Explorer van/running board lighting
Defect Summary
On certain conversion vans equipped with running boards supplied by prodesign, inc., that incorporate a courtesy light, exposure to excessive moisture and road salt, a high resistance arc can occur in the wiring of the courtesy light. when this occurs, the light wires can overheat to the point where they may melt the running board.
Safety Consequence
This could potentially lead to a fire.
Corrective Action
Dealers will replace the courtesy light. Owner notification began january 23, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact explorer van at 1-800-926-7878.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Explorer Van Company, Inc. or involving N/A.
FAQ: Recall 03V016000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 03V016000?
NHTSA recall 03V016000 was issued by Explorer Van Company, Inc. on January 23, 2003. It addresses: Explorer van/running board lighting. The recall affects approximately 2,600 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Explorer Van Company, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 03V016000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.