Transmissions in 2003 Ford Explorer. First transmission replaced at 62,500 miles and second needs replacing at 87,000 miles. Was told by mechanic that is the Ford transmission problem for that year of Explorer may complaints online about the same issue.

- Berkley, MI, USA

I currently own a 2003 Ford Explorer. ABS light had been showing sometimes and gained a small vibration in the engine. Then one day by a turn of the key there was a loud thumb sound and it never started again. Put a new starter on got it started but it had a major pecking sound coming from transmission. Took transmission out and found that the torque had a bad rattle in it. Replaced torque and restarted engine and still had another small pecking sound it was coming from the engine dropped oil pan and found to have a balance shaft chain guide busted and the timing chain was loose. So by the turn of the key resulted in torque lock up in which caused started drive to bust and all the pressure when the new starter kick in broke torque loose and caused the crank to over spin the timing chain in which broke chain guide. So lucky it happened by the turn of the key instead of driving down the road.

- Salyersville, KY, USA

This vehicle is a 2003 Ford Explorer limited with a severe roar coming from the rear end. There is a technical bulletin out at repair shops but no recall. It could result in the gears locking down and losing control while driving. It is a defect of the Ford Motor Co and should be under recall. The cost of repair is around $1400. The noise is so loud that it could block the ability to hear oncoming traffic and emergency vehicles. You don't have to worry about using a cell phone while driving in this vehicle because you would not be able to hear the other person. I understand that all Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury SUV's are a part of this tech-bulletin. The years that are affected are 2002-2006. Please consider issuing a recall soon.

- Camden, SC, USA

Factory rearend was replaced in my 03 Ford Explorer. Since then the problem of gradual rearend deterioration has not been fixed. If the rearend fails catastrophically then a serious accident could occur. Ford motors does not consider this to be a safety concern, but it definitely is. Ford should recall all vehicles with the defective rearends and fix their problem.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

Rear axle loud noise. Front left wheel bearing became extremely noisy. Automatic 4WD control engaged unexpectedly during low speed turns and parking. Several visits to the Ford repair shop, almost $2.5K in repairs, "erroneously" diagnosed. Results: Finally, failures still in place. What a shame!!!

- Santiago, 00, USA

Consistent rear axle whine from 45-65 miles per hour highway driving, dealer, ramp Ford in port jefferson, NY replaced rear end three different occasions, and finally stated that all Explorer make the same noise. They could not give me any indication whether or not this is a safety issue. I definitely get the feeling that they wish I would just go away. There are numerous tsb's on this issue and I can not understand why there is not a recall on this obvious defect.

- Sayville, NY, USA

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4X4, I have had nothing but problems with it, a few months ago I took it to the dealership because the ABS light was on and the 4X4 was not working properly, they supposedly fixed it and told us they replaced a speed sensor, they also found 2 rear axle seal leaks and supposedly fixed those, then in October of '05 I took it in to the dealership because it was jerking between 30 and 40 mph and upon acceleration on hills not mention that I could hear something happening underneath my vehicle, they put it up on the rack and came back out and said the clutch in the rear end was scorched and needed to have the whole rear end replace, so I did but when I was driving it back home after the repair it started jerking again, and after several weeks of worry and wonder another dealership tells me that the transfer case is bad, my Explorer is trying to engage itself in 4X4, so now I am having the transfer case replaced! my Explorer has 41,000 on it right now and Ford has not been much of a help, I have to pay $1500 for the transfer case, I will never buy another Ford product, I will buy a foreign car. Ford really needs to look into all of the complaints and technical service bulletins on these vehicles and I will do anything I can to promote that.

- Hull, GA, USA

I own a Ford Explorer 2003 V6 truck I have had Ford vehicles for the last 15 years. My issue is with Ford service and the trucks transmission. I was in the service bay on August 17 for routine recall stuff and added some basic services to my visit. Oil change, flush and transmission fluid change/check was in order. $500 later I am out the door. 25 days after the initial visit I am back at Ford with concerns about my transmission. It seems to be whining and revving high while changing into 2nd and or 5th gear. The fluid all over my driveway certainly didn't give me a comfortable feeling. Ford service confirmed a problem but could not diagnose it unless they tore it apart. I was instructed to make an appointment at the end of the month because the trans mechanic would be on vacation through end of month. I made an appointment for my truck to "once again" visit the Ford service for an overnight visit. On September 29th. Dropped it off and never got a call for three days. On October 3 end of business day, I called. They seemed to have forgotten my vehicle and would work on it the next day. Tuesday I get a call in the mid morning stating that I need a new transmission or a rebuilt one. Pricing ranges from $2600 to $3400. They couldn't tell my why or any more specifics on how an engine with 47K needs a new transmission. Especially since it was recently in the shop for routine transmission maintenance less than 30 days prior to the incident. To whom it may concern...I have had many Ford for the past 20 years and I have never seen a transmission go up under 50K miles. Whether the service guys didn't tighten up something right or Ford has an inferior product; I feel that I should not be held responsible for this issue. Please advise.

- Timonium, MD, USA

I have recently bought 2 brand new Ford from champion Ford in shreveport Louisiana. My brand new Ford XLT Explorer 2 door sport has been in the shop for various repairs longer than I have had the vehicle. The vehicle was purchased on 09/27/2003 since then the hood had to be re-painted, both side body molding has been replaced, the front turn signal light came loose, both bottom exterior body door trim had to be replaced, interior trim piece below the rear window broke and had to be re-placed, but the main problem is a vibration in the motor/transmission that vibrates the dash I have spent already over $60 in gas back and forth to dealership, me and my wife have taken off two days at work costing us over $500 in loss of pay, I have already paid the first truck note and insurance payment and now the truck is back at the dealership for repairs for approximately one more week of repairs. On 10/17/2003 the truck was brought back to the dealership and my wife drove another Explorer of the same make/model and had no problems I then was told by the service mgr. That this problem was inherent to this make/model. I then approached the sale mgr. With the hopes of either exchanging or trading up too the 4 door model to help defray the profit loss. It was explained to me that the vehicle had already depreciated some $4000 and that to swap vehicles it would cost me an additional $75 an up a month car note. I have contacted Ford Motor Company who basically told me I was stuck with the vehicle even though the dealership has had the vehicle longer than I have had it. I was sent from employee to employee mgr. Of this to mgr. Of that. I would appreciate any information or ideas you could provide me with this situation. This vehicle is to be my wife's truck and I would like her in a safe truck that is safe for her to travel in. The dealership has already replaced the cosmetic faults but has stated that this problem is of doubtful outcome.

- Pineville, LA, USA

The vehicle rolled backwards while in the park. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem.

- Harrodsburg, KY, USA