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 am another victim of the 2002 ford explorer and its transmission woes. Alerted by a flashing od yellow warning light, after a trip to the garage and research on the internet, i discover this is a sign that i will need a $3000 transmission rebuild on a vehicle with only 99k miles that was carefully used and dealer serviced. This is a known problem by ford and have done nothing to rectify if with consumers. *tr
ODI 10382674
Automatic Transmission · Rear
Our 2002 ford explorer xlt with 109,000 miles has serious transmission slippage between 2nd and 3rd gears. The local dealer and an independent repair shop state that the transmission needs replaced at a cost between $2,500 and $3,500. It is dangerous to drive in its current condition because there are times when it will not accelerate. The rear differential and ball bearings also need replaced according to 2…
ODI 10397362
Automatic Transmission
There was no indication that there was a problem, the vehicle suddenly stopped shifting correctly, started making bad noises, won't shift out of second gear, and the overdrive light is flashing spastic. The vehicle is almost undriveable, and this appears to be a systemic problem from what i have read. I am about to take it into a transmission shop for diagnosis. *tr
ODI 10380081
Automatic Transmission
I was driving my explorer yesterday and it was attempting to shift gears and instead sounded like an explosion or a tire getting busted. The o/d light came on and start flashing. It would reset itself everytime the car was restarted but immediately came back on. Later in the evening, the service engine soon light came on. I'm not one to wait and let something terrible happen to my vehicles so i took it to aamco…
ODI 10378666
Automatic Transmission
At 105k miles, our 2002 ford explorer started shaking as it shifted through the gears. We took it to a ford dealer who charged $2,000 for "fixing" the problem. Driving away from the dealer, the problem continued. We took it back to the dealer who said there was another error code that cost us $30. The problem continued, and today ford said that the transmission needed to be completely replaced. At just over 100k…
ODI 10376297
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the gear shift selector detached from the hinge while the contact was attempting to change gears. The contact was able to shut off the vehicle but the key would not come out of the ignition. The vehicle was repaired once but the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted and told the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The…
ODI 10406278
Automatic Transmission
My 2002 ford explorer o/d light is blinking, as many other ford explorer owners i am afraid this is a serious transmission problem, i want ford to be liable to address this problem of such a big magnitude. *tr
ODI 10374688
Automatic Transmission
The transmission on our 2002 ford explorer needed to be rebuilt at 36,000 miles and is now needing to be rebuilt again at 74,000 miles. The first repair was done at a ford dealership and after much complaining we were able to have some of the cost absorbed by purchasing an extended warranty. The car started shifting rough again a few weeks ago and then quickly progressed to fully skipping 3rd gear. We are now facing…
ODI 10375241
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph the overdrive and service warning lights illuminated as the vehicle began to lose power. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the transmission converter body was rebuilt. In addition, repairs were made to the overdrive piston, overdrive speed sensor, overdrive band, carrier planter, and reverse…
ODI 10373845
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer xls, driving o/d light came on and transmission started failing to shift correctly, needs complete transmission rebuild. *tr
ODI 10372143
Automatic Transmission
This is the second time my o/d off light has started flashing and now the transmission has started shifting extremely hard. I have now been told that i need to have my transmission rebuilt. That is a $2800 job. This is after a year and half ago i had the same problem with this vehicle and had to have the transmission replaced. Which was a $2400 job. I don't see exactly how i could have gone through two transmissions…
ODI 10376307
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer - eddie bauer edition. Transmission o/d light turned on when driving up a hill. Car has less than 80,000 miles on it! Read the hundreds of complaints about other 2002 ford explorers: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/transmission/o_d_light_is_blinking.shtml please help. *tr
ODI 10371124
Automatic Transmission
I was driving and my od light started flashing. A few miles later my cars rpms went up and my car slowed down, causing my to quickly pull over to the side of the road to avoid being rear ended. I tried to drive it to the store a few days later and i got about 1/4 of a mile down the road when i heard a loud noise and the car did the same thing. I have my car sitting in the drive way waiting to get it into be looked…
ODI 10370550
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission jumped when put in reverse hit a parked car. When you slow down it slips out of gear and wont go. I have transmission problems with the vehicle. Im scared that it will fail again while on the freeway and my family and i will be hurt or even killed. Its not safe to drive. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10369875
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission failure with only 87,899 miles on vehicle , i complained to the dealer 4days after having the about hard shifting and gears banging .they made adjustment to the pcm ,but a month later it started again,3yr later without putting over 30,000 on the tranny is broken. *tr
ODI 10367051
Automatic Transmission
O/d light started flashing, suddenly my car stopped shifting correctly. The car was never driven hard and is an automatic. After taking it to a transmission shop and doing some research i found that my transmission needed replaced and that it was not covered under warranty and costs around 3000 dollars to replace. *tr
ODI 10366966
Automatic Transmission
Got into my 2002 ford explorer today and my overdrive light was flashing and when i drove off, it revved up in the 300-400 rpm and shifted very hard. I have never driven offroad or very hard at all. Taking it to a mechanic monday, but we have dealt with enough cars to know that the transmission is going to blow up soon. *tr
ODI 10365594
Automatic Transmission
Ford explorer would not shift out of 2nd gear. The vehicle is a 2002 ford explorer xlt with 4.0 l v-6, and automatic transmission. Took in to my mechanic and he advised me to take it to a transmission shop since the readout fault codes indicated major failure. Vehicle has less than 80,000 miles and has been well taken care of since it was new. *tr
ODI 10363454
Automatic Transmission
Transmission is failing in my 2002 ford explorer 4x4. A local transmission shop confirmed that my fear that the gears were not shifting properly was due to the transmission failing. It will cost $2400 to $2800 to repair. Because the transmission is sealed it will cost extra. Only through the first half of the year of 2002 were the explorers made with this transmission and mine was manufactured in may 2001. *tr
ODI 10362940
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph the vehicle stalled and would not shift into third gear. The contact noticed a recall for the power train transmission. Due to the vin the vehicle was not a part of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer should extend the recall to more vehicle identification numbers since this was a known safety issue. The failure…
ODI 10363933
Automatic Transmission
Transmission problems. This is the second time this has happened and the transmission was rebuilt in 2005. We've only averaged about 10,000 miles per year since the rebuild. *tr
ODI 10362304
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission experienced problem. The overdrive light began flashing and the vehicle shifted into neutral. There was no down hill engine braking. I stopped the vehicle and turned the engine off. When i restarted the vehicle the overdrive light was off and remained off for a few weeks. It is now back on again. I feel that the transmission shifting into neutral and not providing braking when going…
ODI 10364385
Automatic Transmission · Engine And Engine Cooling · Equipment · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Rear
O/d light flashes for a few days then at around 25 mph the gear switches into neutral and runs very rough then the car is thrown forward. Had a rebuilt transmission (we were told we were getting a brand new transmission and paid extra for it!) at 83k miles on oct 15, 2010 then feb 5, 2011 the same exact thing happens. The dealer cannot take the truck for another 5 days and refused to give me a loner car because it…
ODI 10381434
Automatic Transmission
Trouble removing vehicle from park on incline over few week period. Transmission changing gears in rough manner over a few day period. Od light flashing during highway driving and then odor of something burning on october 10, 2010. Diagnosed as "fried transmission" by dealer. Cost to replace $3887 plus $125 for diagnosis. Not yet repaired - deciding our next action. Vehicle purchased new, always maintained according…
ODI 10361428
Automatic Transmission
Overdrive light is blinking and check transmission is indicated in message window. Does reset when truck is turned off but warning comes back when driving again. At this time vehicle does 'clunk' when going into reverse. It is still shifting through 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc ok. I had the transmission rebuilt by ford dealer at 50k miles (3/24/06), currently have 75k miles on vehicle(10/11/10). *tr
ODI 10359953