Another very unhappy Ford customer. O/D light blinking and transmission is hard shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. Thought I would check the Transmission fluid but low and behold no dipstick! Took into my mechanic that said that the transmission was not serviceable by him and had to be taken to the dealer. Well first off who would design it without a way to check the tranny fluid level? Second don't understand why Ford does not offer a recall on this! There seems to be a lot of people with this same issue and Ford is completely screwing the people that spend good money on these vehicles. I have owned Ford products most of my adult life(30 yrs) and never had any kind of problem like this. Guess I will looking elsewhere for my next vehicle and it will probably be at my local GM dealership! Thanks for nothing Ford!!!!

I bought my 2003 Ford new from the dealership. Over the past thirteen years my Explorer has been a champ. Over the last year the transmission might seemed a little tired, but I did not notice any real significant issues. Then after the rear lift window frame split by the Ford emblem after going through the car wash, my SUV must have reached it's expiration date. Now a week after replacing the tires ($650.00) and having the vehicle tires aligned and an inspection ($380.00) the overdrive light came on as I drove to work and the transmission let me know something was wrong with slippage and high powerless rpm's.

On the way home the light came on again with the engine light. I pulled my manual and find little reference to the OD light or it blinking - it just says for the most part "Take to a qualified service technician to avoid damaging your vehicle system(s)." I looked for a dip stick to check the transmission fluid and could not find it. I checked online and learned that there isn't one on this model - what moronic engineer designed a vehicle without a dip stick to check the fluid level. Now I am disheartened to read all the lousy reviews from others with Ford's that have experienced the same costly problem. My SUV made it over 100,000 miles and now it looks like it will cost me dearly to get her back on the road. Saddened by the stupidity of the Ford engineers on this one.

Update from Nov 12, 2014: Well. My trusty Ford SUV finally let me down when the transmission just up and quit. In the end, I really like my Ford SUV so I paid. Over $3300.00 to get the sealed transmission fixed. Who seals a transmission so that the fluid can't be checked normally. I was told a band broke inside the transmission and that the fluid was in poor shape. After repair my SUV was almost like new. Now that the transmission has worked for a year, it doesn't have that new snap off the line like it did. I still love my Ford though.

The Car is a few years old, actually pampered by an "A" tech, and is serviced every 3,000 miles.

A few years ago it took a long time kicking into gear (forward) only when cold, and dealer performed a valve body update. We bought the car in 2006 with 36,000 miles on it, and we never towed with it, or are we hard drivers... 2 days ago the transmission started not to shift correctly, then started to stay in gear longer... now the o/d light is flashing, loss of power, trans is slipping seems like between 2-3 shift. And now in addition the check engine light is on as well. I just feel that with the way we service and respect this vehicle, a potential failure of this size @ 74,000 miles is too soon.

Regardless of warranty period, Ford should step up to the plate and replace my transmission, and any other transmissions that have failed... I owned FORDS SINCE 1976, AND IF THEY LEAVE ME HIGH AND DRY, THIS MAY BE THE LAST FORD FOR ME!!!

The O/D light came on in my 2003 Ford Explorer (135,000 miles), along with a 'clunking' when it hit about 30 miles per hr. As it was I was on my way for an oil change and basic check before I drove it to the shore. Told the service manager of the Ford dealership, he and another service guy shook their heads and said at the same time "that's not good". Needless to say, Ford dealership wants $4500 to replace the transmission, codes are PO733 & PO745. Called another trans shop, was told with those codes the trans should be replaced, waiting to hear how much they will charge.

I think it's disgusting that Ford doesn't own up to this problem, I saw a graph on line, 2002 Ford Explorers trans have gone out 3,000+ customers. 2003 1900+ customers 2004 1400+.......I shouldn't have to decide whether to get a new/used car and scrape this one, I love my explorer, or spend the money to repair it.

Our 20 year old Toyota Camry lasted to 225,000....finally traded it because the steering rack went out, $2,000 repair...Very minor issues and maintenance.

So many people in the same situation, there really should be a lawsuit filed.

Just thought I would add my experience.

O/D light starting flashing on 16 JUN. When engine is turned off and restarted, O/D light will reflash after driving 4 to 5 minutes.

Dealer came up with diagnostic code P0741. Recommend fix is replacement of entire transmission for $4,200. There were no "lesser" recommendations. Dealer also claimed to never have heard of any transmission problems with Explorer model years 2002 through 2004. When told to Google it, dealer then responded any transmission problems were "statistically insignificant".

Will take to transmission shop tomorrow for another opinion.

Update from Sep 19, 2014: I had the transmission rebuilt by AAMCO at a cost of $2,750. They gave me a 24,000 mile/2 year warranty. The AAMCO guy knew all about it Ford Explorer transmissions. The car now has 128,500 miles on it and is working fine transmission wise.

Update from May 6, 2019: Vehicle now has 152,000 miles on it. No problems with the rebuilt transmission.

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer Limited 4.6L engine. The O/D light began flashing about a month ago and the check transmission light would come on when the mph reached 49mph.

Yesterday I drove the car and tried to park in a parking lot and the shifter would not go below Neutral. I couldn't put it into reverse or park. I rolled it out of the space and brought it home. My nephew who works on his mother's explorer and his own mustangs came over to help. I couldn't remove the key because it would not go into park. He put extra pressure on the shifter and was able to force it into park but then when I tried to drive it, none of the gears would engage. It's sitting in front of my house now useless. Won't go at all. It was a certified pre-owned when I bought it but the dealer has since closed up shop and opened a Nissan dealership. I don't know what to do. I have no car now.

transmission started skipping 2nd gear, or hard shifting/long shifting into 2nd. took it to local transmission shop and they said complete overhaul to the tune of 1800. this is just another common problem with this year of explorer. I could have bought another nice used car with all the repairs i've put into this POS. As usual ford doesn't think there is a problem but just search the internet for 2003 ford explorer problems.

repair list 1800 transmission 1200 wheel bearings/hubs (all 4) 400 heating/cooling blend door problem 1100 rear differential rebuild 300+ rear spring/struts (sky is limit here, you can do it yourself for around 300) thats 4800 in repairs when i had only owned the thing for less than 5 years. so if you are planning on buying an explorer plan on budgeting 800-1000 year for future repairs. or better yet do what i'm going to do and not buy a ford ever again... maybe then they will get the hint.

After searching the internet, found numerous people with the same symptoms and same problem and a bunch of different options to fix, unfortunately costly fixes which ultimately you have to replace the transmission. Searching the internet a number of people stated that they got help from Ford in the replacement of the transmission and that generally most people were turned away. 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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA SITE www.nhtsa.gov 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.... Everyone call in or email, so we can get an investigation started to get the transmissions covered for all the people that own the explorer that are getting screwed.... At 135 thousand miles, a transmission shouldn't go out, My ford f150 has 297,352 miles on it with a original engine and tranny and never a issue with either..... GO figure!!!!