Complaints
1,369
Crashes
70
Fires
10
Injuries
69
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1141 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:70,864 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:1
#2135 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:86,726 mi
#3110 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:110,842 mi
Crash-related:4
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 141 | 3 | 1 | 70,864 mi | |
| Body Structure | 135 | — | — | 86,726 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 110 | 4 | — | 110,842 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 90 | — | — | 69,649 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments | 55 | — | — | 67,441 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 44 | 2 | — | 66,974 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 43 | 1 | 1 | 80,325 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 42 | 2 | — | 97,478 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 33 | 1 | 2 | 59,104 mi | |
| Airbags | 28 | 12 | — | 162,010 mi | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 28 | — | — | 39,812 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 28 | 4 | — | 63,101 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 27 | 2 | — | 98,684 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 24 | 1 | 1 | 49,657 mi | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 24 | — | — | 33,573 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 22 | 1 | 1 | 133,982 mi | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 21 | — | — | 54,917 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 20 | 16 | — | 59,217 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 17 | 2 | — | 114,541 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 17 | — | — | 60,025 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 14 | 2 | — | 66,578 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate | 13 | — | — | 64,681 mi | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 12 | — | — | 85,825 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 11 | — | — | 58,121 mi | |
| Visibility | 11 | — | — | 98,000 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 10 | — | — | 150,663 mi | |
| Brakes | 10 | — | — | 146,556 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | 9 | — | — | 69,075 mi | |
| Driveline | 9 | — | — | 46,440 mi |
Automatic Transmission
141
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
70,864
Body Structure
135
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,726
Transmission / Drivetrain
110
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
110,842
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
90
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,649
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
55
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,441
Structural Problems
44
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,974
Electrical Faults
43
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
80,325
Wheel Issues
42
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,478
Engine & Cooling
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
59,104
Airbags
28
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
—
Avg Miles
162,010
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,812
Unintended Acceleration
28
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,101
Suspension Failures
27
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,684
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
24
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
49,657
Power Train:Axle Assembly
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,573
Engine Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
133,982
Side/Rear Glass
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,917
Air Bags:Frontal
20
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,217
Steering Defects
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
114,541
Suspension:Rear
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,025
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,578
Structure:Body:Tailgate
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,681
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,825
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,121
Visibility
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,000
Seat Belt Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
150,663
Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
146,556
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,075
Driveline
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
46,440
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Years
2003 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2003 Ford Explorer has 1,369 NHTSA complaints, 70 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 141 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (141 complaints, avg 70,864 mi); Body Structure (135 complaints, avg 86,726 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (110 complaints, avg 110,842 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?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 81,279 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?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer include 70 crash-related reports, 10 fire reports, 69 injuries, and 2 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 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Ford Explorer 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?
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 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Ford Explorer
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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