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O/D Light Flashes
2003 Ford Explorer (Page 13 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
4 years old, and only 50k miles and the O/D light starts flashing. I also had been having problems of when I stepped hard on the gas, it felt like nothing would happen for a few seconds - very scary in busy traffic situations. And occasionally I would hear/feel a big clunk when slowing down and stopping. Called my local dealership, and they wanted $125 just to diagnose! Since it wouldn't be covered under warranty, I took it to a reputable transmission shop, got a free diagnosis. They were hoping it was just a solenoid problem. Wound up having to pull the transmission, and found that the clutches were basically falling apart in there! They also told me that they work on a lot of Ford Explorers, usually around 70K. I thought this transmission wasn't supposed to need service until 125K!?!?! And get this - you put in the transmission fluid in the same hole you take it out from - you have to pump it in - what a pain! I love my Explorer, but this is my first ever experience with having to dump this kind of money into a car. This had better be the last of my troubles. BTW - seems to be working great now. Runs better than ever! I think this car had transmission problems from the get go! I've owned it 4 years now, but got it used. This is the best it ever ran - I'm wondering if this is the reason why the previous owner got rid of it soo quickly.
- jennifer b, Eugene, OR, US