Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 65 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
- Structure 25 complaints
- Visibility 10 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 7 complaints
- Suspension 5 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 4 complaints
- Power Train 4 complaints
Of the 65 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 65 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$13,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport has a below-average reliability rating due to a significant number of structural and visibility-related complaints. With only one recall for lighting issues, the limited recall data suggests potential underreporting of broader issues. Owners should be cautious due to complaints in various major systems.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | very common |
| Visibility | Unknown | $100–$500 | common |
| Suspension | Unknown | $300–$1,200 | 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 changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission service
- Coolant system flush
- Tire rotation and balance
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual structural noises
- Consistent visibility issues
- Suspension rattles
- Acceleration hesitation
- Abnormal tire wear
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.