2003 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,313 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 69 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 66 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgate, hinge and attachmentsSep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V442000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Campaign 03V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
87 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 26, 2003
VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR BAD IDLE AND SHUT-OFF CONDITION AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, DEALER RESPONDED THAT THE VEHICLE COMES FROM THE FACTORY WITH A LESS THAN DESIRABLE IDLE AND THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DIVULGED. AS I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH SUCH A PROBLEM. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 5, 2003
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. IT HAD BECOME HARD TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CHANGE THE FUEL FROM UNLEADED TO PREMIUM AND PLACE A GAS TREATMENT IN IT AND THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT PERSIST BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSCEIVER CIRCUIT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT AGAIN THE PROBLEM RETURNED. *SCC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 30, 2003
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. SOMETIMES THIS OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN WET WEATHER. DRIVER WOULD LET VEHICLE SIT FOR TEN MINUTES THEN IT WOULD RESTART. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 7, 2003
MY INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO SSM 16771 THAT FORD HAS DEALERS ABIDING BY IN SOME ATTEMPT TO POST-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT "RE-ENGINEER" THEIR PRODUCT. MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WHICH SUFFERS FROM SYMPTOMS LISTED IN THE SSM WAS RELEASED BY THE DEALER WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS IT HAD UPON DELIVERY TO THE DEALER (ROUGH IDLE / STALLING ON COLD START). NOW THAT FORD HAS HAD THE DEALER ALTER THE ECM PROGRAMMING (I'M GUESSING TO RICHEN THE IDLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE) I WONDER IF MY VEHICLE STILL PASSES EMISSIONS AND HAS EPA CERTIFIED FUEL ECONOMY??? NOT LIKELY... *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 12, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL DETAILS. *PH
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 3, 2003
I PURCHASED MY 2003 SPORTRACK IN DECEMBER OF 2002 FROM SUNRISE FORD. I DROVE MY SUV HOME, PARKED IT AND WENT INSIDE FOR LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. WHEN I CAME OUT TO DRIVE DRIVE MY GUESTS AROUND THE BLOCK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I CALLED SUNRISE FORD AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY SENT THE SALES PERSON TO MY PLACE RATHER THAN A MECHANIC. HE BASICALLY BELITTLED ME INFRONT OF MY GUESTS BY TELLING ME I DID SOMETHING TO MY CAR. IT WAS EMBARASSING ENOUGH THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START NOW I HAD TO DEAL WITH THE SALES PERSON, WHO AS IT TURNS OUT KNEW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THE SPORTRACK, TELLING ME I DID SOMETHING WRONG TO MY VEHICLE TO MAKE IT NOT WANT TO START. HE FINALLY CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, HAD A MECHANIC COME OUT AND THEY TRIED TO START IT. NO LUCK. LONG STORY SHORT I FOUND SUNRISE FORD'S SALES AND SUPPORT STAFF WERE VERY HARD TO WORK WITH RIGHT AFTER MY SALE. I FELT MISLEADED. FROM ARRANGING A LOANER BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM TO GETTING A QUALIFIED PERSON TO DIAGNOSE MY VEHICLE. I HAD HAD THE CAR NEARLY 1 WEEK BEFORE THE PROBLEM COULD BE COMPLETELY SOLVED. MY NEXT PROBLEM BEGAN IN AUGUST OF 2003, ROUGHLY 9 MONTHS LATER. IT IS NOW STALLING. MOST CASES HAVE BEEN WHILE STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. OTHER TIMES JUST AFTER LEAVING THE STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, IT USUALLY STALLS IMMEDIATELY WHEN I ACCECELERATE. THE WORST CASE HAS BEEN WHILE ON THE ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY. IN ALL CASES I LOST ALL POWER, EXCEPT FOR THE RADIO, AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER HAVING THE FORD DEALERSHIP RUN A DIAGNNOSTIC TEST ON MY VEHICLE THE FOUND NOTHING...*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2003
FOIA REQUEST CYS OF ALL CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN NHTSA & INTERNATIONAL ENGINE GROUP RE THE 6.0 POWERSTROKE ENGINE USED IN THE 2003 FORD F250-F550 SUPER DUTY TRUCKS & THE 2003 FORD EXCURSION. *MR *NLM *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Aug 27, 2003
REAR GLASS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. LOUD WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER DASH/ENGINE. NO POWER. STALLS ON TAKE OFF. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2003
VEHICLE ENGINE MISSING AND LOST POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ONTO ON-RAMP. ATTEMPT TO RESTART FAILED. HAD TO CALL FOR TOW. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *NLM
Parking brake, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 3, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPELLED GASOLINE EVERYTIME THE CONSUMER WAS REFUELING THE TANK AND THE GAS PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO. THE PROCESS OF FILLING THE TANK INCREASED FIVE FOLD, TAKING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MINUTES, BECAUSE THE PUMP REPEATEDLY SHUT OFF AND EXPELLED GAS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS NO CURRENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEEDED ADJUSTING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *MR *SCC *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, May 2, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 16, 2003
THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. *JB 2003 FORD EXPLORER LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER. *MR