My 2003 Explorer was only owned by one person previously. I bought it with 68,000 miles on it. Today it has 86,000 miles on it and three days ago, the problem was confirmed as an internal transmission problem. The repairs are $3500 to install a re-manufactured transmission, which by Ford's word is a transmission that has been burnt out and replaced with all new parts. My husband was not happy and wanted to trade in, but would only get $2000 for trade, and we owe significantly more than that on the loan. Only option is to fix it at this time, but I've been warned it will happen again. There is at least a warranty this time with a new one, where as my extended warranty conveniently ran out in October. If this truly is a defect, than Ford needs to acknowledge that. Had I known two years ago when I bought it, I certainly wouldn't have!

My 2003 ford explorer has been jerking and shifting hard....this went on for about a month until the o/d light light started flashing ...sounds like its going to be a solenoid issue but still in process of being worked on...after reading up on other post and doing research it could be many problems with this lemon transmission ford designed. I'm the second owner and bought this vehicle with 30000 miles on it. I have only towed a 700lb mower and a trailer for short distances a few times. I have also replaced a wheel bearing at 80000miles with another one possibly going out....until the transmission problem I have been mostly happy with this vehicle....ford needs to own up to this poor designed transmission and at least cover the cost of the transmission to show some loyalty to their customers...I will never buy another ford explorer after my experience and then finding out this is a really common problem ford has and don't want to own up to....SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE......CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ...THEY JUST CAN'T CONTINUE TO GET AWAY WITH THIS

Okay.....along with everyone else. I WAS a loyal Ford purchaser. I all of my vehicles as well as my kids vehilces have been fords with the exception of my toy, a Jeep Cherokee.

Soooo, we purchased the vehicle. 4 months afterwards, the OD light comes on and the vehicle switches out of OD. Was told that the shifting solenoid had to be replaced....$300 without install. Had that completed....5 days later, it starts all over again. 1 Day later the wife is driving on the freeway and vehicle drops down and wont go over 5 miles an hour. Had to have the tranny rebuilt...$2500 at "Edwards Transmission". Problem returns within a couple of days. They say its not the Tranny rather the transfer case. Replaced....another $900. Guess what....problem still there. Took back to tranny shop (still under warranty) and they said now it's the Timing Chain....went to my other mechanic to have it checked out and get an oil change....guess what? The oil pump quits, filter is clogged and engine has to be rebuilt....$3500. This is bull.....Finally got Ford on the phone, they say sorry about me but will offer me an X Discount to trade in and purchase another Ford.....NOT!. I will be dumping this vehicle in the resale market quickly before I have more money in it than it was worth brand new. All this and my wife still needs to get back and forth from college and work as well as shuttling our other 3 kids to school, sports, etc.... Ford should have recalled and fixed this issue. In the long run, they would have made more money from dedicated consumer's returning business.

By the way, after extensive search, the issue has to do with the bore outs AND the gromet around the external piston. The medal wears aware and the piston floats. Simple gromet and fixed, but the tranny has to be dropped again and opened up to complete...."Ed's Transmission" warranty ran out during rebuild, but they had no clue. Even had another shop run diagnostics and provide the code to them.....BUNCH OF CROOKS!!!!!

The transmission is having trouble shifting from first to second gear. The car runs into high rpms in first gear and then shifts hard into second followed by a quick shift into third. Everything else runs great and the transmission shifts smoothly (up and down) into all other gears, but like other problems reported I fear a complete transmission replacement is necessary because Ford put a less than quality transmission in their Explorers during that production period. I have driven many other Ford vehicles including multiple Taurus, Sable and Cougar (both Mercury) models, and they have all lasted well into the 100K+ mileage. This vehicle has not even made it past 90K and it already has a significant problem - a huge reliability and expectation letdown. My future business with Ford rests on how well they handle this issue and reward customer loyalty.

Yes the o/d light came on with the check engine lite right at 115k miles ... Tranny shop decided it was the solenoid box $750 later I still have the same problem and now they think a rebuilt tranny is the fix .. I said you have got to be kidding !! It might cost more than this vehicle is worth !! The gears have not properly worked in the 3 years I have owned the vehicle .. Used auto dealer screwed me and wouldn't answer any calls and the manager was always gone .. I stopped going back to the Honda dealer in North Phoenix for anything .. I had intermittent tranny issues right after the purchase and had an AAMCO dealer work on it .. still had problems ... somewhere on these blog sites someone mentioned they had a fix kit for this model of ford trannies .. anyone know about that ??

btw: my last vehicle was a 98 explorer did not have near the problems but I won't buy another Ford of any kind ..

Ok folks, I found a very simple and cost effective resolve for this O/D light issue. Hopefully, it will work for you. Read a ton of horror stories and went to a few Ford stores and they diagnosed my problem without seeing it........wow, what a surprise. Now that really made me feel very warm and fuzzy inside. Not to mention the cost of repair they pulled out of thin air. I do have a little intelligence, so, I checked out my brake light switch. It was very sensitive.......just barely touch it and the brake lights come on.

The Brake Light Switch does three major electrical tasks: 1.Turn on brake lights. 2. Kill the cruise. 3. Disengage the Overdrive. HMMMMMMMMMM

I found Ford did have an issue with this switch, but NOT with Explorer.(Same Part). Went to my local parts store, spent very little money and installed the switch, but did not do all the additional wire splicing, as it was not needed. To this day....Fingers are crossed, The problem has vanished and ALL IS WELL.

Think about it.....Try it. Worked for me, Maybe it will work you. GL and GB

Update from Apr 20, 2012: For those of you who also complained of erratic shifting and or not shifting normally, I found the TPS failed. This is the Throttle Position Sensor that feeds info to your transmission via the computor. Cost is about $60.00 and is "medium difficulty" to install. I replaced it and the shifting is normal now. I do not trust the Dealership to look for simple solutions that do not run up a large expense.(MY PERSONAL OPNION). I suggest to invest +- $30.00 in a Haynes or Chiltons manual at your local parts store for your vehicle as it does explain most issues and gives you removal and installation proceedures. It WILL NOT cover everything, but is very very handy to have. Also,I have found a free site called EasyAutoDiagnostics.com Both of these have saved me a LOT of money. If your computer continously recieves eronious information, it will normally send out the same, usually causing premature failure. I recently retired from DuPont and my major task was to train my customers in "Customer Retention". Most large Manufactures have their own protocal, and do not accept outside advice. I have also been an ASE MASTER Body/Paint technician for years which demands knowledge beyond just Body and Paint. I really hope my simple fixes work for you also.

Update from Apr 24, 2012: After posting my comments, I received some feedback from others that have experienced complete failure of the transmission. I would like to share more on my experience, with no judgement towards the owners of these Explorers. My wife is the driver and travels 60+ Interstate miles per day for work. We, also, can not justify any additional major expenses. Having said that, when the O/D light began flashing, we also were informed the brake lights were on, (without appling the brakes). That is why I looked into the switch. (No mechanical issues yet). My thoughts are that the switch sent a signal to the PCM that the transmission should be in the highest gear (O/D) at freeway speed, and is not , triggering the warning lamp. Utilizing my past experience, I found if the transmission is not in the correct gear for the speed, it can overheat and destroy itself. Same theory for the erratic, freewheeling, high reving shifting that followed the O/D light issue. (Check engine light on)The trottle position sensor relays information to the transmission via the PCM as to what gear it should be in. If this sensor has failed, sending inaccurate information to the transmission, I believe "Self destruct" mode kicks in. Maybe, just maybe, I just got lucky with these repairs. So far, as of last night, no transmission issues. It may come home on a rollback this afternoon. If that is the case, we have, at least, extended it's demise for over 5,000 additional miles. What I have shared will not repair a trashed transmission, but maybe will prolong it from destruction at a minimal cost.

After replacing torque converter a year and half earlier for $1500 thr transmission message and O/D light came on and trans stopped shifting into second gear. Engine revved high before hard shifting into thrid gear. Had dropped 2nd and 5th gears. Extremely slow movng into drive speeds and severe shifts. ford advised trans and torque convertetr needed replacement.

Ford was aware this model transmission had faults in 2002 and continued installing in 2003 models ignoring safety issues and passing replacement costs on to owners. Shame on Ford for tarnishing a company and family name.

just bought a 2003 ford explorer 2 weeks ago and on the way home from the dealer had a hard banging underneath and the O/D light was flashing. took it back to the dealer, they said the magnetic clutch coil was bad so they replaced the transfer case at no charge but just called and said its still doing it!!!!! its pretty bad i bought a vehicle 14 days ago and only got to go 20 minutes from the lot before i had problems! i dont know where we go from here, im a single mother with three kids working days and going to school at night who NEEDS A VEHICLE!!!! i want to get my money back and find something else. if theres this many problems with the transmission/transfer case now where am i gong to be in 6 months. i cant afford to buy 2 cars!!!!

My problem is basically the same ,why did ford build this seal trans fist of all.They're not the only mechanics that can fix the problem. Had i known about this type vehicle ,i would have never got in it.My od flashes ,service light is on ,1st gear is taking to long to shift and i am problem 129 on the complaint list .Guy , gals we need to do something about this issue.To much money is beening paid out and is taking food ,out of my kids mouth about a problem that is very difficult to handle .Folks we need closure ,and the only way is to become a unit of one to establish a class action law suit on all ford product issues.But first let's start with the chief complaints a Lemon transmission.