Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This event has happened twice now my 2003 Ford Explorer has excelerated without warning ! And while trying to stop the vehicle. The second time ending in an accident. I have only had this vehicle just under 2 months ! The floor mats are not the problem here. Once I was in reverse and a power surge came over the vehicle the brakes would not work didn't result in an accident but was somewhat afraid of it. I was coming home last nite turned into my drive and the vehicle excelerated without warning brakes did not work at all ended up smashing into my Ford escape that could have bin my little girl or someone's child! Will not drive this vehicle again. Have had fords most all of my life never seen this before! There's a lot of exceleration problems listed on this site I think it's time for a recall before someone is killed thanks for your concern!
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle experienced a problem with hesitation when the speed was kept constant. The dealership replaced the mass air flow sensor. The hesitation problem continued, the vehicle was returned to the dealership which was unable to duplicate the problem. While backing into the driveway the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Although the brakes were applied the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle hit the contact's home resulting in a neck sprain injury. The acceleration continued until the shifter was moved into drive. The dealership was unable to determine the cause of the acceleration. Also, contact complained that ABS light was on and pedal felt stiff. Vehicle ran rough. In addition, removed and installed automatic transmission main control valve body.
I have a 2003 Ford Explorer manufactured in 01/03. It is not included in the current 'voluntary' recall of Ford vehicles due to a defective speed control deactivation switch. However, the vehicle exhibits the symptoms of the vehicles with a defective speed control switch (see faq below from Ford.com): q. Are there any early warning signs or symptoms I would notice that would indicate a problem? A. If the system malfunctions, a customer May notice vehicle symptoms such as; the speed control May become inoperable, the vehicle May not shift out of park, the rear brake lamps May not work, brake fluid May leak at the switch, the battery May drain or go dead, the ABS warning light May flash or a fuse in the system May open. My vehicle has an inoperable speed control. It started as an intermittent problem, but is now inoperable. …
4 items 1 - have owned the 2003 Ford Explorer for 7 months. While test driving, I noticed a hum noise coming from rear tires. Was told it was tread noise. We took it for oil change at very well respected national automotive service shop. I was informed I needed to replace the rear hub assembly that is was critically broken. Waiting to contact local Ford dealer for resolution based on TSB research I have done. 2 - whining noise from air conditioner when accelerating. Don't really know what is going on. Saw this also on TSB. Contacting local Ford dealership. 3 - ABS light randomly comes on. Don't know why and no pattern to when. Contacting local Ford dealership. 4 - cruise control not working. I was driving down the road this weekend, using cruise control. Stopped quickly for a car in front of me. When I started going again, the cruise control wouldn't work and hasn't worked since then. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the cruise control failed to deactivate after several attempts. In addition, the cruise control activation mechanism failed to respond and the vehicle would not slow down. Immediately, the vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and the ignition key was turned off with the gear shifter placed in the park position. The vehicle completely stopped. The contact was unaware if the warning indicators were illuminated on the instrument panel. The engine revved and the RPM's raced when the ignition was restarted. The contact turned off the ignition and, after several attempts, the engine idled normally. Whenever the cruise control system was not in use, the vehicle operated properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
We own a 2003 Ford Explorer eddie bauer - 4wd at times the cruise control will either work, not work at all, work after being warmed up, work after shutting the motor off and restarting, work with the speed accelerating continuously at dangerous levels, or indicate it is working but is not. After viewing several sites where many other owners are having the same problem, we went to our dealer. Our dealer replaced a defective deactivation pressure switch that caused the cruise control to react erratically. They used ids hook up to locate problem at a cost to us of $325.89. After talking to someone at the dealership, it became apparent this is not an uncommon problem, and it is a defective part that is causing a very dangerous situation to occur. The driver that does not detect the increasing speed or panics when it occurs could have a serious or deadly accident. …
I have been having issues with the cruise control on my Explorer. It works fine for several months and then occasionally it will not engage. Most times if it will not engage, the dashboard light does not show up, but since last week the light has come on, but the cruise control has not engaged. Since this has been an ongoing issue and seems to resolve on its own, I continue to try it occasionally. I tried to set it last Friday while I was going approximately 40 MPH. It did engage, but then began to slowly accelerate. I tried pushing the button that should reduce the speed, but it continued accelerating, so I kicked the brake pedal to disengage. I have tried it 3 additional times and each time it accelerates. The last time I tried it, yesterday afternoon, the speed was picking up incredibly quickly. It felt like I had just floored the accelerator. …
I was approaching a red traffic light at a very low rate of speed . I had my foot on the brake and was preparing to come to a complete stop when the engine suddenly sped up. I increased the pressure on the brake pedal but could not stop the car. I was afraid that I would hit a car in front of me waiting at the traffic light. I then shifted the car into neutral and then was able to stop the car. My tachometer was reading above 5000 RPM. I tapped the accelerator pedal and the RPM returned to normal. This all happened within a few seconds. I was able to drive the car home without further problems. I have an appointment to have the car checked by a Ford dealer tomorrow.
On 9/4/08, driving in town, I was at a red light, proceeded to accelerate, then prepared to brake, I noticed that when I took my foot off the accelerator, the vehicle's speed kept accelerating. I had to ride my brakes to keep my car from going any faster. When I let off the brake, the accelerator took off again on its own at a fast rate! I pulled over to turn off my car, waited for at least 30 minutes and proceeded again. After driving 5 miles it started up again, I rode on my brakes the rest of the way home and then had my husband follow me to the dealership to have it looked at, where it is right now.
Multiple issues with my 2003 Ford Explorer which include the electronic mother board having been replaced twice (under warranty), cracked liftgage (not under warranty cost $300), transmission rebuild approx 90,000 ($3000), dome lights do not turn off, door ajar lights, electric rear windows do not open, o/d light flashes and now the final problem after having replaced my transmission in July 2011 is a drive train or drive line issue. At approximately 45 MPH after dropping from a higher speed, a thumping happens. Diagnosis for this issue has been 3 days still with no final determination.
Acceleration complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2003 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 3% of the model year's 1,131 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Explorer acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2003 Ford Explorer, though it has 2 recalls 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 Explorer acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration 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.