2003 Ford Explorer Review: One of the Best Vehicles in its Price Range, if You Can Find One in Good Shape

The 2003 Ford Explorer may be outclassed in terms of safety features and fuel economy by newer models, but with a fair-market value averaging around $2,750, you’d be hard pressed to find another SUV this capable, comfortable, and stylish at this price range.

Is the 2003 Ford Explorer a Good Used SUV?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – If you can find a 2003 Explorer in good shape, this is one of the best used SUVs on the market today.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Twenty years later, the 2003 Explorer remains one of the most comfortable, roomy SUVs on the road, with enough space in the back to haul a love seat.
• Reliability 7/10 – This can be a bit of a gamble. There are a lot of transmission complaints on file, but there just as many drivers who will proudly show off their odometers reading more than 200,000 miles on the original powertrain. Test drive, inspect, and make sure you’re getting one in good shape.
• Safety 7/10 – While you won’t find any modern safety tech onboard, the SUV’s rollover sensor and stability control features were ahead of their time.
• Gas Mileage 6/10 – The Explorer was never the most efficient vehicle. 15/21 miles to the gallon, city/highway, wasn’t even that impressive in 2003.
• Value 7/10 – With XLS models going for two grand, the 2003 Explorer is one of the most affordable SUVs available right now.

What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Ford Explorer?

• Consumer Reports praised the 2003 Explorer’s steady ride and well-designed interior, but note that it’s not exactly the off-road beast that its reputation might suggest.
• Edmunds found the interior materials to feel a bit cheap, and they didn’t love the layout, but they did like the smooth suspension, comfortable seating, and DVD-based entertainment system.
• Kelley Blue Book users find the car to be fun to drive, and they love how it keeps them warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but several newer reviews point out that the transmission tapped out sooner than they thought it would.

What Common Problems Does the 2003 Ford Explorer Have?

While the 2003 Explorer’s crash test ratings were generally strong, there was a major concern with the side impact test, which saw the driver door coming unlatched and popping open six inches. That could be a fluke, but it’s worth taking note of when making a purchasing decision.

There are 1,312 complaints on file with the NHTSA in total, with powertrain complaints taking up a substantial lead at 356 reports. One driver reports the shift lever breaking right off inside the steering column, while others report everything from hard shifting to total transmission failure.

Engine cooling has been a problem for Explorer drivers as well, with a handful of drivers reporting overheating linked to a damaged thermostat housing.

The 2003 Ford Explorer has been recalled 7 times in total, with four of these recalls having to do with headlights and reflectors. Overall, the SUV’s track record isn’t bad, but buyers will have to weigh the risk of potential transmission failure at under 200,000 miles.

How Long Will the 2003 Ford Explorer Last?

RepairPal tell us that a Ford Explorer should cost you around $732 a year in annual maintenance, with the steepest common repair being replacements for suspension air compressors starting at $497 each.

Check the owner forums and it’s not hard to find examples of drivers getting a quarter million miles out of their early 2000s model Explorers. But you can just as easily find stories of Explorers giving up the ghost at under 100,000 miles. The typical mileage would be somewhere in the 200,000 range with proper maintenance.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is really good for a 2003 model SUV.  The entry-level XLS is sort of basic with your usual radio/cassette/CD player and four speakers, but with the higher trim levels you get features like six-disc CD changers and a roof-mounted DVD player.

Safety technology is good for 2003, if basic by modern standards. Features like BeltMinder and a rollover sensor were a few years ahead of their time.

Is the 2003 Ford Explorer a Good Value?

The 2003 Ford Explorer is a good value, depending on the condition you find it in. With fair market prices starting in the $2,000 range, an Explorer in good shape is a steal. But, all that money you saved could be going right into a new transmission if the previous owner didn’t take excellent care of the vehicle.

• XLS $2,622
• XLT $2,895
• NBX $3,076
• Eddie Bauer Edition $3,103
• Limited $3,275

What are the Different Models of the 2003 Ford Explorer?

The 2003 Ford Explorer’s trim levels range from the entry level XLS to the high-end Limited, with a special edition available for Eddie Bauer fans and the short-lived NBX.

The XLS is your starter Explorer, featuring:

• AM/FM stereo with tape and CD player
• Four speaker sound system
• Power door locks and power windows with one-touch for the driver
• Cloth bucket seats up front
• Remote keyless entry

The XLT Sport package adds floor mats and a theft alarm to the package.

Next up is the XLT, adding:

• Six-way power-adjust driver seat
• Black leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Keyless entry pad

With the XLT Sport package, you get step bars and alloy wheels.

NBX is the next trim level up, which adds:

• Roof rack
• Front tow hooks

Finally, the top-of-the-line Limited adds:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Steering wheel controls for radio and air conditioning
• Heated power mirrors
• Six-disc CD changer

With the Eddie Bauer Limited package you’re getting all that plus the Eddie Bauer branding, running boards, and a classy monotone paint job

What Engines Come In the 2003 Ford Explorer?

• The base engine is a 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission. This will deliver 254 lb.-ft. of torque, and reaches a maximum towing capacity of 5,400 pounds. The average weight of a fishing boat with motor and trailer comes out to around 3,500 pounds, so you’re good to go.
• If you want a little more power under the hood, you can go for the 239-horsepower 4.6L V8. With this one you get 282 lb.-ft. of torque and you can tow up to 7,300 pounds.

What Colors Does the 2003 Ford Explorer Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2003 Ford Explorer?

Go shopping for a used 2003 Explorer and you’re going to find a lot of peeling vinyl and cracked leather in the interior. But, if the suspension is in good shape, you’re still going to get one of the smoothest rides on or off the road.

If we’re counting fractions of an inch, the 2003 Explorer’s interior is technically a bit smaller than that year’s Chevy Traverse or Honda Pilot, but the design of the cabin won’t have you feeling the difference. You can fit five average-sized adults in here with no complaints.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Ford Explorer Have?

The rear of the Explorer packs up to 46.6 cubic feet of cargo, and if you fold the rear seat down, you nearly double that with a whopping 88 cubic feet of space. It’s not quite a pickup truck but it’s pretty darn close. If you find a great recliner or love seat, you can haul just about anything short of a banquet table.

In the cabin you’ll find four cup holders in the floor console and a 20-ounce cup holder in each front door, plus pockets, nooks, and crannies all throughout for packing phones, notebooks, cameras, and whatever else you like to take with you on the road.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2003 Ford Explorer was part of the 3rd Generation, which ran for just four model years, from the 2002 edition to the 2005 lineup.

2002: Ford responded to a decline in consumer demand for three-door SUVs by making the Explorer exclusively a five-door in 2002.

2003: Rear wheel disc brakes and optional side-curtain airbags were added in 2003, and the the wheelbase has been lengthened to 125.9 inches.

2004: The Explorer’s engines were fine-tuned for 2004 to meet new emission standards, and Ford introduced a sleek new grille.

2005: For 2005, the Explorer got an upgraded stability control system with a new feature designed to prevent rollover.

How Does the 2003 Ford Explorer Compare to the Competition?

The Ford Explorer’s closest competition, and fellow American-made SUV, would be the Chevrolet Trailblazer. The Trailblazer shows comparable stats and crash test ratings, and sells in the same price range. But, the Trailblazer is a bit stronger, delivering 275 horsepower in the entry-level engine, and 290 with the V8.

2003’s Honda Pilot generated about half as many complaints with the NHTSA the Explorer and delivers comparable performance with slightly better gas mileage. But, with a fair market purchase price of $3,700 for an entry level LX, you’re spending nearly twice as much.

All three of these options are solid, but if you’re looking for a great deal, it’s gonna be Ford vs. Chevy, and that’s an argument that often comes down to personal preference. Chevy’s stats are a bit stronger here, but if you’re more comfortable driving and maintaining a Ford, you can’t go wrong either way.

Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Ford Explorer?