2003 Ford Explorer SportProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 65 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport, most often about the structure. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 31, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport has problems
65 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 25 | 3 |
| Visibility | 10 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | 1 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 |
| Power train | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 13 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2003 Ford Explorer Sport recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
When do structure problems start?
102kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 22 structure complaints. 41% were reported before 100,000 miles.
2003 vs. every other Explorer Sport 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 median. How we score
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2003 Ford Explorer Sport safety ratings
2003 Ford Explorer Sport 2-DR 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
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport, and the recalls they led to.
- SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADNo recall
- VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONSNo recall
What Explorer Sport owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A NOISE EMERGED FROM THE REAR HATCH WINDOW. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE PIECE THAT HELD THE WINDOW IN PLACE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME…
REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BEEN SO FOR 3 HOURS. TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 60 DEGREES. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE CRACKS OR OTHER DEFECTS. WAS WITNESSED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE. DID NOT JUST CRACK OR BREAK. IT SHATTERED INTO THOUSANDS OR PIECES. WAS NOT BEING OPENED OR CLOSED.…
Own a 2003 Explorer Sport?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.