2003 Ford Explorer: brake failure

Filed Aug 28, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 142,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine and ABS indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the brakes failed and the steering wheel seized. The emergency brake was engaged in order to come to a complete stop. The contact restarted the vehicle after few minutes and it functioned normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 83,547 miles · OH · crash

This event has happened twice now my 2003 ford explorer has excelerated without warning ! And while trying to stop the vehicle. The second time ending in an accident. I have only had this vehicle just under 2 months ! The floor mats are not the problem here. Once I was in reverse and a power surge came over the vehicle the brakes would not work didn't result in an accident but was somewhat afraid of it. I was coming home last nite turned into my drive and the vehicle excelerated without warning brakes did not work at all ended up smashing into my ford escape that could have bin my little girl or someone's child! Will not drive this vehicle again. Have had fords most all of my life never seen this before! There's a lot of exceleration problems listed on this site I think it's time for a recall before someone is killed thanks for your concern!

Filed Mar 12, 2013 · Suspension · 82,665 miles · IL

Although this defect did not cause an accident or injury, the potential was there for serious damage to this or following vehicles. Specifically, the defect was the rear strut/spring assemblies I.e. Broken and shifted coil spring. As this part sits close to the fuel tank, the piece of spring that broke off could have easily punctured the fuel tank resulting in possible fire. It could also have wedged against a brake line, thus causing a brake failure and/or suspension failure/misalignment causing loss of control and an accident. In addition, if the piece of spring, weighing about three (3) pounds had fallen out, it could have caused severe damage to a following vehicle or it's operator had it bounced up and penetrated a windshield. The reason for the lapse in time in my reporting this condition is because I thought perhaps it was just a one time isolated failure to my vehicle. However, in talking to other ford explorer owners, as well as several auto repair shops, I have learned that this has been a common failure on similar vehicles. If this was a simple repair to a component that had little or no affect on the vehicles performance or did not present a safety condition, I would have probably just written it off to normal maintenance and repair. However, with my knowledge of automobiles, and a condition that could potentially cause damage as well as personal injury, as well as being a quite expensive repair, I felt compelled to report it to the proper people who perhaps have a larger data base than I do, and take action against ford motor company to mandate a recall or reimbursement to those ford explorer owners who have experienced the same failure as I have.

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Wheels · 105,000 miles · TN

As I was driving to work the other day, I was sitting in a line of cars waiting for my turn to go through a 4-way stop when my 2003 ford explorer suddenly stopped running. I had plenty of fuel and the electrical worked. The engine simply wouldn't turn over. I called a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to my local repair shop. After some inspection, the repairman determined that I had blown a fuse. The cause was my ABS sensor continually sending out an problem signal. The cause of that was my wheel bearings going bad. Further inspection showed that at least three of my wheels have bad bearings. The repairs are incredibly costly (well over $1,000). And the mechanical failure is dangerous, including wheel separation, wheel seizing up and brake failure. I was lucky to have been stopped at an intersection. I drive on the interstate daily and if the car had failed there, it could have been incredibly bad. While wheel bearings to fail, the mechanic said it is incredibly rare to see multiple bearings go out at the same time. Well, except for fords. He said the explorer and focus (especially the '02 & '03 models) have a reputation for wearing out. Sometimes, multiple times for the same wheel. A quick google search proved him right. There are hundreds of complaints for this problem on the '02 & '03 ford explorers. I realize we're going on 8 or 9 years since these vehicles were produced, but how could the same issue on hundreds of cars not have been addressed yet? The problem seems to obviously not be due to user error or poor mechanical maintenance. I implore you to investigate this further for the sake of the thousands of people still driving these cars every day.

Filed Mar 19, 2008 · Suspension · 72,400 miles · TX

Recently had to have the rear bearing and hub replaced b/c it was going bad. Repair shop informed me that it was very dangerous b/c the wheel could come off while driving and it was walking wearing the brake pads out unevenly resulting in additional safety concerns. The repair shop is replacing bearing assembly and all brakes. I have researched this and notice many other people having similar issues. It only was detected b/c we thought the transmission was acting up which was still under warranty. So we took it in. If we hadn't, my family could have been seriously injured if the wheel came off and/or brakes failed due to bearing being bad causing brakes to wear unevenly. The repair cost about $1500.

Filed Jul 24, 2005 · Brakes · 32,000 miles · IA · crash

Because the ABS light comes on during long drives and remains on until we stop the vehicle, our explorer has been in the shop on 3 times in 3 states. We''ve been told that we shouldn''t worry if the light goes off after stopping. A ''grinding'' noise checked in colorado for 3 days last year wasn''t a problem until our rear differential suddenly went "out," in ohio. In illinois, the ABS light came on and stayed on for the first time. We went to the closest ford dealership, and since it didn''t remain lit, we were told to get it repaired in iowa, since it wasn't "major." the ABS rear sensor was replaced. The mechanic said that explorers with differential replacement were having sensor problems. When the differential was replaced in ohio, the service rep mentioned a "kit" to replace the differential. Both garages seemed conversant with the ABS sensor and differential problems. The SUV has been maintained at ford dealerships to ensure systems serviced by mechanics and technicians well versed in ford products. The ABS sensor light problem recurred in may after a 200 mile road trip, going off after we stopped. My brakes failed when I tried to stop while traveling between 5-10 MPH,about 550+ miles into an extended road trip. No citation was issued as the sheriff's deputy said there were no skid marks on the pavement to indicate that I had "jammed" on the brakes. I had pressed the brake pedal to the floor and had no brakes when I hit the back of a penske moving truck. The ABS brakes and "auxiliary" brakes failed on the vehicle, with over $11,000 worth of damage to the front end of the vehicle, even at a low rate of speed, which seems to be a pattern of problems with the ABS. The air bag didn''t deploy. I reported this to ford's customer care center on 7/18/2005, got a reference number, and was told I would hear from the consumer advisory group within 3 business days, haven''t heard from them, yet.

Filed Nov 9, 2004 · Brakes · 22,000 miles · GA

When braking brake pedal went to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Body, Brakes · ID

Numerous problem: brakes, rear window opening, seat belt retraction, heater, rear defrost, body work, etc.. *ph while braking the brake pedal went to the floor and caused extended stopping distance. The rear window hinge failed which caused the window to open while the consumer went through a car wash. The seat belt retracted slowly which caused the belt to become hooked onto the door lock system. As a result the passenger could not get out of the vehicle. The left wiper was not clearing the windshield. The left rear door would not close all the way unless it was slammed hard.

Filed Mar 9, 2004 · Brakes · CA · crash

While driving 20 MPH consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer was unable to maintain control, and hit another vehicle on the left front rear. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported. Consumer's vehicle was towed to dealer.

Filed Mar 2, 2004 · Electrical · 20,500 miles · NC

2003, ford, explorer xlt 4x4 - engine just stopped, no warning, no sign of any problem, and would not restart, computer processor failed. No brakes ,no power steering.