2003 Ford Explorer Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 0%of 1,131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,450miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 0% of the 1,131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,450 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.
“I keep reading about 2 complaints that people need to know about and Ford should take action on; the first being the back tail gate... Ford do the right thing. The second has to do with the transmission, overdrive light, the parking brake and the cruise control. I use the cruise control when driving long distances and while on a few trips the overdrive light would come on for no reason, at least I thought, I then found out that I had an ABS problem and wheel bearings problems. All happening at the same time? As if that wasn't enough my transmission was dripping fluid on my new driveway! …”
NHTSA complaint #10349808, filed 2010-08, 72,450 miles“1. Transmission does not let you accelarate. Pressure builds up while you are pressing on the gas pedal and it doesn't increase your speed until 10 seconds or so of pressing the gas pedal, and than it explodes and you are thrust back with the acceleration. Very dangerous when you are trying to change lanes or are entering the highway. Lack of acceleration has almost got us into a few accidents. 2. Sensors are not functioning, constantly telling me that the doors are open. I don't know when a door is actually open or not. 3. …”
NHTSA complaint #10794609, filed 2015-11“My transmission light has been coming on. I was only at 117k miles when it happened. That's to soon for a transmission to be acting up especially since it's anew one according to carfax this is the second transmission for my Explorer. The first one was put in only at 3 years old. It will sometimes jerk into reverse or take a second to go into drive when I switch gears. My overdrive light also flashes which I assume means my overdrive no longer works. The light only comes on after driving over 40 MPH. So if I'm on the highway I can't go the speed limit because I don't want this light coming on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10885760, filed 2016-07Electronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 0% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 0% |
| 2016 | 18 | 1% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 14 | 1% |
| 2013 | 45 | 2% |
| 2012 | 19 | 2% |
| 2011 | 28 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 10 | 2% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 3 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 0% |
| 2002 | 3 | 0% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 4 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Explorer
354 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
335 complaintsEngine cooling
69 complaintsSuspension
63 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
62 complaintsWheels
56 complaintsElectrical system
54 complaintsAir bags
50 complaintsOther or unknown
48 complaintsBrakes
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
37 complaintsSteering
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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