2003 Ford Explorer transmission problems

Filed Feb 27, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

2003 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regard to defective throttle in model vehicle. *as

Filed Sep 5, 2017 · Steering, Transmission · 120,500 miles · NY

Shift lever broke off inside steering column of my wife's explorer when changing from park to drive to exit from a boat launch ramp with no boat on the trailer. Vehicle was towed on a flatbed wrecker to my garage. Broken element ( see photos) was not replaceable by itself. Steering column had to be replaced. This was not normal wear and tear, but rather a faulty /weak component that represents a danger. I have noted reports of identical incidents online. Thus far, neither the dealer nor ford national "customer service" is prepared to reimburse.

Filed May 9, 2017 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · CO

Transmission shifts hard and clunks, is not safe to drive. The estimate repair is around $ 3,400. Will never buy a ford again.

Filed Aug 14, 2016 · Airbags, Transmission · NY

"takata recall"I brought the truck and the airbag light was flashing 4x4 lights flashing also, smelling oil coming from the deferential on the back axle. Now, the transmission started slipping and he changed a part . Then, the transmission started to slip again. Also,I wanted to switch to another vehicle but he declined it . He said " he put to much work into the truck and all the parts are new in which only the tires and muffler was revolved ".

Filed Jul 19, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · PA

My transmission light has been coming on. I was only at 117k miles when it happened. That's to soon for a transmission to be acting up especially since it's anew one according to carfax this is the second transmission for my explorer. The first one was put in only at 3 years old. It will sometimes jerk into reverse or take a second to go into drive when I switch gears. My overdrive light also flashes which I assume means my overdrive no longer works. The light only comes on after driving over 40 MPH. So if I'm on the highway I can't go the speed limit because I don't want this light coming on. I took it to a transmission shop it needs a torque converter and a rebuild. I contacted ford and they won't do anything about it. They told me to buy a new car. When I go up hills my explorer also has trouble even though it shouldn't. I also need a new solenoid pack.

Filed Mar 30, 2016 · Electrical, Transmission · 200,183 miles · KY

While driving home from work this evening the o/d off light began steadily blinking and the transmission took way too long to shift (RPM almost red line) and wouldn't shift into 5th gear. I was driving on a city street and first noticed the truck not shifting and within 3 minutes of driving the o/d off light began flashing. If you turn the truck off then back on the o/d off light turns off but the truck still won't shift correctly and the light starts to blink again. My truck only has 133,000 miles. I googled this problem and discovered that the vast majority of 2003 ford explorer owners have this same problem.

Filed Feb 24, 2016 · Transmission · 132,200 miles · VA

While driving home from work this evening the o/d off light began steadily blinking and the transmission took way too long to shift (RPM almost red line) and wouldn't shift into 5th gear. I was driving on a city street and first noticed the truck not shifting and within 3 minutes of driving the o/d off light began flashing. If you turn the truck off then back on the o/d off light turns off but the truck still won't shift correctly and the light starts to blink again. My truck only has 133,000 miles. I googled this problem and discovered that the vast majority of 2003 ford explorer owners have this same problem.

Filed Jan 19, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving on an incline at an unknown speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the overdrive warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the solenoid pack and the oxygen sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact also mentioned that the check transmission and check engine warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Dec 5, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 147,000 miles · PA

I bought my ford explorer xlt back in june of 2015. Since then I replaced my oxygen sensor do to a fault in the system and melting back in aug. 20015. The SUV wouldn't start because of it and had to be towed. Since I purchased and had replaced the oxygen sensor by a ford dealer, I noticed the SUV having power failure even from a complete stop and now the over drive off light flashes; this started in the beginning of nov. 2015 I noticed that there is over 2755 complaints of transmission problems and failures exactly the same as mine, but not one recall. This is a issue with the SUV themselves and not owner error. I have children and don't want to end up stranded in the street or side of the highway due to transmission failure. There has to be something causing the transmission to break down or fail and I refuse to be the the blame nor pay thousands to ford dealership to fix a flaw in there own SUV. A recall needs to be made for this problem and it is clearly a manufacture flaw.

Filed Nov 18, 2015 · Body, Driver assistance · FL

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 functioning, constantly telling me that the doors are open. I don't know when a door is actually open or not. 3. The rear hatch is cracked and I'm afraid it doesn't provide enough stable prorectection for the rear glass to be held in place properply.