2003 Ford Explorer problems
The 2003 Ford Explorer has 1,369 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (27%) concerns body & structure. Next are drivetrain & axles (14%) and transmission (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,369 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Body & structure 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 70 and 10
- Injuries and deaths
- 69 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 74,000 miles 1,108 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 144 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 114 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 171 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 164 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 174 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 104 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 106 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 59 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 30 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 22 |
| 200k+ miles | 20 |
What the data shows
Of the 1,108 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 74,000 miles. For body & structure specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (287 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 70 complaints mention a crash; 10 complaints mention a fire; 69 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 14th most-complained-about out of 36 model years of the Ford Explorer with enough data (755 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving about 50 MPH, the owner was hit from the front of vehicle, into the side of another vehicle yet the air bags failed to deploy. Provide further details.
I own a 2003 ford explorer, I have owned it for almost 5 years and took care of it. I also paid alot of money for it and after about three years out of nowhere my o/d light started blinking and my car started shifting wrong. I had the solenoid on tranny replaced soon as I put it in 4wheel drive my o/d light started blinking again and shifting wrong.
I lost control around a ben going 35MPH after it got done raining and got in an accident hit a telephone pole and farm post after spinning about 4xs car is totaled air bags never went off
Cruise control acts erratic. Sometimes works fine, sometimes won't work at all, sometimes shuts off by itself and on approximately four occasions has accelerated wildly on its own when engaged.
Vehicle was serviced in july, 2008 and mechanic at country ford noted noise from rear of vehicle. While driving on vacation in oct. 2008, I noticed noise in rear which was noticeable at 35-40 MPH and getting progressively worse. Brought vehicle to country ford and they found the rear carrier bearings worn and had to replace the rear differential. Cost was $1132. Vehicle not under warranty (52,000 miles). Vehicle has been maintained as per ford guidelines at country ford service, levittown, ny.