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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Structure: body, hatchback/liftgate
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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 RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Structure
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 AND ROAD SALT.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
Other
2004-09-10 · campaign 2004-328
On certain 2002 model year vehicles, the ball stud bracket located on the rear liftgate window could rotate out of position on the glass. If this occurs, the window lift strut may detach and become trapped between the glass and the liftgate, possibly causing the window to drop unexpectedly or break. In all of the affected vehicles model year 2002 and 2003, the hinge which attaches the liftgate window to the liftgate body may separate from the liftgate body. If this occurs, the window could drop unexpectedly or break. If the liftgate window drops or breaks, either the person operating the window or a nearby person could be injured. Correction: Dealers will replace the liftgate glass hinge and ball stud bracket (if applicable).
Owner complaints (1,131)
Owners filed 1,131 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Explorer (60 crashes, 10 fires, 57 injuries, 2 deaths reported). Among 44 model years of this model, it ranks #15 for the most complaints (median 630).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Structure | 354 | |
| Power train | 335 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 69 | |
| Suspension | 63 | |
| Visibility | 57 | |
| Wheels | 56 | |
| Electrical system | 54 | |
| Air bags | 50 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Ford Explorer.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Ford Explorer 4-DR. | – | – | – | 3★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Ford Explorer version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Explorer 2WD 4.6 L Automatic 5-spd | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Explorer 2WD FFV 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Explorer 4WD 4.6 L Automatic 5-spd | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Explorer 4WD FFV 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Explorer Sport 2WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Explorer Sport 2WD 4.0 L Manual 5-spd | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Explorer Sport 4WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Explorer Sport 4WD 4.0 L Manual 5-spd | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 4.0 L Manual 5-spd | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4.0 L Manual 5-spd | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.