2003 Ford Explorer

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more 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

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 609 complaints 1992: 633 complaints 1993: 939 complaints 1994: 1207 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1450 complaints 1996 1997: 1731 complaints 1998: 1959 complaints 1999: 1348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3293 complaints 2002 2003: 1131 complaints 2003 2004: 1304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 147 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1192 complaints 2012: 820 complaints 2013: 2222 complaints 2014: 1669 complaints 2014 2015: 1748 complaints 2016: 2424 complaints 2017: 1656 complaints 2018: 706 complaints 2019: 281 complaints 2020: 1155 complaints 2020 2021: 393 complaints 2022: 242 complaints 2023: 99 complaints 2024: 19 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 16 complaints 2026
2003: 1131 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991609
1992633
1993939
19941207
1995843
19961450
19971731
19981959
19991348
2000952
2001375
20023293
20031131
20041304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008147
200933
2010115
20111192
2012820
20132222
20141669
20151748
20162424
20171656
2018706
2019281
20201155
2021393
2022242
202399
202419
202587
202616

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 141 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
STRUCTURE 12%

12% of complaints: structure — 135 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 110 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN THE PARK. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030430

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 90 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 55 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

2003 — complaint volume: 1131
R 20030307 — structure

CERTAIN 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

Remedy: DEALERS 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

Campaign 03V094000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040930 — structure

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT

Campaign 04V442000 — check if this car was fixed

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

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080115 — visibility

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM

Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090421 — PE (closed 20090819)

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090818 — EA (closed 20130212)

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (141 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (135 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (110 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V094000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V442000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2016 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Ford Explorer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford Explorer is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Explorer?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Explorer have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.