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 · Rear
2002 ford explorer xlt, car will not shift out of 2nd gear. Over drive off light flashes and shifting stalls. No replacement has happened yet, but seems like everyone else who has had this happen to them needed a transmission rebuild. I don't have the money to shell out for a rebuild. Also 5 months after purchasing the car, i had to replace the rear ball baring hubs and bearings. The total cost was 1,000 dollars…
ODI 10218726
Automatic Transmission
I purchased a 2002 ford explorer used in 2003 with approximately 35,000 miles. Before i hit 80,000 miles i had to have the transmission replaced due to a shifting/clunking problem. Just recently i had to have it replaced again due to erratic shifting and malfunction. The ford dealership and local transmission shop both said that this was a very common problem and that ford knows about it but refuses to do anything.…
ODI 10218905
Automatic Transmission · Equipment · Suspension · Wheels
Transmission shifted hard into 2nd gear from day one, took it to dealer and they said it was normal, whining in rear end also said normal. Had to replace 2 wheel bearings, 2 more bad now, replaced wheel hub, now transmission will not shift. *tr
ODI 10226355
Automatic Transmission
Overdrive indicator on my wife's 2002 ford explorer was flashing and experienced problems shifting between gears. Repair facility says this is a common problem was this transmission. Solution is to have the transmission rebuilt or replaced with another transmission. Internet google returns tons of supporting owners with same problem. *tr
ODI 10218480
Automatic Transmission
Transmission has failed. O/d light is blinking, and it won't shift into 3rd gear. *tr
ODI 10218232
Automatic Transmission
Transmission problems in the 2002 explorer with a 4.6l v8. *tr
ODI 10218105
Automatic Transmission
The overdrive light was flashing, rpm's increased and the vehicle's transmission was making loud noises as the gears shifted. The vehicle was brought to a transmission specialist and was diagnosed as needing a new transmission. Not only a new one, but to boar out the existing housing as it was defective by ford. *tr
ODI 10218183
Automatic Transmission
Yet, another 2002 ford explorer transmission failure. Overdrive light started flashing, lost power and delay on shifting, had to have transmission rebuilt. Ford needs to own up to this problem. Luckily i'm under a crappy extended warranty. Or i would be 3,400 dollars worse in the hole on this 86,000 mile 02 explorer. Also had to have the rear seals replaced and control arm same old stuff i here everywhere..... *tr
ODI 10218472
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2002 ford explorer the transmission started slipping when it was shifting in to 3rd gear so a took it to the ford dealership two days later they call me and tell me that i need a new transmission it would be around 3,300.00 .well i go on line to research and try to find a transmission come to find out there's hundred of people who own the 2002 ford explorer with the same thing happen to it i know things do…
ODI 10217994
Automatic Transmission · Equipment
I am very concerned at all of the transmissions complaints that the nhtsa has had on the ford 2002 explorer and nothing is being done about this. I have sent in 1 of many complaints because of course i am one of the unlucky citizens of the u.s. Who believed that the ford explorer was a very dependable vehicle. Hello is it going to take someone actually getting killed for this vehicle to be recalled for the…
ODI 10238852
Automatic Transmission
O/D LIGHT FLASHING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *TR
ODI 10217755
Automatic Transmission
My 2002 ford explorer has been wonderful until my transmission started slipping it would run fine then jolt into gear out of no where then be running fine again. I was on my way to work the other day and out of no where my car stalls in drive i am pushing on the gas pedal and nothing no movement in rush hour traffic. I have my car towed to the transmission shop and bang you need a new transmission, i did not take my…
ODI 10217458
Automatic Transmission
Tranny slippage. O/d light/service engine light flashing. Engine revving but not coming into gear. The transmission shop said this is a known issues with fords. The bands that wrap the 2nd & 5th gears to lock against the drum are defective. Ford has updated the style of the band and once replaced this issue does not repeat. My estimate so far is at $2100-$2300. We will not know full extent of damage until he…
ODI 10217368
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explore v-8 xlt that has been taken care of and all the sudden i have transmission problems, when i am in drive all sudden out of no where my car will either stall or it will jolt into gear. Then it will be ok for a while then it starts doing the same thing again. I am more mad that more than 100 complaints have been posted with the same transmission problem for the same year ford vehicle all of…
ODI 10217365
Automatic Transmission
Absolutely no warning signs o/d off light blinking transmission bands failure, requiring a complete rebuild $2500-3500 for repair at 68,000 miles. *tr
ODI 10217353
Automatic Transmission
Transmission od light blinking started over a year ago and we took to nearby dealer and they charged around $900 to service transmission and od light stopped blinking. Few months ago the light came up again and this time dealer says it needs a new transmission. *tr
ODI 10264446
Automatic Transmission
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
ODI 10217110
Automatic Transmission
Transmission on my 2002 ford explorer is failing after only 40,000 miles. Even though i have maintained the vehicle and not abused it, i will have to replace the transmission. *tr
ODI 10216929
Automatic Transmission
1)no particular events leading up to failure, one day o/d light came on (flashing) 2)transmission failure, must rebuild to the tune of $3,400 3)transmission rebuild. *tr
ODI 10216883
Automatic Transmission
In late january, 2008 something struck the radiator and transmission cooler of my 2002 ford explorer. I was not aware that an object had penetrated both of these causing coolant and transmission fluid leakage. The engine locked up and the transmission stopped working. My local ford dealer replaced my engine and some parts in my transmission. Since then my transmission has failed numerous times having to be towed…
Crash reported
ODI 10245466
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure - known 2002 ford explorer issue and not a recall. Have to replace entire transmission. *tr
ODI 10216596
Automatic Transmission
I bought a 2002 ford explorer in july of 2007 in jan of the next year our o/d light started flashing and we lost 3rd gear. So we need a new transmission. After getting online and seeing hundreds of other problems that are almost exactly the same its hard to understand why ford won't issue a recall, this is our only vehicle to drive 3 kids around in and we are still making payments on something that just sits because…
ODI 10232499
Automatic Transmission · Rear
This is my wife"s 02' 4x4 v8 explorer,we brought it new and now have 78,000 miles in it,at first i heard some noise i thought it came from the tires that pretty worn out so i went to change out the new tires while i was in the shop and wait i ask the guy can i go in there to check out the brake pads i notice the rear springs broke???? The more searching i did the more thing i find out, wheel bearing??? No more…
ODI 10260254
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer with an o/d light flashing and now a service engine soon light on. Was told by the dealer that the transmission would have to be rebuilt. Only 46000 miles on the truck. Only changed every 3000. Extended warranty just expired on dec 13, 2007 after 5 years. Updated *tr
ODI 10217415
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer. Pulling out onto major highway and vehicle would not get out of 2nd gear. Vehicle has been maintained and serviced up to factory suggested standards. Taken to ford dealership and they did nothing except suggest a rebuilt ford transmission. *tr
ODI 10223146