2003 Ford Explorer Sport Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,251miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport, 6% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,251 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.
“In february of 2006, I took my 2003 Ford explorer in to have it fixed. At the time, my vehicle only had app. 36,300 miles on it. I had to have all the spark plugs replaced because they had gone bad. I was told the spark plugs should have lasted for 90,000 to 100,000 miles. In april of 2007, with app. 43,000 miles on the vehicle, the check engine light came on. I took it in for repair and was told the spark plug wires were arcing and were burned. I was told that the wires were routed badly and that they lay against hot areas of the car. I now have to replace all the wires. …”
NHTSA complaint #10189777, filed 2007-05, 36,300 miles“This vehicle stalls when idling at a red light or at standstill. This vehicle also doesn't always start at first try. There is also either a bad cluster or lose wires to the dash cluster.”
NHTSA complaint #10051453, filed 2003-12, 5,251 miles“Intermittently while driving vehicle stalled. Sometimes this occurred more frequently in wet weather. Driver would let vehicle sit for ten minutes then it would restart.”
NHTSA complaint #10046048, filed 2003-10, 1,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10013084Oct 1, 2002Fast idle strategy to prevent spark plug fouling.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
25 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
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