2003 Ford Explorer Structure Problems
- 44
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 44 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Body · 3 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 13 |
| 1–30k mi | 9 |
| 30–60k mi | 7 |
| 100–150k mi | 5 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Structure
Horizontal crack in lift gate running from top of piece (bottom of window) to bottom of piece. *tr
ODI 10264346
Structure
The panel just below my back windshield has a crack in it which has occurred for no reason at all. After speaking with some at the local dealership i was very disappointed to hear that about 99% of these have to be replaced and that it would cost me almost $400 to do so. I called ford and they once again told me that it was a problem but they could not do anything to help me i would have to pay for it. At that time…
ODI 10222351
Structure
Rear door crack in the middle on ford explorer, below the window, probably because the material the frame is made of is just plastic. I keep seeing people in my town with the same problem. I wonder if there is a formal complaint about this defect. I contacted ford corporate, but i was told that no one has complained. This is not just a cosmetic problem, but a safety problem. Sometimes when i am driving the door…
ODI 10222732
Structure
After only 24,000 miles, our 2003 ford explorer has experienced two problems with fiberglass & aluminum body parts. Below the rear window a crack developed in the fiberglass after closing the window during cold weather. After talking to other owners of the same model, i became aware of the fact that body shop owners are informing them that this is a common defect in that model. Since this is a common problem, a…
ODI 10261433
Structure · Trailer Hitches
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the tailgate hatch in the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that when attempting to rent a trailer from u-haul, the company would not rent to anyone with a ford explorer which she believed to be a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that she would be…
ODI 10354631
Structure
I purchase a 2003 ford explorer in the same year. Last year my wife noticed a crack on the liftgate directly below the rear window. The crack was about 4 inches long and narrow in width. I took the car to my local dealers body shop and was told by the manager " that i see this all the time in all of fords suv's including the lincoln and mercury models. It is a defect from the factory and one that ford will not…
ODI 10216151
Structure
I own a 2003 ford explorer xlt, and yesterday i noticed that the back panel below the back glass, has a 1/4 crack all the way down it! It is located a inch or two right of the ford emblem. This is ridiculous, i called the dealership and they told me to bring it in for an estimate, since i have 59,000 miles on the vehicle, it isn't covered under the warranty. Well, on the ford website under my warranty information it…
ODI 10172699
Structure
Crack in panel on rear hatch i see same crack in same sport on all same vehicles. *tr
ODI 10229363
Structure
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the paint on the hood of the vehicle was buckling and chipping in large areas. The failure began at spread to both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 82,000. Updated 11/16/10. *lj
ODI 10349943
Structure
The rear panel below my window on my 2003 ford explorer cracked all the way through. I went snow sking and after doing research on the internet, i found that this scenario is common. The panel gets moisture behind it and freezes, then cracks. I have a ford manufacturer warranty, and i am still under warranty. I contacted the dealership where i purchased the vehicle, i called the ford customer service line, and…
ODI 10167562
Structure
Molded running board broken under normal use, one dealer accused me of having a child jump on the running board - reason unknown. Another dealer took photos and sent to detroit, warranty repair refused? *jb
ODI 10153890
Structure
My 2003 ford explorer has peeling paint on its hood .this is a wide spread complaint. *tr
ODI 10282000
Mechanical · Power Train · Structure
Factory rearend was replaced in my 03 ford explorer. Since then the problem of gradual rearend deterioration has not been fixed. If the rearend fails catastrophically then a serious accident could occur. Ford motors does not consider this to be a safety concern, but it definitely is. Ford should recall all vehicles with the defective rearends and fix their problem. *tr
ODI 10237060
Structure
While at a stop, the frame separated which caused the rear hatch back window to shatter. Please provide more information. *jb ford motor company notified. Back portion of the door separated when the windshield exploded. *tc
ODI 10103416
Electrical System · Structure
The vehicle was brand new and there was rusting around the windshield, the power doors and the seats were not working , there was a problem with the cruise control as well. *jb five windshields had been replaced due to constant leaking including the moon roof and the headliner. The power doors did not work. When it would rain, many electrical problems would be present. *sc
ODI 10099053
Structure
The windshield, moon roof and headliner were leaking. The consumer had the windshield replaced at least 5 times. The owner has been corresponding with the manufacturer for several months. Owner is asking for a new vehicle. *jb *sc
ODI 10096622
Structure
Water leaked into the vehicle on the driver side door. The dealership inspected the vehicle many times and could not duplicate or correct the problem. *ak *sc *jb
ODI 10063479
Structure
I was involved in an accident that occured on oct. 14, 2003. I was making a left turn when i was broadsided by a toyota camry going about 20 -30 miles an hour. My explorer tipped onto the driver side. I was terrified it would roll-over (upside-down) i had no idea how easy it was to tip my vehicle over. Do you have any data concerning ford explorers? Do you have any suggestions as to what i can do? I'm never getting…
Crash reported
ODI 10071237
Electrical System · Power Train · Power Window Devices And Controls · Structure · Vehicle Speed Control
Multiple issues with my 2003 ford explorer which include the electronic mother board having been replaced twice (under warranty), cracked liftgage (not under warranty cost $300), transmission rebuild approx 90,000 ($3000), dome lights do not turn off, door ajar lights, electric rear windows do not open, o/d light flashes and now the final problem after having replaced my transmission in july 2011 is a drive train or…
ODI 10448566