SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2003 Ford Ford Truck

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
12Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
25
200020
200137
200212
2003
Compare all Ford Truck years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
2Power Train
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Equipment
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1
All reported categories
Latches/locks/linkages
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Structure
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 7 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
52,000 miles · Jan 12, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THAT LIKE SO MANY OTHERS HAS A CRACK(S) ON THE BACK TAILGATE RIGHT BELOW THE BACK GLASS. FORD MOTOR HAS TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT EXTEND A RECALL ON IT. ISN'T …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THAT LIKE SO MANY OTHERS HAS A CRACK(S) ON THE BACK TAILGATE RIGHT BELOW THE BACK GLASS. FORD MOTOR HAS TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT EXTEND A RECALL ON IT. ISN'T THERE A SAFETY CONCERN THAT IF THE CRACKS KEEP GETTING LARGER (WHICH THEY WILL) THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF THE BACK GLASS BREAKING OR THE TAILGATE SPLITTING INTO? I, LIKE MANY OTHERS NEED SOME HELP FROM SOMEBODY IN ORDER TO MAKE FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DEFECTS AND CORRECT THEM. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214596

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.