2003 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- 17
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 17 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering column · 11 records
- steering wheel · 7 records
- gear shift · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 60–100k mi | 3 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Shifter broken inside steering column. Stopped at a gas station when putting into park it broke. Had to keep my foot on brake paddle for 2 hours until two truck arrived
ODI 11230578
Power Train · Steering
Shift lever broke off inside steering column of my wife's explorer when changing from park to drive to exit from a boat launch ramp with no boat on the trailer. Vehicle was towed on a flatbed wrecker to my garage. Broken element ( see photos) was not replaceable by itself. Steering column had to be replaced. This was not normal wear and tear, but rather a faulty /weak component that represents a danger. I have noted…
ODI 11021498
Service Brakes · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving approximately 30 mph, the check engine and abs indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the brakes failed and the steering wheel seized. The emergency brake was engaged in order to come to a complete stop. The contact restarted the vehicle after few minutes and it functioned normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the failure…
ODI 10759916
Power Train · Steering
Was leaving gas station, shifted from park to drive, shift lever broke off into my hand. Obviously a defect, as i have over 2 million miles under my belt, driven numerous cars & trucks, and have never had this happen before in over 40 years of driving, both personally and professionally. I see there are hundreds of similar complaints for this, why is there no recall?? *tr
ODI 10703385
Engine · Steering
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
ODI 10622522
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
My 2003 ford explorer has some serious electrical issues. My right front passenger window will not roll down. It gets very hot in my truck out in the heat. It stopped working all of a sudden and the a/c in the car does not blow. (i didn't break any of these things) my door ajar light is always on the dash... My driver's door sensor went out for some reason and now my vehicle thinks that the door is always open,…
1 injury
ODI 10604664
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic who replaced the intermediate shaft. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
ODI 10583025
Steering
Went to put the car in park and the gear shift detached from the steering wheel. Key was stuck in the ignition, unable to put the car in park. Towed it to our house where my uncle was able to fix it. Had to replace the whole steering column. The problem was caused by a weak piece of metal in the alloy connecting the gear shift to the steering column. *tr
ODI 10496717
Column Shift · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle, the gear shifter detached from the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where it was diagnosed with a failure to the steering column that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 75,900. ..updated 04/11/12 *bf the consumer stated when he put the…
ODI 10451623
Steering
While in parked position, ignition started, gear shift broke while putting in reverse - failure of metal alloy connecting gear shift handle to steering column. Key was stuck in ignition and was not removable. Had to replace entire steering column. Towing expenses incurred as well as repair expenses. Problem caused by weakness/failure in metal alloy connecting gear shift handle to transmission steering column. *tr
ODI 10452105
Steering · Unknown Or Other
When i was switching the gear from reverse to drive at a gas station, the shifter lever was snapped off. I cannot move the car any more, and the key got stuck in the steering column. I find loads of others have same problem happened and ford is not doing anything on this dangerous/could be fatal problem. *tt
ODI 10425866
Steering · Suspension
While driving on hwy 38 in sc, the steering wheel started shaking real bad and then the entire suv started shaking and we veered off the right side of the road into a field. The front left tire came off and we came to a complete stop. Upon further investigation i saw that 2 of the 5 lug posts were sheared off and the other 3 were bent. In addition the molding around the front right tire came off and the driver's…
Crash reported
ODI 10352173
Steering
Repair shop "perrier auto center" change oil for me by overload engine with 10 quarters of oil and also overload power steering fluid that cost failed power steering. *tr
ODI 10335381
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 45 mph the steering wheel locked without warning. Suddenly, the driver loss control of vehicle and crashed into a bridge. The air bags deployed with the massive impact. The police was called to the scene. The driver was taken to the hospital. The driver sustained moderate injuries to the back neck and chest. The vehicle was towed to an auto collision center.…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10290919
Steering
03' ford explorer, steering column won't shift into or out of park correctly, have to push very hard on brake and struggle w/shift to get it to work. During oil change operator nearly had a roll away accident as parking to return truck to owner after change. This occurs at least 4 times a day. *tr
ODI 10273562
Steering
I was driving on the 118 fwy west,exited off the balboa exit, which has an incline, i started applying my brakes to reduce my speed so i could turn left. When attempting to make a left turn, my steering wheel locked, it felt like no gas was going to my engine,therefore i had to really try to force my vehicle to go left. I was able to get the wheel rotate about an inch-the vehicle coasted to the right (we avoided…
ODI 10211286
Air Bags · Automatic Transmission · Steering
While driving and without warning a loud clinking noise can be heard. The dealer is aware of the problem. *nlm squeeling noise from motor. Transmission lurched and would not engage. Transmission and transfer case had to be flushed. Replace steering shaft for clinking noise. Clockspring replaced.
ODI 10003977