2003 Ford Expedition Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 2%of 615 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2003 Ford Expedition, 2% of the 615 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My locks have failed on my vehicle due to water intrusion into the fuse module. The passenger door locks will not engage and the rear hatch and window locks will not disengage. Dealer service has indicated this is a problem that occurs 2-3 times a year with my make and model vehicle. During a crash the doors to my vehicle could open and subject the occupant to injury. All told this repair will cost over $1000.”
NHTSA complaint #10232967, filed 2008-07, 82,000 miles“We own a 2003 Ford Expedition. The child-lock on driver side stays in the locked position and the door has to be manually opened from exterior. The same door will only lock manually and not by automation. Causing my children not to want to sit by that door out of fear of not being able to get out in an emergency.”
NHTSA complaint #10162150, filed 2006-07, 65,000 miles“2003 Expedition xlt front door locks, pinch the my arm , with my arm resting on the window ledge, the door locks engage as the vehicle begins to move.......the pinch is so severe that is leaves a bruise for several days”
NHTSA complaint #10129525, filed 2005-07, 45,000 miles“First, the door ajar light came on and stayed on. I continued to go around the vehicle opening and shutting the doors and the light remained on. Consumer could not start the vehicle since the light came on, and had to get a jump to start it. After a few days of this the battery was finally ruined, and I was forced to buy a new one. I used lubricants to try and clear debris from the door sensors and this worked for 3 months. Now it will not work at all. Talked to dealer and they want to charge 600 dollars per sensors. Nothing wrong with sensor its just dirty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10235777, filed 2008-07, 20,000 miles“I own a 2003 Ford Expedition that has been giving me problems since day one. I have had several electrical problems with the vehicle causing the lights to remain on at all times and my battery to run down twice. The doors all seem to lock and unlock only when they want to and the most recent of my complaints is the rear passenger door has begun opening on its own while being driven. My 10 month old daughter and I were out shopping at a local shopping center a few weeks ago and while making a turn and preparing to park in a space the rear passenger door flung completely open. I was stunned. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154241, filed 2006-03, 58,500 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 11 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 1% |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1998 | 9 | 1% |
| 1997 | 26 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Expedition
127 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsBrakes
87 complaintsAir bags
59 complaintsTires
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
50 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsSteering
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Expedition
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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