Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
There is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. The liftgate has been unlocking and opening automatically by itself. On only rare occasions has the liftgate opened all the way while driving. On the morning of 7/28/2022 while the vehicle was parked in my driveway the liftgate was discovered to have again unlocked by itself and opened slightly and now with one of the two hinges holding the glass sheared leaving the liftgate glass hanging by only one hinge. With the glass now hanging without having both hinge supports functioning and the inability to close and lock the liftgate, 1) the glass could fall out while driving and 2) with the liftgate unable to now close and lock, contents of the back storage area could fall out of the vehicle while driving. On 8/1/2022 the vehicle was inspected by the foreman of the Service Dept. at Healy Ford, Goshen, N.Y. …
I have owned this 2003 Ford Explorer since it was brand new in 2003. It currently has 70,009 miles and has been kept in a garage and not driven often over 13 years. Within two years of purchasing this vehicle I noticed a crack in the middle of the lift gate under the glass. I talked to two Ford dealerships that advised it was not a defect but my fault for gliding the glass to harshly. I had not used the glass often and had never slammed it.m since that time I've seen hundreds of Ford explorers from the early to mid 2000s with the same crack in the same location. Today I was behind four different explorers from the same time period and all had the same crack. I checked online and realized there are thousands of complaints about this defect with some drivers stating the back glass bursts while they were driving. …
Awoke the morning of May 10, 2017 to find the entire back liftgate and window exploded outwards and inwards of our Ford Explorer. The vehicle was parked in front of our home, we are rural, so no evidence of someone purposely breaking it. Our sheriff in cascade county, montana, stated it appears to be something internal probably the lift struts exploding. This seems to be a problem as stated on many online sites, and many Ford explorers have this problem. This particlar model VIN number did not show up as recalled, although we sit here looking at the damage caused by this problem. We would appreciate someone looking into this, as it could happen to anyone and prove to be very dangerous if this vehicle were being driven when this explosion occured. Please check into this asap.
Chat conversation start 5:57 pm greetings, I saw you commentary about the Ford Explorer exhaust fumes inside the cabin, well I have a 2004 Ford Explorer with the same problem, I am a mechanic I figured May be the filter was clogged well it was no filter, what I found the vent door fell off from the place where it suppose to open and close laying down on the fan, so I reinstalled back and the problem was fixed, it is a poor design from the Ford company. I was loosing heat during winter and not be cool at the summer loosing the thru vent out place. Ford needs to fix all this problems along with seat belts, rear window quarter panel cracked no one is getting Ford to do recalls on this items very poor construction.
I was involved in an accident that occured on oct. 14, 2003. I was making a left turn when I was broadsided by a Toyota camry going about 20 -30 miles an hour. My Explorer tipped onto the driver side. I was terrified it would roll-over (upside-down) I had no idea how easy it was to tip my vehicle over. Do you have any data concerning Ford explorers? Do you have any suggestions as to what I can do? I'm never getting into that vehicle again but I owe $22,000. Now trade in value is maybe $16,000. The car is still being repaired and will be covered by the other driver's insurance.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. When attempting to close the rear window, the contact noticed that the rear liftgate window hinges were cracking and were tilted on one side. The contact, a certified master technician, stated that the window needed to be replaced. The contact called fort mill Ford at [phone] (located at 801 gold hill rd, fort mill, sc 29708) and was informed that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
I own a 2003 Ford Explorer. The back hatch below the window is cracked. I've seen many with the same defect in parking lots. One woman I spoke with said hers flew off into the windshield of a minivan & caused an accident. I e-mailed Ford motor co. They will not issue a recall. This is a safety hazard and with so many vehicles so easily found in parking lots with the same defect is concerning me. I can't afford to have this fixed right now what do you suggest?
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while closing that the liftgate both hinges fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where both hinges and struts were replaced. In 2005, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 04V442000 (structure) however,the remedy was insufficient. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000. Js
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While accessing the power liftgate, the hinges fractured and caused the door to abruptly close. There were no injuries. The liftgate was completely removed and placed in the vehicle temporarily. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V442000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate glass strut brackets and glass hinges were fractured and tilted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer who stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V442000 (structure). The failure mileage was 100,000.
Related recalls
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
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.
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.
Structure
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.
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…
Body complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 354 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 31% of the model year's 1,131 complaints. The component named most often is body (135 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Explorer body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-442 (hinge and attachments, Sep 13, 2004); NHTSA recall 03V-094 (structure, Mar 7, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Explorer body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to body & structure 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.