2003 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

VEHICLE FAILURE PROBLEMS WITH 2003 FORD EXPLORER.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT THE CONSUMER'S NEGLECT WAS THE CAUSED OF THE FAILURE AND IF HE REFUSED TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE FROM THEM THEY WOULD VOID MANUFACTURERS AND EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE TOOK CARE OF HIS VEHICLE PERFORMING ALL THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. *NM

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT DID NOT NOT RETRACT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE SEAT BELT TWICE ALREADY DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS.*AK

THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 4-5 TIMES. EACH TIME THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BUT EACH TIME THE JERKING PROBLEM RETURNED. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE TECHNICIAN CAN REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *NM THE VEHICLE WOULD OSCILLATE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE PULLING IN AND OUT OF A DRIVEWAY OR PARKING. THE WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WHEN THE STEERING OSCILLATED. *SC

ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED THEN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE AUTO WON'T SHIFT INTO REVERSE. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS. UPON INCREASING THE RPM BY 50-100 THE CAR SLAMS INTO REVERSE AND LUNGES 2-3 FEET. *JB

CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE SPRING ON THE SECOND SET OF SEATS REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT. EVEN AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT THE SPRING WAS STILL TOO TIGHT/STRONG. CONSUMER WENT TO A FORD DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO HIM JUST WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT HE SHOULD CALL NHTSA AND COMPLAIN. CONSUMER PULLED THE LEVEL TO ADJUST THE SEAT, AND THE SEAT CAME DOWN WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT IT SPLIT. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF A CHILD WOULD PULLED THE LEVEL HE OR SHE WOULD CERTAINLY BE INJURED.*AK *JB

FORD EXPLORER XLS. REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. THE WINDOW APPEARS TO BE UNDER ALOT OF TENSION.? *JB

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST TIME MECHANIC REPLACED AN AIR BYPASS VALVE. THE SECOND TIME MECHANIC RESET COMPUTER MODULE. THE THIRD AND FOURTH TIMES MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

2003 EXPOLRER - DEFECTIVE COMPUTER SENSOR MODULE FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM FOR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *AK

NUMEROUS PROBLEM: BRAKES, REAR WINDOW OPENING, SEAT BELT RETRACTION, HEATER, REAR DEFROST, BODY WORK, ETC.. *PH WHILE BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE REAR WINDOW HINGE FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOW TO OPEN WHILE THE CONSUMER WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED SLOWLY WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO BECOME HOOKED ONTO THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGER COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT WIPER WAS NOT CLEARING THE WINDSHIELD. THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY UNLESS IT WAS SLAMMED HARD. *NM

SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE NOTICED THE ENGINE MAKES A WHISTLING NOISE IN COLD WEATHER BETWEEN 25-40 MPH. THE NOISE USED TO GO AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES. IT NO LONGER DOES. SO FAR THIS WINTER, I HAVE NOTICED THE ENGINE CONTINUING TO MAKE THE WHISTLING SOUND ENTIRE 35-45 MINUTE COMMUTES. THE SPEED NOW RANGES FROM 25-70 MPH AND COMES AND GOES THROUGHOUT THE DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS KEPT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS (IN PREVIOUS YEARS) AND HAVE NOT HAD A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE.*CN

BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY.THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETTY ISSUE.THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM YET.TOOK IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THAN 3 TIMES.ALSO THE OIL LEAK FROM THE REAR MAIN SEAL,HARSHE SHIFT IN TRANSMISSION ,POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE,OIL PAN GASKET LEAK ,MASTER CYLINDER LEAK ,COIL (SPARK PLUG) FAILURE.*AK

THE CONSUMER HEARD A WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING DRIVEN, THEN SUDDENLY THE LIFTGATE OPENED BY ITSELF. *JB *AK

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 FORD EXPLORER AS A GIFT AND I NOTICED SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT HAD STARTED A SINKING , APPEARANCE IN THE COMPARTMENT AREA THAT HOLDS THE AIR BAG, IT WAS QUESTIONED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUAT SETTLING. AS THE SINKING WORSEN, MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD, I QUESTIONED IT AGAIN, AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING AGAIN. NOW THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT HAS STARTED SINKING BADLY AND THE COMPARTMENT IS NOW BUDGING OUT TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN PUT ALL YOUR FINGERS UNDER AND IN IT. THE BAG CAN DEPLOY AT ANY TIME NOW. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AND IT WILL, IT WILL CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, POSSIBLE DEATH IF THE SUDDEN FRIGHT CAUSE THE DRIVER TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. MY DAUGHTER SAID THE AIR BAG WAS BEGINNING TO FRIGHTEN HER AND SHE AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM, AGAIN SHE WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THAT THE CAUSE SEEM TO BE ELSEWHERE, YET IN FACT IF THE ISSUE HAD BEEN ADDRESSED WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION,IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CORPORATION, AWAITING A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH ARISES FROM THIS ISSUE.*AK

WHEN DIRVING VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS REAR ENDED YOU, AS THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE OR FOUR TIMES AND IS MORE FREQUENT WITH MY WIFE AS IT IS HER VEHICLE. TODAY MY WIFE WAS BACKING UP AND IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE RAN INTO THE FRONT OF HER AS THE VEHICLE LURCHED BACKWARD. SHE SAID IT REALLY BOUNCED HER HEAD. TODAY IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED IN REVERSE. THIS IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER, V-8 XLT 2WD. I HAVE SOME TIME OFF LATER THIS MONTH AND WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER.*AK

CAR VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAVE HAD IN SHOP THREE TIME NOW. THE FOURTH IS COMING. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, FIXED SOME BENT METAL, AND ARE NOW GOING TO REPLACE THE REAR.

DURING COLD / SNOW WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WIPE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD PROPERLY. THIS CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO FREEZE AGAINST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

THE REARVIEW MIRROR IN MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 20% OF ITS CAPACITY BLOCKED BY THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT. *LA

MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER VIN [XXX] WITH 1 MILE REGISTERED ON IT. WE PURCHASED IT 9/15/03, SINCE DAY ONE THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A WHINE IN THE REAR, A VIBRATION AT 55 MPH. COMPLAINTS TO FORD AS WELL AS TO THE LEN STOLER DEALERSHIP,11275 REISTERSTOWN ROAD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117 PHONE 410-356-2635 HAS BROUGHT NOTHING BUT FRUSTRATION. THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE FIXED IS WHAT WE ARE TOLD! BUT AFTER 5 VISITS, IT IS BEING WORKED ON NOW FOR THE VIBRATION 12/04/03, THE WHINE IN THE REAR STILL CANNOT BE FIXED. NOTIFICATIONS FROM FORD TO ITS SERVICE CENTERS: DRIVELINE AXLE CONCERNS FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY 509000 DEALING WITH PROBLEM 17054 QUOTE: 2002- 2004 EXPLORER 4 DR-REAR AXLE WHINE, SOME 2002-2004- EXPLORER 4DR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AXLE WHINE AT NORMAL OR DURING ACCELERATION. TO SERVICE, PERFORM NORMAL DIAGNOSTICS. IF SPECIFIC ROOT CAUSE IS NOT IDENTIFIED, BE AWARE THAT ENGINEERING IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING VIA THE QUICKER SERVICE FIX PROCESS. A SERVICE PROCEDURE WILL BE PUBLISHED AS SOON AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUBMIT CONCERN REPORTS FOR ANY VEHICLE WHICH EXHIBITS THIS CONDITION. MONITOR OASIS FOR UPDATES.-THIS IS ONE OF OUR PROBLEMS, DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX IT AT THIS POINT, SO WE ARE STUCK WITH A WHINING REAR IN NEW VEHICLE. THE SECOND PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE IS TRYING TO BE FIXED, QUOTE: 17107 2002-2004 EXPLORER 4X4 DRIVELINE VIBRATION OR DRONE/BOOM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SOME 2002 -2004 EXPLORER 4X4 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION OR DRONE/BOOM AT 55 - 75 MPH. ELECTRONIC VIBRATION ANALYZER [XXX] READING WILL FALL UNDER 1ST ORDER REAR DRIVESHAFT AT 2700 RMP . IF CONCERN IS TILL PRESENT IN 3RD GEAR AND ISOLATED TO THE DRIVELINE, A PREMIUM BALANCED DRIVESHAFT IS AVAILABLE. INSTALL 3C5Z-4602-AA DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY, REFERRING TO WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION 205-00 FOR PROCEDURE. IF VIBRATION PERSISTS AFTER REPLACING DRIVESHAFT, REINDEX AT PINION FLANGE 90 DEGREES AT A TIME, FOR 360 DEGREES, UNTIL VIBRATION IS MINIMIZED. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

PLASTIC UNDER THE REAR LIFTGATE (REAR HATCH) CRACKED WHEN CLOSING IN COLD WEATHER. THE TWO CRACKS WERE OVER 6 INCHES LONG. THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM

INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF GETTING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER VEHICLE TO START. AFTER AN HOUR OR SO VEHICLE WOULD START UP AS IF THERE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED MORE THAN 4 TIMES IN THE PAST. *AK

VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR BAD IDLE AND SHUT-OFF CONDITION AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, DEALER RESPONDED THAT THE VEHICLE COMES FROM THE FACTORY WITH A LESS THAN DESIRABLE IDLE AND THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DIVULGED. AS I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH SUCH A PROBLEM. *LA

THE TRUCK STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED THE TRUCK LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. *JB

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE CLEARLY SHOWS THE POINT OF IMPACT WITH A LARGE POLE TO THE LEFT OF CENTER TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I SUSTAINED SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES DUE TO A CONCUSSION AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG FAILING TO DEPLOY. I DON'T KNOW MY SPEED BECAUSE I HAD FALLEN ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING, BUT IT WAS FAST ENOUGH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID GO OFF. I BELIEVE MY RESULTING INJURIES AND LOST OF WORK WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY LESS HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS IT SHOULD HAVE. *JB

THERE'S A LOUD ROARING NOISE IN THE REAR END WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS IS DUE TO A GLITCH IN THE REDESIGNED REAR END, BUT THERE IS NO SOLUTION AT THIS TIME FOR IT. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AND THE FRAME CRACKED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

SOON AFTER PURCHASE THE EXPLORER (2WD) DEVELOPED AN AXLE WHINE FROM 55-70 MPH ON ACCELERATION. IT'S QUIET ON COAST. THE LOCAL DEALER FOUND A TSB (#16898). THEY REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT AS SPECIFIED. THE ONLY CHANGE WAS THE RANGE OF THE WHINE, NOW 58-63MPH. BACK TO DEALER ON 1/8/04. THEY SAID A FIX WAS IN THE WORKS, CALL BACK IN 3 MONTHS. CALLED TODAY (4.21), NO FIX AND NO DATE. PS: SURE SOUNDS LIKE A BAD RING/PINION TO ME...*AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURED ON OCT. 14, 2003. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN I WAS BROADSIDED BY A TOYOTA CAMRY GOING ABOUT 20 -30 MILES AN HOUR. MY EXPLORER TIPPED ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE. I WAS TERRIFIED IT WOULD ROLL-OVER (UPSIDE-DOWN) I HAD NO IDEA HOW EASY IT WAS TO TIP MY VEHICLE OVER. DO YOU HAVE ANY DATA CONCERNING FORD EXPLORERS? DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT I CAN DO? I'M NEVER GETTING INTO THAT VEHICLE AGAIN BUT I OWE $22,000. NOW TRADE IN VALUE IS MAYBE $16,000. THE CAR IS STILL BEING REPAIRED AND WILL BE COVERED BY THE OTHER DRIVER'S INSURANCE.

ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT, WE NOTICED A WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON IT. THEY SAID FORD IS INVESTIGATING THE NOISE AND COULD GIVE NO TIME FRAME ON WHEN IF WOULD BE FIXED. ASKED US TO JUST BE PATIENT.. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, AND THE WAY CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAS BEEN DEALING WITH US, FORD SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED. WE ARE CURRENTLY RESEARCH THE LEMON LAWS. WE DO NOT WANT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT MAKES THIS AWFUL WHINE (WHICH IS GETTING WORSE DAY BY DAY). WHO KNOWS IF IT IS SAFE, GIVEN FORD'S TRAC RECORD! *JB

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER 2WD XLT STARTED MAKING WHINNING NOISES WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NINE TIMES WITH OVER $1200 WORTH OF WORK. REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY FAITH IN THE TECHNICIANS OR SERVICE MANAGER. GOING THROUGH ARBITRATION NOW TO HAVE THE LEMON REPURCHASED BY FORD.*AK

I HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT 2 BRAND NEW FORDS FROM CHAMPION FORD IN SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA. MY BRAND NEW FORD XLT EXPLORER 2 DOOR SPORT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS LONGER THAN I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 09/27/2003 SINCE THEN THE HOOD HAD TO BE RE-PAINTED, BOTH SIDE BODY MOLDING HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT CAME LOOSE , BOTH BOTTOM EXTERIOR BODY DOOR TRIM HAD TO BE REPLACED, INTERIOR TRIM PIECE BELOW THE REAR WINDOW BROKE AND HAD TO BE RE-PLACED, BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM IS A VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR/TRANSMISSION THAT VIBRATES THE DASH I HAVE SPENT ALREADY OVER $60.00 IN GAS BACK AND FORTH TO DEALERSHIP, ME AND MY WIFE HAVE TAKEN OFF TWO DAYS AT WORK COSTING US OVER $500.00 IN LOSS OF PAY, I HAVE ALREADY PAID THE FIRST TRUCK NOTE AND INSURANCE PAYMENT AND NOW THE TRUCK IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MORE WEEK OF REPAIRS. ON 10/17/2003 THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MY WIFE DROVE ANOTHER EXPLORER OF THE SAME MAKE/MODEL AND HAD NO PROBLEMS I THEN WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MGR. THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS INHERENT TO THIS MAKE/MODEL. I THEN APPROACHED THE SALE MGR. WITH THE HOPES OF EITHER EXCHANGING OR TRADING UP TOO THE 4 DOOR MODEL TO HELP DEFRAY THE PROFIT LOSS. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY DEPRECIATED SOME $4000.00 AND THAT TO SWAP VEHICLES IT WOULD COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $75.00 AN UP A MONTH CAR NOTE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO BASICALLY TOLD ME I WAS STUCK WITH THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE VEHICLE LONGER THAN I HAVE HAD IT. I WAS SENT FROM EMPLOYEE TO EMPLOYEE MGR. OF THIS TO MGR. OF THAT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION OR IDEAS YOU COULD PROVIDE ME WITH THIS SITUATION. THIS VEHICLE IS TO BE MY WIFE'S TRUCK AND I WOULD LIKE HER IN A SAFE TRUCK THAT IS SAFE FOR HER TO TRAVEL IN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE COSMETIC FAULTS BUT HAS STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS OF DOUBTFUL OUTCOME.

EXCESSIVE WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL/DRIVE AXLES/DRIVESHAFT AREA OF THE VEHICLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 60 M.P.H. *LA

PURCHASE VEHICLE ON JULY 30, 2003. REAR AXLE WHINE DURING SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 - 60 DURING ACCELERATION/ DECELLERATION DIAGNOSED ON 13 OCTOBER 2003. ADVISED THAT ENGINEERS WERE WORKING ON A FIX AND NO SERVICE WAS TO BE PERFORMED. VERY DISPLEASED AT THE ATTITUDE OF FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AND THE LACK OF SERVICE RECEIVED WITH FORD VEHICLE. FILED COMPLAINT WITH SETTLEMENT DISPUTE BOARD AND WITH BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. NEXT STEP IS TO CONTACT ATTORNEY TO FILE LEMON LAW. ALSO, CONSUMERS NEED TO GET OUT INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC THAT FORD IS SELLING THESE VEHICLES KNOWING THERE IS A PROBLEM AND IS NOT WILLING TO FIX THEM.*AK

WE BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER XLT LATE SATURDAY NIGHT OCTOBER 11TH. THAT LATE NIGHT AFTER BRINGING THE XLT EXPLORER HOME WE PRESSED THE BLUE LIFTGATE BUTTON FOR LIFTGATE. THE GLASS WENT UP BY ITSELF AND THE SHOCK ROD DISCONNECTED FROM THE BALL BEARING SLAMMING BACK DOWN. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE SOME COULD SERIOUSLY GET HURT INCLUDING CHILDREN WHEN THE WEIGHT OF THAT GLASS COMES DOWN. I CONTACTED FORD AND HAVE ONLY RECEIVED A MERRY GO ROUND AND NO SUITABLE ANSWERS. I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE GOTTEN IT CHECKED OUT... WITH NO SUITABLE ANSWERS EXCEPT IT WAS FACTORY RELATED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. WE DO NOT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE OR SOMEONE FROM GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND FORWARD TO ALL OTHER REGULATORY AND SAFETY AGENCIES FEDERAL/ STATE/LOCAL SO A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION IS DONE. *LA FACTORY MIS-INSTALLATION OF STRUTS CAUSING LIFT CYLINDER DETACHMENT AT FIRST USE.PCO

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD EXPLORER 4WD, V8 - SEPT. 22, 2003. ABOUT 3.5 WEEKS LATER IT BEGAN TO SHAKE AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN 1100 MILE ON IT BEFORE IT BEGAN ITS DOWNWARD SPIRAL. I TOOK IT INTO BE REPAIRED ON 10/13/03 REGARDING THE WHINING BUT I FORGOT TO MENTION THE VIBRATION-- IT ONLY HAPPEN ON 2 OCCASION THUS FAR. BUT THE WHINING IS CONSTANT - AROUND 50 MILE AND ABOVE. I WAS BY THE SERVICE PERSON THE ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON IT AND I AM TO WAIT UNTIL THEY FIND A CURE FOR IT. I AM NOT TRUSTING THEM WITH MY SAFETY, I WAS TOLD IT WAS IN THE DRIVELINE/AXLE /DRIVESHAFT- THE NAME CHANGES BUT STILL THE SAME EXPLANATION - NO FIX AS OF YET. COULD BE LONG-TERM OR NOT AT ALL. I WANT THIS VEHICLE REPLACE - ASAP. *LA

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

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 MPH AND UP CONSUMER HEARD LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THE NEED TO REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL. *AK

HAD TO REPLACE REAR AXLE SEALS ON 2003 EXPLORER WITH 500 ON NEW VEHICLE. *LA

2003 FORD EXPLORER - LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM REAR DRIVE LINE AROUND 55-70 MPH. *JB

WHILE ON ANY TYPE OF INCLINE OUR FORD EXPLORER XLT ROLLS BACK WHILE IN DRIVE. AFTER TELEPHONING FORD MOTOR COMPANY, I WAS TOLD BY ANN TO TAKE THE ISSUE UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. SHE SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE ISSUE OF THE ROLLBACK WHILE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE ON AN INCLINE. WHEN WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED IT, THEY SAID THEY WOULD WORK WITH US AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY. IN EARLY DECEMBER AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE 8 CYLINDER VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED HAS A DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION THAN THE 6 CYLINDER. WHILE THE 6 CYLINDER EXPLORERE DOES NOT ROLL BACK ON AN INCLINE WHILE IN DRIVE, THE 8 CYLINDER MODEL DOES. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS SIMPLY THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION IS DESIGNED AND THAT CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ELIMINATE THE ROLL BACK ISSUE. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE ON DEC. 7, 2003, TONY (SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER) TOLD ME THAT CLAUDIA WOULD BE CALLING ME WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK TO MAKE SOME TYPE OF ARRANGEMENTS WITH ME ALONG THE LINES OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE FACT THAT PERHAPS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD. MY MAIN CONCERN WITH THE ROLL BACK ISSUE IS THAT MY DAUGHTER IS GOING TO BE DRIVING THIS SUMMER, AND WE CANNOT ALLOW HER TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. FOR AN INEXPERIENCED, NEW DRIVER TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF TURNING INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE ROLL BACK WHILE ON AN INCLINE IN DRIVE. THIS IS THE FIRST NEW VEHICLE MY WIFE & I HAVE EVER PURCHASED AND WE ARE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED, NOT ONLY ABOUT THE ROLLBACK ISSUE BUT BY FORD'S LACK OF INTEREST IN THE ROLLBACK ISSUE. REPEATED EMAILS TO FORD MOTOR HAVE GONE UNANSWERED, AND AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAIN NEITHER CLAUDIA OR ANYONE FROM FORD MOTOR CO. HAS CONTACTED ME.*AK

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE GATE LIFT OF MY EXPLORER OPENED ON IT'S OWN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS QUITE NEW. I REPORTED IT TO FORD AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT UNLESS IT MALFUNCTIONED WHILE THEY WERE IN POSSESSION OF IT, THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I NOW TIE DOWN THE GATE WHEN CARRYING PRECIOUS CARGO, MY DOGS. *JB

DAMAGE TO GAS TANK. AFTER LEAVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER OVERNIGHT WITH A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO DUPLICATE A STALLING PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND FOR HAVE A DAMAGED GAS TANK. IT WASN'T FULLY IDENTIFIED UNTIL A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP FROM DALLAS, TEXAS TO MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN. THE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED IN MILWAUKEE. *LA

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL PINION DISENGAGED. *JB

THE VEHICLE PROJECTS A SIGNIFICANT WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR END AND A VIBRATION FORWARD THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT OFFER US AN ALTERNATIVE VEHICLE TO USE. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NEED AT LEAST 3 MONTHS TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION. *LA

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

2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER. 50 TO 60 MPH REAR AXLE WHINE STARTED AT 6000 MILES, AT 12,000 MILES DEALER INSPECTED AND SAID THE REAR AXLE ASSY WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REPLACED THE ASSY. WHINE RETURNED AND DEALER REPLACED THE ASSY AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES. WHINE HAS RETURNED AND I AM CONSIDERING GOING TO INDEPENDENT SHOP TO REPAIR SINCE BEYOND 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD CAN'T FIX THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *NM

2003 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE BOTTOM REAR LIFTGATE IS CRACKED. CONSUMER BELIEVES CONCERN IS RELATED TO RECALL ON THE HINGES FOR THE LIFTGATE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE CRACKS ON THE LIFTGATE WERE DUE TO WEAKNESS. UPDATED 07/08/07. *JB

WHILE DRIVING HOOD FLEW UP WHICH IMPAIRED VISIBILITY. *AK

ENGINE TAPS AND LOUD. *JB

POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER.*MR *CB