Hello my name is [XXX] just writing you cause my neighbors have program my vehicle meaning they hack my 2003 explore pretty much they want to take over my driving they trying to dominate me in this matter when in reality is not going to be possible that's why I come to your people's corporate plus they have invade my family privacy they have a gang organization watching me every where I go had few confrontation they just want me to confront them so they could put me in jail this is not going to happen i apologize for the inconvenience I told police regards this matter they didn't do nothing about it . INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2003 Ford Explorer engine problems
91 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 65,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 91
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 65,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Engine24
- Cooling system4
- Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
- Exhaust system: emission control2
- Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
- Engine: gasoline1
- Cooling system: fan1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Explorer engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Ford Explorer engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Stalling 42Check engine light 38Engine failure 10Knocking 10Loss of power 10Won't start 6
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.
DP05005
What 2003 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Engine stops while driving (stalls in motion while turning on street and highway) restarts without problem, has happened twice now 30 days apart.
Exhast manafold has crack in it and screws came lose and fell out wihich created fumes in car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 65 MPH, the temperature gauge increased to high and the vehicle caught fire under the hood without warning. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries due to the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
While driving this vehicle, the spark plugs have blown out of the engine six times requiring six different tows home. The vehicle is unreliable for me (disabled, single mom) who has to take my daughter and I to doctors appointments. I feel unsafe and it is not safe for my daughter, but I can't afford to trade or get another vehicle. I think ford should come good for this defect.
2003 ford explorer, while driving through town I started to slow down for a group of kids waiting to use a cross walk when the explorer shut down & lost all power to control brakes and steering almost hitting the kids.. I have taken to a shop & was told they could not duplicate the issues I have been having for 5 years. The reason I am now reporting this is because the close call I just had with the cross walk. This problem starts after about 5 or 10 minutes of run time then clears up not returning until next run or some time later...
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving on an incline at an unknown speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the overdrive warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the solenoid pack and the oxygen sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact also mentioned that the check transmission and check engine warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
As I have been driving like I normally do the o/d light came on blinking. Then I pressed the button for it nothing happened. I continued with my daily routine and the light came on and off. And continued to blink. Then all of the sudden I would step on the gas but it would not give me anymore than 15mph. When I came to a traffic light my car did not want to go anymore so I had to pull over on the side of the road. It didn't want to continue going. Then after the third try it gave me more gas to drive normal not even a minute after it did it again. I was afraid yo get hit by traffic and since I had my three toddlers I was scared. I pulled into a shopping center and called my dad. And also a mechanic. It needs a new transmission when that vehicle has had all its needs. I cannot afford it and its upsetting seeing all the complaints on carcomplaints.com about it knowing I am not the only one with this problem. This is a defect and it should be recalled.
Second owner of this vehicle and had for almost a year. Driving son to school and suddenly heard a loud rattling noise under hood. Took directly to mechanic and found out timing chain was going. Mechanic said he had seen this problem a lot in this model and around the same mileage.
Vehicle died upon turning once again. This is becoming more frequent, as it has happened twice now in the last week. Seems to occur after highway speed, then slowing for a turn (tipically a right hand turn). I consider myself quite mechanically inclined and I am baffled. I also own an obdii scanner and no codes come up!! This is the second time I have filed a complaint, and would like some answers. Very dangerous issue in my opinion!! I will also be posting this on other websites to raise awareness, and hopefully get some results!! This is unacceptable.
Questions about the 2003 Ford Explorer engine
Does the 2003 Ford Explorer have engine problems?
Owners have filed 91 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Explorer engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 65,000 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2003 Ford Explorer engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
Other 2003 Ford Explorer problems
Body 354Transmission 335Suspension 63Visibility 62Wheels 56Electrical 54Airbags 50Brakes 45Acceleration 37Steering 27Locks 17Seat belts 17Tires 15Seats 12Fuel system 11Lights 7Driver assistance 3
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