Complaints
800
Crashes
81
Fires
43
Injuries
94
Fatalities
4
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Ford Expedition Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#185 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:112,094 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:12
#270 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:92,880 mi
Fires:6
#344 complaints
Engine Problems
Avg mileage:162,957 mi
Fires:6
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Ford Expedition.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 85 | 3 | 12 | 112,094 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 70 | — | 6 | 92,880 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 44 | — | 6 | 162,957 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 43 | — | 1 | 84,217 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 33 | 4 | — | 50,583 mi | |
| Airbags | 32 | 14 | — | 107,042 mi | |
| Fuel System | 20 | — | 1 | 135,375 mi | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 19 | 1 | — | 13,317 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 18 | 5 | 1 | 44,347 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 17 | 1 | — | 38,021 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 16 | — | — | 19,931 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 15 | 12 | — | 75,316 mi | |
| Brakes | 14 | 3 | 2 | 133,086 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 14 | 3 | — | 69,868 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 13 | 2 | 2 | 74,450 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 12 | — | — | 9,331 mi | |
| Body Structure | 12 | 1 | — | 90,855 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 11 | — | 1 | 115,525 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 11 | — | — | 101,209 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 11 | 5 | — | 126,929 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 11 | — | — | 31,221 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 11 | 1 | — | 80,259 mi | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 10 | 1 | — | 74,706 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 10 | 2 | — | 14,366 mi | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 9 | — | — | 15,697 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 7 | — | — | 132,600 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 6 | — | 2 | 47,349 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 | — | — | 79,492 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 6 | — | — | 85,000 mi |
Electrical Faults
85
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
12
Avg Miles
112,094
Engine & Cooling
70
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
92,880
Engine Problems
44
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
162,957
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
43
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
84,217
Tire Defects
33
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,583
Airbags
32
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,042
Fuel System
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
135,375
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
19
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
13,317
Automatic Transmission
18
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
44,347
Hydraulic Brakes
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
38,021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
19,931
Air Bags:Frontal
15
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,316
Brakes
14
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
133,086
Suspension Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,868
Unintended Acceleration
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
74,450
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
9,331
Body Structure
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,855
Gasoline Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
115,525
Transmission / Drivetrain
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,209
Steering Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
126,929
Structural Problems
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,221
Tires:Tread/Belt
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,259
Air Bags:Side/Window
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,706
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
14,366
Tires:Sidewall
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
15,697
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
132,600
Electrical System:Wiring
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
47,349
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,492
Latches / Locks
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,000
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Expedition. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Expedition Years
2003 Ford Expedition — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Ford Expedition reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2003 Ford Expedition has 800 NHTSA complaints, 81 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 85 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Ford Expedition?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (85 complaints, avg 112,094 mi); Engine & Cooling (70 complaints, avg 92,880 mi); Engine Problems (44 complaints, avg 162,957 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Ford Expedition?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,062 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Ford Expedition include 81 crash-related reports, 43 fire reports, 94 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Ford Expedition as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Ford Expedition?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (electrical faults) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Expedition reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Ford Expedition
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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