2003 Explorer question ..... help me out!!
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
2003 EB Explorer with same vibration
I am livid. I just wrote a letter to Ford asking what my rights are concerning the lemon law with their vibration issue. (droning sound over 55mph). Haven't heard back yet.
If anyone out there can tell of how Ford has dealt with the same issue and whether or not your problem was corrected, it is greatly appreciated.
If anyone out there can tell of how Ford has dealt with the same issue and whether or not your problem was corrected, it is greatly appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
Dont ask Ford what your rights are, what do you think they are going to do? Ask your state Attorney General. Go to your states website and search for "lemon law".
I assume you already asked your dealer to examine your driveshaft..
I assume you already asked your dealer to examine your driveshaft..
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
Sorry, let me rephrase that. Based on the other posters info maybe you should or perhaps you have suggested the dealer to look at the diriveshaft, esp. if you can point to a TSB about it. I didnt mean to suggest you would have known otherwise to suspect the driveshaft. What exactly have they told you or done to it? I have an 03 also, so far no problems at 5K miles thankfully.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Bought my '96 explorer in '99 with 27,000 miles on it. Never noticed any vibration. When the tires wore out I went to Don Olson for new tires. After a while on trips I couldn't go 60 - 65 because the vibration would drive me nuts. I brought it back several times in the few year that I had the tires. They would balance them and rotate them. Never quit the vibration. I finally wore the tires out and went to Sam's for a set of Bridgestones I think (Wife's truck). I haven't felt the vibration since. I believe that the size tires these require have flaws in the roundness. That is why one poster said that this problem can be related to many SUV's. I have had good luck with the tires that I have now and hopefully when I buy new ones will be just as lucky.
Of course Don Olson told us that they couldn't track down the vibration because it could be any number of things. I know now that it was all in the tires.
Good luck to all with this problem. It definitely is hard to take on the highway.
Of course Don Olson told us that they couldn't track down the vibration because it could be any number of things. I know now that it was all in the tires.
Good luck to all with this problem. It definitely is hard to take on the highway.
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 14
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As I re-read my response, I apologize if i came across a little jumpy. I am just frustrated.
When I brought the problem to their attention, it was before I found this site, and had no idea what the problem could be. They did ask a on a few occasions to make sure that I heard the "noise" with my rear windows up. I assured the service tech that I was not an idiot, and knew the difference between a pressure induced noise (usually occuring at higher speed with only the rear windows open) and a f&*#in' problem with the car.
I picked the car up later that day and they handed me a letter that looked like it was copied about 1,000 times with a statement from Ford saying that the engineering dept. was looking into the problem. I am convinced that they didn't even drive the damn car to hear it for themselves.
This is all happening with a car that is 7 months old and has under 5,000 miles on it. The problem did occur at about mile 500.
I just wish I can get this resolved, because other than this problem, i do not have any other major complaints.
When I brought the problem to their attention, it was before I found this site, and had no idea what the problem could be. They did ask a on a few occasions to make sure that I heard the "noise" with my rear windows up. I assured the service tech that I was not an idiot, and knew the difference between a pressure induced noise (usually occuring at higher speed with only the rear windows open) and a f&*#in' problem with the car.
I picked the car up later that day and they handed me a letter that looked like it was copied about 1,000 times with a statement from Ford saying that the engineering dept. was looking into the problem. I am convinced that they didn't even drive the damn car to hear it for themselves.
This is all happening with a car that is 7 months old and has under 5,000 miles on it. The problem did occur at about mile 500.
I just wish I can get this resolved, because other than this problem, i do not have any other major complaints.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 895
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From: Tampa
Is this all done at the same dealer? if so talk to another dealer.We have about 8 dealers here and they all give something diffrent. Finely when to a trainy shop and they told me that was wrong. Dent in drive shaft and the u-joint had no grease at all.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I've experienced the 60MPH vibration also. Took it (it being a 2003 Limited) back after 2 weeks and was told it was normal; all new design Explorers did it.
Went back after 8000 miles of driving with the vibration and told them to check the driveshaft. A new one was supposedly being designed (per a TSB; I'll get the number when I retrieve the vehicle). Well they finally got a new one delivered (after a 2 week wait) and it didn't cure the problem. They told me they spoke to the Ford hotline and it was suggested that they examine the differential. Sure enough, the unit wasn't "packed tight enough" and there was too much play with major scoring visible. They are rebuilding the unit now and are positive this will cure the vibration.
Supposed to pick it up later today. We'll see if the problem is gone.
Went back after 8000 miles of driving with the vibration and told them to check the driveshaft. A new one was supposedly being designed (per a TSB; I'll get the number when I retrieve the vehicle). Well they finally got a new one delivered (after a 2 week wait) and it didn't cure the problem. They told me they spoke to the Ford hotline and it was suggested that they examine the differential. Sure enough, the unit wasn't "packed tight enough" and there was too much play with major scoring visible. They are rebuilding the unit now and are positive this will cure the vibration.
Supposed to pick it up later today. We'll see if the problem is gone.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 161
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From: Loveland
My mom and dad just bought a 2003 Explorer 2wd, it has 350 miles on it so the tires can't be cupped, they are experiencing the same vibration. They said it is between 60-65 MPH, it goes away at any other speed. Ford dealer is looking at it right now.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13
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Got the vehicle back yesterday evening; Dealer said everything fine - no vibration during their test drive. Took it out last night and decided there was no change from the original condition. The vehicle still begins to vibrate at about 60 accompanied by a kind of droning noise. Forgot to mention, they also rebalanced and rotated the tires/wheels. Knew this wouldn't work since I had it done by an independent tire shop several months ago, but I let them do it again anyway.
Regarding the driveshaft, it isn't a TSB, but rather a SSM (no number yet) which means you don't get it unless you complain about the vibration. I supposedly have the redesigned unit and it doesn't appear to make any difference.
Will keep you posted.
Regarding the driveshaft, it isn't a TSB, but rather a SSM (no number yet) which means you don't get it unless you complain about the vibration. I supposedly have the redesigned unit and it doesn't appear to make any difference.
Will keep you posted.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Took various members of the Service Dept. for a ride in the Explorer as a means of "calibrating" them to the vibration we have been experiencing at 60MPH. They described it as a rumble rather than a vibration. I said I didn't care what they called it, I just wanted it fixed. At least they are acknowledging the problem. I believe they are at a loss trying to determine the cause and the people at the Ford Hotline are just guessing. End result is that it's going back to the Service Dept again today (25th day at the dealer since Sept. 4). Maybe this time???
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 161
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From: Loveland
the dealer gave my mom and dad their Explorer back after a week and said they need to order a drive shaft for it. sounds like they are stabbing in the dark also. it's their first Ford and this is what they get, talk about being wizzed off! This is two American car mfgs they won't go back to. it's GM from here on out, and if I know them, they will persue the lemmon law route as well if they don't get this fixed in three tries.
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Finally got fed up (again) and called the service dept. to see if they heard from Ford about a fix for the vibration problem. They actually said they were told two things to "try". I dropped the car off this evening. I believe they think that the problem has something to do with a void or an opening in the bottom of the chassis that the air would resonate at higher speeds. Who knows......, but we will see if anything changes. Otherwise this is my second try of 4 needed for arbitration (lemon law).