Problems with 2003 Ford Explorer ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The vehicle jerked while being driven. the vehicle has been taken to the dealer 4-5 times. each time the technician stated the problem was repaired but each time the jerking problem returned. the consumer does not believe that the technician can repair the problem. *nm the vehicle would oscillate intermittently while pulling in and out of a driveway or parking. the wheel jerked violently. the consumer lost control of the vehicle and the engine would stall when the steering oscillated. *sc

While driving 35 mph vehicle stalled. consumer took vehicle to dealer four times. the first time mechanic replaced an air bypass valve. the second time mechanic reset computer module. the third and fourth times mechanic was not able to duplicate the problem. *ak *nm while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. the driver took the vehicle to the dealer for analysis. the mechanic can not duplicate the problem.

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. the dealership has kept the car for a few days (in previous years) and have not had a fix for this issue.*cn

When the consumer applied the brake to slow down, the vehicle cut off. the vehicle has been taken to the dealer and they were unable to duplicate the problem. *jb

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

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

I have recently bought 2 brand new fords from champion ford in shreveport louisiana. my brand new ford xlt explorer 2 door sport has been in the shop for various repairs longer than i have had the vehicle. the vehicle was purchased on 09/27/2003 since then the hood had to be re-painted, both side body molding has been replaced, the front turn signal light came loose , both bottom exterior body door trim had to be replaced, interior trim piece below the rear window broke and had to be re-placed, but the main problem is a vibration in the motor/transmission that vibrates the dash i have spent already over $60.00 in gas back and forth to dealership, me and my wife have taken off two days at work costing us over $500.00 in loss of pay, i have already paid the first truck note and insurance payment and now the truck is back at the dealership for repairs for approximately one more week of repairs. on 10/17/2003 the truck was brought back to the dealership and my wife drove another explorer of the same make/model and had no problems i then was told by the service mgr. that this problem was inherent to this make/model. i then approached the sale mgr. with the hopes of either exchanging or trading up too the 4 door model to help defray the profit loss. it was explained to me that the vehicle had already depreciated some $4000.00 and that to swap vehicles it would cost me an additional $75.00 an up a month car note. i have contacted ford motor company who basically told me i was stuck with the vehicle even though the dealership has had the vehicle longer than i have had it. i was sent from employee to employee mgr. of this to mgr. of that. i would appreciate any information or ideas you could provide me with this situation. this vehicle is to be my wife's truck and i would like her in a safe truck that is safe for her to travel in. the dealership has already replaced the cosmetic faults but has stated that this problem is of doubtful outcome.

My incident appears to be related to ssm 16771 that ford has dealers abiding by in some attempt to post-product development "re-engineer" their product. my 2003 ford explorer which suffers from symptoms listed in the ssm was released by the dealer with the same symptoms it had upon delivery to the dealer (rough idle / stalling on cold start). now that ford has had the dealer alter the ecm programming (i'm guessing to richen the idle air-fuel mixture) i wonder if my vehicle still passes emissions and has epa certified fuel economy??? not likely... *jb

Engine taps and loud. *jb

While driving approximately at 55 mph the vehicle stalled. this was an intermittent problem. it had become hard to start the vehicle when this occurred. the vehicle was taken to the dealership before but the mechanic could not find the cause of the problem. *ak the dealer advised the consumer to change the fuel from unleaded to premium and place a gas treatment in it and the problem would not persist but the problem continued. the consumer was then told that the transceiver circuit was the problem but again the problem returned. *scc *jb

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

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

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 focused transmission issues (always something slightly different than previous), engine function, and other mechanical issues. an extended warranty was purchased, but due to the parameters of the warranty, all issues were not fixed because they "were not able to be duplicated", (i.e. an intermittent transmission issue that had been occurring for 30,000 miles). now that we are out of our warranty vehicle, we have an overpriced vehicle that is still owed on that will continue to need significant repairs. the most recent issue is the heating element, including the actuator and blend door function. this faulty piece will fail in the cold position. this causes a safety issue because you are faced with a repair that you may not be able afford (since they can run up to $1200) and having heat in the winter. with the current auto industry having the issues they are, they need to begin to make quality vehicles that aren't made to break just to get more money out of customers. to have continued customers, a company must have a consistent product that people can trust. the current american auto industry does not have that. *tr

while the consumer was driving at an undetermined speed engine check light appeared on the dash, causing the vehicle to stall. consumer contacted dealer on four occasions, but problem still occurs. *ak consumer seeking or vehicle replacement reimbursement for repairs on engine, right rear door, and center console lid. *la

Rear glass opened while driving. loud whistling noise coming from under dash/engine. no power. stalls on take off. *ak

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