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: wheels
61 reports, newest first. Show all
Wheels, Dec 29, 2006
2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS HUMMING COMING FROM THE BACK WHEELS. THERE IS A SQUEEK AND GRINDING COMING FROM THE FRONT AXEL.
Power train, Wheels, Dec 11, 2006
WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER IT STARTED TO SHAKE CAUSING LOSE OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL THE CAME OFF BECAUSE THE LUGS HAD UNSCREWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD BLOWN APART FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IT APPEARED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY UNEVEN TIRES AND THE 4X4 ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING ON ITS OWN. *TS *NM
Wheels, Jul 5, 2006
I WAS HAVING EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE AND CAR WAS NOT HANDLING PROPERLY DUE TO A BAD DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. *JB
Wheels, Jul 1, 2006
2003 EXPLORER LIMITED. RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES. I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT A LOCAL SEARS. THE WHEELS THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WERE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER MUST HAVE REQUESTED. 17" 5 SPOKE CHROME. AS SEARS WAS REMOVING WHEELS TWO OF THE 4 CENTER CAPS FELL APART AND COULD NOT BE USED AGAIN. AFTER THE TIRES WERE PLACED BACK ONTO MY CAR SEARS REP ASKED THAT I PUT ABOUT 20 MILES ON THE CAR AND BRING IT BACK JUST TO CHECK. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER AS I WAS RETURNING TO SEARS I HEARD A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE LEFT FRONT. AS I PULLED INTO SEARS, THE GARAGE THE REP LISTENED AND SAID IT WAS COMING FROM LEFT REAR. AS A MECHANIC PLACED A KEY ON THE LUG NUTS ALL LUGS HAD WORKED THEMSELVES LOOSE AND HE ACTUALLY COULD TURN THEM WITH HIS HAND. I HAD TO PUT MY SPARE TIRE ON AS A REPLACEMENT. A COUPLE OF THE OTHER LUGS ON THE OTHER WHEELS WERE ABOUT A 1/4 TURN LOOSE. I REPORTED THIS TO KENNY ROSS ONLY TO GET NO REAL ANSWER FROM THEM JUST AS I DID WITH THE BUBBLING/PEELING PAINT ON MY HOOD. EVIDENTLY THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE TOLD THEM TO ALWAYS BLAME THEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY SEEM TO ALWAYS DO IS BLAME THEIR CORPORATE OFF OFFICE AND THEIR HANDS ARE TIED, YOUR OUT OF WARRANTY, OR WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER. WHAT HAPPENED TO JUST HONESTLY WORKING WITH PEOPLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. NO WONDER THEY ARE IN TROUBLE. ANYWAY ALL FOUR CHROME WHEELS ALSO HAD VISIBLE CRACKING AS WELL AND SEARS SAID THAT THE LUG HOLES ON THE WHEELS ARE SLIGHTLY OBLONG SO THAT IS WHY THE LUGS WORK LOOSE. I HAD TO PURCHASE ALUMINUM SPOKE WHEELS. THIS IS ON A 2003!! GO FIGURE. I ALSO TOLD THE KENNY ROSS REP THAT I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA OR GM. HIS REPLY WAS THIS HAPPENS ON ALL CARS. HAHA, WHAT A RESPONSE AND JUST WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. NO FORDS IN MY FUTURE AND I WILL UNLOAD THIS ONE AS SOON AS I CAN! *JB
Wheels, May 4, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHROME ON THE RIMS IS CRACKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON ALL FOUR RIMS AND IS DUE TO THE ALUMINUM UNDERNEATH CORRODING CAUSING THE CHROME TO CRACK. THE CONTACT HAS ALERTED NUMEROUS DEALERSHIPS AND NONE OF WHICH HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND EXPLAINED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER AND WAITING FOR A RETURN CALL.
Wheels, Feb 21, 2006
THREE WHEELS ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WERE REPLACED DUE TO CRACKING OF THE "CHROME" FINISH IN THE HUB AREA, THE 4TH WAS NOT DONE SINCE THERE WAS NO CRACKING AT THAT TIME; IT NOW REQUIRES REPLACEMENT . I AM DEALING WITH THAT AT THIS POINT BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CRACKING MAY BE MORE THAN THE FINISH MATERIAL; IT MAY BE THE CASTING ITSELF. IF THIS IS THE CASE THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I AM CURIOUS IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS AND SHOULD THIS WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION BY YOUR DEPARTMENT. THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WHEEL, FROM THE DEALER WORK ORDER, ARE: 3L2Z-1007-KA AND A801881. *JB
Power train, Wheels, Jan 9, 2006
WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR BECAME LOUDER 41,000 MILE ON ODO DEALER ADVISED REAR WHEEL BEARINGS SEALS AND STRUT INSERTS, WE HAD THE REPAIRS MADE $1000.00 ONE YEAR LATER WE NOTICED MORE NOISE AND CHATTER WHEN TURNING,DEALER ADVISED REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS REBUILD, AND NEW CLUTCH PACKS. WE ARE HAVING THE REPAIRS MADE AT THIS TIME. THESE ARE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *JB
Suspension, Electrical system, Air bags, Tires, Wheels, May 7, 2005, crash, fire
PASSENGER-FRONT TIRE RECEIVED AN IMPACT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS HIT WAS A "SIDE-CRASH" WHERE ONLY THE TIRE AND A SMALL AREA OF THE OUTSIDE FRAMING ABOVE THE WHEEL WERE DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TRUCK SPARKED AND IGNITED ON IMPACT. THE TRUCK WAS IN FULL FLAMES IN THE TIRE AND ENGINE AREA WITHIN 9-11 MINUTES. THE FIRE BURNED OUT THE CENTER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD, THE ENTIRE ENGINE AREA, THE DASHBOARD/GLOVE COMPARTMENT, AND THE TIRE AREA WITHIN THAT TIME FRAME. I WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE OTHER DRIVER COLIDED WITH MY TRUCK AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH; THE WEATHER WAS CLOUDY/RAINY BUT IT HAD NOT RAINED YET DURING MY MORNING TRAVEL. THE AIR
Wheels, Apr 8, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. WHEN I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED THAT 3 OF THE 5 THREADED LUGS WERE BROKEN ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. I HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TOWING VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY, HUB ASSEMBLY BRAKE SHIELD AND LUG NUTS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE WHEELS WERE ROTATED ON MARCH 11, 2005 BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.*AK
Wheels, Dec 24, 2004
WHEELS STUDS (LUG NUTS) KEEP BREAKING. I HAVE REPLACE 4 DIFFERENT WHEELS STUDS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. THEY EITHER BREAK WHEN TAKING A TIRE OFF OR WHILE TRAVELING. I REPLACED THOSE WHEEL STUDS THAT I NOTICED MISSING OR WHEN HAVING A TIRE REPAIRED.*AK
Wheels, Oct 13, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL PINION DISENGAGED. *JB