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7.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$300
Average Mileage:
90,100 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
2003 Ford Expedition electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Ford Expedition Owner Comments

problem #8

Mar 112013

Expedition SLT 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

Service engine light comes on for gas cap even though Ford has fixed it twice. Door ajar light comes on in any change of temp. Ford shakes their head and replaces parts that only corrects their bottom line. Friend with same problem had a fire after Ford fixed.

- Dennis E., Yulee, FL, US

problem #7

Jun 012014

Expedition Eddie Baur

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Interior lights stay on, must manually turn off, CD player will not eject cd's. Door Ajar light stays on, all doors are closed. Check Gas Cap light stays on, Back up sensor does not work, Advatrac will not turn on. Power mirrors engage every time I use my keyless entry. Rear power window stopped working. Car sputters, pops, and dies while driving. Running 70 on the interstate "3" times the car just died. Dies at stop lights. Have replaced the wire harness, PCM, and fuel pump.

Ford doesn't know what the problem is. Wants to charge me $100 per hour to diagnose, says it could run me $1000 just to diagnose then they can't guarantee they can fix it. Been in the shop now for 6 weeks, they can't fix it. I will be bringing it home tomorrow to use as a lawn ornament. I have a vehicle that I can't drive, can't sell, and can't trade! This thing is an accident waiting for a place to happen. I will NEVER buy another Ford!!!! I have read that more people have had the same problems. That maybe the fuse box is wet? Not the case here. This happens when there is no moisture involved. I have also posted my complaints on FORD Facebook page. We'll see.....

- sherriear, Lowell, AR, US

problem #6

Sep 142012

Expedition

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

radio wouldn't turn off, dome lights didn't work, door locks would not work, automatic head lights would not come on.

Update from Nov 26, 2012: problem was AC condensate drain plugged and leaking inside behind kick plate on passenger side. the main wiring harness runs here and was getting wet, there are factory wire splices in this location. water got in the splice and caused intermittent failures, resulting in random electrical problems primarily with dome lights, door locks, and radio staying on

- David P., Early, TX, US

problem #5

Sep 132011

Expedition 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,500 miles

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

The electrical issues have gradually worsening. First the heated/air conditioned seats quit working, next the interior lights stayed on unless locked out manually. Then the door ajar light stayed on, then the back-up sensor failed, and then the engine died on us at highway speeds (a serious hazard) and continues to do this on occasion. Now we are experiencing rough starts and occasionally engine surges. When the rough start happens a strong fuel smell accompanies it in the cab. Perfect maintenance is kept on this vehicle and is usually driven by my wife very prudently. I am about to explode with all of the issues on this rather expensive, high end vehicle. Why hasn't Ford recalled this vehicle because I am aware that these are common issues with Expedition owners. This is a safety issue also with the engine cut-off at highway speeds!

- William C., Spirit Lake, ID, US

problem #4

Feb 272011

Expedition XLT 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

The car keeps turning off and now the transmission is acting up, and it has to do with the relay I keep changing, its all related to the same relay (PCM) and for the fuel pump!!! what is the cure!!!

- castellanosnj, Elizabeth, NJ, US

problem #3

May 022011

Expedition 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

Ok, same problem as everyone else. description and then fix at the end. Description Dome lights stay on, dash lights stay on, engine wont start and all has to do with humidity or rain. What i have replaced and done Yes if your battery is drained your Expedition gets stupid. Found out anything below 77% and buzzers and lights start going off and you will not be able to trace the problem. I replaced the starter relay switch or a couple of them and the white relays above them at $8.00 a piece Auto zone $24.00 at ford and replaced the ignition switch $40 at auto zone $400 at ford to have them do it. Also put a kill switch in off the ignition, Went out this morning and battery was drained. Although the ignition switch was part off the reason it would not shut off i feel if yours shuts off you do not need to replace, easy fix tho. i read in a blog after hours of looking and passed over what one guy wrote and i went back to it because nothing else was working. The FIX cleaned battery connectors and sprayed with Battery terminal protector Took every fuse out and disconnected all the cables and sprayed with wire Dryer Auto zone $5 open hood disconnected the 3 connectors that go to the computer and sprayed them, what it does is keeps water and humity out of the conectors. I now dont keep the auto head light switch on and i keep the dome light swich off and just turn on when needed. Everything works and battery is not draining any longer. i have had this truck since 2003 and been chasing this problem since i bought it, and many trips to dealer with lots of money no fix. Bottom line Wire dryer and light control in off position $5.00 and fixed. YAAAA P.S If you find yourself not being able to start your truck before you do this, in the fuse box under the dash on passenger side their is are 3 white relays rite above the 6 starter relays, the one closes to the door jam un plug and plug back in and it will start, also if your truck wont shut off, unplug it. 8 years and finally fixed

- Gene B., Allen, TX, US

problem #2

Jun 012008

Expedition Eddie Bauer V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I love my car! But I am considering the fact that I really am not safe in this vehicle. I don't want to sink a ton of money into a car that might catch fire because they cannot find the electrical problem. I also don't want to blow up while driving down the road because I didn't have the car repaired. I am furious with Ford for not building a better car.

- Amy P., Beaufort, SC, US

problem #1

Oct 012008

Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

live in Chicago IL. (20 minutes outside) and my Expedition was left outside. It got cold (48 outside) over night, and my Ford was dead in the morning, (dome lights wouldn't even turn on). I jumped it, and noticed that the climate control was inoperable (doesn't even light up). I took it to Ford, and they had thought that the unit burned out. Cool, I can buy one on e-bay for about $40.00 instead of 326.00 that they quoted me... I left feeling a little better, knowing what the problem was....Then something strange started happening... The 4wd high/low is flashing in 1 minute intervals at the same time. The driver seat is adjusting on it's own, the back up aid is not working, when I exit the vehicle the radio stays on, I have to re-open the doors and close them again to turn it off, and I still have the problem with the climate controls. Call me stupid, but this sounds a little more indepth than a climate control burning out. After reading countless issues with the Expedition (including the cool feature of auto ignite, where it decides to burn it's self to the ground after being parked for 3-5 hours) I am not sure I am very fond of this truck anymore. I am not encouraged by everyone on this having similar electrical problems, and not having Ford be able to identify the problem causes grave concern, seeing how my wife and 3 kids (who are secured in their car seats) are driving in a fire laden death trap. I almost hope it does burn down to the ground while parked on my street (I stoped parking in the garage, which is directly under the kids room). Does anyone have any clue as to what the problem is??

- John A., Lombard, IL, US

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