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2003 Ford ExpeditionProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 615 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford Expedition, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2003 Ford Expedition
31
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.3× the Expedition median · #6 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints615132 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage91kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Ford Expedition has problems

615 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling1277
Electrical system10420
Service brakes, hydraulic614
Air bags5930
Tires575
Power train509
Engine446
Visibility372
Structure323
21 other systems19242

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2003 Ford Expedition recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

91kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 109 engine and engine cooling complaints. 61% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles67under 100k miles42100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

25 owners mentioned a cost

$2,000median

Middle half: $1,200 – $3,500

Electrical system

8 owners mentioned a cost

$500median

Middle half: $354 – $613

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Expedition year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Expedition median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Ford Expedition safety ratings

2003 Ford Expedition 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Ford Expedition frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford Expedition, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
In owners' words

What Expedition owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS ON INTERSTATE 95 SOUTHBOUND WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BOOM FOLLOWED BY A FLAPPING SOUND I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER TO SEE WHAT HAPPEND WHEN I NOTICED GAS COMING FROM THE AREA WHERE THE SPARK PLUG WAS AT I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED FOR A TOW. *TR
Complaint 10505722 · Apr 9, 2013
RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS 2003 EXPEDITION WITH THE 5.4L ENGINE. PURCHASED ON 12/20/2011. SINCE OWNING SAID VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TWO SPARK PLUG FAILURES. ON CYL 8 AND CYL 3. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MPH. THE SECOND AND RECENT HAPPENED DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, CRUISE SET TO 65…
Complaint 10456551 · Apr 26, 2012 · 104,045 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN HE NOTICED FLAMES ERUPTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND…
Complaint 10455910 · Apr 20, 2012 · 103,000 miles

Own a 2003 Expedition?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.