2003 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

MULTIPLE EPISODES OF LUGNUTS ON 2003 FORD EXPLORER TOP-OF-THE-LINE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CHROME WHEELS LOOSENING OVER TIME. TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN SERIOUS VIBRATIONS HAVE OCCURRED. ON EACH OCCASION, LUGNUTS WERE LOOSE OR MISSING, WITH ONE OR MORE LUGS COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ON THIS REPORTED OCCASION, LUGNUTS WERE VERY LOOSE ON ONE WHEEL. MOST LOGICAL EXPLANATION APPEARS TO BE THAT WHEEL MATERIAL IS NOT CAPABLE OF PERFORMING AS DESIGNED, AND THAT DELAMINATION/OXIDATION OF WHEEL SURFACES ARE PRIMARY CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. *TR

WHILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. MY SON HAD TO MANUALLY PULL UP ON THE GAS PEDAL ON THE FLOOR TO CORRECT THIS. WE WERE ABLE TO RECREATE IT AGAIN BY PRESSING DOWN HEAVILY ON THE GAS PEDAL - AND THIS TIME WE WERE READY TO MANUALLY PULL UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. WE VERIFIED THAT THE FLOOR MATS WERE NOT OBSTRUCTING THE GAS PEDAL IN ANY WAY. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. IT WAS A SCARY MOMENT; LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CRASH. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE HIGH FAILURE RATE FOR TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 03 EXPLORERS, BUT REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN OFFER TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION AT AN EXORBITANT RATE. THEY SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS, BUT HAVE REFUSED TO DO SO, IN SPITE OF MANY COMPLAINTS.

2003 FORD EXPLORER FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS MAKE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND. COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL 2003 FORD EXPLORERS. IT GROUND DOWN THE WHEEL LUGS FROM THE INSIDE AND THE TIRE CAME OFF ON THE FREEWAY DOING 60MPH. THE ROTORS GOT EATEN UP ON THE INSIDE TOO. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE OVER-DRIVE AND ENGINE SERVICE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH DETECTED THAT THE GEAR RATIO AND PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID WERE DEFECTIVE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,583. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ UPDATED 04/05/11

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 4.0L ON I40W, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE WHILE THE RPMS WERE CONSTANTLY GOING UP. THIS PUT ME IN THE INTERSTATE WITH NO POWER AS THE GEARS WEREN'T SHIFTING. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND TOLD ME THEY REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BREAK THE TRANSMISSION DOWN IN ORDER TO KNOW FOR SURE. I SEARCHED ONLINE FOR ANY COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND CAME ACROSS A SITE WHERE PEOPLE WITH VEHICLES JUST LIKE MINE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. AS OF NOW I'M STILL WAITING ON FORD TO LET ME KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY TRUCK, BUT WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I SEE NO REASON FOR THEM NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AS WELL AS HAVE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN THE OVER DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, SERVO PACK AND CLUTCH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

BROKEN COIL SPRINGS FRONT AND REAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND SWING AROUND TO THE RIGHT ON SLIPPERY SURFACES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TT

LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY, I STARTED THE SUV A FEW MINUTES BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE TO LET IT WARM UP BECAUSE NY IS COLD, AND THEN LEFT TO RUN SOME ERRANDS. I REALIZED RIGHT AWAY THAT THE TRUCK SOUNDED A LITTLE FUNNY WHEN ACCELERATING, SO THE RADIO WENT OFF SO I COULD LISTEN. I FOUND THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, IN THIS AUTOMATIC VEHICLE, THE OVERDRIVE WAS KICKING ON PREMATURELY. THEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I CAME HOME AND STARTED RESEARCHING IT AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, SO HERE I AM, IN THE SAME BOAT AS EVERYONE ELSE, ABOUT TO LOOK UP NUMBERS TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS BECAUSE THE DEALER IS DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY MONEY OFF OF MY WITH THIS ONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A DEFECT WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 08/10/11

TIMING CHAIN BROKE, WITH NO WARNING, BENT ALL THE VALVES AND WASN'T EVEN DRIVING IT. HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY WITH CAR IDLING VERY ROUGH. PULLED BACK IN DRIVEWAY AND OIL WAS POURING OUT UNDERNEATH, DUE TO CHAIN HAD BUSTED THE VALVE COVER. WELL HAD TO PULL THE MOTOR, REPLACED GUIDES, CASSETTES, AND TENSIONERS, WITH 2000.00 JUST IN PARTS ALONE. HAD CAR BACK FROM MECHANIC NOT EVEN 3 WEEKS AND ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AS IF A ROD WAS KNOCKING. WENT BACK TO MECHANIC AND TENSIONERS WERE THE CAUSE OF TIMING-CHAIN "CLANK". APPARENTLY THEY (FORD) DESIGNED THESE TENSIONERS WITH "PLASTIC" GUIDES WHICH SHRED OFF INTO THE HYDRAULIC TENSIONER PICK UP TUBE THEREFORE CLOGGING UP THE HOLE FOR OIL TO GET TO CHAIN AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNLESS YOU GET UPDATED TENSIONERS DIRECTLY FROM FORD AT 100.00 EACH. THERE ARE 3 TIMING CHAINS AND MULTIPLE TENSIONERS AS WELL, WHICH CONTINUE TO GO OUT AFTER 30,000 MILES AND NEED REPLACING, WHICH MOST CAN BE REPLACED WITH MOTOR IN BUT SOME CANT THEREFORE I HAVE HAD MOTOR OUT TWICE NOW, AT 2500.00 EACH TIME. THERE WAS AN ONP TO OWNERS BUT FORD WOULD ONLY COVER COST UP TO 100,000 MILES AND ONLY IF OWNERS COMPLAINED!! OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NOT FIX!!! WELL THIS IS A BAD DESIGN ON FORDS PART WITH PLASTIC TENSIONERS TO GUIDE YOUR TIMING CHAIN!!! NOW THEY HAVE UPDATED WITH A TOUGHER NYLON "PLASTIC". BUT HAVE NOT RECALLED THE OLD ONES SO UNLESS YOU ORDER DEALER PARTS YOU RECEIVE THE OLD PARTS WHICH ARE NO GOOD AND WILL END UP MAKING YOU SPEND MORE MONEY AND FOR THE LAST 12MONTHS, I HAVE HAD MY CAR 3 WEEKS DUE TO CANT AFFORD THE ENORMOUS REPAIR BILL, WHICH FORD KNEW ABOUT ALL ALONG, BUT FAILED TO RECALL PLASTIC PARTS UNLESS SOMEONE COMPLAINED. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE 1996-2006 YEAR MODEL EXPLORES WITH 4.0 SOHC V-6 MOTORS. SOMETHING DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE DONE!!! *TR

ALMOST EVERY OLDER MODEL FORD EXPLORER THAT I SEE ON THE ROAD HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE. FOR A WHILE I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM CLOSING MY BACK LIFT GATE. THERE SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE LATCH. I LATER REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (#04S20) ON (WHAT I THOUGHT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRACKED PANEL) LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE AND BALL STUD BRACKET. RIGHT AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE DEALER ON MY VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2011, I REALIZED THAT THE LIFTGATE WORKED PERFECT. IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THAT THE MISALIGNMENT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE LIFTGATE CLOSING CORRECTLY.....WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PANEL.....WHICH RESULTED IN THE CRACK.......FORD HAS DONE A RECALL ON WHAT HAS RESULTED IN THE CRACK BUT THEY HAVE NOT STEPPED FORWARD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE THAT HAS OCCURRED DUE TO THE DEFECT.....IT IS UNFAIR FOR US TO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR DAMAGES DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.......PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE AS APPROPRIATE. *TR

I RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO BUCK, MAKE LOUD NOISES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTICS TEST PERFORMED WHICH DETERMINED THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE THAT I AM REFERENCING IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH 73,859 MILES (AT THE TIME OF THE DIAGNOSIS). I DID RESEARCH WHICH REVEALED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2003 FORD EXPLORERS WITH APPROXIMATELY THE SAME NUMBER OF MILES. I DID GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE COMPLAINT IS THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE REQUIRING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS AT SUCH LOW MILES. WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER........PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

ENGINE REVS TO NEARLY 5000 RPM BEFORE SLAMMING INTO 2ND GEAR. HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE JUNK.

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I DO NOT DRIVE IT HARD AND MAKE SURE THAT IT GETS THE PROPER UPKEEP. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING AND THE TIME I GOT HOME THAT EVENING THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING VERY HARD IF IT WOULD EVEN SHIFT AT ALL. MY O/D OFF LIGHT ALSO STARTED FLASHING. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE WITH MY TRANSMISSION UNTIL I CHECKED ONLINE TO FIND THAT THERE IS ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT WILL COST ATLEAST 3200 OR MORE TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION BUT STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND FORD HASN'T ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS OR WAS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION SEEING THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IF ANYONE CAN TELL ME IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS MATTER. *LN

REAR HATCH CRACKED NEAR THE FORD LOGO. *TR

SOME SORT OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE DEALING WITH THE SHIFTING SOLENOID. THIS LEADS TO SPORADIC SHIFTING BETWEEN THE LOWER GEARS. THIS LEAD TO VERY HARD DRIVING IN SLOW AND ICY CONDITIONS. THE CAR WOULD BE AT SUCH HIGH RPMS AT SLOW SPEEDS SUCH AS 20-30 MPH THAT THE CAR WOULD LOOSE TRACTION, SO FAR I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT THE POTENTIAL IS VERY APPARENT. *TR

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, THEN THE OD (OVERDRIVE) LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. THEN THE EXPLORER HAD DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HIGHER RPMS THAN USUAL, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 0 TO 30MPH. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE EXPLORER WAS PURCHASED AND EXCLUSIVELY SERVICED SINCE WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEW IN JULY 2003. THEY WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH 2003 EXPLORERS. THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAVE NO 2ND OR 5TH GEARS, INT. SERVO FAILED AND CASE BORE DAMAGED. THEY WANT OVER $3,600 TO REPAIR (AND THAT, THEY SAY IS A DISCOUNT!). I THEN TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHO WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WERE 2 OTHER EXPLORERS CURRENTLY THERE BEING REPAIRED FOR THE SAME THING. AN INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A CONSUMER RIP-OFF! *TR

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT ONLY HAS 70000K AND THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY IN NEED OF REBUILD. IT DOESN'T DRIVE IN REVERSE AND DOESN'T GO FASTER THAN 25MPH WITHOUT SOUNDING AS IF THE ENGINE IS GOING TO FALL OFF. IT KICKS BACK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS AND THE RPM IS WORKING HARD WITH THE TRUCK GOING NOWHERE FAST. I CANT AFFORD TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AS IM STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH AN EIGHT YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THIS LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ON HOW THERE IS NO DIPSTICK TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVEALED AT TIME OF PURCHASE I THINK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL WAS CRACKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE DEALER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,543 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 08/07/12*LJ

"OD (OVERDRIVE)" LIGHT BLINKING IN DASH. THEN "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ON 12-31-10. HIGHER RPM'S IN ENGINE THEN USUAL, TO SHIFT GEARS IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TRANS HAVING THUMPING SOUNDING WHEN PLACED INTO PARK, DRIVE OR REVERSE. BROKEN SERVO SIDEARM INSIDE TRANSMISSION.. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 62,000 MILES ON IT. TAKEN TO LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP. ESTIMATE OF $1,475 TO FIX. *TR

I HAVE 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND AFTER 7YEARS A CRACK HAS FORMED FROM THE REAR WINDOW DOWN TO THE FORD LOGO ON THE REAR PANEL OR TRUNK DOOR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED UNDER THE TAIL GATE WINDOW. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE OTHER DAY, I WAS SITTING IN A LINE OF CARS WAITING FOR MY TURN TO GO THROUGH A 4-WAY STOP WHEN MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. I HAD PLENTY OF FUEL AND THE ELECTRICAL WORKED. THE ENGINE SIMPLY WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. AFTER SOME INSPECTION, THE REPAIRMAN DETERMINED THAT I HAD BLOWN A FUSE. THE CAUSE WAS MY ABS SENSOR CONTINUALLY SENDING OUT AN PROBLEM SIGNAL. THE CAUSE OF THAT WAS MY WHEEL BEARINGS GOING BAD. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT AT LEAST THREE OF MY WHEELS HAVE BAD BEARINGS. THE REPAIRS ARE INCREDIBLY COSTLY (WELL OVER $1,000). AND THE MECHANICAL FAILURE IS DANGEROUS, INCLUDING WHEEL SEPARATION, WHEEL SEIZING UP AND BRAKE FAILURE. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. I DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE DAILY AND IF THE CAR HAD FAILED THERE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY BAD. WHILE WHEEL BEARINGS TO FAIL, THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS INCREDIBLY RARE TO SEE MULTIPLE BEARINGS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. WELL, EXCEPT FOR FORDS. HE SAID THE EXPLORER AND FOCUS (ESPECIALLY THE '02 & '03 MODELS) HAVE A REPUTATION FOR WEARING OUT. SOMETIMES, MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME WHEEL. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH PROVED HIM RIGHT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE '02 & '03 FORD EXPLORERS. I REALIZE WE'RE GOING ON 8 OR 9 YEARS SINCE THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED, BUT HOW COULD THE SAME ISSUE ON HUNDREDS OF CARS NOT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED YET? THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO OBVIOUSLY NOT BE DUE TO USER ERROR OR POOR MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE. I IMPLORE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER FOR THE SAKE OF THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE STILL DRIVING THESE CARS EVERY DAY. *TR

EXPLORER OD LIGHT CAME ON AND TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND THE TRUCK JUST MADE IT TO THE MECHANIC. THE TRUCK NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE EXPENSE OF $3000. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE FORD EXPLORER IS KNOWN FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. SENT AN EMAIL TO FORD AND THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ON THE EXPENSES OR ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PANEL HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED 04/28/11 UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF UPDATED 01/04/12 *LN

O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKS ON DASHBOARD AND VEHICLE SHIFTS HARD. WAS ADVISED THAT TRANSMISSION REBUILD WAS NECESSARY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE FRACTURED DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW SEAL. SHE NOTICED WHEN THE DOOR WAS AJAR THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AS IF SHE HAD OPENED THE DOORS. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR GLASS GOING DOWN TOWARD THE MANUFACTURER'S EMBLEM. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW ON THE REAR HATCH DEVELOPED A CRACK AND THE HINGE WAS BENT DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) WERE PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH DOOR HAS FRACTURED UNDER THE GLASS. SHE NOTICED THE FRACTURE ONCE THE TEMPERATURE BECAME COOLER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,500.

2003 FORD EXPLORER 5R55-W TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEREIN THE INTERNAL LINKAGES, SERVO VALVE AND BEARINGS FAILED AT STARTUP, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNMOVABLE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER AND STRANDING THE DRIVER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FUNCTIONED BUT THE HEAT DID NOT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN THE HEATING COIL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE REACTOR COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,700.

METAL CRACKED INTO FROM LIFTGATE WINDOW TO BOTTOM OF LIFTGATE. JUST WENT TO WORK ONE DAY AND CAME HOME TO FIND THIS HUGE CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE DOOR. I HAD NOT OPENED THE LIFTGATE THAT DAY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND PERSONALLY WITNESSING OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR HATCH WINDOW. *TR

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED AROUND 100K MILES; HIGH RPM SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WITH SUBSEQUENT FLASHING O/D LIGHT. MANY TIMES TRANSMISSION WILL "CLUNK" INTO GEAR EITHER FROM GOING INTO REVERSE, STOPPING COMPLETELY, THEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AND/OR WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY MODEL YEAR EXPLORER (03) AND SAME CODE MANY OTHERS RECEIVE (P0775) WHICH REALLY DOES NOT DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM OR LEAD A NOT SO MECHANICAL INCLINED PERSON TO TRY AND TROUBLESHOOT/BUY PARTS TO FIX. I'M CAREER MILITARY MAN W/FAMILY AND MY TRUCK IS PAID OFF NEXT MONTH--OWNED 5 YEARS AND REALLY SUCKS TO HAVE TO POSSIBLY DUMP $3K INTO A TRUCK THAT FORD HAS KNOWN CONTAINED ISSUES WITH THE 5R55W TRANSMISSION. *TR

CRUISE CONTROL OFTEN TIMES "TAKES OFF" AND DOES NOT HOLD THE SPEED AS SET. I HAVE LOOKED DOWN AT THE SPEEDOMETER SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND MYSELF GOING WELL BEYOND 85MPH - AFTER SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 60. I HAVE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR MY VEHICLE TO STOP CONTINUOUSLY SPEEDING UP. THEN, THERE ARE TIMES WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. THE GREEN LIGHT WILL COME ON, BUT THE SPEED WILL NOT HOLD. IN THESE INSTANCES, MY SPEED ACTUALLY DECREASES.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFT GATE THAT EXTENDED ACROSS. THERE WERE ALSO THREE OTHER SMALLER CRACKS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW LOOKED AS IF IT WOULD EXPLODE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 83,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFTGATE FROM THE TOP OF THE MANUFACTURERS EMBLEM UP TO THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FRO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFTGATE PANEL HAS CRACK AND IT EXPANDS DURING COLD WEATHER AND IT AFFECTS REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SECURITY AS REAR LIFTGATE FLIES OPEN WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT WHEN DRIVING. *TR

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE RPMS INCREASED UP TO 405 AND THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THE BANDS IN THE TRANSMISSION ARE SHOT AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62010.

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THREE OUT OF THE FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A TOTAL COST OF OVER $1,100. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION SUCH AS ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR OR THE WHEEL COMING OFF DURING DRIVING. THIS POTENTIALLY UNSAFE SITUATION WARRANTS A RECALL BY FORD. *TR

DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR

THE BACK PANEL ON MY EXPLORER CRACKED BY JUST CLOSING THE GLASS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ONLY 65 SO CONSIDERING THE MORE EXTREME TEMPERATURES WE HAVE SEEN IN NORTH CAROLINA WAS DID IT CRACK ON THAT DAY? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO STATED THAT THE GEAR SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR

I SENT A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO FORD REGARDING MY SITUATION WITH MY TRANSMISSION FAILING ON ME AND THE LOCAL FORD DEALER CHARGING ME $4,300 SINCE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I TRULY HOPE THAT FORD GETS THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND ADDRESSES THIS ISSUES AS I'M SEEING MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS POP-UP EVERYWHERE REGARDING THIS. POOR EXCUSE!!! DEAR VALUED CUSTOMER, THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER INQUIRING FOR ANY RECALLS ON YOUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I SINCERELY UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION THAT THIS TRANSMISSION CONCERN ON YOUR VEHICLE HAS BROUGHT YOU. PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AREAS OF CONCERN THROUGH INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER AND DEALERSHIP FEEDBACK. IF A CONCERN IS NOTED, A RECALL IS CONDUCTED TO REMEDY A SAFETY OR EMISSIONS CONCERN IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY. THUS, I HAVE REVIEWED IF ANY AVAILABLE COVERAGES OR PROGRAMS MAY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TOWARDS YOUR VEHICLE REPAIR. AFTER EXTENSIVELY REVIEWING YOUR SITUATION, I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS, WARRANTIES OR OTHER COVERAGES AVAILABLE THAT MAY COVER THE REPAIR ON YOUR VEHICLE. WHILE THIS IS SO, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BRING YOUR CONCERN INTO OUR ATTENTION AS THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE CAN BUILD ON. IF A PROGRAM IS ANNOUNCED ON A SPECIFIC COMPONENT AND/OR FOR THE TRANSMISSION CONCERN ON YOUR VEHICLE, FORD WILL NOTIFY YOU BY MAIL. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER AND HOPE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE FUTURE TO ASSIST YOU WITH A MORE FAVORABLE RESOLUTION TO KEEP YOUR CONFIDENCE IN OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INQUIRIES AND/OR CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST A VALUED CUSTOMER LIKE YOURSELF. SINCERELY, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER *TR