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
A part that should never fail, the shifter handle broke off. This appears to be a common and expensive failure. *tr
ODI 10651993
Engine · Power Train
Timing chain problems; back chain 'plastic' tensor broke and affected critically entire engine. Many people with the same problem. Transmission solenoid problems; shift rough from 1st to 2nd. Put new solenoid block, problem still there. Ford does not know what the problem is. Many people with the same problem. *tr
ODI 10597782
Power Train · Structure
I purchased this to use as a second vehicle for camping trips so the mileage on it is very low for its age. Suddenly one day of normal local driving, the o/d light started flashing and the vehicle started to run very rough. It couldn't seem to accelerate and rpms were high. I had to drive home with emergency flashers on since the car felt like it was going to die any moment. Since o/d flashing means something with…
ODI 10627112
Power Train
I got my explorer not too long ago. It was running great then out of no where the o/d light keeps flashing and my transmission starts to slip. A lot of people are having this problem and i think ford needs to step up and take care of this because i have kids and this is my only car and i am on a fixed income. If ford does not want to fix these problems or recall them then never will i buy a ford again. *tr
ODI 10596943
Power Train
When is the nhtsa going to address the chronic issues with the 2002-2005 ford explorer automatic transmissions? It is common knowledge ( including by ford) that these transmissions all fail anywhere from 50,000 miles up to less than 150,000 miles. Towing with this vehicle has nothing to do with the issue.the market is flooded with these broken explorers and they are the regular customers at the repair shops if…
ODI 10632648
Air Bags · Power Train
First of all the transmission is starting to slip. When accelerating the car transmission slips when shifting into third gear. Took to dealer and they said they need to repair the transmission. The second problem is that the airbag light came on. I have not been in a accident or anything. It just came on. I read online that if the light is on and i am in an accident the airbags wont deploy. This seems really…
ODI 10598610
Mechanical · Power Train
I was at the school to pick up my kids,i turn on my ford explorer 2002 xlt v6 4.[redacted] and then the shift lever broke on neutral position, that was dangerous because, how will i park my car? If it happened on a downhill, how are we going to park it.is that possible to make a recall a ford company to fix the car. *tr
ODI 10594451
Differential Unit · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the rear differential was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The recent vehicle failure was not repaired. The…
ODI 10592435
Engine · Power Train
Explorer o/d light blinks and shifts rough from 1st to 2nd.
ODI 10579020
Power Train
Third transmission failure since 2010. Bought a ford remanufactured trans as this is my second 2002 with a failed trans. The first one i bought failed seven months later. Replaced under warranty at 17,000 miles later. Fast forward to last saturday. Same failure as the last two. No help from ford, probably surprised i made it through the warranty. *tr
ODI 10569465
Automatic Transmission · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly hesitate and the speed would decelerate. The contact indicated that the check transmission sensor light and over drive light had iluminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 10606347
Power Train
I am an owner of a 2002 ford explorer. I have had numerous issues with the transmission. When traveling at highway speeds the transmission will intermittently disengage causing the vehicle to have to be pulled to the side of the road, shift into park, then back to drive. I have consulted with my local ford dealership numerous times on the issue. I have been repeatedly told that this is a known issue with the ford…
ODI 10670705
Power Train
After having driven about 20 miles from home, i noticed several indicator lights flashing on my dash and the car was no longer shifting properly. I managed to return home with the car not wanting to properly up shift. When i took it to a repair shop, about 5 miles from home, i also lost reverse gear. Transmission ended up needing to be replaced. *tr
ODI 10565285
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
It is having trouble shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. Engine revs up to and over 4,000rpms and slams into the gears. *tr
ODI 10565490
Power Train
Transmission not shifting into overdrive have to let gas to make it shift change screen tired to correct problem another problem fords good idea to put cheap timing chains in the 4.0 v6 engines thank you *tr
ODI 10564982
Power Train · Steering
After driving into a parking spot i tried to put the car into park and the gearshift fell. After it fell again i tried once more and it broke completely off. We had to take it to the dealership whom just turned it off and later informed us that they would have to replace the entire steering column which would cost $1700 just because one piece was poorly constructed and made of soft metal. It has been almost a month…
ODI 10567129
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the gear shift lever fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
ODI 10563386
Power Train
Transmission seals fell off in the driveway, transmission completely failed. *tr
ODI 10557460
Power Train
This 5r55w transmission had to be replaced at 108,890 miles for $3500 while my daughter lived at college. I purchased a 3-year 36,000 mile ford warranty as i was confounded that a truck transmission might fail at such an early age. 3-years 16-days 35,652 miles later this ford reman ford installed trans also failed and ford is unwilling to accept any responsibility for cost of repair replace, 16-days beyond a 100%…
ODI 10560606
Power Train · Steering
Yesterday evening, i got into my 2002 ford explorer and noticed the gear shift lever was stuck in park. I was unable to shift into reverse in order to back out of the driveway. This morning i figured i would give it another attempt as i needed to head out for work. As i tried again, i simply applied the break, grabbed the shift lever and as i pulled the towards me and began to pull down to shift into reverse the…
ODI 10556342
Power Train
Tl- the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while parked he placed the gear in drive when the gear assembly detached. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated the gear assembly would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.the vehicle was being repaired. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000. Da
ODI 10556182
Power Train · Steering
As i was driving in snow, i put the car into reverse to go around another car. When i put it back in drive the gear shift handle broke off in my hand. I was stuck in my car unable to shift, if i turned it off i would not have been able to restart the car. I had to sit on the side of the road and figure out how to get it back into gear with my foot on the brakes. *tr
ODI 10556010
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle came to a complete stop and the engine continued to revved up. The contact stated that as a result of the failure another vehicle rear ended her vehicle. A police report was filed. The driver and passenger sustained whiplash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 10573944
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, a burning odor was noticed as the rear differential seized within moments. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the rear differential had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. Th e manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate…
ODI 10552208
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Heard a knocking noise went to mechanic. Was told i blew a two holes through timing chain cover. Went online found that it is a recurring problem for that year of ford. Very upset there is no recall. Was told it would cost at least 2000 to fix. Ford needs to do something about this. I want to go to media to let everyone that has this problem know that ford knows about it and will not do anything. Apparently everyone…
ODI 10546818