Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 27 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words
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
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 REPORTS OF IDENTICAL INCIDENTS ONLINE. THUS FAR, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR FORD NATIONAL "CUSTOMER SERVICE" IS PREPARED TO REIMBURSE.
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 COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
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
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
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, WHICH DRAINS MY BATTERY AND MY LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF AT TIMES. I HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN THEM ON/OFF. I DISLIKE DOING THAT BECAUSE I'LL FORGET SOMETIMES. MY REAR LIFT-GATE CRACKED ONE DAY TOO. I BELIEVE ITS FROM THE CHEAP PLASTIC. IT'S DANGEROUS AND MY GLASS CAN FALL OUT ANY DAY NOW. I ALSO PINCHED TWO BLOOD CLOTS IN MY HAND FROM OPENING THIS CRACKED REAR HATCH AND HAD TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR IT. PLEASE HELP ME GET THESE THINGS FIXED. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *TR
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.
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
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
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 VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT CAME OUT IN HIS HAND. LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF. A CAST IRON BRACKET WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 05/31/12
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
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 SIDE DOOR WAS JAMMED SHUT. AFTER EVERYONE WAS OUT SAFELY THE SUV HAS BEEN TOWED AND IS WITH AN AUTO CENTER FOR REPAIRS AND BODY WORK. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE YET FORD HAS NOT HAD ANY RECALLS DESPITE THE FREQUENCY OF THIS ISSUE. IF YOU SEARCH "2003 FORD EXPLORER PROBLEMS" IT WILL COME UP. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I CAN SEE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE PAID FOR THEIR VEHICLES TO BE REPAIRED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN ON ANOTHER WHEEL. *TR
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
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. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 165,000. UPDATED 11/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 11/24
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ON FEBRUARY 17, 2008, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WARNING. SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE RAPIDLY APPROACHING THE CONTACT, WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A FATAL CRASH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, AFTER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS ORDERED AND MAY BE AVAILABLE BY NEXT WEEK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR TWO WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER'S PRESIDENT WAS NOTIFIED ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THE SECRETARY FORWARDED THE MESSAGES TO A LIAISON. THE CONTACT WANTED THE VEHICLE REPLACED, BUT THE LIAISON STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT SAW ON THE NEWS THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL AND FILED CASE NUMBER 0490000518. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO EXISTING RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING FAILURES OCCURRED WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER: ON MARCH 1, 2004, THE RING AND PINIONS FAILED, ON MARCH 31, 2004, THE PINION VALVE LEAKED, WAS DAMAGED, TESTED AND REPAIRED. ON APRIL 14, 2004, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT PINION SEAL WAS LEAKING AND REPLACED. THE UPPER BEARING WAS ALSO REPAIRED. THE VIN APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
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 GOING OVER THE OVERPASS). I SHUT THE CAR ENGINE OFF, WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES ,TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE MY CAR. I KEEP IT MAINTAINED, I HAVE RELATIVELY NEW TIRES ON IT AND IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 57,400+ MILES ON IT. *TR
FOR ABOUT A WEEK STRANGE NOISES WERE OBSERVED UPON SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. DURING A 5 MILE TRIP INTO TOWN, POWER STEERING PUMP NOISE WAS OBSERVED WHEN TURNING. UPON REACHING DESTINATION I EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND OBSERVED A LOT OF STEERING PUMP NOISE. UPON RETURN HOME I CHECKED THE RESERVOIR TO FIND IT EXTREMELY LOW AND A CHECK UNDER THE VEHICLE REVEALED FLUID HAD BEEN LEAKING AND DISTRIBUTED ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FILLING AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, NO APPARENT LOCATION WAS OBSERVED EXCEPT THE CONNECTION TO THE RACK & PINION LOOKED TO BE LEAKING BUT THE ONLY EVIDENCE WAS APPARENT LACK OF DUST BUILD UP WHICH WAS EVIDENT AROUND THE ATTACHMENT PLATE WHICH INDICATES THERE HAS BEEN ENOUGH FLOW TO REMOVE BUILDUP FROM LEAKING CONDITION. *JB
WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS ON AN INCLINE, I PROCEEDED TO START THE CAR AND SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND. I WAS FORTUNATE BECAUSE I WAS NOT ON THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY, NOR DID I BACK OVER A CHILD, CAT OR DOG, ETC. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF I WERE ON TRAIN TRACKS AND THE TRAIN WAS COMING AND I COULDN'T GET OUT OF GEAR, OR TRY TO PARK ON A HILL IN SAN FRANCISCO, OR DOWNSHIFT TO MAKE IT UP A MOUNTAIN GRADE. TOWED VEHICLE TO TUTTLE CLICK FORD. RECEIVED QUOTE FROM THEM AS WELL AS SANTA MARGARITA FORD. (OVER $600 DIFFERENCE. QUOTE WAS DOUBLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TUTTLE CLICK VS OVER THE PHONE QUOTE!) CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO AUTOMOTIVE PLUS WHERE A RELIABLE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, AS FORD RECOMMENDED. ALSO, A RENTAL CAR WAS NEEDED, AND THERE WAS A "DIAGNOSTIC" CHARGE OF $50. I SAVED THE OLD PART FOR INSPECTION/LEGAL ACTION. *NM
I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER NEW, EVER SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, I BELIEVE THE FIRST 6 MONTHS IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. ISSUES WITH WINDOWS, PAINT BUBBLING AFTER HAVING THE PROTECTIVE COAT PUT ON IT. THERE HAVE BEEN FAR TO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE TO EVEN RECALL. I TRIED ONCE TO GET IT REPLACED UNDER THE LEMON LAW AND WAS TOLD IT DID NOT QUALIFY. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 39,000 MILES ON IT AND ALREADY HAS HAD 2 RACK AND PINIONS REPLACED. WHEN I ASKED FORD IF THERE WAS A RECALL THEY SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT, WHEN I SAID HOW CAN A 36,000 MILE VEHICLE ALREADY NEED 3 RACK IN PINIONS THERE RESPONSE WAS WELL ITS ACTUALLY ONLY TWO, I SAID NO IT ORIGINALLY HAD A RACK IN PINION WHEN I PURCHASED IT SO IT IS ON ITS 3RD. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL REPAIRED IN THE REAR WINDOW AS WELL AND NOW IT HAS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. WHEN I CALLED TO SET UP AN APPT. WAS TOLD I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME, THEY TOLD ME KNOW BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A FORD WARRANTY. I CALL THE SHOP BACK COMPLAINING WHY WAS I SENT THERE, THEY SAID BECAUSE IT WAS THE ORIGINAL SHOP AND THEY SHOULD HAVE SERVICED IT. THIS IS THE PROBLEM, YOU TAKE THE VEHICLE IN WITH PROBLEMS NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND WHEN THEY DO THEY FIX IT AND IT BREAKS AGAIN. SO AT THIS POINT MY REAR WINDOW DOES NOT OPEN, I AM ON MY 3RD RACK IN PINION, HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE GAUGES NOT WORKING AND SO ON AND SO ON. THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. HERE I PURCHASED A NEW ONE SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CAR PROBLEMS AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE HAD SINCE DAY ONE. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND A FORD TO ANYONE NOR WOULD I PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. SORRY THING FOR ME, WAS IF I DID NOT PAY CASH FOR IT, I WOULD HAVE DEFAULTED ON THE LOAN AND THEY COULD HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE. *NM
WHEN ADJUSTING STEERING WHEEL FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS IT WON'T LOCK IN POSITION. WITH THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL IT WILL FALL INTO DRIVER'S HANDS. HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER.*AK
2003 FORD EXPLORER...DURING YIELD TO TURN LEFT AND THEN MAKING LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS IF SOMEONE HAD PULLED KEY OUT OF IGNITION CAUSING VEHICLE TO STEER LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS MOVING BETWEEN 5-15 MPH AT TIME OF FAILURE. TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTING WE FOUND THAT STEERING AGAIN RELEASED AND WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE HOME. I TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN" OF COURSE IT HAPPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 27,000 MILES,,,VERY UNLIKELY TO GET IT TO HAPPEN THE DAY THEY LOOK AT IT. THEY DID HOWEVER REPLACE THE COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN TO REMEDY AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM WHERE THE SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD POP INTO DRIVE(AFTER ACCELLERATING)EVEN THOUGH IT INDICATED THE SELECTOR WAS IN DRIVE ALREADY. I NEED IMMEDIATE REMEDY TO THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE SINCE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY HOPING FOR HELP. CONSEQUENTLY NOT RELATED TO THE STEERING LOCKING PROBLEM THE REAR WINDOW ON THE LEFT REAR HAS HAD 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS TO FIX A INTERMITT INOP PROBLEM,,,AND THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT MAKES NOISE...I HAVE 4 FORDS IN MY FAMILY(F150 AND F250) THAT WE HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH HOWEVER WE HAVE NOW LOST COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE...SEEMS THE DEALER JUST DOESNT KNOW OR WANT TO DO ANYTHING ADDITIONAL!*AK
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE ROD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ROD DUE TO WORN PARTS. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND WOULD ONLY STEER TO THE LEFT. THIS RESULTED IN VEHICLE GOING OVER AN EMBANKMENT. *AK
RACK-PINION STEERING GEAR LEAKS FLUID. *LA
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .