Recalls ·2003 Ford Explorer 4WD

2003 Ford Explorer 4WD recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2003 Ford Explorer 4WD; the most frequently affected component is exterior lighting. Owners filed 1,313 complaints, most often about unknown or other. Among the 12 model years of this model in the database, 2003 ranks #5 for number of recalls.

Recalls7
Complaints1,313
Crashes reported2in stored complaints
Fires reported1in stored complaints

Check your own vehicle by VIN at NHTSA →

Recalls (7)

Exterior lighting — HeadlightsCampaign 09E025000 · 11 May 2009

Problem: Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on july 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingCampaign 09E012000 · 07 Apr 2009

Problem: Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

Visibility — Glass, side/rearCampaign 07E104000 · 11 Dec 2007

Problem: Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as dot-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles may not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 205, "glazing materials."

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Remedy: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their customer's glass. Wholesale customers can contact safelite's wholesale division, service autoglass toll free at 1-888-246-6298. The recall began on january 15, 2008.

Exterior lightingCampaign 06E049000 · 24 May 2006

Problem: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior lightingCampaign 06E026000 · 23 Mar 2006

Problem: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

Structure — Hinge and attachmentsCampaign 04V442000 · 13 Sep 2004

Problem: 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: 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.

StructureCampaign 03V094000 · 07 Mar 2003

Problem: 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: 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.

What owners complain about

Share of the 30 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.

Unknown or other8 · 27%
Structure5 · 17%
Engine4 · 13%
Power train3 · 10%
Suspension2 · 7%
Wheels2 · 7%
Steering2 · 7%
Air bags2 · 7%

When complaints were filed

201711
201810
20194
20213
20221
20251

From owner complaints

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 65 mph, the temperature gauge increased to high and the vehicle caught fire under the hood without warning. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries due to the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The…

Engine · Dec 2017 · NHTSA complaint record

Vehicle was parked when rear window exploded after door closed. Shards of glass flew outward

Unknown or other · Nov 2017 · NHTSA complaint record

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, (248) 825-8646) and was advised to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was later taken to an independent…

Suspension · Nov 2019 · NHTSA complaint record

Engine stops while driving (stalls in motion while turning on street and highway) restarts without problem, has happened twice now 30 days apart.

Engine · May 2018 · NHTSA complaint record

How this year compares

Recalls per model year for this model.

Related pages

Source

Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.