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
I have a 2002 ford explorer and at less than 90,000 miles the transmission is failing. It takes 5-10 seconds to engage and then 'clunks' and jumps badly. Rough shifting between gears. After some web research i see that this is in fact a common problem in this model. This is crazy. The estimated cost of repair/replacement is over $3,000. *tr
ODI 10251438
Automatic Transmission · Mechanical
In december 2008 my 2002 ford explorer, eddie bauer was having problems shifting gears around 30-40 mph. The rpm's would rev up high then jump into the next gear. At times it sounded like something was about to break because the jump and noise it made was so loud. I took it into a car shop and they told me i needed a new transmission. So i paid for a remanufactured transmission and within 3 months my car is doing…
ODI 10263781
Automatic Transmission
I replaced my transmission in 2005 with a brand new one. I own a ford explorer jeep 2005 and it now needs another transmission. I spoke with several persons and ford has a history of needing transmissions, what can i do? *tr
ODI 10251639
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer xls 4.0l v-6 automatic transmission. At about 90,000 miles, vehicle started to slip while changing gears. Problem worsened and now shutters during up shifting. Vehicle also jumps from drive to neutral under hard braking. Vehicle also hesitates during shifting. Transmission will only shift after releasing the accelerator. *tr
ODI 10284185
Automatic Transmission
My explorer has the same problem as everyone else. 82,000 miles and the truck wont shift into what seem like 3rd gear i really wish ford would help us out. This is why the are failing. I would love to continue to purchase american made but how can i knowing this is the service you get. *tr
ODI 10256330
Automatic Transmission
Like others on your blog, my 2002 explorer o/d light is flashing. I was lucky and had a friend who could rebuild the broken parts for $950 instead of the $3,000 for a new transmission. When i did some research on this, it was startling how many complaints have been logged about the transmission. I am not surprised that ford is unwilling to do anything about this. After all, this is the same company who tried to…
ODI 10252151
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer with 81,000 and tranny is already on the way out. *tr
ODI 10249969
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explore 4l six, starting in 2006 i began to have transmission problems, my initial problem developed when the explorer had around 57,000 miles, the transmission would not shift to drive. In november 2008, now with about 74,000, miles the transmission has developed more problems it currently jumps forward when i shift to drive. After checking autobeef.com, with over 500 complaints posted, i found out that…
ODI 10251176
Automatic Transmission · Power Train
Ford 2002 6 cylinder explorer xlt o/d off light flashing on dashboard. Transmission problem started with 100,800 mile. Had rebuilt transmission done at 100,800 miles. Now vehicle has 109,900 miles and od/off light flashing again. Was told that transmission is falling apart. Back in transmission shop again. There are thousands of same complaints for the same problem on 2002 ford explorers. Ford will not help at all!…
ODI 10323861
Automatic Transmission
Rebuilt the transmission two times in 30,000 for the same problem. O/d band. *tr
ODI 10248830
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer with 140,000 highway miles. Bought brand new by owner in 2005, at 90,000 miles transmission was making loud clunking noises. Transmission fluid changed, but still clunking noises. Now at 140,000 miles the transmission is slipping and not going into 1st or second gear. I have been on numerous websites, and have seen thousands of complaints about this same exact problem with ford's enclosed…
ODI 10248085
Automatic Transmission
The transmission on my 2002 ford explorer had to be replaced after approximately 69,000 miles. Ford has refused to provide me with any compensation. *tr
ODI 10248026
Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmission failure on 2002 ford explorer with 87,000 miles. While accelerating from a stoplight, the vehicle would not shift into third gear. No previous problems with this vehicle's transmission. I took it to an automatic transmission repair facility and was informed that the transmission had to be rebuilt as the vehicle was not roadworthy. *tr
ODI 10247744
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle purchased in july of 07 from dealer with 75,000k. Currently has 86,000k, and transmission needs replaced. Vehicle began slipping a month ago, and now slams into gear. I'm afraid to take it out of the drive way. I went to the ford dealer to have the fluids checked, and they refused unless i would pay for the service inspection. These tranny's are made so as i cannot check them myself due to the enclosed…
ODI 10249391
Automatic Transmission
Was driving and transmission would not shift gears. O/d lights started to blink. Vehicle would not go anymore then 5 mph. Was taken home and research was done and found many people with the same complaint. Transmission problems. Vehicle was taken to aamco and transmission was repaired at a cost of $2748.69. *tr
ODI 10247328
Automatic Transmission
The o/d light started coming on for no reason. Then the car started shake when it was shifting gears. Then it was shaking a lot at about 60-65 mph. *tr
ODI 10245457
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure. Overdrive light flashing and erratic shifting. Dealer diagnosis is that transmission needs to be replaced. *tr
ODI 10245105
Automatic Transmission
Check transmission messaged appeared and od off light started blinking. *tr
ODI 10244913
Automatic Transmission
I bought my 2002 explorer with 80,000 miles on it from a respected local ford dealer. 20,000 miles later, my o/d light won't go off and my gears won't engage properly. This happens for 2 days before i sputter into a dealership for service. I'm now being told that i need to replace the whole transmission at a cost of $2,500. The kelley blue book trade-in value is only $2,100 and i still owe $4,000! I feel duped and…
ODI 10244880
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2002 ford explorer with a v8 auto transmission. This transmission has been having issues since i reached 60,000 miles. It would take over 5 seconds to engage into gear which could cause an accident if on a stopped and switching gears. Then one day i am driving and the overdrive light begins to flash. I went home and since it was a saturday night , i decided to do a google search on 2002 overdrive light…
ODI 10250161
Automatic Transmission
Transmission started to slam into gear. Transmission failure. Had to have a complete rebuild/overhaul of transmission. *tr
ODI 10247251
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission failure while driving. Vehicle had trouble shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear (automatic transmission). Accelerating from 2nd gear, the engine would rev. Then i feathered off of the accelerator, stepped on pedal gently, accelerated and vehicle made a loud squeaking noise and then lurched forward as it went into 3rd gear. Overdrive light started flashing, then check engine light came on.…
ODI 10245317
Automatic Transmission
My ford explorer transmission started slipping, it is starting to fail. It seem that this is a big problem with these vehicles, there should be a recall. There have been recalls for less. *tr
ODI 10243368
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2002 eddie bauer explore. At 70,000 miles was told after check transmission light came on and gears would not shift that i needed a new transmission. Ford wanted over 4,000.00 to fix it. Unable to afford that much i took it to a trans repair shop and had a rebuilt trans installed as well as a new torque converter. Was told by the repair shop that they see alot of this. After taking my car apart the reason my…
ODI 10264891
Automatic Transmission
My wife was in the left lane of a busy hwy and the transmission went out. There was no shoulder to safely pull off on. I own a 2002 ford explorer, there are numerous complaints for the exact same failure. How can ford not recall this problem? My wife was lucky that she was not seriously hurt. It could have been alot worse. *tr
ODI 10242968