The Lemon IndexThird gear isn't matching the expected engine-to-wheel speed, which usually means slipping in that gear.
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
Low or burnt fluid. Then: worn clutches; solenoid or valve body fault.
Owners named P0733 in 30 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford Escape.
Cars owners report it on
Complaints that name P0733, by model. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Years owners report it on most: 2002 Ford Explorer · 2021 Jeep Gladiator · 2014 Ford Escape · 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Transmission problems by year: Ford Escape · Jeep Gladiator · Ford Explorer · Jeep Grand Cherokee
The details
What P0733 means
Third gear isn't matching the expected engine-to-wheel speed, which usually means slipping in that gear.
Can I drive with P0733?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
33% of the owner complaints that name P0733 also say the car transmission slips or shifts hard. A complaint can describe more than one problem, so this doesn't prove the code caused it.
Common causes of P0733
- Low or burnt fluid
- Worn clutches
- Solenoid or valve body fault
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Transmission slips or shifts hard: 33% of complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode: 17% of complaints
- Stalls or shuts off: 7% of complaints
- Warning lights and electrical faults: 7% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Model years that report P0733 most
2002 Ford Explorer (3), 2021 Jeep Gladiator (3), 2014 Ford Escape (2), 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee (2).
Related codes
P0732 P0734 P0731 P0735 P0730 P0736 P0729 P0740
Quick answers
What does P0733 mean?
Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio. Third gear isn't matching the expected engine-to-wheel speed, which usually means slipping in that gear.
Can I drive with P0733?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
What causes P0733?
Low or burnt fluid; Worn clutches; Solenoid or valve body fault.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P0733. A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis. Meanings: the standard SAE J2012 definitions in our own words; manufacturer codes only where verified for that make. General information, not repair advice for your car.