Overdrive Light On problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer - part 2

I own a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT and the o/d light constantly blinks. The transmission is sluggish shifting from 1st to 2nd and my car failed an emissions inspection due to this problem. I have read how many other people have had this very same problem even after a transmission has been repaired or replaced. Hoping this problem could be recalled because this is too wide spread for it to be a consumer issue.

Driving my 2003 Ford Explorer on highway when gear slipped. . O/d light started flashing! it needs a new transmission they say but I haven't done the repair yet.

Overdrive light came on as well as the check engine light the vehicle had been running fine, then the gears would not shift, we were on interstate 70 eastbound between wheeling wv and washington PA traveling at 65 mph in heavy traffic. The vehicle began to slow without warning we were nearly hit by a tractor trailer that had been following us! we searched the internet to see if this had happened to anyone else and lo and behold hundreds of complaints were listed on numerous sites, the vehicle is now at the transmission shop and before its all done it will cost at least $2300 to repair as the transmission went all at once with no warning at all! there is no way for the diy mechanic to check the transmission fluid as the transmission is completely sealed (no dipstick) so I guess I am grateful that the truck driver was able to swerve enough to not hit us or Ford would be directly responsible for our deaths!.

I started noticing that my Explorer was not shifting correctly and the overdrive light was staying on, along with the check engine light. I had the computer tested and it resulted in code p0775. I called Ford (in bethlehem PA) and they could not get me in until the w/o 7/20. Since I was leaving for vacation and needed it, I took it to bethlehem transmissions. After they fixed it rebuilt the transmission and $3309. 70 later, the owner stated to me that this is a known problem with the 2003 Explorers. So I called Ford, who told me to take my receipt to the local dealership, that was a waste of my time b/c the service manager was rude, and didn't care about the problem. My truck only had 82,000 miles on. I upgraded to this vehicle to not have problems. Well, I received no satisfaction with Ford, so I am now coming to you. There are no recalls, but this needs to be taken care of, I should not have had to spend that amount of money to fix a known problem with this model. The tsi for this issue is 5r55w. Can someone help me? this is alot of money and I think Ford should be standing by their product and fix this problem. I have the complete receipt for the repair, but I do not have the old transmission.

The transmission started not shifting properly and the o/d light started flashing. Check engine came on. Took 2003 Ford Explorer to get checked by Ford dealership. Result: transmission failed and required replacing. Ford Explorer only had 83,000 miles. $3,000 dollars to replace. Told that it was a common problem among Ford Explorers.

Today I got in my Ford Explorer and noticed that my overdrive light was flashing. So, pulled over to see what the owners manual says and soon right after the engine light comes on. . I then look through the manual and it indicates that if these lights were to come on please take it to service ASAP. I did the following and took the SUV to pep boys. I described my problem to the service manager and he said please don't tell me it's a Ford Explorer. . . . I hesitated and looked at him with a puzzled look on my face and said yes. Why ? I said. Well Ford Explorers are known for this problem and that I should check to see if there are any recalls. I then went to Fords website and followed the directions on how to check for any recalls on your vehicle and entered my VIN# and got back no recalls on this vehicle. With all these complaints and consumers crying about this problem how can we allow a car giant like Ford to get away with this manufacturing problem? at least they should have the decency to inform you that there cars have been known for having transmission problems dating back to 1995. The list of people with the same problem that I have was rude awakening and very disturbing to see. We need a resolution to this problem regardless of what it takes. Please contact me directly if you need to.

We were driving the vehicle from WI to mn and the overdrive light was flashing and the Ford Explorer was not shifting correctly and a few times was stuck at 50+ mph even though the cruise control was not on. We returned to our home and took the 2003 Ford Explorer in to a repair shop who said the report indicated that the transmission needs to be replaced. The design of the transmission on these vehicles doesn't allow the owner to check fluid levels. It felt like a very dangerous situation with children in the car and the vehicle not shifting correctly and actually "revving" and staying at 50+ mph while the cruise was not on.

Three days ago I get into my truck and start to drive down the road and my truck doesn't shift into gears. Then when it finally did it jerked really hard and I bout went into a ditch. Then the o/d light starts flashing. Later that day the check engine light comes on. I try to check the transmission fluid level but you can't in this transmission. When I google this problem I find all these people with the same problem I have. The transmission is going out on my truck and it only has 69,000 on it. I owned an older model Explorer and had to replace the transmission two times in it. This is an on going problem Ford has with these vehicles and they aren't doing anything to help their customers fix it or fix it themselves. I think this being such a common occurrence with Ford Explorers that Ford should do something about it. This is a major safety issue considering you never know when your transmission is going to go out driving down the road. I hope that you can find some solution to this problem.

Was driving to work and trans started slipping. O/d light started blinking and then next day check engine light came on. Took it to a dealer who told me I need to either rebuild my trans for $3200 or put in a rebuilt from Ford for over $4000 which would give me a 100k mile warranty, 64k more than the brand new one that was in the car when I bought it. Car had 74,500 miles on it but was less than 3 weeks over the 5 year/ 75k extended warranty I purchased from Ford. I called the customer relationship number and the warranty people numerous times and no one offered any help. I even offered to by a new Ford if they would give me a fair trade on my old one, it seemed as if after driving Ford's for the past 8 years they did not want me as customer any longer. I took it to an independent shop and fixed it for $2000 and I just traded it for a new Nissan pathfinder which cost me less, has more power and gets better gas mileage. I am happy to say I have owned my last Ford.

2003 Ford Explorer purchased new. Out of the blue check transmission and o/d off light starts flashing. At dealership now for repair estimate. While researching on the internet I was amazed to see the number of identical complaints for the exact problem on the exact same car. I spoke with Ford today & they told me sorry and to "have a good day". I am mortified at the problem and the lack of assistance Ford is willing to provide with this obviously large spread problem.

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 bliking again and the transmission slipped, the o/d light eluminated the first time my transmission ever slipped. And if I went and drove it right now it would cause an accident and some people might still depend on there defective Explorer to get somewhere. It accelerates by its self it sometimes dosnt want to go in gear and if this is electrical someones vehicle could stop in the middle of a highway with no warning but a blinking o/d light. And worst thing is, if Ford would reconize this problem with out selling new transmissions that will eventually have the same problem with I could have it fixed but no one but Ford knows what is wrong and they obviously dont know how to fix it or know if they admit their mistake it was a design flaw I want my money back. I bet you they wouldnt even take my Explorer on a trade in. And if you just google Ford Explorer anything from 1999 to 2007 I think. . . . Its going to have like thousands of people with the same problem as mine and probaly like from 40,000 miles up, way to early for transmission replacement.

April 2008, o/d light started blinking & vehicle started shifting hard; took to Ford dealership the next week; after computer diagnostic said I needed to replace transmission on 2003 Explorer with 80,000 miles; within 2 months the vehicle was parked because the transmission was not wanting to shift into reverse regardless of weather conditions.

I own a 2003 Ford Explorer. I have owned it since buying it from vogler Ford in carbondale, illinois. A few months ago the overdrive light began to flash all the time and it shifts hard going from 2nd to 3rd gear. I searched this problem on the internet to see if I could replace a part on it. I have read numerous complaints about these transmissions. Have they recalled any faulty transmissions from Ford vehicles.

I own a 2003 Ford exporer, I have owned it for almost 5 years and took care of it. I also paid alot of money for it and after about three years out of nowhere my o/d light started blinking and my car started shifting wrong. I had the selonoid on tranny replaced soon as I put it in 4wheel drive my o/d light started blinking again and shifting wrong. This is making the car accelerate to much at times and almost not wanting to shift others. So while waiting thinking I need a new transmission my engine light comes on followed by a light ticking noise, that got louder and louder over about a month. So the car was taken to the dealership an put on a computer they said I should junk it, yes its 5 years old but I bought my car from their and I paid alot for it. So no one knows exactly whats wrong with it I myself beleave but Ford. I been told I need a new transmission and my timeing chian is bad on the engine. The car still runs although I wont drive it completely unsafe. Its a nice looking car but I seen alot of people with this same problem with the same year make and model how is that and its dangerous? me and my daughter wrecked after sudden acceleration thankfully the airbags deployed and burnt her but we were both fine otherwise. I just now this is dangerous,Ford knows about it and why it happened and how to fix it.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving 25 mph, the transmission caused the rpm's to increase from 1,000 to 4,000, followed by a loud thumping noise. The overdrive light would also remain illuminated after the malfunction. The vehicle has been diagnosed by the dealer, but still continues to fail. The failure mileage was 44,000.

Just had transmission serviced last week. Now o/d light is flashing and check transmission light is coming on. See by internet this is a well known problems with the Fords.

I'm never buying another Ford. Last week the o/d light came on in my Ford Explorer. I drove it right home and got the manual out to see what the problem was. "transmission problem" was what the manual indicated, as well as several websites I reviewed. I didn't worry at first, since I figured this would be covered under warranty. My Explorer is just under 5 years old and just under 60k miles. Surely there would at least be a 60k power train warranty. No one would buy a vehicle if they knew the transmission would only last 59k miles. Well, the dealer told me a new transmission was needed (5th and 2nd gears were worn down), that it would cost $3500, and that it is not covered by warranty. And to add insult to injury he charged me $90 to tell me the transmission was bad (something I obviously knew) - isn't this similar to stealing? I then asked him what trade in value I could get (not that I really would buy another poor quality Ford, but I wanted to explore all options). $5500 is the most they could give. I laughed - since I had taken very good care of the vehicle. It told me that they didn't want the vehicle either - so much for them really standing behind their product. They know the quality is poor. Obviously I was quite irritated. I asked what caused this. None of the possibilities applied since I took good care of the vehicle and had it serviced according to the maintenance manual. In fact, the dealer (cover Ford in austin) did the 30k checkup. I spent $1k on that (and probably got ripped off). I took it to a transmission specialist and had it fixed for under $2500. He informed me that he sees a lot of issues like this with Explorers - probably a poor design and poor quality. Also, judging by various websites there are indeed lots of complains like this.

While cruising uphill on an interstate highway at approximately 70 mph the transmission downshifted to maintain speed. After cresting the hill, the transmission would not shift back into overdrive and the overdrive light began to flash. I pulled off the highway and the truck would not shift 1-2 until approximately 4500 rpm and then would do so very harshly. When accelerating the transmission slips and does not provide full acceleration. According to my local transmission shop the repair will cost approximately $3000 and require an all new transmission.

My SUV has 86791 miles its a 2003 and the transmission went. . I was driving down the highway and it stop shifting and the overdrive light kept flashing. I had to take it to the dealer and $1400. 00 later its fixed. . With the Ford Explorer you can't change or check the transmission fluid it's in a sealed canister. . Its mostly highway driving and the transmission should not have failed this soon in a vehicle. . . . This is a poor design and Ford won't even face up to it. . I also found out it is a problem not only in my car but in others. .

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.