Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Ford Explorer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Ford Explorer has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,130 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E104000 CURVED TEMPERED AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V442000 FORD/REAR LIFTGATE GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V094000 SOUTHERN COMFORT/RUNNING BOARDS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 354 complaints
- Power Train 335 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 69 complaints
- Suspension 63 complaints
- Visibility 57 complaints
- Wheels 56 complaints
Of the 1,130 complaints on file, 59 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 1,130 complaints, owners report 56 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Ford Explorer faces numerous issues, primarily with structural, powertrain, and engine components. High recall and owner complaint counts signal frequent failures and high repair costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| transmission | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,800–$3,000 | very common |
| suspension system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | common |
| engine components | 90,000–130,000 miles | $1,500–$2,500 | common |
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
- replace brake pads
- coolant flush
- timing belt service
- transmission fluid change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- transmission slipping
- uneven tire wear
- engine overheating
- clunking noises from suspension
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Ford Explorer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.