How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Explorer have?

The 2003 Ford Explorer has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2003 Ford Explorer has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2003 Ford Explorer?

Of 1,369 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is power train.

2003 Ford Explorer Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 Ford Explorer has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 959,406 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,369 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 04V442000 2004-09-13 955,732 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE…

STRUCTURE 03V094000 2003-03-07 3,674 affected

Defect

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. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE…

Consequence

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

141

311

STRUCTURE:BODY

135

POWER TRAIN

110

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

STRUCTURE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

111

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

112

WHEELS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Total complaints1,369

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact rented a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the seat warmer activated, after arriving at a rest stop and exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that a blister had formed on the back of her left thigh. The contact attributed the…”

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER · reported 2025-09-15

“There is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. The liftgate has been unlocking and opening automatically by itself. On only rare occasions has the liftgate opened all the way while driving. On the morning of 7/28/2022 while the vehicle was parked in my driveway the…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2022-07-28

“There is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. The liftgate has been unlocking and opening automatically by itself. On only rare occasions has the liftgate opened all the way while driving. On the morning of 7/28/2022 while the vehicle was parked in my driveway the…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2022-07-28

“The contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-35 mph around a curb, the driver thought that the tire was flat. The contact pulled off the road and noticed that three of the wheel studs on the driverâ€™s side rear wheel had sheared off. The vehicle…”

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS · reported 2021-10-25

“Hello my name is [xxx] just writing you cause my neighbors have program my vehicle meaning they hack my 2003 explore pretty much they want to take over my driving they trying to dominate me in this matter when in reality is not going to be possible that's why I come to your people's corporate plus…”

ENGINE · reported 2021-10-16

“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the front driver's side wheel detached due to the control arm being corroded. The contact called elder ford (777 john r rd, troy, mi 48083, [REDACTED]) and was advised to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was later taken to an…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2019-11-25

“Shifter broken inside steering column. Stopped at a gas station when putting into park it broke. Had to keep my foot on brake paddle for 2 hours until two truck arrived”

STEERING · reported 2019-07-05

“Vehicle was in motion, moving through an intersection on a city street and involved in an accident. No air bags deployed at all.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2019-02-10

Defect investigations

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR…

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04