Overdrive Light On Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

Transmission failure with overdrive light blinking . No first gear,shifts hard , sometime it wont shift without letting off gas . With codespo731,po733,po734,po745 needs total rebuild this happened while driving down the road at 40 miles a hour , abs light is on . Codes show wrong line pressure. Engine knocking , timming chain issues.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer 🔎.

As I was out driving one day, I pulled off from a green light and out of nowhere the "service engine light" and the "o/d light" both turned on at the same time. At the same time I noticed that the truck began to shift very poorly coming out of 1st and 2nd gear. It is now to the point where there is a really loud "clunk" every time the truck shifts, especially in the lower gears and when putting the truck in reverse. I pulled over to ensure that it wasn't something I had done and it wasn't! I let the car sit for a few hours hoping that would clear the issue, but no luck! after much research on the problem this is a very well known problem by Ford motor company and nothing has been done to resolve it for their customers. I purchased this vehicle just under a month ago and already I'm looking at $2,000 to put in a new transmission. Well after purchasing the vehicle I can not afford to fix Ford's mistake!!! this is a clear defect of a Ford product and after spending my hard earned money on one of their products I expect much better from them! even after spending $2,000 on another transmission, it is a sure fact that it is only inevitable that this problem will happen again and again and again to anyone who purchases a 2003 Ford Explorer! if I and I'm sure anyone else would've known this fact, I'm positive; Ford would have not sold as many models. Can we say bamboozled and taken for my money by Ford motor company! please help us customers out and demand a recall on these poorly built components they mass produced and stuck inside a widely marketed and sold vehicle. How would you feel if you and your infant child was driving and out of nowhere. . . Boom. . . Another $2,000 you do not have for another poorly built Ford transmission smh. . . ## VIN failed ## 1fmzu73e42za12044 ##.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer 🔎.

While driving home from work this evening the o/d off light began steadily blinking and the transmission took way too long to shift (rpm almost red line) and wouldn't shift into 5th gear. I was driving on a city street and first noticed the truck not shifting and within 3 minutes of driving the o/d off light began flashing. If you turn the truck off then back on the o/d off light turns off but the truck still won't shift correctly and the light starts to blink again. My truck only has 133,000 miles. I googled this problem and discovered that the vast majority of 2003 Ford Explorer owners have this same problem.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The o/d off light & check transmission lights went on, then vehicle wouldn't shift properly and became inoperable.

Overdrive light starting blinking car started shifting really hard and jerking. This is a known issue with Ford Explorers and need to be recalled. I dont have another vehiclebi really need help please.

I was driving and the car overdrive light started blinking and then I went to drive and it started to and cut off when it jolted like someone hit me and my passenger from the rear but it was the gear or transmission or the overdrive not engaging, not sure. I sat there for about 5 minutes in neutral and then put the car in drive and it moved forward. After I parked the car it repeated the above action.

See all problems of the 2006 Ford Explorer 🔎.

O/d light keeps flashing, will not switch into second gear until you let off the throttle. Gets as high as 38,000- 40,000 rpm.

I got in it after 15 minutes of it warming up, pulled out of the drive and the rpm went to 3000rpm before it shifted in second gear. Then the o/d light started flashing on and off, next the check transmission indicator light came on. Went home and called a mechanic, took it to him and then bad news. It has worked perfectly up to this point.

I took my car to astoria Ford late last year, because it was stalling and losing power. The charged me almost $1,000. 00 and the problem persists. The o/d on off light will stop and start. When it comes on which just started today, the car in any gear while only go forward. In reverse and neutral, only forward. As a police officer this is very dangerous, and I cannot drive the vehicle. Many have submitted complaints about this to Ford, they call it a phantom problem. I hope this phantom problem does not occur in front of a day care.

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I purchased this to use as a second vehicle for camping trips so the mileage on it is very low for its age. Suddenly one day of normal local driving, the o/d light started flashing and the vehicle started to run very rough. It couldn't seem to accelerate and rpms were high. I had to drive home with emergency flashers on since the car felt like it was going to die any moment. Since o/d flashing means something with transmission, I took it to two different transmission repair shops who both diagnosed a bad transmission that would need to be replaced at about $3,500. I was shocked that I would need a new transmission with only 43000 miles on vehicle despite its age. Both shops informed me that the 2002 Ford Explorers are notorious for bad transmissions. I called Ford motor company to request assistance with this repair. They would not help me in any way. The vehicle is not drivable and I am not in a financial position to take on such an expensive repair for a second vehicle. Right now it is sitting unused in my driveway while costing me to keep it insured. Can't believe this has happened to me since I thought I was buying a reputable product. Ford abandoned me when their product failed. I will never buy another Ford product again. The least Ford could have done was assume responsibility for their mistakes and not cheat the public. Other issues I am having is flaking peeling paint and a crack through the Ford emblem on the rear door panel.

I got my Explorer not too long ago. It was running great then out of no where the o/d light keeps flashing and my transmission starts to slip. A lot of people are having this problem and I think Ford needs to step up and take care of this because I have kids and this is my only car and I am on a fixed income. If Ford does not want to fix these problems or recall them then never will I buy a Ford again.

O/d off dash light began to flash. Service engine soon light came on. Transmission needs to be rebuilt. Advised to report this known common problem with 2003 Ford Explorer models.

Ford Explorer 2003 34. 656 miles garage kept o/d light starts blinking at 25miles hr. Transmission servo ports need to be bored & sleeved. Hydraulic pressure low at servo ports.

Explorer o/d light blinks and shifts rough from 1st to 2nd.

O/d light started blinking and my transmission started slipping in the early gears.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Driving forward at 20 mph in a trailer park when overdrive light started flashing and transmission started shifting hard. Was told its a well known problem and thousands of 02 Explorers had this issue. Garage wants 3500. 00 to repair the transmission. I called Ford who had no answers for me and wont fix even though they know its a big issue with these. Thousands of complaints to date. Also clock spring just failed and horn stopped working and air airbag light is flashing.

While driving the o/d light began flashing on my dashboard, the vehicle slowed down to about 15 miles as if the transmission was pulling/slipping, the car made a hard jerk and began to pick-up speed. This cycle repeated until I reached my destination. The light came on again the next day and the same events occurred.

O/d light suddenly starts flashing while driving at normal surface street speeds of 40 - 45 mph. Within 10 miles, the transmission started slipping and it felt like the vehicle was laboring; my wife thought the emergency brake was engaged. She never made it home - within minutes, the vehicle slowed, would not accelerate and subsequently broke down. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Ford dealer who determined the transmission was a total loss. We purchased the extended warranty when we obtained this vehicle from said dealer. Although we had well over 10,000 miles left on the warranty, it had expired less than 4 months ago solely based on calendar days!! this is a secondary vehicle for us and does not get a lot of use; less than 10,000 miles a year. Both the dealer performing the repairs and Ford motor company customer care were surprisingly unsympathetic to the circumstances and were unable (or unwilling) to make any concessions. So, $4,200 and a week later, I had a 'new' re-manufactured transmission. I was somewhat suspicious of the sealed transmission - one that does not have provisions to monitor the transmission fluid - which was manufactured and installed on the 2003 models. After looking into this issue, it has become quite apparent that there has been an inordinate number of these transmission failures on similar vehicles. I expect to get at least 150,000 miles from my automobiles - and I have with a few other vehicles from another us manufacturer. Consumers who use their hard earned money to purchase us manufacturer's products should expect a reasonable amount of quality, reliability and customer service. It is very unlikely that I would consider Ford for my next automobile purchase. Mileage at failure: 111,846.

Transmission is not shifting into second gear and overdrive. Overdrive light flashes. Previous owner had a new transmission put in through Ford motor company and it started occurring again within a week of the replacement. I purchased the vehicle in April and have had it to numerous repair shops for transmission filter changes and tune ups, nothing helps. Now im told it needs a new transmission. The transmission in it now is only 8 months old. It revs really high after first gear then kicks into second only after letting off the gas and manually shifting with the shifter. It will not shift into overdrive at all. The overdrive off light is constantly flashing. I highly doubt my next vehicle will be a Ford!!.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the transmission slipped and caused the overdrive light to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The failure was located and the contact was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The rear hatch frame was also fractured and caused the rear hatch to split in half. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 112,000.

Without any prior indication of an issue, the overdrive light started flashing. After stopping at the next traffic light, it appeared the transmission was having a problem getting into 2nd gear. Needless to say, the tranny problem continued and now needs to be replaced. This issue seems be consistent with that of many, many early 2000s Explorer owners. I feel an investigation into this issue is warranted.

My 2003 Ford Explorer while going down the road, I started to notice that it was a hard shift from 1st to second gear, the rpm would go to almost 4000rpm, then almost slam into gear. My o/d light started flashing, and my check engine light came on, when I got home I researched it on the internet and found there are numerous problems with the Ford transmissions, after contacting Ford they basically told me I was out of luck they wouldn't help,,,, I have been a loyal Ford customer for years and so has the rest of my family and my business uses Ford vehicles. Someone needs to research this, Ford is getting away with a big injustice by making a substandard transmission that is costing their customs thousands of dollars. But all Ford will say is if the NHTSA decides to investigate and sees its a problem then they will act on it.

Three months ago the overdrive light began flashing on my dashboard. The automatic transmission made a loud noise when changing gears. Sometimes the rpm's will rev but the car will not increase in speed. The light will not turn off and the transmission continues to shift harshly.

Vehicle transmission will not shift into upper gears. O/d light blinks on and off. There are many complaints on this issue to Ford. Ford will not repair or compensate owners for this known dangerous and faulty transmission issue on many 2000-2003 Explorer's. This should be a recall.

2000 Ford Explorer . . I bought this vehicle brand new from dealer and I am diligent with upkeep. Truck has 75000 miles and recently the transmission is slipping between 2 nd and 3 rd gear with the rpms increasing to over 5000 rpms before it will shift. The o/d light starts to flash. This problem is very dangerous when pulling onto highways because the truck basically hesitates before it finally accelerates. Not too happy with Ford right now!.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I purchased a 2004 Ford Explorer in July 0f 2011, and traded in my 2001 Oldsmobile of 5 years. I also purchased the 12 month 12,000 mile warranty. Before driving it off the lot I had the dealer fix the abs system because the light was on. There is a crack going down the back of the trunk but nothing else was wrong at the time so I left the crack alone. In April of 2012 I took it to the dealership for a belt, check trans, shocks, ball joints, and a ticking in the heater when knob was turned to heat (not cool). I told him to just fix what was on the warranty and also give it a oil change. He informed me that the trans was fine. After getting the car back my heat went out and I was told by a mechanic buddy that my brakes, rotters, emergency brake pads and the back tires were shot. So I had him replaced them because this was also not covered on warranty. Just last week my rpm started jumping with miles over 65. (no lights were on at the time)so I took it to 6 different places getting estimates on what could be wrong. All shops said the same thing. "start with fuel filter, oil filters and oil change". The day after I paid for all this the service engine light came on. (egr valve code) the man at auto zone told me to take it off and clean it with spray and let it dry before replacing. I took it to a shop and had them do this. The same day I picked up the car my service engine light came on again, o/d light and the car was driving like I was hauling a bus and jumping. I took it back the next day and he replaced the egr valve new since the same code was showing up. Later that day after getting it back the car started doing the same thing after driving for 5 miles this was Friday 9/21/12.

The o/d light flickers on and off and there appears to be no third gear, according to three mechanical transmission inspections. Researching websites indicates that this is a known prevalent problem for this vehicle. Need to know: 1. Was there a recall? 2. What, if anything, Ford is willing to do to fix or compensate for the considerable expense involved to repair this obvious defect.

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT with 105,000 miles on it. Yesterday (4/24/12) it would not go into reverse and had difficulty shifting into 2 and 3 gear + the overdrive light just started blinking on and off. I took it back to the Ford dealer where I purchased it and I am told it will cost me $4,000. 000 to repair! I have contacted Ford motor customer service (fmcs) and they tell me that there are no recalls on this issue nor can they offer me any assistance with the cost. The guy I spoke to at the fmcs was rather shocked at the $4,000 price tag and did agree with me that the trans failed prematurely. However, there was nothing he could do to help me. This conversation was recorded by the Ford customer service center out of florida. I have been online looking over several blogs and several web sites and it appears that this is a common problem. It also appears that the Ford Explorer has a huge problem with transmission failure, mostly from the early 2000s -- especially the 2002 to 2004 Ford Explorer. Mine is a 2003!.

On April 6th of this year I purchased a 2004 Ford Explorer. The next day I took the car for city inspection. . . It passed. The very next day (Sunday) the check engine light came on. The abs light would also illuminate. I took the car to autozone to have it diagnosed (egr valve). Only the check engine light could be diagnosed because the abs light came on at random while I was driving. The car was still under the 1000 mile warranty so the egr valve was replaced and a speed sensor believed to be the problem with the abs light. I purchased an independent extended warranty so I would be covered for any surprise expenses. I had my chance to use it in just a few months later when the car ran hot. The repair was not covered. This happened in July, just a few months after buying the car. Earlier this month (November 2012) the service engine light came on again but it didn't stay on so I couldn't get it diagnosed. No need to have it diagnosed because the battery light came on too. I took it to autozone once again and the battery tested bad. It wouldn't start at the store. I bought the battery, it was installed and checked again. The alternator showed it wasn't charging. I had to have the alternator replaced. With the cold weather, I discovered the defrost vents don't work. Air only blows from front vents. On the morning of November 19th, I was taking my son to school and the overdrive light started flashing. It happened again while on my way home from work on November 21st. So now I suppose I have transmission problems. Ford needs to answer for their horrible engineering.

The transmission is having trouble shifting from 2nd to 3rd, engine light and o/d off lights are on. Local mechanic says that the intermediate band on the transmission is broken. This is a sealed unit with no way to service without a rebuild.

The o/d off light began blinking and there was uncontrolled deceleration and when accelerating from a stop there is higher than the usual rpm's needed to shift from first to second gear. My investigation revealed this is a known problem with this particular year of Ford Explorer and there was an article in April, 21, 2009, atlanta constitution-journal reports regarding an announcement by the NHTSA regarding the faulty transmission problems. At this time there is no current recall for this issue, however, it is a costly repair to consumers for an issue which Ford and the NHTSA is aware of.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 15 mph and the overdrive light illuminated while the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and a diagnostic test was performed. The failure was located at the third gear, which would not shift, and caused the transmission to fail. The transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 152,000.

O/d light flashing and wont go into overdrive. The transmission is a sealed unit.

O/d light came on and the transmission started slipping and slamming in and out of gears and the engine started over revving. I have to pull off the road and turn car off and wait about 10 seconds to start car again in order for problem to clear. This has happened may times since. I bought the car new and have returned it to the Ford dealer 3 times while under warranty and there fixes would not last long. Now they want $3,000 to replace the transmission which I feel they should have done in the first place. I contacted Ford customer service and of course they said there was nothing they could do because it was out of warranty. I feel because of the cars history and low miles on it they should have at least done something. I feel if this happens on a major highway it could cause a major accident.