2003 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews

Looking for something new

Written by: Megan on 06/04/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I bought my Explorer in 06 used with 54k. I noticed while test driving there was a sort of howling sound when I went about 55mph, but didn't mind it much compared to my Neon I was trading in for it. Since then, I have had problems with one of the rear windows working only when it wants to, I've not been able to put the shifter in reverse multiple times, the mechanism to recline the seat has also came off many times.The seal on the rear window has came off and I noticed this when I found water in the back. My a/c is out as I speak, so I will be taking that in, although I had it recharged at the end of last summer. I've kept up on maintenance and it is not paying off as it should.

Favorite Features

Rear AC (when it works)

Suggested Improvements

Electronic improvements, many of them

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Would buy another

Written by: Chesette on 05/22/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer XLT Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Coming up on 100k miles in a few months. No real issues to speak of. Hangs up a little when shifting from drive to park. Has been very reliable (minimal repairs & pretty minor at that). Gets about 16 miles to the gallon in town, about 20 on the highway.

Favorite Features

Love the cargo room & 3rd row seat.

Suggested Improvements

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Same old Ford product

Written by: pjg69ny on 05/11/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer XLT Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

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.

Favorite Features

4wd on dash

Suggested Improvements

Ford needs to make the interiors with better quality materials and somehow stop these trucks from rattling.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Never Again

Written by: Chris on 05/07/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer XLT Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I purchased my vehicle new and have been religious about maintenance since day one. I can honestly say this has been one of the worst car experiences of my life. I've had numerous problems beginning with just 15K miles including power window motor failure - leaking tranfer case(30K) - ball joints (40K) - paint defects (50K) - strut joints (70K) - transmission failure (100K) and alot of other things. All this added up to incredible unforseen expenditures - the tranny being $800 alone. I have never towed with this vehicle, not drove it harshly. I stayed with this car way too long Lesson's learned the hard way.

Favorite Features

Seat comfort, overall appearance, space.

Suggested Improvements

Where do I begin? Never - ever will purchase a Ford again. Quality is a joke with this US company. I'm moving on and will purchase another vehicle within the next 10K miles.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My Explorer

Written by: Douglas Gregor on 05/06/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer XLS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This Explorer w/Sport package is now nearly five years old. We had no need for the 3rd row sea but the step boards were a nesssesity for my wife. The alloy wheels give better appearance as well as being able to clean easier. The grey plastic bumpers and wheel mouldings show no damage as painted ones would have due to minor scrapes. In 36,000 miles I have only had to pay for GOF and wheel rotations and the full 30,000 Ford rec. service.

Favorite Features

Running boards great for my wife to make entry, but not in the way for a taller person.

Suggested Improvements

I think extra driving or fog lights would have been a great safety item especially when regular hi beams are not appropiate.

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Pretty good truck

Written by: amo on 04/24/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer XLS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I bought my Explorer with 33,000 miles, now I'm approaching my 2nd year of owning and have 98,000 miles on it. Very comfortable for driving 100 miles each way to and from work. My alternator went out at 60,000 miles. Replaced battery. Bought the truck and the A/C wasnt working and had to have it serviced twice, now the A/C finally works. Stereo could be better, I replaced the speakers with inifintis. The brakes need to be replaced again: got them done at 36,000. Annoying clicking noise when moving at a slow speed. Poor gas mileage. I'm going to a Honda soon.

Favorite Features

4WD in the snow/ice. Comfortable seats on long trips. Powerful.

Suggested Improvements

Better stereo, gas mileage, brakes (even when I replaced them the pedal still felt squishy), warranty coverage.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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mechanical junk

Written by: edsel on 03/19/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

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 isn't a quality issue so for $450.00 they repairing it with the same ford quality parts that failed in the first place. can't wait to get it back so i can trade it in.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Ford Explorer 2003

Written by: Ballestero on 02/05/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer XLT AWD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I have this Ford XLT 4x4 since 2003 and never had to repair anything. I currently have 80,000 and all I've changed is tires, spark plugs and serpentine belt, oil every 3,500 miles. I can not ask for anything better...great truck. I feel very safe when I have my family with me. I believe that some things happened because of driving style and care of any car. My only problem is a development of squeaky noise in the front end and I've found what was, nothing of inportance, easy to fix. It is the lower control arm bushing that dries with the weather, WP40 did the job

Favorite Features

Outside: nice silver color Inside: good comfortable seats and rear vetilation.

Suggested Improvements

Lower control arm attachement mechanism design.

4 out 6 people found this review helpful

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My 2003 Limited Exp

Written by: Ryne on 01/28/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer Limited AWD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I purchased a 2003 Limited Explorer in Feb of 2007. I've put about 20000 miles on it so far and I am extremely happy with it. I travel a lot and carry a lot of stuff with me and it has plenty or room for everything. I get around 19-22 mpg on the highway using gas and around 15 running ethanol. As far as driving the vehicle, it handles good and rides good as well but if your looking for a fun ride this is not the SUV for you. The AWD limites any attempt get "crazy", although, I did take it off road once in the snow and easily did donuts in 4WD! Overall, i would reccomend this vehicle to anyone who is looking for a nice, clean ride that looks and feels classy.

Favorite Features

6 disc changer, reverse sensors, towing package

Suggested Improvements

None.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great truck

Written by: Ryan on 01/26/2008

Vehicle

2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I love this truck I have never had a problem rides and runs smoothly the only problem I ever noticed with it was after fueling it takes about an hour to indicate that its full but whatever no big deal the only thing i had to take it in for was the a/c but they replaced the whole unit so it works great now. Great truck

Favorite Features

Truck lights up when unlocked and radio stays on after you pull the key out.

Suggested Improvements

Automatic 4x4 is a little bumpy when i make turnes if its slick out.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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