2002 Ford Explorer Power Train Problems
- 283
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 283 stored complaint records:
- 5 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- Automatic Transmission · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 108 |
| 60–100k mi | 59 |
| 150–400k mi | 54 |
| 30–60k mi | 12 |
| 1–30k mi | 8 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train
The car gets stuck in park and will not into reverse, neutral or drive. It doesn't happen often but has been happening at infrequent periods since 2007. It's a nuisance when it does happen but after multiple attempts, depressing the brake and repeatedly attempting to shift; shutting down the engine and restarting and repeating the process; usually does shift into gear. The last incident was more than 4 years ago.…
ODI 11265269
Electrical System · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the transmission independently switched to [redacted] and the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transfer casing and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The ignition coil was replaced and the transfer casing was repaired however…
ODI 11300058
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward after it was parked. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 232,160.
ODI 11128153
Power Train · Steering
The shift lever literally snapped off at the steering column while putting the car into drive. Car couldn't be shifted into park, still running. Keys couldn't even be removed to turn the car off. Very dangerous. Seems like a fairly common problem among 2002 ford explorer owners. Many complaints filed here: https://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/accessories-interior/gear_shift_lever_fell_off-2.shtml
ODI 11046319
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY
ODI 11020649
Power Train
Transmissions going out it started all of a sudden with a vibration in transmission after driving it for a awhile in the higher gears the od light came on an flashed for awhile can u help me
ODI 11016519
Power Train · Suspension · Wheels
The rear stabilizer links just broke out of nowhere not even to latest later the front stabilizer links just broke out of nowhere and i have no steering a whole lot of loose control
ODI 11003536
Power Train
Upon beginning to drive home from work the transmission failed when shifting from second to third gear. There is no longer a third gear in my automatic transmission. In order to get home i had to manually shift with gear shifter and attempt to skip over third gear. Was driving on city streets. Vehicle has 174000 miles on it.
ODI 10991870
Power Train
Transmission needs to be rebuilt with only 88000 miles on engine.
ODI 11001333
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While the vehicle was idling at a stop light, the overdrive warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled several times. In addition, the vehicle was difficult to shift into second and third gear as well as drive, which was when the intermittent stall failure occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The…
ODI 10991130
Glass, Side/Rear · Power Train · Service Brakes · Steering · Suspension · Tires
Driving nd steering wheel fell apart brake switch stopped working 3 times had new transmission put in had to have 3 different sets of tire put on back window shattered while sitting at red light. *tr
ODI 10917406
Power Train
Transmission, jerked, stalled and had difficulty shifting while driving on freeway/ highway. Additionally, the o/d (overdrive) light came on and continually flashed prior to the transmission starting to noisily grind with a burning smell. I've had 5 professional diagnosis all stating it's a different transmission problem. A class action lawsuit and ford motor company recall is needed on the transmissions, this is a…
ODI 10907332
Power Train
My 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer is on its 3rd transmission. It has 78k miles on it. Help
ODI 10897680
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While parking the vehicle, the gear shift lever fractured and separated from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.
ODI 10888218
Power Train
Transmission don't work, gear slip after [redacted] then stop working won't go back or foward
ODI 10874952
Power Train
02 explorer stop shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear, after 2nd gear when it's time to shift it sounds like it goes in neutral, when i let off it finally shifts (hard) it's very dangerous when driving in front of traffic i'm afraid for myself and my children, this is an issue for alot of people, please help us with this issue, this really needs to be recalled thank you *tr
ODI 10861911
Body · Power Train
My 2002 ford explorer 4.6l is having major transmission problems at only 110k miles. It hesitates shifting gears and slips while driving. The vehicle also stalls when stopping at a red light or stop sign. It has the infamous crack down the back hatch. Both are problems thousands of customers have complained about yet ford does nothing. The transmission problem is a very expensive cost to repair and it shouldn't be…
ODI 10853758
Power Train
As i was out driving one day, i pulled off from a green light and out of nowhere the "service engine light" and the "o/d light" both turned on at the same time. At the same time i noticed that the truck began to shift very poorly coming out of 1st and 2nd gear. It is now to the point where there is a really loud "clunk" every time the truck shifts, especially in the lower gears and when putting the truck in reverse.…
ODI 10853526
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While the gear shifter was shifted into the park position, the four wheel drive shifted. While driving 10 mph, the four wheel gears shifted again. The contact activated the gear buttonm but it did not work. The vehicle managed to place itself back into drive gear. The warning lights did not illuminate. The failure occurred numerous times. The dealer was not notified. The…
ODI 10853500
Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While attempting to start the vehicle, the gear shift fractured without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not at the dealer being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
ODI 10836768
Electrical System · Power Train · Suspension
Both rear coil springs broke. Replaced front and rear wheel bearings replaced ball joints replaced transmission has now failed and is now undependable. May fail with out warning no accidents, any of the above could have resulted in an accident ford is aware of all of the mentioned problems and refuses to rectify the problems. This is a wide spread problem with all 2002 ford explorers.
ODI 10816783
Air Bags · Power Train · Suspension
Air bag wiring harness to short : every time you move the seat the air bag light would come on $683.00 repair service technical service bulletin from ford no compensation for repairs miles 22,000. Front wheel bearing failure left and right 60,000 miles. Rear spring failure 75000 miles front spring failure 75000 miles. Fuel tank registers 1/4 tank when tank is empty 45000 miles transmission cellinoid failure 28000…
ODI 10811045
Power Train
Started with flashing of light went to check engine light code p0775 transmission control solenoid b.... From what i'm finding out this is just a symptom of the bigger problem the servo bore leaking and needing a brass sleeve insert fix... I think it's total crap i have to pay for a kit and find someone who will follow the proper refit procedures and pay them when ford is well aware of this issue and should be…
ODI 10807648
Power Train
Gear shifter broke off while putting the car in park.
ODI 10807178
Power Train
The o/d light has started flashing and my check engine light came on, it is not shifting when it should be, going up to 5000 rpms, i have to take my foot off the pedal to try and get it to shift into 3rd. Sometimes it works, other times not so much. After doing a thorough search, i have found a ridiculous amount of complaints identical to mine, most with similar mileage (mine is at 162,000), with the problem being…
ODI 10809495