2003 Ford Explorer: complete transmission failure

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 Oct 2, 2015 · Transmission · PA

Transmission failure, a common occurrence in these vehicles

Filed Mar 12, 2015 · Engine · 153,000 miles · CA

As I have been driving like I normally do the o/d light came on blinking. Then I pressed the button for it nothing happened. I continued with my daily routine and the light came on and off. And continued to blink. Then all of the sudden I would step on the gas but it would not give me anymore than 15mph. When I came to a traffic light my car did not want to go anymore so I had to pull over on the side of the road. It didn't want to continue going. Then after the third try it gave me more gas to drive normal not even a minute after it did it again. I was afraid yo get hit by traffic and since I had my three toddlers I was scared. I pulled into a shopping center and called my dad. And also a mechanic. It needs a new transmission when that vehicle has had all its needs. I cannot afford it and its upsetting seeing all the complaints on carcomplaints.com about it knowing I am not the only one with this problem. This is a defect and it should be recalled.

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Transmission · 147,000 miles · RI

Transmission od light flashing, slamming into gear while shifting. We had the pan dropped and found pieces of the gears inside... Need a total rebuild or new transmission. After reading all of the problems with this year and model I believe ford needs to make some kind of recall....

Filed Jun 9, 2014 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · KS

Transmission failure.

Filed May 15, 2014 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · PA

Transmission failure at 45000 miles. Needs to be replaced. Cost $3200. Out of warranty. Although the car is 11 years old it has not much mileage. A transmission should not fail at 45000 miles.

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 Feb 24, 2014 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · NY

Transmission failure at 77,000 miles, june 2010. Replaced with ford part at ford dealer. Replacement transmission lasted 3 yrs/8 mos, and lasted 45,000 miles (8 months beyond warranty). Ford will not acknowledge the problem, or provide any relief whatsoever in resolving the problem. Transmission failure at any point, at any time, could be very very dangerous.

Filed Dec 17, 2013 · Transmission · 15,885 miles · CA

Transmission failure took to dealer ,they rebuilt it.took it back 04/28/05 they rebuilt it again with 27998 miles on it. Took it back 08/23/05 with 31714 miles they rebuild it again. Took it back 02/11/08 before extended warranty ended on 02/19/08 they said couldn't find problem .I think because of the lemon law. Now 12 /17/2013 it needs another transmission.

Filed Oct 28, 2013 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the transmission failed to shift gears. The over-drive and transmission warning indicators were also illuminated continuously. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. Upon restarting, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

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 28, 2013 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · TX

I was driving down I-10 at 3:30 in the afternoon on my way home and my 2003 ford explorer out of no where went in reverse I was about an inch away from hitting the car behind me. My children were crying scared and I too was shaking tried to make it home but my car wouldn't go past 20mph and we got stuck at the gas station had to get towed to my house. I have been told that I need a new transmission and cannot afford one I just bought the car a year ago. Thank you ford for almost killing me and my children!