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BrakesPart report

2003 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

Complaints
45about this part
Share
4%of 1,131 total for the year
Median mileage
71,225miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 1,131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,225 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving in minus 20 degree celsius to take highway 15 north from just after panama bus station. In the entrance, my car start to slow down to the 5 kmph. In the back of my cars were all on their hazard light and being mad at me. So I drive back to my home taking the next exit. I wish somebody could take the videos and sent to the Ford company to let them know my situation.”

NHTSA complaint #10826109, filed 2016-02, 150,000 miles

“2003 Ford Explorer, while driving through town I started to slow down for a group of kids waiting to use a cross walk when the Explorer shut down & lost all power to control brakes and steering almost hitting the kids.. I have taken to a shop & was told they could not duplicate the issues I have been having for 5 years. The reason I am now reporting this is because the close call I just had with the cross walk. This problem starts after about 5 or 10 minutes of run time then clears up not returning until next run or some time later...”

NHTSA complaint #10875755, filed 2016-06, 202,000 miles

“I was driving at freeway speeds when a collision occured in the lanes next to me and the vehicles swerved into my lane. I slamed on the brakes and the ABS system started working, then failed. The back wheels locked up and I fish-tailed, ending up in the dirt center median. When I looked at the dash, the ABS warning light was on. The dealership checked and found that the rear ABS sensor failed (open circut).”

NHTSA complaint #10122432, filed 2005-05, 31,900 miles

“My 2003 Ford Explorer has some serious electrical issues. My right front passenger window will not roll down. It gets very hot in my truck out in the heat. It stopped working all of a sudden and the A/C in the car does not blow. (I didn't break any of these things) my door ajar light is always on the dash... My driver's door sensor went out for some reason and now my vehicle thinks that the door is always open, which drains my battery and my lights will not turn off at times. I have to manually turn them on/off. I dislike doing that because I'll forget sometimes. …”

NHTSA complaint #10604664, filed 2014-06, 195,000 miles

“The vehicle is a 2003 Ford Explorer. Has 142,000 miles. Had tire rotation at 137,000 miles in jan 2010. On 3/6, we drove 120 mi from home to baltimore, parked in parking lot for 6 hours. Drove 50 mi to tyson's corner va, parked in hotel parking lot. On 3/7, we drove 15mi to daughter's home in arlington. Left car there for 7 hours. Drove back home along routes 66, 495 and then 95. Went about 60 mi when I noticed the steering wheel was shaking a bit. Kept driving for maybe 5 mi before I heard a noise from the front end near the wheels. …”

NHTSA complaint #10318316, filed 2010-03, 142,000 miles

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202625%
20251918%
202365%
2022135%
2021245%
2020887%
201941%
2018112%
2017221%
2016191%
2015342%
2014272%
2013402%
2012213%
2011282%
20101513%
200926%
200885%
2007126%
2006417%
2005184%
2004534%
2003454%
20021324%
2001339%
2000647%
1999695%
1998945%
1997966%
19961329%
1995809%
199426122%
199324426%
19929916%
199112320%
1990217%

Other parts of the 2003 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
354 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
335 complaints
Engine cooling
69 complaints
Suspension
63 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
62 complaints
Wheels
56 complaints
Electrical system
54 complaints
Air bags
50 complaints
Other or unknown
48 complaints
Vehicle speed control
37 complaints
Steering
27 complaints
Engine
22 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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