2003 Ford Explorer: windshield wiper failure

Filed Sep 23, 2016 · Body, Visibility · 40,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. When operating the vehicle, the rear hatch door and the rear hatch window became unsecured and opened due to a crack near the rear window wiper. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Electrical, Visibility · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the windshield wipers were pushing water into the fuse box when it rained. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Jan 11, 2014 · Body, Visibility · 155,000 miles · MA

I want to bring to your attention a defect in the tailgate panel on the 2003 ford explorer. It is cracked and as a result water gets into the inside of the panel and leaks into the vehicle. As a result of the bitter cold days here in the northeast over the last month or so, ice forms on the inside of the windows causing major issues with visibility which is dangerous. It also shorted out the rear wiper motor as well. There should be a safety recall on this since it effects so many people.

Filed Jul 16, 2012 · Body · NY

Rcall work was done ( ford # 04s045 ) since that time the plastic trim piece attached to the tailgate window cracked which has allowed water to rust out the mounting bracket that holds the latch and wiper assembly. The result is that the widow no longer closes securely and the window latch in-operable. Has this been addressed in and other recalls? I have observed that 9 of 10 explorers/mountaineers also have cracked trim pieces. As a result of the rusting bracket I feel that the window could suddenly open and/or shatter. Repairs seem impossible also due to the possibility of shattering the window causing injury.

Filed Sep 15, 2011 · Body · 117,000 miles · IN

I have a 2003 ford explorer, ran to the store last night to buy groceries. Loaded things into my truck, closed the door and things were fine. Arrived home to remove the groceries and there was a 6 inch long crack on the rear hatch of my truck right beside the ford logo and rear windshield wiper. I take pride in my vehicle and keep it clean and the outside body is perfect; until this happened. I am disappointed that I called ford and there is no recall in regards to this, but there are hundreds of complaints online about the exact same issue. I want ford to pay for the repair of this. I have been a loyal ford customer and so has by family since the early 1980s. I will probably never purchase another ford as this is just another issue that ford won't acknowledge.

Filed Nov 12, 2009 · Visibility · 67,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The rear windshield has developed cracks, which subsequently caused the windshield wipers to fail. She took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, but they did not perform an inspection. The manufacturer advised her to repair the vehicle, and if her model type was recalled, she could inquire about reimbursement. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The current and failure mileages were 64,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2007 · Airbags, Locks · 114,000 miles · MD

Tl* - the contact called about the 2003 ford explorer xlt. The contact stated that the air bag light stayed on, and when it was on, the airbag deactivated which was a safety problem. It happened all the time. The fuses have been changed under warranty, and now that it was not under warranty, it was no longer repaired free of charge. The contact stated that she was told by one service station that it was standard for the fuses to blow because of the fuse box location. Another service station told the contact that this was not true that the fuse box was to high in the car for pebbles to be able to get into the fuse box. Also, the windshield wipers won't turn off by them selves, even when the keys were out of the ignition. The contact stated that the airbag light and the door ajar light were consistently on. Moreover, the electronic seat would not move forward or backward. She had the seat repaired twice and it failed again. Finally, contact stated that the vehicle was making a knocking noise in the front and rear of the vehicle's undercarriage. The vehicle clanked stopping, turning to go forward, or just sitting still. The first time the contact took the vehicle for repair she was told by the repair shop that it was the driver's seat that was causing the clanking noise, and the second time she was told that the noise was not something they could identify because during diagnostic testing it did not show a specific failure code. The current and failure mileage were both 114000.

Filed Nov 6, 2006 · Body · 47,000 miles · CA

Ford explorer- 2003 location rear hatch or door. Panel below window where ford emblem appears. Plastic body part splits for no apparent reason. Has happened to many other explorers. Dealer says it is caused by rear wiper motor being housed behind crack. Dealer will not repair, though this is a known defect, without charging customer an extended warranty deductible.

Filed Dec 13, 2004 · Visibility · 10,000 miles · NY

During cold / snow weather windshield wipers would not wipe the front windshield properly. This caused the windshield wipers to freeze against the front windshield, resulting in poor visibility. The dealer was notified.

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Body, Brakes · ID

Numerous problem: brakes, rear window opening, seat belt retraction, heater, rear defrost, body work, etc.. *ph while braking the brake pedal went to the floor and caused extended stopping distance. The rear window hinge failed which caused the window to open while the consumer went through a car wash. The seat belt retracted slowly which caused the belt to become hooked onto the door lock system. As a result the passenger could not get out of the vehicle. The left wiper was not clearing the windshield. The left rear door would not close all the way unless it was slammed hard.