Is the 2003 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,131 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 335, 8× a quiet Explorer year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2003 Ford Explorer were filed between 48k and 111k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Explorer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 354 (31%) | 46k–99k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 335 (30%) | 48k–111k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 62 (5%) | 40k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 56 (5%) | 67k–113k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Engine | 82 (7%) | 31k–117k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 63 (6%) | 52k–98k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical system | 54 (5%) | 27k–120k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 50 (4%) | 42k–142k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 41 (4%) | 24k–142k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 37 (3%) | 32k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 27 (2%) | 49k–132k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Equipment | 20 (2%) | 34k–85k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 17 (2%) | 51k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 17 (2%) | 43k–125k miles · around this mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,131 complaints: 60 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 45 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Sep 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
This vehicle is a 2003 Ford explorer limited with a severe roar coming from the rear end. There is a technical bulletin out at repair shops but no recall.
I am the owner of a 2003 Ford explorer. I had problems with my transmission engaging properly and the transmission making a loud noise when shifting from park to reverse whether the vehicle was hot or cold.
O/d light suddenly starts flashing while driving at normal surface street speeds of 40 - 45 mph.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Ford Explorer: 7
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as DOT-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles may not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to federal motor vehicle… In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(S) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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. If the hinge should fracture, there is a potential for the glass to fall and ultimately break and personal injuries could occur.
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… This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 1
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Ford Explorer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Vehicle rollaway allegations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Neighbouring years
2002 Explorer: 3,291 complaints, consider selling · 2004 Explorer: 1,299 complaints, consider selling.
Every Ford Explorer year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Explorer years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Ford Explorer a bad year?
1,131 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 335, 8× a quiet Explorer year. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2003 Ford Explorer were filed between 48k and 111k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Explorer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (354), transmission and drivetrain (335), visibility and wipers (62), wheels (56), engine (82). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 48k–111k miles.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Explorer have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 07E104000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E049000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.