2003 Ford Explorer Engine problems

Hello my name is [[redacted]] 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...

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. *Tr

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...

Took vehicle in fluid changes, complete check, and to investigate a leak under vehicle. After "complete" check said they found bad serpentine belt, air filter and but nothing valve cover gaskets as cause of leak. Cost to repair gaskets over $1000. While doing repair they called again and said they found that the rear timing cartridge was broken and pieces of it missing. Told me that bolt was wore half way through as timing chaining was rubbing it. Said if it breaks before repair engine will "blow" and need to be...

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...

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. *Js

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. *Tr

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. *Tr

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...

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. *Tr

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....

The transmission light, 4'4 and the od light came on. It does shift gear from 1 to 2 until 3000 rpm. *Tr

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...

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. *Jb

Was driving the vehicle when I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I pulled over as quick as possible into a strip mall parking lot. Before I got out flames were coming out of the engine compartment. I ran into a store and got a fire extinguisher to try and put out the fire. I failed, as the whole front of the explorer was in flames as well as the interior. The vehicle is a total loss. The fire department put it out. I had the vehicle for 7 weeks. The used dealer will not take any responsibility. Should they? I purchased the vehicle on mar. 3,2014 At oc auto expo in westminster, ca. *Tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer sport trac. The contact was driving with the vehicle speed control engaged at 68 mph when the failure occurred. The vehicle began to decelerate and some smoke was present underneath the vehicle. When the contact opened the hood there was no evidence of smoke in the engine area. The contact was concerned about the housing unit being cracked other than for being defective, cold temperature or high heat that comes in contact with it. The housing unit should never split apart....

My engine went out after only 140000 miles on it with no warning. I know several people that own a 2003 ford explorer and there engine went out after only with 100000 miles on it. It cost me over 3200.00 For it to be repaired. *Tr

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...

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. *Tr