Check a VIN

2003 Ford Explorer Sport visibility problems

17 complaints (26% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
17
of this car's complaints
26%
typical mileage
100,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Glass, side/rear
    3
  • Sun/moon roof assembly
    1
  • Rearview mirrors/devices
    1
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: rear window
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Explorer Sport visibility problems in other years

19971998199920012002200320042005

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Ford Explorer Sport owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · Airbags, Lights · NJ

"takata recall" airbag light keeps blinking with the seat belt noise. Changed the light bulb from the dash board and now the airbag light stays on but will not connect with mileage.

Filed Jan 19, 2017 · Body, Visibility · 130,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer sport. While driving 50 MPH, a loud noise was heard when the sun roof exploded without warning. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 20, 2016 · Body, Visibility · 159,149 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer sport. While driving approximately 25 MPH, a noise emerged from the rear hatch window. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed that the piece that held the window in place was fractured. The vehicle was repaired for the same failure in march of 2015. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 159,149.

Filed May 20, 2016 · Visibility · 98,200 miles · CA

I had just put a bag of groceries in the back, was closing the rear glass hatch when it exploded about 1/3 of the way down. Very loud noise, and tiny glass pieces shattered across 3 parking spots, into and all around our vehicle, including the groceries which I discarded. This car is not included in the recall.

Filed Aug 1, 2014 · Body, Visibility · 100,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer sport. The contact stated that the lift gate glass detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v442000 (structure) due to the vehicle being a two door and not a four door. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2014 · Visibility · 110,000 miles · NH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer sport. The contact stated that the rear hatch back window pin became fractured and caused the spring and the window to separate from the frame. The dealer previously replaced the hatch back pin however the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 145,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2014 · Body, Visibility · 142,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

On the morning of 1/29/14 I was at the market ,came out to load my items into the vehicle , opened the rear lift gate at about the 1/3 open point the glass exploded into a million pieces . Which in turn sent shards of glass into my face ,hands , head and eyes . They were minor injuries but I'm still extracting glass from my head and hands and there is still glass embedded in my hands . I have an apt with my dr only because there is glass in my eyes. My mother was with me but she was at the side of the vehicle so she didn't get nailed .I have never seen a window explode like this, this is a serious hazard and needs to be recalled asap before it kills someone , the power of the flying glass was unreal some of it went through 3 -12 packs of soda with ease. Also I have no resources to get a new window as they are around 700 dollars . So this is what I get from ford for being a loyal customer ?

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Body, Visibility · 133,000 miles · IL

Window feel and shattered into a million pieces. After contacting my insurance to have the glass replaced I found out the reason for the incident was due to a faulty hinge. I was told by the glass company that the hinge failed due to electrolysis (two different metals reacting with each other). I feel this is the same issue that happened with ford recall manufacturer campaign number: 04s20, however my VIN does not pull up this issue code and therefore I am not receiving assistance from ford with this manner. After doing research online I have found many other owners of my same make and model who have experienced the same issue. I feel this needs to be officially addressed as I was driving when my glass fell, but was fortunate that there was no one behind me when it happened. Otherwise I am 100% positive it would have caused an accident.

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Body, Visibility · 99,000 miles · CA

Left rear liftgate hinge failed/broke; liftgate glass almost fell off completely (but was still partially attached via right hinge). This happened when vehicle was parked. No obvious signs of "wear and tear"; liftgate hinge had been used normally for several years. Many other the federal safety agency reports list this defect (04v442000). Ford issued a recall several years ago (04s20), but it only covers a very specific and limited range of VIN numbers; mine was excluded. Many other 2003 ford explorer sport owners report the same problem, yet nothing has been done to remedy this problem or compensate the affected owners for their losses. I had to pay "out of pocket" at a local private shop to get my hinge repaired.

Filed Feb 2, 2013 · Visibility · 130,000 miles · KY

As I was driving the sun visor dropped, and started to dangle and swing towards my face. It startled me and I swerved the car a little, tried to dodge the visor from hitting me in the face/head, and then pulled into a parking area. I noticed the sun visor hinge had cracked and the wiring came loose. I took it to the ford dealer quick lane and they stated it would cost me between $120-$250 depending on the color and it would need to be rewired during installation. This could cause someone to have an accident or injury, and there is no reason this part should of broken like this.

Questions about the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport visibility

Does the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport, 26% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Ford Explorer Sport visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport visibility?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Explorer Sport have the most visibility problems?

The Ford Explorer Sport model years with the most visibility complaints are 2002 (17 complaints) and 2003 (17 complaints).

Other 2003 Ford Explorer Sport problems

Body 25Engine 5Suspension 5Acceleration 4Transmission 4Airbags 3Brakes 3Electrical 3Fuel system 2Tires 2Wheels 2Lights 1Locks 1Steering 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Ford Explorer Sport?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history