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 transmission slips between first and second gear, the check engine light comes on. The code reads bad servo when read by the nh inspection station. Investigation on internet and through dealer inquiries states this is a very common problem with explorer automatic transmissions in this manufacturing time period , everything and everyone states there should be a recall. This is a very well known problem by ford…
ODI 10546672
Power Train
Driving forward at 20 mph in a trailer park when overdrive light started flashing and transmission started shifting hard. Was told its a well known problem and thousands of 02 explorers had this issue. Garage wants 3500.00 to repair the transmission. I called ford who had no answers for me and wont fix even though they know its a big issue with these. Thousands of complaints to date. Also clock spring just failed…
ODI 10547787
Power Train
I purchased this vehicle in july 2013 and drove it approximately one month when i began to notice that the transmission was not shifting properly. While driving along there was a sudden decline in my speed while the rpms continued to increase. I slowed to a stop as i pulled to the side of the road. I checked the vehicle for any outward signs of damage having found none i once again attempted to continue my trip.…
ODI 10583715
Power Train
Had a few slips prior but nothing major.. And now wont move in drive!!!! *tr
ODI 10535494
Automatic Transmission · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 40-45 mph, the transmission failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
ODI 10679911
Power Train · Steering
While moving the shift lever from park to reverse, the lever broke away from the steering column and could not be returned to park position. The vehicle was stuck in reverse, engine running, and brake applied. With the brake applied, the engine was turned off, still in reverse. The key could not be removed until a small wire contact inside the steering column was shorted to the metal in the column. The vehicle had…
ODI 10546715
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the transmission became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to shift out of third gear as the rpms increased excessively and beyond 7000. The vehicle was able to be driven to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the torque converter and the shift sensor cluster needed to be replaced.…
ODI 10566233
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the over-drive warning light illuminated as a message appeared stating to check the transmission. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The dealer stated that the transmission had defective rings and bushings. The dealer also stated that the transmission solenoid block was leaking. The contact did not…
ODI 10534060
Power Train
My vehicle was parked in a driveway. I started the vehicle, depressed the brake, and attempted to put the gearshift lever into reverse. The gearshift lever would not move. Again, i depressed the brake and attempted to move the gearshift lever into reverse. The lever broke off at the joint where it comes out of the steering column. I had to hire a tow truck. The driver had to disengage the transmission to load it…
ODI 10521558
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the transmission refused to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that they could not diagnose the cause of the failure but the transmission need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.
ODI 10532049
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission was rebuilt. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.
ODI 10533279
Power Train
The dreaded gearshift in hand so well known by ford and anyone with this model,and ford wants big money from the consumer,for a terribly engineered part. Have you driven a ford lately? *tr
ODI 10512812
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the gear shifter fractured. The vehicle was not the taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 167,000. *tr
ODI 10510027
Power Train
I was driving my 02 explorer on the thruway for 2 an 1/2 hours and when i got to my destination the transmission bucked and shuddered and revved up while i was trying to stop at a stop light i almost hit the person in front of me because of the transmission failing when i looked at my instrument panel on the dash the overdrive light was flashing so after i got home i checked the internet and would you know there are…
ODI 10627317
Power Train · Suspension · Wheels
Bearing keep have to be replaced, an the rear coil spring is cracked an the tire came off while driving my truck, have replaced the wheel bearing 3 times already. An i have replace the transmission 2 times. *tr
ODI 10504254
Power Train
Bought a used 2002 explorer with 116,000 miles on it, went through all the ware items and replaced with new. I drove this vehicle to work for a while, enough to get the mileage to 140,010 miles then suddenly started to slip into 3rd or miss all together 3rd gear. 1st to 2nd works fine, 2nd to 3rd is gone (engine raves like it went into neutral) when you let off the accelerator it goes into 4th gear on will pull…
ODI 10496422
Power Train · Steering
Pulling in driveway stopped the vehicle going to put it in park shift lever broke off inside of steering column went on internet found 146 complaints as the same thing happened to them on ford explorer carcomplaints.com. *tr
ODI 10493422
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
My ford explorer has had so many ridiculous problems. This one is extremely inconvenient. The car has trouble shifting gears, it spins from 1st to 2nd gear and then i have to let go of the accelerator for it to shift again, it skips 3rd gear altogether and jerks into fourth after pressing and depressing the accelerator a series of times. Once it's in 4th gear, it doesn't go past 50 mph. My mechanic says his monitor…
ODI 10493405
Power Train
Transmission took a crap, it seems to be a know problem with the 2002 & 2003 explorers. Guess we should have looked into the explorer better. *tr
ODI 10494404
Power Train
Multiple issues with the transmission. From park, when shifted into reverse there is a surge that overcomes the brakes and causes the vehicle to move roughly 4-5 feet. Also, the transmissions shifts so hard that it shakes the entire vehicle. When shifting through the gears the transmissions stalls then shifts so hard it overcomes the steering wheel and sometimes causes a change of direction. When traveling at…
ODI 10492149
Power Train
Needed a new tranny at 118,000 miles then needed another one
ODI 10785020
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Like many other frustrated ford owners, i have had transmission problems with my explorer. Its really frustrating when you take it to the repair shop and they don't even need to see it to know the transmission needs to be rebuilt, due to the track record of the faulty parts ford has used. Its really sad when they know the transmission where not good and continued to install them for more years. I hope sooner or…
ODI 10500874
Engine · Power Train
Three months ago the overdrive light began flashing on my dashboard. The automatic transmission made a loud noise when changing gears. Sometimes the rpm's will rev but the car will not increase in speed.the light will not turn off and the transmission continues to shift harshly. *tr
ODI 10489204
Power Train · Steering
Pulled into park, went to shift vehicle into park (was fully stopped) and gear shifter broke off. I did not apply any force, just the normal typical action of shifting the gear. Good thing it was in neutral when it snapped. Took rubber seal off of the gear lever arm and the part which the lever arm was attached had totally broken off. The metal was not stripped or twisted but broken. Part #905-104: column shift…
ODI 10495058
Power Train
While pulling out from a stop sign the transmission was slipping causing the explorer to barely pull out into a busy intersection in the path of oncoming traffic which had to stop to avoid hitting me. This was not the only time this has happened, and it happens with no warning. *tr
ODI 10489563