Brakes Failed problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer

Two problems related to brakes failed have been reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2003 Explorer.

1 Brakes Failed problem

Failure Date: 08/26/2015

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 30 mph, the check engine and abs indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the brakes failed and the steering wheel seized. The emergency brake was engaged in order to come to a complete stop. The contact restarted the vehicle after few minutes and it functioned normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

2 Brakes Failed problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2009

I was driving on the freeway at approximately 60 mph. When I depressed the brake, the car accelerated to 70 mph first, then to 80 mph. I tried applying the emergency brake, but it did not slow down the vehicle at all. To avoid colliding with the vehicle in front of me, I forced the transmission gear into parking. This momentarily slowed down the vehicle, and I tried to move it into the far right lane of the freeway. Then suddenly it started driving in reverse at a very high speed, causing me to collide with an oncoming truck on the freeway. Unable to control the car and fearing for my life, I turned the ignition key, which brought the car to a halt. The high patrol arrived within only a couple of minutes. When one of the officers turned on the car so as to determine what the problem was, the car immediately accelerated to 80 mph. He turned off the car and directed everyone to step away from the car, cautioning that the car was dangerous. Two officers disconnected the battery and said that there appeared to be a problem with the accelerator. They then pushed the car off the freeway to the nearest gas station. Fortunately, I did not get hurt. But there was significant body damage to my car and to the other truck with which I collided. However, the driver of that truck drove off, thus I was unable to get his information. I had the car immediately towed to my neighborhood Ford dealership, which determined that the accelerator pedal was defective. When I advised them that the emergency brake had failed, I was told that nothing works when the accelerator pedal breaks. This is a serious problem. The car was out of control on the freeway, driving in reverse, and it could have injured many people and caused a lot more damage. Ford refuses to pay for the body repair, and is charging me nearly $1,000 to replace the accelerator pedal. I would appreciate your investigating this problem. I would be happy to provide a copy of the letter that I sent to Ford.




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