VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford Expedition problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 800 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.9 times the median Expedition year — the 2003 model ranks #5 of 36 Expedition years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 94 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (173), electrical system (110), and brakes (94), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

800

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

81

Crash-involved

43

Fires reported

94

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Expedition years?

Expedition NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted1,137 complaints1991: 1 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 1,065 complaints1998: 1,022 complaints1999: 1,137 complaints2000: 1,134 complaints2001: 739 complaints2002: 415 complaints2003: 800 complaints2004: 381 complaints2005: 452 complaints2006: 395 complaints2007: 267 complaints2008: 179 complaints2009: 42 complaints2010: 74 complaints2011: 92 complaints2012: 163 complaints2013: 114 complaints2014: 96 complaints2015: 229 complaints2016: 274 complaints2017: 474 complaints2018: 452 complaints2019: 581 complaints2020: 473 complaints2021: 270 complaints2022: 156 complaints2023: 87 complaints2024: 106 complaints2025: 47 complaints2026: 13 complaints2027: 0 complaints
Expedition NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Expedition years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Ford Expedition problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine17322%
Electrical System11014%
Brakes9412%
Tires & Wheels638%
Airbags597%
Transmission516%
Visibility & Wipers425%
Fuel System385%
Body & Structure324%
Other253%
Suspension203%
Speed Control203%
Steering203%
Seat Belts152%
Lighting122%
Latches & Locks111%
Seats111%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Trailer Hitch10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2003 Ford Expedition have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

06E025000LightingMarch 21, 2006 · 1,450 units

Defect

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

06E023000LightingMarch 13, 2006 · 292,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

03V094000Body & StructureMarch 7, 2003 · 3,674 units

Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Consequence

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN HE NOTICED FLAMES ERUPTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 18, 2012 · fire

“LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS TO 2003 FORD EXPEDITION, TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND A FIRE IN OVERHEAD WIRING HARNESS. FORD CLAIMS TO HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH HARNESS. NONE OF THESE WIRES WERE VISIBLE TO US , BUT HAD MELTED THE UNDERSIDE OF OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT. VISIBLE BURN MARKS ON METAL INTERIOR OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 7, 2008 · fire

“ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THE ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO PERFORM AS DESCRIBED BY THE MANUFACTURER. UPON STOPPING WHEN THE ABS TAKES OVER MY VEHICLE BUCKS AND SENDS ME BUCKING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THIS IS THE WAY THE ABS WORKS. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS VERY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 27, 2003 · crash

“ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THE ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO PERFORM AS DESCRIBED BY THE MANUFACTURER. UPON STOPPING WHEN THE ABS TAKES OVER MY VEHICLE BUCKS AND SENDS ME BUCKING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THIS IS THE WAY THE ABS WORKS. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS VERY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 27, 2003 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER OF HER VEHICLE. ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HIS WIFE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 2, 2008 · crash

2003 Ford Expedition — common questions

Is the 2003 Ford Expedition reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 800 complaints put the 2003 model at #5 of 36 Expedition years. It is one of the Expedition years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Expedition problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (173 complaints), electrical system (110 complaints), brakes (94 complaints).

Does the 2003 Ford Expedition have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Ford Expedition under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Expedition years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Expedition years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2001, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2005, 2002, 2006, 2004, 2021. The cleanest record among Expedition years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.