2002 Ford Explorer Automatic Transmission Problems
- 886
- 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 886 stored complaint records:
- 16 indicate a crash
- 7 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- Torque Converter · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 328 |
| 100–150k mi | 203 |
| 30–60k mi | 158 |
| 1–30k mi | 58 |
| 150–400k mi | 28 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Automatic Transmission
Like so many others, i am the unfortunate owner of a 2002 ford explorer. And like the thousands of others, i am having a transmission problem - flashing overdrive light - hard shifting between second and third gears - at times difficulty going into first gear. Ford is fully aware of the problem and has done nothing to rectify it. I think that someone needs to hold ford accountable. The online complaints are…
ODI 10280172
Automatic Transmission
Like so many others, i am the unfortunate owner of a 2002 ford explorer. And like the thousands of others, i am having a transmission problem - flashing overdrive light - hard shifting between second and third gears - at times difficulty going into first gear. Ford is fully aware of the problem and has done nothing to rectify it. I think that someone needs to hold ford accountable. The online complaints are…
ODI 10280171
Automatic Transmission
The 2002 ford explorer has a severe transmission issue that needs to be researched. My ford transmission dissengages when you break. This is a defect and a safety issue. Since i don't know when the transmission disengages i will rev the engine (thinking the car should go forward ) and the engines revs then after a delayed response will slam the car into gear and jerk the car forward. This jerk could cause me to hit…
ODI 10298763
Automatic Transmission
My 2002 ford eddie bauer explorer is malfunctioning. The transmission appears to be failing as it will not accelerate properly after being in a stopped position, for example at a traffic light. This is becoming a safety issue in that in an intersection should my vehicle not accelerate properly i may be hit by another car! I have attempted to have my car repaired twice by two different mechanics in a period of one…
ODI 10351116
Automatic Transmission
Faulty transmission. Was replaced at 58,049 miles with a re-manufactured one direct from ford. 85,374 miles and it needs to be replaced again. Less than 20 days after the three year warranty, but mileage is still under. This made a loud grinding noise, and was dangerous when driving in traffic on the interstate. I have two small children that ride in this vehicle and do not appreciate that this has been a known…
ODI 10278429
Automatic Transmission
Being doing some research online about the "o/d" light blinking on my 2002 ford explorer. From what i found, the results have been astounding. Every issue i found on blinking o/d in my research led to having to rebuild the transmission; avg. Costs being around $2600. Even after the repairs, they state that the issues still continue and spend over $1000 on something else the dealers say is wrong. One site,…
ODI 10278202
Automatic Transmission
Loud whine from rear. Transmission slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear. Flashing o/d light. *tr
ODI 10359038
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer has shifting issue as a result of transmission not working properly. Occurs random when accelerating from stop at lights or pulling into intersection. Have been to 2 different mechanics and repaired once and has started to occur again although mechanics state do not need repaired and shows no codes. Also, the fluid cannot be checked from under the hood as it is located underneath the vehicle. Each…
ODI 10276791
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explorer xlt 4.0l v6 and would like to request that an investigation launched into the vehicle's transmission. The other day, as i was traveling down the highway, the o/d off indicator began blinking and shortly thereafter the check engine soon indicator light came on. In doing my research, after reading numerous online complaints related to this issue, i have chosen to seek your assistance as a…
ODI 10275752
Automatic Transmission · Mechanical
2002 ford explorer xlt - transmission failure - purchased new in 9-02 with extended warranty. Original transmission failed and replaced at 65k miles by dealership under extended warranty. Replacement transmission began slipping at 130k miles. At 136k miles, transmission shifts at random, will not engage from stop. *tr
ODI 10289253
Automatic Transmission
At about 110,000 miles my transmission on my 2002 ford explorer xlt started slipping. Driving down the expressway my o/d light comes on and i am unable to accelerate as the gears are not shifting correctly. Took it in to a local transmission shop and they installed an overhauled 5r55w transmission. Less than a year later i take my truck to trade it in and the dealer says that the transmission is bad, going out and…
ODI 10331956
Automatic Transmission
The transmission in my 2002 ford explorer stopped working at aprox. 95000 miles ,just like the hundreds of other explorers in 2002 have and ford refuses to recall the vehicle. *tr
ODI 10275277
Automatic Transmission · Steering
Our 2002 ford explorers gear shift lever broke off in my hand while trying to shift from park to reverse. We had some trouble with the lockout in the past, but this left us stranded and required a tow. *tr
ODI 10273843
Automatic Transmission
Transmissions of the 2002 ford explorer seems to have numerous issues. I have had my transmission fixed twice, but there are numerous reports on-line with the same issues. I have addressed with ford, but they do not see it as a safety issue. When a vehicle does not shift into gear as you pull into a roadway, it is very much a safety issue. I would just like your office to review these issues as a safety concern.…
ODI 10319334
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer xlt parked nose down on an inclined driveway. No keys in ignition but vehicle slipped away and hit a lightpost 50 meters down the street. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10272847
Automatic Transmission · Mechanical
My 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer v8 has required a transmission at 35k & 85k miles. This is a huge safety concern when the car fails without warning!!!! I'm not alone in dealing with this incredibly costly & dangerous predicament. Please take action! I'm reading that the design of the transmission is apparently bad. Quoting another's description: "after lots of research it appears the most likely cause is worn case…
ODI 10272915
Automatic Transmission
O/d off light flashing, find out solenoid pack needs to be replaced. Also needs all 4 ball joints replaced. Found out these are very common problems to 02 explorers. Not sure if we will repair because it looks like we'll end up doing it again or the transmission will go out. We've already replaced rear end, window motor and have faded window panels and a cracked back panel on lift gate. Why is the gov't not…
ODI 10272902
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2002 ford explorer limited. This past may my explorer's o/d light began flashing. I nearly immediately took the vehicle in for service, and the transmission was wrecked to the tune of $2,500. After much internet research is seems as though many thousands of other consumers are having the same issue with this vehicle and ford seems to be doing nothing to take responsibility for their mistakes the way that…
ODI 10308329
Automatic Transmission
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 10362181
Automatic Transmission
My wife was picking up her mother and she went to put the explorer into reverse and the shifter broke off in her hand. She could not get the car into gear so we had it towed home. I found the piece holding the shifter was broken off. Ford wanted $1,000 for the piece to fix it. *tr
ODI 10428395
Automatic Transmission · Driveline
When i go to or from park the car jerks and has almost cause me to get into several crashes. This happens at least a couple times a week. *tr
ODI 10274012
Automatic Transmission
While attempting to move the shift lever on my 2002 ford explorer from park to reverse, the entire shift level fell out of the steering column. Inspection revealed that the cast pot metal plunger assembly that engaged the shifting lever had a uniform crack and the entire top of the assembly had broken off. A review of the internet, specifically www.carcomplaints.com showed that this is not an isolated problem with…
ODI 10269279
Automatic Transmission
Gear shift lever snapped off in the hand of my 110 lb girlfriend. She put her foot on the brake, went to shift the car into reverse and the part that connects the gear shift to the steering column broke off. The car was on and luckily did not make it all the way into reverse or the car would have been stuck in reverse!! She quickly turned the car off, but the transmission is not in park either, so the key won't come…
ODI 10270143
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2002 ford explorer xls 4x4. Yesterday while trying to cross an intersection,all of a sudden the o/d light started to flash and the transmission would not go. Their was an 18 wheeler coming in which had to slam on brakes nearly hitting me and my children, i have done research on this model and the trouble with the 5r55w transmissions. Their is a service bulletin on these,but no recall i feel that their is an…
ODI 10268848
Automatic Transmission
I am having the same problems all the other people are having that own a 2002 explorer. O/d off light flashing, service engine soon light on, car slips out of gear if you have to stop suddenly, hard to put into park, erratic shifting. Please make ford recall these vehicles and fix the problems that they knew about but sold the vehicles anyway. Do this before someone has to die in a wreck because then it will be too…
ODI 10268667