2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems
- Complaints
- 78filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 58,500miles, 52 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 4.0L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2003 Explorer Sport Trac report a wide spread of problems rather than one dominant fault. The most frequent themes in the sampled complaints are transmission slippage at higher mileage, body/frame and door-handle issues, brakes that intermittently go to the floor, fuel-filling and fuel-pump trouble, and electrical faults that can stall or cut power. Many reports describe gradual worsening over time, though several electrical, brake and airbag complaints describe sudden failures while driving.
- Fuel system
Fuel filling problems and fuel pump failures
- 11 complaints (14%)
- median 8,500 mi at 2.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- filed 2003–2013
Complaints describe gasoline spraying or backing out of the filler during refueling, pumps shutting off repeatedly, and very slow fill times. Others report no-start conditions traced to the fuel pump, with one owner saying the pump was replaced several times. A few mention stalling after a cold start on an incline. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 82,500 miles, with the fill problems often noticed within the first years of ownership.
What to check: Fuel the truck yourself during the test drive and watch for spray-back or repeated pump shutoff; ask whether the fuel pump or filler vent has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I have had fuel tank issues for a year now and they are getting worse. My gauge stopped working about 13 months ago which was no big deal. Now I am unable to put more then 4-5 gallons of gas in at a time. The safety sensor stops the pump from filling up my tank and if I try to do it a little at a time it just shoots gas out of my fill area and gets everywhere. I have been doused in gas and I have run out of gas in very bad areas. …”
NHTSA complaint #10458465, filed 2012-05, 78,000 miles“When filling gas tank of Ford sport trac, gasoline suddenly and without warning sprayed out of filler pipe covering my cloths with gasoline. I took vehicle back to dealer and told it has been repaired. Next time I filled the tank, gasoline again without warning erupted from fill pipe and sprayed on my shoes and pants. Again returned the automobile to dealer and told that the vent pipe had water in it. Told that it had been fixed. After auto returned it filled once without difficulty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10146788, filed 2006-01 - Body and structure
Body mounts, door handles and frame problems
- 7 complaints (9%)
- median 58,000 mi at 3.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- filed 2004–2017
Owners report body mounts crumbling or fracturing so the cab sits loose on the frame, and a body mount pushing through the floor. Several describe rear interior door handles breaking so passengers cannot get out from inside. A few complaints mention a cracked or bent frame and a liftgate that releases under light pressure. Reported from near-new mileage up to about 190,000 miles, with door handle failures often after relatively little use.
What to check: Open and close every door from the inside, look under the cab at the rubber body mounts for cracks or crumbling, and check the liftgate glass for a secure latch.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Body mounts prematurely deteriorating and crumbling. Body rides loose on frame, which can impact safety of the vehicle and handing in an accident. All body mounts for the cab of the vehicle have failed and fall apart to the touch. Since this vehicle is a body on frame design, failed body mounts cannot keep the cab firmly attached to the frame of the truck. Apparently the rubber material used was detective.”
NHTSA complaint #10426961, filed 2011-09, 46,000 miles“Both rear doors failed to open from the inside after being used only a few dozen times each. The cause was the interior door handle (plastic) broke inside the door. This is a big safety issue because this means that rear seat passengers cannot egress the vehicle without it being opened by someone on the outside. This is evidently a common problem with many Ford vehicles using this door handle - there should have been a recall issued years ago.”
NHTSA complaint #10577786, filed 2014-04, 190,000 miles - Electrical system
Electrical faults, stalling and underhood fires
Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints
Complaints describe the dash lights, headlights and radio going dead or erratic, the engine cutting out while driving, and a burning electrical smell shortly after purchase. Several owners report fires starting under the hood or under the driver's side while driving or parked, with the vehicle sometimes a total loss. Dealers in some cases could not duplicate the stalling. Reported anywhere from delivery mileage to about 180,000 miles, appearing suddenly while driving or parked.
What to check: Inspect under the hood and dash for scorched wiring or a burnt smell, check that all lighting works with the steering wheel in different positions, and ask whether any electrical repairs have been done.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On july 28 while my wife was driving our new Explorer Sport Trac it just stop running. She started it up and it ran for about 1min then cut off again stranding her in the middle of a highway in a turn lane we reported it to Ford it took over 2 hrs for them to get a tow truck to tow the truck to the dealer it also happened on the 27th. Also the owners manual pages are not right when you look at about how to change a tire it give you a page number and it shows something else like how to change oil.”
NHTSA complaint #10030380, filed 2003-07, 7,325 miles“Dt: the consumer stated that 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac special edition with avalanche on the back was having a stalling problem. The anti-theft device light blinked on the dashboard, and then the vehicle shut off the power. The consumer took the truck to the repair shop seven to eight times for this problem. The truck has been in the shop longer than it has been with the consumer. The dealership put the edr on the truck, and found no information. The truck stalled when the light came on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10137183, filed 2005-09, 25,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission slips or drops out of gear
- 5 complaints (6%)
- median 96,600 mi at 11.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2008–2014
Complaints describe the transmission slipping, the overdrive light flashing, and the truck dropping out of gear or refusing to engage when cold. Owners report the problem worsening over weeks, with some told by mechanics that the transmission needed replacement. In one case the shift lever reportedly did not lock in park, letting the vehicle roll. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 200,000 miles, often on inclines or exit ramps.
What to check: Test drive at highway speed and on an incline, watch for a flashing overdrive light, and check that the shifter locks securely in park.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“With no advance warning, the o/d off light began flashing and the transmission began to slip. Mechanic said the transmission is shot. I have not done any of the work yet, as I can not afford $3000 in repairs. I have since found out that this problem occurs on a large number of Ford explorers.”
NHTSA complaint #10221532, filed 2008-03, 72,500 miles“My Ford sport trac has failed to lock when the gear shift is put into the park position. When you start to get out the vehicle will roll and you will hear a clicking noise in the transmission. It has done this for some time and I had it fixed once but it is doing it again.”
NHTSA complaint #10640076, filed 2014-09, 100,000 miles - Brakes
Brake pedal goes to the floor or brakes grab
- 10 complaints (13%)
- median 48,600 mi at 1.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2003–2021
Owners describe the brake pedal intermittently sinking to the floor, vibrating, or the vehicle jerking when braking, sometimes with no warning and no stored fault codes. Several report dealers could not duplicate the problem, and in one case the master cylinder was replaced without resolving it. Another complaint describes a rear brake line worn through by the parking brake cable, draining fluid. Reported from as low as about 7,300 miles up to around 96,000 miles, at various speeds including downhill.
What to check: Ask for brake service records, inspect the rear brake lines and parking brake cable routing, and test the pedal feel firmly at a stop before buying.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“drivers side rear brake line developed a hole caused by the emergency brake cable rubbing against it causing all the brake fluid to leak & the brakes failed. Fortunately my husband was driving on our rural road & not out on the main highway. We have not been able to get it repaired yet.”
NHTSA complaint #11432965, filed 2021-09“2003 Ford explorer sportrac, intermittently brake pedal goes to floor, pedal vibrates, unable to stop. No accident yet but very scary situation. Scheduled to have dealer inspect on 8/8/2011. This has happened several times. No error codes on vehicle diagnostics. This could cause a serious accident!!”
NHTSA complaint #10417202, filed 2011-08, 59,000 miles
Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on transmission behavior, brake hydraulics, body mounts and the fuel filler, since those are the most frequently reported areas. Service records showing recent transmission and brake work are worth asking for on a truck of this age.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 78 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. 52 of the complaints include a mileage, and 48% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 58,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 5 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system11 14%
- Fuel system11 14%
- Body and structure10 13%
- Engine cooling9 12%
- Brakes8 10%
- Suspension7 9.0%
- Vehicle speed control5 6.4%
- Air bags4 5.1%
- Steering4 5.1%
Also reported: Tires (4), Engine (3), Equipment (2), Wheels (2), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Sitting at a stop sign vehicle went into acceleration gas peddle went to floor. Foot was on the brake. Checked no carpet stuck under the gas peddle. Foot was not touching gas peddle. It was almost like the cruise control was pressing the gas peddle. Cruise control was off. Shut vehicle off then back on issue went away. This has happened other times to myself and my wife. Sometimes while pushing the gas the gas peddle leaves your foot and continues to the floor on its own, pressing the brake and turning vehicle off seems to resolve the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10479743, filed 2012-10, 83,000 milesFuel system: “While driving on the freeway vehicle decelerated 5 MPH before regulating speed. After exiting freeway, vehicle died at stop light. Vehicle towed to dealership where they informed me the inertia switch, located under kick plate on passenger side, was damaged and thus cut off the fuel pump. Once fixed, vehicle ran fine. This is a safety device in case of an accident, but it is located in a very bad location.”
NHTSA complaint #10093239, filed 2004-09, 8,500 milesBody and structure: “My aunt's vehicle was involved in an accident where the vehicle rolled several times. The front pillar on the driver's side collapsed allowing the roof to collapse almost down to the level of the steering wheel. There was also a lack of availability of side curtain airbags on the vehicle. The accident resulted in the death of the driver of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10110425, filed 2005-02, 15,000 milesEngine cooling: “I purchased my 2003 sportrack in december of 2002 from sunrise Ford. I drove my SUV home, parked it and went inside for less than 20 minutes. When I came out to drive drive my guests around the block, the vehicle would not start. I called sunrise Ford and spoke with the service department. They sent the sales person to my place rather than a mechanic. He basically belittled me infront of my guests by telling me I did something to my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10037170, filed 2003-09, 11,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
48% of the 52 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,000 and 96,600 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport Trac · sedan | not rated | — | — | — | 2 |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10016814Oct 11, 2005Tires. Irregular tire wear.
- 10018061Oct 7, 2005Steering. Steering shudder during low speed maneuvers - 4.0l engine.
- 10017860Jul 1, 2005Fuel system, Other or unknown. Malfunction indicator lamp coming on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0171, p0172, p0174 and/or p0175 (fuel system too rich or lean).
- 10014138Jun 7, 2005Seat belts. Safety belt retraction speed.
- 10017891Apr 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd.
- 10012954Feb 21, 2005Seat belts. Safety belt web stop button service.
- 10014263Dec 27, 2004Equipment. Moan/vibration during air conditioning operation.
- 10014096Dec 13, 2004Suspension. Revised procedure for adjusting alignment on all suspensions - new right hand upper control arm design for torsion bar front suspensions.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Other model years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 31 | 30,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2009 | 6 | 20,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 23 | 65,265 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Rising |
| 2007 | 100 | 39,275 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 5 | 74,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 66 | 68,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 86 | 43,768 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 78 | 58,500 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 144 | 48,104 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 167 | 71,760 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 5 | 51,700 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 6 | 107,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Owners of the 2003 Explorer Sport Trac report a wide spread of problems rather than one dominant fault. The issues reported most often: Fuel filling problems and fuel pump failures; Body mounts, door handles and frame problems; Electrical faults, stalling and underhood fires.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
NHTSA recorded 78 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (14% of the total), followed by fuel system with 11.
Has the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (Explorer Sport Trac 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reported?
Among the 52 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 58,500 miles and the middle half falls between 8,000 and 96,600 miles; 48% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.