2003 Ford Explorer Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the seat belts of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 1,131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The problem with the seat belts that it does not retract, it seems to me that system would not hold any tension to be safe on the road and beside that it does not retract, it torn the seal because metal hook was still sticking out and it got caught on the door consequently tearing the seal, they are the same way on both side of the vehicle, driver and passenger. I brought to the dealer and it seems like they don't care to replace it.”
NHTSA complaint #10459699, filed 2012-05, 183,745 miles“Chat conversation start 5:57pm greetings, I saw you commentary about the Ford Explorer exhaust fumes inside the cabin, well I have a 2004 Ford Explorer with the same problem, I am a mechanic I figured may be the filter was clogged well it was no filter, what I found the vent door fell off from the place where it suppose to open and close laying down on the fan, so I reinstalled back and the problem was fixed, it is a poor design from the Ford company. I was loosing heat during winter and not be cool at the summer loosing the thru vent out place. …”
NHTSA complaint #10954361, filed 2017-02, 250,000 miles“The problem the seat belts does not have enough spring action to retract causing to be laying down and it is getting caught by the door lock mechanism messing the belt plus causing the door not to lock properly, either the driver or the passenger side. The door came unlock since the harness did not retract. It needs attention and being replace by the dealer or being recall to make sure it is replace. The belt is getting damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10690967, filed 2015-02, 226,610 miles“The problem with the seat belts does not have enough retraction force like it used to be, they hang out, damaging the door locking mechanism and door seal, driver and passenger side. It has being a problem not retracing the belt like it suppose to.”
NHTSA complaint #10649313, filed 2014-10, 223,621 miles“Water runs down front passenger seatbelt apperatus, inside the car. Water damage seen on interior roof from water leaking inside the roof of the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10322356, filed 2010-03, 10,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014138Jun 7, 2005Safety belt retraction speed.
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 18 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 23 | 1% |
| 2016 | 40 | 2% |
| 2015 | 38 | 2% |
| 2014 | 28 | 2% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 34 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 16 | 2% |
| 1999 | 21 | 2% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 54 | 3% |
| 1996 | 78 | 5% |
| 1995 | 59 | 7% |
| 1994 | 13 | 1% |
| 1993 | 13 | 1% |
| 1992 | 24 | 4% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
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 30, 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