Overview & Reviews

For the 2003 Ford Explorer, sport versions of the XLS and XLT debut, along with a new trim level called NBX (No Boundaries Experience). The NBX includes special exterior trim, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, a Yakima roof rack, rubber floormats and a cargo area liner. All-wheel drive is newly available on all but the NBX model. XLS models come standard with an automatic transmission and a CD player for 2003, while XLT models get a chrome grille and metallic interior accents. Eddie Bauer models have satin-finish 17-inch wheels this year. Limited models get upgrades such as chromed exterior trim, chrome wheels, a leather-upholstered center console cover and new woodgrain interior trim. A tire-pressure monitoring system is available on Limited models. An Off-Road Package including underbody skid plates, suspension upgrades, front tow hooks and unique wheels debuts. Finally, a rear seat DVD-based entertainment system will be available later in the year.

• Independent rear suspension, comfortable seating for up to seven, strong powertrains, foolproof Control Trac 4WD, available rollover protection system, optional stability control system, DVD-based entertainment system.

• Low-grade interior materials, quirky ergonomics.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 340.00

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  Do not Buy a Ford Explorer 2003 - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By 1auto4auser - February 18 - 5:19 pm

  Previously owned ford explorer earlier year. Did not have any signifcant issues for the most part. This model major transmission problems. Not built to last more than 100,000 mi. heard clicking noise dealer could not find problem. paint on roof and hood is chipping off. Poor paint job Dealer rebuilt front bearings at 30,000mi Transmission now has to be replaced. Transmission, bearings and transfer case poor quality. Ford should recall this vehicle I wish I had read the reviews on this vehicle

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  Do not buy a 2003 Ford exploder - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Bigjimmy - April 12 - 12:28 pm

  Since I purchased this car used for $11K Ive spent another $12k in repairs the transmission needed to be rebuilt the engine a moth later both rear bearings went out causing the knuckles to get damaged Ive replaced the A/C compressor THREE TIMES in 3 years the fuel pump went out the wiring is bad the stereo has CDs in its changer that will never come out again the check engine light goes on every two weeks or so the tailgate has a crack where the (Fix Or Repair Daily) emblem is and it gets lousy mileage costing me about $100.00 a week in gas alone just to drive to work. I HATE this car but thanks to all the money Ive spent fixing it, I cant afford to buy something else.

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  Transmission Fiasco - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By idahojoe - February 23 - 3:00 pm

  Bought new off the lot and the car would shake violently over 60mph. Ford finally replaced the complete rear drive train due to defects. Guess what, started shaking again about a month later. They replaced it again. Now at 80,000 the transmission that was "replaced" is toast and the radiator cracked.

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  Done with Ford - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Mike - January 12 - 11:42 am

  Bought this car new for my wife, she loved it! Year 1 had to replace the brakes, $200 JUST for the rear pads no labor(repeat annually). Year 2, air bag sensor broke - fixed 5 times still broken. Year 3-4, transmission went at 55000 miles, just past warranty $3000, front wheel bearing went $600, CD player jams cant use it anymore. Year 6, front wheel bearing gone again and just replaced the battery a second time. If my other car were paid off, Id buy a honda or toyota today.

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  2003 Explorer - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By 2003 Explorer - January 14 - 12:14 am

  Purchased pre-owned with 47000 miles. AC problems within first six months. Had to replace entire AC system due to metal throughout. Drivers door handle broke off when it was cold. Back panel beneath the liftgate window cracked when it was cold. A coat hook in rear compartment snapped off first time I used it. It just seemed that something was breaking or needed repairs. I am planning on trading this vehicle within the next week or so. Enough of "Quality is Job 1." Lots of positive reviews from this model as it was one of the reasons I purchased the Explorer. Maybe I just had a lemon but I will never buy a Ford again.

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  Same old Ford product - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By pjg69ny - May 11 - 12:47 pm

  I owned a 1996 explorer and it was a gas guzzling rattlebox with inferior quality built into almost every aspect of its existence. I figured the newer models would fair better so I bought a 2003 xlt used with 40k. I now have 52k on it and it rattles just like the 1996 with no visible inprovement, the interior materials are inferior and show wear prematurely. The seats are not very compfortable. This truck sucks down gas if I drive very slow and 55 mph I get 15 mpg, if I drive normally its about 11 or 12. The 2003 seems more reliable mechanically but I am afraid as I surpass 52k. Overall I would not feel good about buying another for product. It also has a very poor resale value.

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  Ford Cant Fix It? (Sound From Rear End) - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By TexasBuyer - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle has 2800 miles now. At around 600 miles began awful whining noise from rear end at any speed over 30mph. Dealer states that "Ford is aware of the problem and trying to create a solution". Further, during conversation with the Regional Service Rep, it comes out that there are hundreds of complaints in his region for the same issue. Also, the vehicle averages 13mpg City and 14.5mpg Hwy. Isnt that a little low? Anyway, why doesnt the dealer make the buyer aware that there is a potentially irreparable problem with the Explorer? Because they simply cant stop selling one of the only three vehicles Ford builds that sells.

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  mechanical junk - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By edsel - March 19 - 8:05 am

  we bought this vehicle with 29000 miles, at 42000 the differential started howling, after many phone calls to ford and and a refusal to allow them to charge me $1700.00 to repair this they conceded to repair the differential if i would pay for a wheel bearing that they claimed was bad but that the noise from the differential prevented me from hearing. now at 58000 miles the parking brakes have and i quote "have disentigrated" ford claims this is normal and happens every 2-3 years on this vehicle regardless of mileage but it isnt a quality issue so for $450.00 they repairing it with the same ford quality parts that failed in the first place. cant wait to get it back so i can trade it in.

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  Dont buy an Explorer - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Brian Millar - November 19 - 11:40 pm

  I took very good care of our 2003 Ford Explorer (even took it to the dealer for the 30K checkup). At 59,500 miles and just under 5years, the transmission went out. The dealer wouldnt cover the replacement since Ford only offered 3yr/36K power train warranty at that time. The transmission specialist I took it to, indicated that he sees transmission problems all the time with Ford Explorers

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  Transmission Issues on a 2003! - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By CW - March 22 - 5:06 am

  This will be the first and last American made car I ever buy. After 13 years of driving Japanese vehicles and having excellent performance and reliability I decided to buy an American made SUV. The Ford Explorer may be the #1 selling SUV but I have spent $4k in repairs after owning the car only 6 months. Besides having low quality rotors that were not able to be turned, the transmission had to be rebuilt. Ford would offer nothing to me even though the SUV is only 2 years old (barely out of warranty). From now on I will stick to Honda, Nissan, and Toyota.