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
Was driving down the highway at 55 mph at my overdrive light started flashing and my information screen showed "check transmission" when i got home, i looked up the problem on the internet and found that my transmission just went bad and will need to be replaced according to what hundreds of complaints say had to be done to fix the same problem.
ODI 10388808
Power Train · Steering
While backing up, the gear shift broke on my 2002 ford explorer. It was good that i was not in traffic because i could not get the car back in gear and could have gotten hit and or caused an accident. The steering column was replaced and the parts were in my opinion over priced. My fear is that it may happen again because it may have been replaced with the same defective part. *tr
ODI 10400849
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE
ODI 10380591
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED
ODI 10374166
Power Train · Unknown Or Other
I have a 2002 ford explorer and the transmission just went out on it. I will tell the story from the beginning. Ok so i was about 30 mins away from my home and driving on the freeway back home when the od light started blinking very fast. Then i get off the freeway and stop and the red light then when i started to go the transmission started doing all sorts of crazy [xxx] it was changing gears like crazy and finally…
ODI 10371292
Power Train
Automatic transmission experienced complete failure of band(s) for gears 3-4. Dealer offered repair for about $2000, but not recommended as only receive 12 month / 12k mile warranty for replaced parts and no labor and not transferable. Opted for total replacement with ford authorized remanufactured complete transmission for $3500 with 36 month / unlimited mileage and fully transferable. Difficult to accept a…
ODI 10371290
Equipment · Power Train
I was traveling to mt. Washington, ky. From lorain, ohio, ( approx. 330 miles). We stopped at the rest are at the halfway mark, between washington ch, oh. & jeffersonvlle, oh. When we came back out, started the car, & it wouldn't go into reverse. Pushed it out of the parking spot & it wouldn't go in drive either. About 30 miles before, it made some clunking noises & it felt like we had a flat tire. I took it out of…
ODI 10369937
Power Train · Steering
The gear shift lever fell off the steering column while putting the car into park. It is held on only by the electrical connection. *tr
ODI 10367841
Power Train
When driving the o/d light came on and started flashing erratically, then i was unable to shift from 1st to 2nd gear. The only way i can shift from 1st to 2nd gear is if i let the rpm's go up above 3,000 and 4,000. Then i can take my foot off the gas and it will switch into 3rd gear. I have not drove the truck since it started doing this, the only time i have drove it was to go to the mechanic. The mechanic says it…
ODI 10367688
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer xlt. The contact stated that the overdrive warning light would continuously flash. The failure would occur sporadically whether the vehicle was in over drive or not. The contact stated that when placed in park, the vehicle would continue to roll further than usual. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility where the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure…
ODI 10361615
Power Train
Merging into heavy traffic on us23 n. In ohio, tried to accelerate just as i always do and the transmission decides it doesnt want to shift, then when it finally did (approx 5000 rpm) it slamed into gear. Narrowly avoided being rear-ended. Turned vehicle around, tried fluid/filter change with no success. Did a search on the net and found thousands upon thousands of the same problem. Checked for recall and to my…
ODI 10488919
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Power Train
2002 ford explorer gear shift lever broke off while in drive. The lever is connected to a soft aluminum cylinder thru a u shaped end and a pin. The cylinder sheared at the base of the u as a result leaving no way to shift or get the key out after turning the motor off when i finally got stopped. Repair cost is $1400 for a new steering column plus labor. Cannot buy small part that broke separately so explorer is not…
ODI 10353936
Air Bags · Power Train · Steering
Air bag warning light came on,pulled plug apart under drivers ,seat sprayed cleaner on it put it back together, took care of that problem. Gear shift lever sheared off. Ford says you need to replace steering column. Went online found a man in sweden that made a replacement part,ordered it ,put it on ,works great. (why couldn't ford supply one?) the transmission is starting to act up, you shift in to drive it…
ODI 10377297
Power Train
Defective transmission in a 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer after only 117k miles. Transmission fails shifting between 2nd and 3rd gears. Some times gets stock in parking. Complete failure estimated repair cost $3600 to $4000. *tr
ODI 10353904
Power Train
I own a 2002 ford explorer xls. I have been having transmission problems for a while and ford dealer told me it was common with the 2002 explorer. I am now at 100k miles and my transmission is in need of being rebuilt because ford manufactured a transmission that was two small for the 2nd and 5th gears to shift in which created friction and wear on the transmission. I am a single mother who still owes money on this…
ODI 10438108
Power Train
2002 ford explorer xls. I was shifting from drive to park and the shifter broke in my hand. Not a good thing. After doing some research it seems this a common problem with ford explorers due to the cast aluminum that is used in the part. Ford should have a recall for this, seeing as how it happens due to the way it was made not due to driver error. *tr
ODI 10350836
Power Train · Steering
I have a 2002 ford explorer and this morning i was going at work when the gear shift arm broke off in my hand. I had to call my wife for go at work and i was unable to remove my keys from the ignition. My car is completely un-drivable. *tr
ODI 10348906
Mechanical · Power Train
The transmission in our 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer started flashing the od light @94,000 miles took it to ford they said the valve body and torque converter was bad, ford replaced the items above for 2600 dollars problem went away for 10, 000 miles problem is back torque converter and valve body needsto be replaced again. *tr
ODI 10373306
Equipment · Power Train
My 2002 ford explorer limited 4x4 had a chiming noise followed by a o/d blinking light on wed. I put the car in park and hit the button for o/d a couple of times it then went out. I drove it straight home. I was only two minutes from my house. The next day i drove it and it acted like it wouldn't or couldn't shift right. I do not understand how a car that is pampered could go so wrong. I had to replace both four…
ODI 10340199
Power Train
2002 ford explorer shifter broke while putting vehicle in drive looked at part made out of some type of granulated aluminum. Can't believe such a unsafe metal could be used in a vehicle part will call ford for estimate read over 50 complaints on carcomplaints.com couldn't believe that the dot has let this go on for so long. I will be contacting my local news team and other marines who have ford explorers and telling…
ODI 10339210
Power Train · Steering
Went to leave a baseball game and attempted to put my car in reverse only to have the gear shift come loose from the steering column and was just dangling there. Of course customer service at ford could not help. *tr
ODI 10336748
Power Train
I have a 2002 ford explorer i was driving down the highway when i noticed the overdrive light flashing. Then the passenger asked me if i could smell transmission fluid and i had said yes. This ended up costing me $2800 and my mechanic told me that the torque converter was failing and sense he had it apart he should go ahead and rebuild it. *tr
ODI 10345038
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact was driving at 60 mph when the vehicle began decreasing in speed and become sluggish.the contact was unable to shift into drive or reverse, he coasted into the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who advised having the vehicle diagnosed at the contact's expense. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer would not provide any…
ODI 10339039
Power Train
I pulled into my driveway and went to put my vehicle into park and the gear shift was like a broken limb in my hand. I checked with several auto part stores and the replacement part is a dealer only part. Ford will not sell the part to customer for personal repair. Plus the cost to repair is very costly. I was seeking information and found several other complaints on autobeef-car complaints.com. Seems like ford…
ODI 10335983
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 30 mph, the vehicle began to decrease in speed without warrant. The over drive warning lights were illuminated on the dashboard and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence without incident. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The dealer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired.…
ODI 10334080