2003 Ford Explorer Sport Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 3%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 116,210miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport, 3% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 116,210 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.
“Car has an intermittent problem and will stall and both high and low speeds, or when idling. When this happens and power assist fails, it's almost impossible to steer or to brake posing a serious risk to safety. This first starting happening about once a week last november, and now it's pretty often. Stopped driving the car, except to test drive as we're trying to find the source of the problem. We think it's either the fuel or vacuum system and are continuing to narrow down the problem. I am not sure if braking will work at all when it fails, as fortunately it hasn't stalled going downhill. …”
NHTSA complaint #11063921, filed 2018-01, 167,000 miles“Bought used 2003 Ford Explorer Sport xlt in october 2008. First car I bought from dealership. Car stalled prior to leaving lot and the dealership serviced it claiming it needed a carbon cleanup. Come to find the fuel reset switch's cable connector is melted on the front passenger side and causes car to shut off even while driving at high speeds.”
NHTSA complaint #10285804, filed 2009-09, 65,420 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017860Jul 1, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp coming on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0171, p0172, p0174 and/or p0175 (fuel system too rich or lean).
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
25 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 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 31, 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