2003 Ford Expedition Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 7%of 615 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 154,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Ford Expedition, 7% of the 615 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 154,000 miles. 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The truck would just turn off while driving at 55 or 60 miles an hour , no steeringwas on highway ,no brakes put in neural to get to side of road with cars all around me .this has happened 3 times, then it would not start at all when fulled up with gas, had to be towed, then when I was down to 1/4 tank ,would not turn over, had gas in it too, but would not start, had to be towed in shop now again 3rd time ,had problems with the door agar going off had senor replaced still comes up”
NHTSA complaint #11231014, filed 2019-07, 250,000 miles“My moms 2003 Ford expiation had is sprak plug blow out I have looked all over the internet and think is should have a recall because it is a very common problem”
NHTSA complaint #11002486, filed 2017-06, 200,000 miles“I was traveling home to philadelphia from charlotte. As I got closer to my house suddenly there was loud pop and a sound as if something was popping in the engine. I parked the truck on the corner of my block afraid to drive it any further. I looked under the hood and I saw a spark plug sitting on top of my battery. After looking this problem up on the net I found out that Ford has had this problem consistently with the triton engines. No recalls have been issued and to me Ford needs to own up to this issue..”
NHTSA complaint #10502003, filed 2013-03, 174,389 miles“We moved it around in our shed at about 10pm on 6/16/12 and we awoke at 4 am to our shop, machine shed, and chicken coop engulfed in flames. We lost over $100,000 in property. The fire marshall determined that our Ford Expedition was to blame and that it started under the hood, somewhere in the electrical. We only had liability only on 2 of the 3 vehicles in the shop along with our motorcycle and trailer so they were not covered by insurance. I think Ford should of compensated us for the items we did not get paid for. …”
NHTSA complaint #10544395, filed 2013-09, 120,000 miles“Why is there no warning light,or signal of any kind when the PCM fails? Our PCM failed, which caused our catalytic converters, 02 sensors, & fuel pump to fail. Our ignition coils had to be replaced. Would have been nice if a warning light came on the dash. This has caused our Expedition engine to randomly shut off while driving countless times! I have miraculously been able to maneuver my Expedition to the side of the freeway &have it towed eight times without killing myself, my family or any one else! …”
NHTSA complaint #10458864, filed 2012-05, 95,905 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 8% |
| 2024 | 5 | 6% |
| 2023 | 6 | 9% |
| 2022 | 11 | 9% |
| 2021 | 57 | 24% |
| 2020 | 51 | 12% |
| 2019 | 108 | 21% |
| 2018 | 100 | 26% |
| 2017 | 38 | 11% |
| 2016 | 37 | 17% |
| 2015 | 31 | 19% |
| 2014 | 10 | 14% |
| 2013 | 10 | 11% |
| 2012 | 12 | 10% |
| 2011 | 11 | 15% |
| 2010 | 4 | 7% |
| 2009 | 2 | 7% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 21 | 10% |
| 2006 | 87 | 29% |
| 2005 | 57 | 18% |
| 2004 | 29 | 10% |
| 2003 | 44 | 7% |
| 2002 | 27 | 8% |
| 2001 | 15 | 3% |
| 2000 | 28 | 3% |
| 1999 | 26 | 3% |
| 1998 | 16 | 2% |
| 1997 | 11 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Expedition
127 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsBrakes
87 complaintsAir bags
59 complaintsTires
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
50 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsSuspension
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Expedition
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology