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
2003 ford explorer xls awd - driving on highway, vehicle begins vibrating excessively. O/d off light flashes, service engine soon light comes on. Transmission bad. $3000 to replace. *tr
ODI 10292521
Automatic Transmission
Overdrive light came on as well as the check engine light the vehicle had been running fine, then the gears would not shift, we were on interstate 70 eastbound between wheeling wv and washington pa traveling at 65 mph in heavy traffic. The vehicle began to slow without warning we were nearly hit by a tractor trailer that had been following us! We searched the internet to see if this had happened to anyone else and…
ODI 10285042
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle began to decelerate independently with the illumination of several warning lights. The failure would recur intermittently and the either the vehicle would restart immediately or the vehicle would be towed. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they advised her that the transmission…
ODI 10392882
Automatic Transmission
Add to the pile. We have a ford explorer limited, 2003 built 2004 model. I have had the rear differential repaired at my cost but the car still kicks when put into reverse. We live in australia. I have been told to have two additives put into the transmission fluid and replace the solenoid. The additives are not even available from ford in australia. They sell it but no parts. Amazing. I even had to source the parts…
ODI 10280730
Automatic Transmission
I started noticing that my explorer was not shifting correctly and the overdrive light was staying on, along with the check engine light. I had the computer tested and it resulted in code p0775. I called ford (in bethlehem pa) and they could not get me in until the w/o 7/20. Since i was leaving for vacation and needed it, i took it to bethlehem transmissions. After they fixed it rebuilt the transmission and $3309.70…
ODI 10294693
Automatic Transmission
The transmission started not shifting properly and the o/d light started flashing. Check engine came on. Took 2003 ford explorer to get checked by ford dealership. Result: transmission failed and required replacing. Ford explorer only had 83,000 miles. $3,000 dollars to replace. Told that it was a common problem among ford explorers. *tr
ODI 10278528
Automatic Transmission
Today i got in my ford explorer and noticed that my overdrive light was flashing. So, pulled over to see what the owners manual says and soon right after the engine light comes on..i then look through the manual and it indicates that if these lights were to come on please take it to service asap. I did the following and took the suv to pep boys. I described my problem to the service manager and he said please don't…
ODI 10273573
Automatic Transmission
My 2003 ford explorer sometimes will lock the shifter at reverse as i move it to park. It feels like it went all the way to park, but it really stops (and won't move) at reverse. Letting off the brake, assuming it is in park, causes the vehicle to roll backwards. *tr
ODI 10274814
Automatic Transmission
Ii purchased a 2003 explorer, 2-11-03. Kept having problems shifting out of reverse, and finally, 3-8-04, and again, 9-13-04, and was told by dealer the problem was not valid, and would eventually go away, with no damage to vehicle. I continued to have problems, on and off, and now have over 89,000 miles on vehicle, and it is happening more and more. Sometimes, i have to continue cutting the engine off, restart, and…
ODI 10267963
Automatic Transmission
We were driving the vehicle from wi to mn and the overdrive light was flashing and the ford explorer was not shifting correctly and a few times was stuck at 50+ mph even though the cruise control was not on. We returned to our home and took the 2003 ford explorer in to a repair shop who said the report indicated that the transmission needs to be replaced. The design of the transmission on these vehicles doesn't…
ODI 10265259
Automatic Transmission
Three days ago i get into my truck and start to drive down the road and my truck doesn't shift into gears. Then when it finally did it jerked really hard and i bout went into a ditch. Then the o/d light starts flashing. Later that day the check engine light comes on. I try to check the transmission fluid level but you can't in this transmission. When i google this problem i find all these people with the same…
ODI 10262563
Automatic Transmission
The transmissions is failing in 2nd and 5th gear. It occurs everyday and you can not accelerate without it sticking in a higher gear, making it difficult to stop safely. *tr
ODI 10351642
Automatic Transmission
Was driving to work and trans started slipping. O/d light started blinking and then next day check engine light came on. Took it to a dealer who told me i need to either rebuild my trans for $3200 or put in a rebuilt from ford for over $4000 which would give me a 100k mile warranty, 64k more than the brand new one that was in the car when i bought it. Car had 74,500 miles on it but was less than 3 weeks over the 5…
ODI 10265938
Automatic Transmission
Had to replace wire harness to transmission after 85,000 miles now the overdrive service engine light always flashing. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10259120
Automatic Transmission
The transmission in our 2003 ford explorer failed and needed to be replaced after only 58,000 miles. From what i've been reading, it seems as though others have had similar problems with 2003 explorers and i wanted to document the problem we had. I contacted ford and was told they were unaware of any problem with the transmission and they refused any help. *tr
ODI 10251486
Automatic Transmission
The transmission went out several months after the warranty expired and the company did nothing to address this...the car was only 5 years old when this happened and we had to get a new transmission. *tr
ODI 10383329
Automatic Transmission
I noticed my transmission slipping around 27 oct 29th 2008, took it to a ford dealership for what i presumed was perhaps a needed transmission flush, the service manger told me that i had a transmission problem and that the transmission can go at any time, two days, two months or two years, took the vehicle home that night, the transmission failed to engage, had the vehicle towed to aamco for a free diagnostic, was…
ODI 10249923
Automatic Transmission
2003 ford explorer purchased new. Out of the blue check transmission and o/d off light starts flashing. At dealership now for repair estimate. While researching on the internet i was amazed to see the number of identical complaints for the exact problem on the exact same car. I spoke with ford today & they told me sorry and to "have a good day". I am mortified at the problem and the lack of assistance ford is…
ODI 10244192
Automatic Transmission
O/d light began blinking, later abs light on. Aamco said tranny was going out...probably torque converter but could be seal. Recommended junk yard tranny. He said that ford had all kind of trouble with this transmission. *tr
ODI 10249851
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2003 4wd 4.0 6 cyl. Ford explorer with 84,000 miles on it. My over drive light starts flashing and the transmission is slipping. I have just seen online hundreds of people with the exact same problem and ford is not recalling or doing anything to help with repairs. *tr
ODI 10244199
Automatic Transmission
I bought my 2003 explorer in 2002 at 110 miles. Within the 3 year warranty the air conditioning had a urine smell and knocking noise in the rear but they didn't want to fix it. As a result i have a slow leak which means it has to be charged every year. In feb 2007 a crack formed in the rear panel they didn't want to fix. October 2007 at 45000 miles i needed wheel bearings for inspection. At 48000 miles when i paid…
ODI 10275298
Automatic Transmission
April 2008, o/d light started blinking & vehicle started shifting hard; took to ford dealership the next week; after computer diagnostic said i needed to replace transmission on 2003 explorer with 80,000 miles; within 2 months the vehicle was parked because the transmission was not wanting to shift into reverse regardless of weather conditions. *tr
ODI 10232629
Automatic Transmission
O/d light flashes transmission has trouble shifting out of 1st gear. *tr
ODI 10225633
Automatic Transmission
I was driving my 2003 ford explorer on the highway and suddenly the overdrive light came on and began flashing. I brought it in to get checked and was told it is a transmission problem. Supposedly need to change the torque converter. I am not the first and afraid that i won;t be the last with this problem. This needs to be addressed! *tr
ODI 10264243
Automatic Transmission
Driving to work from home, o/d off light began flashing and going from 1st to 2nd gear lagged. Returning home that night, o/d off light began flashing and service engine soon light came on along with lagging in shifting. Took to mechanic who performed transmission maintenance and replaced solenoid. This corrected service engine light, but o/d light still flashed. Found filings in transmission fluid which led to…
ODI 10223591