FACTORY RIMS THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2003. THE DEALER HAS NOW DETERMINED THAT THE RIMS ARE SO RUSTED THAT WHEN THEY ARE REMOVED FOR SERVICE AND THEN REPLACED WITHOUT HAVING THE RUST REMOVED, THE SURFACE OF THE RIM IS ROUGH AND DOES NOT "MATE" PROPERLY AGAINST THE HUB. EVENTUALLY, THE RUSTED MATERIAL STARTS TO FLAKE OFF, WHICH CAUSES THE RIM TO LOOSEN AGAINST THE HUB AND THE LUGS TO SNAP OFF. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT IDENTIFIED BY FORD UNTIL AFTER THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT (JULY 4, 2008). THE RIMS HAVE BEEN CAUSING PROBLEMS SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2005, WHEN THE CAR WAS TWO YEARS OLD AND UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY (WE ALSO HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED A FEW MONTHS AGO). DESPITE HAVING THE CAR SERVICED AT FORD DEALERS AT LEAST 11 TIMES BETWEEN SEPTEMBER OF 2005 AND JULY OF THIS YEAR, NOBODY EVER TOLD US THAT THE RIMS WERE SO DEFECTIVE THAT THEY COULD FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. OUR DEALER HAS OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF NEW RIMS, BUT WE REFUSE TO PAY A SINGLE CENT. WE HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROBLEM, WHICH COULD HAVE KILLED OUR FAMILY TWICE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE PURCHASED HER VEHICLE THE HINGE ON THE BACK OF THE WINDOW WAS BROKEN. THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THAT IT COULD BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER LATER ADVISED HER THAT HER VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. LAST YEAR THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE BROKEN HINGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129000.

HORIZONTAL CRACK IN LIFT GATE RUNNING FROM TOP OF PIECE (BOTTOM OF WINDOW) TO BOTTOM OF PIECE. *TR

JULY OF 2007 THE REAR WINDOW ON OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAD BROKEN AT ONE OF THE HINGES AND THE WINDOW SAGGED. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET WE FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL, (04V44200). WE THEN CONTACTED FORD AND THEY AGREED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE. NOW 10 MONTHS LATER WHILE THE AUTO WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY THE WINDOW SHATTERED WITH NO ONE AROUND. THERE WAS A NEIGHBOR WORKING IN THE YARD WHO WITNESSED THIS HAPPEN. GLASS WAS BOTH INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER A WEEK OF PHONE CALLS WITH NO LUCK, I WAS FINALLY IN TOUCH WITH A ONE OF THE PARTS GUYS AT FORD WHO SAID THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HE WAS AWARE OF. HE EVEN STATED THAT THEY ONLY REPLACED THE HINGES AND NOT THE GLASS WHICH IS KNOWN TO SHATTER. AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS, WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY ON THE HINGES (EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THE GLASS IS DEFECTIVE AS WELL) AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP US OUT. WELL IM NOT PAYING $1,600 OUT OF MY POCKET FOR ANOTHER PRODUCT THAT FORD KNOWS HAS A PROBLEM AND DOESN'T BACK UP THERE WARRANTIES. *TR

MY BACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODED LAST THURSDAY WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. NOT ONLY DID THE GLASS EXPLODE, BUT THE FIBERGLASS UNDERNEATH THE GLASS WAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE BACKEND OF THE TRUCK IN A BOWING POSITION. I HAD THE BACK HINGE REPLACED AFTER THE RECALL, IT'S BEEN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN NASHUA WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME, STATING THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE AND THERE ARE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS. WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE AREA FACTORY REP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ONE. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER, WHO PRETTY MUCH SAID, HERE'S YOUR HAT, WHAT'S YOUR HURRY, OUT YOU GO...HE THEN FLAGGED ME AS BEING AN "IRATE" CUSTOMER. I AM A MOTHER OF 4 YOUNG CHILDREN, GOD FORBID THEY HAD BEEN IN THE CAR WHEN THAT HAD HAPPENED. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES..FORD-BUILT STRONG MY LEG! ANYONE INTERESTED IN FILING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE STATE OF NH, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, I AM GOING TO CONTACT MY LAWYER TODAY. *TR