2003 Ford Explorer Automatic Transmission Problems
- 141
- 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 141 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- Torque Converter · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 47 |
| 30–60k mi | 30 |
| 100–150k mi | 24 |
| 1–30k mi | 23 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Automatic Transmission
Transmission problems started around 100k miles; high rpm shifting between 1st and 2nd gear with subsequent flashing o/d light. Many times transmission will "clunk" into gear either from going into reverse, stopping completely, then shifting into drive and/or when putting in reverse or drive. Appears this is a common problem for my model year explorer (03) and same code many others receive (p0775) which really does…
ODI 10398051
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph when the rpms increased up to 405 and the over drive light illuminated as well. The contact drove onto the emergency lane and was able to restart the vehicle it recurred. The dealer was informed about the failure and they stated that the bands in the transmission are shot and will have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
ODI 10363880
Automatic Transmission
I sent a letter of complaint to ford regarding my situation with my transmission failing on me and the local ford dealer charging me $4,300 since my car is no longer under warranty. I truly hope that ford gets their act together and addresses this issues as i'm seeing more and more complaints pop-up everywhere regarding this. Poor excuse!!! Dear valued customer, thank you for contacting the ford motor company…
ODI 10365451
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer xlt (n/a). While driving the over drive light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the mechanic located the failure at the transmission solenoid. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that there were no related recalls. The contact planned to have the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000…
ODI 10358100
Automatic Transmission
2003 ford explorer with 74,000 miles on it - o/d light began flashing. Around the same time i noticed that when going from a stop to a start it would take a long time to shift into gear. Took it into the mechanic - suggested a new transmission for $4100!!! For a car that has less than 100,000 miles this is ridiculous. *tr
ODI 10354720
Automatic Transmission
With no warning, while driving my 2003 explorer yesterday, the o/d off light comes on then the check transmission light also comes on. After that i notice the shifting of gears feels really weird. It shifts slower and harder when it shifts. I cannot drive the car because it is unsafe for me and my 2 young children. The repair shop says i need a new transmission which will cost me $2000 that i don't have, to put into…
ODI 10351769
Automatic Transmission · Engine
I own a 2003 ford explorer-4.6 liter v8 [redacted], the vehicle has 158,000 miles and have experienced the sparkplug blowout while driving home from work. I was traveling on a busy state road when the engine miss fired and then heard a loud pop and the engine went to missing bad. I immediately pulled to the side and checked to see what was happening. I limped the vehicle into a parking lot and proceeded to reinstall…
ODI 10351053
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2003 ford explorer with approx. 70,000 miles on it. On july 15, 2010, i noticed that the overdrive light was flashing on and off and then the check engine light turned on. This problem happened on and off for about a week. On july 26, 2010, i took the vehicle in for repair and was told that i needed a new transmission and a new solenoid pack. The cost of these items was $2,500! I proceeded to do some…
ODI 10346290
Automatic Transmission
While i am driving the truck slows down then speeds back up. Vehicle is only 7 years old and has 71,000 miles, a few days ago the o/d light started flashing and then a day later the check engine soon light came on as well. I took the truck to a transmission shop they hooked the truck up to the machine and 5 malfunctions came up in the transmission he said that the 1st and 5th gear is slipping. He would have to…
ODI 10341754
Automatic Transmission
OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
ODI 10329490
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2003 ford explorer that i bought brand new, it now has 135,553 miles on it. Have never had problems and it actually drives very well, but the o/d off light started flashing. Took it to the ford dealer 3 days later, was told the torque converter needed to be replaced at a cost of $1,225.00. The dealer has told me that the torque converter has been replaced twice, the o/d off light still flashing and after…
ODI 10326246
Automatic Transmission · Cooling System · Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Unknown Or Other
There have been multiple problems with my 2003 ford explorer since i bought it brand new in august of 2003. But ironically they have all appeared after the warranty had expired. In september 2007 the air conditioning unit no longer worked. It cost me $2000 and a week without a car, to get it fixed. In august 2009 the passenger door window would no longer work. In september 2009 my suv started making a clicking sound…
ODI 10357758
Automatic Transmission
NO SECOND GEAR. *TR
ODI 10381658
Automatic Transmission
Ford 2003 explorer overdrive light flashing and service engine soon light on. Brought in for service to be told ford has this problem but they've done nothing about it. Could break down on street and strand motorist. Now i have to replace transmission. I feel my families safety was jeopardized by fords neglect. *tr
ODI 10319496
Automatic Transmission
The o/d light is flashing on the dashboard,service engine light comes on and when i accelerate the transmission shifts rough,ford says it is not a common problem,but i have visited several sites today with complaints from other consumers,all makes,all models of ford trucks and suvs. I have 2003 ford explorer .the vehicle just went over 80,000 mile. *tr
ODI 10317982
Automatic Transmission
Over drive light is blinking; transmission is revving high.. Only has 79,000 on it! *tr
ODI 10312169
Automatic Transmission · Structure
Problems with the rear panel cracking up, being replaced twice, still cracked again, also the transmission not able to check it during a trip unless you go under the truck, last thing the brake light switch sticking causing to drain battery and not able to order part because the manual are wrong. *tr
ODI 10373335
Automatic Transmission
2003 o/d light blinking, service engine light soon light turned on. Transmission problems detected. Lots of fords transmissions seem to have flaws need to force a recall.*cw
ODI 10302983
Automatic Transmission · Hatchback/Liftgate
2003 ford explorer xlt - overdrive light starting flashing and now the transmission slips when shifting from 1st to second gear. Engine revs to 3200 rpms and makes a loud noise before feathering the gas to get the transmission to shift into 2nd gear. Vertical crack in fiberglass tailgate panel just below rear window glass. No impact to tailgate occurred-crack just appeared. *tr
ODI 10302112
Automatic Transmission
I was driving my 2003 ford explorer, and all of a sudden when merging onto the highway, my overdrive light started flashing, and the transmission won't shift out of 1st gear. Absolutely unacceptable! An 03?! Please! *tr
ODI 10378390
Automatic Transmission · Wheels
Overdrive light is blinking and transmission is shifting hard and sometimes not at all. The car has 90,000 miles on it. Nothing has ever been toed. It is a daily commute car i have owned since brand new. There is no way i should already need a new transmission. Also the wheel bearings have gone on both sides of the front of my car. This has happened to countless other people with this year (2003) explorer. I have…
ODI 10348875
Automatic Transmission
O/d light began flashing and transmission started to slip from 2nd t 3rd gear. Had the trans solenoid pack replaced which helped for awhile but problem came back after a month or so. Took it to repair shop again and this time they said it's the 4th and 5th gear servos. *tr
ODI 10355444
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2003 ford explorer xlt and the o/d light constantly blinks. The transmission is sluggish shifting from 1st to 2nd and my car failed an emissions inspection due to this problem. I have read how many other people have had this very same problem even after a transmission has been repaired or replaced. Hoping this problem could be recalled because this is too wide spread for it to be a consumer issue. *tr
ODI 10299698
Automatic Transmission
Driving my 2003 ford explorer on highway when gear slipped..o/d light started flashing! It needs a new transmission they say but i haven't done the repair yet. *tr
ODI 10296448
Automatic Transmission
I have noticed over the past 2 weeks the gear shift lever getting harder to move from park to reverse and vise-versa. Now, the steering column mounted gear selector (prnd321) at times won't come out of park. I have to play with the gear select lever/brake pedal in order to get the interface to release. I haven't as yet taken the vehicle to my mechanic for repairs. *tr
ODI 10293947