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
I bought my 2002 ford explorer xlt and within 1 week the transmission had gone out....have had it repaired and still no good. *jb
ODI 10461968
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the gear shifter detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure and current mileage was 130,000.
ODI 10448366
Power Train
The vehicle began to shift oddly from second to third. The overdrive off light began blinking. Shifting then began to be rough. I promptly took it to my mechanic who found it necessary to replace the transmission with a rebuilt unit. Second gear casing had failed. *tr
ODI 10448437
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact started the ignition and immediately, the 4wd high and 4wd low warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal and shift into the neutral gear, as specified in the owner's manual however, the warning indicators failed to disengage. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the…
ODI 10446795
Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
The service engine light came on and i was told there might be a transmission problem. After the service the light was off and i was going again. At 107,000 miles the light came back on and back to the service departmant and they said the #5 ring was having problems i could drive it and it would get worse. It was also mentioned this year explorer had many transmission issues. Now they want a minimum of $3,500 to fix…
ODI 10470278
Power Train
The transmission on my 2002 ford explorer xlt suddenly began to rev higher than normal. The overdrive light indicator on the dash began to flash and 2nd and 5th gear seemed to have stopped working. *tr
ODI 10443968
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while shifting from park to reverse, the gear shifter fractured. A local mechanic inspected the vehicle and located the failure at the gear housing unit. The mechanic advised the contact that the gear shifter housing would need to be replaced.the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 143,000.
ODI 10441766
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
I am a single mother of 4 driving 55mph in heavy traffic on a 4 lane highway, with my children in the vehicle when the o/d light flashed a few times and then the transmission just stopped working, as though the vehicle was in neutral i coasted safely to a stop thank god. I took it to a ford service center and they said it was caused by the servo boar????? Never herd of this. It used to be a seperate line that could…
ODI 10445785
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
While driving my car to work, i came to a stop sign at the end of my road, like i do every morning. However, on this morning, as i tried to accelerate from a complete stop, my car bogged down which left me in the road for seconds longer then was safe. There was a car speeding around the curve, and my car would not accelerate like it should. Finally, and thank god, it jammed into gear, and me and my one year old son…
ODI 10440373
Equipment · Power Train · Suspension · Wheels
My name is[xxx] and i own a 2002 ford explorer xlt (v6). I have owned it for almost a year now (will be in jan 2012) and loved every minute of it until recently. About 4 months ago, i heard a strange loud whining noise. I immediately took it to my mechanic and found that rear wheel bearing was going. I was also told that if i would have took the interstate to work that evening i could have possibly died or caused…
ODI 10440111
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact was driving approximately 5 mph and attempting a left turn when the engine rpms raced excessively. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they advised her that she needed to replace the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 54,500.
ODI 10439405
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and she attempted to shift into reverse, but the gear shift lever detached from the steering column. The vehicle was in the process of being towed to an independent repair shop to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 141,000.
ODI 10439151
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the gear shift lever fractured while trying to shift from park. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 135,000.
ODI 10438868
Power Train · Steering
Shifter broke off while shifting from park to drive,cannot shift vehicle. I read online there are numerous people that have had the same problem ,they were all wondering why there hasn't been a recall on this problem. Has there? *tr
ODI 10449629
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the gear shift fractured when he attempted to shift into reverse. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileages were 110,000.
ODI 10438623
Electrical System · Power Train · Suspension
Rear spring cracked at 100,000 mil transmission failed at 120,000 mil body electrical not sealed well and keeps shorting in different places cruise gets stubborn and scared to use it , im afraid of it getting stuck in cruise. *tr
ODI 10438819
Power Train
Aside from continuing transmission problems, the hatch of this ford explorer was recalled some years ago. However, the area below the window of the hatch on many explorers made in or around 2002, has begun to crack and extend to the edge of the hatch area. When closed, this can be a hazard that leads to further cracking, which can further lead to more cracking and then breaking of the area. This can lend itself to…
ODI 10448148
Power Train
O/d off light flashing and service engine light on constant. Transmission has a hard time shifting from first to second gear. It had approximately 140,000 miles when it first happened. I am not the original owner so i am unsure if this has happened before. *tr
ODI 10454209
Power Train
The o/d light keeps flashing on and off. Also the transmission does no longer want to shift gears; and when it does it shifts very hard. *tr
ODI 10483740
Power Train
Hi i have a 2002 ford explorer that i have only had for 7 months and approximately 1 week ago my car started to have problems shifting gears while driving. Not long after that my check engine light came on and my o/d light came on, so i took it to autozone to get the code read and they told me it was a pressure control solenoid b (code-p0775). I went home and started searching on the internet about the code and…
ODI 10438191
Power Train
This transmission isn't due for it's first service until 150,000 miles. With no way to check fluid levels there is no way for the owner to prevent failure. There has never been any indication of leaks ( no oil spots on driveway). Transmission just quit. *tr
ODI 10435425
Power Train
In my 2002 ford explorer, the cel came on, along with the o/d off light blinking. It started to make a whining noise, and the next day, the car would not shift into second gear. It would only stay in 1st gear and would only go about 20 mph. I now have to replace the transmission or have it rebuilt. *tr
ODI 10433554
Power Train
When shifting into park the shift linkage coupler snapped and the shifter came off in my hand. Upon inspection the coupler is a cheap resin and should not snap with normal wear usage. This is a link to a forum with 129 complaints of similar issues. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/accessories-interior/gear_shift_lever_prndl_fell_off.shtml. *tr
ODI 10432539
Engine · Power Train
Transmission failed for the second time. Failed originally at 65,000 miles and had to be replaced. Failed again 3 years later at 130,000 miles and had a rebuilt transmission installed. 10 months later at 140,000 miles the transmission is leaking and starting to slip. I don't anticipate paying for a 4th transmission on this vehicle. Obviously there is something wrong with the design. *tr
ODI 10481036
Power Train
Transmission (5r55) solenoid pack and servo both went out at same time servo is terrible design. There should be a recall from ford on these problems on this transmission. *tt
ODI 10432959