Two problems related to transmission shudder have been reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2003 Explorer.
Less than 2 yrs after purchase of a new 2003 Ford Explorer eddie bower 4x4 v8 from a dealer, the transmission started grinding and slipping. Dealer service records documented my concerns and their inability/unwillingness to diagnose the problem due to the lack of a "service warning" light. Subsequent visits with the same issue brought similar results from the dealer. Warranty expired less than one year before I finally got a warning light and the news from my dealer was that it meant I needed a new transmission for just under $6500. With absolutely no help from any level of Ford customer service, I had the transmission replaced for just over $3000 - obviously not by Ford.
Purchased a 2003 Ford Explorer 4x4 January 2004, around 10k miles noticed a shudder/slipping in transmission under hard excelleration. I brought vehicle to pulliam Ford in cola. Sc to have transmission and whining rear end repaired. When I called the service writer, he informed me that the technician said that they could not duplicate the transmission vibration, and that the whine was no louder than other Explorers, even though they did acknowlege that the Explorer did have a rear end problem. I am not satisfied and would like to get my 32k worth out of this vehicle, not a excuse for a poor product and poor service.