NHTSA lists 1,196 complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer, 64 of them mention a crash and 11 mention a fire. 49 complaints mention an injury, with 61 injuries and 2 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD EXPLORER.
At a glance
Complaints
1,196
With crash
64
With fire
11
With injury (complaints)
49
Injuries
61
Deaths
2
Recalls
2
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
955,732
Investigations
3
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
155
Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The required sales year is missing.
Where the complaints are
Top systems
System
Complaints
Share of this vehicle's complaints
STRUCTURE
379
31.7%
POWER TRAIN
339
28.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
73
6.1%
SUSPENSION
68
5.7%
VISIBILITY
67
5.6%
WHEELS
58
4.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
57
4.8%
AIR BAGS
53
4.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
47
3.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
41
3.4%
Top subsystems
System
Subsystem
Complaints
STRUCTURE
BODY
331
POWER TRAIN
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
159
POWER TRAIN
DRIVELINE
40
POWER TRAIN
AXLE ASSEMBLY
32
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE
29
VISIBILITY
GLASS, SIDE/REAR
24
SUSPENSION
REAR
23
AIR BAGS
FRONTAL
22
SUSPENSION
FRONT
22
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
18
One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR. (excerpt)
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, (excerpt)
Defect: 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, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
3 investigations; 0 open.
EA09013
Opened: 2009-08-18. Closed: 2013-02-12.
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for an
Systems: POWER TRAIN, STEERING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE09020
Opened: 2009-04-21. Closed: 2009-08-19.
VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS
Systems: STEERING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
DP05005
Opened: 2005-09-22. Closed: 2006-01-04.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CY
Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
155 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system
System
Count
POWER TRAIN
39
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
20
STRUCTURE
12
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
10
VISIBILITY
6
EQUIPMENT
5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
5
10155551
Date: 2019-02-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
10156863
Date: 2019-02-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
10028736
Date: 2009-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
FORD: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT OIL SEPARATION FROM THE INTERNAL LUBE FOUND IN THE UNITIZED CARTRIDGE SEAL. OIL SEPARATION APPEARS TO BE AND IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED, AS AN AXLE LUBE LEAK. *PE
10023943
Date: 2007-10-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE
10014100
Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TT
10019379
Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH PCM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0463 AND/OR IC DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1201 - FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY OR SLOW TO UPDATE AFTER REFUELING. *TT
10019384
Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: TIRES.
LOW TIRE INDICATOR ON - TPMS SYSTEM SENSOR WAKE UP. *TT
10018745
Date: 2005-11-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
10013388
Date: 2005-10-31. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.
FUEL GAUGE SLOW TO UPDATE AFTER REFUELING. *EH
10018064
Date: 2005-10-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.
NOISE FROM REAR WHEEL HUB BEARINGS. *TT
Notes on this record
Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.