Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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. …
My 2003 Ford Expedition has a rear end problem and its now roaring while I'm on the highway. I notice there was a recall on this because this is very dangerous to the consumer. I also notice there are other Ford Expedition has the same problem. Please see recall bulletin for this item#10016789.NHTSA item number 050618. Replacement# 05126.
I have a 2003 Expedition with only 31000 miles. At 26000 miles I noticed a grinding vibration when I turned right or left.. I went to the dealership and was told this is a common problem with 2003,04 expeditions. The cluthes in the rear differential goes bad every 30,000 mile and the cost will be $1250.00 dollars to repair. If Ford know this is a problem, why haven't they issued a recall? We as owners shouldn't have to continue to pay this every 30,000 miles. My e-mail address is [redacted] . Please respond.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. While driving less than 30 MPH, the contact heard a loud pop and assumed that a tire blew out. The vehicle dropped and began to scrape the road surface. She was able to maneuver the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to the service station and it was discovered that the a-arm axle ruptured. The failure and current mileages were less than 111,000. Updated 11/17/08 updated 11/18/08.
I kept feeling a "slipping feeling" in the rear of my 2003 Ford Expedition. Like a gear and notches of the gear were not lining up properly to inter-lock and turn. It would feel like a jumping, slipping. I took it local dealership, they replaced the rear clutches. Since that time, it has been in two different dealerships in less than a year and the rear clutches have been replaced five times and now I am about to take in for number six.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH the vehicle failed to absorb impact from driving over a pot hole. The contact believed the failure May be caused by the upper and lower control arm bushing and ball joints prematurely wearing out. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 79,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked violently and stalled intermittently on several occasions. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. An independent mechanic stated that the coil springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,880.
When driving 55 MPH and over there was loud noise coming from the engine compartment. This noise was accompanied by severe vibration in the steering wheel and the entire vehicle. Dealer informed the consumer that the vibration was normal.
While making a stop, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection numerous times, but the mechanic could not duplicate the problem. While applying the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the brake rotors needed to be replaced. When stopping, the motor starts shaking and the vehicle would shut off. When turning the vehicle, it would not respond until attempting 2 or 3 times, then finally a lot of smoke appears. The suspension appeared to be loose and one sensor on the wheels did not respond.
Suspension complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2003 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Ford Expedition, 3% of the model year's 615 complaints. The component named most often is rear (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Expedition suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.