Brakes complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2003 Ford Explorer has 54 NHTSA brakes complaints and 0 brakes-related recalls.
54
Complaints
0
Recalls
4
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 3, 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | drivers side rear brake line developed a hole caused by the emergency brake cable rubbing against it... |
| Aug 30, 2018 | SERVICE BRAKES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, AN INDEPENDENT MECH... |
| May 12, 2016 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 2003 FORD EXPLORER, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TOWN I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN FOR A GROUP OF KIDS WAITING TO... |
| Jan 28, 2016 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIE... |
| Nov 8, 2015 | SERVICE BRAKES | THE REAR AIR CONDITIONER LINE RUBBED AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE CAUSING BRAKE LINE FAILURE. THE RUPTURE... |
| Jul 4, 2013 | SERVICE BRAKES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE APPLIED... |
| Apr 8, 2013 | SERVICE BRAKES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIM... |
| Aug 5, 2011 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORTRAC, INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, PEDAL VIBRATES, UNABLE TO STO... |
| Sep 20, 2010 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS | 93,000 MILES AND ABS LIGHT AND LOUD GRINDING NOISE (IN ADDITION TO APPLIQUE CRACK IN REAR). NEED TO... |
| Jun 28, 2010 | PARKING BRAKE,POWER TRAIN | I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF IT NOT EASILY CHANGING FROM PARK TO RE... |
| Jun 18, 2010 | PARKING BRAKE,POWER TRAIN | MY CAR MOVE BACKWARDS WITH PARKING SHIFT,EMERGENCY AND ENGINE STOPS IN A RAMP DRIVING INTO MY GARAGE... |
| Mar 7, 2010 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,WHEELS | THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. HAS 142,000 MILES. HAD TIRE ROTATION AT 137,000 MILES IN JAN 20... |
| Jun 4, 2009 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATE... |
| May 4, 2009 | PARKING BRAKE,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | I KEEP READING ABOUT 2 COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AND FORD SHOULD TAKE ACTION ON; THE... |
| Jan 10, 2008 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE,EQUIPMENT | BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED WHEN INSPECTING PADS, FRONT EDGE OF ROTORS HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTE... |
| Dec 30, 2007 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | BRAKE ROTORS CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT THE FRONT SURFACE WAS FLAKING OFF. *TR |
| Sep 20, 2007 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO REAR ROTORS RUSTED TWO IN... |
| Feb 12, 2007 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | BRAKE & ACCELERATOR PEDALS TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. MANY TIMES APPLYING BRAKES WILL HIT ACCELERATOR AT T... |
| Oct 20, 2006 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I PURCHASED A 2003 EXPLORER IN AUGUST 2006; MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. BY OCTOBER THE CAR WOU... |
| Sep 13, 2006 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING HEAVY BRAKING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES VIBRATED. T... |