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O/D Light Flashes
2003 Ford Explorer (Page 12 of 13)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2003 Ford Explorer one of our worst vehicles on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.
Another common problem for the 2002-2003 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
8.3
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $2,320
- Average Mileage:
- 104,950 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 243 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (95 reports)
- replace with rebuilt transmission (53 reports)
- replace the transmission (39 reports)
- complete overhaul recommended (18 reports)
- rebuild transmission (16 reports)
- rebuilt transmission installed (8 reports)
transmission problem
Helpful websites
- Customer - My 2003 Explorer 4.0 AWD 126700 was shifting fine, then, it started staying in 1st too long, O/D light flashing, check engine light came on. Transmission shop said the servo ports needed to be bored, brass sleeves inserted/transmission rebuilt $2000. I went to the above website, saw that the symptoms were the same as what I had, ordered the modified servos, had a shop install them, and vehicle shifts like new. Total cost for parts and installation less than $700. Check it out
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I feel like all those people who invested in Enron. First, last May my vehicle was at my local dealership for 7 weeks up on a hoist waiting for a rear tie rod that could not be found in the country. Spent around $500 for a rental car which Ford refused to pay. Not under warranty but would have taken a few days to fix if Ford had the part available.
Now for what you wanted to hear. Went down at 107,000 while traveling in the UP (if from Michigan you know). OD light flashing and after a while the service engine soon light came on. Took it to Newberry Motors in Newberry, MI where they charged me $111 to plug my car in to a little computer that told them there were 3 errors that had to do with the transmission. I drove the car, made it back to our house a few hours away. Took it to a local shop. They replaced the control module with a new one which, when tested, showed 15 errors. They sent it back and replaced with another. He thought it solved the problem until a few days later we were back with the OD problem and shifting as well. I was directed to a transmission place by a friend of mine. The guy took me for a ride in the car and explained to me what was going on. He said it would cost $2000 but should only be $1700, since I already had the control module replaced, to rebuild the transmission. He said he would update it and make mods to it so I won't' have a problem with it again. He said other transmission places rebuild it like it was before which is of course bad. I hope this solves the problem. I dealt with Ford with my rear tie rod problem and had enough of their fake sympathy. My favorite quote is still from my wife when one of the Ford reps said "We understand your frustration." She replied, "NO, You don't! You drove to work in your car today!" We have 2 Hondas (Accord and CR-V) that run circles around the quality of this vehicle. No more Fords for us or my little girl when she gets older. My parents won't buy Fords because of my situation. Please contact if class action lawsuit. HONDAS RULE! Also, shame on you NEWBERRY MOTORS! Transmission guy did what it took you to do in 5 minutes and didn't charge me a thing!
- Stephen H., Marion, MI, US