2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 6%of 78 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 6% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“After driving several miles without incident, I pulled into traffic and accelerated to about 45 MPH then let up on peddle but vehicle continued to accelerate. To bring it under control I had to turn the ignition off and at that point, lost power steering and some brakes. I had car towed to local dealer and have not yet heard from them.”
NHTSA complaint #10228714, filed 2008-05, 221,000 miles“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 miles“Cruise control does not engage most of the time. I power the system on, but when pressing the set button, the system power quickly blinks on and off. Brake pedal is not depressed, it occurs at any speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10110099, filed 2005-02, 48,600 miles“My sport truck 2003 caught on fire on march 26, 2007 I reported complain to Ford and they say they were not responsible for this. Today september 20/07 my friend car has a recall for the speed control deactivation switch posing the risk of an underhood fire. This is what happened to my car and Ford does not want to admit that the reason for the fire was it. My car was a total loss. I was driving with all my family in the car. I did not have full coverage on my car since my car was paid in full when I bought it in sagrass Ford in ft. Lauderdale florida.”
NHTSA complaint #10203546, filed 2007-09“On numerous occasions while parking when pressing brake pedal my foot has pressed down on the accelerator linkage causing the engine to race and the vehicle to crip forward. The harder I press the brake the more the engine revs. On jun 6th 2003 my son had an accident where the vehicle went off the road and traveled approx. 700 feet before he was able to stop the vehicle. His only comment was he could not stop. I believe it was because his foot was pressing on the accelerator linkage. My son wears a size 12 shoe and I wear a size 14. …”
NHTSA complaint #10051431, filed 2003-12Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 17% |
| 2008 | 2 | 9% |
| 2007 | 4 | 4% |
| 2005 | 4 | 6% |
| 2004 | 8 | 9% |
| 2003 | 5 | 6% |
| 2002 | 19 | 13% |
| 2001 | 26 | 16% |
| 1998 | 1 | 20% |
| 1997 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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