Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2003 Ford Explorer has 7 recalls, 1313 complaints.
7
Recalls
1313
Complaints
N/A
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 7, 2026
06E049000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLE...
07E104000
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430,...
09E025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS...
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS...
06E026000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME CO...
04V442000
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 BR...
03V094000
STRUCTURE
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTU...
Overall
Not Rated
Front Crash
Not Rated
Side Crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2003 Ford Explorer 4-DR.
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2025 | SEATS | The contact rented a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed spe... |
| Jul 28, 2022 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | There is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. The liftgate has been ... |
| Oct 25, 2021 | WHEELS | The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-35 ... |
| Oct 16, 2021 | ENGINE | Hello my name is [XXX] just writing you cause my neighbors have program my vehicle meaning they hack... |
| Aug 3, 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | drivers side rear brake line developed a hole caused by the emergency brake cable rubbing against it... |
| Jun 13, 2021 | AIR BAGS | The driver was driving down the expressway and her back tire blew out causing her vehicle to spiral ... |
| Dec 30, 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WAS CLOSING BACK HATCH AND GLASS WINDOW LITERALLY EXPLODED! VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY YARD. |
| Dec 15, 2019 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT I CANT PUT IT IN GEAR AND ME AND MY HUSBAND WERE ALMOST KILLED BUT WERE ABL... |
| Nov 25, 2019 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DET... |
| Jul 5, 2019 | STEERING | SHIFTER BROKEN INSIDE STEERING COLUMN. STOPPED AT A GAS STATION WHEN PUTTING INTO PARK IT BROKE. HA... |
| Jul 1, 2019 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,VISIBILITY/WIPER | "TAKATA RECALL" AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING WITH THE SEAT BELT NOISE. CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB FROM TH... |
| Mar 2, 2019 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | TAKATA RECALL .. THE SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE CAB AND OUTSIDE IS REALLY BAD. IT'S MAKING ME SICK AND... |
| Feb 10, 2019 | AIR BAGS | VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, MOVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET AND INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ... |
| Jan 20, 2019 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2003 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE THROTTLE IN MODEL VEHICLE. *AS *TR |
| Oct 26, 2018 | ENGINE | ENGINE STOPS WHILE DRIVING (STALLS IN MOTION WHILE TURNING ON STREET AND HIGHWAY) RESTARTS WITHOUT P... |
| Sep 1, 2018 | STRUCTURE | BODY MOUNTS DETERIORATED CRUMPLED.BODY DOWN ON FRAME CAUSING IRREGULAR RIDE CONTROL |
| Aug 30, 2018 | SERVICE BRAKES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, AN INDEPENDENT MECH... |
| Jun 2, 2018 | VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR WINDOW, THE CONTACT NOT... |
| May 3, 2018 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THIS SUV'S ARE GETTING HOT DURING THE TEXAS WEATHER, WHY ARE NOT INCLUDING A SOLAR FAN INSTALLED TO ... |
| Mar 14, 2018 | SEAT BELTS | THE PROBLEM THE SEAT BELTS DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH TENSION TO RETRACT CONSEQUENTLY GETTING ON THE DOOR ... |