Well it's not an Excursion or Super Duty but it is still a Ford...

I picked up an 03 Expedition XLT Premium for the wifey today. Now before you start with your bus and Super Duty jokes and the fact that I still don't know the secret handshake, just understand that she was originally leaning towards...*whew* it's hard to actually type it... a Chevy Avalanche! (Sorry if your computers just crashed...)

It feels good to be behind the wheel of a Ford again.

I had to buy a Cadillac Catera for the interm...it'll be nice to see that POS go. Now, I'll drive my tried and true Dodge Grand Caravan but the wife will have a nice safe truck.

I'll still be hanging out in the SD forum though.

 

Get your wife to the Doctor... she seems to be getting worse! Didn't she start out looking a for a Toyota redwood or something... and then her condition worsened to an Avalanch?

Congratulations on the Ford. Use WD40 on the doors to stop the "door ajar" light.

 

Did I read this right?? YOU drive the mini van ????

 

Ford... yes
Man... the jury's still out

Seriously, congrats on re-joining the family. The 2003 Expedition has the potential to be an incredible vehicle, but from my experience (dad has one) is full of gremlins. I hope you have better luck taming them than we have had... or at least a great service center! Best wishes on the new truck.

 

No wonder you have been among the missing. I would have hid too if my ol' lady wanted a Chevrolet. Do you get to drive the bus or not? You say you're behind the wheel again but then you speak of a Dodge. Well anyway WELCOME HOME we still love to hear from you.

 

congrats monsta. Hope you come around more often now

 

uhhhh.... yup...

Hey, it's a good vehicle for my line of work.

Haroutd, what gremlins should I be on the lookout for?

 

Congrats on the new SUV. We had a '97 Expy and loved it. Not sure about the IRS on the new models, but hopefully they have most of the 'bugs' worked out.

Try the mailing list found at www.xpedition.net. It used to be the absolute best resource for Expy info.

Too bad you moved (well, maybe not 'bad') from your old location, you could have attended the Expy owner's off-road gathering documented at www.xpeditionexpedition.org. We drove up one year and had a blast.

 

Thanks for the warning monsta. I was able to get out of the way.

 

Here's the list on our 2003 Expedition EB... hope you don't encounter them, but keep your eyes open for them.

(1) 2nd row seat exposed metal (seat rails) rusting. A tech article I found indicates Ford chose to rust-proof only, instead of paint & rust proofing. Saved them around a buck. Didn't work out well. This is a common problem.

(2) Mirrors not returning to original position after they tilt when you go in reverse. I found the TSB myself on the GEM module replacement to solve this issue, showed it to the dealer service guys (they were still only replacing mirrors, and were glad I helped), and the performed the TSB. It's still not working right... This is a common problem.

(3) Rear windshield latch not properly functioning. Door adjar light kept staying on. Dealer "fixed" this, but did not adjust the latch, so it still wasn't closing right. Door adjar issues are a somewhat common problem on this truck.

(4) Sun roof leaking water, even through the ceiling-mount heat A/C vents. I've heard from a few others who have experienced this, but not enough to say that it's common.

(5) Brake dust, brake duust, brake dust, brake dust, brake dust. Did I mention the brake dust situation is horrible? Sometime in late 4th quarter, a TSB should come out with new pads. Not sure if Ford's going to recall or just TSB it and replace only for those who complain, but be ready to complain! It's horrible. No matter how often you wash, you just can't keep up! This is a common and well know problem.

(6) Squeeking sound coming from back seet. This one kept the truck in service for 7 weeks! Service gave it to the body shop thinking a seam seperated in the floor and needed to be welded. Body shop contacted Ford engineering, and the circle-jerk just kept going. After my dad finally couldn't take it any more, he showed up, and blew his stack. One of the "grunts" finally figured out that if he puts in a simple rubber washer under one of the bolts that secures the back seat rails, no more squeek. 1 rubber washer to 7 weeks to diagnose.

(7) A few other squeeks have developed, but I'm afraid to look...

(8) I noticed deep ridges in the rotors at about 15,000 miles. Complained once... was told it's normal. Complained a second time, to the shop foreman. He apologized and said new rotors would be installed. The new rotors have the same ridges. The brakes also squeek very badly.

 

Welcome back into the fold - The wayward son has returned!

 

Avalance? isn't that the one that looks like a toaster? Trucks that look like kitchen apliances, kinda like the Jetsons.