2003 FORD EXPLORER Power Train Problems
110 NHTSA complaints on file
All Power Train Complaints — Page 3
TRANSMISSIONS IN 2003 FORD EXPLORERS . FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 62,500 MILES AND SECOND NEEDS REPLACING AT 87,000 MILES. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IS THE FORD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR THAT YEAR OF EXPLORER MAY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN SHOWING SOMETIMES AND GAINED A SMALL VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE. THEN ONE DAY BY A TURN OF THE KEY THERE WAS A LOUD THUMB SOUND AND IT NEVER STARTED AGAIN. PUT A NEW STARTER ON GOT IT STARTED BUT IT HAD A MAJOR PECKING SOUND COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. TOOK TRANSMISSION OUT AND FOUND THAT THE TORQUE HAD A BAD RATTLE IN IT. REPLACED TORQUE AND RESTARTED ENGINE AND STILL HAD ANOTHER SMALL PECKING SOUND IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE DROPPED OIL PAN AND FOUND TO HAVE A BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN GUIDE BUSTED AND THE TIMING CHAIN WAS LOOSE. SO BY THE TURN OF THE KEY RESULTED IN TORQUE LOCK UP IN WHICH CAUSED STARTED DRIVE TO BUST AND ALL THE PRESSURE WHEN THE NEW STARTER KICK IN BROKE TORQUE LOOSE AND CAUSED THE CRANK TO OVER SPIN THE...
THIS VEHICLE IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH A SEVERE ROAR COMING FROM THE REAR END. THERE IS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN OUT AT REPAIR SHOPS BUT NO RECALL. IT COULD RESULT IN THE GEARS LOCKING DOWN AND LOSING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. IT IS A DEFECT OF THE FORD MOTOR CO AND SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL. THE COST OF REPAIR IS AROUND $1400.00. THE NOISE IS SO LOUD THAT IT COULD BLOCK THE ABILITY TO HEAR ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT USING A CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR THE OTHER PERSON. I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL FORD,LINCOLN, AND MERCURY SUV'S ARE A PART OF THIS TECH-BULLETIN. THE YEARS THAT ARE AFFECTED ARE 2002-2006. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL SOON. *TR
FACTORY REAREND WAS REPLACED IN MY 03 FORD EXPLORER. SINCE THEN THE PROBLEM OF GRADUAL REAREND DETERIORATION HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. IF THE REAREND FAILS CATASTROPHICALLY THEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. FORD MOTORS DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN, BUT IT DEFINITELY IS. FORD SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE DEFECTIVE REARENDS AND FIX THEIR PROBLEM. *TR
REAR AXLE LOUD NOISE. FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING BECAME EXTREMELY NOISY. AUTOMATIC 4WD CONTROL ENGAGED UNEXPECTEDLY DURING LOW SPEED TURNS AND PARKING. SEVERAL VISITS TO THE FORD REPAIR SHOP, ALMOST $2.5K IN REPAIRS, "ERRONEOUSLY" DIAGNOSED. RESULTS: FINALLY, FAILURES STILL IN PLACE. WHAT A SHAME!!! *TR
CONSISTENT REAR AXLE WHINE FROM 45-65 MILES PER HOUR HIGHWAY DRIVING, DEALER, RAMP FORD IN PORT JEFFERSON, NY REPLACED REAR END THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND FINALLY STATED THAT ALL EXPLORERS MAKE THE SAME NOISE. THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY INDICATION WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DEFINITELY GET THE FEELING THAT THEY WISH I WOULD JUST GO AWAY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS TSB'S ON THIS ISSUE AND I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. *NM
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT, A FEW MONTHS AGO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE 4X4 WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT AND TOLD US THEY REPLACED A SPEED SENSOR, THEY ALSO FOUND 2 REAR AXLE SEAL LEAKS AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THOSE, THEN IN OCTOBER OF '05 I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS JERKING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH AND UPON ACCELERATION ON HILLS NOT MENTION THAT I COULD HEAR SOMETHING HAPPENING UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE, THEY PUT IT UP ON THE RACK AND CAME BACK OUT AND SAID THE CLUTCH IN THE REAR END WAS SCORCHED AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE WHOLE REAR END REPLACE, SO I DID BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT BACK HOME AFTER THE REPAIR IT STARTED JERKING AGAIN, AND AFTER...
I OWN A FORD EXPLORER 2003 V6 TRUCK I HAVE HAD FORD VEHICLES FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. MY ISSUE IS WITH FORD SERVICE AND THE TRUCKS TRANSMISSION. I WAS IN THE SERVICE BAY ON AUGUST 17 FOR ROUTINE RECALL STUFF AND ADDED SOME BASIC SERVICES TO MY VISIT. OIL CHANGE, FLUSH AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE/CHECK WAS IN ORDER. $500 LATER I AM OUT THE DOOR. 25 DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL VISIT I AM BACK AT FORD WITH CONCERNS ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMS TO BE WHINING AND REVVING HIGH WHILE CHANGING INTO 2ND AND OR 5TH GEAR. THE FLUID ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY CERTAINLY DIDN'T GIVE ME A COMFORTABLE FEELING. FORD SERVICE CONFIRMED A PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT UNLESS THEY TORE IT APART. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE END OF THE MONTH BECAUSE THE TRANS MECHANIC WOULD BE ON VACATION THROUGH END OF...
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...
THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN THE PARK. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Other 2003 FORD EXPLORER Problem Areas
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
141 complaints
Structurebody
135 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
90 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
55 complaints
Structure
44 complaints
Electrical System
43 complaints
Unknown Or Other
43 complaints
Wheels
42 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
33 complaints
Air Bags
28 complaints
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
28 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
28 complaints
Suspension
27 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
24 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assembly
24 complaints
Engine
22 complaints
Visibilityglass Siderear
21 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
20 complaints
Steering
17 complaints
Suspensionrear
17 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
14 complaints
Structurebodytailgate
13 complaints
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
12 complaints
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
11 complaints
Visibility
11 complaints
Seat Belts
10 complaints
Service Brakes
10 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
9 complaints
Power Traindriveline
9 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
9 complaints
Tires
9 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
7 complaints
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
7 complaints
Suspensionfront
7 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
7 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
7 complaints
Equipment
6 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaftseal
6 complaints
Structurebodydoor
6 complaints
Structurebodytailgatehinge And Attachments
6 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
6 complaints
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
5 complaints
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
5 complaints
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
5 complaints
Seats
5 complaints
Structurebodyhood
5 complaints
Visibilitywiper
5 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
4 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
4 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelatch
4 complaints
Parking Brake
4 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
4 complaints
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
4 complaints
Steeringrack And Pinion
4 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatesupport Devicestrut
4 complaints
Structureframe And Members
4 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
3 complaints
Electrical Systemwiring
3 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
3 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
3 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
3 complaints
Power Trainclutch Assembly
3 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
3 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
3 complaints
Steeringcolumn
3 complaints
Suspensionrearspringscoil Springs
3 complaints
Tiressidewall
3 complaints
Tirestreadbelt
3 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
3 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
3 complaints
Wheelshub
3 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
2 complaints
Equipmentelectrical
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
2 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
2 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
2 complaints
Power Trainaxle Hubs
2 complaints
Power Trainmanual Transmission
2 complaints
Seat Beltsfront
2 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust
2 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
2 complaints
Seatsmidrear Assembly
2 complaints
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
2 complaints
Structurebodytrunk Lid
2 complaints
Trailer Hitches
2 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
1 complaint
Air Bagssidewindow
1 complaint
Child Seatharnessstrapwebbing
1 complaint
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
1 complaint
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
1 complaint
Electrical Systemsoftware
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System
1 complaint
Exterior Lighting
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
1 complaint
Fuel System Other
1 complaint
Interior Lighting
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
1 complaint
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
1 complaint
Seat Beltsintegrated Child Seat
1 complaint
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipwheel Speed Sensortone Ring
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assisthose Piping And Connections
1 complaint
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
1 complaint
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
1 complaint
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontspringscoil Springs
1 complaint
Suspensionrearaxlespindle
1 complaint
Suspensionrearsprings
1 complaint
Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire
1 complaint
Traction Control System
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasherlinkages
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasherswitchwiring
1 complaint
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
1 complaint
Wheelsmulti Piece
1 complaint
Wheelsrim
1 complaint