Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 78 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 11 complaints
- Structure 10 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 9 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 8 complaints
- Power Train 8 complaints
- Suspension 7 complaints
Of the 78 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 78 complaints, owners report 5 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,200–$9,800AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has a below-average reputation due to numerous complaints, especially concerning the electrical system, powertrain, and suspension, contributing to higher repair costs and reliability issues over time.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $150–$500 | very common |
| powertrain | 80,000–110,000 miles | $1,000–$2,800 | common |
| suspension | 60,000–90,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| engine cooling | 90,000–120,000 miles | $350–$950 | occasional |
| braking system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Replace brake pads every 30,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 60,000 miles
- Transmission service every 60,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 7,500 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Electrical issues or flickering lights
- Transmission slipping or shifting problems
- Noisy or bumpy suspension
- Overheating engine or coolant leaks
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.