The Ford Explorer Sport spans 2003–2003 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2003 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2003. It delivers up to 17 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Ford Explorer Sport is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2003 to 2003 across multiple generations.
How to read a Ford Explorer Sport VIN — every digit explained
Every Ford Explorer Sport carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Ford and the country it was built in (real Ford codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Explorer Sport.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1F1 · 1F7 · 1FA · 1FB · 1FM · 1FT
- Canada2FA · 2FM · 2FT · 2LM · 2LN · 2ME
- Mexico3FA · 3FB · 3FM · 3FT · 3LN · 3MA
- GermanyWF0 · WF1
- Norway1FL
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Explorer Sport, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Ford Explorer Sport have?
The Ford Explorer Sport has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2003–2003. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2003 Ford Explorer Sport recalls 1
Exterior Lighting
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Best and worst years for the Ford Explorer Sport
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 1 tracked years, the worst years are 2003 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2003.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Explorer Sport | Structure | Avoid |
What are the most common Ford Explorer Sport problems?
The most-reported Ford Explorer Sport problems are Air (2 reports), Other (3 reports) and Seats (15 reports) — out of 1,313 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Ford Explorer Sport specifications & dimensions
The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Ford Explorer Sport window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Ford Explorer Sport cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Explorer Sport holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Ford Explorer Sport tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Ford Explorer Sport get?
The Ford Explorer Sport returns up to 17 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,650/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport (4L 6-cyl) gets 17 mpg combined and costs about $3,650/yr to fuel, emitting 523 g/mi CO₂ — about $7,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Explorer Sport | 15 | 20 | $3,650 | 523 | — | 4L 6-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Explorer Sport stacks up against the most fuel-efficient SUVs, or calculate this Explorer Sport's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Ford Explorer Sport have? Power & range
The Ford Explorer Sport is offered with 1 powertrain — 4L 6-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 4.0L · 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Ford Explorer Sport tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Ford Explorer Sport is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Explorer Sport's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Ford Explorer Sport cost to own?
A used Ford Explorer Sport sells for a median of about $17,500 for a 2021 — most listed between $7,500 and $17,500, from 180 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Explorer Sport | $7,500–$17,500 | 3 | |
| 2019 Explorer Sport | $13,498–$24,495 | 9 | |
| 2018 Explorer Sport | $8,250–$17,900 | 21 | |
| 2017 Explorer Sport | $12,440–$17,400 | 35 | |
| 2016 Explorer Sport | $10,999–$17,999 | 55 | |
| 2015 Explorer Sport | $2,100–$12,988 | 29 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Explorer Sport is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.
A Ford Explorer Sport holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Explorer Sport loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $18,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Explorer Sport ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Ford Explorer Sport to insure?
A Ford Explorer Sport costs about $1,235 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 14% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (86, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Explorer Sport's HLDI loss index. See Ford insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Ford Explorer Sport safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Explorer Sport yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Ford Explorer Sport last?
A well-maintained Ford Explorer Sport typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Ford Explorer Sport’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Explorer Sport’s VIN free →All Ford Explorer Sport model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Ford Explorer Sport — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Explorer Sport | 2 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Explorer Sport?
By owner-complaint volume, 2003 drew the most reports. 2003 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Explorer Sport have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2003–2003. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Explorer Sport get?
Up to 17 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Explorer Sport last?
A well-maintained Explorer Sport typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Explorer Sport reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Explorer Sport is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Ford Explorer Sport warranty?
New Ford models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Ford dealer.
Where is the Ford Explorer Sport made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Explorer Sport's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Ford may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Explorer Sport have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.