Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
STRUCTURE
03V094000SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONSfrom 08/01/2000 to 03/03/2003V (Vehicle)367403/07/2003MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY03/07/200303/18/2003
Defect SummaryCertain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. these units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Consequence SummaryThis overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. owner notification began march 7, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
NotesCustomers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STRUCTURE - BODY
0425112/27/200410014165Aluminum corrosion - service tip. *tt04/28/2005
0217909/02/200210008583Body-body joint reinforcement material-repair procedure. *mj08/06/2004
1757402/01/200410008137Interior carpet curling near the emergency brake. *tt07/22/2004
1708408/01/200310003179Noise from door cladding at highway speeds. *tt10/09/2003
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
1622209/01/200210008601Door squeak/rattle. *mj08/09/2004
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
05161006/07/200510017924Clunk/grind/thump noise - frame repair procedure. *tt12/07/2005

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STRUCTURE
02/17/2009670001
 I own a 2003 ford expedition. while washing my suv, i recently discovered that the front of the slots on the roof between the luggage racks have rust bubbling up through the paint. there is no apparent damage in this area and 3 of the tracks have the same problem at varying stages of progression. i was informed by ford that this was not covered under my warranty and there was nothing they could (would) do for me. i called the ford customer service hot line and was told the same. *tr
01/06/200818000208/02/2007
 Outside mirror lights and interior lights would not go off after getting out of vehicle and pressing remote lock button. they eventually ran the battery down. this was after a hard rain. a few weeks later the same thing happened only this time, the radio would not turn off (key out of ignition and doors open) the chime kept going off and the battery went dead because i did not disconnect it. i researched online and found this is not uncommon because the windshield leaks, from the factory, and water drips down onto the computer module and fuse box. i checked my fuse box and i did have dripping water in it along with corroded connectors, inside the vehicle, indication long term intrusion of water. this causes all kinds of problems. other owners have reported complete loss of power while driving. upon inspecting my oem windshield i found it completely separated at the top and i could see light between the glass and seal. i now have to buy a new windshield along with fuse block and computer crap. the other problem is that the entire top of the windshield, as mentioned, is not sealed. i have been informed that the windshield integrity is a huge part of the strength of the vehicle and the windshield is used to support the passenger side air bag in case of deployment. i don't have that integrity on my vehicle. this is very unsafe condition and this should be something that ford pays for. *tr
06/01/200623000103/01/2004
 My 2003 expedition had a crack in the overhead console when i purchased it used in 2004. i didn't see it at the time of purchase and didn't think that much of it when i did discover the crack. in the past year and a half the console has simply cracked apart and the plastic is very brittle. i've glued it a number of times but it keeps cracking apart in different places. i've called the parts department at my local ford dealer and they tell me that i cannot purchase the housing for the overhead console separately. therefore, i must purchase an entire new console package including the lights, switch, etc. according to the dealer, this part will cost me approximately $450.00 not including any installation labor. i don't need the lights, switch, mirror, etc., because those parts are all functional and fine. all i need is the housing. the part cant be worth more than $10.00, especially when you consider how easily it broke into pieces. i don't know if this problem is prevalent in other expeditions, but i should not be forced to pay over $500.00 (parts and labor) for a small, cheap piece of plastic. *nm
05/28/20036
 2003 expedition headlight failed four different times due to water leakage. heat brackets rusted due to water leakage. *ts the consumer stated that ford was aware of the body seal problem with the vehicle, but didn't issue a recall. the dealer tried to fix the problem six times with no success. the drivers side door rattled. *jb
01/01/19016
 2003 expedition leaked water into headlights causing it to fail. seat brackets rusted caused by water leaks and door rattled. *ts the dealer was aware that there was body seal problem. *jb
10/03/2005312/27/2002
 Consumer is having problems with air condition making noise, power windows only lower, radio volume gets louder when accelerating seat control buttons are inoperable. *ts water leaked from the sunroof, even though it was closed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer on 3 separate occasions due to brake and rotor noise. the consumer experienced lack of power when attempting to accelerate. the consumer was unable to hear the radio separately when the dvd was playing. *jb
1
 While traveling windshield strip/molding blew off. the cause of the problem was not identified but the dealership replaced the strip/molding.*ak
106/04/2003
 There is a rattling noise in passenger side door. and at time it is hard to close. when the vehicle reached 43 mph a humming noise could be heard. the humming continued when the vehicle reached 59-72 mph. the technicians replaced the drive shaft twice but the noise continued. there was a roaring noise which came from the wheel area. the dealer adjusted the park brake shoes. the was noise the steering wheel was turn right or left. the technician added a wheel additive. the passenger door was difficult to close. the dealer adjusted the striker. the front windshield weather strip was loose. the dealer resealed it. the was rattling in the center of the dash. the dealer removed and reinstalled a cluster and reinstalled the insulation. the driver side seat belt twisted. *nlm
09/15/2002300109/15/2002
 2003 expedition has been vibrating since new. purchased in sept 2002 it has been back to the dealer numerous times to no avail. they changed the differential fluids, the tires , worked on the rear changed tire pressures. last time ford factory rep came to sayville ford. said there is a vibration, but an acceptable one. to who i do not know. this vehicle is used as an emergency vehicle. what a lemon. *jb
05/17/200325105/17/2003
 We just bought a new 2003 expedition eddie bauer 4x4. the same night we drove it home it started to rain and we noticed a leak at the driver's grab handle. we took it back to the dealer and they replaced the front windshield stating it was not sealed correctly to the car's body. the next night it rained again and there was a puddle of water in the driver's seat. i took it back to the dealership and now they are saying the internal and external metal was not sealed at the left top corner on the driver's side. they are keeping it overnight to see if it's still leaking and will notify me tomorrow. *nlm
STRUCTURE - BODY
02/06/200888000
 When it rains the rear doors of the vehicle fill with water. i have done everything i can to make sure the door is sealed but it still fills up with water. it has rained a lot this week and the doors are full again.
01/03/2012108000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 ford expedition. the contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the driver's door opened without warning and would not remain latched or closed. the dealer had not been notified of the failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. the current and the failure mileages were 108,000. the vin was unavailable. kmj
01/03/2012108000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2003 ford expedition. while driving 25 mph, the contact stated the driver side door opened without warning or activation and would not latch so that it remained closed. the dealer had not been notified. the manufacturer was aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. the current and the failure mileages were 108,000. the vin was unavailable. bw
12/02/2007
 Paint is seberely peeling off every where. mostly the hood, and rear hatch
07/01/2007200001
 First, the door ajar light came on and stayed on. i continued to go around the vehicle opening and shutting the doors and the light remained on. consumer could not start the vehicle since the light came on, and had to get a jump to start it. after a few days of this the battery was finally ruined, and i was forced to buy a new one. i used lubricants to try and clear debris from the door sensors and this worked for 3 months. now it will not work at all. talked to dealer and they want to charge 600 dollars per sensors. nothing wrong with sensor its just dirty. second, the rear ac is making a clicking noise and will not control temperature. i sent it under warranty to the dealership and replaced the ac mechanism, stated this was a common defect with the vehicle. 5 months later this part went out again and it was no longer under warranty and the dealership would not replace the problem and wanted to charge me over 300 dollars. they apparently replaced the defective part with the same defective part and would repair it again 5 months later!!!. third, the side panels on the expedition exterior started fading at about 20,000 miles. the dealership replaced them under warranty. about 20,000 miles later we noticed they had faded again. we took it to the dealership and they would not replace the defective panels this time because it was know longer under warranty. even though it was another defect replaced with a defective part. forth, the rear passenger exterior door/window trim is bubbling and peeling off. this looks horrible! fifth, the front passenger and font driver window switches that roll down the windows are having issues. i had the motor replaced for the passenger window and it fixed the issue for a little bit. now the passenger can not roll down the window. however the driver can??? please help! i need help with any or all of these issues. i don't know where else to go! *tr
08/09/200417493210/23/2002
 Dt: the drivers side tie rod has broken twice. both times was without warning. the dealer has fixed it once and now it is back to the dealer for the second time for same problem. the manufacturer took information from the consumer, but she has not heard back from them. *jb passenger side rear window does not go down from master switch. door ajar light does not go off. left front ball joint separated, then vehicle hit sign. lower control arm broken, upper ball joint bad, spindle broken sway bar link broken, cv boot torn and axle pulled out of front differential. tie rod end on left side broken and vacuum hub cracked on spindle and tire and rim damaged. also fender liner ripped out. spindle, upper control arm, lower control arm, cv boot replaced. clip for axle vacuum hub and wheel and tire, removed front differential to reinstall, axle and clip replaced wheel and tire and performed alignment. damage to hood when knuckle split. *tt *sb
06/01/2003500705/22/2003
 My expedition is a 1yr and 5 months. with less than 500 miles paid for a front end alignment and tire rotation, because of bad vibration at speeds of 60-70 miles an hour. still had vibration, took it back to dealer, they said the truck came with tires out of balance. still had vibration, took it back to dealership, a box dealing with the steering wheel had to be replaced. since then i have paid for another front end alignment and tire balance, now tires have worn so bad dealership will probably blame worn tires for the vibration. there is more!!! the seal on the front windshield came loose and started leaking, and had to be replaced. in the front defrost vent some foam stuff had come loose and would flap around when the vent was on, the dealership called it ( packing) it was replaced or glued back down. the side trim on both sides from the two front doors, to the two rear doors faded badly, and had to be replaced. the dome light had a pinched wire and would flicker when turned on or hit a bump, it was repaired. the power window swith light, driver side went out, and the unit had to be replaced, and now the cruise control will not stay engaged when i hit a bump most of this happened in under a year. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
04/20/20058
 Since we have owned this 2003 expedition we have had the windshield replaced due to noise and loose stripping, then, the contracting person put in the wrong years windshield. the emissions canister was cracked and was replaced. the muffler would pop after turning off the engine, but couldn't be fixed until verified by ford. i waited for 3-4 hours one day with 3 children while they let my car run and shut off. we finally called ahead, and had them wait outside on us until we killed the engine to hear it pop. it was a poor muffler weld and was repaired. the side molding rattled badly, and was terribly faded, and that was replaced. the door gets a lot of wind noise , and a whistle in the window. they said window passed the dollar bill test and was fine but it still whistles. they, put a clear strip along inside of door to help noise. it doesn't. then ,the rear continental tire had such horrible, uneven wear, it was extremely dangerous. bought new tires for $600. then rear differential malfunctioned, and would make a grinding on turning left or right. they fixed that in march 2005, and it just started doing it again. now, there is a strange noise when revving the engine to drive coming from under the hood. it is going in tomorrow for the noise and the rear differential. on top of all the repairs, we have had a squeaky brake issue. also, they have said they were good. they just get a lot of brake dust, just sand them. our side windows shimmies all the time. ! i did invest in an extended warranty!. *ak
10/10/20036
 Purchased new 2003 expediton eddie bauer in 10/03. doors rattle as though they are not closed. have taken vehicle back to dealership several times (they've had vehicle for close to six weeks total). problem still exits. soo much brake dust on front wheels that they are pitting. dealership says ford won't cover the wheels becuase of dust. *ak
02/12/20041
 While driving 65 mph driver's side door rattled. consumer was informed by the dealer on numerous occasions that the door would be replaced. consumer would pay for the repairs because vehicle was not covered by the warranty. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
06/25/200642000111/12/1994
 Dt*: the consumer exited the driver's seat, left the front door open and opened the back door to place some items in the back. unaware her 5 year old daughter had climbed over the front seat and sat in the driver
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
03/01/200418000204/05/2003
 Rear hatchback paint bubbling for the second time. it was repainted after 1 year and now is doing the same thing.*ak
05/02/20051
 Consumer was injured on the 2003 ford expedition while opening the rear window.*mr the consumer broke his left fourth finger on his left hand tore the ligament from his finger and caused damaged to his wrist just by opening the window. the window was designed to capture one's finger like a bottle opener. it was not angled out as to release. the window has pressure assist cylinders which that and a little wind caused the accident. *jb
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
05/15/200633000110/04/2002
 Dt*: the contact stated there was rust appearing on the liftgate under the handle and between the window and the door. it appeared to be bubbling and rust formed. the vehicle was taken to a independent service shop for regular maintenance when the rust was observed. the dealer indicated that the rust may be due to water captured between the window and the structure of the door. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE
09/01/2005110/01/2004
 2003 ford expedition window rolled up on consumer's hand.*mr *jb