2003 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
78 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
58,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 78 complaints (11.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 21.8% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 10.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 6.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
Electrical System: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Suspension: 5; Power Train: 4; Steering: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Air Bags: 3; Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 9
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
2003: 13; 2004: 11; 2005: 6; 2006: 7; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 5; 2012: 5; 2013: 1; 2014: 10; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10018073 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021370 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC THIS YEAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE MADE SO THAT YOU CANNOT ADJUST THEM FOR SIDE VISION. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THE TECHNICIANS SAY THAT IT IS A DESIGN FAULT. DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT IS COMPARABLE TO HAVING TUNNEL VISION. MY TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS AND THEY DO HELP WITH THE SIDE VISION BUT THEY ONLY WORK ON LOW BEAM. EVEN WITH THE FOG LIGHTS THE AREA TO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK ARE BLACKED OUT. IN THE MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021546 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPELLED GASOLINE EVERYTIME THE CONSUMER WAS REFUELING THE TANK AND THE GAS PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO. THE PROCESS OF FILLING THE TANK INCREASED FIVE FOLD, TAKING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MINUTES, BECAUSE THE PUMP REPEATEDLY SHUT OFF AND EXPELLED GAS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS NO CURRENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEEDED ADJUSTING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *MR *SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023106 · 2003-06-15 (June 15, 2003)
JUNE 2, 2003 6:40 PM PICKED UP THE BRAND NEW EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FROM TREADWELL FORD AND DROVE HOME TO WEST MOBILE. JUNE 3, 2003 7:20 AM DROVE THE NEARLY 30 MILE COMMUTE TO WORK IN NORTH MOBILE COUNTY. UPON PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT SMELLED HOT, WITH A NEARLY BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL. JUNE 3, 2003 ~8:40 PM LEFT WORK AFTER LONG DAY. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES, WHEN RADIO CONSOLE WENT BLACK. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, ENTIRE DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTING, HEADLIGHTS, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO ACT ERRATICALLY. PULLED INTO BP GAS STATION, AND V…
Owner-reported narrative. 54 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023130 · 2003-06-16 (June 16, 2003)
VEHICLE ENGINE MISSING AND LOST POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ONTO ON-RAMP. ATTEMPT TO RESTART FAILED. HAD TO CALL FOR TOW. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 2,965 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024681 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
WHEN REFUELING GAS SHOOTS BACK UP THROUGH FILLER PIPE ONTO CONSUMER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030380 · 2003-07-29 (July 29, 2003)
ON JULY 28 WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR NEW EXPLORER SPORT TRAC IT JUST STOP RUNNING. SHE STARTED IT UP AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT 1MIN THEN CUT OFF AGAIN STRANDING HER IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY IN A TURN LANE WE REPORTED IT TO FORD IT TOOK OVER 2 HRS FOR THEM TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO TOW THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER IT ALSO HAPPENED ON THE 27TH. ALSO THE OWNERS MANUAL PAGES ARE NOT RIGHT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ABOUT HOW TO CHANGE A TIRE IT GIVE YOU A PAGE NUMBER AND IT SHOWS SOMETHING ELSE LIKE HOW TO CHANGE OIL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 7,325 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030873 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE MAKING SHARP, SLOW RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. DEALER NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, SAYS ALL SPORT TRACKS DO THAT, HOWEVER WHEN I BOUGHT IT, IT DIDN'T. I DROVE ANOTHER NEW ONE FROM THE DEALER WHILE MINE WAS IN SERVICE...AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. ALSO, THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS OUT AND BEING REPLACED AND I'VE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030873 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.