NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1,313 owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Most complaints involve structure (389) and power train (356). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“There is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. The liftgate has been unlocking and opening automatically by itself. On only rare occasions has the liftgate opened all the way while driving. On the morning of 7/28/2022 while the vehicle was parked in my driveway the liftgate was discovered to have again unlocked by itself and opened slightly and now with one of the two hinges holding the glass sheared leaving the liftgate glass hanging by only one hinge. With the glass now hanging without having both hinge supports functioning and the inability to close and lock the liftgate, 1) the glass could fall out while driving and 2) with the liftgate unable to now close and lock, contents of the back storage area could fall out of the vehicle while driving. On 8/1/2022 the vehicle was inspected by the foreman of the Service Dept. at Healy Ford, Goshen, N.Y. I was told to take it to a body shop for realignment repair. Apparently a recall on 9/13/2022 # 04V442000 did not include my Vin. However, In driving around I do see many 2003 explorers with the identical crack on the liftgate.”
“SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INSIDE STEERING COLUMN OF MY WIFE'S EXPLORER WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE TO EXIT FROM A BOAT LAUNCH RAMP WITH NO BOAT ON THE TRAILER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON A FLATBED WRECKER TO MY GARAGE. BROKEN ELEMENT ( SEE PHOTOS) WAS NOT REPLACEABLE BY ITSELF. STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BUT RATHER A FAULTY /WEAK COMPONENT THAT REPRESENTS A DANGER. I HAVE NOTED REPORTS OF IDENTICAL INCIDENTS ONLINE. THUS FAR, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR FORD NATIONAL "CUSTOMER SERVICE" IS PREPARED TO REIMBURSE.”
“2003 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HUMMING/WHINING NOISE IN THE REAR END OF VEHICLE AND A FREQUENT LEAK IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE RING AN PINION, BEARINGS, SEALS AND GEAR AND PINION WERE ALL REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE REMAINED UNRESOLVED. ALSO, THE REAR HATCH WAS CRACKED. WHEN THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT A REPLACEMENT AND ITS COST, THE DEALER ADVISED AGAINST THE REPLACEMENT/REPAIR AS THE NEW HATCHES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A DAMAGED THERMOSTAT HOUSING.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 1,313 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (389), power train (356), engine and engine cooling (87). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).