2003 Ford Explorer
US · Pickup · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
The 2003 Ford Explorer is listed in the US market as a pickup. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.
- Engine
- Varies by configuration: 4.6L 8-cylinder, 4.0L 6-cylinder (FLEX-FUEL), 4.0L 6-cylinder
- Power
- Not available
- Torque
- Not available
- Transmission
- Varies by configuration: 5-speed automatic, 5-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD
- Fuel
- Varies by configuration: Gasoline, Flex fuel
- Seating
- Not available
Key Performance & Dimensions
Engine
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Varies by configuration: 4.6L 8-cylinder, 4.0L 6-cylinder (FLEX-FUEL), 4.0L 6-cylinder | |
| Displacement | 4.0 L to 4.6 L | |
| Cylinders | 6 to 8 | |
| Fuel type | Varies by configuration: Gasoline, Flex fuel | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Not available from our sources: Aspiration, Power, Torque.
Transmission and drivetrain
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual | |
| Gears | 5 | |
| Drivetrain | Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD |
Fuel economy and range
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Combined | 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) to 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| City | 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) to 13 mpg (18.1 L/100 km) | |
| Highway | 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) to 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) |
Not available from our sources: Electric range, Battery capacity.
Trims and configurations
12 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.
- Explorer 2WD · 4.6L · RWD · 5-speed automatic
- Explorer 2WD FFV · 4.0L · RWD · 5-speed automatic · FFV
- Explorer 4WD · 4.6L · AWD · 5-speed automatic
- Explorer 4WD FFV · 4.0L · AWD · 5-speed automatic · FFV
- Explorer Sport 2WD · 4.0L · RWD · 5-speed automatic
- Explorer Sport 2WD · 4.0L · RWD · 5-speed manual
- Explorer Sport 4WD · 4.0L · AWD · 5-speed automatic
- Explorer Sport 4WD · 4.0L · AWD · 5-speed manual
- Explorer Sport Trac 2WD · 4.0L · RWD · 5-speed automatic
- Explorer Sport Trac 2WD · 4.0L · RWD · 5-speed manual
- Explorer Sport Trac 4WD · 4.0L · AWD · 5-speed automatic
- Explorer Sport Trac 4WD · 4.0L · AWD · 5-speed manual
Recalls
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked October 18, 2026.
09E025000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Reported May 11, 2009. View on NHTSA
09E012000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
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.
Reported April 7, 2009. View on NHTSA
07E104000: VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT…
Reported December 11, 2007. View on NHTSA
06E049000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Reported May 24, 2006. View on NHTSA
06E026000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
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.
Reported March 23, 2006. View on NHTSA
04V442000: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM…
Reported September 13, 2004. View on NHTSA
03V094000: STRUCTURE
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.
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…
Reported March 7, 2003. View on NHTSA
Data sources
- EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 18, 2026 · US Government public data
- NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 18, 2026 · US Government public data
Source checked: October 18, 2026
Data verified: October 18, 2026
Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.
Compare
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Frequently asked questions
What engine does the 2003 Ford Explorer have?
Varies by configuration: 4.6L 8-cylinder, 4.0L 6-cylinder (FLEX-FUEL), 4.0L 6-cylinder. Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Ford Explorer?
Combined fuel economy is 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) to 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.
Is the 2003 Ford Explorer front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?
Drivetrain: Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD.
Are there recalls for the 2003 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked October 18, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.