Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
2003 Ford Expedition, with factory original tires by continental, had a tire tread separation on June 11 which resulted in one death and four serious injuries. Vehicle was in motion, driver lost control and hit a tree...updated 02/02/17
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!! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition equipped with mirada cross tour slx tires, size: 265/70r17. While driving approximately 70 MPH, a pop noise was heard. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The contact noticed that the tread on the front driver's side tire separated and destroyed the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (bigh tire and muffler, 1695 south volusia ave, orange city, fl 32763) where it was diagnosed that the steel cord in the front tire failed and fractured the cord in the rear tire. The tires were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. Six weeks later, while driving approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and was pulled over to the side of the road. The contact noticed that the front passenger side tire tread and the wire separated. …
On March 13, 2007, our 2003 Ford Expedition had a tread separation tire failure. We were pulling a travel trailer and both vehicles rolled over twice. The tires were original equipment continental tires. Two of the four passengers were injured enough to require emergency room treatment. One was airlifted to the hospital, the other driven to the hospital. Both were treated nad released the same day. Continental tires are dangerous and should not have been on this vehicle based on the tire recalls that have occurrred. I was unaware of any safety problems with continental tires.
We had 2 tires blow out while driving our Ford Expedition on I-95 in fla almost flip twice the skin of the tires came off during driving at 65 MPH tires are continental SUV p265/70/r17 damage to the truck as well as lots of expenses for towing and repairs $700.00 dollars plus the towing company put the spare on also a continental 20 minutes later it also blew.
On a number of occasions the ABS system has failed to perform as described by the manufacturer. Upon stopping when the ABS takes over my vehicle bucks and sends me bucking through intersections. According to the dealership where I purchased this is the way the ABS works. This vehicle also has very poor visibility, there are many large blind spots.
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. …
I purchased a 2003 Expedition in September of 2002. I reported a vibration in steering wheel and brake pedal, a clanking noise in the front end, along with a slippage when taking off as vehicle seems to not want to respond when pushing on the gas. They stated the engineers were aware of problem and where working on it. The vehicle has been taken in several times, but these problems still exist. On the 2 appointment for my vehicle I stated to the service area that my brake pedal would go to the floor, and I would have no brakes. They told me my brakes were fine although this has happened twice while driving ever since. As of oct. 9, 2003 they have had my vehicle a week, and are stating they do not know these problem existing with any other Expedition so they are unsure how to fix the vehicle. …
My new 2003 Ford Expedition SUV purchased late June o3, two tires rf anf rr coming apart at 6,400 miles! Tires are continental 17" factory new install! I noticed a vibration at 60+ MPH 1st day with this SUV, advised dealer! Dealer re-balanced all tires. Problem continued! Dealer sent tries to shop for weight road balance?! Problem still cont.! On 10/22/03 rf and rr tires splitting on sidewalls around beeds!! Photos taken. Ford and continental tire advised. Continental stated they will replace two tires only at no cost to me, as of this report vehicle still at dealership waiting for arrival of new tires. Ford and continental state they will have defective tires shipped from dealer to them for exam!Ford Expedition, 2003.- VIN # [redacted]- dealer: berglund Ford, 834 east main st. Salem va, 24153 owner: [redacted]
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. While driving approximately 50 MPH in dry conditions, both rear tires lost their tread. The contact was able to avoid a crash, but the vehicle sustained damage from the tread separation. The tire shop stated that the failure was normal. On June 5, 2007, the contact experienced the same tire failure with the rear replacement tires. The driving speed and road conditions were also the same. The tires were continental contitrac aw (p27560r17), which were recalled under notice # 02t012000 (tires:tread/belt) on November 21, 2005. The contact has pictures along with the tire to send. The current and failure mileages were 50,000. The consumer provided a copy of the estimate for repairs, multiple pictures of the problematic tires, and also a copy of the recall for pertaining to the defect of the tires. Updated 08/06/07
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Ford Expedition, 10% of the model year's 615 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Expedition wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries and 1 death to wheels & tires 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.