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
I called ford customer relations to report my transmission was failing, and discovering that many people were reporting the same issue on the web: flashing overdrive light, constant engine service light, and my transmission was sticking and not shifting properly. I told the representative about my issue and immediately they said i did not have the extended warranty. I told them i did have the extended which was up…
ODI 10441575
Power Train
Transmission failure. Transmission does not want to up shift, it will shift hard. O/d light flashing. *tr
ODI 10445102
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the transmission would not shift into gear and failed. The check engine and the bs warning lights were illuminated. The contact notified a mechanic of the failure and was advised that the transmission would likely need replacing.the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vin was unavailable. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10438091
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving approximately 30 mph, the transmission began to slip gears in a jerking motion. There was also a hesitation and the engine revved continuously. In addition, the over drive and transmission warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was diagnosed by two different…
ODI 10443590
Power Train
The transmission slips gears between 1st->2nd and 2nd->3rd gears. The car has never been used for towing and has been maintained by a ford dealership according to the recommended servicing. At only 80,000 miles, it should not be having transmission issues. *tr
ODI 10448623
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 50 mph, the overdrive and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who inspected the failure and informed the contact that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified who advised that there were no recalls for the failure and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10425395
Power Train
While entering the highway, my suv would not shift into gear. The fastest it would go was 35mph, the tachometer was pegged out, the o/d light was flashing on and off and transmission would not shift into the next gear. Almost got hit by vehicles traveling the speed limit which is 65mph, because the transmission would not shift properly for me to merge into traffic. *tr
ODI 10423782
Power Train
Suddenly the transfer case started jerking and the suv was shaking badly that i almost couldn't drive it home. I was lucky to have this happening at 1/2 mile from my house and at about 20-25 miles per hour! It was no code to indicate where the failure occurred within the power train. I took a part the rear end, i found nothing wrong with it. I started to troubleshoot the transfer case and i noticed that the…
ODI 10412208
Electrical System · Power Train
First i must say i love this truck. Its my second one and both had same problems. While driving home from work all of a sudden truch lurched forward then o/d off lite started flashing then check engine lite flashing.took it to my mechanic and it came up with a po775 code, he said its very common and not the first one hes seen do this. Pressure control solenoid b needs replacing for about $400.00 then after removing…
ODI 10400528
Power Train
Accelerator defect ; the car atuomatically sped up without my foot on the gas pedal. Caused damages to 3 other vehicles, 1 of which was totalled. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10392954
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
ODI 10454699
Power Train
Engine revs to nearly 5000 rpm before slamming into 2nd gear. Had several mechanics tell me that these transmissions are junk.
ODI 10379218
Power Train
Explorer od light came on and truck would not shift gears properly. Check engine light appeared and the truck just made it to the mechanic. The truck needed a new transmission at the expense of $3000. It is obvious that the ford explorer is known for this type of failure. Sent an email to ford and they will not assist on the expenses or admit there is a problem with these vehicles.
ODI 10397673
Power Train
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to a transmission specialist who stated that the gear solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current and failure mileages were…
ODI 10362265
Power Train
Transmision failure, replaced at dealership. New transmision failed within a week, replaced at dealership also replaced all hub bearings, excessive noise. Rear end also has excessive noise. Rear back up sensor frequently turns off and does not work. *tr
ODI 10423165
Parking Brake · Power Train
I have a 2003 ford explorer. I have had several incidents of it not easily changing from park to reverse, and reverse to park. Last night, i was unloading some items from the explorer. The car was in park, and the emergency brake was engaged. I was standing in the right side passenger doorway. I reached over to turn off the ignition. Upon turning it off, the explorer immediately began to roll into reverse. My mother…
2 injuries
ODI 10340699
Power Train
Transmission failure at 77,000 miles, june 2010. Replaced with ford part at ford dealer. Replacement transmission lasted 3 yrs/8 mos, and lasted 45,000 miles (8 months beyond warranty). Ford will not acknowledge the problem, or provide any relief whatsoever in resolving the problem. Transmission failure at any point, at any time, could be very very dangerous. *tr
ODI 10565635
Power Train
The rear end on the 2003 ford explorer starts to whine, then growl' then leak then go bad. The rearend on the ford explorers evidently go bad often. The owners would be put in danger when the breakdown occurs on the road. The explorer is a family vehicle so the rearend going out on a trip away could be disaster. I googled 2003 ford explorer rearend problems and found hundreds of complaints. *tr
ODI 10292959
Power Train
I currently own a 2003 ford explorer. Abs light had been showing sometimes and gained a small vibration in the engine. Then one day by a turn of the key there was a loud thumb sound and it never started again. Put a new starter on got it started but it had a major pecking sound coming from transmission. Took transmission out and found that the torque had a bad rattle in it. Replaced torque and restarted engine and…
ODI 10269443
Electronic Stability Control · Equipment · Parking Brake · Power Train · Tailgate · Traction Control System
I keep reading about 2 complaints that people need to know about and ford should take action on; the first being the back tail gate... Ford do the right thing. The second has to do with the transmission, overdrive light, the parking brake and the cruise control. I use the cruise control when driving long distances and while on a few trips the overdrive light would come on for no reason, at least i thought, i then…
ODI 10349808
Power Train
LOCKED UP AND FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash reported
ODI 10572567
Power Train
The problem when you driving on the highway around 65 mph you feel the truck hesitating, since this truck did not come with dip stick to check the transmission fluid, it is hard to check unless you take it to a tech or stop on the middle of the road to check it underneath the truck running trans for the fluid to drip, it is really stupid you can be run over by a car or cause an accident, it seems like the…
ODI 10652585
Power Train
Initially happened at 98k miles back in 08. Put in park (vehicle on elevated driveway). Jerked back and heard a clunk- like it was shifting from park into a gear with vehicle pressure- and it started to roll back. Hit brakes- and put it in reverse. Then neutral to start it. Parked it on the curb for an hour, went back out and it didn't do it again until last week. Thinking it might have been the weather this time-…
ODI 10447769
Electrical System · Power Train · Unknown Or Other
I payed 18,000 for my 2003 ford explorer xlt with the flex fuel in 2006. Its a very nice looking suv but i only drove it for 2 years before the transmission started to fail. I beleave a transmission should last more than 2 years. My concearn is that its defective all around the transmission and i could still drive it if i wasnt in fear for my life. I have had it to ford dealership and they could not diagnose the…
ODI 10445821
Axle Hubs · Power Train
Rear axle loud noise. Front left wheel bearing became extremely noisy. Automatic 4wd control engaged unexpectedly during low speed turns and parking. Several visits to the ford repair shop, almost $2.5k in repairs, "erroneously" diagnosed. Results: finally, failures still in place. What a shame!!! *tr
ODI 10220723