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 Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We have recurring wheel bearing and hub assembly issue. The timing I put on the form May be off a bit but not much. Its all like a recurring Ford Explorer nightmare at this point! We have replaced bearings, hib assembly, tie rod, then rear end went up ( and shouldn't have)/now again, another bearing and wheel sensor. The truck cuts out when at a slower speed. I lost steering a few months ago while driving and when I try to put it in gear, sometimes it won't move.I have called Ford, nhtsb and no one is willing to make Ford recall these issues and Ford won't do the right thing knowing it's an ongoing problem with a lot of fords! Please someone help! I have multiple sclerosis and a heart issue. I need a safe reliable car and can't afford to get another one. Someone, please do the right thing here! …
I have continuous problems with my tires coming off of my 2003 Ford Explorer while driving following any work requiring removal of my tires (this has happened to me multiple times now). The first incident happened in 2006. The explanation that I have received is that the aluminum rims require extra torquing when placing the tire back on the vehicle. I'm not sure what the root cause really is but now I know that there is an issue with the metal in all of the areas associated with my tires being attached to my vehicle. Everything is corroded behind the hub caps of all 4 wheels. This could be associated with the issue that the windstars are experiencing, maybe the annealing process used for the metal was defective? I don't know but this is a safety issue and I want an investigation opened so that it can be corrected. …
While driving on hwy 38 in sc, the steering wheel started shaking real bad and then the entire SUV started shaking and we veered off the right side of the road into a field. The front left tire came off and we came to a complete stop. Upon further investigation I saw that 2 of the 5 lug posts were sheared off and the other 3 were bent. In addition the molding around the front right tire came off and the driver's side door was jammed shut. After everyone was out safely the SUV has been towed and is with an auto center for repairs and body work. I searched online and this is a known problem for this vehicle yet Ford has not had any recalls despite the frequency of this issue. If you search "2003 Ford Explorer problems" it will come up. This needs to be looked into before someone gets killed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front driver's side wheel detached due to the control arm being corroded. The contact called elder Ford (777 john r rd, troy, mi 48083, [phone]) and was advised to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the metal of the upper control arm was not a good metal; therefore, the control arm was corroded through and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Rear of vehicle emitted a thumping and popping sound. First thought that rear tire had blown or that rear end had malfunctioned. After regaining control of vehicle and pulling off to shoulder on three wheels and a rotor, determined that the driver's side rear wheel and tire had disappeared. All lugs and nuts were gone. Wheel had departed from vehicle and gone in an unknown direction. Rotor and caliper where still attached to vehicle. Policeman was later able to retrieve wheel and tire from some distance down the highway behind the vehicle. Rim was scored all the way around the circumference of the inside of the rim. I assume that the rim had dropped down onto either the lugs or rotor prior to finding its way out of the fender well. Blessed to be able to talk about this. Ford motor company, there are recurrent problems here. …
I bought a 2003 Ford Explorer xlt right off the lot brand new. Within months I noticed a small wet spot in the rear of the vehicle. After my first oil change I mentioned it to where I bought the vehicle and the told me that my differently is low but not leaking. Then I asked what about the wet spot on the ground. With 7 months from that a huge puddle from the rear of my car on vacation with the vehicle and drop it at a Ford dealer it's my rear differently seals. Fixed that paid for it because they say where and tear. About 1 year later same thing get it fixed about 1 year and half same thing and continue to fix it. Talk to Ford motor company they say it is out of warranty but when I started calling them in 2004 it was only 5 months old and I paid for the piece to be repaired. …
My 2003 Ford Explorer limited, with 59K miles, developed a loud roaring road noise that seemed to be coming from the tires. Inspection by the Ford dealer identified 3 defective wheel bearings. The right front and both rears. I know that wheel bearings should not fail with such low mileage so I instructed the dealer to replace the 4th bearing which they said was not making noise because I wouldn't risk a failure while driving. I kept the old bearings and it is not possible to determine which one they thought was good. They are all extremely difficult to rotate and there is very obvious roughness during rotation. My extended warranty covered the cost of the first three. My primary concern is the short lifespan of bearings. The front bearings were so bad that I feel sure an extended trip would have caused catastrophic failure. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. At 50,000 75,000 and 80,000 miles, the wheel bearings failed. The two front and the rear driver side wheel bearings were replaced several times. At 30,000 miles, the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer for the state inspection and they stated that four wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The dealer further stated that the frequent failures of the wheel bearings May be due to driving on a dirt road. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure; therefore, he should take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact will have the wheel bearings replaced, but he feels that the manufacturer should be responsible for the cost. The dealer information and purchase date were unavailable. The current mileage was 130,000 and failure mileage was 60,000.
The front bearings on my 2003 Ford Explorer have gone out in the past two weeks. The vehicle has 75,000 miles on it. The car stopped steering and I had a very difficult time driving it to the nearest repair station. Had I been on the highway it would have been a disaster. The right front bearing went at the beginning of the month and the left at the end of the month. The mechanics that worked on the vehicle stated that they see many of these. Additionally we had to replace the rear strut assembly since the spring actually snapped. This too was familiar to the mechanic. When researching this issue I have found that many owners have the same problems. The mechanics I have spoken to stated that wheel bearings should not go that soon and that this is a hazard that should be fixed.
I was advised by the dealer investigating a "squeeking" complaint that my left wheel bearing needed replacing at a cost of over $300.00. At the time, it had around 38,000 miles and was "out of warranty". My regular non-dealer mechanic told me that it was a very common problem with explorers, and the cost was about right. I purchased 2 bearing assemblies and replaced the left one. Now, only a few thousand miles later, the right one is making so much noise I can't hear the radio, so I will have to replace it. I hate to think about spending $500.00+ every couple of years replacing these bearings when every other vehicle I have ever owned, all GM by the way, went over 100,000 miles with no problems. The dealer never mentioned, and actually denied, any TSB's or problems with the bearings.
Suspension complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2003 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 6% of the model year's 1,131 complaints. The component named most often is rear (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Explorer suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.