2003 Ford Explorer Engine Problems
- 24
- 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 24 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 7 |
| 60–100k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 4 |
| 100–150k mi | 1 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
Car started to accelerate in reverse and struck another vehicle while brake was applied to no avail. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10410308
Automatic Transmission · Engine
I own a 2003 ford explorer-4.6 liter v8 [redacted], the vehicle has 158,000 miles and have experienced the sparkplug blowout while driving home from work. I was traveling on a busy state road when the engine miss fired and then heard a loud pop and the engine went to missing bad. I immediately pulled to the side and checked to see what was happening. I limped the vehicle into a parking lot and proceeded to reinstall…
ODI 10351053
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle there was a knocking noise in the engine compartment. The vehicle was the towed to the dealer who stated that the timing chain failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 92000.
ODI 10344734
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle was hesitant to pick up speed. All warning lights on the dash board illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer yet they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated the failure had occurred two additional times in the same day. The vehicle was not repaired and the vin was not…
ODI 10334675
Engine
I bought my 2003 explorer new. Appx. 2-3 years ago (don't have exact date yet, still searching for info) it would suddenly stall and shut off. The rpm indicator would also jump really fast. I took it to the dealer and they said it was an idle issue and "fixed" it. A few days ago, i noticed a similar issue and nearly crashed. As i was rounding a corner, the vehicle suddenly stalled, thereby causing my power steering…
ODI 10312407
Engine
No noise/warning. The car had billowing black smoke coming from under the hood. On inspection oil was gushing from a valve at the back of the engine and burning, it nearly burst into flames. It was towed to a local mechanic, who found the timing chain had broken, slashing a valve cover and cutting into the back of the engine. It can be fixed for $3,000 plus tax estimate, but the ford dealership recommends against…
ODI 10270123
Engine
As my daughter and i were backing out of a parking stall, my vehicle all of a sudden caught off. We were unable to get it restarted. After mechanics checked it out, i was told it was the motor. Difficult to understand, because we have only 38,208 miles on our 2003 ford explorer; and a week before that we had a complete oil change. I contacted our local ford dealer as well as ford in detroit and explained the problem…
ODI 10243098
Engine
I have a 2003 ford explorer and has a flex fuel system 4.0l 114,000 miles at times not all the time once in awhile i will go to turn and slow down the idle jumps up and down you will be able to see the rps go nuts and the engine shuts itself off i almost hit another car not being prepared for the shut down the brakes the steering all got hard to handle... Has anyone been looking into this problem at all? I have…
ODI 10223271
Engine
While driving the 2003 ford explorer eddie bauer 4.0l v6 the engine stops running with no warning. This has happened three times randomly. Two times were on a highway coasting to a toll booth. Each of those times i was able to put the vehicle into neutral and restart the engine. The third time was on a residential street. The engine could not be restarted. *nm
ODI 10167092
Engine
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 70 mph smoke emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled off the road and towed to the dealership. The radiator, fuel filter, air filter, and steering gear assembly was replaced, the front end was aligned as well. Two days later while driving at 70 mph smoke was noticed in the rearview mirror. The vehicle was pulled off the road and less than one minute later…
Fire reported
ODI 10148831
Engine
The weather was mild for michigan, mid 40s. The vehicle had been parked for 1 hour after having been driven for about 40 highway miles. The vehicle was then started and driven less than one quarter mile to a stop light. While waiting for the light to change, the vehicle surged ahead. I was able to control the vehicle by stomping on the brake pedal and thowing the gear shift into park. *nm
ODI 10146386
Electrical System · Engine
2003 ford explorer xlt stalls without warning. Dealership repaired/replaced transmission main control valve twice; reprogrammed/recalibrated the pcm twice; repaired/replaced transmission solenoid valve; replaced fuse relays; tested fuel pressure and did numerous other diagnostic test. Stalling problem still exists. Vehicle has been to dealership 6 plus times since march 05 for the same problem. *jb
ODI 10143658
Engine
About 3 months ago, my explorer began occasionally experienced dramatic, random engine acceleration. While driving, the rpms would shoot up for no apparent reason. 2 months ago, it was taken to the ford dealership in millington, tn. They found no problems and hinted it was "driver error". A week later, i made an [redacted] to visit my newly hospitilized father. The sudden, drastic increase in rpm' started out…
ODI 10133202
Engine
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. *jb
ODI 10107490
Engine
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. *jb
ODI 10104052
Engine
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. *jb
ODI 10092508
Engine
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…
ODI 10081930
Engine
Since the vehicle was purchased, my husband and i have noticed the engine makes a whistling noise in cold weather between 25-40 mph. The noise used to go away after driving for approximately 15-20 minutes. It no longer does. So far this winter, i have noticed the engine continuing to make the whistling sound entire 35-45 minute commutes. The speed now ranges from 25-70 mph and comes and goes throughout the drive.…
ODI 10213593
Engine
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. *jb
ODI 10051606
Engine
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. *la
ODI 10047613
Engine
ENGINE TAPS AND LOUD. *JB
ODI 10060573
Engine
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. *ph
ODI 10039867
Automatic Transmission · Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
I put the date of incident as the date i purchased the vehicle. I put this date as such because ever since i purchased this vehicle, we have had nothing but run arounds by the service providers and constant repairs every 3-7 months since i purchased the vehicle. The first major repair occurred when i had owned the vehicle for 18 months, at 35,998. It had an $1800 transmission job. Subsequent repairs have been…
ODI 10251833
Engine
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. *mr
ODI 10016005