2003 Ford E Series Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 20%of 5 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,187miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Ford E Series, 20% of the 5 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,187 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Grinding noise from the rear end while backing or making low speed turns. Per 3 different mechanics, this is a common problem with the Ford explorer due to the rear differential. This problem has been repeatedly documented both here and in online forums. It requires a $1000.00 repair with no guarantee that the repair will prevent the problem from recurring.”
NHTSA complaint #10178866, filed 2007-01, 47,187 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10030836Aug 1, 2009Ford: multiple vehicles with a torq shift transmission intermittent clunk when shifting between drive, reverse and park and/or during 2-3 upshift. Models f super duty; e series…
- 10014275Jan 1, 2005A driveline clunk or bump when starting from a stop.
- 10013316Jan 1, 2005A cold weather reverse engagement stall.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Ford E Series
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford E Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology