Auto loans: 2003 Ford Explorer
None for sale by us right now: rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one. Rated 13.8 to 15.7 L/100 km combined (EPA). 2 NHTSA recall campaigns. CarmaCars is not a lender, dealer or lessor, and does not arrange financing or leases. We rent cars, and sell one only when it is listed for sale on this page with its price.
- For sale by us
- 0
- Combined
- 13.8 to 15.7 L/100 km
- Recalls
- 2
For sale
We do not have a 2003 Ford Explorer for sale right now. We are a rental company: rent one for a week to try it, or tell us what you want and we look for one for you.
CarmaCars is not a lender, dealer or lessor, and does not arrange financing or leases. We rent cars, and sell one only when it is listed for sale on this page with its price.
2003 Ford Explorer specs
| Spec | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 | Powertrain 5 | Powertrain 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0L 6-cylinder | 4.0L 6-cylinder | 4.0L 6-cylinder | 4.0L 6-cylinder | 4.6L 8-cylinder | 4.6L 8-cylinder |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 5-speed automatic | 5-speed manual | 5-speed automatic | 5-speed automatic | 5-speed automatic |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City | 15.7 L/100 km | 16.4 L/100 km | 16.3 L/100 km | 16.8 L/100 km | 18.1 L/100 km | 18.1 L/100 km |
| Highway | 11.8 L/100 km | 12.4 L/100 km | 13.5 L/100 km | 12.9 L/100 km | 13.1 L/100 km | 13.1 L/100 km |
| Combined | 13.8 L/100 km | 14.7 L/100 km | 15.2 L/100 km | 15.4 L/100 km | 15.7 L/100 km | 15.7 L/100 km |
| CO₂ | 325 g/km | 345 g/km | 356.5 g/km | 360.3 g/km | 368 g/km | 368 g/km |
| Cost to drive 100 km | $21.39 | $22.79 | $23.56 | $23.87 | $24.34 | $24.34 |
2003 Ford Explorer: every figure
| Figure | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 | Powertrain 5 | Powertrain 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 4.0 L | 4.0 L | 4.0 L | 4.0 L | 4.6 L | 4.6 L |
| Cylinders | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| MPG city (US) | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
| MPG highway (US) | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| MPG combined (US) | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| MPG combined (Imperial) (converted from the US figure) | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Fuel cost a year (EPA) (EPA: 15,000 miles at its fuel prices) | US$3,950 | US$4,200 | US$4,325 | US$4,367 | US$4,450 | US$4,450 |
| Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at $1.55 a litre) | $4,278 | $4,558 | $4,712 | $4,774 | $4,868 | $4,868 |
Sources: fuel use, MPG, CO2, electric range, battery, charge time, luggage volume and the annual fuel cost are the US EPA's (fueleconomy.gov). Imperial MPG, litres, inches and pounds are converted from those figures. Figures no free source publishes for this car (power, torque, acceleration, top speed, fuel tank, towing) are left out.
What to check when buying the 2003 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. Ask the seller for proof each one was fixed; a dealer can check it by the VIN.
- Owners filed 1,274 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure (404), power train (369) and engine and engine cooling (82). Have those parts checked before you buy.
| Campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V442000 | 2004-09-13 | 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. |
| 03V094000 | 2003-03-07 | 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... |
Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.
Auto loans: the 2003 Ford Explorer
We rent cars and sell one only now and then. There is no 2003 Ford Explorer for sale by us right now. We are not a lender and do not arrange loans. A monthly rental can cover the time while you arrange financing with your bank. Buying the 2003 Ford Explorer is a big decision; here is the information we have.
A buyer's checks
Ask the seller for the service records of this exact car. A pre-purchase inspection at a shop you choose is money well spent. Check whether every recall was done, by the VIN, before you pay. Look at the tires, brakes and battery; they are costly to replace.
Engine and fuel
The 4.0L 6-cylinder, paired with a 5-speed manual, drives it. It runs on regular gas. Rear-wheel drive gives balanced handling; in winter, the tires make the biggest difference.
A combined rating of 13.8 L/100 km works out to about 41 litres per 300 km. That works out to about $21.39 per 100 km at our price setting. At US fuel prices, the EPA estimates US$3,950 a year for 15,000 miles.
Practical details
It offers the space of an SUV with the height that makes loading easy.
Who the Explorer suits
It suits visitors who want a familiar car for a week in town. It suits winter trips and weekends with more gear than people.
Try before you buy
Try the Explorer on your commute, then decide. Drive the Explorer on your commute before you commit to it. A week with the Explorer answers more than any brochure.
The cost of driving it
The EPA estimates US$3,950 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles at US prices. At our price setting, 100 km costs about $21.39 in fuel. A 1,000 km month costs roughly $213.90 at our price setting.
Choosing the right one
A newer year is not always better; check what changed before paying more for it. If two trims share a powertrain, the difference is equipment, which you can check in person. Decide what matters most first: fuel use, space, or the price you can pay.
Talk to a person
Ask about renting first, and buy with a clear head.
Rent it for a week before you buy
A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent a 2003 Ford Explorer from us first.
Ask us about the 2003 Ford Explorer
Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 2003 Ford Explorer for you and reply within one business day.
Buying the 2003 Ford Explorer
Does CarmaCars sell the 2003 Ford Explorer?
Not right now. CarmaCars rents cars; it sells one only now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.
Can I rent a 2003 Ford Explorer before I buy one?
Yes. Request it for a week (or longer, up to 365 days) and drive it as your own; nothing is charged until we confirm and you approve.
Does the 2003 Ford Explorer have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.
What does the 2003 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
EPA puts it at US$3,950 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $4278.00.
Where do the figures come from?
Fuel use and fuel cost from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov), dimensions and weight from NHTSA vPIC Canadian specifications, recalls and complaints from NHTSA. We leave out any figure no free source publishes.