2003 FORD EXPLORER Power Train Problems

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.

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

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

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

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.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

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

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.

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.

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

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

CHECK TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ON IN INFORMATION CENTER AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON. GRINDING NOISE FROM UNDER VEHICLE. *TR

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

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

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...

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.

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.

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.

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

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

I WAS BACKING UP TO THE GARAGE TO UNLOAD THE STUFF IN THE BACK AND THE CAR MADE A LOUD WHINNING NOISE AND TOOK OFF FAST..I COULDN'T STOP THE TRUCK.. *TR

IT'S THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS GOING INTO GEAR AND JERKING. THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED SO I CAN NOT CHANGE THE FLUID MYSELF EITHER. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I AM HAVING. HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE OVER DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND EVERYTHING SEIZED BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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...

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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.

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.

TRAVELING THE I-95 CORRIDOR IN NORTH CAROLINA AT APPROX. 3AM THE TRANSMISSION OVER DRIVE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS. HAD TO EASE INTO 1ST GEAR AND PLAY WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. NOT A GOOD FEELING WHEN 500 MILES FROM HOME AND IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO AAMCO AND WAS INFORMED AGAIN COMMON IN THE EXPLORER. COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR $2500.00. VEHICLE HAD 77000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. CALLED FORD FOR "GOODWILL" REPAIR. SHOULD HAVE TALKED TO A DOOR KNOB. STANDARD REPLY "VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY". DRIVING OVER FORTY YEARS, NEVER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING. THEY MAY NOT PAY NOW BUT IN THE LONG RUN THE COST...

O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND WONT GO INTO OVERDRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION IS A SEALED UNIT. *TR

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. *TR

MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WHICH INCLUDE THE ELECTRONIC MOTHER BOARD HAVING BEEN REPLACED TWICE (UNDER WARRANTY), CRACKED LIFTGAGE (NOT UNDER WARRANTY COST $300), TRANSMISSION REBUILD APPROX 90,000 ($3000), DOME LIGHTS DO NOT TURN OFF, DOOR AJAR LIGHTS, ELECTRIC REAR WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN, O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND NOW THE FINAL PROBLEM AFTER HAVING REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION IN JULY 2011 IS A DRIVE TRAIN OR DRIVE LINE ISSUE. AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AFTER DROPPING FROM A HIGHER SPEED, A THUMPING HAPPENS. DIAGNOSIS FOR THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN 3 DAYS STILL WITH NO FINAL DETERMINATION. *TR

INITIALLY HAPPENED AT 98K MILES BACK IN 08. PUT IN PARK (VEHICLE ON ELEVATED DRIVEWAY). JERKED BACK AND HEARD A CLUNK- LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO A GEAR WITH VEHICLE PRESSURE- AND IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK. HIT BRAKES- AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. THEN NEUTRAL TO START IT. PARKED IT ON THE CURB FOR AN HOUR, WENT BACK OUT AND IT DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN UNTIL LAST WEEK. THINKING IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE WEATHER THIS TIME- PARKED ON MY FAIRLY STEEP DRIVEWAY AGAIN WITH LOTS OF ICE/SNOW. 189K MILES WITH THE ORIG TRANNY AND REGULAR COMPUTER UPDATES/FLUSHES. BEEN AN AMAZING TRUCK- JUST THINKING IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

I PAYED 18,000 FOR MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH THE FLEX FUEL IN 2006. ITS A VERY NICE LOOKING SUV BUT I ONLY DROVE IT FOR 2 YEARS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL. I BELEAVE A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 2 YEARS. MY CONCEARN IS THAT ITS DEFECTIVE ALL AROUND THE TRANSMISSION AND I COULD STILL DRIVE IT IF I WASNT IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE. I HAVE HAD IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, THEY WANTED ME TO PAY THEM TO TAKET OUT THE TRANNY AND WANTED WAY TO MUCH FOR ANY PARTS,SO I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A TRANSMISSION PLACE THAT BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME AND HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG.REPLACED THE SELENOID FOR LIKE 900 AND MY IT RAN FINE FOR LIKE 2 WEEKS UNTIL I PUT IN 4 W/D THAN MY O/D LIGHT STARTED...

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WANT TO UP SHIFT, IT WILL SHIFT HARD. O/D LIGHT FLASHING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS IN A JERKING MOTION. THERE WAS ALSO A HESITATION AND THE ENGINE REVVED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE OVER DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND THEY INFORMED THE SENSOR SOLENOID WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A THIRD OPINION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO REPORT MY TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING, AND DISCOVERING THAT MANY PEOPLE WERE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE ON THE WEB: FLASHING OVERDRIVE LIGHT, CONSTANT ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT, AND MY TRANSMISSION WAS STICKING AND NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT MY ISSUE AND IMMEDIATELY THEY SAID I DID NOT HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM I DID HAVE THE EXTENDED WHICH WAS UP TO 100000 MILES, BUT I WAS BARELY OVER BY 3000 MILES. I EXPLAINED THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. THE AGENT SOUNDED LIKE HE WAS READING FROM A SCRIPT, INCLUDING HIS SUPERVISOR SAYING I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SORRY, AND GO TO THE DEALER YOU BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. WHEN IT WAS CLEAR HE WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING, I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR,...

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,024.

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. *TR

TRANSMISION FAILURE, REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. NEW TRANSMISION FAILED WITHIN A WEEK, REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED ALL HUB BEARINGS, EXCESSIVE NOISE. REAR END ALSO HAS EXCESSIVE NOISE. REAR BACK UP SENSOR FREQUENTLY TURNS OFF AND DOES NOT WORK. *TR

SUDDENLY THE TRANSFER CASE STARTED JERKING AND THE SUV WAS SHAKING BADLY THAT I ALMOST COULDN'T DRIVE IT HOME. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE THIS HAPPENING AT 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOUSE AND AT ABOUT 20-25 MILES PER HOUR! IT WAS NO CODE TO INDICATE WHERE THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN THE POWER TRAIN. I TOOK A PART THE REAR END, I FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I STARTED TO TROUBLESHOOT THE TRANSFER CASE AND I NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR WITH ACTUATOR DOES NOT SPIN THE SHAFT FROM TRANSFER CASE, REASON THAT THE TRANSFER CASE CAN'T SELECT FIRMLY THE POSITION OF HI, LOW OR 4WD!!!!. OBSERVING THAT THE MOTOR OF THE TRANSFER CASE SIFTER DOES NOT SPIN, I PURCHASED A NEW MOTOR FROM FORD,. AFTER REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED; SO, I REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE MODULE, BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX; NO RESULT. TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AROUND...

FIRST I MUST SAY I LOVE THIS TRUCK. ITS MY SECOND ONE AND BOTH HAD SAME PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN TRUCH LURCHED FORWARD THEN O/D OFF LITE STARTED FLASHING THEN CHECK ENGINE LITE FLASHING.TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND IT CAME UP WITH A PO775 CODE, HE SAID ITS VERY COMMON AND NOT THE FIRST ONE HES SEEN DO THIS. PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID B NEEDS REPLACING FOR ABOUT $400.00 THEN AFTER REMOVING PAN WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED OVERHAUL NOW $2200.00 LATER. I THINK FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD STAND BEHIND IT. ALSO BLEND DOOR STOPPED WORKING AND ALL 4 CALIPERS SEIZED UP. DONT KNOW IF ILL EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD.ALSO POWER WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, BROKEN WIRE IN DOOR. NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE.I THINK A CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE STARTED AGAINST FORD FOR REPAIRS ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS.I CANT AFFORD TO DUMP...

EXPLORER OD LIGHT CAME ON AND TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND THE TRUCK JUST MADE IT TO THE MECHANIC. THE TRUCK NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE EXPENSE OF $3000. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE FORD EXPLORER IS KNOWN FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. SENT AN EMAIL TO FORD AND THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ON THE EXPENSES OR ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES.

ACCELERATOR DEFECT ; THE CAR ATUOMATICALLY SPED UP WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. CAUSED DAMAGES TO 3 OTHER VEHICLES, 1 OF WHICH WAS TOTALLED. *TR

ENGINE REVS TO NEARLY 5000 RPM BEFORE SLAMMING INTO 2ND GEAR. HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE JUNK.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO STATED THAT THE GEAR SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

I KEEP READING ABOUT 2 COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AND FORD SHOULD TAKE ACTION ON; THE FIRST BEING THE BACK TAIL GATE... FORD DO THE RIGHT THING. THE SECOND HAS TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION, OVERDRIVE LIGHT, THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL. I USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES AND WHILE ON A FEW TRIPS THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR NO REASON, AT LEAST I THOUGHT, I THEN FOUND OUT THAT I HAD AN ABS PROBLEM AND WHEEL BEARINGS PROBLEMS. ALL HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME? AS IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH MY TRANSMISSION WAS DRIPPING FLUID ON MY NEW DRIVEWAY! THIS WAS WHILE I ONLY HAD ONLY 70,000 MILES, IT WASN'T RIGHT, I CHECKED OUT THE BRAKES, THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE HOWEVER WHEN I PULL OFF THE REAR DRUM / DISK TO CHECK THE PARKING BRAKE THAT'S WHEN I FOUND...

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF IT NOT EASILY CHANGING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, AND REVERSE TO PARK. LAST NIGHT, I WAS UNLOADING SOME ITEMS FROM THE EXPLORER. THE CAR WAS IN PARK, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. I WAS STANDING IN THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER DOORWAY. I REACHED OVER TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. UPON TURNING IT OFF, THE EXPLORER IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ROLL INTO REVERSE. MY MOTHER WAS SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT AT THIS TIME AS WELL AS MY TWO BABIES, WHO WERE STRAPPED IN THEIR CAR SEATS. MY DRIVEWAY IS AN INCLINE, SO THE EXPLORER ROLLED BACKWARDS. I TRIED TO RUN WITH IT AS I WAS TRAPPED IN THE DOORWAY. THE EXPLORER GAINED SPEED GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, CAUSING ME TO BE KNOCKED DOWN, UNSURE OF WHETHER OR NOT I WAS ABOUT TO BE RUN OVER, OR WHETHER MY MOM...

THE REAR END ON THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER STARTS TO WHINE, THEN GROWL' THEN LEAK THEN GO BAD. THE REAREND ON THE FORD EXPLORERS EVIDENTLY GO BAD OFTEN. THE OWNERS WOULD BE PUT IN DANGER WHEN THE BREAKDOWN OCCURS ON THE ROAD. THE EXPLORER IS A FAMILY VEHICLE SO THE REAREND GOING OUT ON A TRIP AWAY COULD BE DISASTER. I GOOGLED 2003 FORD EXPLORER REAREND PROBLEMS AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. *TR