2003 Ford Explorer Lights Problems
7 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Lights Recalls (4)
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Owner Complaints (7)
Your airbag warning light on the dashboard keeps blinking and makes a noise along with your seatbelt warning. After you replaced the dashboard light bulb, the airbag light now stays on constantly and doesn't seem to be working properly with your vehicle's mileage display. This may indicate an issue with your airbag system that needs professional diagnostic attention to determine if it's related to the known Takata airbag recall.
Parts you may need:
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2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF HIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN RECALL # 11V352000 *TGW
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF OR WOULD SPORADICALLY FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 161,000.
NOTICED THE OTHER DAY THE BRAKE LIGHT WERE STUCK "ON" AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND ONLY AFTER TAPPING THEM A FEW TIMES DID THEY TURN OFF. THE ONLY PLACE TO GET A REPLACEMENT BRAKE ON / OFF SWITCH IS VIA THE DEALER FOR APPROX $95.00, INSTALLATION EXTRA. HE TOLD ME HE SELLS ALOT OF THESE FOR EXPLORERS, MAYBE IT NEEDS TO GO ON THE "RECALL LIST". IT POTENTIALLY WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THEY WERE TO STAY ON AND THEN HAVE A NEED TO STOP QUICKLY THE PERSON BEHIND YOU WOULD NOT SEE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND REAREND YOUR VEHICLE. *TR
ABOUT 8 - 10 MONTHS AGO WE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SHUTTING OFF. WE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. FINALLY, DEC 31ST, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY HAD BEEN FULLY DISCHARGED OVERNIGHT BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD COME ON. THE PART RESPONSIBLE WAS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH COST $118.00 PARTS AND LABOR. THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM RESULTED IN RECALL NHTSA 04V106000 ON THE 2003 FORD TAURUS. OUR VEHICLE IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER.*CN
WHY HAVE SOME CAR MANUFACTURERS REPLACED YELLOW REAR TURN SIGNALS WITH RED ONES. THESE LIGHTS ARE VERY HARD TO DISCERN DIRECTLY ABOVE BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS EVEN OCCURS BETWEEN MODELS OF THE SAME MAKE. I HAVE SPOKE WITH MANY PEOPLE ABOUT THIS AND THEY HAVE NOTICED THE SAME THING. WE CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW THIS WAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. ALL VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME LIGHTING, PERIOD. THANK YOU.
I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC THIS YEAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE MADE SO THAT YOU CANNOT ADJUST THEM FOR SIDE VISION. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THE TECHNICIANS SAY THAT IT IS A DESIGN FAULT. DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT IS COMPARABLE TO HAVING TUNNEL VISION. MY TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS AND THEY DO HELP WITH THE SIDE VISION BUT THEY ONLY WORK ON LOW BEAM. EVEN WITH THE FOG LIGHTS THE AREA TO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK ARE BLACKED OUT. IN THE MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN ABOUT SIX TIMES AT NIGHT. I DO NOT KNOW ANYONE ELSE THAT OWNS A SIMILAR TRUCK SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT IF EVERYONE HAS THIS PROBLEM OR JUST ME.*AK