2003 Ford Explorer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (120) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (120) · Power Train (91)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Explorer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
915 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (122)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal 2009-05-01 · TSB-08-19-3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle lube leak. *pe
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2007-10-01 · 07212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes f-53 motorhome chassis. updated 2/23/10. *pe
Electrical System 2006-04-29 · 19091 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
low oil pressure indication/warning, a/c compressor inoperative and/or no crank condition on 4.6l equipped vehicles. *tt
Tires 2006-01-01 · 0637 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
low tire indicator on - tpms system sensor wake up. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 122 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-09-17 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler · 43,253 mi“the contact rented a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the seat warmer activated, after arriving at a rest stop and exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that a blister had formed on the back of her left thigh. the contact attributed the blister to a burn sustained while using the driver'…”
2022-08-01 · Unknown Or Other“there is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. the liftgate has been unlocking and opening automatically by itself. on only rare occasions has the liftgate opened all the way while driving. on the morning of 7/28/2022 while the vehicle was parked in my driveway the liftgate was discovered to have again unlocked by its…”
2021-11-02 · Unknown Or Other“head lights are cloudy given poor visibility. back hatch door has a crack. …”
2021-10-27 · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · 115,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-35 mph around a curb, the driver thought that the tire was flat. the contact pulled off the road and noticed that three of the wheel studs on the driver’s side rear wheel had sheared off. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and it was confi…”
2021-10-17 · Engine“hello my name is [xxx] just writing you cause my neighbors have program my vehicle meaning they hack my 2003 explore pretty much they want to take over my driving they trying to dominate me in this matter when in reality is not going to be possible that's why i come to your people's corporate plus they have invade my family privacy they have a gan…”
2019-11-26 · Suspension · 150,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that the front driver's side wheel detached due to the control arm being corroded. the contact called elder ford (777 john r rd, troy, mi 48083, (248) 825-8646) and was advised to schedule an appointment. the vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the metal…”
2019-07-09 · Steering · 120,136 mi“shifter broken inside steering column. stopped at a gas station when putting into park it broke. had to keep my foot on brake paddle for 2 hours until two truck arrived…”
2019-02-27 · Vehicle Speed Control“2003 ford explorer. consumer writes in regard to defective throttle in model vehicle. *as *tr…”
2019-02-12 · Air Bags · 149,000 mi · 💥 crash“vehicle was in motion, moving through an intersection on a city street and involved in an accident. no air bags deployed at all.…”
2018-11-05 · Engine · 87,000 mi“engine stops while driving (stalls in motion while turning on street and highway) restarts without problem, has happened twice now 30 days apart.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.