2003 Ford Explorer: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Jan 10, 2017 · Airbags · 73,700 miles · CO · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford explorer. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the passenger side air bag immediately deployed without warning. The contact stated that the powdery dust from the deployed air bag clouded his vision and caused the vehicle to rear end the preceding vehicle. The crash caused a chain reaction that involved four vehicles. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor cuts and pains that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow yard, from where it was later picked retrieved by the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 73,700....updated 02/22/17 *bf

Filed Jun 7, 2013 · Transmission · 154,615 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive and check engine transmission warning lights both illuminated upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but no cause for failure was found. The vehicle would also jerk and lunge forward when the contact was driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 154,615.

Filed Apr 5, 2013 · Brakes, Transmission · 140,000 miles · FL

I was driving my 2003 ford explorer and I was going about 40 miles per hr. I was approaching a red light, and as I was braking my vehicle accelerated without me having my foot on the gas paddle. I have had major transmission work (re-built trans, $3000) on my vehicle, in which I had to take it back to the transmission repair shop three times, yet I continue to have unexplained problems. The vehicle seems to be unsafe for me to drive at this time.

Filed Jul 25, 2012 · Acceleration · 121,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration without warning. The contact shifted into neutral and depressed the accelerator pedal until the vehicle decelerated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.

Filed Mar 21, 2011 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · PA · crash · fire · 1 injury

I own a 2003 ford explorer, I have owned it for almost 5 years and took care of it. I also paid alot of money for it and after about three years out of nowhere my o/d light started blinking and my car started shifting wrong. I had the solenoid on tranny replaced soon as I put it in 4wheel drive my o/d light started blinking again and shifting wrong. This is making the car accelerate to much at times and almost not wanting to shift others.so while waiting thinking I need a new transmission my engine light comes on followed by a light ticking noise, that got louder and louder over about a month.so the car was taken to the dealership an put on a computer they said I should junk it, yes its 5 years old but I bought my car from their and I paid alot for it.so no one knows exactly what's wrong with it I myself believe but ford.I been told I need a new transmission and my timing chain is bad on the engine.the car still runs although I wont drive it completely unsafe. Its a nice looking car but I seen alot of people with this same problem with the same year make and model how is that and its dangerous? Me and my daughter wrecked after sudden acceleration thankfully the airbags deployed and burnt her but we were both fine otherwise. I just now this is dangerous,ford knows about it and why it happened and how to fix it.

Filed Mar 7, 2011 · Acceleration · 138,000 miles · CO

While accelerating to merge into highway, vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration. My son had to manually pull up on the gas pedal on the floor to correct this. We were able to recreate it again by pressing down heavily on the gas pedal - and this time we were ready to manually pull up on the gas pedal. We verified that the floor mats were not obstructing the gas pedal in any way.

Filed Apr 30, 2009 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · GA

I own a 2003 ford explorer. I just read the article in the paper regarding transmission hazards. I can honestly say I do believe these SUV's do have a problem with transmission slipping in and out of gear on there own. I have several incidents where mine has done it. One time I had put my car in reverse and it jumped forward and I actually ran over the curb in front of me but the gear shift was in reverse. There is problems regarding this SUV. I took the car back to carmax where I purchased it from but it still does it. The car is out of warranty now. It will do it randomly. I don't know the reason but I do think it is a safety issue that needs to be investigated.

Filed Feb 7, 2006 · Acceleration, Engine · 55,000 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle experienced a problem with hesitation when the speed was kept constant. The dealership replaced the mass air flow sensor. The hesitation problem continued, the vehicle was returned to the dealership which was unable to duplicate the problem. While backing into the driveway the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Although the brakes were applied the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle hit the contact's home resulting in a neck sprain injury. The acceleration continued until the shifter was moved into drive. The dealership was unable to determine the cause of the acceleration. Also, contact complained that ABS light was on and pedal felt stiff. Vehicle ran rough. In addition, removed and installed automatic transmission main control valve body.

Filed Aug 17, 2005 · Engine · TN

About 3 months ago, my explorer began occasionally experienced dramatic, random engine acceleration. While driving, the rpms would shoot up for no apparent reason. 2 months ago, it was taken to the ford dealership in millington, tn. They found no problems and hinted it was "driver error". A week later, I made an 800 mile drive to visit my newly hospitilized father. The sudden, drastic increase in RPM' started out happening 1 - 2 times in the first 30 minutes. The frequency rapidly increased, and 4 hours into the trip, the sudden acceleration was occurring at least 1 time every 5 minutes or so. After arriving in pittsburgh, the explorer was again taken to a ford dealership. They informed me that the co2 detector had gone bad. This was covered under warranty, but since I was driving with a bad detector, the egr sensor was caused to malfunction. I was informed that this was not covered under the warranty since it was a result of my continuing to drive it with a bad co2 detector. The egr sensor cost me $300 to get replaced. A week after this "repair" was made, I began the trip back to tn. 2 hours into the trip, the sudden, drastic accleration started again, and soon was occuring several times every 30 minutes. On reaching tn., I once again took the explorer to the ford dealership in millington. They were unable to find any problem. So, not only did I pay for a repair that 1) was caused by the dealership's inability to find a problem, it 2) should have been covered under the warranty. Then it became apparent that the "repair" did not even fix the problem. To this day, the random acceleration is a problem.

Filed Jan 5, 2005 · Acceleration, Body · MO

Consumer has been waiting for recall 04v442000 concerning rear liftgate glass repair since october. Consumer contacted ford several times, and was told the parts have not come in. Also, while driving and upon depressing the accelerator pedal and releasing foot off it vehicle surged forward. *ak recall campaign

Filed Jun 11, 2004 · Acceleration · IL

While driving vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. However, mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

Filed Apr 30, 2003 · Acceleration · 11,000 miles · FL · crash

When the vehicle was backed out of a parking lot it suddenly accelerated. The vehicle took off backwards and hit a tree.