2003 Ford Explorer: jerking or lurching

Filed Jan 30, 2017 · Brakes · 163,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle began to experience a jerking motion and the ABS indicator illuminated. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel speed sensors, ABS sensors, and ABS pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000. The VIN was not available.

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 Aug 7, 2014 · Transmission · 163,300 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and quickly shifted into second gear. The check engine indicator was illuminated and the overdrive warning indicator was flashing. The repair shop stated that the transmission needed to be overhauled. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 163,300. Updated 9/12/14*cn updated 09/23/14

Filed Jun 1, 2014 · Electrical, Suspension · 137,000 miles · VA

Truck jerks when trying to pick up speed picks up speed very slow sometimes doesn't want to go in drive.

Filed Jul 17, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 117,000 miles · MO

While driving the o/d light began flashing on my dashboard, the vehicle slowed down to about 15 miles as if the transmission was pulling/slipping, the car made a hard jerk and began to pick-up speed. This cycle repeated until I reached my destination. The light came on again the next day and the same events occurred.

Filed Jun 7, 2013 · Transmission · 154,615 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive and check engine transmission warning lights both illuminated upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but no cause for failure was found. The vehicle would also jerk and lunge forward when the contact was driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 154,615.

Filed Aug 17, 2012 · Transmission · SC

It's the transmission. The vehicle is having problems going into gear and jerking. The transmission is sealed so I can not change the fluid myself either. There are many others having the same problem as I am having. How do I go about getting a recall on the transmission?

Filed Feb 13, 2012 · Transmission · 98,500 miles · NY

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- parked on my fairly steep driveway again with lots of ice/snow. 189k miles with the orig tranny and regular computer updates/flushes. Been an amazing truck- just thinking it might happen again.

Filed Jan 12, 2012 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · VA

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 independent mechanics and they informed the sensor solenoid would need to be replaced and possibly the transmission. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer for a third opinion. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jul 13, 2011 · Transmission · 120,300 miles · NH

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 electrical motor with actuator does not spin the shaft from transfer case, reason that the transfer case can't select firmly the position of hi, low or 4wd!!!!. Observing that the motor of the transfer case sifter does not spin, I purchased a new motor from ford,. After replacement, the problem persisted; so, I replaced the transfer case module, behind the glove box; no result. To be able to move the car around I unplugged the transfer case motor shift from the main harness and the SUV stays now in 4wd with blinking lights on my dash for ABS and 4x4 wd!!! I am still wandering what could happened to me if the jumping and grinding was to happend when I was driving the car with 65-70 miles per hour and the power train could snap and the driveshaft could fly out... Who shall be responsible for my life or somebody else's that I could hit? I consider that the manufacturer shall recall the explorer's affected and address the transfer case issues. The old parts that I have replaced are available, they are functional. I still don't know what is wrong because I couldn't find any advise from any ford sites\, neither from a qualified diagnostic specialist. If I go to ford dealership they will be charging tons of $$$ until the car runs again; they don't care how many parts will replace and I will have to pay ford's mistakes from my pocket; this is not right!

Filed May 11, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · 85,000 miles · NY

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 pan whole transmission needed overhaul now $2200.00 later. I think ford knows of this problem and should stand behind it. Also blend door stopped working and all 4 calipers seized up. Dont know if ill ever buy another ford.also power windows quit working, broken wire in door. Nothing but trouble with this vehicle.I think a class action suit should be started against ford for repairs on these transmissions.I cant afford to dump hundreds of dollars into this truck after paying thousands of dollars for it.

Filed Mar 26, 2010 · 82,795 miles · MO · 1 injury

Car suddenly lurches forward and rocks back and forth. Car was parked in driveway when started, it suddenly lurched forward, rocking back and forth leaving a bruise across my shin from the running boards. Two days earlier, my daughter closed the back hatch which caused the truck to lurch back and forth, luckily, just bumping her. This has happened numerous times over the past several years, even though the gear shift was always properly in park when it happened.