2003 Ford Explorer Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 354about this part
- Share
- 31%of 1,131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 354 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 31% of the 1,131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2003 Ford Explorer has a cracked rear panel. This is the second time it has happened. The first time it was covered by warranty and Ford repaired it at no charge. This time they will not. I was told it will cost approximately $300.00 and it would happen again. The crack develops right in the middle of the panel under the rear window.”
NHTSA complaint #10426902, filed 2011-09, 50,000 miles“The back lift gate has a crack. I have noticed this on practically every other exploer of this year. I contacted Ford several years ago and they said since it was a defect that was not a danger they would not recall or repair it.”
NHTSA complaint #10984158, filed 2017-05, 70,000 miles“Metal cracked into from liftgate window to bottom of liftgate. Just went to work one day and came home to find this huge crack in the liftgate door. I had not opened the liftgate that day. After doing research and personally witnessing other explorers with this problem, I found there are hundreds of Ford Explorer owners with same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10373252, filed 2010-12, 89,421 miles“The back lift gate (hatch) of my 2003 Ford Explorer has a vertical crack under the window next to the center Ford logo. I noticed on the internet that 1,000s of other people to include in our city are having the exact same issue with explorers and mountaineers. This happened in winter. I see in car stats there are complaints there too.”
NHTSA complaint #10262392, filed 2009-03, 59,324 miles“The rear panel of my 2003 Explorer cracked today for no reason. Not sure if this is a safety concern. When I googled the problem, it seems this is a common problem that Ford once addressed.”
NHTSA complaint #10943689, filed 2017-01, 109,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V442000Sep 13, 2004On certain sport utility vehicles, the liftgate glass strut may become disengaged or the hinge may fracture allowing the glass to fall and possibly break.Covers: Ford Explorer 2002–2003, Mountaineer 2002–2003
- 03V094000Mar 7, 2003Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by…Covers: Ford Explorer 2000–2003, Dodge Grand Caravan 2000–2003, Ford Expedition 2000–2003 +9 more
Related service bulletins
- 10156863Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
- 10155551Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
- 10014165Dec 27, 2004Aluminum corrosion - service tip.
- 10013074Oct 1, 2002Sun visor rattle / detroit area dealers contact request.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 10 | 9% |
| 2022 | 11 | 4% |
| 2021 | 25 | 6% |
| 2020 | 45 | 4% |
| 2019 | 150 | 50% |
| 2018 | 288 | 39% |
| 2017 | 659 | 39% |
| 2016 | 591 | 24% |
| 2015 | 411 | 23% |
| 2014 | 276 | 16% |
| 2013 | 439 | 20% |
| 2012 | 144 | 17% |
| 2011 | 110 | 9% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 11 | 5% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 151 | 30% |
| 2004 | 426 | 33% |
| 2003 | 354 | 31% |
| 2002 | 486 | 15% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 29 | 3% |
| 1999 | 47 | 3% |
| 1998 | 48 | 2% |
| 1997 | 50 | 3% |
| 1996 | 63 | 4% |
| 1995 | 39 | 5% |
| 1994 | 158 | 13% |
| 1993 | 86 | 9% |
| 1992 | 62 | 10% |
| 1991 | 31 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Explorer
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 complaintsEngine
22 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