- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Ford Expedition Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 655 complaints about the 2003 Ford Expedition with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (176) and the electrical system (117). Those complaints describe 58 crashes, 38 fires, 71 injuries and 3 deaths. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in April 2009 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 2002 has 383 and the 2004 has 297.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Expedition year, for its age
#18 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 655
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 58
- Fires
- 38
- Injuries
- 71
- Deaths
- 3
Most common 2003 Ford Expedition problems
Share of all 655 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Ford Expedition recalls 6
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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655 complaints about the 2003 Ford Expedition
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 27.
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. I kept my truck maintenance and don't understand what's going on with it. I was told it is a recall on electrical parts and engine coils and spark plugs.
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 approximately 50 MPH, there was a loud booming sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the spark plug had ejected from the engine cylinder. The engine cylinder was...
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rethreaded, and the spark plug was installed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 230,000.
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 speeds can cause death very, very easily to the occupants of the Ford Expeditions suffering this defect. I have been reading in many forums ( I have included the link to one of many forums) this is a common defect [[redacted]] ) many have...
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Ford Expedition owners have experienced and have been very concerned and shocked that there was not recall. The issue is that the R303 relay (non serviceable fuel pump relay) fails very commonly on Ford Expeditions. In my Ford Expedition, the relay was melted. The fuel pump relay fails and cuts all current going to the fuel pump causing the engine to stall. This is a life-threatening risk caused by a defective fuse box with a defective fuel pump relay (R303). There were no warnings, the Ford Expedition just stalled randomly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on five occasions where it was diagnosed that water was leaking into the ignition coil. The independent mechanic installed silicon...
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around the boot to prevent water from leaking into the coils; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact it was not a known failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000.
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 front and the front windshield area omgand the sun roof was worst.kids had to go in myslef too it was snow still out.so that dayi oh sunroof needs to be blown out i said well that right frontdoor sounds open when its shut . same night i picked...
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it up said all was good to go and his guy didn't hear any issues with door. the next snow it was worst this was about toward end of march. i called back around 3/15 said its still leaking dude i just want my money back for real and we are good, he said no doesnt work liek that said all his winshield guy he would take a lok at it and tell hijm ihe sent me. did that talked to the guy said he woudl call me the next day week went by so i called him back long story short he said he wasnt fixing it josh the dealer never pays him , i understood. called talked joshgoldstien told him he said well u just have to bring it in and let me have it for a few days he knows i could NOT NOT do that .leave because by now im having to leave apt and in hotel w/2 kids and im not even from here i know nobody. kids have to bev icked up ad dropped off no buses. i didnt and dont trust his people by this time so i didnt it comes out now the truck is dangerous the airbag on right side light has been von since i bought he said it was old truck it was fine no its busted the air bag. the right front seatbelt now is broke it would have to be completely replaced this in 2.5 months. then find truck is like flintstones the front cab from yrs i guess leaking is gone LITERALLY my 5 yr old fits the cab from underneath its should have never been inspec. the day i bought vthe refused to trade or give refund cussed and screamed at me whenever i came lights turnoff at night form damage nooil
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, numerous coils and having kits installed by a mechanic sold by Ford to address the issue. $475 per kit from Ford. This is an enormous safety issue. The last one that blew out was on the highway with my two toddlers in the car.
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 (ejected) of the head cylinder, broke the spark ignition coil. When this happened, I smelled fuel, and saw smoke coming from under the hood, so I did not drive the car and towed the car home. I had to replace the ignition coil and spark plug...
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and reinstalled the spark plug but it seemed to be still loose, so I took it out and put thread lock and reinstalled it but did not tighten it to the max and did not start the car till after 24 hours so the thread lock will hold it in place. Yesterday the same thing happened to #8 spark plug, it also broke the coil, and when I tried to install the new spark plug, found out that the threads on the head cylinder will not grab the spark plug, and now I am stuck without a car. When I asked around, people said this is a common problem on the ford expedtion. This is dangerous and could kill someone if the engine caught on fire, because I smelled gas and smoke. If this is a common dangerous problem on the ford expedtion, how come there is no recall for it???? Are we waiting for someone to die due to engine / vehicle fire to do something about it? Please look into this issue asap and let ford fix this dangerous problem. Spark plugs ejecting out like this? I noticed that there are only 4 threads on the head cylinder holding the park plug, but the spark plug has 10 or 11 threads and ofcourse only 4 of those threads are being held by the head cylinder. This is a dangerous problem waiting to hurt or kill someone, please ask ford to fix this big problem, thank you....
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 on the panel causing the fault. Replacing the fuse/relay will correct, but for a time. Panel replacement is required. First incident at 165k. Second incident at about 205k. After the last panel replacement, the vehicle continued to stall....
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Another faulty fuse, for the day running lamps, caused a fault, which melted the housing between the panel and the wiring harness. The screw attachment is "crunchy" because of the melted elements. The smell is noticeable, and the panel requires replacement again. Third incident about 246k. This is a fire hazard. The wiring harness is hot to the touch. Being a KNOWN issue, having discussed on various socials and with ford dealer techs, this should have been recalled ages ago.
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 0-degree surface (level surface) and as a continuous fuel drip when the vehicle was parked on a 10-degree downslope, with the front of the vehicle pointed down-hill.
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 out. The vehicle still would not start but kept making the buzzing sound. The mechanic came out again to see what the issue was told me to change my relay switch I did still hasn't started up yet. My vehicle has been sitting up for three weeks now. *Tr
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 under the dashboard, and pulled the relay fuse to stop the buzzing noise. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump was burned. Another mechanic came also came to the...
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contact's residence and informed her that the fuse relay and the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called anderson ford (3900 clemson blvd, anderson, sc 29621, (864) 225-4151) and was provided with a quote. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times and the fuel pump/filter, 402 sensors, and fuse relays were replaced numerous times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 236,000. *Dt *tr
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 vehicle right away in the middle of the street
This has happened 3 times, first time stopped at a red light, when foot was put onto gas to go vehicle instantly lost power with no stuttering or stalling and had to put in park turn key over to go again. Second time, going 65 down the highway vehicle suddenly acted like it lost power and speed decreased, pulled over to side of highway and put in park and started right up. Third time, going 65 down highway started to act like it was losing power and showed dash lights as if all power was cut short and then gained all power back without having to pull over and restart.
I have a huge problem with my 03 ford expedition shutting of randomly it is very dangerous on highways you lose power steering and all power to motor almost caused accidents many times I believe many people have this problem and it all relates to the fuse box please make this a recall so many people can get hurt or even killed
The truck would just turn off while driving at 55 or 60 miles an hour , no steeringwas on highway ,no brakes put in neural to get to side of road with cars all around me .This has happened 3 times, then it would not start at all when fulled up with gas, had to be towed, then when I was down to 1/4 tank ,would not turn over, had gas in it too, but would not start, had to be towed in shop now again 3rd time ,had problems with the door agar going off had senor replaced still comes up
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford expedition. When the contact started the vehicle, the engine made an abnormal popping sound. The sound was a distraction to the contact's driving. The vehicle shook from the beginning of the ride to the end and the maintenance required indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The vehicle was stationary, when unlocking the vehicle with the keyless entry, it moved the sideview mirrors and never movws back. I put the mirrors back where they belong and every following time when I unlock the vehicle with the key fob, it continues to do the same. I bought the vehicle this way.
Ford Expedition: every year compared
All Expedition years2003 Ford Expedition vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Ford Expedition | 655 | 6 | F | |
| 2003 Toyota Sequoia | 684 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Lincoln Navigator | 127 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Cadillac Escalade | 112 | 6 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser | 0 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe | 0 | 7 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Chevrolet Suburban | 0 | 7 | D | Compare |
| 2003 GMC Yukon | 0 | 6 | D | Compare |
| 2003 GMC Yukon XL | 0 | 4 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Ford Expedition
Does the 2003 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2003 Ford Expedition: exterior lighting (April 2009); exterior lighting (July 2006); exterior lighting (March 2006); headlights (March 2006) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Expedition?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (176), electrical system (117), brakes (92).
How many complaints has the 2003 Ford Expedition had?
655 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 6, 2002 and the latest on March 9, 2026. Of these, 58 describe a crash and 38 a fire, and together they report 71 injuries and 3 deaths.
Is the 2003 Ford Expedition a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 9 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Ford Expedition year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford Expedition years have the most complaints?
2003 (655), 2001 (609), 2019 (533). See every Ford Expedition year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Ford Expedition has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data