Complaints
93
Crashes
5
Fires
8
Injuries
5
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:75,398 mi
Fires:2
#25 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:67,093 mi
#35 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:52,000 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 9 | — | 2 | 75,398 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | 67,093 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | 52,000 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
75,398
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,093
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,000
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Sport Trac Years
2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has 93 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (9 complaints, avg 75,398 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (5 complaints, avg 67,093 mi); Suspension Failures (5 complaints, avg 52,000 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 Explorer Sport Trac?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 67,055 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 Explorer Sport Trac?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac include 5 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 1 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 Explorer Sport Trac have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 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 Explorer Sport Trac?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
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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