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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,235 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Expedition seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2003 Ford Expedition Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 302008

Expedition 8-cyl

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This event occurred December 2008. We were heading to a dinner, pulled onto george bush turnpike from hwy 114 in irving, tx. The roadway is flat, our speed was accelerating to get onto the freeway from an entrance ramp. As we were merging onto gb turnpike we heard a loud bang, our side curtain airbags deployed....for no reason. We were shocked. At first we thought maybe someone hit us. We even thought maybe someone shot at our vehicle, then we realized the airbags had deployed. Fortunately, neither of us were sitting with our heads or arms near the windows to be injured by the deployment. We contacted our insurance company, however they told us that since there was no accident they could do nothing for us. We contacted our local Ford dealer the next day. They said they had never heard of such a thing, so we set up an appointment for them to look at our vehicle. They called a representative from Ford to come and inspect it. Based on the reading by the "computer", it indicated that our vehicle had encountered an "impending roll-over". we disputed this because there was no such impending rollover, nor was there any swerving, anything that could have even been considered something to have caused this situation. Ford would do nothing because the computer indicated there was an impending rollover it was deemed our fault, not a faulty computer. We contact Ford corporate, they treated us as though we were just people wanting something for nothing. We wanted our vehicle repaired due to their faulty equipment. They would not relent, the computer indicated it was our fault, therefore as far as they were concerned was. We sent our complaint to your organization the first part of 2009, there was never any action taken. Since this occurrence we have heard of this same issue with other vehicles. Now, the government has stepped in due to these problems, we would like to have our vehicle placed in with the recall with the F150's to have it repaired.

- Texas, TX, USA

problem #9

Aug 222010

Expedition

  • 101,000 miles
Hello, I am writing to you about my vehicle. I have a 2003 Ford Expedition and we were traveling out of town to North Carolina Sunday 8/22/2010 when I was about 10 minutes away from my destination & all of a sudden we heard a loud sound & a lot of pressure hit us in the chest. The truck then begins to fill up with smoke. I pulled over not knowing what had just happened, we then noticed that the side curtain air bags had deployed. I did not hit anyone nor did anyone hit us. I then called 911 & ask for the police to come out & give me a police report and he refused to give me one. I took my truck to malcolm cunningham Ford & they said that it was nothing that they could do for me but to put it on a censor machine & find out why they deployed. They then told me that my car insurance would be responsible for this & the insurance company said that it was a maintenance issue & not there problem. I called Ford corporation & the only thing that they told me was they could just put in a claim but there was nothing else that they could do unless someone die or was severely injured. Well all 3 of us were injured in this incident. I need help in this matter. I am now out of a truck that I am still paying on & Liberty mutual insurance will not pay for me a rental and I have full coverage insurance. Everywhere I turn everyone is turning me down, likes it my fault. This has caused me pain, suffering, emotional stress and not to mention time off work. If someone could help in assisting me with this matter I would greatly appreciate it. Regards, X

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #8

Jun 112009

Expedition

  • 130,000 miles
Driving on side road doing about 30 to 35 my side air bag curtains deployed. Sounded like a gun went off and white powder came out, took to Ford said cant find anything wrong, but charge me 250 dollars to tell me the code show air bag deploy, about 5 months late the seat belt pretensioner went off while sitting in a parking lot, same noise and powder, Ford said not their problem.

- Moreno, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 122009

Expedition

  • 78,751 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Immaculate side airbag deployment both sides which driving. No bump or accident.

- Anniston, AL, USA

problem #6

Nov 012008

Expedition

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. While driving approximately 35 mph, the side air bags spontaneously deployed without cause. The dealer could not identify the cause of the failure and refused to pay for the repair. The manufacturer advised the contact to call her insurance company. The failure and current mileages were 106,000. Updated 12-02-08 updated 12/02/08.

- Mareno Valley, CA, USA

problem #5

Dec 292007

Expedition 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles
Unexpected side curtain airbags deployed while driving on the highway without any abrupt side movement of the vehicle. These airbags deployed while traveling straight at a constant rate of speed (65mhh) on the highway. This caused a significant explosive noise in the vehicle and resulted in the driver and passenger being disoriented for a few seconds. This occurred in a 2003 Ford Expedition with 65K miles and no modifications or previous damage on the vehicle. The dealership scanned the vehicle computer which showed the vehicle experienced an impending rollover causing the airbag deployment. The computer malfunctioned and the Ford dealership nor Ford will repair this damage to the airbags and headliner.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #4

Dec 192006

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

- the contact was driving on the highway at 75 mph. Simultaneously the airbags on the right front and rear side door, as well as, the left front door and rear front door deployed. Before incident contact did not have any prior notification regarding his airbags. He did get a warning light regarding his airbags after the incident. If needed contact can provide pictures of hid deployed airbags

- Wheton, IL, USA

problem #3

Apr 052005

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles
Consumer vehicle was T-bone by another vehicle at 40-45 mph, all occupants was restrained in their seat belts and no injury was reported. The impact occurred in the middle of the SUV on the passenger side. None of the side air bags deployed. The insurance company had the vehicle towed to the body shop. The manufacturer was notified, but the cause of the problem had not been determined at his time.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 032004

Expedition

  • 34,000 miles
While driving 70 mph front side air bags inadvertently deployed. Consumer drove home. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Quincy, CA, USA

problem #1

Apr 282004

Expedition 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While pulling out the driveway and turning to left driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed. Manufacturer representative from the legal department stated, after inspecting the vehicle, there was white mark on the right rear tire and it was made when the consumer hit the curve. The consumer indicated that there was no curb to hit and that no collision occurred. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturers were willing to accept any responsibility. The consumer's had to replace the air bag themselves. The consumer sustained temporary hearing loss and ringing in the ears.

- Saint Marys, GA, USA

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