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 have a 2002 ford explorer xlt. It has 118,000 miles. About 2 month ago my o/d light start to flash really fast. I took it to aamco and they say its the torque converter clutch with error code p0741 tcc. They want me to fix this with $1700. This has happen to many people. The o/d off light comes on every time i drive my suv past 40 mph and it doesnt come back off until i turn the car off and than it goes back again…
ODI 10331898
Power Train
Stuck throttle on a 2002 ford explorer with different automatic transmissions! Four wheel drive model. At wide open throttle when release gas pedal throttle will stick at wide open throttle only way to stop is to put transmission in neutral (automatic). *tr
ODI 10320018
Power Train
Complete transmission failure. Slipping in-and-out of gear, failure to shift between gears, unable to stay at idle without shifting to park. Almost caused a collision when gear slip occurred in the middle of a major intersection. *tt
ODI 10446032
Power Train · Steering
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) 2002 ford explorer [xxx] - gear shift lever broke off of steering column while shifting from park into reverse. *tr
ODI 10314186
Power Train
On my way to do morning drop off for school, my 2002 2wd, 6cy ford explorer transmission gave out,without warning while making a left hand turn with very busy oncoming traffic headed towards my son in the passenger side. Thankfully traffic was alert on this morning and slowed until i was able to cross! Now i am toldi need a new trans. And son and i were almost killed in the process! Please recall this item and make…
ODI 10312181
Power Train · Steering
I was leaving a friend's house... Put the key in the ignition and attempted to shift into reverse and the shifter broke off into my hand; only connected by the rubber and the wire inside. The metal connection actually just snapped in half! I was glad i wasn't stuck in drive or anything i had my 20 month old niece in the car! This could have ended really really bad! If ford knows that this is a common problem with…
ODI 10311159
Power Train
Started vehicle put into gear and car will not move won't go in reverse won't go into drive. Will go into gear but will not move forward or backward. I have had various problems with this vehicle just got it out of the shop for 1600.00 in the middle of november 2009 for wheel bearings , tie rods, and oil change. Now within less than 2mths i am stuck without a vehicle to get to work again. Please help bill collins…
ODI 10297901
Power Train
Automatic shifter broke off from column during driving. *tr
ODI 10298524
Power Train
For the 3rd time ' 2002 ford explorer gear shift falling / breaking off. *tr
ODI 10296652
Power Train
2002 ford explorer transmission i was driving down the road and the overdrive light started flashing and i noticed the transmission started to slip. I drove about 10 miles more to make it home and it completely failed and needed to be towed. I took it to a transmission shop and they said it was a common problem in 2002 explorers. Over $2000 later i thought it was finally fixed and now not even 2 years later the…
ODI 10445251
Power Train
While putting vehicle in park the gear shift lever snapped off and fell limp in my hands. *tr
ODI 10295445
Power Train
Three months after buying a 2002 ford explorer i experienced my o/d off light blinking, and my service engine soon light come on. I'm scared to drive my vehicle now after reading all the horror stories on a website. I have no money and this has happened to me. I absolutely cannot afford to put a transmission in my vehicle. The people we bought it from rebuilt the transmission a year ago and that should have fixed…
ODI 10294610
Power Train · Steering
I pulled up to the gas station while on my way to work and as soon as i was about to shift into park the gear shift broke right off in my hand. It was causing some nor difficulties in the past where it would show signs of resistance when shifting gears but never something so serious as this current incident. I called a tow truck which appeared about 40 minutes later and then took me home. I have tried to find a new…
ODI 10295401
Automatic Transmission · Power Train
2002 ford explorer automatic transmission problems. Various problems. When i first got it (at 45k miles), it would take about 20-30 seconds to engage into first gear after being in reverse. When it did engage, it jumped forward while doing it. That does not happen much anymore. If i have to slam on the brakes (dog, kid, deer runs out, light suddenly changes or someone cuts me off, etc...) the tranny slips out of…
ODI 10291947
Power Train · Steering
Recently purchased 2002 ford explorer. Shortly after, within one to two days i attempted to exit the vehicle by shifting into park and opening the drivers side door. Although vehicle was at a complete stop when i exited it began to roll backwards causing me to fall beside alongside the driver side with lower right extremities still inside the vehicle. Immediate assistant was available so minimal damage was done.…
1 injury
ODI 10292440
Power Train
Truck slows down when i hit 20 to 30, and leads with a violent jerk. Took it to shop they said its my transmission. *tr
ODI 10287318
Power Train
Im another sad story of a 2002 explorer. The transmission started slipping,clunking and the o/d light is flashing. Just paid this piece of junk off and now waiting to here from the dealer where we bought it for that oh familiar quote of 3000 to 4000 to fix. *tr
ODI 10293530
Power Train
Defective rear differential on 2002 ford explorer . *tr
ODI 10290726
Power Train
After vehicle has been put in park, it will roll about a half foot or so when door or hatch is shut. Vehicle is not going all the way in park and you don't know it. It has rolled to the point where it has bumped me but than stops. *tr
ODI 10280047
Engine · Power Train
In [redacted] to our family vacation our transmission failed. We had it towed and the transmission replaced with a ford rebuilt transmission with a warranty purchase. In 2012 this rebuilt transmission failed and we had it taken to a ford dealer and the transmission replaced with another transmission. This current transmission is exhibiting the same symptoms as the last two did prior to failure. *tr
ODI 10702092
Column · Power Train
2002 ford explorer gear shift lever broke when attempting to place truck in gear. I have heard through blogs that this is now becoming a common problem. My truck was placed in park with emergency brake on prior to shifting the lever into park, when i attempted to put the truck in reverse the lever snapped and i was unable to move the truck nor remove the key from the ignition. The tow truck driver showed me how to…
ODI 10267907
Power Train
While parking my 2002 explorer, i went to shift it into park and felt a 'pop'. The gear shifter completely broke off in my hand. Luckily it didn't shift out of park and i was able to drive it to a mechanic to look at. However this happened on a saturday, so there was no way to get it fixed. I did some research online and found this seems to be a common problem with this year and model. I'm very upset that a part so…
ODI 10266804
Power Train
Ford explorer transmissions slipping and going out will get u killed if u pull out in traffic and it starts slipping and want go someone may hit u and get u killed. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10398499
Equipment · Power Train
I have a 2002 ford explorer limited that has had continuous rear axle leaking and operating issues. I have had the bearings replaced three times, the shaft axle seal replaced, the knuckle assembly replaced and the spindle replaced. I had this work done at cortese auto group in henrietta ny [redacted]) in june of 2007 and april of 2008. I just noticed differential fluid leaking from the rear axle assembly area on…
ODI 10262126
Power Train
I have a 2002 ford explorer. It appears they are selling cars with a defect gear shift. Yesterday as i shifted from reverse to drive the gear shift broke off. It simple came off. I've never heard of such a problem. Apparently this is a systemic problem and ford has not issued a recall. Other explorer owners have experienced the same problem and reported it on internet auto complaint blogs. According to the tow truck…
ODI 10260348