Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
2003 Ford Explorer, while driving through town I started to slow down for a group of kids waiting to use a cross walk when the Explorer shut down & lost all power to control brakes and steering almost hitting the kids.. I have taken to a shop & was told they could not duplicate the issues I have been having for 5 years. The reason I am now reporting this is because the close call I just had with the cross walk. This problem starts after about 5 or 10 minutes of run time then clears up not returning until next run or some time later...
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine and ABS indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the brakes failed and the steering wheel seized. The emergency brake was engaged in order to come to a complete stop. The contact restarted the vehicle after few minutes and it functioned normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle began to experience a jerking motion and the ABS indicator illuminated. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel speed sensors, ABS sensors, and ABS pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000. The VIN was not available.
The rear air conditioner line rubbed against the brake line causing brake line failure. The rupture occurred during an attempt to suddenly stop. There were no signs of rust either inside or outside the brake line. The failure occurred at about 156,000 miles on the vehicle. Oddly enough, the mechanic specifically noted that rust was not a factor in this case as is common on many newer vehicles. I have owned the vehicle since 3/7/2006. No collision work has been performed on the vehicle since taking ownership.
I was driving in minus 20 degree celsius to take highway 15 north from just after panama bus station. In the entrance, my car start to slow down to the 5 kmph. In the back of my cars were all on their hazard light and being mad at me. So I drive back to my home taking the next exit. I wish somebody could take the videos and sent to the Ford company to let them know my situation.
Because the ABS light comes on during long drives and remains on until we stop the vehicle, our Explorer has been in the shop on 3 times in 3 states. We''ve been told that we shouldn''t worry if the light goes off after stopping. A ''grinding'' noise checked in colorado for 3 days last year wasn''t a problem until our rear differential suddenly went "out," in ohio. In illinois, the ABS light came on and stayed on for the first time. We went to the closest Ford dealership, and since it didn''t remain lit, we were told to get it repaired in iowa, since it wasn't "major." the ABS rear sensor was replaced. The mechanic said that explorers with differential replacement were having sensor problems. When the differential was replaced in ohio, the service rep mentioned a "kit" to replace the differential. Both garages seemed conversant with the ABS sensor and differential problems. …
I was driving on the freeway at approximately 60 MPH. When I depressed the brake, the car accelerated to 70 MPH first, then to 80 MPH. I tried applying the emergency brake, but it did not slow down the vehicle at all. To avoid colliding with the vehicle in front of me, I forced the transmission gear into parking. This momentarily slowed down the vehicle, and I tried to move it into the far right lane of the freeway. Then suddenly it started driving in reverse at a very high speed, causing me to collide with an oncoming truck on the freeway. Unable to control the car and fearing for my life, I turned the ignition key, which brought the car to a halt. The high patrol arrived within only a couple of minutes. When one of the officers turned on the car so as to determine what the problem was, the car immediately accelerated to 80 MPH. …
The vehicle is a 2003 Ford Explorer. Has 142,000 miles. Had tire rotation at 137,000 miles in jan 2010. On 3/6, we drove 120 mi from home to baltimore, parked in parking lot for 6 hours. Drove 50 mi to tyson's corner va, parked in hotel parking lot. On 3/7, we drove 15mi to daughter's home in arlington. Left car there for 7 hours. Drove back home along routes 66, 495 and then 95. Went about 60 mi when I noticed the steering wheel was shaking a bit. Kept driving for maybe 5 mi before I heard a noise from the front end near the wheels. Decided to pull off the highway and get to a service station to check tire pressure. Checked tire pressure and began to back out when the right front wheel fell off. There was only 1 lug stud remaining that was broken off about 1/2 " above the brake drum. The other 4 lug studs were missing, and seemed to be sheered off about 1/2" below the drum. …
I keep reading about 2 complaints that people need to know about and Ford should take action on; the first being the back tail gate... Ford do the right thing. The second has to do with the transmission, overdrive light, the parking brake and the cruise control. I use the cruise control when driving long distances and while on a few trips the overdrive light would come on for no reason, at least I thought, I then found out that I had an ABS problem and wheel bearings problems. All happening at the same time? As if that wasn't enough my transmission was dripping fluid on my new driveway! This was while I only had only 70,000 miles, it wasn't right, I checked out the brakes, they had been replaced before however when I pull off the rear drum / disk to check the parking brake that's when I found the problem. …
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. …
Brake complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 4% of the model year's 1,131 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Explorer brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to brakes 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.