2003 Ford Sport Trac: common problems and reliability

One of the worst Sport Trac years.

One of the Ford Sport Trac years to avoid. All Sport Trac years

1,313 owner complaints, most about structure. 1 recall.

Should I buy a 2003 Sport Trac?

The 2003 Ford Sport Trac has 1313 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are structure and power train.

Safety record for the 2003 model year

1,313
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
69
Crash reports
19
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Ford Sport Trac vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Sport Trac years only. How we score it

Is 2003 a good year for the Sport Trac?

Across the 8 Sport Trac model years we track, complaint volume runs from 6 (2009) to 3,622 (2002). With 1,313 complaints, the 2003 Sport Trac sits above the model's median of 568.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

structure
389
power train
356
engine and engine cooling
87
electrical system
81
suspension
77

Recalls affecting the 2003 Sport Trac

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E026000

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.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation and powertrain.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Sport Trac. See the full Sport Trac owner picture and every model year.

Other Sport Trac model years

Compare every Sport Trac year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Sport Trac against its rivals

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