2003 Ford Explorer Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2003 Ford Explorer and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2003 Explorer featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2003 Ford Explorer and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2003 Explorer 4.2 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2003 Explorer.
Vehicle
XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This has been a very reliable vehicle for my family. It is my daily runner back-and-forth to work (22 miles each way), as well as our long distance driver (frequent trips out-of-state). With almost 200K miles, I thought maybe I'd start having problems, but so far I've had to put very little into it. I bought it at 100K miles and since then have had issues with electronic things like the security alarm would go off when the doors were locked and after trips to local dealerships with no answers, out local repair guy disconnected two sensors in the doors. The lights don't come on now when you open those doors, but it also fixed the issue with the alarm going off for no reason. Other fixes have included a new starter just a few miles ago, but mostly I've only ever had wear and tear things need replaced like brakes and rotors. I have a third row seat that isn't used often, but when we do haul other family and friends with us, I love that extra seating. The storage is fantastic and the front seats have plenty of leg room. The back seat isn't as roomy as my daughter would prefer, but she travels well back there. I average 16-18 miles per gallon between high way and city driving. I am struggling with how long to keep this great vehicle. I paid $7500 for it in 2009 and the KBB value is currently $3600. It has very little rust (although a problem of this year Explorer is the back hatch cracking under the glass). It did have one crack when I bought it and now it has two. I really do love this trust worthy vehicle!
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2003 Ford Explorer
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
Available Ford Explorer 2003 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Trims: XLT, Limited, Sport, Base, Platinum, Eddie Bauer, XLS, XLT Sport, XL, NBX, XLS Sport
Exterior Colors: Shadow Black, White Platinum Metallic Tri-coat, Tuxedo Black Metallic, Ingot Silver Metallic, Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Magnetic Metallic, Blue Jeans Metallic, Smoked Quartz Tinted Clearcoat Metallic, Oxford White, Oxford White Clearcoat, White Gold Metallic, Black Clearcoat, Sterling Gray Metallic, Deep Impact Blue Metallic, Silver Birch Clearcoat Metallic, Red Fire Clearcoat Metallic, Dark Side Metallic, Canyon Ridge Metallic, Caribou Metallic, Black, Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic, Sunset Metallic, Bronze Fire Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Sterling Grey Metallic, Kodiak Brown Metallic, Guard Metallic, White Suede Clearcoat, Aspen Green Clearcoat Metallic, Pueblo Gold Clearcoat Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl Metallic, White Suede, Red Candy Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, True Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Blue Flame Metallic, Green Gem Metallic, Kona Blue Metallic, Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic, Dark Cherry Clearcoat Metallic, Dark Copper Clearcoat Metallic, Dark Stone Clearcoat Metallic, Medium Wedgewood Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Mineral Grey Clearcoat Metallic, Oxford White Clearcoat (Fleet), Torch Red, White Sand Tri-Coat, Brilliant Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Ginger Ale Metallic, Sangria Red Clearcoat Metallic, White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat, Bordeaux Reserve Red Metallic, Ceramic White Tri-Coat Clearcoat Metallic, Golden Bronze Metallic, Vapor Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Cinnamon Metallic, Stone Green Clearcoat Metallic, Tropic Green Clearcoat Metallic, Blue Metallic, Colorado Red Clearcoat, Deep Jewel Green Pearl Metallic, Estate Green Clearcoat Metallic, Mineral Gray Clearcoat Metallic, Platinum Dune Metallic Tri-Coat, Sport Blue Clearcoat Metallic
Interior Colors: Ebony Black leather, Charcoal Black leather, Medium Light Camel leather, Ebony Black w/Red Accent Stitching leather, Medium Light Stone leather, Medium Light Camel cloth, Ebony Black premium leather, Medium Light Stone cloth, Ebony Black premium cloth, Charcoal Black premium leather, Charcoal Black premium cloth, Medium Parchment, Camel leather, Black leather, Medium Light Stone premium cloth, Medium Soft Ceramic premium leather, Medium Light Camel premium cloth, Pecan premium leather, Midnight Grey, Camel leather/suede, Graphite, Charcoal Black w/Sienna Insert leather, Charcoal Black w/Sienna Insert premium leather, Black cloth, Stone leather, Camel cloth, Medium Light Stone premium leather, Medium Prairie Tan, Medium Graphite, Stone cloth
Popular Features: Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Power Driver Seat, Tire Pressure Warning, Stability Control, 5000lb Towing Capacity, Aux Audio Inputs, Trip Computer, Post-collision safety system, Third-row seating, AWD/4WD, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Alarm, Parking sensors, Back-up camera, Leather Seats, Heated seats, Keyless Entry/Start, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Navigation, Mobile Internet, Towing Hitch, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Cooled Seats, Sunroof/Moonroof, Remote Start, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, 2nd Row Bucket Seats, Upgraded Stereo, Upgraded Engine, 6000lb Towing Capacity, Upgraded Headlights, Rear Entertainment System, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Pre-collision safety system, Heads up display
Engine/Mechanics: 6, 4, 8 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: flex-fuel (unleaded/E85), regular unleaded, premium unleaded (recommended)
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, front wheel drive, four wheel drive, rear wheel drive
