Ten problems related to steering column 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.
Shifter broken inside steering column. Stopped at a gas station when putting into park it broke. Had to keep my foot on brake paddle for 2 hours until two truck arrived.
Shift lever broke off inside steering column of my wife's Explorer when changing from park to drive to exit from a boat launch ramp with no boat on the trailer. Vehicle was towed on a flatbed wrecker to my garage. Broken element ( see photos) was not replaceable by itself. Steering column had to be replaced. This was not normal wear and tear, but rather a faulty /weak component that represents a danger. I have noted reports of identical incidents online. Thus far, neither the dealer nor Ford national "customer service" is prepared to reimburse.
Went to put the car in park and the gear shift detached from the steering wheel. Key was stuck in the ignition, unable to put the car in park. Towed it to our house where my uncle was able to fix it. Had to replace the whole steering column. The problem was caused by a weak piece of metal in the alloy connecting the gear shift to the steering column.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle, the gear shifter detached from the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where it was diagnosed with a failure to the steering column that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 75,900. . . Updated 04/11/12 the consumer stated when he put the vehicle in reverse, the entire gear shift came out in his hand. Leaving the vehicle in reverse. He was able to turn the ignition switch off. A cast iron bracket was completely broken off in the steering column. Updated 05/31/12.
While in parked position, ignition started, gear shift broke while putting in reverse - failure of metal alloy connecting gear shift handle to steering column. Key was stuck in ignition and was not removable. Had to replace entire steering column. Towing expenses incurred as well as repair expenses. Problem caused by weakness/failure in metal alloy connecting gear shift handle to transmission steering column.
When I was switching the gear from reverse to drive at a gas station, the shifter lever was snapped off. I cannot move the car any more, and the key got stuck in the steering column. I find loads of others have same problem happened and Ford is not doing anything on this dangerous/could be fatal problem.
03' Ford Explorer, steering column won't shift into or out of park correctly, have to push very hard on brake and struggle w/shift to get it to work. During oil change operator nearly had a roll away accident as parking to return truck to owner after change. This occurs at least 4 times a day.
While parked in my driveway, which is on an incline, I proceeded to start the car and shift from park to reverse. The gear shift lever broke off into my hand. I was fortunate because I was not on the road or highway, nor did I back over a child, cat or dog, etc. It would have been disastrous if I were on train tracks and the train was coming and I couldn't get out of gear, or try to park on a hill in san francisco, or downshift to make it up a mountain grade. Towed vehicle to tuttle click Ford. Received quote from them as well as santa margarita Ford. (over $600 difference. Quote was doubled when the vehicle was towed to tuttle click vs over the phone quote!) car was then towed to automotive plus where a reliable mechanic replaced the entire steering column, as Ford recommended. Also, a rental car was needed, and there was a "diagnostic" charge of $50. I saved the old part for inspection/legal action.
2003 Ford Explorer. . . During yield to turn left and then making left turn steering wheel locked as if someone had pulled key out of ignition causing vehicle to steer left into oncoming traffic. Vehicle was moving between 5-15 mph at time of failure. Turning off vehicle and restarting we found that steering again released and we were able to drive vehicle home. I took vehicle into dealer next day and they said they "could not duplicate concern" of course it happened for the first time at 27,000 miles,,,very unlikely to get it to happen the day they look at it. They did however replace the complete steering column to remedy an additional problem where the shift selector would pop into drive(after accellerating)even though it indicated the selector was in drive already. I need immediate remedy to this problem and have since contacted Ford motor company hoping for help. Consequently not related to the steering locking problem the rear window on the left rear has had 3 repair attempts to fix a intermitt inop problem,,,and the blower motor was replaced because it makes noise. . . I have 4 Fords in my family(f150 and f250) that we have been very happy with however we have now lost complete confidence in this particular vehicle. . . Seems the dealer just doesnt know or want to do anything additional!.
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.