general problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Eight problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac based on all problems reported for the 2003 Explorer Sport Trac.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/11/2015

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that the vehicle ignited in flames while parked in the driveway. The contact did not disclose how the fire was extinguished. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/04/2014

Rusting wires on the drivers side step plate.

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/03/2014

Rusting wires under the drivers side step plate.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/02/2012

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle abnormally decelerated to 40 mph. In addition, there was smoke coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact was informed by another driver that sparks were coming from under the vehicle. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the shoulder and discovered that there were flames under the driver’s side of the vehicle. The fire department was called and a fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was not repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/03/2011

Sitting at a stop sign vehicle went into acceleration gas peddle went to floor. Foot was on the brake. Checked no carpet stuck under the gas peddle. Foot was not touching gas peddle. It was almost like the cruise control was pressing the gas peddle. Cruise control was off. Shut vehicle off then back on issue went away. This has happened other times to myself and my wife. Sometimes while pushing the gas the gas peddle leaves your foot and continues to the floor on its own, pressing the brake and turning vehicle off seems to resolve the issue. This issue happens so in frequently that it is hard to reproduce for service shop.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/10/2007

When I pull down my steering wheel, the left blinker does not work neither does the brake lights. If the wheel is up every thing works.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2007

Vehicle engine stop while driving on the road. Driving as normal, approx 30 mph when vehicle just stops. Extremely difficult to steer or brake. Perfect weather, no environmental issues--normal temperature, etc. Incident occurred twice, approx one year apart. Took into repair shop to diagnose, no code left on computer.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/28/2003

On July 28 while my wife was driving our new Explorer Sport Trac it just stop running. She started it up and it ran for about 1min then cut off again stranding her in the middle of a highway in a turn lane we reported it to Ford it took over 2 hrs for them to get a tow truck to tow the truck to the dealer it also happened on the 27th. Also the owners manual pages are not right when you look at about how to change a tire it give you a page number and it shows something else like how to change oil.


Other Electrical System related problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac



Explorer Sport Trac Service Bulletins
Explorer Sport Trac Defect Investigations