Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Explorer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure354
- Power train335
- Engine and engine cooling69
- Suspension63
- Visibility57
- Wheels56
- Electrical system54
- Air bags50
- Unknown or other43
- Vehicle speed control37
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 57 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 112 2003 Explorer vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 87 people died inside them, and 50 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Ford Explorer failed the safety check 2.55% of the time — 21% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 162,596 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
33 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 36% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Band onvoldoende profiel9
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld9
- Band beschadigd8
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen7
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af6
- Bovenbouw ondeugdelijk bevestigd6
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm6
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect6
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025.
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
353 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 30% arrived as used imports, 67% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 15.1–16.1 L/100 km (about 15–16 mpg US), CO₂ 347–370 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 17.1 | 12.6 | 15.1 |
| Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 18.3 | 13.4 | 16.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2003 Ford Explorer.
| 2004328 10 Sept 2004 | Other On certain 2002 model year vehicles, the ball stud bracket located on the rear liftgate window could rotate out of position on the glass. If this occurs, the w… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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 UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2003 Ford Explorer: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 619276 | ON SOME VEHICLES, INCLUDING SPORT AND SPORT TRAC, THE FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM THE VENT TUBE. *TT |
| 10156863 | Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition |
| 10155551 | Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition |
| 10028736 | FORD: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT OIL SEPARATION FROM THE INTERNAL LUBE FOUND IN THE UNITIZED CARTRIDGE SEAL. OIL SEPARATION APPEARS TO BE AND IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED, AS AN AXLE LUBE LEAK. *PE |
| 10023943 | SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE |
| 10019800 | LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATION/WARNING, A/C COMPRESSOR INOPERATIVE AND/OR NO CRANK CONDITION ON 4.6L EQUIPPED VEHICLES. *TT |
| 10019384 | LOW TIRE INDICATOR ON - TPMS SYSTEM SENSOR WAKE UP. *TT |
| 10019379 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH PCM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0463 AND/OR IC DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1201 - FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY OR SLOW TO UPDATE AFTER REFUELING. *TT |
| 10018745 | WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT |
| 10018064 | NOISE FROM REAR WHEEL HUB BEARINGS. *TT |
| 10017892 | REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *TT |
| 10017881 | NO START/HARD START N HOT SOAK RESTART. *TT |
| 10017860 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMING ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0171, P0172, P0174 AND/OR P0175 (FUEL SYSTEM TOO RICH OR LEAN). *TT |
| 10016832 | BACKGLASS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE AND AN INTERMITTENT DOOR AJAR LAMP. *TT |
| 10016798 | HARD START/NO START CONDITION DURING COLD AMBEINT TEMPERATURES AFTER SHORT HOT SOAK PERIOD-4.0L ENGINE. *SC |
| 10016789 | REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *SC |
| 10014668 | AXLE SEAL LEAKS. *EH |
| 10014664 | FRONT SEAT(S) SLIGHT MOVEMENT WHEN ACCELERATING AND/OR DECELERATING. *TT |
| 10014659 | AXLE WHINE HOWL. THIS INCLUDES 1997-05 FORD VEHICLES. *EH |
| 10014165 | ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10014138 | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT |
| 10014100 | LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TT |
| 10014086 | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10014062 | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT |
| 10013398 | GEAR SELECTOR LEVER - INCREASED EFFORT TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation