The Lemon Index2003 Ford Explorer.
The 2003 Ford Explorer is about average by owner complaints: 326 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 101, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 15 to 17 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,131 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Explorer 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 40K to 110K miles on the car (915 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 45K–98K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 45K–110K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 17K–93K miles
Recalls 7
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- 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.
- visibility 2007
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 BRE…
Show all 7 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- body structure 2004
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.
- 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 122 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On some vehicles, including sport and sport trac, the front axle leaks fluid from the vent tube
- Incorrectly installed gear driven camshaft position (cmp) sensor synchronizer assemblies…
- Open f2.20 5 amp fuse which may result in loss of function of several systems including power…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedVehicle rollaway allegations2009–2013
- ClosedVehicle rollaway allegations2009
- 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 $3800–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
2003 Explorer's transmission made a loud "pop" or "whump" sound while driving about 20-24 mph. It was infrequent but alarming.
2003 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 10099397
More owner reports
2003 Explorer engine stalling and surging when driving and coming to a stop.
NHTSA complaint 10160495
Excessive whining noise coming from the rear differential/drive axles/driveshaft area of the vehicle at speeds between 50 and 60 m.p.h.
NHTSA complaint 10043149
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Ford Explorer reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 101; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Explorer year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2003 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (33%), body structure (21%) and engine (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Explorer have?
7 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 Explorer get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,900 and 110,000 miles. The middle report was at 73,000 miles, from 915 complaints.
Does the 2003 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Ford Explorer have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
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