2003 Ford Explorer: transmission slipping

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 Nov 7, 2015 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · OR

My 2003 ford explorer xls is having issues with the automatic transmission. When I accelerate from a stopped position, the transmission stalls, slips and delays when it shifts into the next gear. As I searched for issues with the transmission I found 100's of complaints regarding this matter. From what I have found, the transmission is a design flaw

Filed Apr 14, 2014 · Transmission · 143,000 miles · MI

O/d light started blinking and my transmission started slipping in the early gears.

Filed Apr 5, 2014 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · MO

I have kept up with ford's suggested servicing interval for the transmission. I was halfway through an extended drive on the highway when suddenly the transmission fluid temperature reading on my scangauge ii was in excess of 235 degrees fahrenheit and the o/d off light comes on and the dashboard contained error message overheating transmission. I pulled over to a gas station and saw that there was no transmission fluid leakage that was readily apparent. After this incident, I had the transmission fluid serviced and the overheating issues seem to have reduced, but several techs at various transmission shops now see error codes p0732 and p0755. I now notice gears 1 and 2 are severely slipping, and I was informed that my transmission was damaged, which would require a total replacement costing over $3,000. I do not have this kind of money just lying around, and transmission failure at 100,000 miles seems to be a very common issue among 2002-2004 ford explorers/mercury mountaineers/lincoln aviators. Why in over 10 years there has been no recall or warranty I do not know, but it speaks of great irresponsibility and distress in ford's service department. If ford does not issue any type of recall or warranty for failures of this nature, I will cease to buy their products.

Filed Aug 8, 2013 · Transmission · 111,846 miles · MI

O/d light suddenly starts flashing while driving at normal surface street speeds of 40 - 45 MPH. Within 10 miles, the transmission started slipping and it felt like the vehicle was laboring; my wife thought the emergency brake was engaged. She never made it home - within minutes, the vehicle slowed, would not accelerate and subsequently broke down. The vehicle was towed to the nearest ford dealer who determined the transmission was a total loss. We purchased the extended warranty when we obtained this vehicle from said dealer. Although we had well over 10,000 miles left on the warranty, it had expired less than 4 months ago solely based on calendar days!! This is a secondary vehicle for us and does not get a lot of use; less than 10,000 miles a year. Both the dealer performing the repairs and ford motor company customer care were surprisingly unsympathetic to the circumstances and were unable (or unwilling) to make any concessions. So, $4,200 and a week later, I had a 'new' re-manufactured transmission. I was somewhat suspicious of the sealed transmission - one that does not have provisions to monitor the transmission fluid - which was manufactured and installed on the 2003 models. After looking into this issue, it has become quite apparent that there has been an inordinate number of these transmission failures on similar vehicles. I expect to get at least 150,000 miles from my automobiles - and I have with a few other vehicles from another us manufacturer. Consumers who use their hard earned money to purchase us manufacturer's products should expect a reasonable amount of quality, reliability and customer service. It is very unlikely that I would consider ford for my next automobile purchase. Mileage at failure: 111,846.

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 May 18, 2013 · Transmission · 58,610 miles · NJ

The vehicle was driving down the highway when suddenly the o.d off light started flashing. When it approached local streets I noticed the transmission was slipping going into 2ng gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who immediately diagnosed it as a defective transmission. A little research on the 03 explorer transmission indicated it was a 5r55s model which has an astronomical failure rate. Its also a sealed unit which doesn't have a dipstick to check the fluid level or condition ( burnt smell). The ford explorer also leads the list by having 4 out of the top ten vehicle complaints for worst model years cars. All the top complaints are for transmission failure.

Filed Mar 29, 2013 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the transmission slipped and caused the overdrive light to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The failure was located and the contact was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The rear hatch frame was also fractured and caused the rear hatch to split in half. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 112,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2013 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH when the transmission began to slip gears. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem and informed the contact that there was not a recall related to the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2012 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · PA

Transmission slipping while driving.

Filed Mar 7, 2012 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle has had two rebuilt transmissions. The contact stated that the transmission started slipping again and the torque converter had to be replaced. The failure and the current mileage was 77,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2012 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · CA

The transmission slips gears between 1st->2nd and 2nd->3rd gears. The car has never been used for towing and has been maintained by a ford dealership according to the recommended servicing. At only 80,000 miles, it should not be having transmission issues.