2003 Ford Explorer Vehicle Speed Control Problems
- 28
- 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 28 stored complaint records:
- 4 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- cruise control · 21 records
- without warning · 4 records
- speed control · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 8 |
| 1–30k mi | 8 |
| 30–60k mi | 6 |
| 60–100k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
2003 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regard to defective throttle in model vehicle. *as *tr
ODI 11180771
Fuel/Propulsion System · Vehicle Speed Control
This event has happened twice now my 2003 ford explorer has excelerated without warning ! And while trying to stop the vehicle. The second time ending in an accident. I have only had this vehicle just under 2 months ! The floor mats are not the problem here. Once i was in reverse and a power surge came over the vehicle the brakes would not work didn't result in an accident but was somewhat afraid of it. I was coming…
Crash reported
ODI 10561523
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
ODI 10542922
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
While driving the o/d light began flashing on my dashboard, the vehicle slowed down to about 15 miles as if the transmission was pulling/slipping, the car made a hard jerk and began to pick-up speed. This cycle repeated until i reached my destination. The light came on again the next day and the same events occurred. *tr
ODI 10525391
Vehicle Speed Control
Bought suv in december of 2012 and everything seemed to work fine. Within the next few months there were several times that the cruise would not engage without pushing it on & off several times. After june of 2013 it rarely engaged at all at any speed. Now, september 2014 it will not engage at all. Afraid it might cause short &/or a fire under the hood. Noticed recall identified this problem on 2002 models. This…
ODI 10638582
Vehicle Speed Control
Driving on i-26 at 65 mph. Took foot off gas, car continued at 65, did not have the cruise control on. I pressed brake, car didn't slow, pressed harder, still didn't slow, moved gearshifter to 1st gear, could hear engine revving, realized gas peddle/accelerator was stuck, tapped foot on gas pedal and car finally slowed. Took car to four seasons ford in hendersonville, was told they couldn't recreate the problem but…
ODI 10467848
Vehicle Speed Control
I was driving at 60 mph and approaching a red light 1/4 mile ahead i released pressure on the accelerator but the car maintained 60 mph and would not slow down, i applied the foot brakes but realized this was not the answer, it felt like the cruise control was not releasing however the cruise control not being used, i placed the car in neutral and braked to a stop the engine was racing. I tapped the accelerator with…
ODI 10424685
Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration without warning. The contact shifted into neutral and depressed the accelerator pedal until the vehicle decelerated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.
ODI 10467664
Vehicle Speed Control
While accelerating to merge into highway, vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration. My son had to manually pull up on the gas pedal on the floor to correct this. We were able to recreate it again by pressing down heavily on the gas pedal - and this time we were ready to manually pull up on the gas pedal. We verified that the floor mats were not obstructing the gas pedal in any way. *tr
ODI 10386744
Vehicle Speed Control
Cruise control often times "takes off" and does not hold the speed as set. I have looked down at the speedometer several times to find myself going well beyond 85mph - after setting the cruise control at 60. I have to disengage the cruise control for my vehicle to stop continuously speeding up. Then, there are times where the cruise control does not engage at all. The green light will come on, but the speed will not…
ODI 10385208
Vehicle Speed Control
I was approaching a red traffic light at a very low rate of speed . I had my foot on the brake and was preparing to come to a complete stop when the engine suddenly sped up. I increased the pressure on the brake pedal but could not stop the car. I was afraid that i would hit a car in front of me waiting at the traffic light. I then shifted the car into neutral and then was able to stop the car. My tachometer was…
ODI 10339379
Vehicle Speed Control
We own a 2003 ford explorer eddie bauer - 4wd at times the cruise control will either work, not work at all, work after being warmed up, work after shutting the motor off and restarting, work with the speed accelerating continuously at dangerous levels, or indicate it is working but is not. After viewing several sites where many other owners are having the same problem, we went to our dealer. Our dealer replaced a…
ODI 10303325
Vehicle Speed Control
My 2003 ford explorer exhibits most of the symptoms described in consumer advisory dated 13 october 2009. It has an intermittently functioning cruise control, a permanently on abs indicator light, and it occasionally gets stuck in park. I was wondering why 2003 wasn't included in the safety recall. *tr
ODI 10294171
Vehicle Speed Control
I have a 2003 ford explorer manufactured in 01/03. It is not included in the current 'voluntary' recall of ford vehicles due to a defective speed control deactivation switch. However, the vehicle exhibits the symptoms of the vehicles with a defective speed control switch (see faq below from ford.com): q. Are there any early warning signs or symptoms i would notice that would indicate a problem? A. If the system…
ODI 10288640
Vehicle Speed Control
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving approximately 70 mph with the cruise control activated, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the cruise control failed to deactivate after several attempts. In addition, the cruise control activation mechanism failed to respond and the vehicle would not slow down. Immediately, the vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and the ignition key was turned…
ODI 10251823
Vehicle Speed Control
On 9/4/08, driving in town, i was at a red light, proceeded to accelerate, then prepared to brake, i noticed that when i took my foot off the accelerator, the vehicle's speed kept accelerating. I had to ride my brakes to keep my car from going any faster. When i let off the brake, the accelerator took off again on its own at a fast rate! I pulled over to turn off my car, waited for at least 30 minutes and proceeded…
ODI 10240948
Glass, Side/Rear · Hinge And Attachments · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 55 mph with the cruise control activated, the cruise control failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that the cruise control wiring failed. There is a recall for the vehicle speed control, but his vin was not included. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 11,550 and failure mileage was 11,330. Updated…
ODI 10229709
Vehicle Speed Control
Cruise control failures: fails to engage, un-commanded acceleration, un-commanded deceleration, speed surging, indicates engaged and is not engaged. *tr
ODI 10224883
Control Module (Tcm, Pcm) · Emission Control · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10149623
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
Engine cut off while running, when i turned on high beams. Engine rpms and engine accelerated, when i turned on high beams loss control of acceleration, when fog lights were turned on. Message center flashed "check transmission", o/d off (overdrive off) flashed, when fog light were turned on. *nm
ODI 10138247
Vehicle Speed Control
At times, with the cruise control off, if any button is pressed, the vehicle rapidly accelerates.
ODI 10121164
Air Bags · Vehicle Speed Control
Consumer lost control of vehicle and an accident occurred. *mr the vehicle began to shake from right to left. The consumer could not control the vehicle. The vehicle was moving on it's own. The air bags did not deploy. The consumer crashed into the border wall, spun around, and stopped on the other side. *sc *jb
Crash reported
ODI 10089453
Vehicle Speed Control
While driving vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. However, mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak
ODI 10076126
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Vehicle Speed Control
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 *jb
ODI 10083297
Electrical System · Power Train · Power Window Devices And Controls · Structure · Vehicle Speed Control
Multiple issues with my 2003 ford explorer which include the electronic mother board having been replaced twice (under warranty), cracked liftgage (not under warranty cost $300), transmission rebuild approx 90,000 ($3000), dome lights do not turn off, door ajar lights, electric rear windows do not open, o/d light flashes and now the final problem after having replaced my transmission in july 2011 is a drive train or…
ODI 10448566