I bought a 2003 ford explorer the end of april 2006 at time of purchase ABS light was on- dealer fixed problem within first 1 1/2 weeks of purchase after ordering a part. Now 6 months after purchase the check engine and o/d light come on unexpectantly. Within 1 week of lights coming on car stops on me unexpectantly. When taken to a repair shop for I am told I need a new alternator and a rebuilt transmission as the SUV slips out of 2nd and 5th gears. I didn't purchase an extended warranty due to thinking it was still under original warranty and just purchased. I felt the dealership should have overhauled the vehicle and made sure everything was working up to par. I now have a repair bill of almost $2000 and don't feel responsible for it.
2003 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 10 of 12: complaints 251 to 280 of 335, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2003 ford explorer xlt torque converter causes transmission to lurch and slip unexpectedly. Fearful of driving this vehicle because the transmission might lock up. Ford is aware this is a common problem with their 2002 and later models.
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. They said the problem mysteriously fixed itself. Now at 28,000 miles, my transmission is slipping everytime into 3rd gear, sometimes just revving instead of going and then jerking very hard into gear. Ford dealership states they can't find a problem. I have heard the same complaint about ford explorers after 2002 and transmissions going out too early. Ford needs to own up to the problem and recall those parts. It feels as if they are blowing me off until my warranty expires so they won't have to fix my car. I am scared driving down the highway that I will get rear ended every time my transmission slips and goes into neutral. I have had a few close calls. I am going back on monday, still trying to get them to fix my car...
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 not need a transmission replaced!
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 finally got a warning light and the news from my dealer was that it meant I needed a new transmission for just under $6500. With absolutely no help from any level of ford customer service, I had the transmission replaced for just over $3000 - obviously not by ford.
4 items 1 - have owned the 2003 ford explorer for 7 months. While test driving, I noticed a hum noise coming from rear tires. Was told it was tread noise. We took it for oil change at very well respected national automotive service shop. I was informed I needed to replace the rear hub assembly that is was critically broken. Waiting to contact local ford dealer for resolution based on tsb research I have done. 2 - whining noise from air conditioner when accelerating. Don't really know what is going on. Saw this also on tsb. Contacting local ford dealership. 3 - ABS light randomly comes on. Don't know why and no pattern to when. Contacting local ford dealership. 4 - cruise control not working. I was driving down the road this weekend, using cruise control. Stopped quickly for a car in front of me. When I started going again, the cruise control wouldn't work and hasn't worked since then. I don't know if it has to do with the brakes. I noticed ford recalled some cruise control mechanisms in other vehicles but not in the 2003 explorer.
At 58,000 miles, both left and right rear axle seals developed substantial leakage necessitating immediate repair. Ford dealership service department made no mention that this was a known problem and required full payment by me for cost of replacement.
I recently purchased a 2003 ford explorer with 94,000 miles on it. Within 2000 miles the rear end began howling so much that my fiance is afraid to ride in the vehicle as the thinks something is ready to break. I read some forum posts to learn that this is a common problem with the 2001-2004 explorer. Ford should fix this problem as it is clearly a mechanical failure that will leave a family stranded on the side of the road.
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.
Consistent rear axle whine from 45-65 miles per hour highway driving, dealer, ramp ford in port jefferson, ny replaced rear end three different occasions, and finally stated that all explorers make the same noise. They could not give me any indication whether or not this is a safety issue. I definitely get the feeling that they wish I would just go away. There are numerous tsb's on this issue and I can not understand why there is not a recall on this obvious defect.
2003 ford explorer rear axle failure at 66,266 miles. Rear end was grinding when taking off from a stop and during a left turn. Dealer had to replace complete interior parts of the axle assembly. Replaced ring and pinion gears, replaced bearings due to pitting, replaced differential clutch pack.
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 a poor design and ford won't even face up to it.. I also found out it is a problem not only in my car but in others..
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 might not properly engage park and my vehicle might roll. Thirdly, my rear lift gate trim has had to be repaired at least 3 times. I am concerned that although the dealership says there is no safety issue, there possibly could be due to the rear lift gate hinges being recalled and representative informing me that the reason that I continue to have a crack appearing is due to design flaw. This concerns me b/c I frequently utilize the lift gate to retrieve groceries and other items and do not want the window to fail and fall on my head. The remainder concerns are regarding the function of my vehicle. I have had to have 3 of the window motors replaced under warranty. The transmission has had to be fixed twice (shifting module malfunction). Finally, the fuel gauge had to be repaired due to improper fuel readings. I guess all these items could be very problematic as well b/c I could run out of gas and be stranded with my child, my vehicle might not shift properly leaving me stranded. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. Ps. I would also like to add that as I was completing this process I remembered that my vehicle had a high pitched whine that had to be repaired. I do not remember exactly what had to be repaired but it was covered under warranty.
2003 explorer engine stalling and surging when driving and coming to a stop. *ts ***nar*** the dealer reprogrammed the PCM. 8jb
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 taken it back and was now told that until it actually breaks, they will not work on the transmission any longer.
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.
Rear axle noise, replaced at a price of 1200 dollars.
The federal safety agency 10003163. Noise from converter housing. Suv has 42,272 miles and dealer estimated $1200.00 repair. Ford knew there was a problem with tsb #17050.
Aroiund 37,000 miles I started having electrical problems. Half of them go off when they should and half of them stay on which runs my battery down and I have to be jumped. Then around 40,000 mile I started hearing a lound whining noise from my rear end. The dealer said nothing was wrong. It is so loud you have to almost yell to talk to someone. Then at 47,000 miles my service engine light soon started coming on. It has something to do with the coolant area. I am afraid to take my vehicle out of town and I owe too much on it to trade it.
Have had mechanical problems with my 2003 ford explorer which should not have occurred with the least amount of miles on it. Have had rear brake sensor replaced 2 times under warranty, front axle seal replaced under warranty and rear axle bearing replaced with 44000 miles and now the rear axle seal is leaking on the right side. The mechanic who does my repairs stated the axle seals are on backorder due to the amount of explorers the seals are defective on. I have not received any recall information on the seals as I believe this is a safety concern. Could you please check into this defect. I believe there were several defective parts used on the 2003 ford explorers that have not been recalled or reported. Thank you.
Dt*: the contact stated during cornering and emergency maneuvers the rear differential locks up. There is also a shudder in the steering at this time. This has become progressively worse over the last 4,000 miles. The manufacturer stated the rear differential clutch pack required redesign. There is a new clutch pack available at the consumer's cost.
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.
Roaring sound coming from the back end of the truck.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle experienced a problem with hesitation when the speed was kept constant. The dealership replaced the mass air flow sensor. The hesitation problem continued, the vehicle was returned to the dealership which was unable to duplicate the problem. While backing into the driveway the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Although the brakes were applied the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle hit the contact's home resulting in a neck sprain injury. The acceleration continued until the shifter was moved into drive. The dealership was unable to determine the cause of the acceleration. Also, contact complained that ABS light was on and pedal felt stiff. Vehicle ran rough. In addition, removed and installed automatic transmission main control valve body.
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.
Purchased new 2003 ford explorer. At around 9000 miles had rear end replaced due to infamous loud whining noise. Problem improved...but was not completely fixed. After complaining that there was still some noise, sale ford in kingston, nc said it was "uneven tire wear." replaced 2 tires. When taken back and told there was still a problem, we were told that they had "done all they could do except offer us a good deal on a trade." (like we will ever buy from them again). At 59,000 miles, we are now having rear end "chatter" when starting or stopping. Ford is crap and so is their customer service.
Whining noise coming from rear became louder 41,000 mile on odo dealer advised rear wheel bearings seals and strut inserts, we had the repairs made $1000.00 one year later we noticed more noise and chatter when turning,dealer advised rear differential needs rebuild, and new clutch packs. We are having the repairs made at this time. These are expensive problems ford should be held responsible.
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.
I have a 2003 ford explorer xlt 4x4, I have had nothing but problems with it, a few months ago I took it to the dealership because the ABS light was on and the 4x4 was not working properly, they supposedly fixed it and told us they replaced a speed sensor, they also found 2 rear axle seal leaks and supposedly fixed those, then in october of '05 I took it in to the dealership because it was jerking between 30 and 40 MPH and upon acceleration on hills not mention that I could hear something happening underneath my vehicle, they put it up on the rack and came back out and said the clutch in the rear end was scorched and needed to have the whole rear end replace, so I did but when I was driving it back home after the repair it started jerking again, and after several weeks of worry and wonder another dealership tells me that the transfer case is bad, my explorer is trying to engage itself in 4x4, so now I am having the transfer case replaced! My explorer has 41,000 on it right now and ford has not been much of a help, I have to pay $1500 for the transfer case, I will never buy another ford product, I will buy a foreign car. Ford really needs to look into all of the complaints and technical service bulletins on these vehicles and I will do anything I can to promote that.
Repeated failure of rear axle, drive train noise from rear of vehicle between45-65mph.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history