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 · Rear
36,006 miles rear axle seals started leaking, had new set put on. Not even 10,000 miles & that set started leaking. Had third set put on. 61,500 miles & leaking again! Mechanic says i have a broken rear coil spring. Could the springs have been faulty all long causing the rear axle seals to leak? *tr
ODI 10261727
Power Train
Ford is a great company. I love their f-350, mustangs, and vans. But the main problem is the 2002 ford explorer transmission. I have seen and researched thousands of complaints the citizens have sent to ford and through yourselves. And yet to now prevail? What right does a person have to create a vehicle and not own up to its complication. Now i'm not saying their are perfect cars but a ford explorer has them. Now i…
ODI 10462943
Power Train
Gear shift lever broke off. While parking my 2002 ford explorer, the gear shift lever sheared off in the steering column, leaving the vehicle stuck in reverse gear. A quick search with google reveals a significant number of identical failures, indicating a common manufacturing defect. Ford have not issued any form of recall or other assistance for this problem. Had the failure happened while driving (perhaps while…
ODI 10257171
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle became hesitant to acceleration. After shutting the engine off and restarting, the check engine and od warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
ODI 10559229
Power Train
Takata recall i have had to have the transmission rebuilt in my 2002 ford explorer 3 times. The first time in 2008 with 107,262, second time june 2012 with 136671 miles and the 3rd time in september 2015 with 184,086 miles on it. I would say that anytime you have to replace your transmission that many times there is definitely a defect in the transmission of the explorer.
ODI 10923956
Power Train · Steering
Gear shifter broke off steering column in 2002 ford explorer. When putting vehicle in park the gear shifter broke off, leaving the vehicle inoperable. It was towed to the dealer and then driven to our home. Learned form internet search of at least 26 similar complaints regarding 2002 ford explorer automatic. *tr
ODI 10252840
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive warning light illuminated and the vehicle exhibited abnormal noises. The dealer advised the contact to replace the transmission and performed the repairs in november 2008 however, in october 2011 the failure recurred. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 51,000 and the…
ODI 10428793
Automatic Transmission · Power Train
Ford 2002 6 cylinder explorer xlt o/d off light flashing on dashboard. Transmission problem started with 100,800 mile. Had rebuilt transmission done at 100,800 miles. Now vehicle has 109,900 miles and od/off light flashing again. Was told that transmission is falling apart. Back in transmission shop again. There are thousands of same complaints for the same problem on 2002 ford explorers. Ford will not help at all!…
ODI 10323861
Power Train
On the day in question i was pulling out of the staff parking lot from the prison that i work at as an adult corrections officer, upon shifting the automatic gear shift stick from park to drive the shifter snapped and broke right into my hand hanging by a wire. Was able to drive home and park it but had to disconnect the battery terminals to get my key out of the ignition. Upon removal of the under steering column…
ODI 10245754
Power Train
Ford explorer rear end differential constantly needs replacing. Ford dealer charger me $1800 and used salvage parts eventhough i told them not too. *tr
ODI 10282826
Power Train
I have a 2002 ford explorer that have at least 66,000 mileage on this car . I have a very weird accident on september 24,2008. I was on my way home from work when the accident happen. I was in the parking lot of the va medical center in east orange nj. At around 5:45 pm i came to my car and found my car have dead battery so va police gave a jump start and the car start. So after 2 minutes the car running i started…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 10254949
Power Train · Rear
Rear spring broken on 2002 ford explorer with 80,000 miles. *tr
ODI 10242014
Power Train
I pulled into the driveway at my house and went to put my 2002 ford explorer xlt into park when the gear shift lever broke off in my hand. I still cannot believe that anyone with any sense would engineer and/or design a product that gets so much use out of such shoddy material. If you want to know why our auto companies are going out of business - ask ford engineers. *tr
ODI 10241681
Air Bags · Power Train
I bought my 2002 ford explorer in 2005. At about 85000 miles i noticed the transmission started to slip and often jerks real hard when shifting into 3rd. I had the transmission fluid changed by an authorized ford dealer in my area and they told me there are no metal shavings in the fluid, however, they did tell me that the 2002 fords are well knows for having transmission problems and they see it all the time in…
ODI 10423877
Power Train
The transmission on my 2002 ford explorer failed at about 86,000 miles and required $3000.00 to repair. Ford acknowledged that it was a design flaw but would do nothing to cover any of the repair costs. After researching this online and talking to mechanics there are thousands of 2002 ford explorer transmissions that have failed. This is a textbook case of the need for a recall requiring ford to replace the…
ODI 10425886
Power Train
Overdrive light blinking on 2002 ford explorer xlt. Then service engine light came on. Went to mechanic who said transmission died. This should not happen to a car with less than 80k miles. Ford needs to fess up and issue a recall. This is happening to too many people. *tr
ODI 10239411
Power Train
I bought the 2002 explorer new from a ford dealer. At 86,000 miles the transmission proved to be defective and had to be replaced costing $3,000. Just today 11/19/2013 at 134,000 miles the transmission needs to be replaced again $4,200.00. I have seen several websites with hundreds of posting telling about similar problems with ford transmissions. Here is one such sites web address:…
ODI 10552987
Power Train
Rear differential does not allow speed differences between wheels. Car turns like it has a locked or fixed axle. Causes a shudder when turning. Could results in control problems with the vehicle during sudden maneuvers. Issue is due to faulty clutch pack in the ford factory differential or incorrect differential fluid specification from factory. Not really sure which. Solution was to replace the clutch pack. Ford…
ODI 10237286
Power Train
I have a 2002 ford explorer with 103,000 miles on it. The rear end of the suv has started making a humming noise. I took it to my mechanic and they said the entire rear differential and wheel bearings will need to be replaced. After some research i have discovered many many 2002 ford explorer owners have the same problem. This problem will cost over $1000 to fix. If it is not fixed it is an issue that will seriously…
ODI 10236771
Power Train
2002 ford explorer xlt, 79,409 miles, placing car into park from drive and the gear shift breaks off in my hand. The transmission is now between reverse and park with no way of me being able to turn the car off. I used the emergency break so that it would not roll out of the parking spot (because of course i was on an incline) and the car ran for one hour and twenty minutes before it got to the dealer and they were…
ODI 10236948
Power Train
My wife drives a 2002 ford explorer which as already had extensive rear end repair. It makes a roaring sound whenever the car is moving and it is leaking what i believe is transmission fluid from the rear end. Ford denies having problems with that particular car though i have found hundreds of complains on line about transmission and drive train failures in this particular model. A reliable mechanic has told me that…
ODI 10233110
Power Train
I have a 2002 ford explorer xlt with approximately 98,700 miles on it. While driving down the road there is a whining noise coming from the rear end. When i took it to a ford dealer in mcconnellsburg pa i was informed that the rear end was failing, as well as the front bearings of the suv were failing. The bearings had previously been replaced 2 years ago. I was also advised by the dealership that ford motor co,…
ODI 10238591
Driveline · Power Train
2002 ford explorer limited, 4wd, 4.6l - 84,000 miles: rear differential unit whining/roaring for a few months and getting progressively worse. I have mechanical background and looked at the vehicle on rack with mechanic. Rear differential is obviously very bad and i am lucky i did not take my family on vacation with this problem as if the wheels would have locked at highway speed it could cause serious…
ODI 10232457
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
ODI 10243496
Power Train
At 75,000 miles, the vehicle started to make an extreme grinding noise in the rear. Took to a car repair shop and they indicated the rear differential was shot. All the bearings in all four wheels were shot. The car repairman indicated that he has seen many of explorers come in with this exact same problem. To make matters even worse, the parts are not engineered to repair economically. You must buy all new…
ODI 10229010