Five problems related to transmission slip out of gear 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.
Traveling the I-95 corridor in north carolina at approx. 3am the transmission over drive light began flashing and the check engine light came on shortly after. Vehicle began to have shifting problems. Had to ease into 1st gear and play with accelerator pedal to shift out of 1st gear. Not a good feeling when 500 miles from home and in the middle of nowhere. Researched and found that this is becoming a common problem for these vehicles. Brought vehicle to aamco and was informed again common in the Explorer. Cost estimate for repair $2500. 00. Vehicle had 77000 miles at time of failure. Called Ford for "goodwill" repair. Should have talked to a door knob. Standard reply "vehicle out of warranty". Driving over forty years, never experienced transmission failure. This is a design flaw that they are not acknowledging. They may not pay now but in the long run the cost will be great. Drove my last Ford.
Vehicle transmission slips out of gear and sometimes wont engage. Frequently occurs at stop/start movements. Ocurrs in forward and reverse. "o/d off" light is frequently displayed. Unsafe to drive anywhere!!!.
I was driving my 2003 Ford Explorer, and all of a sudden when merging onto the highway, my overdrive light started flashing, and the transmission won't shift out of 1st gear. Absoultly unacceptable! an 03?! please!.
O/d light flashes transmission has trouble shifting out of 1st gear.
The contact stated vehicle was making a clanking noise and it jumped out of gear. The dealer had the vehicle several times and upgraded the transmission. They replaced parts in the rear end of the transmission. The replacement of these parts did not solve the problem.