general problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer - part 2

The problem when you driving on the highway around 65 mph you feel the truck hesitating, since this truck did not come with dip stick to check the transmission fluid, it is hard to check unless you take it to a tech or stop on the middle of the road to check it underneath the truck running trans for the fluid to drip, it is really stupid you can be run over by a car or cause an accident, it seems like the manufactures are getting stupid, in a emergency and you are in the highway crossing the state line how can you check the fluid on transmission, it need immediate attention to add the dip stick pretty pronto, it need the Ford company to take responsibility to add the dip stick, I submitted several reports to them they don't care at all.

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.

Rear axle loud noise. Front left wheel bearing became extremely noisy. Automatic 4wd control engaged unexpectedly during low speed turns and parking. Several visits to the Ford repair shop, almost $2. 5k in repairs, "erroneously" diagnosed. Results: finally, failures still in place. What a shame!!!.

This vehicle is a 2003 Ford Explorer limited with a severe roar coming from the rear end. There is a technical bulletin out at repair shops but no recall. It could result in the gears locking down and losing control while driving. It is a defect of the Ford motor CO and should be under recall. The cost of repair is around $1400. 00. The noise is so loud that it could block the ability to hear oncoming traffic and emergency vehicles. You don't have to worry about using a cell phone while driving in this vehicle because you would not be able to hear the other person. I understand that all Ford,Lincoln, and Mercury SUV's are a part of this tech-bulletin. The years that are affected are 2002-2006. Please consider issuing a recall soon.

Transmissions in 2003 Ford Explorers . First transmission replaced at 62,500 miles and second needs replacing at 87,000 miles. Was told by mechanic that is the Ford transmission problem for that year of Explorer may complaints online about the same issue.

I own a Ford Explorer 2003 v6 truck I have had Ford vehicles for the last 15 years. My issue is with Ford service and the trucks transmission. I was in the service bay on August 17 for routine recall stuff and added some basic services to my visit. Oil change, flush and transmission fluid change/check was in order. $500 later I am out the door. 25 days after the initial visit I am back at Ford with concerns about my transmission. It seems to be whining and revving high while changing into 2nd and or 5th gear. The fluid all over my driveway certainly didn't give me a comfortable feeling. Ford service confirmed a problem but could not diagnose it unless they tore it apart. I was instructed to make an appointment at the end of the month because the trans mechanic would be on vacation through end of month. I made an appointment for my truck to "once again" visit the Ford service for an overnight visit. On September 29th. Dropped it off and never got a call for three days. On October 3 end of business day, I called. They seemed to have forgotten my vehicle and would work on it the next day. Tuesday I get a call in the mid morning stating that I need a new transmission or a rebuilt one . Pricing ranges from $2600 to $3400. They couldn't tell my why or any more specifics on how an engine with 47k needs a new transmission. Especially since it was recently in the shop for routine transmission maintenance less than 30 days prior to the incident. To whom it may concern. . . I have had many Fords for the past 20 years and I have never seen a transmission go up under 50k miles. Whether the service guys didn't tighten up something right or Ford has an inferior product; I feel that I should not be held responsible for this issue. Please advise.

Factory rearend was replaced in my 03 Ford Explorer. Since then the problem of gradual rearend deterioration has not been fixed. If the rearend fails catastrophically then a serious accident could occur. Ford motors does not consider this to be a safety concern, but it definitely is. Ford should recall all vehicles with the defective rearends and fix their problem.

Consistent rear axle whine from 45-65 miles per hour highway driving, dealer, ramp Ford in port jefferson, NY replaced rear end three different occasions, and finally stated that all Explorers make the same noise. They could not give me any indication whether or not this is a safety issue. I definitely get the feeling that they wish I would just go away. There are numerous TSB's on this issue and I can not understand why there is not a recall on this obvious defect.

The vehicle rolled backwards while in the park. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem.