The Lemon Index2003 Ford Expedition.
The 2003 Ford Expedition is worse than average by owner complaints: 254 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 172, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 14 mpg combined. The best Ford Expedition year is 2014.
Worse than average. 1.7× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2014
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 615 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Expedition year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 33K to 120K miles on the car (463 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 71K–105K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 49K–149K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 7K–32K miles
Recalls 6
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 6 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPL…
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- body structure 2003
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 152 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Power steering noise / vibration from the area of the power steering pump
- Click noise when the brake pedal is depressed or released
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Dt*: the contact stated the electric windows in the vehicle work intermittently. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealership for inspection.
2003 Ford Expedition owner · NHTSA complaint 10148023
More owner reports
Front brakes produce excessive dust onto the rims.
NHTSA complaint 10071641
When moving in reverse the side mirrors flip down or up. No one has identified the cause of the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10050334
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Ford Expedition reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 172; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Expedition year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2003 Ford Expedition problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (24%), visibility (14%) and tires (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Expedition have?
6 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Ford Expedition get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Expedition problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 33,000 and 120,000 miles. The middle report was at 79,800 miles, from 463 complaints.
Does the 2003 Ford Expedition have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Ford Expedition cost in fuel a year?
About $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Ford Expedition have?
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
What Ford Expedition year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works