Model year
2003 Ford Explorer
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 1,131 complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 143 complaints under EXPLORER SPORT and EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (141), STRUCTURE:BODY (135), POWER TRAIN (110). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,950–$4,450, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 952 complaints
- 2001 375 complaints
- 2002 3,295 complaints
- 2003 1,131 complaints
- 2004 1,304 complaints
- 2005 497 complaints
- 2006 630 complaints
- 2007 208 complaints
- 2008 148 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 115 complaints
- 2011 1,197 complaints
- 2012 829 complaints
- 2013 2,237 complaints
- 2014 1,684 complaints
- 2015 1,810 complaints
- 2016 2,462 complaints
- 2017 1,703 complaints
- 2018 734 complaints
- 2019 299 complaints
- 2020 1,241 complaints
- 2021 447 complaints
- 2022 271 complaints
- 2023 111 complaints
- 2024 21 complaints
- 2025 107 complaints
- 2026 42 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
04V442000 · Sep 13, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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.
03V094000 · Mar 7, 2003
STRUCTURE
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…
Complaints
1,131 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 60, fire flag on 10, injury field 57, deaths field 2. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER SPORT | 0 | 65 |
| EXPLORER SPORT TRAC | 0 | 78 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05005 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Sep 22, 2005 | Jan 4, 2006 |
| PE09020 | VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS · STEERING:COLUMN; STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE; STEERING | Apr 21, 2009 | Aug 19, 2009 |
| EA09013 | Vehicle Rollaway Allegations · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND… | Aug 18, 2009 | Feb 12, 2013 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD · 4L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD · 4L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Explorer 2WD · 4.6L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Explorer Sport 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Explorer Sport 2WD · 4L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Explorer 4WD · 4.6L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Explorer Sport 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Explorer Sport 4WD · 4L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Explorer 4WD FFV · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Explorer 2WD FFV · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Ford Explorer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.