2003 Ford Expedition: check engine light

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Engine · 230,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the front end of the vehicle was shaking abnormally, vibrating, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was a loud booming sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the spark plug had ejected from the engine cylinder. The engine cylinder was rethreaded, and the spark plug was installed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 230,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 196,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine was misfiring, and the contact smelled a burning odor inside the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on five occasions where it was diagnosed that water was leaking into the ignition coil. The independent mechanic installed silicon around the boot to prevent water from leaking into the coils; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact it was not a known failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000.

Filed Dec 5, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 243,146 miles · KY

Check engine light came on while driving home and the engine shut down 4 times each time the battery would die instantly. We had to keep jump starting it to get home. 2 days later the check engine light started flashing. Scanned it came back p0304 cylinder 5 misfire. Changed spark plugs and coils. Engine light went off.ran obd2 scanner to double check codes. Code p2503 charging system low voltage . Took battery to advanced auto parts had them test it. The coca should have been 650cca and was at 11cca so bought a new battery. Next day took son to school less the 2 miles ran fine on my way home it died 3 times this time I would wait a few minutes then restart it. Check engine light never came on started searching on line and and calling mechanics. So bought new alternator. Started the truck to warm up after 5 minutes it shut down again waited a minute and started back up did it again. This time the battery light came on. So after searching many people were saying the fuseable link was bad so went to ford had one ordered installed it to day. Battery light still on started it ran for 5 min and died again. So now I bought new spark plugs, coil packs, battery,alternator, fusible lin. Now obdii code b1676- battery pack voltage out of range tester battery fully charged tested alternator it's at 14.7 which it supposed to be.

Filed Jan 14, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 149,000 miles · GA · crash

While driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle just suddenly lost power and shut down. I managed to get the vehicle to the side of the road. After a few minutes it started and I continued on, after a few miles the same thing happened again. I got it started again and was trying to make a rest stop a few miles away. While pulling into the rest stop the vehicle lost power again and resulted in a collision because of no steering or brakes. The loss of power happened 8 times that day. While looking for answers about the problem, I found on the nhtsb website that other vehicles of the same make, model and year also experienced this same problem that turned out to be a problem with the fuse block. I took it to a ford dealership to have it checked out. They said it was a fuel pump issue. That would not cause a loss of power. I took it to another mechanic who did find that it was indeed a faulty fuse block. The same mechanic told me that this was not the first time they had come across this problem. This is a dangerous condition that needs to be rectified before someone loses their life in an accident because of this. The loss of power occurs without any warning or check engine lights or codes.

Filed Sep 24, 2015 · 157,000 miles · MI

While driving my vehicle, several times, it stalled. It began to stall every few months. It later stalled weekly and later daily. Each time, the check engine light appeared (it did not appear each and every time), I would have it checked by a mechanic. I always got the p0231 error code. I have had my fuel pump, fuel relay, fuel filters, transmission and several other things replaced. None of the previous listed repairs fixed the issue. Recently on 09/07/2015, I was driving 35 MPH. My vehicle stalled on a train track. It did not start right away. After several attempts, I was able to get it going for a few seconds, long enough to move it. I was terrified. It has been parked ever since. My mechanic willingly did a house call and explained the real issue. He stated that the issue was a faulty fuse box located in the kick panel of the passenger side. He stated that if I get it repaired, it is just a matter of time before it happens again, due to the faulty design of the windshield and the location of the box. He also stated that if I get it replaced, I would need to get it from the dealer. Replacing it is very expensive due to the manufacturer selling the whole assembly to include fuses and relays. I am not sure how far this complaint would go, but it's worth complaining about.

Filed Aug 22, 2013 · Electrical, Fuel system · 137,000 miles · WA

While driving down the freeway I put my foot on the gas and did not get any response. In a few seconds I pushed on the gas again and nothing. I started to pull over and pushed on the gas again and the car had power. The same thing happened 25 minutes later getting back onto the freeway. Next incident was starting from a stop light the car just died. No warning. Engine light, battery light and service now lights come on. Again I pulled over put the car in park and it started back up. We had the coils and plugs changed. Next time driving at 35 MPH out of the blue no power to the gas and the car shuts down. Changed a relay. Took it to the ford dealership who can't figure out what the problem is. We changed the battery next time I am coming to a stop and the car stops. No battery light, no service light nothing. Again I pull over and it took a long time to get the car started again. Took it back into ford. This time I gave them a thread of email about others having the same issue. Now they have changed another relay and we hope this solves the problem. This is a huge safety concern. For a person who is driving 55-66 MPH on a highway or freeway and their car dies is a big accident waiting to happen. I did email ford but so far have been told to talk to the service person.

Filed Aug 3, 2012 · Engine · 135,000 miles · TX

Was driving on with family at posted 70 MPH speed. Car lost all power with no warning light or error codes. I had no power steering or power brakes. I managed to pull steering wheel to get off hwy. I turned key off. The car started right back up with no problem. Drove another 2 miles with same results. It was night and out of town. The car started right back up with still no error codes. Drove home with no problems. Took in to mechanic next day with no help. Was told to bring in when service engine light comes on. They can't fix with no idea why and still no error codes. Left there drove towards home died again on way home in town. No error codes.

Filed Apr 4, 2012 · Engine · 104,000 miles · NY

A month or so ago the truck started running rough and engine light came on. It turns out it was spark plug #4 misfiring. Replaced it and all was golden until yesterday (4/3/12) when I heard a loud pop upon starting the truck and then it was idling rough. Check engine light came back on and spark plug #4 is misfiring again. We bought this truck used and it's been one thing after another. So disappointed in ford. Hope they address this issue and due the proper thing.

Filed Apr 6, 2010 · Engine · 108,023 miles · AL

Spark plug had blown out of its place in the engine. At first, I had the check engine light on and I had promptly taken to the shop (ase cert.) but the light didn't come on any more. After the service man ran the test some time later, nothing appeared to be wrong. A day or so later, I was hearing a "clicking" sound under the hood, later, I had lost a spark plug. Which by the way is a horrible noise! I was told by the service technician that it was a problem with ford vehicles.

Filed Dec 19, 2008 · Airbags · 146,350 miles · NY

I have a 2003 ford expedition. I keep getting my spark plugs fixed and the just keep blowing out on my engine creating my engine light to come on and my SUV sounds like a mac truck. This is unsafe for me and my children. We like to travel I purchased this car because I have several children and we can all fit in it. I like the truck but this is a major issue that continues and is not free.

Filed Aug 23, 2007 · Electrical · 74,776 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford expedition. While driving 70 MPH, the entire vehicle began to jerk and ride roughly. The contact stated that the service engine light illuminated. She pulled over and turned off the vehicle. She restarted the vehicle and drove to the ford dealer. The dealer performed an ids diagnostic and pinpoint test and discovered that a cylinder misfired on cylinder number 4. The dealer replaced the ignition coil and spark plug assembly. The current mileage was 74,800 and failure mileage was 74,776.

Filed Apr 6, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

While making a stop, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection numerous times, but the mechanic could not duplicate the problem. While applying the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the brake rotors needed to be replaced. *ak when stopping, the motor starts shaking and the vehicle would shut off. When turning the vehicle, it would not respond until attempting 2 or 3 times, then finally a lot of smoke appears. The suspension appeared to be loose and one sensor on the wheels did not respond.