2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

N/A

Safety Rating

85

Owner Complaints

4 Crashes 3 Fires

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

4

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

The 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT has received a total of 85 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structurebody (13 complaints), Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments (8 complaints), and Visibilitywiper (7 complaints).

Recalls for the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, potentially affecting up to 61,944 vehicles.

Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 61,944 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

85 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Structurebody
Complaints: 13 1 Fire 1 Injury
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
Complaints: 8
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 7 1 Injury
Structure
Complaints: 4
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 4
Visibility
Complaints: 4
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 3
Air Bags
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Electrical System
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 2
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Suspension
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 2
Wheels
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Engine
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1
Power Train
Complaints: 1
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Steering
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Structurebodyhoodhinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearspringsleaf Spring Assembly
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcables
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11385770 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 137,800 miles
WAS CLOSING BACK HATCH AND GLASS WINDOW LITERALLY EXPLODED! VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY YARD.
#11289611 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 133,000 miles
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.
#11230012 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
"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.
#11230012 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles
"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.
#11230012 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | | N/A miles
"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.

View all Structurebody complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

Ford Motor Company has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

031912 — STEERING

STEERING WHEEL SHUDDER DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. 2004 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC INCLUDED. *TT

17166 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE FRONT BRAKES WHEN APPLIED. 2004 SPORT TRAC INCLUDED. *TT

17200 — SUSPENSION

VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING 35-75 MPH. 2004 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC INCLUDED. *TT

16879 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE FRONT BRAKES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE NOISE USUALLY OCCURS WITH LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE AND GOES AWAY WITH MORE PRESSURE. 2004 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC INCLUDED. *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the FORD EXPLORER SPORT

View all FORD EXPLORER SPORT model years →

Other FORD Models

View all FORD models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report