2003 Ford Explorer Power Train Problems
- 110
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 110 stored complaint records:
- 4 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- failure mileage · 13 records
- transmission failure · 11 records
- check engine · 11 records
- overdrive light · 10 records
- light illuminated · 9 records
- shift gear · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 39 |
| 60–100k mi | 30 |
| 150–400k mi | 19 |
| 30–60k mi | 8 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
2003 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regard to defective throttle in model vehicle. *as *tr
ODI 11180771
Power Train · Steering
Shift lever broke off inside steering column of my wife's explorer when changing from park to drive to exit from a boat launch ramp with no boat on the trailer. Vehicle was towed on a flatbed wrecker to my garage. Broken element ( see photos) was not replaceable by itself. Steering column had to be replaced. This was not normal wear and tear, but rather a faulty /weak component that represents a danger. I have noted…
ODI 11021498
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Power Train
My transmission light has been coming on. I was only at 117k miles when it happened. That's to soon for a transmission to be acting up especially since it's anew one according to carfax this is the second transmission for my explorer. The first one was put in only at 3 years old. It will sometimes jerk into reverse or take a second to go into drive when i switch gears. My overdrive light also flashes which i assume…
ODI 10885760
Electrical System · Power Train
While driving home from work this evening the o/d off light began steadily blinking and the transmission took way too long to shift (rpm almost red line) and wouldn't shift into 5th gear. I was driving on a city street and first noticed the truck not shifting and within 3 minutes of driving the o/d off light began flashing. If you turn the truck off then back on the o/d off light turns off but the truck still won't…
ODI 10852423
Power Train
While driving home from work this evening the o/d off light began steadily blinking and the transmission took way too long to shift (rpm almost red line) and wouldn't shift into 5th gear. I was driving on a city street and first noticed the truck not shifting and within 3 minutes of driving the o/d off light began flashing. If you turn the truck off then back on the o/d off light turns off but the truck still won't…
ODI 10838090
Power Train
My 2003 ford explorer xls is having issues with the automatic transmission. When i accelerate from a stopped position, the transmission stalls, slips and delays when it shifts into the next gear. As i searched for issues with the transmission i found 100's of complaints regarding this matter. From what i have found, the transmission is a design flaw
ODI 10788981
Power Train
Transmission failure, a common occurrence in these vehicles
ODI 10779233
Electrical System · Power Train · Unknown Or Other
I purchased my 03 ford explorer back in 2/15. It looked like i purchased a very very good used vehicle. Everything has been fine with it up until 2 weeks ago. My door ajar light keeps coming on when everything is closed, the od light is blinking non stop and the trunk window opens by itself when i am driving. When im driving it feels like the car is trying to "catch up". Like it knows i'm trying to do a certain…
ODI 10764011
Power Train
Being that i am disabled, i'm affraid that when the transmission finally goes completely out, i'll be straned somewhere or the suv will cause a wreck and hurt/kill me or someone else. There have been thousands of complaints about the transmission on this explorer that a recall should have been sent out. I can not affored the repair cost or the cost of another suv/car, please help!
ODI 10749638
Air Bags · Power Train · Unknown Or Other
Takata recalli brought the truck and the airbag light was flashing 4x4 lights flashing also, smelling oil coming from the deferential on the back axle. Now, the transmission started slipping and he changed a part . Then, the transmission started to slip again. Also,i wanted to switch to another vehicle but he declined it . He said " he put to much work into the truck and all the parts are new in which only the tires…
ODI 10895806
Electrical System · Power Train
I bought my ford explorer xlt back in june of 2015. Since then i replaced my oxygen sensor do to a fault in the system and melting back in aug. 20015. The suv wouldn't start because of it and had to be towed. Since i purchased and had replaced the oxygen sensor by a ford dealer, i noticed the suv having power failure even from a complete stop and now the over drive off light flashes; this started in the beginning of…
ODI 10808552
Power Train
The o/d off light & check transmission lights went on, then vehicle wouldn't shift properly and became inoperable.
ODI 10735475
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 45 mph, the transmission experienced difficulty shifting from first into second gear. When it shifted, an abnormal sound was heard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it diagnosed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10731726
Power Train · Suspension · Wheels
We have recurring wheel bearing and hub assembly issue. The timing i put on the form may be off a bit but not much. Its all like a recurring ford explorer nightmare at this point! We have replaced bearings, hib assembly, tie rod, then rear end went up ( and shouldn't have)/now again, another bearing and wheel sensor. The truck cuts out when at a slower speed. I lost steering a few months ago while driving and when i…
ODI 10786962
Power Train · Steering
Was leaving gas station, shifted from park to drive, shift lever broke off into my hand. Obviously a defect, as i have over 2 million miles under my belt, driven numerous cars & trucks, and have never had this happen before in over 40 years of driving, both personally and professionally. I see there are hundreds of similar complaints for this, why is there no recall?? *tr
ODI 10703385
Power Train
For years ford has had a poorly designed hydraulic manual clutch system . Often impossible to shift at red light or while driving and had many near rear end collisions due to not being able to continue shifting and maintaining speed. For over a decade the poorly designed system gets air bound rendering the clutch useless . This is caused because the hydraulic line has low and high spots and air becomes trapped in…
ODI 10676444
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle jerked and quickly shifted into second gear. The check engine indicator was illuminated and the overdrive warning indicator was flashing. The repair shop stated that the transmission needed to be overhauled. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 163,300. Updated 9/12/14*cn…
ODI 10620647
Power Train · Service Brakes · Suspension
I have had three incidents with my 2003 ford explorer. The first incident involved the suspension ( sway bars snapped, tires had to be repaired). Second incident was the transfer case and a wiggling drive shaft along with rear wheel bearings ( parts deemed defective by mechanics) , and emergency brakes that snapped off in my mechanics hands because they were rusty. Now it is transmission work for a possible faulty…
ODI 10616754
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
The transmission light, 4'4 and the od light came on. It does shift gear from 1 to 2 until 3000 rpm. *tr
ODI 10614702
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated down to approximately 45 mph and the over drive warning sensor light illuminated. Also, the contact indicated that during the incident the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…
ODI 10609074
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the transmission malfunctioned while in third gear. Also, while driving up hills, the failure recurred and the overdrive and check engine sensor lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 10658978
Power Train
Transmission od light flashing, slamming into gear while shifting. We had the pan dropped and found pieces of the gears inside... Need a total rebuild or new transmission. After reading all of the problems with this year and model i believe ford needs to make some kind of recall.... *js
ODI 10608900
Engine · Power Train
My son purchased this explorer brand new and i bought it from him four years ago and i love this as it is the best design in the suv's, and i can not afford a new vehicle as i am no young gal any more. We have maintained it faithfully and have had no serious problems with it and is at 145000. I was driving to work going 55 mph and the o/d light comes on and i push the button and it would not go off. I pulled over…
ODI 10605052
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
ODI 10597049
Electrical System · Power Train · Suspension
Truck jerks when trying to pick up speed picks up speed very slow sometimes doesn't want to go in drive. *tr
ODI 10595393