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2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Explorer Sport Trac.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a utility-oriented SUV pairing an engine oil capacity of 5.0 quarts (5W-30 API) with a five-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. Reliability data for this model year shows 1,313 total owner complaints accumulated over its service life, with structural issues representing the most commonly cited problem area and seven recalls on file. Within the broader 2002–2010 production run, the 2003 sits in the lower-complaint range — well below the 3,620 complaints recorded for the 2002 launch year and far above the 6 logged for the 2009 model — making it a representative mid-stream data point for researchers charting the Sport Trac's longitudinal reliability trajectory.

Model year2010 2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235-70R16OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	180.3 in
Overall width	70.1 in
Overall height	67.7 in
Wheelbase	101.6 in
Curb weight	3962 lb
Track (front / rear)	58.7 / 58.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 19 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.1 Pints, rear
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	11-12 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	16 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	67-74 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	203 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	184-250 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 850, AT: 710 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	MT: 50, AT: 40 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	890 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	755 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	75 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	65

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F
Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	35-45
RPM	28-45 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	155 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	28-36 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	98-132 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.100; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.001 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.98 in / 0.457 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.96 in / 0.433 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 degrees, Step 3: 90

18 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

66 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen one turn, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 90

66 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	24 ft. lbs.	24 ft. lbs
2	turn 80 degrees	80 degrees
3	turn 80

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	26 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

10 ft. lbs., Step 2: 52

10 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

7.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 30 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90 degrees

7.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2003 the Explorer Sport Trac saw a sharp drop in federal complaints to 1,313, down from 3,620 in 2002, and its recall count halved to seven, marking the beginning of a steep downward trend that continued through 2005 (568 complaints, three recalls) and reached a low point by 2009 (six complaints, one recall). The number of investigations also fell sharply, from nine in 2002 to three in 2003 and only one or none in later years, while technical service bulletins (TSBs) decreased from 370 in 2002 to 176 in 2003 and kept declining. The 2003 complaint profile is dominated by Structure (332) and Power Train (281) issues, with relatively modest Engine‑Cooling (63) and Air‑Bag (49) reports; crash‑related complaints total 69 and fire‑related complaints total 19, both well below the 2002 levels. This pattern indicates that 2003 sits at the early trough of a generation‑wide improvement in reliability and safety, suggesting it is a comparatively strong year to consider for purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

176

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,313

Owner complaints

69 involved a crash · 19 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’02’03’04 ’05 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,313 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure332

Power Train281

Engine & Engine Cooling63

Air Bags49

Suspension49

Visibility47

Electrical System46

Wheels45

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

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… Remedy: 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 176 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB-08-19-3	2009-05-01	Power Train	FORD: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT OIL SEPARATION FROM THE INTERNAL LUBE FOUND IN THE…
07212	2007-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
06216	2006-01-01	Power Train	LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Explorer Sport Trac. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Explorer Sport Trac take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C946-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Explorer Sport Trac have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Explorer Sport Trac get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.