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
As i was shifting from park to reverse in my 2002 ford explorer my shifter broke off in my hand!!! On further inspection i saw that the shift linkage was made of cast aluminum and had sheared off at the pivot point. I am not alone in this as i have read hundreds of complaints on line at http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/steering/gear_shift_broke_off.shtml. *tr
ODI 10234189
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. When the contact attempted to place the vehicle into reverse, the gear shift completely fell off of the steering wheel assembly. The contact did not notice any differences in the vehicle prior to the failure. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The vin was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 145,000.
ODI 10234202
Automatic Transmission · Body · Electrical System · Power Window Devices And Controls
Purchased a 2002 ford exp eddie bauer ed used with 35,000 miles. Transmission had to be repaired within 3 weeks due to 4wd malfunction covered by warranty. Passenger side window motor assembly has been replaced once, and window regulator has been replaced once, and is in need of a second replacement. Took to local dealership and was told window was not meant to be lowered halfway. The rear hatch has also cracked…
ODI 10237454
Automatic Transmission
The od light on my 2002 eddie bauer ford explorer began blinking accompanied by check transmission light. We traveled slowly home amidst whirring and crunching sounds. The car is parked in the driveway and obviously the transmission is shot. The ford mechanic told me it would close $2800 to fix the transmission and in response to my questions regarding power train, suggested that we fix the rear power train for…
ODI 10233172
Automatic Transmission
1.nothing leading up to. 2. 2002 ford explorer transmission failed on highway causing the vehicle to vibrate horribly causing us to go off the road into a ditch. 3.transmission needs replaced on vehicle estimate of $2800 on a 2002 model year. I come to find out this has happen to many i.e. Thousands 2002 ford explorers owners and nothing is being done? Ford motor company basically told me too bad and they wonder why…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 10238330
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer o/d light goes off and then the check engine light is activated. The transmission shortly thereafter, starts slipping. The o/d light, is blinking out of control. Excessive complaints from other ford consumers who bought a ford explorer. *tr
ODI 10233250
Automatic Transmission
O/d light came on in car,,, acording to fords drivers with the same problem,,,nothing is bring done about this,, which leaves on big problem for the cosumers like my self ! And ford is full aware of this problem !
ODI 10232506
Automatic Transmission · Body · Rear
March '07: rear gate split under window december '07 through jan '08: rear differential rebuilt twice, rear axel hubs and bearings replaced; differential noise still loud june '08: torque converter replaced. *tr
ODI 10232338
Automatic Transmission
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
ODI 10232358
Automatic Transmission · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Steering
When attempting to shift from drive to park, the gear shift lever broke from the steering column, making it impossible to change gears. The engine remained running with it in drive. I turned the ignition off & it could not be restarted (ie, ignition/interlock system). The steering wheel wouldn't turn either. The entire steering column (not just small broken piece) had to be replaced (cost=$1372, $897 for parts). As…
ODI 10233045
Automatic Transmission · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Service Brakes, Electric
2002 ford explorer, o/d light is blinking, check engine soon light stays on continuously. Rear end makes noise, abs light stays on. Truck shifts hard from reverse to forward. Shifts hard and makes cluncking sound from 2nd to 3rd gear and will not go in to over-drive at all. *tr
ODI 10232288
Automatic Transmission
O/d light came on and the transmission started to slip i have been told that ford knows about this but is not doing anything about it. I understand that over 60 other people have had this happen to them . *tr
ODI 10237180
Automatic Transmission
I pulled up to the gas pump and put the explorer into park. As i got out, it started rolling backwards..as it rolled backwards approximately 10 feet, i hung on to the door and was able to get back in and bring it to a stop. I sat there in shock for a minute as several people who witnessed this were in horror..i put it back into park.i was lucky the explorer did not hit another car,any people or run me over!! Since…
ODI 10312556
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failed without warning at 128,000 miles. Car would not shift out of first gear properly. $3500 to replace at dealer. *tr
ODI 10231482
Automatic Transmission
Transmission slipped while shifting from 2nd to 3rd. At next light, would not shift from 2nd to 3rd until i took my foot off the gas. Vehicle felt like it left the ground as it attempted to shift from 2nd to 3rd. Noticed od/off light flashing. Check engine light came on. I have been quoted new tranny for 3,814.18, rear brakes, rear end noise, egr system code a 5,000.00 repair and the suv is only worth 7 grand. *tr
ODI 10231139
Automatic Transmission · Fuel Pump · Power Window Devices And Controls · Suspension
2002 ford explorer- a nightmare of problems that keep getting worse. It has 56k miles on it and i am about to replace the transmission. Fuel pump , 2 rear springs, 2 wheel bearings and the drivers side window motor have already been replaced. Neither of the 2 rear windows roll down and the back hatch lift replace on recall is broken yet again. This is the biggest hunk of junk on 4 wheels. Ford needs to do something.…
ODI 10230807
Automatic Transmission
Indicator lights flashing on and off ,transmission rattling noise and failure at 99,000 miles. *tr
ODI 10230553
Automatic Transmission
Driving when the over drive light started flashing. The car wouldn't go into 3rd gear, causing the car to rev real high and slow down. Total repair for a rebuilt transmission $2,500.00. *tr
ODI 10230839
Automatic Transmission
Driving on highway 60mph - car began to shift randomly and than would not shift at all (automatic transmission) - had to coast across several lanes of traffic and try to pull out of danger. Transmission was replaced for the cost of 3,400.00. *tr
ODI 10240144
Automatic Transmission · Wheels
Transmission in 2002 ford explorer failed w/o warning. Directly (3 days) after getting it back from transmission shop, both rear hub assemblies went. Again, seemingly overnight. My wife said, "it feels like the wheels are going to fall off." service shop said, "it's a wonder the wheels didn't fall off." did this thing just self-destruct or what? Ford needs to be held accountable for these untimely failures. I have…
ODI 10231462
Automatic Transmission
My wife and i own a 2002 ford explorer xlt. The vehicle o/d lights started blinking and the check engine light as well. The suv then just quit. Took the vehicle to a mechanic and it has been diagnosed with complete transmission failure. After reading many other web sites this appears to be a very common problem with this particular vehicle and model year. Ford is aware of the problem, even going so far as issuing a…
ODI 10229877
Automatic Transmission
We own a 2002 ford explorer xlt with a v6 engine. It has approximately 149,000 miles but has been well-maintained. On 5/24/08 we experienced a sudden catastrophic failure of our transmission when driving in downtown seattle. The o/d light would blink and the vehicle would not move. Attempts to resolve this found that first gear was available if we would only go for about 100 yards at best. We ended up having it…
ODI 10229271
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failed in my 2002 ford explorer..i wish i would have researched the 2002 before i purchased the car. If i knew then what i know now i would have never bought this truck. This is the second issue i've had with ford, my 1996 ford explorer had the issues with the tires and it took people losing their lives before ford and federal government finally recalled the tires on the trucks. I gave ford another…
ODI 10228667
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer, i was driving about 65 mph on the interstate when the truck just started stalling and the o/d light started blinking. I almost was hit from behind, and the vehicle almost lost control. After pulling over, and putting the vehicle in park, and turning the o/d back on, the truck hesitated to go into 1st gear. Now it won't drive normal, and i keep getting the staggered shifting. This is a major…
ODI 10228232
Automatic Transmission
I'm the first owner of a 2002 explorer. At 30k miles, had to have the transmission rebuilt due to slipping, od light flashing and would not go into gear. At 60k miles, the exact same symptoms have re-appeared and ford is unwilling to provide any compensation. Looking on-line, many owners of this model have the same issue. Other cars i have owned and have many more miles logged have never had transmission needing…
ODI 10227916