2003 Ford Explorer Sport

▲ Better than typical

2003 Ford Explorer Sport
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:55:17.926Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2003: 65 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1993	5
1997	37
1998	121
1999	93
2000	71
2001	188
2002	133
2003	65
2004	18
2005	5

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 43%

43% of complaints: structure — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and hinge and attachments.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

ON THE MORNING OF 1/29/14 I WAS AT THE MARKET ,CAME OUT TO LOAD MY ITEMS INTO THE VEHICLE , OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE AT ABOUT THE 1/3 OPEN POINT THE GLASS EXPLODED INTO A MILLION PIECES .

NHTSA ODI report, 20140204

Also filed under VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT SPORT. WHILE CLOSING THE LIFTGATE THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A FEW CUTS ON THE CONTACT'S HANDS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070430

BODY MOUNTS DETERIORATED CRUMPLED.BODY DOWN ON FRAME CAUSING IRREGULAR RIDE CONTROL

NHTSA ODI report, 20181028

VISIBILITY 15%

15% of complaints: visibility — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing glass, side/rear and sun/moon roof assembly.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

REAR VIEW MIRROR GIVES A FALSE IMAGE, WHEN THERE ARE NO CARS BEHIND VEHICLE DRIVER CAN OT SEE IN REARVIEW WINDOW. BUT IF CARS ARE BEHIND DRIVER CAN SEE. CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030602

VISIBILITY/WIPER 11%

11% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 7 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing leaf spring assembly and wheel bearing.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and cables.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090421 — PE (closed 20090819)

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS