Transmission Solenoid problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving on an incline at an unknown speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the overdrive warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the solenoid pack and the oxygen sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact also mentioned that the check transmission and check engine warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford explore. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph the transmission failed. The over drive warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then depressed the brake pedal and everything seized before stalling. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle functioned properly. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where they stated that the solenoid was defective in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was 100,000.

I was driving down TX hwy 190, and my o/d light started flashing on my 2003 Ford Explorer, it was found that the shift solenoid pack was going out, it was an electrical issue with the solenoids, the pack was replaced and now it is doing it again, ran the diagnostics on it and it is the exact same problem, the shift solenoid pack electrical problem on a solenoid pack that is barely a year old and the mileage is now at 201000.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 30 mph, the transmission began to slip gears in a jerking motion. There was also a hesitation and the engine revved continuously. In addition, the over drive and transmission warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was diagnosed by two different independent mechanics and they informed the sensor solenoid would need to be replaced and possibly the transmission. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer for a third opinion. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. The VIN was unavailable. Js.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 35 mph, the over-drive and engine service warning indicators illuminated. The warning indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where a diagnostic test was performed which detected that the gear ratio and pressure control solenoid were defective within the transmission. The contact was awaiting the parts for the vehicle to be repaired. The failure mileage was 94,583. Updated 03/31/lj updated 04/05/11.

Some sort of transmission failure dealing with the shifting solenoid. This leads to sporadic shifting between the lower gears. This lead to very hard driving in slow and icy conditions. The car would be at such high rpms at slow speeds such as 20-30 mph that the car would loose traction, so far I have had no accedents with this problem but the potential is very apparent.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to a transmission specialist who stated that the gear solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current and failure mileages were approximately 110,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT (n/a). While driving the over drive light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the mechanic located the failure at the transmission solenoid. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that there were no related recalls. The contact planned to have the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000 the current mileage was approximately 153,300.

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer with approx. 70,000 miles on it. On July 15, 2010, I noticed that the overdrive light was flashing on and off and then the check engine light turned on. This problem happened on and off for about a week. On July 26, 2010, I took the vehicle in for repair and was told that I needed a new transmission and a new solenoid pack. The cost of these items was $2,500! I proceeded to do some internet research and found that this seems to be a common problem with the 2002 and 2003 Ford Explorers. The transmissions of these vehicles have major problems as no one should have to replace a transmission with only 70,000 miles on it. I feel Ford needs to issue a recall of this item as it has caused many people a lot of money to repair.

O/d light began flashing and transmission started to slip from 2nd t 3rd gear. Had the trans solenoid pack replaced which helped for awhile but problem came back after a month or so. Took it to repair shop again and this time they said it's the 4th and 5th gear servos.

Add to the pile. We have a Ford Explorer limited, 2003 built 2004 model. I have had the rear differential repaired at my cost but the car still kicks when put into reverse. We live in australia. I have been told to have two additives put into the transmission fluid and replace the solenoid. The additives are not even available from Ford in australia. They sell it but no parts. Amazing. I even had to source the parts for the rear diff myself from the u. S. Ford australia could not give a price, date etc. They took the money but did not warn anyone about the fact that you are driving a time bomb. We bought this car used from a Ford dealer. I only wish there was a way to prove they knew and did not disclose. It would be an interesting class action against the dealers if Ford will not take responsibility. I just want to get rid of it but can't in clear conscience dump it on some other poor bugger. This car has suffered from every problem from flashing abs to diff to transmission. The last time the transmission slipped the car rolled. Luckily no one was in front of the car considering it was put into reverse.

I bought my 2003 Explorer in 2002 at 110 miles. Within the 3 year warranty the air conditioning had a urine smell and knocking noise in the rear but they didn't want to fix it. As a result I have a slow leak which means it has to be charged every year. In Feb 2007 a crack formed in the rear panel they didn't want to fix. October 2007 at 45000 miles I needed wheel bearings for inspection. At 48000 miles when I paid my truck off may 2008, within a few days the 0/d light & service engine soon light came on resulting in my gears slipping. I found out through several shops that my 2nd and fifth gears were burned out. The dealership said the solenoid body, then has to go in to check for more. I filed a complaint with the attorney general because I had no extended warranty which was a waste of time because Ford wasn't cooperating. So now it's June 2009 and I'm still driving it a whole year later because I can't afford to get it fixed. I learned how to drive the truck but I'm reminded everyday about the problems. Park to reverse is a struggle, it doesn't start easily sometimes, it has no power while driving, abs and door ajar lights stay on, and reverse alarm when to close doesn't work, and instead of being happy I paid it off it's nothing but a feeling of frustration, anger, and regret for buying from Ford.

Driving to work from home, o/d off light began flashing and going from 1st to 2nd gear lagged. Returning home that night, o/d off light began flashing and service engine soon light came on along with lagging in shifting. Took to mechanic who performed transmission maintenance and replaced solenoid. This corrected service engine light, but o/d light still flashed. Found filings in transmission fluid which led to replacing transmission. Found forums that related similar problems with transmission. At least I got 90,000 miles before this happened.

At 40,000 miles 4000 out of warranty, the transmission on my 2003 Ford Explorer catastrophically failed. No warning at all. Driving down the highway, the o/d light started to flash and the car started to shift in and out of gear. My wife nursed the car home. The car had no first gear and would slam from second to third. Ford confirmed this, and said the only fix was a complete transmission. 6,000 miles later, the same thing. Since this was under warranty, Ford said that they could replace some solenoids and that would fix it. . . . Not!! three more trips and finally a transmission that doesn't act up all the time. It still shifts funny and sometimes fails to go into gear. My wife has come close to being rear-ended numerous times, I. E. Backing into the street. This is a safety issue that Ford has been ignoring, read the forums. I have many other numerous complaints about this vehicle. Read differential clutches going bad, keyless entry failing, door locks failing, and a window that works part-time. . . . Kinda like Ford engineers.

2003 Explorer - transmission goes into *neutral* when accelerating between 2nd and 3rd and/or 3rd and 4th. A solenoid body has been replaced 4 times at decreasing mileage intervals. Now failing for 5th time with 2,000 miles since last *. Failure has occurred while attempting to merge with freeway traffic. Pursuing bbb arbitration for repurchase as Ford is unable to repair.