2003 Ford Explorer Body Problems
- 134
- 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 134 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Hatchback/Liftgate · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 48 |
| 100–150k mi | 29 |
| 30–60k mi | 25 |
| 150–400k mi | 8 |
| 1–30k mi | 8 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body
PAINT PEELING OFF MY CAR. *TR
ODI 10238439
Body
Vertical crack in the back hatch of my ford explorer 2003 just below the glass and going down. *tr
ODI 10237622
Body
I was just driving along and i heard a pop noise and the panel under the back window was cracked. *tr
ODI 10383445
Body · Power Window Devices And Controls
My back windshield exploded last thursday while parked in my driveway. Not only did the glass explode, but the fiberglass underneath the glass was pulled away from the backend of the truck in a bowing position. I had the back hinge replaced after the recall, it's been less than 12 months and the ford dealership in nashua will do nothing for me, stating that they have never seen anything like that before and there…
ODI 10232166
Body · Latches/Locks/Linkages
July of 2007 the rear window on our 2003 ford explorer xlt had broken at one of the hinges and the window sagged. After researching on the internet we found out there was a recall, (04v44200). We then contacted ford and they agreed to fix the problem at no charge. Now 10 months later while the auto was parked in our driveway the window shattered with no one around. There was a neighbor working in the yard who…
1 injury
ODI 10232160
Body
The back rear panel of the hatchback cracked for no apparent reason. It is a manufacturers defect which the company is unwilling to pay for. *tr
ODI 10267039
Body
Cracked rear panel below the windshield. I have seen several ford explorers with the same problem as mine. I have also noticed several complaints on line at carcomplaints.com for the same problem. I reported the problem to ford customer relations, but they are not doing anything to fix the problem. *tr
ODI 10254020
Body
2003 ford explorer with crack in rear door panel (cargo door) we noticed this crack after a cold night. It was no fault of our own, and since then we have noticed many other ford explorers with this same vertical crack in the back door. I really think this is a defect of ford motor company,and expect them to recall this product. Any help you could give us would be greatly appreciated. I have also read many of these…
ODI 10228889
Body
2003 ford explorer limited edition crack in liftgate below the glass. Ford motor company told me there is no recall on it and to repair it myself. *tr
ODI 10329119
Body
The rear hatch has cracked from the back glass down on both sides of the emblem. I called ford and they stated that they have had a lot of complaints about this same issue but it was not a recall and they would not fix it. *tr
ODI 10261656
Body
Cracked rear panel below the windshield. I have seen several ford explorers with the same problem as mine. I have also noticed several complaints on line at carcomplaints.com for the same problem. I reported the problem to ford customer relations, but they are not doing anything to fix the problem. This is the second one for my explorer and will not be replaced by me. *tr
ODI 10255093
Body
Trim panel on the bottom of rear hatch window developed a large crack unexpectedly. Crack is vertical from window to bottom of liftgate glass. *tr
ODI 10250421
Body
I owned a 2003 ford explorer. I was getting ready to go on a trip when i noticed that a vertical crack had formed in the middle upper liftgate panel below the window. I have no idea what cause. However, it appears to the same defect that others are describing in this same model. At the time it was about 90,000 miles on the odometer. Ford needs to make a recall on this issue. *tr
ODI 10291805
Body
While driving down the street, i heard a loud noise that startled me. It was dark and i did not know what the noise was. I examined the car and a vertical crack had appeared in the back lift door panel that is just below the back lift window. Since this incident i have noticed other 2003 ford explores in several different states with the same flaw. The flaw occurs on either side of the ford emblem or right through…
ODI 10279015
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a fracture in the trim that held the rear window in place. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection where they advised that the part was defective and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000. ...updated 12/17/12 *bf
ODI 10483122
Body
There is a crack on my 2003 ford explorer eddie bauer edition lift gate. I have seen other cars of the same make and model with the same crack in the same spot. *tr
ODI 10240618
Body
Rear tail gate has a crack in the fiberglass from the window all the way down. *tr
ODI 10261882
Body
Paint problems paint keeps on blistering and peeling all over the vehicle. *tr
ODI 10202245
Body
The back panel of my 2003 explorer is cracked. The truck was purchased at liberty ford in randallstown. They admit as well as the ford corp. Office that the panels are cracking but they will not replace them. They are saying the problem is under investigation. They could not tell me when the investigation started or when they think it will end. They are only saying that although there is no particular reason that…
ODI 10225905
Body · Hatchback/Liftgate
The back lift gate panel is cracked on my 2003 explorer. I have had the crack for approx. 2 years. The crack has progressively worsened. I took it to the dealer and they said " there has been several cases such as this, but ford has not issued a recall" i have seen several explorers with this problem. I do not think it should be my responsibility to cover this when it is obviously a ford defect. *tr
ODI 10232939
Body · Glass, Side/Rear
Tl* - the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer xls. The contact stated that there was a panel below the rear window that cracked in half vertically. The vehicle was parked in the driveway ,and when he got to the vehicle he found it that way. He had not driven the vehicle that day. The contact was concerned that there were many complaints concerning this problem. Also, the rear window of exploded . The failure and…
ODI 10182432
Body
Ford explorer- 2003 location rear hatch or door. Panel below window where ford emblem appears. Plastic body part splits for no apparent reason. Has happened to many other explorers. Dealer says it is caused by rear wiper motor being housed behind crack. Dealer will not repair, though this is a known defect, without charging customer an extended warranty deductible. *nm
ODI 10172768
Body
The hood on my vehicle is blistering and bubbling off in many areas. *tr
ODI 10261880
Body
My 2003 xlt explorer has a fiberglass panel below the window on the tail gate. We purchase the vehicle from a ford dealer in august and with in a couple of weeks a crack appeared from the window to the top of the ford emblem. I brought the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that they have seen this problem in many explorers and ford is aware of it but they do not offer any savings or warranty coverage for…
ODI 10174644
Body
The back liftgate panel is cracked on my 2003 ford explorer. I live in colorado and the local ford service department said it was likely due to our dry weather, they haven't heard of it occurring in other states. I travel beyond colorado frequently and have seen several other vehicles with the same problem. This sounds like a manufacturer/ford defect that should be considered under a recall. *tr
ODI 10247826