2003 ford explorer 4.0 sohc engine rattle noise.I guess there is alot of issues due to this problem. Timing chasis
2003 Ford Explorer engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 91, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I put the date of incident as the date I purchased the vehicle. I put this date as such because ever since I purchased this vehicle, we have had nothing but run arounds by the service providers and constant repairs every 3-7 months since I purchased the vehicle. The first major repair occurred when I had owned the vehicle for 18 months, at 35,998. It had an $1800 transmission job. Subsequent repairs have been focused transmission issues (always something slightly different than previous), engine function, and other mechanical issues. An extended warranty was purchased, but due to the parameters of the warranty, all issues were not fixed because they "were not able to be duplicated", (I.e. An intermittent transmission issue that had been occurring for 30,000 miles). Now that we are out of our warranty vehicle, we have an overpriced vehicle that is still owed on that will continue to need significant repairs. The most recent issue is the heating element, including the actuator and blend door function. This faulty piece will fail in the cold position. This causes a safety issue because you are faced with a repair that you may not be able afford (since they can run up to $1200) and having heat in the winter. With the current auto industry having the issues they are, they need to begin to make quality vehicles that aren't made to break just to get more money out of customers. To have continued customers, a company must have a consistent product that people can trust. The current american auto industry does not have that.
My 2003 ford explorer heating system started making a clicking sound when I turned it on, then I found that if I turned it to cool side the clicking stopped, now there is not heat at all only cold air. I am told by a ford mechanic that it is a broken blend door, an extremely common & costly repair since the blend door is in a ridiculous spot behind the dashboard that takes 6-8 hours of repair to remove & replace the $20 part. I found thousands of complaints from other ford owners dating back to the 1993 ford ranger model with the same problem...why is this not forced to be a recall for ford to take care of this problem? The pin that breaks on the blend door is plastic, any nimrod knows heat and cold will cause plastic to become brittle and break, thus you would think that making the pin metal would have been a solution years ago, it is only a 3-4 inch pin...not that expensive to fix but sure is costly to fix this nutty error for ford.
I have a ford explorer 2003 with 93000 miles and the o/d light as well as the service engine soon light is on. From my research it seems this is a major problem that ford refuses to address on the car mentioned.
Re: ford motor company ford motor company is illegally charging customers for computer engine updates. In july of 2008 my service engine light came on in my 2003 ford explorer 2003. . I was told by the service department at buerge ford that my engine codes had to be updated per ford motor company. They updated the engine codes in 15 minutes and charged me $128.00 dollars for updating fords new engine computer codes. The problem I have with ford motor company is that if the engine codes on my ford explorer xlt 2003 needed to be updated to fords new engine codes a recall should be implemented, or the charge shouldn't be pass on to the consumer. A recall was never done, and ford motor company has been illegally passing on this charge to the consumer for years, without a recall notice. Nothing was at fault at my end. I have a copy of my bill for your records on this illegal charge. Please investigate ford motor company for not implementing a recall notice for this problem with their SUV's, car's and trucks. Sincerely. Jeffrey roth
As my daughter and I were backing out of a parking stall, my vehicle all of a sudden caught off. We were unable to get it restarted. After mechanics checked it out, I was told it was the motor. Difficult to understand, because we have only 38,208 miles on our 2003 ford explorer; and a week before that we had a complete oil change. I contacted our local ford dealer as well as ford in detroit and explained the problem to them. I told them we had no warning of a problem, the indicator never came on and there was no indication at all that we had a problem, no noise or any signs of trouble. With only a few miles on the car, I told them I felt it was a manufacturer defect. Because they had not received any calls since my complaints, they felt it was not a ford's problem and that it was a situation I had to take care of. Something needs to be done and I think ford should handle this problem. No way should I have a problem with my motor with less than 40,000 miles. It's not fair that I have to pay for a job that I believe ford is responsible for. Tell me, what do I do?
I purchased a 2003 explorer in august 2006; mileage was approximately 45,000. By october the car would not start and the alternator was replaced. A few weeks later, I was back because my car was jerking. Nothing showed up on the diagnostic tool at that time. However, I was told the starter would have to be replaced as would the recently installed alternator. I returned less than a month later with the same jerking issue, only this time I notified the repair shop that the o/d light had been coming on. Furthermore, my car had actually stalled in the middle of traffic. Again, nothing was found. By early december, I was back. My car had stalled on a few more occasions and would not "pick up". That is, even though the RPM's would reach anywhere from 2500 - 4000, my car could not accelerate above 25 - 30 MPH. Several days later I was told that the transmission needed work. I got my car back a few days before christmas and decided last minute to head to the mountains. As soon as I reach a slight elevation, the car ceased to accelerate and what's more, a thick heavy cloud of black smoke came out of the rear and persisted for at least two miles. I headed back down the mountain for home. I took the car back and they kept it for at least a week and a half to repair the torque converter and other transmission related issue. In early fall 2007, I took the car to my local ford dealer for some strange noise coming from the engine. It ended up costing $2500.00 to repair. I returned in november for more work, this time for the same torque converter and solenoid issue as a year ago. During this two year period, my vehicle was under extended warranty. The total repair cost for the first year of ownership is anywhere from $5000 - $9000, of which I paid at least $2500 out of pocket. My warranty has since expired and I am worried that these same issues will recur, as I have read they have. This is not an isolated incident and should be investigated and a recall issued.
I have a 2003 ford explorer and has a flex fuel system 4.0l 114,000 miles at times not all the time once in awhile I will go to turn and slow down the idle jumps up and down you will be able to see the rps go nuts and the engine shuts itself off I almost hit another car not being prepared for the shut down the brakes the steering all got hard to handle... Has anyone been looking into this problem at all? I have changed spark plugs the fuel filter air filter and still does this in warm weather as it does in cold weather.. Any clue as to what I can do? Vary unsafe. I have never had a car or truck do this more than once.
There was a clicking noise in the dash when I turned the heat on. One day there was one more hard click and after that no more heat. So now when I turn the heat on there's a clicking noise and no heat, when I turn it on cool the clicking noise stops.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 60 MPH, on february 17, 2008, the engine shut off immediately without warning. Several vehicles were rapidly approaching the contact, which nearly caused a fatal crash. There were no warning lights present prior to the failure; however, after the engine shut off, all of the lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to restart the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The part was ordered and may be available by next week. The vehicle has been at the dealer for two weeks. The manufacturer's president was notified on two occasions and the secretary forwarded the messages to a liaison. The contact wanted the vehicle replaced, but the liaison stated that she could not assist. The contact saw on the news that there was a manufacturer's recall and filed case number 0490000518. The manufacturer stated that there were no existing recalls related to the failure. The following failures occurred with the previous owner: on march 1, 2004, the ring and pinions failed, on march 31, 2004, the pinion valve leaked, was damaged, tested and repaired. On april 14, 2004, while driving approximately 55 MPH, the front pinion seal was leaking and replaced. The upper bearing was also repaired. The VIN appears to be invalid. The failure and current mileages were 40,000.
Sat. Jan. 19, 2008; approx. 99,780 miles - engine stalled while we were turning off the highway to a side street. We had just driven approx. 20 miles, so the engine was warm. The steering wheel locked up when the engine turned off, which caused us to go into the oncoming traffic lane. Fortunately no one was coming towards us so we could stop, put it in park, and restart the engine. This is about the fifth or sixth time it happened.
Brand new 2003 ford explorer. Replaced engine at 115 k miles and now the trans is going; specifically, the o/d light keeps flashing and it shifts badly. I've seen numerous complaints about the same thing online, while ford ignores this faulty trans.
Stalling with no warning. Ford found nothing. They know of the problem. Said I should get an after market computer. Ok
Since the vehicle was purchased, my husband and I have noticed the engine makes a whistling noise in cold weather between 25-40 MPH. The noise used to go away after driving for approximately 15-20 minutes. It no longer does. So far this winter, I have noticed the engine continuing to make the whistling sound entire 35-45 minute commutes. The speed now ranges from 25-70 MPH and comes and goes throughout the drive. The dealership has kept the car for a few days (in previous years) and have not had a fix for this issue.
The ford recall for engine stalling does not appear to apply to the 2003 explorer, but I have definitely had the engine stall 5 or 6 times while I've been driving. It has happened while I've been decelerating, either for a stop sign, traffic light, or turn. The engine was warm each time. I was always able to restart the engine quickly enough so that no accidents occurred, but the closest call was when it happened at a busy traffic light. I did not write down the exact dates when it happened, so the incident date below is only approximate. I believe the recall should be expanded.
When we starte d our car for the first time after it had sat at an airport parking lot for a week, we heard a ticking noise upon start up ouf our vehicle (2003 ford explorer eddie bauer with v8 engine). Upon taking it to a repair shop they stated the noise is coming from the value guard area in the would need to replace both cylinder heads (per ford need to replace both & cannot replace just one). The cost of this repair would be $4,000.00. Upon further research, it appears that this is a common problem for our model & year. With all the other problems we have had to pay out of pocket for, it would be nice to have ford look into this issue and possible have a recall. Thank you.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the catalytic converter was bad and needed to be replaced. The part was supposed to be available on may 10, 2007, but it still has not arrived. The repair is covered under warranty. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 56,000.
I was driving down the road & started slowing down as I came into town. I was coasting along and my car stalled out. I didn't even realize it had cut out, I still had steering & brakes but I had to restart my vehicle. I took it back to the dealer (I had just bought it 6 days prior) and asked them to look at it. They worked with the local ford dealership and came back with "nothing is wrong with it". They said there wasn't even a record of the incident taking place.
Dt*: the contact stated while shifting to any gear at various speeds, a noise was heard. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the oil needed to be changed every month.
While driving the 2003 ford explorer eddie bauer 4.0l v6 the engine stops running with no warning. This has happened three times randomly. Two times were on a highway coasting to a toll booth. Each of those times I was able to put the vehicle into neutral and restart the engine. The third time was on a residential street. The engine could not be restarted.
Excessive engine cooling fan noise upon morning first use. If you let the car sit overnight and then startup the car, back up out of the driveway, and accelerate normally down the residential street, the cooling fan sounds like an airplane propeller chopping the air. The performance of the vehicle (a v8) seems sluggish as the engine fights to spin the fan at every increasing engine RPM. The noise is excessive and unnerving. Once you come to a stop sign and the engine slows to idle, the fan resumes normal operating mode and no longer spins at engine RPM speeds. This is a very repeatable event. 3 out 5 mornings I have to deal with this. Ford motor customer service says they cannot do anything until the dealer identifies the problem. The car has been at the dealer for several days and they are unable to experience the problem. There is only one thing that can be wrong here is the fan clutch. But until the problem stays broken, and it wont as it goes away once you go to idle, they will not repair the problem under warranty. My concern is multifold. I am concerned for the safety of others as it is unnatural for the cooling fan to be spinning at engine RPM. If the fan were to disintegrate, who will be in the way of the high speed fragments? I am concerned about the damage that would occur to the vehicle if the fan were to let loose. I am concerned that the fan's life is being reduced and will suffer premature failure. The dealer refuses to review tsb 17163 -- excessive engine cooling fan noise. *tt (the federal safety agency id #10004057) until they experience the problem. The dealer seems to be uncooperative and chooses to ignore the customer's complaint.
Aroiund 37,000 miles I started having electrical problems. Half of them go off when they should and half of them stay on which runs my battery down and I have to be jumped. Then around 40,000 mile I started hearing a lound whining noise from my rear end. The dealer said nothing was wrong. It is so loud you have to almost yell to talk to someone. Then at 47,000 miles my service engine light soon started coming on. It has something to do with the coolant area. I am afraid to take my vehicle out of town and I owe too much on it to trade it.
1 history of engine surge, very fast idle upon starting since vehicle acquired.-all reported to dealer.---------------------------------------------------------------- 2.car stopped, motor off. Started, placed in reverse-touched accelerator and car jumped back full speed. Very narrow parking area (have pictures). Had to turn car rapidly to avoid large hill and trees -too short a distance to turn completely and hit front left fender and bumper glancing blow off two trees. Was able to shift into neutral and got stopped after going in a semicircular and backing over concrete parking barrier.-motor still racing--unable to turn off with key until fourth or fifth try and than motor bucked several time trying to stop. 3.no corrections to date. Reported to ford! !
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.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 70 MPH smoke emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled off the road and towed to the dealership. The radiator, fuel filter, air filter, and steering gear assembly was replaced, the front end was aligned as well. Two days later while driving at 70 MPH smoke was noticed in the rearview mirror. The vehicle was pulled off the road and less than one minute later the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The fire marshal determined this fire was caused by a mechanical failure malfunction. There was a police and fire report filed.
The weather was mild for michigan, mid 40s. The vehicle had been parked for 1 hour after having been driven for about 40 highway miles. The vehicle was then started and driven less than one quarter mile to a stop light. While waiting for the light to change, the vehicle surged ahead. I was able to control the vehicle by stomping on the brake pedal and thowing the gear shift into park.
2003 ford explorer xlt stalls without warning. Dealership repaired/replaced transmission main control valve twice; reprogrammed/recalibrated the PCM twice; repaired/replaced transmission solenoid valve; replaced fuse relays; tested fuel pressure and did numerous other diagnostic test. Stalling problem still exists. Vehicle has been to dealership 6 plus times since march 05 for the same problem.
2003 ford explorer boyfriend's description of event: 1)I can consistently get the vehicle to stall out when coasting down to a stop. It is all in the way of the coast down. It is more repeatable if you start braking way before a stop event (slowly coasting in). The bad thing is the event is so quiet that half the time you did not know it stalled (unless you were looking at the ipc). You have to put the car in park or neutral to restart engine each time event occurs. I would say it has happened 30+ times. 2) the failure is a stalled engine. The consequence could be rolling out to incoming traffic, thinking the vehicle is running, yet the engine is stalled. ) nothing has been done yet. Took it into shop and it was said that nothing was seen (not a ford dealership).
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.
When the consumer applied the brake to slow down, the vehicle cut off. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer and they were unable to duplicate the problem.
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