2003 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,313 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 69 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 66 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgate, hinge and attachmentsSep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V442000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Campaign 03V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
356 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Aug 8, 2013
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. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Structure, Jul 31, 2013
2003 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HUMMING/WHINING NOISE IN THE REAR END OF VEHICLE AND A FREQUENT LEAK IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE RING AN PINION, BEARINGS, SEALS AND GEAR AND PINION WERE ALL REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE REMAINED UNRESOLVED. ALSO, THE REAR HATCH WAS CRACKED. WHEN THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT A REPLACEMENT AND ITS COST, THE DEALER ADVISED AGAINST THE REPLACEMENT/REPAIR AS THE NEW HATCHES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A DAMAGED THERMOSTAT HOUSING.
Power train, Jul 28, 2013
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! *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 17, 2013
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. *TR
Power train, Jul 2, 2013
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!! *TR
Power train, Jun 7, 2013
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.
Power train, May 18, 2013
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. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 8, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON SUNDAY, WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE STALLED IN THE ROAD. THE TRUCK FELT AS IF IT WAS TRYING TO PULL A HILL. THIS WAS VERY SCAREY FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN BECAUSE IF SOMEONE WAS COMING BEHIND US OR IF I WAS TURNING INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE COULDN'T GO OVER 30 MPH WITHOUT SHIFTING OUT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Power train, Apr 30, 2013
UNEXPECTED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING GEARS PROPERLY. VEHICLE IN GOOD CONDITION NO FLUID LEAKS. VEHICLE DRIVEN AND MAINTAINED PROPERLY. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED TO NUMEROUS EXPLORER OWNERS WITH LOW MILEAGE AS MY VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Apr 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE OVER-DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Power train, Apr 10, 2013
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Apr 5, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HR. I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, AND AS I WAS BRAKING MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ME HAVING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PADDLE. I HAVE HAD MAJOR TRANSMISSION WORK (RE-BUILT TRANS, $3000) ON MY VEHICLE, IN WHICH I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES, YET I CONTINUE TO HAVE UNEXPLAINED PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME. *TR
Power train, Apr 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,706.
Power train, Mar 29, 2013
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.
Power train, Mar 28, 2013
WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OF AN ISSUE, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. AFTER STOPPING AT THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT, IT APPEARED THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING A PROBLEM GETTING INTO 2ND GEAR. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE TRANNY PROBLEM CONTINUED AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE SEEMS BE CONSISTENT WITH THAT OF MANY, MANY EARLY 2000S EXPLORER OWNERS. I FEEL AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE IS WARRANTED. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Mar 26, 2013
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. *TR
Power train, Mar 22, 2013
CHECK TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ON IN INFORMATION CENTER AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON. GRINDING NOISE FROM UNDER VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Mar 19, 2013
I WAS DRIVING DOWN TX HWY 190, AND MY O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SHIFT SOLENOID PACK WAS GOING OUT, IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE SOLENOIDS, THE PACK WAS REPLACED AND NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN, RAN THE DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, THE SHIFT SOLENOID PACK ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ON A SOLENOID PACK THAT IS BARELY A YEAR OLD AND THE MILEAGE IS NOW AT 201000. *TR
Power train, Mar 13, 2013
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Mar 11, 2013
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT IT WAS A HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR, THE RPM WOULD GO TO ALMOST 4000RPM, THEN ALMOST SLAM INTO GEAR. MY O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN I GOT HOME I RESEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD TRANSMISSIONS, AFTER CONTACTING FORD THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME I WAS OUT OF LUCK THEY WOULDN'T HELP,,,, I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER FOR YEARS AND SO HAS THE REST OF MY FAMILY AND MY BUSINESS USES FORD VEHICLES. SOMEONE NEEDS TO RESEARCH THIS, FORD IS GETTING AWAY WITH A BIG INJUSTICE BY MAKING A SUBSTANDARD TRANSMISSION THAT IS COSTING THEIR CUSTOMS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. BUT ALL FORD WILL SAY IS IF THE NHTSA DECIDES TO INVESTIGATE AND SEES ITS A PROBLEM THEN THEY WILL ACT ON IT. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE OVER DRIVE INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Power train, Feb 12, 2013
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.
Power train, Jan 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO RESET THE PROBLEM BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION CENTER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Power train, Nov 14, 2012
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. *TR
Power train, Nov 1, 2012
WHILE I WAS MERGING FROM ONE ROAD TO THE NEXT THE EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT POPPED OUT OF GEAR. WHEN I CONTINUED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS WITHOUT ME "FEATHERING" THE GAS. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD TO PAY $2000+ TO REPAIR/REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. *TR