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
1st transmission total failure at 87k miles 2nd transmission total failure at 156k miles vehicle is driven very light duty usage by a mature woman (now 86 years old at the time of the 2nd failure). From researching on the internet i have found that ford many issues with early mileage transmission failures and never a recall for this issue. I'm filing this on behalf of my mother
ODI 10783866
Power Train · Unknown Or Other
I was driving along and the over drive light off started flashing and i started experiencing the vehicle starting to shift harder in 1 & 2 gears!
ODI 10765038
Air Bags · Power Train
I financed this vehicle thru 123 auto in homosassa fl citrus county and it has a airbag that is no good and no horn and the transmission was bad the day i bought it and they will not fix so i am currently paying to get it fixed i was told to make a complaint with this office to see if you can help me get something done because it is not right
ODI 10780744
Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the transmission shifted from third gear to fourth gear independently and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle made an abnormal noise and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the transmission was burned out and needed to be replaced. The…
ODI 10735120
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift into different gears. The contact mentioned that there was a loud whining sound coming from the transmission. While driving up a hill, the contact was unable to change gears and had to apply the brakes in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of…
ODI 10725826
Power Train
Vehicle lunges at red lights or when i put it in park or take it out of park. Rpms go up to 4000 rpms and wont shift. Od light stays on and flashes while driving and shifts up and down while driving. Almost ran through a store front one day as i pulled up because the rpms were so high. If rpms are up sitting at red light it cruises by itself when i let off brake at 30mph but wont go any faster when i give it gas…
ODI 10855082
Power Train
Transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear unless you let off gas. *tr
ODI 10703362
Power Train
The transmission would not shift between gears in my 2002 ford explorer resulting in my being unable to accelerate on the massachusetts turnpike at rush hour. *tr
ODI 10704111
Power Train
Gear shifter broke off while attempting to shift the vehicle in reverse. I am thankful that i was at home in my own driveway and that it did not go into gear. It is stuck in park, but my keys are stuck in the ignition. This seems like it could be a safety hazard if the car were to go into gear, or get stuck in reverse. *tr
ODI 10690150
Power Train
While driving the vehicle made a loud "bump" and then i lost all acceleration. This problem needs to be addressed by ford, this is very dangerous to all of the sudden lose a transmission while driving. I have seen numerous complaints on the transmission of this year of vehicle, so there is obviously a problem. Transmissions are not cheap by any means, i don't know how i'm going to get the money to fix mine. I…
ODI 10693808
Power Train
Driving on the interstate at 70 mph. Transmission failed while driving in traffic. Was nearly hit trying to get vehicle off the road. No warning, transmission just went. Huge problem and safety issue with ford explorer. *tr
ODI 10683586
Engine · Power Train
Bought an explorer we thought was a private owner on craiglist in chicago, and found out he was a dealer from indiana. He signed the title as first auto inc. 2620 165th in hammond in 46323. The name of seller is [xxx] . The dmv file a complaint on our behalf and stated what he did was illegal. We did not know he was a dealer til when we tried to transfer our plates the next day. We took the truck in for service and…
ODI 10668513
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 mph, the gear shift fractured and only operated in reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.
ODI 10664915
Power Train
O/d light keeps flashing, will not switch into second gear until you let off the throttle. Gets as high as 38,000- 40,000 rpm. *tr
ODI 10667660
Power Train
I got in it after 15 minutes of it warming up, pulled out of the drive and the rpm went to 3000rpm before it shifted in second gear. Then the o/d light started flashing on and off, next the check transmission indicator light came on. Went home and called a mechanic, took it to him and then bad news. It has worked perfectly up to this point. *tr
ODI 10664898
Engine · Power Train
Overdrive light came on. Check transmission light came on. The truck suddenly started screeching loudly, nearly caused an accident while going to the airport on an expressway. *tr
ODI 10664913
Power Train
Parked in parking lot on level surface. Started engine went to put in reverse and shifting lever fell off. Contacted ford instead of selling broken part wanted to sell complete steering column. *tr
ODI 10650905
Power Train · Steering
The handle to shift the manual transmission from park to reverse broke off at the metal part inside the steering column. This is could have been very dangerous if i was driving! Ford states they no longer produce the part. *tr
ODI 10648973
Power Train
Went to put vehicle in reserve and gear shift on the column fell in my hand, completely snapped. *tr
ODI 10648207
Power Train
Transmission failure before 100000 miles while on freeway
ODI 10926766
Power Train · Wheels
Was driving on the highway and felt a sharp jerk/pull to the right. At first thought it was a flat tire so got off on next exit. Wasn't a flat tire but could smell something awful. Made grinding sound and still had bad smell, knew we had to drive it back to the place we are staying at. Had hazard lights on and only drove 10-15 mph because of the sound and because of how scary it was. Knew something bad was happening…
Fire reported
ODI 10621227
Power Train
At first when shifting the transmission wouldn't go into any gear. We had the transmission replaced. When got vehicle back still had same problem took it to transmission specialist put on computer fixed the initial problem. The transmission we had put in had much more problems. Overdrive started blinking then lost 2nd and 5th gear
ODI 10896115
Column Shift · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while parking, the shift selector fractured while attempting to shift from drive to park. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
ODI 10617989
Power Train
Pulled into a parking space (flat surface) and attempted to put the car into park and the gearshift lever broke off into my hand. The same thing happen about a year ago, and our mechanic replaced the defective parts. *tr
ODI 10610484
Power Train
Driving in rush hour traffic, transmission would not shift into high. I was almost hit by a semi truck on i-94 near i-275. *tr
ODI 10605756