2003 Ford Explorer: stuck in gear or won't shift

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 Jul 21, 2015 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CA

The o/d off light & check transmission lights went on, then vehicle wouldn't shift properly and became inoperable.

Filed Jun 22, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 146,000 miles · IN

My son purchased this explorer brand new and I bought it from him four years ago and I love this as it is the best design in the SUV's, and I can not afford a new vehicle as I am no young gal any more. We have maintained it faithfully and have had no serious problems with it and is at 145000. I was driving to work going 55 MPH and the o/d light comes on and I push the button and it would not go off. I pulled over and tried the button a few times-nothing. I shut it off, turned it back on-no light was on-proceeded down the highway and the light turns back on and it will not shift and is straining shift. I took it in to jiffy lube to go ahead and get another oil change and let them check the transmission fluid and they said that they could not access it to check the fluid-they suggested a transmission flush at $200-why can't they access it? Wouldn't a dip stick save a lot of trouble? As I look at all the complaints about the transmission troubles in the explorers, I am very shocked. Please can you help me out here as I cannot afford high maintenance bills that would be charged through a dealer. Just tell me if there is a simple solution to fixing it so that my brother may repair it and get it back on the road. One response is as such: after talking to 2 ford reps today, and turned down flat for help, I have decide its now a quest.... Ford stated they didn't have enough complaints for the federal safety agency to open up an investigation to possibly order a recall...... Soooo, for all those that have issues, call ford and also make a complaint on the federal safety agency site or call them at 1‑800‑424‑9393. My family is a ford family and we currently have 5 fords in our household, a mustang, ford f150, ford focus, expedition, and the explorer that is having issues. This isn't including extended family. Ford is about to lose future business....

Filed Jul 2, 2013 · Transmission · 201,003 miles · WV

Transmission is not shifting into second gear and overdrive. Overdrive light flashes. Previous owner had a new transmission put in through ford motor company and it started occurring again within a week of the replacement. I purchased the vehicle in april and have had it to numerous repair shops for transmission filter changes and tune ups, nothing helps. Now im told it needs a new transmission. The transmission in it now is only 8 months old. It revs really high after first gear then kicks into second only after letting off the gas and manually shifting with the shifter. It will not shift into overdrive at all. The overdrive off light is constantly flashing. I highly doubt my next vehicle will be a ford!!

Filed Mar 26, 2013 · Suspension, Transmission · 135,000 miles · GA

Ok we were driving pulled out and it did not shift to second gear and cars were coming up and honking horn it takes car a long time to switch to 2nd gear at light and this is very dangerous can get hit. The o/d light flashes causing service engine light to come on. Transmission was serviced and I was told it was a ford issue with these transmission ford was not successful at helping their needs to be a recall on these transmission they are very dangerous and the customer is constantly paying the price on these vehicles.

Filed Nov 14, 2012 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · NJ

Vehicle transmission will not shift into upper gears. O/d light blinks on and off. There are many complaints on this issue to ford. Ford will not repair or compensate owners for this known dangerous and faulty transmission issue on many 2000-2003 explorer's. This should be a recall.

Filed Apr 25, 2012 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · MI

I have a 2003 ford explorer xlt with 105,000 miles on it. Yesterday (4/24/12) it would not go into reverse and had difficulty shifting into 2 and 3 gear + the overdrive light just started blinking on and off. I took it back to the ford dealer where I purchased it and I am told it will cost me $4,000.000 to repair! I have contacted ford motor customer service (fmcs) and they tell me that there are no recalls on this issue nor can they offer me any assistance with the cost. The guy I spoke to at the fmcs was rather shocked at the $4,000 price tag and did agree with me that the trans failed prematurely. However, there was nothing he could do to help me. This conversation was recorded by the ford customer service center out of florida. I have been online looking over several blogs and several web sites and it appears that this is a common problem. It also appears that the ford explorer has a huge problem with transmission failure, mostly from the early 2000s -- especially the 2002 to 2004 ford explorer. Mine is a 2003!

Filed Mar 13, 2012 · Transmission · 152,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 15 MPH and the overdrive light illuminated while the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and a diagnostic test was performed. The failure was located at the third gear, which would not shift, and caused the transmission to fail. The transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 152,000.

Filed Dec 2, 2011 · Transmission · 148,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the transmission would not shift into gear and failed. The check engine and the bs warning lights were illuminated. The contact notified a mechanic of the failure and was advised that the transmission would likely need replacing.the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 148,000.

Filed Sep 7, 2011 · Transmission · 34,029 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. The contact was driving 30 MPH when the overdrive warning light illuminated and the vehicle became hard to shift. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where it was diagnosed that the overdrive band was fractured and possibly had caused damage to the torque converter. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 34,029 and the current mileage was 64,846. Updated 11/22/11*lj the consumer stated the shifting was erratic at steady speeds, there was a hard bang when shifting. The PCM was reprogrammed. There was a clunk noise when coming to a stop. The dealer replaced the transmission fluid. The overdrive light illuminated and 95% of the time, the vehicle would not shift out of 1st gear. Updated 03/12/12

Filed Sep 5, 2011 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · OH

While entering the highway, my SUV would not shift into gear. The fastest it would go was 35mph, the tachometer was pegged out, the o/d light was flashing on and off and transmission would not shift into the next gear. Almost got hit by vehicles traveling the speed limit which is 65mph, because the transmission would not shift properly for me to merge into traffic.