2003 Ford Explorer Sport body & structure problems
Owners reported body & structure problems in 28 complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport, 33% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 28 33% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 102,000 miles 24 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When body & structure problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 4 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 24 body & structure complaints that report mileage, the median is about 102,000 miles, and 12% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 fire, 2 injuries.
What owners wrote
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. The current and failure mileages were 38,254. Update 05/21/07.
I just bought a ford explorer sport 2 door to tow my boat. The specs for towing provided by ford are 5100 lbs. Maximum trailer weight, 350 lbs. Max tongue weight. My boat & trailer is 3200 lbs and tongue weight 280 lbs., well within specs. My first trip trailering 20 miles to the lake the vehicle then trailer swerved, since the weight pushes the rear down & front end up so that little weight remains on the front to control steering.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 17 complaints