Vehicle loses power while driving. The check engine light comes on. Owner has taken the vehicle to the dealer and was told that they could not duplicate the problem. Owner has also contacted the manufacturer who has been of no help either. Provide further details.
2003 Ford Explorer engine complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 91 of 91, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I've had two separate incidents where my 2003 ford explorer stalled in the middle of heavy traffic. I'm taking it in for service on monday the 20th.
Consumer states that he is having trouble with his vehicle starting in the morning. While driving, the vehicle stalled. The consumer stated he has taken the vehicle to the dealer several times and each time they replace a chip.
The vehicle stalled while driving at 40 MPH. The consumer had the vehicle towed. *la the vehicle would not restart. The fuel pump was replaced. The anti theft light had come on along with the RPM's going up. The problem could not be found. The valve boot and the solenoid was replaced. Soon after, the vehicle died again twice after two repair attempts. *sc
Various complaints involving the 2003 ford explorer xlt.*mr consumer believed that noise on vehicle was coming from rear. Repairs and/or replacements were made on: front and rear suspensions, transfer case, and seals in the rear axle due to leak. Now, consumer is waiting for a new axle assembly to be replaced on the vehicle. Also, a cooling system noise on vehicle but dealer coudn't find the source of the problem.
Vehicle failure problems with 2003 ford explorer.*mr while driving the vehicle stalled in an intersection. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that there was sludge in the engine. The dealer insisted that the consumer's neglect was the caused of the failure and if he refused to purchase a new engine from them they would void manufacturers and extended warranty. The consumer indicated that he took care of his vehicle performing all the regularly scheduled maintenance. The consumer believes this problem is related to a defect in the timing chain tensioner.
The vehicle jerked while being driven. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer 4-5 times. Each time the technician stated the problem was repaired but each time the jerking problem returned. The consumer does not believe that the technician can repair the problem. *nm the vehicle would oscillate intermittently while pulling in and out of a driveway or parking. The wheel jerked violently. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and the engine would stall when the steering oscillated.
Vehicle stalled intermittently. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and left it there for 30 days. Dealer was not able to duplicate the problem.
Engine taps and loud.
While the consumer was driving at an undetermined speed engine check light appeared on the dash, causing the vehicle to stall. Consumer contacted dealer on four occasions, but problem still occurs. *ak consumer seeking or vehicle replacement reimbursement for repairs on engine, right rear door, and center console lid.
While driving 35 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer took vehicle to dealer four times. The first time mechanic replaced an air bypass valve. The second time mechanic reset computer module. The third and fourth times mechanic was not able to duplicate the problem. *ak *nm while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The driver took the vehicle to the dealer for analysis. The mechanic can not duplicate the problem.
When driving at 40 MPH vehicle jerked and then stalled. When stopping at a red light the lights on the gauges came on. Consumer had to put vehicle in park, then restart it. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership. Also, consumer test drove vehicle with the mechanic, but the problem recurred.
I have recently bought 2 brand new fords from champion ford in shreveport louisiana. My brand new ford xlt explorer 2 door sport has been in the shop for various repairs longer than I have had the vehicle. The vehicle was purchased on 09/27/2003 since then the hood had to be re-painted, both side body molding has been replaced, the front turn signal light came loose , both bottom exterior body door trim had to be replaced, interior trim piece below the rear window broke and had to be re-placed, but the main problem is a vibration in the motor/transmission that vibrates the dash I have spent already over $60.00 in gas back and forth to dealership, me and my wife have taken off two days at work costing us over $500.00 in loss of pay, I have already paid the first truck note and insurance payment and now the truck is back at the dealership for repairs for approximately one more week of repairs. On 10/17/2003 the truck was brought back to the dealership and my wife drove another explorer of the same make/model and had no problems I then was told by the service mgr. That this problem was inherent to this make/model. I then approached the sale mgr. With the hopes of either exchanging or trading up too the 4 door model to help defray the profit loss. It was explained to me that the vehicle had already depreciated some $4000.00 and that to swap vehicles it would cost me an additional $75.00 an up a month car note. I have contacted ford motor company who basically told me I was stuck with the vehicle even though the dealership has had the vehicle longer than I have had it. I was sent from employee to employee mgr. Of this to mgr. Of that. I would appreciate any information or ideas you could provide me with this situation. This vehicle is to be my wife's truck and I would like her in a safe truck that is safe for her to travel in. The dealership has already replaced the cosmetic faults but has stated that this problem is of doubtful outcome.
While driving 40-45 MPH and without any indication vehicle lost power. Consumer pulled vehicle over and restarted it. Then, returned to normal driving.
The truck stalled while driving. When the incident occurred the truck lost all power steering and brakes. The dealership ran a diagnostic test but no failure code was found.
Vehicle was returned to dealer for bad idle and shut-off condition after placing vehicle in reverse or drive, dealer responded that the vehicle comes from the factory with a less than desirable idle and that there is no fix for. I believe that this should have been divulged. As I would not have bought this vehicle with such a problem.
While driving approximately at 55 MPH the vehicle stalled. This was an intermittent problem. It had become hard to start the vehicle when this occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealership before but the mechanic could not find the cause of the problem. *ak the dealer advised the consumer to change the fuel from unleaded to premium and place a gas treatment in it and the problem would not persist but the problem continued. The consumer was then told that the transceiver circuit was the problem but again the problem returned. *scc
My incident appears to be related to ssm 16771 that ford has dealers abiding by in some attempt to post-product development "re-engineer" their product. My 2003 ford explorer which suffers from symptoms listed in the ssm was released by the dealer with the same symptoms it had upon delivery to the dealer (rough idle / stalling on cold start). Now that ford has had the dealer alter the ECM programming (I'm guessing to richen the idle air-fuel mixture) I wonder if my vehicle still passes emissions and has epa certified fuel economy??? Not likely...
While driving the vehicle at any speed and without warning, the vehicle would stall out. This caused the driver to have the vehicle towed to the dealership. Please provide any additional details.
Rear glass opened while driving. Loud whistling noise coming from under dash/engine. No power. Stalls on take off.
The vehicle lost power while driving, which caused the consumer to pull over. *jb 2003 ford explorer lost power while driving, causing the driver to pull over.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history