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2003 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,131 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford Explorer, most often about the structure. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2003 Ford Explorer
49
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Explorer median · #16 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1,131115 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage70kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 17, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Ford Explorer has problems

1,131 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
Structure35414
Power train33511
Engine and engine cooling696
Suspension632
Visibility573
Wheels562
Electrical system547
Air bags5030
Vehicle speed control375
22 other systems20225

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

2 recalls

2003 Ford Explorer 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.

–no report yet

Hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments

Recall 04V-442 · Sep 13, 2004 · 955,732 vehicles

Risk. IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 structure problems start?

70kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 276 structure complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
33under 30k miles211under 100k miles65100k 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.

Power train

42 owners mentioned a cost

$2,550median

Middle half: $1,556 – $3,377

Structure

17 owners mentioned a cost

$500median

Middle half: $400 – $800

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 Explorer 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 median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Ford Explorer safety ratings

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

2003 Ford Explorer frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2003 Ford Explorer side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. Vehicle Rollaway AllegationsEA09013 · closed Feb 12, 2013
    No recall
  3. VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONSPE09020 · closed Aug 19, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What Explorer owners report

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

There is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. The liftgate has been unlocking and opening automatically by itself. On only rare occasions has the liftgate opened all the way while driving. On the morning of 7/28/2022 while the vehicle was parked in my driveway the…
Complaint 11476879 · Aug 1, 2022
REAR WINDOW LOWER PANEL PLASTIC CRACKING UP, REPLACED THREE TIMES, STILL CRACKING DUE TO NO SUPPORT AND BENDING TOO MUCH, I CALLED FORD DOES NOT CARE IF CONTINUES CRACKING UP, IT LOOKS UGLY ALSO PANELS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO OTHER CARS GETTING INTO THEIR WINDSHIELDS LOOSE PARTS. THEY KNOW ABOUT…
Complaint 11115329 · Aug 2, 2018 · 120,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR WINDOW, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGES WERE CRACKING AND WERE TILTED ON ONE SIDE. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN, STATED THAT THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED FORT…
Complaint 11101848 · Jun 14, 2018 · 133,000 miles

Own a 2003 Explorer?

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