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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 1
Average Mileage:
36,788 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 wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2003 Ford Expedition Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Jun 112016

Expedition

  • 30,000 miles

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

2003 Ford Expedition, with factory original tires by Continental, had a tire tread separation on June 11 which resulted in one death and four serious injuries. Vehicle was in motion, driver lost control and hit a tree...updated 02/02/17

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #32

Apr 152011

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
Goodyear tire blowout. Size: 265/75/17 #1306431.

- Jeffersonville, VT, USA

problem #31

Sep 042010

Expedition

  • 110,000 miles
While traveling at 65mph, we experienced complete tread separation of right rear tire. Tire had approximately 60-70% tread left.

- Walker, LA, USA

problem #30

Jun 052010

Expedition

  • 17,000 miles

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

Driving on highway and tire tread came off and did $1,700 worth of damage to rear quarter panel and bumper. Continental tire agreed to pay damages but not replace tires. I have not received reimbursement for damages, I have been waiting over 30 days for the check which in the letter they sent stated I would receive it within 8-14 days. I feel they are giving me the run around.

- Williamston, SC, USA

problem #29

May 152010

Expedition

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the tread on the rear passenger side tire began to separate. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the mechanic installed a spare tire on the vehicle. Within 20 miles, the spare tire blew out. The tire line was Continental sport lt/SUV, size P265/70/R17. The contact stated that the tire had 30,000 miles on it. The failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 89,628.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #28

May 162010

Expedition 4WD 6-cyl

  • 89,628 miles
We had 2 tires blow out while driving our Ford Expedition on I-95 in fla almost flip twice the skin of the tires came off during driving at 65 mph tires are Continental SUV P265/70/R17 damage to the truck as well as lots of expenses for towing and repairs $700 dollars plus the towing company put the spare on also a Continental 20 minutes later it also blew.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #27

Oct 232009

Expedition

  • 107,000 miles

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

On Oct 23 while driving I noticed a thumping noise. Upon inspection I discovered the left rear tire had a large bubble sticking out on the inside of the tire between the tread and the sidewall. This is the exact same failure that I experienced on the inside of the right rear tire in Aug. In both cases I had been driving for a short period on the interstate and was preparing to rejoin the interstate. I was extremely fortunate that both were discovered prior to an explosive failure and tread separation at high speed on the highway. The first tire the dealer claimed it may of been some sort of impact, which I doubted since the vehicle was mainly used for highway driving. However after this second tire, it is apparent to me that the tire is failing between the tread and sidewall. It appears to be separating where the tread joins the inside belting.

- Niceville, FL, USA

problem #26

Jun 222009

Expedition

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The vehicle has Continental Contitrac SUV tires, size P265/70R17. While driving approximately 70 mph, the rear of the vehicle began to shimmy and shake, followed by a clicking noise. The driver inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver's side tire exhibited tread separation. The tire is in the process of being replaced. The dot number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 68,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #25

Apr 272009

Expedition

  • miles
Catastrophic failure and tread separation. Belts were rusty upon inspection (immediately following failure). Remaining wirecoat showed rust remnants impregnating rubber where the wire previously was. Tire showed no signs of imminent failure prior to incident.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #24

May 152009

Expedition

  • 73,000 miles
Cracks on 3 of 4 tires. No action taken.

- Dorchester., MA, USA

problem #23

Sep 212008

Expedition

  • 76,207 miles

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

Driving along highway 50, outside sacramento at about 65mph in the early evening on 9/21/08 when I heard a loud popping sound and the back end of the truck began to swing out of control. I managed to remain in control and get to the edge of the freeway. When I looked at the tire, the tread from the back driver's side tire was totally gone, but the tire was still inflated. The tread had caused quite a bit of damage to my back panel and bumper assembly.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #22

Jul 182008

Expedition

  • miles
I was taking my cousin to the jacksonville airport. I was approximately 25 miles outside of jacksonville when my tire blew out, causing me to loose control of my SUV. The SUV rollover six or seven times. The tread part of the tire separated from the tire. My air bags did not deploy also.

- Thomasville, GA, USA

problem #21

Aug 032008

Expedition

  • 104,477 miles
1st occurrence was a side wall bulge combination flat in the front right tire. Tire was replaced with new. 2nd most recent occurrence (08-03-2008) was a complete tread separation on the front right tire. Driving on interstate 10 for approximately 4 hours from phoenix to los angeles. Speed was 65mph to maximize gas consumption in the #2 lane.

- West Hills, CA, USA

problem #20

Jun 162008

Expedition

  • 63,504 miles
Tread separation- Continental Contitrac SUV, P265/70 R17, dot adt6 45ew 2802, 2003 Ford Expedition, 63,504 miles, all tires had good tread remaining, replaced all tires, left rear quarter panel badly damaged.

- Avinger, TX, USA

problem #19

Nov 202006

Expedition 8-cyl

  • miles
2nd set of Continental Contitrac tires on 2003 exp. Ford tires continue to go flat on weekly basis. After putting correct lbs of air within 2 days down to less then 10-15lbs 2nd set has been on for less then 18 months. Note: 17 inch model it is not listed under tire type note many other complaints regarding tire problem on same model.

- Harpers Ferry , WV, USA

problem #18

Sep 012006

Expedition 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The vehicle has Continental Contitrac aw tires (size P27560R17). One year after purchasing the tires, the contact noticed an air bubble on the rear passenger side tire. She returned to the store and exchanged the failed tire. A few months later, she noticed an air bubble on the rear driver side tire. A sales representative from wal-mart stated that the entire batch of tires was defective. The contact replaced the rear passenger side tire with a Goodyear tire. While driving approximately 75 mph, the rear passenger side tire blew out and all of the cables were exposed. The contact believes that the tires are unsafe. The dot number, VIN, engine size, # of cylinders, and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 97,000.

- Miami , FL, USA

problem #17

Jun 182007

Expedition 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,620 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. While driving 45 mph, the Bridgestone dueler at 840 tire blew out on the rear passenger side. The tire began to smoke and melt. The contact is currently driving on the spare tire. The dealer was notified and advised her to call the tire manufacturer. Bridgestone stated that they will not repair or replace the tire. The tire size is P265/70R17. Currently, the tire is still not repaired. The contact has photos available. The fuel system, powertrain, and dot number were unknown. The current mileage is 60,625 and failure mileage was 60,620.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #16

Jul 132005

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving he noticed a slight vibration around 72 mph. The dealership could not verify that this was happening. The consumer did have the tires rotated and the vehicle realigned. The contact's wife was driving and the vibration was so bad that it did cause injury to her wrists. About 6-8 months later there was had a defective tire on the rear passenger's side, but this had been rotated from the front. The service invoice stated that the tire has hop-in-tire, and was out of round. The tire manufacturer stated if it was a defect in the tire. They would not replace or reimburse the consumer because there were too many miles on the tire.

- Kimball, WV, USA

problem #15

Nov 242004

Expedition 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
I bought a 2003 Ford Expedition. I have been having problems w/ the ride, only to be told by the dealer that the only fix is to replace all of the tires. I only have 20000 miles (almost all highway) on the tires, with good tread depth. According to the technician "they've had tons of problems" with the Continental Contitrac SUV tires. If this is the case, why isn't there a recall? this vehicle is very hard to steer with the tire problem, and it shouldn't be the consumer that pays for these flaws.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #14

Jun 012003

Expedition

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
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.

- Antioch, TN, USA

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