2003 Ford Expedition Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 8%of 615 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Ford Expedition, 8% of the 615 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2003 Ford Expedition would not start after long tow to mechanic it was a burnt relay switch but now it turns off while driving, change the relay switch and problem is temporarily fixed now since the relay is for the fuel pump and PCM my transmission is acting up not shifting 3rd or over drive no one can figure out the problem but we are scared to drive the truck!”
NHTSA complaint #10386038, filed 2011-03, 107,000 miles“The transmission has failed twice in my Ford explorer, first at about 2500 and now, after a rebuilt engine was installed, at 205,000. As well, I have had differential problems, moon roof issues, paint issues, cracked head, etc.”
NHTSA complaint #10455435, filed 2012-04, 25,000 miles“I have a rubbing / grinding noise coming from my rear end on my 2003 Ford Expedition. And as I look on the internet there are 100's of people that are complaining about the same problem. This has to be a known issue with Ford and they aren't standing behind there product.”
NHTSA complaint #10233008, filed 2008-07, 53,000 miles“Why is there no warning light,or signal of any kind when the PCM fails? Our PCM failed, which caused our catalytic converters, 02 sensors, & fuel pump to fail. Our ignition coils had to be replaced. Would have been nice if a warning light came on the dash. This has caused our Expedition engine to randomly shut off while driving countless times! I have miraculously been able to maneuver my Expedition to the side of the freeway &have it towed eight times without killing myself, my family or any one else! …”
NHTSA complaint #10458864, filed 2012-05, 95,905 miles“I kept feeling a slipping feeling in the rear of my 2003 Ford Expedition. Like a gear and notches of the gear were not lining up properly to inter-lock and turn. It would feel like a jumping, slipping. I took it local dealership, they replaced the rear clutches. Since that time, it has been in two different dealerships in less than a year and the rear clutches have been replaced five times and now I am about to take in for number six.”
NHTSA complaint #10172281, filed 2006-10, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214754Jun 21, 2022Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may…
- 10028736May 1, 2009Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle…
- 10014100Jan 1, 2006Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 10018069Sep 1, 2005A tiny crack, or cracks, around the transfer case drain plug hole.
- 10014668May 1, 2005Axle seal leaks.
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
- 10014659Mar 1, 2005Axle whine howl. This includes 1997-05 ford vehicles.
- 10012977Feb 1, 2005Tiny crack or cracks around the transfer case drain plug.
- 10012959Feb 1, 2005Axle whine howl service with individual parts instead of an axle assembly.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 13% |
| 2024 | 5 | 6% |
| 2023 | 11 | 17% |
| 2022 | 16 | 14% |
| 2021 | 113 | 47% |
| 2020 | 268 | 63% |
| 2019 | 224 | 43% |
| 2018 | 149 | 39% |
| 2017 | 51 | 14% |
| 2016 | 36 | 17% |
| 2015 | 29 | 18% |
| 2014 | 34 | 47% |
| 2013 | 43 | 47% |
| 2012 | 64 | 54% |
| 2011 | 21 | 30% |
| 2010 | 10 | 17% |
| 2009 | 4 | 14% |
| 2008 | 14 | 10% |
| 2007 | 27 | 13% |
| 2006 | 22 | 7% |
| 2005 | 44 | 14% |
| 2004 | 27 | 9% |
| 2003 | 50 | 8% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 40 | 7% |
| 2000 | 42 | 5% |
| 1999 | 67 | 7% |
| 1998 | 70 | 8% |
| 1997 | 76 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Expedition
127 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsBrakes
87 complaintsAir bags
59 complaintsTires
57 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsSuspension
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Expedition
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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