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
O/d off dash light began to flash. Service engine soon light came on. Transmission needs to be rebuilt. Advised to report this known common problem with 2003 ford explorer models. *tr
ODI 10595332
Power Train
I attempted to put the vehicle in reverse and when i shifted to reverse the vehicle slammed into reverse so hard that it hit the vehicle that was parked behind me. *tr
1 injury
ODI 10597724
Power Train
Transmission failure at 45000 miles. Needs to be replaced. Cost $3200. Out of warranty. Although the car is 11 years old it has not much mileage. A transmission should not fail at 45000 miles. *tr
ODI 10588662
Power Train
Ford explorer 2003 34.656 miles garage kept o/d light starts blinking at 25miles hr. Transmission servo ports need to be bored & sleeved. Hydraulic pressure low at servo ports. Updated 11/24/2014 *js
ODI 10592232
Power Train
The vehicle is a closed transmission ..consumer has no way of checking or maintaining level..or checking the color or if clutch shards are present...consumer has to pay $115 to even have transmission level checked...consumer cannot perform preventative maintenance on their vehicle...this has been an ongoing problem with ford owners that ford is not willing to address. *tr
ODI 10577856
Power Train
I have kept up with ford's suggested servicing interval for the transmission. I was halfway through an extended drive on the highway when suddenly the transmission fluid temperature reading on my scangauge ii was in excess of 235 degrees fahrenheit and the o/d off light comes on and the dashboard contained error message overheating transmission. I pulled over to a gas station and saw that there was no transmission…
ODI 10577712
Power Train
O/d light started blinking and my transmission started slipping in the early gears. *js
ODI 10579577
Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
The o/d light came on. I had to let off on my accelerator pedal to get my car to shift into 2nd gear. Sometimes i would push on the accelerator and at 4000 rpm, my car would shift. After taking the car into the transmission shop, the technician told me that the band for second gear snapped and a rod starting grinding which dispersed metal into the transmission. The rod as well as the gears, solenoid, and the torque…
ODI 10583757
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the over drive light illuminated and the vehicle lost acceleration power while traveling various speeds. The contact also mentioned that a grinding noise was heard. The local mechanic performed a diagnostic but was unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current…
ODI 10573398
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
ODI 10559036
Power Train
I have had to had the transmission replaced 3 times so far on this vehicle. After looking online and talking to the transmission shops in the area, this seems to be a problem (at least for the ford owner) with this year of the ford transmission. One estimate is they see this year at least 4-5 times in a two week span. The entire 2003 ford transmission seems faulty and costing customers thousands of dollars to fix.…
ODI 10594523
Power Train
Flashing o/d off, check transmission, and check engine lights went on. Took to transmission service co for inspection. There response was this model ford transmission was no good. They flushed system, added new fluid and asked that i pray for extra miles. That was nov.'13. Now feb '14, transmission lighting same check lights. Total re-build likely at $2500 +/_. Complaints on 2003 explorers at carcomplaints.com are…
ODI 10564841
Body · Electronic Stability Control · Power Train
1. Transmission does not let you accelarate. Pressure builds up while you are pressing on the gas pedal and it doesn't increase your speed until 10 seconds or so of pressing the gas pedal, and than it explodes and you are thrust back with the acceleration. Very dangerous when you are trying to change lanes or are entering the highway. Lack of acceleration has almost got us into a few accidents. 2. Sensors are not…
ODI 10794609
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the transmission failed to shift gears. The over-drive and transmission warning indicators were also illuminated continuously. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. Upon restarting, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not…
ODI 10549771
Power Train
Driving on interstate at high speed. O/d and tramission lights came on tramission died! *tr
ODI 10534439
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
While driving the o/d light began flashing on my dashboard, the vehicle slowed down to about 15 miles as if the transmission was pulling/slipping, the car made a hard jerk and began to pick-up speed. This cycle repeated until i reached my destination. The light came on again the next day and the same events occurred. *tr
ODI 10525391
Power Train
O/d light suddenly starts flashing while driving at normal surface street speeds of 40 - 45 mph. Within 10 miles, the transmission started slipping and it felt like the vehicle was laboring; my wife thought the emergency brake was engaged. She never made it home - within minutes, the vehicle slowed, would not accelerate and subsequently broke down. The vehicle was towed to the nearest ford dealer who determined the…
ODI 10534338
Power Train
I was driving down i-10 at 3:30 in the afternoon on my way home and my 2003 ford explorer out of no where went in reverse i was about an inch away from hitting the car behind me. My children were crying scared and i too was shaking tried to make it home but my car wouldn't go past 20mph and we got stuck at the gas station had to get towed to my house. I have been told that i need a new transmission and cannot afford…
ODI 10532191
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive and check engine transmission warning lights both illuminated upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but no cause for failure was found. The vehicle would also jerk and lunge forward when the contact was driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the…
ODI 10515689
Engine · Power Train
While driving my vehicle on sunday, while driving my vehicle stalled in the road. The truck felt as if it was trying to pull a hill. This was very scarey for me and my children because if someone was coming behind us or if i was turning into the flow of traffic this could have been a terrible accident. Afterwards the vehicle couldn't go over 30 mph without shifting out. This is very dangerous and ford should recall…
ODI 10511186
Power Train
Transmission is not shifting into second gear and overdrive. Overdrive light flashes. Previous owner had a new transmission put in through ford motor company and it started occurring again within a week of the replacement. I purchased the vehicle in april and have had it to numerous repair shops for transmission filter changes and tune ups, nothing helps. Now im told it needs a new transmission. The transmission in…
ODI 10522983
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated the over-drive light illuminated while driving 65 mph and the vehicle slowed down to 20 mph. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer stated the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact did not replace the transmission. The failure mileage was 110,000.
ODI 10508572
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
ODI 10505747
Power Train
Unexpected transmission failure. Transmission not shifting gears properly. Vehicle in good condition no fluid leaks. Vehicle driven and maintained properly. This issue has occurred to numerous explorer owners with low mileage as my vehicle. *tr
ODI 10510021
Power Train · Service Brakes
I was driving my 2003 ford explorer and i was going about 40 miles per hr. I was approaching a red light, and as i was braking my vehicle accelerated without me having my foot on the gas paddle. I have had major transmission work (re-built trans, $3000) on my vehicle, in which i had to take it back to the transmission repair shop three times, yet i continue to have unexplained problems. The vehicle seems to be…
ODI 10507317