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2003 Ford Explorer Sport TracProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 78 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
55
CarFlaw IndexSolid year18% below the Explorer Sport Trac median · #5 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints7814 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage25kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 14, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has problems

78 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
Electrical system112
Structure101
Engine and engine cooling91
Fuel system, gasoline80
Power train81
Suspension71
Vehicle speed control52
Tires40
Service brakes, hydraulic40
12 other systems265

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

0 recalls

2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Explorer Sport Trac 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 Explorer Sport Trac median. How we score

'97'98'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac safety ratings

2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 2 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONSPE09020 · closed Aug 19, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What Explorer Sport Trac owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IGNITED IN FLAMES WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE HOW THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…
Complaint 10693625 · Mar 11, 2015 · 180,000 miles
SITTING AT A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WENT INTO ACCELERATION GAS PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR. FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. CHECKED NO CARPET STUCK UNDER THE GAS PEDDLE. FOOT WAS NOT TOUCHING GAS PEDDLE. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE. CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. SHUT VEHICLE OFF THEN…
Complaint 10479743 · Oct 11, 2012 · 83,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY DECELERATED TO 40 MPH. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT SPARKS WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE.…
Complaint 10453910 · Apr 3, 2012 · 182,000 miles

Own a 2003 Explorer Sport Trac?

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