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
Have a 2003 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. At 13,000 miles my transmission stopped working. Had to tow my car to a ford dealership. Their initial assessment was that my transmission was completely broken due to a "factory default". They said they would have to replace my entire transmission. After 3 weeks, the dealership stated they could not find the problem, made no repairs and did not replace my transmission.…
ODI 10171521
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I purchased a 2003 explorer in august 2006; mileage was approximately 45,000. By october the car would not start and the alternator was replaced. A few weeks later, i was back because my car was jerking. Nothing showed up on the diagnostic tool at that time. However, i was told the starter would have to be replaced as would the recently installed alternator. I returned less than a month later with the same jerking…
ODI 10242371
Automatic Transmission · Lugs/Nuts/Bolts
While driving the 2003 ford explorer it started to shake causing lose of steering and brakes. The left rear wheel the came off because the lugs had unscrewed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who determined that the front differential had blown apart from the inside out. It appeared that the damage was caused by uneven tires and the 4x4 engaging and disengaging on its own. *ts *nm
ODI 10176460
Automatic Transmission · Cooling System · Electrical System
The passenger side airbag warning light comes on intermittently for no reason (has since i bought it used in 2006). The door ajar warning light comes on and won't allow me to lock/set my alarm on my vehicle plus it leaves the interior lights on for a while (started about 6 months ago). I am now experiencing a banging sound under the hood when i change the temperature (heat or air conditioning)(started in last 4…
ODI 10269669
Automatic Transmission
2003 ford explorer 63,000 miles od light started flashing 2 days ago. Took it to ford dealership they ran a check on it and the code came up: po741-torque converter clutch solenoid inter/mechanical failure. I was told they would replace the solenoid pack and that it would be 218.00 plus labor. Went to pick it up 3 hours later and was told the transmission needs to be replaced. This vehicle was bought new and should…
ODI 10166157
Automatic Transmission
Dt:* the contact stated that the automatic transmission shuttered without warning while driving 35mph. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who determined the fuel filter needed to be changed. A new fuel filter was installed by the problem continued to occur. The manufacturer was not contacted.
ODI 10164069
Automatic Transmission
My suv has 86791 miles its a 2003 and the transmission went.. I was driving down the highway and it stop shifting and the overdrive light kept flashing. I had to take it to the dealer and $1400.00 later its fixed.. With the ford explorer you can't change or check the transmission fluid it's in a sealed canister.. Its mostly highway driving and the transmission should not have failed this soon in a vehicle....this is…
ODI 10161827
Automatic Transmission · Delivery · Hatchback/Liftgate · Power Adjust
Hello. I have several complaints regarding my 2003 ford explorer including several safety issues. The first complaint is regarding the driver's seat which shifts routinely on acceleration and de-acceleration. This concerns me if i get into an accident and the seat malfunctions. The second complaint is regarding the gear shifter not going into park easily. I have to jiggle it to into park. I am concerned that this…
ODI 10161178
Automatic Transmission
At 40,000 miles 4000 out of warranty, the transmission on my 2003 ford explorer catastrophically failed. No warning at all. Driving down the highway, the o/d light started to flash and the car started to shift in and out of gear. My wife nursed the car home. The car had no first gear and would slam from second to third. Ford confirmed this, and said the only fix was a complete transmission. 6,000 miles later, the…
ODI 10217600
Automatic Transmission
Less than 2 yrs after purchase of a new 2003 ford explorer eddie bower 4x4 v8 from a dealer, the transmission started grinding and slipping. Dealer service records documented my concerns and their inability/unwillingness to diagnose the problem due to the lack of a "service warning" light. Subsequent visits with the same issue brought similar results from the dealer. Warranty expired less than one year before i…
ODI 10166035
Automatic Transmission
Ford explorer does not shift from 1st into 2nd gear, allowing vehicle to move into intersection then stall until transmission eventually slips into gear. Ford tech line wants us to drive until the problem occurs continuously so the problem will be easy to find. Dealer has reset cpu, replaced valve body, and now placed an "additive" in transmission. Obviously having no idea as to the real problem. *jb
ODI 10150465
Automatic Transmission
2003 explorer - transmission goes into *neutral* when accelerating between 2nd and 3rd and/or 3rd and 4th. A solenoid body has been replaced 4 times at decreasing mileage intervals. Now failing for 5th time with 2,000 miles since last *fix*. Failure has occurred while attempting to merge with freeway traffic. Pursuing bbb arbitration for repurchase as ford is unable to repair. *nm
ODI 10155422
Automatic Transmission
Rear axle is leaking and there is a humming noise on my 2003 ford explorer and thew transmission is slipping. I have 75000 mile warranty and vehicle has only 45,500 miles on it. *nm
ODI 10149455
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
Engine cut off while running, when i turned on high beams. Engine rpms and engine accelerated, when i turned on high beams loss control of acceleration, when fog lights were turned on. Message center flashed "check transmission", o/d off (overdrive off) flashed, when fog light were turned on. *nm
ODI 10138247
Automatic Transmission · Clutch Assembly · Differential Unit
Dear nhtsa: in october 2003 i purchased the nbx - v8 version of the ford explorer with an upgraded tow package for my wife. She never uses the tow package and i, very occasionally pull a 300lb utility trailer. I get the oil changed religiously and recently had the 30,000 mile 4wd lubrication package from goodyear for approx. $500. At 34,000mi my wife began to notice a non-descript noise in the rear end, a rumble at…
ODI 10125424
Automatic Transmission
I have had several problems with my 2003 ford explorer transmission. It clunks out of gear when letting off the gas going from second to first gear. It also seems to disengage the transmission at times as it acts like it is in neutral going from first to second on occasion. I have had it in for repair several times. The "said" the replaced the transmission with one that was rebuilt, but it acted the same way. I have…
ODI 10159076
Automatic Transmission
Dt: the contact stated vehicle was making a clanking noise and it jumped out of gear. The dealer had the vehicle several times and upgraded the transmission. They replaced parts in the rear end of the transmission. The replacement of these parts did not solve the problem. *ak
ODI 10144122
Automatic Transmission
We have a 2003 ford explorer-when you shift from reverse to drive-like backing out of a driveway and then putting into drive vehicle doesnt move for a while-if you try to give it gas engine revs up and then slams into drive--in the meantime you are wondering if the car coming around the corner is going to rear end you and cause injury to your family and damage to your vehicle--been in the shop several times-put…
ODI 10100983
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the transmission frequently malfunctioned. When he would shift into reverse or drive, the vehicle would not respond. He would have to wait ten minutes for the transmission to engage or even shut off the vehicle and try again. Everytime the vehicle was taken to the dealer, they could never duplicate the failure. After a diagnostic was performed, the…
ODI 10234774
Automatic Transmission · Clutch Assembly
I am the owner of a 2003 ford explorer. I had problems with my transmission engaging properly and the transmission making a loud noise when shifting from park to reverse whether the vehicle was hot or cold. The transmission did this intermitently for a week or so until i took it into a dealership for repair. They said nothing was wrong. I drove it for another week with the same problems. The vehicle would lurch in…
ODI 10102309
Automatic Transmission
2003 explorer's transmission made a loud "pop" or "whump" sound while driving about 20-24 mph. It was infrequent but alarming. *bf the noise seems to be occurring when the vehicle shifts gears. *nm *tc *jb
ODI 10099397
Automatic Transmission · Differential Unit
Transmission clunking from reverse to forward or from forward to reverse. Whirling sound, 55-65 mph, rear differential.
ODI 10119688
Automatic Transmission · Axle Assembly
Purchased a 2003 ford explorer 4x4 january 2004, around 10k miles noticed a shudder/slipping in transmission under hard excelleration. I brought vehicle to pulliam ford in cola. Sc to have transmission and whining rear end repaired. When i called the service writer, he informed me that the technician said that they could not duplicate the transmission vibration, and that the whine was no louder than other explorers,…
ODI 10086976
Automatic Transmission
2003 ford explorer- 5 speed automatic transmission randomly disengages. Reproduced by first accelerating from 1st or 2nd gear and back off gas just before the transmission shifts. Transmission disengages and engine revs up. Must either rev engine up over 4k or backoff gas altogether to recover. Ford is non-responsive to inquires. Problem websites are full of similar experiences. *la
ODI 10072332
Automatic Transmission
Transmission began locking up when vehicle was placed in reverse to back-up. *nm
ODI 10063778