general problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer

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).

Exhast manafold has crack in it and screws came lose and fell out wihich created fumes in car.

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.

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.

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. . .

As I have been driving like I normally do the o/d light came on blinking. Then I pressed the button for it nothing happened. I continued with my daily routine and the light came on and off. And continued to blink. Then all of the sudden I would step on the gas but it would not give me anymore than 15mph. When I came to a traffic light my car did not want to go anymore so I had to pull over on the side of the road. It didn't want to continue going. Then after the third try it gave me more gas to drive normal not even a minute after it did it again. I was afraid yo get hit by traffic and since I had my three toddlers I was scared. I pulled into a shopping center and called my dad. And also a mechanic. It needs a new transmission when that vehicle has had all its needs. I cannot afford it and its upsetting seeing all the complaints on carcomplaints. Com about it knowing I am not the only one with this problem. This is a defect and it should be recalled.

Vehicle died upon turning once again. This is becoming more frequent, as it has happened twice now in the last week. Seems to occur after highway speed, then slowing for a turn (tipically a right hand turn). I consider myself quite mechanically inclined and I am baffled. I also own an obdii scanner and no codes come up!! this is the second time I have filed a complaint, and would like some answers. Very dangerous issue in my opinion!! I will also be posting this on other websites to raise awareness, and hopefully get some results!! this is unacceptable.

The transmission light, 4ã¿4 and the od light came on. It does shift gear from 1 to 2 until 3000 rpm.

My son purchased this Explorer brand new and I bought it from him four years ago and I love this as it is the best design in the SUV's, and I can not afford a new vehicle as I am no young gal any more. We have maintained it faithfully and have had no serious problems with it and is at 145000. I was driving to work going 55 mph and the o/d light comes on and I push the button and it would not go off. I pulled over and tried the button a few times-nothing. I shut it off, turned it back on-no light was on-proceeded down the highway and the light turns back on and it will not shift and is straining shift. I took it in to jiffy lube to go ahead and get another oil change and let them check the transmission fluid and they said that they could not access it to check the fluid-they suggested a transmission flush at $200-why can't they access it? would'nt a dip stick save a lot of trouble? as I look at all the complaints about the transmission troubles in the Explorers, I am very shocked. Please can you help me out here as I cannot afford high maintenance bills that would be charged through a dealer. Just tell me if there is a simple solution to fixing it so that my brother may repair it and get it back on the road. One response is as such: after talking to 2 Ford reps today, and turned down flat for help, I have decide its now a quest. . . . Ford stated they didn't have enough complaints for the NHTSA to open up an investigation to possibly order a recall. . . . . . Read more...

I have been having issues with the cruise control on my Explorer. It works fine for several months and then occasionally it will not engage. Most times if it will not engage, the dashboard light does not show up, but since last week the light has come on, but the cruise control has not engaged. Since this has been an ongoing issue and seems to resolve on its own, I continue to try it occasionally. I tried to set it last Friday while I was going approximately 40 mph. It did engage, but then began to slowly accelerate. I tried pushing the button that should reduce the speed, but it continued accelerating, so I kicked the brake pedal to disengage. I have tried it 3 additional times and each time it accelerates. The last time I tried it, yesterday afternoon, the speed was picking up incredibly quickly. It felt like I had just floored the accelerator. I was able to kick the cruise control off with the brake pedal though but am now concerned that this may happen when the cruise is not engaged.

Transmission light flashing and I am told the transmission needs to be replaced or rebuilt. This tranny should be more durable, Ford is better than all the complaints I have read online about this situation.

Took Explorer to dealership to get the transmission fluid checked and got a call from the dealership that the spark plug had blown out of the engine and stripped the threads in the head but not on the spark plug.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated when she started her vehicle it was idling it was very rough. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised her that the timing chain fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer also advised her to no longer drive the vehicle under those conditions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was approximately 93,000.

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 maintence. 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. ).

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.

Brand new 2003 Ford Explorer. Replaced engine at 115 k miles and now the trans is going; specifically, the o/d light keeps flashing and it shifts badly. I've seen numerous complaints about the same thing online, while Ford ignores this faulty trans.

: the contact stated while shifting to any gear at various speeds, a noise was heard. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the oil needed to be changed every month.

1 history of engine surge, very fast idle upon starting since vehicle acquired. -all reported to dealer. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Car stopped, motor off. Started, placed in reverse-touched accelerator and car jumped back full speed. Very narrow parking area (have pictures). Had to turn car rapidly to avoid large hill and trees -too short a distance to turn completely and hit front left fender and bumper glancing blow off two trees. Was able to shift into neutral and got stopped after going in a semicircular and backing over concrete parking barrier. -motor still racing--unable to turn off with key until fourth or fifth try and than motor bucked several time trying to stop. 3. No corrections to date. Reported to Ford! !.

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.

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.

While driving 40-45 mph and without any indication vehicle lost power. Consumer pulled vehicle over and restarted it. Then, returned to normal driving.