Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Ford Explorer

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,370 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V442000

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
955,732
Reported to NHTSA
2004-09-13
Owners notified
2004-09-30

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.

Safety risk

IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V094000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONS
Vehicles affected
3,674
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-07
Owners notified
2003-03-07

Defect description

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Safety risk

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission14170,000 mi
Structure: body13585,000 mi
Power train110110,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate9060,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments5570,000 mi
Structure4464,500 mi
Electrical system4360,000 mi
Unknown or other4397,500 mi
Wheels4296,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3350,000 mi
Air bags28125,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit2837,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2855,000 mi
Suspension2794,356 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2438,308 mi
Power train: axle assembly2412,000 mi
Engine22145,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear2140,000 mi
Air bags: frontal2041,668 mi
Steering17120,500 mi
Suspension: rear1759,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1431,900 mi
Structure: body: tailgate1360,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1252,260 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1159,500 mi
Visibility1180,000 mi
Seat belts10183,745 mi
Service brakes10150,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter962,000 mi
Power train: driveline952,381 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic970,000 mi
Tires961,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages798,773 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)770,000 mi
Suspension: front775,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system7130,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls77,500 mi
Equipment670,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal634,000 mi
Structure: body: door653,000 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments655,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control646,231 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner515,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock560,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft51,900 mi
Seats560,100 mi
Structure: body: hood533,333 mi
Visibility/wiper5155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system475,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline474,042 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch45,000 mi
Parking brake470,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)455,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor450 mi
Steering: rack and pinion434,400 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut420,000 mi
Structure: frame and members460,525 mi
Electrical system: ignition35,600 mi
Electrical system: wiring334,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)372,450 mi
Fuel/propulsion system385,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift375,900 mi
Power train: clutch assembly339,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler343,253 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light331,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages3—
Steering: column327,100 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs345,506 mi
Tires: sidewall331,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt396,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3—
Visibility: windshield340,000 mi
Wheels: hub341,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys21,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control255,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor240,000 mi
Equipment: electrical2300 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights2161,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch264,800 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery211,666 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft241,000 mi
Power train: axle hubs252,179 mi
Power train: manual transmission24,700 mi
Seat belts: front220 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust212,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly212,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar220,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid260,000 mi
Trailer hitches270,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element227,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module110,000 mi
Air bags: side/window117,000 mi
Child seat: harness: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator189,583 mi
Electrical system: software1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash151,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline151,500 mi
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)165,500 mi
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump111,666 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system111,666 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly112,000 mi
Fuel system, other1—
Interior lighting148,065 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable188,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch112,000 mi
Seat belts: integrated child seat1125,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light132,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module131,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring1163,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc150 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor118,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint163,700 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs152,000 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle160,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs187,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Traction control system172,450 mi
Unknown164,100 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor158,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1139,200 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: linkages1150,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring1114,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer110,000 mi
Wheels: multi piece171,000 mi
Wheels: rim132,000 mi

The 2002 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.