2003 FORD EXPEDITION Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Expedition. This model year has 655 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2003 Ford Expedition Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Brake System
Considering a 2003 Ford Expedition?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Ford Expedition. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 176 | — | 13 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 117 | 4 | 17 | — | |
| Brake System | 88 | 8 | 2 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 64 | 4 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 62 | 6 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 61 | 28 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 59 | 8 | 2 | — | |
| Visibility | 39 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 32 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 22 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 22 | 5 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 21 | 6 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 21 | 2 | 4 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 20 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 20 | — | 2 | — | |
| Gasoline | 18 | — | 2 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 16 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 13 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Equipment | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | 4 | 1 | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Expedition. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 655 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
My truck stopped working in November 2025. I was told I needed fuel pump and filter. I replaced those and still didn't crank. I was then told I needed a circuit box. Purchased a circuit box and had it put on. Got my truck back February 2026. March 08,2026, truck went out again…
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the front end of the vehicle was shaking abnormally, vibrating, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that while driving approximatel…
Fuel leaking from emissions vents on fuel tank. Non reparable part.
My Ford Expedition started randomly stalling and it stalled in the highway. The engine just shut down in the middle of the highway and it was such a scary a life endangering experience. This total loss of power in the middle of the highway when vehicles are traveling at highway s…
The brakes are burning while driving & the emergency brakes are not applied. The power windows are failing 1 by 1.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine was misfiring, and the contact smelled a burning odor inside the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact state…
bought truck 3/2/22 from Gold cAuto In troy NY. 3/7/22 went to take kids to school 2.5 inches of water set in my weather guard mats. seats soaked console everything in front cab reversed to pull out spot and water starting pouring on my and my kids from sides in pass sides fron…
This vehicle has a faulty engine. The aluminum that Ford used to create the top end is too thin to support the pressure of the engine. As a result spark plugs explode from the engine at random with no warning. This has happened 5 times even after replacing all spark plugs, numero…
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED TO MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE, FOLLOWED BY CONTINUOUS POPPING LOUD POPPING NOISE LIKE A BROKEN EXHAUST MUFFLER, SOUNDED LIKE A MOTORCYCLE. AFTER INVESTIGATING, FOUND OUT THAT THE #3 SPARK PLUG POPPED OUT (EJE…
Faulty fuse panel. This is a known issue. It is ALL over the internet. There has never been a recall. The vehicle will stall while driving. On attempting restart or crank, there is a buzzing noise from the fuse panel. The pcm #203 I believe, corrodes or melts through the board …
THIS SUV STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. IT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULT IN THE FUEL PUMP OR FUEL PUMP RELAY. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE.
FUEL PUMP RELAY SHORTED OUT IN MOTION. HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. STEERING LOCKS UP ENGINE JUST DIES IN MOTION. SUPER DANGEROUS AND SCARY REPLACED FUSE BOX AND SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. NO POWER STEERING ENGINE JUST DIES IN MOTION. SO SCARY ON HIGHWAY 75 MPH.
LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHEN USING AUTO CONTROL, SINCE THIS IS AN 03' I BELIEVE HEADLIGHT CONTROL UNIT IS BAD AS THIS SAME UNIT WAS RECALLED ON MY 03' CROWN VICTORIA
FUEL TANK VAPOR RECOVERY UNIT DEVELOPED A CRACK DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS IN PLASTIC WELD, PERMITTING GASOLINE VAPOR AND GASOLINE FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE FUEL TANK IN AN UNCONTROLLED AND UNSAFE WAY. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTED AS A FUEL VAPOR LEAK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A …
MY FUSE AND RELAY PANEL HAS A DEFECT AND NOW MY TRUCK WON'T START. *TR
WAS DRIVING CAR HAD AT LEAST 80 MILES WHEN CAR CUT OFF AT LIGHT IN WOULD NOT COME BACK ON SO I HAD REPLACED FUEL PUMP ONLY TO FIND OUT MY FUSE BOX ISN'T READING MY FUEL RELAYS FROM THE BURNING RELAYS REPLACED. *TR
AS MY FIANCE WAS COMING FROM WORK THE CAR SUDDENLY JUST QUIT ON HIM WHILE DOING 75 MPH. HE GUIDED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR AGAIN TO ONLY HEARING A BUZZING SOUND. THE FIRST MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS THE STARTER SO HE CHANGED IT OU…
SUNROOF LEAKS BADLY IT HAS FUSE BOX SHORTING OUT. WHEN IT RAINS MY WINDOWS GO UP DOWN ALONE. ALL LIGHTS SHORTED OUT AND NOTHING WORKING ANY LONGER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE FUSE BOX MADE A BUZZING SOUND. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, REACHED …
KEEPS BLOWING THE FUEL PUMP REPLY. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REPLY 4 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. AFTER REMOVING THE REPLY FROM THE FUSE PANEL AND LOOKING AT THE PORT IT IS BURNING BOTH FUSE AND FUSE PANEL.THIS HAPPEN WHEN WE ARE RUNNING AND WHEN THE FUSE BLOWS IT KILLS THE VEHIC…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2003 Ford Expedition.
Recalls for 2003 Ford Expedition
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford Expedition. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2003 Ford Expedition — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Ford Expedition reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2003 Ford Expedition has 655 NHTSA owner complaints, 58 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (176 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Expedition?▾
#1: Engine Problems (176 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (117 complaints). #3: Brake System (88 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Ford Expedition?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2003 Ford Expedition?▾
The 2003 Ford Expedition has 58 crash-related complaints and 38 fire reports out of 655 total NHTSA complaints. 71 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2003 Ford Expedition have any recalls?▾
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2003 Ford Expedition. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Ford Expedition?▾
The 2003 Ford Expedition has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Expedition reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2003 Ford Expedition
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.