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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Explorer 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

1,130Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
11Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
80Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Vehicle Structure366 complaints

366 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 03V094000, 04V442000.

Power Train356 complaints

356 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine91 complaints

91 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension69 complaints

69 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility62 complaints

62 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels59 complaints

59 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System54 complaints

54 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags50 complaints

50 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes49 complaints

49 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V094000Reported March 7, 2003 - 3,674 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on March 7, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 3,674 vehicles across all affected models.

04V442000Reported September 13, 2004 - 955,732 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on September 13, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 955,732 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09020Opened April 21, 2009 - Closed August 19, 2009

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09020Opened April 21, 2009 - Closed August 19, 2009

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09020Opened April 21, 2009 - Closed August 19, 2009

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20021
200363
2004107
200574
200681
200799
2008130
200992
2010103
201197
201268
201354
201466
201541
201619
201716
201810
20194
20213
20221
20251
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.