Season 3 consisted of 27 episodes and two highlight specials. While individual contestants usually competed for a $50,000 grand prize, this season experimented with:
Watch a high-stakes challenge from the third season where contestants attempt a dangerous speedboat-to-helicopter transfer followed by a nauseating gross-out stunt: Fear Factor - Season 3
The intensity of Season 3 stunts led to significant public reaction. NBC was notably sued for $2.5 million by a viewer who claimed that watching a contestant eat rats mixed in a blender caused him to vomit and experience a rise in blood pressure. Despite such controversies, the season maintained high viewership and solidified the show's place in the early 2000s reality TV landscape. Season 3 consisted of 27 episodes and two highlight specials