2003 Ford Explorer suspension problems
Owners reported suspension problems in 69 complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer, 5% of the complaints on file.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 69 5% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 72,000 miles 56 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When suspension problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 11 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 15 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 56 suspension complaints that report mileage, the median is about 72,000 miles, and 34% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 crashes.
What owners wrote
While driving on hwy 38 in sc, the steering wheel started shaking real bad and then the entire SUV started shaking and we veered off the right side of the road into a field. The front left tire came off and we came to a complete stop. Upon further investigation I saw that 2 of the 5 lug posts were sheared off and the other 3 were bent. In addition the molding around the front right tire came off and the driver's side door was jammed shut.
2003 ford explorer front wheel bearings make a loud grinding sound. Common problem in all 2003 ford explorers. It ground down the wheel lugs from the inside and the tire came off on the freeway doing 60MPH. The rotors got eaten up on the inside too. Ford needs to address this issue before someone gets killed.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer
- Body & structure 366 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 197 complaints
- Transmission 161 complaints
- Engine 86 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 62 complaints
- Wheels 59 complaints
- Electrical system 54 complaints
- Air bags 50 complaints