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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Avg mileage:70,864 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:1
#2135 complaints
STRUCTURE:BODY
Avg mileage:86,726 mi
#3110 complaints
POWER TRAIN
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 141 | 3 | 1 | 70,864 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 135 | — | — | 86,726 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 110 | 4 | — | 110,842 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 90 | — | — | 69,649 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 55 | — | — | 67,441 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 44 | 2 | — | 66,974 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 43 | 1 | 1 | 80,325 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 43 | 1 | 1 | 104,789 mi | |
| WHEELS | 42 | 2 | — | 97,478 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 33 | 1 | 2 | 59,104 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 28 | 12 | — | 162,010 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 28 | — | — | 39,812 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 28 | 4 | — | 63,101 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 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 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 133,982 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 21 | — | — | 54,917 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 20 | 16 | — | 59,217 mi | |
| STEERING | 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 BELTS | 10 | — | — | 150,663 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 10 | — | — | 146,556 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 9 | — | — | 69,075 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE | 9 | — | — | 46,440 mi |
Other Ford Explorer Years
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Ford Explorer
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