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
PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
ODI 10293141
Automatic Transmission · Body
I have a 2002 ford explorer and all of a sudden the o/d light started flashing i have read other peoples experiences and this has led me to file a complaint about this and now that i realize that im not the only one well i hope you can help i was expecting for this vehicle to last longer than my 1994 dodge ram. And another thing the side of the windows started pealing off my back door is cracked because it would not…
ODI 10255937
Automatic Transmission
I have a '02 ford explorer xlt with 91,000 miles and the 'o/d off' light now flashes constantly. In having a automotive mechanic look at it and in doing research online, i have come to find out i will need a new transmission! Based on research it appears there are hundreds of complaints of this same issue and ford is apparently doing nothing to correct it. Obviously with the popularity of the explorer it would costs…
ODI 10251799
Automatic Transmission
Transmission slipped gears and "check transmission" message came up on dash. Bolt was loose inside of the transmission and pieces of metal throughout. This led to full transmission replacement and close to $3500 in repair bills at 64k miles. *tr
ODI 10246183
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission problems. Ford is aware that the transmission solenoid they use in their transmissions are faulty.*tr
ODI 10241686
Automatic Transmission
The o/d off light came on my 2002 ford explorer 2 days ago. It has 75,880 miles on it.this seems to be a typical problem with these vehicles.how can ford motor corp not know about this problem?who can afford to pay $2600 to $3500 for a transmission repair!!!!!like always the middle class gets the short end of the stick again..... *tr
ODI 10241907
Automatic Transmission
The overdrive light was blinking, and the check engine light was on. After having the car scanned by a mechanic, we were told that the pc solenoid in the tranny was out. We brought it to the dealer it was purchased at, and they performed the same test and fixed it at a cost of $1058.18. A week later it is shifting hard. Plus after using the 4wheel drive only twice, it would not go into [redacted]. When i took it to…
ODI 10243205
Automatic Transmission
Car had no accidents or unusual usage. I had both city and highway driving with predominantly city driving, no hauling heavy loads or off road driving. The shift lever broke off and the entire steering column had to be replaced, car could not be started, gears engaged or moved and had to be towed. This event occurred during hurricane evacuation as well. After research on the internet there seems to be a large number…
ODI 10241877
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer! Getting on interstate, on the ramp, hit 30 mph's, and nothing! The rpm's shoot straight up, and the car acts like its in neutral!! I have 2 children in the car with me, and almost create a pile-up because the car would not move on entrance ramp! Come to find out, a new transmission is needed. I could not believe the number of complaints on this topic. Somebody is going to get killed with this…
ODI 10240576
Automatic Transmission
After buying my 2002 ford explorer used in 2006, i had no problems until aug. Of 2008 when o/d light started blinking. At this point, vehicle was just under 80,000 miles. Transmission shifts rough between 2nd and 3rd gears. When taken to a repair shop, was told that it is a common problem with this model and would need to spend $2000 for a transmission rebuild. Upon further investigation, i was surprised to see many…
ODI 10250265
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 xlt explorer with the 4wd not working. During my research on the internet i have discovered that when the battery is disconnected for replacement the 4x4 cm unit fails and the 4wd system becomes inop. Ford has recognized this problem and has upgraded the motorola unit with the end result costing the consumer $500 for the repair. This is a safety feature because the vehicle runs in 4x4 auto adjusting…
ODI 10249661
Automatic Transmission · Driveline
- ford tsb # 06-4-4 (binding during turning); solution is limited slip clutch pack replacement - ford tsb # 05-23-3 (rear diff. Hum); solution is axle repair kit - ford tsb # 4-24-17 (5r55w transmission - no 3rd gear or slipping 2-3 shift); solution i
ODI 10319207
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explorer with just under 78,000 miles. I was driving home from work and the automatic transmission went out with no warning at all. Causing the truck to shake and slow down very fast. In the result of that. I jumped and hit the curb and popped on tire. I could have died or my kids. If i had been on the interstate or highway. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10238804
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission goes out while driving making it very dangerous. *tr
ODI 10237766
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explorer limited that had an automatic transmission failure at 51,000 miles. The transmission is sealed and does not have a dipstick to check fluid levels, therefore making it non-serviceable by the owner. This transmission appears to have an inherent design flaw resulting in premature failure. The check transmission light appeared on the dash and the transmission started slipping when attempting…
ODI 10239698
Automatic Transmission
2002 explorer shifted funny from the day i purchased it new. I figured nature of the beast as a 4x4. Little did i know, these transmissions were junk from the beginning, and now they are all falling apart. Mine self destructed at 61,000 miles. After the repair, it still shifted as crappy as it did the day i purchased it. Now only 10,000 miles later, it is showing signs that failure is near again. If these…
ODI 10325269
Automatic Transmission
In 2007 my 2002 ford explorer, eddie bauer edition was having problems shifting gears around 30-40 mph. The rpm's would rev up high then jump into the next gear. I took it into a certified transmission center and they told me i needed a new transmission. I installed a remanufactured transmission and within 1 year my vehicle is doing the same exact thing. The replacement only had a six month warranty. I then started…
ODI 10264002
Automatic Transmission
TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
ODI 10236562
Automatic Transmission
During normal driving conditions, "service engine soon" light turns on, followed by "o/d off" light flashing, followed by erratic shifting by automatic transmission. Happens at least once per week, resets after engine is turned off and rests for a short period of time. *tr
ODI 10345354
Automatic Transmission
A 2002 ford explorer, in which i have followed all the mainentance schedules, needs a new transmission. *tr
ODI 10236122
Automatic Transmission
While driving my 02 ford explorer xlt i noticed the o/d light would come on and it would be hard to shift. The was a rattling noise coming from transfer case which had a brownish fluid leaking from it. Went to dealer and was told the transmission had to be replaced. *tr
ODI 10236309
Automatic Transmission
Purchased 2002 explorer new, have had multiple transmission problems since. Sometimes dealers could find the problem and would repair, other times they couldn't. Car now needs new trans again, ford won't cover since out of warranty. Per multiple transmission shops, the design of the tranny itself is poor. Has metal pin that slides back and forth at an angle (rather than straight), so pin is pushed up against…
ODI 10235524
Automatic Transmission
The transmission fails without any warning, in my case was in the middle of traffic and almost got myself hit! The transmission had to be replaced with a new one. I checked consumer complaints on several online resources and found that transmission failure in the 2002 ford explorer is an epidemic! *tr
ODI 10235144
Automatic Transmission
My od light starting blinking. Then i started hearing a clicking noise. Car shuttered numerous days, then would not go any faster then 25 mph. Had to get the transmission completely rebuilt. Had 92,000 mile on it. Evidently ford ia aware of this problem and will do nothing. *tr
ODI 10262524
Automatic Transmission · Driveline · Engine
My wife's 2002 ford explorer had a whine in the rear end since it was new and it continued to get worse with time. At about 55k miles it was so bad that we had to have the entire differential rebuilt at a cost of over $1,000. At 65k miles the engine had begun to make noise and it became much louder rapidly. The entire cam drive (timing chain, sprockets, tensioners) had been ground up. The tensioner pads had 3/8"…
ODI 10234331