Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle just suddenly lost power and shut down. I managed to get the vehicle to the side of the road. After a few minutes it started and I continued on, after a few miles the same thing happened again. I got it started again and was trying to make a rest stop a few miles away. While pulling into the rest stop the vehicle lost power again and resulted in a collision because of no steering or brakes. The loss of power happened 8 times that day. While looking for answers about the problem, I found on the nhtsb website that other vehicles of the same make, model and year also experienced this same problem that turned out to be a problem with the fuse block. I took it to a Ford dealership to have it checked out. They said it was a fuel pump issue. That would not cause a loss of power. …
The brakes are burning while driving & the emergency brakes are not applied. The power windows are failing 1 by 1.
I was driving on the interstate on 7/27/12 to take my daughter back to her mother, as I had my daughter during summer visitation. Half-way into my trip (525 miles one-way) it started to rain and I hydro-planed, resulting in a one-car accident. I slid from the inner lane (passing lane), across the outer lane, into the shoulder and crashed into a guard-rail. If not for the guard-rail, my vehicle would have fallen about 30-feet from the interstate to the elevation below. After the responding department arrived (highway patrol and local police departments), we evaluated that my daughter and I were OK physically. Once I started to evaluate the damage, I looked at the front tires and they are severely warped!! …
Dt: the drivers side tie rod has broken twice. Both times was without warning. The dealer has fixed it once and now it is back to the dealer for the second time for same problem. The manufacturer took information from the consumer, but she has not heard back from them. Passenger side rear window does not go down from master switch. Door ajar light does not go off. Left front ball joint separated, then vehicle hit sign. Lower control arm broken, upper ball joint bad, spindle broken sway bar link broken, cv boot torn and axle pulled out of front differential. Tie rod end on left side broken and vacuum hub cracked on spindle and tire and rim damaged. Also fender liner ripped out. Spindle, upper control arm, lower control arm, cv boot replaced. Clip for axle vacuum hub and wheel and tire, removed front differential to reinstall, axle and clip replaced wheel and tire and performed alignment. …
Truck shut off at 60mph towing a camper because my fuel pump relay blew because of a defect in the fuse box!! Almost killed us........ Not happy at all. I've spoken to many mechanics and been on many forums and this seems to be a wide spread and dangerous issue Ford should take care of. Spoke with the local Ford parts department and they are aware of the issue. This is not a cheap part by any means, but on top of that it almost killed my wife and family! Please do something about this defect. I can send you pictures of the fuse box board so you can see the burns.
My Expedition is a 1yr and 5 months. With less than 500 miles paid for a front end alignment and tire rotation, because of bad vibration at speeds of 60-70 miles an hour. Still had vibration, took it back to dealer, they said the truck came with tires out of balance. Still had vibration, took it back to dealership, a box dealing with the steering wheel had to be replaced. Since then I have paid for another front end alignment and tire balance, now tires have worn so bad dealership will probably blame worn tires for the vibration. There is more!!! The seal on the front windshield came loose and started leaking, and had to be replaced. In the front defrost vent some foam stuff had come loose and would flap around when the vent was on, the dealership called it ( packing) it was replaced or glued back down. …
On August 26,2006 took my SUV to dealer to have it checked out because the front end was shaking really bad. Was told that it needed to have front and rear rotors replaced had another dealer check out only need front rotors replaced had them replaced. On sept 8, 2006 took back to dealer because I heard a whinning noise thought it was the power steering fluid low. It checked out okay dealer check it and was informed that the power steering pump was bad had it replace. Picked up my SUV and it was still making the same noise. Was told to drive for two weeks to let air bleed out line and bring back in two weeks call them to let them know that the noise was still there took to dealer. Nothing was done about it. Call the Ford customer service line and mailed them a letter about what was going on. …
On Sunday August 22, 2010 at approximately 10:30 p.m I was driving on the 215 freeway going southbound in the city of riverside, ca. Traffic was light, weather was moderate and it was nighttime. While driving my parents' 2003 Ford Expedition on the far right lane at the speed of 60-65mph I felt the steering wheel lock up and I tried to keep control of the vehicle but the wheels turned to the right and I veered off the lane and into the dirt on the shoulder lane. I lost control of the car, it spun out of control and rolled over two or three times, and took out a big piece of fence and finally stopped. I walked out of the car in complete shock and panic, people pulled over to help, police was called to the scene as well as an ambulance. Accident report was taken by the chp and I was taken to the hospital in the ambulance. …
While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Suddenly, the vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. While unlocking the driver's door with the automatic switch both side rear view mirrors would automatically move up and down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced both side rear view mirror motors. Please provide further details. Consumer adds both side view mirrors motors replaced 2 to 3 more times. The fog light housing replaced, rear light covers replaced due to moisture, heater core switch replaced from dash. Brakes squealing when applied. Transmission slipping and power steering pump winding.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. While driving approximately 25 MPH on the highway in rainy conditions, the vehicle fishtailed and almost slipped on a ramp until he regained control. He also noticed a vibrating noise. He took the vehicle to a repair shop but there were no definite answers as to what the cause for failure was. He had not spoken with the manufacturer or taken the vehicle to the dealer to-date. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 105,000. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Steering complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Ford Expedition, 3% of the model year's 615 complaints. The component named most often is gear box (other than rack and pinion) (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Expedition steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2003 Ford Expedition, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Expedition steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.