2003 Ford Explorer Sport: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 65 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (34% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The transmission is shot I cant put it in gear and me and my husband were almost killed but were able to put it in 2nd gear to roll it to the shop. The 4wheel drive got stuck in 4 wheel low and would not shift at all. When we turned the car on it would rev up to 5 but only go 2 miles an hour.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2019
“"takata recall" airbag light keeps blinking with the seat belt noise. Changed the light bulb from the dash board and now the airbag light stays on but will not connect with mileage.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer sport. While driving 50 mph, a loud noise was heard when the sun roof exploded without warning. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Rear liftgate window on my 2003 ford explorer sport exploded into a million pieces. The vehicle was parked in my driveway and I went to open the door and it just exploded.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer sport. While driving approximately 25 mph, a noise emerged from the rear hatch window. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed that the piece that held the window in place was fractured. The vehicle was repaired for the same failure in march of 2015. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 159,149.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2016
“I had just put a bag of groceries in the back, was closing the rear glass hatch when it exploded about 1/3 of the way down. Very loud noise, and tiny glass pieces shattered across 3 parking spots, into and all around our vehicle, including the groceries which I discarded. This car is not included in the recall.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · May 2016
“Rear liftgate window completely shattered. Vehicle was parked and been so for 3 hours. Temperature was about 60 degrees. There was no visible cracks or other defects. Was witnessed by several people. Did not just crack or break. It shattered into thousands or pieces. Was not being opened or closed. Vehicle was completely static”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer sport. While driving at an unknown speed, the body mount emitted an abnormal noise and was deteriorating. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer sport equipped with michelin cross terrain tires, size: p235/70/r16. While driving approximately 45 mph, the rear passenger side tire blew out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where all four tires were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage of the tire and vehicle was 35,000. Updated 2/24/15*cn updated 03/02/15*jb”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2014
“I was driving at approx 55mph and the steering column locked up and I was unable to control the vehicle, it automiatcally pulled to the left and causing my vechicle to roll several times. (3-5 times) vehicle is now totalled. I received medical attention at the scene and I'm under observation for the next 48 hours. I'm highly concerned due to the level of other vehicles that are my same make and model that have had this same issue. Please advise asap. Thank you in advance for your help. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Explorer Sport by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?
NHTSA has 65 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport. The most complained-about area is structure (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Explorer Sport problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.