Complaints
85
Crashes
4
Fires
3
Injuries
5
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#113 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:115,733 mi
Fires:1
#28 complaints
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
Avg mileage:101,333 mi
#37 complaints
Wipers & Visibility
Avg mileage:118,700 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Structure | 13 | — | 1 | 115,733 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments | 8 | — | — | 101,333 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 7 | — | — | 118,700 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Driveline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — |
Body Structure
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
115,733
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,333
Wipers & Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,700
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Side/Rear Glass
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Driveline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Sport Years
2003 Ford Explorer Sport — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport has 85 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Body Structure with 13 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport?
Top reported problems: Body Structure (13 complaints, avg 115,733 mi); Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments (8 complaints, avg 101,333 mi); Wipers & Visibility (7 complaints, avg 118,700 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?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 112,360 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?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport include 4 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 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 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport 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?
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 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
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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