Engine stalls out when braking or turning. This is an issue that occurs at random with no warning. This has continued to occur multiple times over the last four years, and leaves myself and family in a, powerless, defenseless, potentially fatal, situation.
2003 Ford Explorer engine complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 91, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My truck just went out of warranty by 5,000 miles and I was driving and hit a bump and my #3 spark plug blew out of the engine. Scared me to death because it sounded like a gun. I had just turned off a red light so I had no speed at all. $500 to put a helio coil in it. Then I hit 170,000 and another one blew out while my family and I were in the mountains and we had to limp home. Told by the mechanic the truck could have started fire. I had every single service by ford until the first one blew. Never ever heard of this happening until I searched it on the internet. What if I had my hood open changing the air filter and or other part and one of them had blown? Could kill anyone. How is that safe. And the fact that your in the middle of no where with no cell coverage and you have to drive a ticking time bomb. Please hold ford accountable for design flaw. I take care of my ford explorer, after all it cost 36k new and I want to get my money out of it. They are supposed to be built to last with regular maintenance. It has been a great SUV with the exception of the spark plug issue. The only reason I still have it is because I love it. (last number on VIN is 5 but it wouldn't let me enter it.)
My vehicle suddenly without warning will stall and I lose all power. No power steering. I am able to put the vehicle in neutral and can turn the vehicle back on. The mechanic can not find any codes etc on why this is happening. Apparently this is a common thing.
The car was idling rough and the "service engine" light kept coming on, even after I had the auto repair shop (pep boys) check and fix things. They advised me to go to the ford dealer, and said it may be the timing chain. Future ford ran diagnostic, said it may be timing chain but have to open engine to verify. Estimate for repairs $1500 to open engine and $2500 to fix). Did not have work done yet. The engine has a loud rattling sound that started suddenly and has gotten worse, and increases upon acceleration. There is an oily smell. At stop light when idling, the idle is slow and a loud knocking sound - idle sounds like car is about to shut off. The normal idle sound for the car is smooth and like a soft hum. Called ford to see if there is a recall for this problem, as there are many complaints similar to mine that are listed on the ford website about several years of the ford explorer. Mileage now is 150,000 miles. Ford said there is no recall, but keep receipts for work done in case of one in the future.
The transmission light, 4'4 and the od light came on. It does shift gear from 1 to 2 until 3000 RPM.
My son purchased this explorer brand new and I bought it from him four years ago and I love this as it is the best design in the SUV's, and I can not afford a new vehicle as I am no young gal any more. We have maintained it faithfully and have had no serious problems with it and is at 145000. I was driving to work going 55 MPH and the o/d light comes on and I push the button and it would not go off. I pulled over and tried the button a few times-nothing. I shut it off, turned it back on-no light was on-proceeded down the highway and the light turns back on and it will not shift and is straining shift. I took it in to jiffy lube to go ahead and get another oil change and let them check the transmission fluid and they said that they could not access it to check the fluid-they suggested a transmission flush at $200-why can't they access it? Wouldn't a dip stick save a lot of trouble? As I look at all the complaints about the transmission troubles in the explorers, I am very shocked. Please can you help me out here as I cannot afford high maintenance bills that would be charged through a dealer. Just tell me if there is a simple solution to fixing it so that my brother may repair it and get it back on the road. One response is as such: after talking to 2 ford reps today, and turned down flat for help, I have decide its now a quest.... Ford stated they didn't have enough complaints for the federal safety agency to open up an investigation to possibly order a recall...... Soooo, for all those that have issues, call ford and also make a complaint on the federal safety agency site or call them at 1‑800‑424‑9393. My family is a ford family and we currently have 5 fords in our household, a mustang, ford f150, ford focus, expedition, and the explorer that is having issues. This isn't including extended family. Ford is about to lose future business....
Submission from constituent re a filed complaint with ford motor company and would like to be reimburse for all the cost by ford. *smd the consumer stated when he attempted to start the vehicle, it would not crank. He replaced the battery, but the vehicle still would not start. The vehicle was towed to a local garage. The next day, the consumer was informed, the engine had seized. There was no warning from the dash indicators, no engine sounds, and the oil was at the proper level. It cost $3,669.98 to replace the engine.
I have been having issues with the cruise control on my explorer. It works fine for several months and then occasionally it will not engage. Most times if it will not engage, the dashboard light does not show up, but since last week the light has come on, but the cruise control has not engaged. Since this has been an ongoing issue and seems to resolve on its own, I continue to try it occasionally. I tried to set it last friday while I was going approximately 40 MPH. It did engage, but then began to slowly accelerate. I tried pushing the button that should reduce the speed, but it continued accelerating, so I kicked the brake pedal to disengage. I have tried it 3 additional times and each time it accelerates. The last time I tried it, yesterday afternoon, the speed was picking up incredibly quickly. It felt like I had just floored the accelerator. I was able to kick the cruise control off with the brake pedal though but am now concerned that this may happen when the cruise is not engaged.
2003 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to humming/whining noise in the rear end of vehicle and a frequent leak in the differential. *smd the consumer stated several components such as the ring an pinion, bearings, seals and gear and pinion were all replaced. However, the issue remained unresolved. Also, the rear hatch was cracked. When the consumer inquired about a replacement and its cost, the dealer advised against the replacement/repair as the new hatches had the same problem. The vehicle overheated and had to be towed to the dealer. A diagnosis revealed a damaged thermostat housing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who stated that the engine oil pump and the timing belt had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 60,000. The current mileage was 61,000.
While driving my vehicle on sunday, while driving my vehicle stalled in the road. The truck felt as if it was trying to pull a hill. This was very scarey for me and my children because if someone was coming behind us or if I was turning into the flow of traffic this could have been a terrible accident. Afterwards the vehicle couldn't go over 30 MPH without shifting out. This is very dangerous and ford should recall this immediately before someone is killed.
I was backing up to the garage to unload the stuff in the back and the car made a loud whinning noise and took off fast..I couldn't stop the truck..
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.
Transmission light flashing and I am told the transmission needs to be replaced or rebuilt. This tranny should be more durable, ford is better than all the complaints I have read online about this situation.
Rattling noise in 4.0 liter-sohc 2003 ford explorer xlt. Dealer replaced rear tensioner. Noise remained. Diagnosis said engine noise is coming from rear cassette and possibly front one. Engine would have to be removed and taken apart to replace timing chain cassettes for @ $4k. The car only has 53,070 miles on it. Online search verifies an obvious issue pattern and complaints to an inferior quality cassette material requiring labor intensive engine removal repair.
Timing chain broke, with no warning, bent all the valves and wasn't even driving it. Had just started the car in the garage and backed out of driveway with car idling very rough. Pulled back in driveway and oil was pouring out underneath, due to chain had busted the valve cover. Well had to pull the motor, replaced guides, cassettes, and tensioners, with 2000.00 just in parts alone. Had car back from mechanic not even 3 weeks and engine started knocking as if a rod was knocking. Went back to mechanic and tensioners were the cause of timing-chain "clank". Apparently they (ford) designed these tensioners with "plastic" guides which shred off into the hydraulic tensioner pick up tube therefore clogging up the hole for oil to get to chain and will continue to do so unless you get updated tensioners directly from ford at 100.00 each. There are 3 timing chains and multiple tensioners as well, which continue to go out after 30,000 miles and need replacing, which most can be replaced with motor in but some cant therefore I have had motor out twice now, at 2500.00 each time. There was an onp to owners but ford would only cover cost up to 100,000 miles and only if owners complained!! Otherwise they would not fix!!! Well this is a bad design on fords part with plastic tensioners to guide your timing chain!!! Now they have updated with a tougher nylon "plastic". But have not recalled the old ones so unless you order dealer parts you receive the old parts which are no good and will end up making you spend more money and for the last 12months, I have had my car 3 weeks due to cant afford the enormous repair bill, which ford knew about all along, but failed to recall plastic parts unless someone complained. According to my research it has been an ongoing problem since the 1996-2006 year model explores with 4.0 sohc v-6 motors. Something definitely needs to be done!!!
Took explorer to dealership to get the transmission fluid checked and got a call from the dealership that the spark plug had blown out of the engine and stripped the threads in the head but not on the spark plug.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated when she started her vehicle it was idling it was very rough. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised her that the timing chain fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer also advised her to no longer drive the vehicle under those conditions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was approximately 93,000.
Timing chain tensioner failure with valve cover damage provoking oil leak and heavy smoke out of the engine, wich lead to spill of oil in the highway (oil dropping) and engine out of sequence due to a plastic "casset" tension break, I have read over the internet alot of complains about the same incident
Car started to accelerate in reverse and struck another vehicle while brake was applied to no avail.
My 2003 ford explorer limited blew a spark plug right out of the engine. Very scary & very loud while going to the grocery store. I thought for sure the engine blew.
There have been multiple problems with my 2003 ford explorer since I bought it brand new in august of 2003. But ironically they have all appeared after the warranty had expired. In september 2007 the air conditioning unit no longer worked. It cost me $2000 and a week without a car, to get it fixed. In august 2009 the passenger door window would no longer work. In september 2009 my SUV started making a clicking sound when turning on the heater. Since we lived in a warm climate this did not concern us much, as the heat had worked even with the clicking sound. But we moved to a colder climate and the heater went out in march 2010. In april 2010 the service engine light came on. After speaking with the mechanic, he said it was a transmission problem that occurred when the car shifted from 1st to 2nd gear and from 4th to 5th gear. He could not give me any more information and was not willing to fix my transmission problem (he suggested I go elsewhere because he was not an expert in transmissions). In may 2010 the o/d light started flashing off. After speaking to mechanic again, he said it was related to the transmission problem. In august 2010 the door ajar light started coming on randomly, even when the door is not open. And in september 2010, I noticed my ABS light will come on randomly. It does not appear to be triggered by any specific reason, and does not always come on.
I own a 2003 ford explorer-4.6 liter v8 4 wheel drive, the vehicle has 158,000 miles and have experienced the sparkplug blowout while driving home from work. I was traveling on a busy state road when the engine miss fired and then heard a loud pop and the engine went to missing bad. I immediately pulled to the side and checked to see what was happening. I limped the vehicle into a parking lot and proceeded to reinstall the plug and coil pack. The forcing push of the plug broke the coil pack and tore the plug boot. I just replaced the coil pack and plug boot assembly and reinstalled the plug bck in. I feel that this issue is common on the 4.6 liters, a friend and shadetree mechanic did a motor swap in an expedition with this same motor for the same reason cause the plug in cylinder #4(passenger rear) tore the threads coming out and let loose metal into the piston journal and caused severe damage.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle there was a knocking noise in the engine compartment. The vehicle was the towed to the dealer who stated that the timing chain failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 92000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle was hesitant to pick up speed. All warning lights on the dash board illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer yet they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated the failure had occurred two additional times in the same day. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 40,900.
I bought my 2003 explorer new. Appx. 2-3 years ago (don't have exact date yet, still searching for info) it would suddenly stall and shut off. The RPM indicator would also jump really fast. I took it to the dealer and they said it was an idle issue and "fixed" it. A few days ago, I noticed a similar issue and nearly crashed. As I was rounding a corner, the vehicle suddenly stalled, thereby causing my power steering to fail. I quickly put the car in neutral, restarted it and regained steering, very nearly colliding with a vehicle in the opposite direction. The car seemed okay for a few days, but then did the same thing again. Two near head-on collisions are two too many. I stopped using the vehicle and had my dealer look at it. They called me yesterday and told me it was the idle air control valve, which will cost $332 to replace. I checked online and found that this is a known issue (tsb 0335, feb. Of 2003). I need this vehicle so I will have to get it repaired, but think ford should take some kind of responsibility for the defect. I hope it doesn't take someone having a serious collision due to the defect for something to be done. Thank you for anything you can do.
Our ford explorer shut down without warning in an intersection. People began pushing my wife, baby son, and two other sons out of the intersection when the truck began smoking and then the engine burst into flames. We lost the truck (which only has two payments left and which was in perfect working order), our car seats, and a considerable amount of personal items to smoke, fire, and water damage. The fire department had to be summoned to put the fire out.
No noise/warning. The car had billowing black smoke coming from under the hood. On inspection oil was gushing from a valve at the back of the engine and burning, it nearly burst into flames. It was towed to a local mechanic, who found the timing chain had broken, slashing a valve cover and cutting into the back of the engine. It can be fixed for $3,000 plus tax estimate, but the ford dealership recommends against this and says it needs a new engine /refurbished engine $5,000 plus tax. Ford refuse to accept this is a defect, despite multiple complaints I have seen on the internet. The car was a ford explorer 2003 with only 60,720 on the clock. I bought it new and maintained it well. I still have payments on it so am selling it for $2000 to cover the payments. It was a $34,000 car.
The passenger side airbag warning light comes on intermittently for no reason (has since I bought it used in 2006). The door ajar warning light comes on and won't allow me to lock/set my alarm on my vehicle plus it leaves the interior lights on for a while (started about 6 months ago). I am now experiencing a banging sound under the hood when I change the temperature (heat or air conditioning)(started in last 4 months). I have to turn the fan on high to get it to stop. It will do it even if the temp is off sometimes. It also will not lock into gear when put into park on an incline (my driveway)...without rocking backwards into gear(started in the last 6 months).
I was driving home from work when I noticed my vehicle started to make this taping noise. I pulled over to the side of the road to see what it could be then noticed it was coming from under the hood. I didn'ttt feel safe continuing to drive on the highway so drove to the next exit and got off. The noise started to get louder so I pulled into a gas station and waited for someone to come pick me up because I didn't feel the vehicle was safe to drive. As I was sitting there with the car turned off, something on the driver side under the hood burst into flames. Fire department had to come out and put vehicle fire out.
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