Overdrive Light On problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer - part 1

While driving home from work this evening the o/d off light began steadily blinking and the transmission took way too long to shift (rpm almost red line) and wouldn't shift into 5th gear. I was driving on a city street and first noticed the truck not shifting and within 3 minutes of driving the o/d off light began flashing. If you turn the truck off then back on the o/d off light turns off but the truck still won't shift correctly and the light starts to blink again. My truck only has 133,000 miles. I googled this problem and discovered that the vast majority of 2003 Ford Explorer owners have this same problem.

The o/d off light & check transmission lights went on, then vehicle wouldn't shift properly and became inoperable.

O/d off dash light began to flash. Service engine soon light came on. Transmission needs to be rebuilt. Advised to report this known common problem with 2003 Ford Explorer models.

Ford Explorer 2003 34. 656 miles garage kept o/d light starts blinking at 25miles hr. Transmission servo ports need to be bored & sleeved. Hydraulic pressure low at servo ports.

O/d light started blinking and my transmission started slipping in the early gears.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

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.

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.

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!!.

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.

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.

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.

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 several web sites and it appears that this is a common problem. It also appears that the Ford Explorer has a huge problem with transmission failure, mostly from the early 2000s -- especially the 2002 to 2004 Ford Explorer. Mine is a 2003!.

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.

O/d light flashing and wont go into overdrive. The transmission is a sealed unit.

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 immediatedly they said I did not have the extended warrenty. 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, but it was clear that she was not going to do anything either. All I was asking for was a goodwill repair discount, and they refused. I grew up with Fords; fairlane, falcon, galaxy, maverick, ltd, taurus, expedition, t-bird, and Explorer. I am not going to say I will never drive another Ford, but I no longer feel loyal to the brand. Honda's and Toyota's transmissions last longer and they stand by their product. I am very disappointed about thier lack of customer service and indifference with my problem. This is going to cost $2500 for a rebuild or $3500 for a new transmission.

Transmission failure. Transmission does not want to up shift, it will shift hard. O/d light flashing.

Transmission failure. . . . O/d light flashes and service engine light stays on.

O/d light spontaneously came on. Can not be turned off. Transmition takes off slow. First gear slams into second, with slow takeoff causes cars behind me to stop short because my takeoff is very slow.

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer and my o/d light keeps flashing I took it to the dealer to get it checked and they said I need a new transmission because I have no 2nd or 5th gear they also said this is a common problem with that year. They said the shift sealnoid went out so now I cant drive my truck tell I can afford 3400 dollars to get it fixed so that has made it harder for me to get to work and to get my family where they need to be.

Like every other day, I started the SUV a few minutes before I had to leave to let it warm up because NY is cold, and then left to run some errands. I realized right away that the truck sounded a little funny when accelerating, so the radio went off so I could listen. I found that when shifting from first to second, in this automatic vehicle, the overdrive was kicking on prematurely. Then the o/d light started flashing. I came home and started researching it and found hundreds of complaints, so here I am, in the same boat as everyone else, about to look up numbers to transmission specialists because the dealer is definitely not going to make any money off of my with this one.

I recently encountered problems with my vehicle's acceleration. The vehicle then began to buck, make loud noises, the check engine light came on and then the o/d light began to flash. I took my vehicle to the dealer to have a diagnostics test performed which determined that my transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle that I am referencing is a 2003 Ford Explorer with 73,859 miles (at the time of the diagnosis). I did reseach which revealed that this has been a common issue with 2003 Ford Explorers with approximately the same number of miles. I did get the transmission replaced in my vehicle, however the complaint is that these vehicles are requiring transmission replacements at such low miles. With all of the complaints involving this issue, it seems to warrant an investigation into the matter. . . . . . . . Please investigate.

I own a 2003 Ford Explorer and have never had any problem with my vehicle. I do not drive it hard and make sure that it gets the proper upkeep. As I was driving down the road one day my check engine lihgt came on. The next day on my way to work I noticed that the transmisson was having trouble shifting and the time I got home that evening the transmission was shifting very hard if it would even shift at all. My o/d off light also started flashing. I thought that it was just a fluke with my transmission until I checked online to find that there is alot of other people having the same problem and that Ford is doing nothing to fix the problem. My car is currently in the shop and they have said that it will cost atleast 3200 or more to fix the transmission. I have contacted my Ford dealership and they were well aware of the problems with this transmission but stated there was nothing they could do and Ford hasn't accepted responsibility for the problem. They also stated that there was an obvious defect with the transmission. I would like to know if there is or was a defect investigation seeing that there are so many people with the same problem and if anyone can tell me if there is a class action lawsuit for this mattter.

O/d off light blinks on dashboard and vehicle shifts hard. Was advised that transmission rebuild was necessary.

Transmission problems started around 100k miles; high rpm shifting between 1st and 2nd gear with subsequent flashing o/d light. Many times transmission will "clunk" into gear either from going into reverse, stopping completely, then shifting into drive and/or when putting in reverse or drive. Appears this is a common problem for my model year Explorer (03) and same code many others receive (p0775) which really does not describe the problem or lead a not so mechanical inclined person to try and troubleshoot/buy parts to fix. I'm career military man w/family and my truck is paid off next month--owned 5 years and really sucks to have to possibly dump $3k into a truck that Ford has known contained issues with the 5r55w transmission.

2003 Ford Explorer with 74,000 miles on it - o/d light began flashing. Around the same time I noticed that when going from a stop to a start it would take a long time to shift into gear. Took it into the mechanic - suggested a new transmission for $4100!!! for a car that has less than 100,000 miles this is ridiculous.

With no warning, while driving my 2003 Explorer yesterday, the o/d off light comes on then the check transmission light also comes on. After that I notice the shifting of gears feels really weird. It shifts slower and harder when it shifts. I cannot drive the car because it is unsafe for me and my 2 young children. The repair shop says I need a new transmission which will cost me $2000 that I don't have, to put into a vehicle I am still paying on. If I continue to drive it with the transmission the way it is now, it could lock up and make me stop in the middle of the road, and possible get myself and others seriously injured or killed. This seems to be a problem with this make, model and year vehicle that I have, but I didn't not know that until I began doing research when it messed up yesterday.

While I am driving the truck slows down then speeds back up. Vehicle is only 7 years old and has 71,000 miles, a few days ago the o/d light started flashing and then a day later the check engine soon light came on as well. I took the truck to a transmission shop they hooked the truck up to the machine and 5 malfunctions came up in the transmission he said that the 1st and 5th gear is slipping. He would have to rebuilt the transmission, which would cost at least $2000. He also stated that my truck was too young and didn't have enough miles in it to already have transmission problems. I see by the other complaints on carcomplaint. Com that I am not the only one have this problem. Who do we have to contact in order to have Ford notice that they truck should get recalled b/c of the transmission problems?.

Overdrive light flashes on my 2003 Ford Explorer.

Ford 2003 Explorer overdrive light flashing and service engine soon light on. Brought in for service to be told Ford has this problem but they've done nothing about it. Could break down on street and strand motorist. Now I have to replace transmission. I feel my families safety was jeopardized by Fords neglect.

The o/d light is flashing on the dashboard,service engine light comes on and when I accelerate the transmission shifts rough,Ford says it is not a common problem,but I have visited several sites today with complaints from other consumers,all makes,all models of Ford trucks and suvs. I have 2003 Ford Explorer . The vehicle just went over 80,000 mile.

2003 o/d light blinking, service engine light soon light turned on. Transmission problems detected. Lots of Fords transmissions seem to have flaws need to force a recall.

2003 Ford Explorer XLT - overdrive light starting flashing and now the transmission slips when shifting from 1st to second gear. Engine revs to 3200 rpms and makes a loud noise before feathering the gas to get the transmission to shift into 2nd gear. Vertical crack in fiberglass tailgate panel just below rear window glass. No impact to tailgate occurred-crack just appeared.

Overdrive light is blinking and transmission is shifting hard and sometimes not at all. The car has 90,000 miles on it. Nothing has ever been toed. It is a daily commute car I have owned since brand new. There is no way I should already need a new transmission. Also the wheel bearings have gone on both sides of the front of my car. This has happened to countless other people with this year (2003) Explorer. I have researched both and this is a common occurrence with this car. And both are extremely hazardous for safety reasons. I believe this is a huge defect from Ford and needs to be investigated.