2003 Ford Explorer: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Apr 20, 2014 · Fuel system, Transmission · 85,000 miles · CA

The o/d light came on. I had to let off on my accelerator pedal to get my car to shift into 2nd gear. Sometimes I would push on the accelerator and at 4000 RPM, my car would shift. After taking the car into the transmission shop, the technician told me that the band for second gear snapped and a rod starting grinding which dispersed metal into the transmission. The rod as well as the gears, solenoid, and the torque converter had to be replaced. The cost of this repair was 1700 dollars. Should my transmission be going out this soon? Why wasn't there a recall for this transmission?

Filed Mar 19, 2014 · Transmission · 185,697 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the over drive light illuminated and the vehicle lost acceleration power while traveling various speeds. The contact also mentioned that a grinding noise was heard. The local mechanic performed a diagnostic but was unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 185,697.

Filed Mar 22, 2013 · Transmission · 148,000 miles · IN

Check transmission indicator on in information center and overdrive light on. Grinding noise from under vehicle.

Filed Aug 22, 2012 · Engine, Suspension · 75,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brackets that hold the timing chain fractured. As a result, the brackets and valve cover needed to be replaced. Also, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds she could hear a grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the front driver side hub assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2012 · Body · 118,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a loud squeaking coming from the rear window. The contact noticed that the driver side of the rear windshield hinge was crooked and the panel was fractured. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they advised that the hinges need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 118,000 and the current mileage was 121,000. Updated 6/4/12

Filed Jul 13, 2011 · Transmission · 120,300 miles · NH

Suddenly the transfer case started jerking and the SUV was shaking badly that I almost couldn't drive it home. I was lucky to have this happening at 1/2 mile from my house and at about 20-25 miles per hour! It was no code to indicate where the failure occurred within the power train. I took a part the rear end, I found nothing wrong with it. I started to troubleshoot the transfer case and I noticed that the electrical motor with actuator does not spin the shaft from transfer case, reason that the transfer case can't select firmly the position of hi, low or 4wd!!!!. Observing that the motor of the transfer case sifter does not spin, I purchased a new motor from ford,. After replacement, the problem persisted; so, I replaced the transfer case module, behind the glove box; no result. To be able to move the car around I unplugged the transfer case motor shift from the main harness and the SUV stays now in 4wd with blinking lights on my dash for ABS and 4x4 wd!!! I am still wandering what could happened to me if the jumping and grinding was to happend when I was driving the car with 65-70 miles per hour and the power train could snap and the driveshaft could fly out... Who shall be responsible for my life or somebody else's that I could hit? I consider that the manufacturer shall recall the explorer's affected and address the transfer case issues. The old parts that I have replaced are available, they are functional. I still don't know what is wrong because I couldn't find any advise from any ford sites\, neither from a qualified diagnostic specialist. If I go to ford dealership they will be charging tons of $$$ until the car runs again; they don't care how many parts will replace and I will have to pay ford's mistakes from my pocket; this is not right!

Filed Feb 22, 2011 · Suspension · 81,020 miles · TX

2003 ford explorer front wheel bearings make a loud grinding sound. Common problem in all 2003 ford explorers. It ground down the wheel lugs from the inside and the tire came off on the freeway doing 60mph. The rotors got eaten up on the inside too. Ford needs to address this issue before someone gets killed.

Filed Sep 20, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 93,000 miles · PA

93,000 miles and ABS light and loud grinding noise (in addition to applique crack in rear). Need to replace both rear hub bearings, brake pad rotors, and parking brake shoes. Search the web on these problems, and over 3 hundred complaints seen on just one site for 2003 explorers alone.

Filed Jul 15, 2009 · Suspension · 67,000 miles · OK

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving between 50-60 MPH, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the rear suspension. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the rear bearings; however, the failure recurred two months later. The vehicle is currently being repaired at a repair shop. Through online research, he found numerous complaints for this identical failure with other ford explorers. The failure mileage was 67,000 and current mileage was 109,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2008 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · MA

While driving loud grinding noise followed by a pulling to the side. A dangerous and possible catastrophic event. This is apparently a common problem with ford explorers. Had car towed and new wheel bearing placed. A very expensive and should be unneeded repair.

Filed Nov 30, 2007 · Wheels · 52,000 miles · WI

On the way home from work yesterday I noticed an unusual vibration from the front driver's side wheel of my explorer ? Almost felt like a flat spot on the tire. Also heard some squeaking /squealing which was much worse in turns. When I got home I checked and found: - one wheel stud and nut completely missing - one wheel stud loose/broken (tried to tighten nut but it kept spinning freely) - one loose lug nut. The remaining two lug nuts were tight. By tightening the one loose nut it allowed me to drive on car without the vibration ? At that point had only three functional lug nuts. Took it to the dealer today and they claim corrosion caused the failure, but only on that wheel. Replacement of the entire hub was required as you cannot replace individual studs. It would have cost $400, but because of my extended warranty it only cost me the $50 deductible. My feeling is I should not have even had to pay for that, this appears to me to be a defect or design failure. Found many similar complaints & reports on mycarstats.com.

Filed Feb 21, 2007 · Transmission · 39,000 miles · NC

Tl* - the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer xlt. The contact stated that the vehicle was making noises, wining, and grinding. The contact stated that the differential system failed and needed to be replaced. Also, the following components needed to be replaced: clutches, ring, pinion, carrier bearing, pinion bearing, and pinion seal. The contact had to update the axle seals. At the time of the original failure the vehicle had an odometer reading of 37,000 miles and the warranty had just lapsed. The contact did not believe that the weather was a factor, and the sounds were always when she was in the process of accelerating. The contact stated that it started very slowly and became an every day occurrence.