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U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Ford EXPLORER: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,131 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

73,350 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 916 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 141 of 1,131 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting23821.0%
Braking behavior1089.5%
Steering behavior524.6%
Engine operation433.8%
Electrical and battery issues221.9%
Fuel system concerns60.5%

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.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
141
Structure:Body
135
Power Train
110
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
90
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
55
Structure
44
Electrical System
43
Unknown Or Other
43
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train:Automatic Transmission141
Structure:Body135
Power Train110
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate90
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments55
Structure44
Electrical System43
Unknown Or Other43

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 141; Structure:Body: 135; Power Train: 110; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 90; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments: 55; Structure: 44; Electrical System: 43; Unknown Or Other: 43

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
142
25,000 to 49,999
140
50,000 to 74,999
188
75,000 to 99,999
170
100,000 to 149,999
192
150,000 and above
84
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000142
25,000 to 49,999140
50,000 to 74,999188
75,000 to 99,999170
100,000 to 149,999192
150,000 and above84

Under 25,000: 142; 25,000 to 49,999: 140; 50,000 to 74,999: 188; 75,000 to 99,999: 170; 100,000 to 149,999: 192; 150,000 and above: 84

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (192). 215 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.

2002
1
2003
63
2004
107
2005
74
2006
81
2007
99
2008
130
2009
92
2010
103
2011
97
2012
68
2013
54
2014
66
2015
41
2016
20
2017
16
2018
10
2019
4
2021
3
2022
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20021
200363
2004107
200574
200681
200799
2008130
200992
2010103
201197
201268
201354
201466
201541
201620
201716
201810
20194
20213
20221
20251

2002: 1; 2003: 63; 2004: 107; 2005: 74; 2006: 81; 2007: 99; 2008: 130; 2009: 92; 2010: 103; 2011: 97; 2012: 68; 2013: 54; 2014: 66; 2015: 41; 2016: 20; 2017: 16; 2018: 10; 2019: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 238 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 108 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 52 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 10003326 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)

PLASTIC UNDER (ATTACHED TO) REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW CRACKED IN COLD WEATHER. CRACK WAS ~10 INCHES LONG. ENTIRE LIFTGATE NEEDS REPLACING.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003326 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003977 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING A LOUD CLINKING NOISE CAN BE HEARD. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM SQUEELING NOISE FROM MOTOR. TRANSMISSION LURCHED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE HAD TO BE FLUSHED. REPLACE STEERING SHAFT FOR CLINKING NOISE. CLOCKSPRING REPLACED.

Owner-reported narrative. 437 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003977 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007792 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING SLOT, I SLOWLY EASED INTO THE SLOT AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SPED UP AND HIT A POLE DAMAGING IT AND DENTING THE VEHICLE LICENSE PLATE AND HOLDER.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007792 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009328 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)

THE IGNITION, SEATS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES DID NOT WORK, DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR MODULE, DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009328 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009329 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)

THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009329 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009919 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)

THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET INTERFERED AND RESTRICTED THE PROPER APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. *SCC *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009919 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10012495 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 35 MPH. NEITHER THE FRONT DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012495 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10016005 · 2003-04-16 (April 16, 2003)

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. *JB 2003 FORD EXPLORER LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER. *MR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,497 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016005 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

03V094000 · Structure

Reported: 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V442000 · Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments

Reported: 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

NHTSA campaign record ↗