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
The gearshift lever broke off while shifting into park. No excessive pressure was exerted at this time or any other to my knowledge. Fortunately this occurred in my driveway but i fear this failure could have happened during a gear change on the road (from reverse to drive, or vice versa in a traffic situation). My repair shop said the parts to repair this were back ordered, apparently due to frequent failures. *tr
ODI 10232975
Automatic Transmission · Hinge And Attachments
2002 eddie bauer explorer transmission transmission type 5r55w started to slip and the vehicle has 110,000 mi. Next my o/d dash light started to flash and then the check transmission light went on. Dealer stated it was just a bad solenoid replacement cost of $1,000 or worse? Second opinion stated that there is a buried code in the diagnostic about the overdrive wasn't working and the test drive by mech. Noted that…
ODI 10217410
Automatic Transmission
I bought my 2002 ford explorer used in 2005 with about 60,000 miles on it. In 6 months the entire car would shake if i went above 50 miles per hour. About a week later, while driving on the highway i felt the car shift extremely hard. I took it to a shop and was told that 3rd gear was already gone and that i was going to soon lose 2nd and so on. I had to spend $2000 on a rebuilt transmission. However, almost 2 1/2…
ODI 10216377
Automatic Transmission
Traveling on interstate when loud noise came from the transmission. Rpm's went up drastically. Tranny light came on. When starting and stopping the truck the transmission would make a horrible metal sound. Have not driven it for 1 month due to having to go get a loan to pay for the repairs. Took to aamco which stated today that the tranny needs to be totally overhauled at $2400. *tr
ODI 10217873
Automatic Transmission
Od off light flashing, causing the 02 ford explorer not to shift properly, replaced transmission 3 times and the light is still flashing. Ford needs to recall this junk. *tr
ODI 10349913
Automatic Transmission · External · Seal · Sensor/Control Module · Spindle · Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) · Wheel Bearing
Currently own a 2002 explorer xlt with only 65k miles on it. The transmission is in need of a rebuild because is slip from time to time. The rear differential seals are leaking. The entire rear of the vehicle makes a humming noise so i suspect that a rear bearing is going bad. Not to mention the 4wheel drive system has not worked since i bought it a little over a year ago. I've had intermittent issues with the air…
ODI 10214158
Automatic Transmission
Transmission went out on my explorer 2002 ...every single person i know that has 2002 explorer had to re-build their transmission ..ford needs to take care of...i cant afford to fix it each time ..its factory defect that should be recalled. There's alot of non satisfied costumers that i find all over the world. Something has to be done. *tr
ODI 10216615
Automatic Transmission
The transmission in my 2002 ford explorer has a history on intermittent problems that the ford dealer was not able to replicate. Therefore no repairs have ever taken place. This has bee a safety issue as the car fail to shift in the middle of an intersection, or when i attempt to pass another vehicle. At other times the car will lurch forward or backward when placing or removing the car from park. Recently the…
ODI 10213537
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer xls. I purchased this vehicle in june of 2004 and shortly after the o/d light was blinking setting off the "check engine" light. When i took it to ford, they claimed it was a solenoid that needed to be replaced at my cost because it was not covered in the warranty. After a high priced repair, the o/d light came on again within a month's time. I returned to have them repair it again on the repair…
ODI 10257176
Automatic Transmission · Power Train
Transmission slippage, rear end clunks when the tranny finally shifts to another gear, rear end whine at 60-70mph. Hasn't been fixed but the dealership estimates $2k for the rear end and $3k for the tranny. *tr
ODI 10227220
Automatic Transmission · Steering
Complainant has had difficulty shifting into park since the vehicle was purchased used in december 2007. December 2008 just after christmas vehicle rolled backwards down a slight inclined driveway. The complainant parked the vehicle and was in the home for approximately 35-45 minutes when the complainants wife asked where was the vehicle why wasn't it in the driveway. The consumer went outside and found the vehicle…
ODI 10266585
Automatic Transmission
My overdrive light is blinking on and off for about a month..and based on what i have read, my transmission is about to go. On one website alone there were over 100 complaints about the 2002 ford explorer transmission needing to be completely overhauled. What happens when someone is driving on a freeway, the transmission goes and dozens of people are killed because of a massive accident?????? Ford should be held…
ODI 10218469
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure as well as differential failure on vehicle with less than 90k,car has been dealer serviced, this is one of many complaints on this vehicle. At what point will you initiate an investigation? Ford designed this transmission as a sealed unit. Consumer is unable to check the fluid. Flashing o?d light violent shifting, loss of power in 3rd gear. *tr
ODI 10219836
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explorer that i have not even had a year. I am paying a loan for it and i have not been able to drive it for 3 months. Surprise it needs a transmission! Apparently this is nothing new for this vehicle. If you type in a search you will find a lot of people that have the same problem. This is very expensive to fix and since it was my families main transportation it has been a huge inconvenience. My…
ODI 10218897
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer xlt 103k miles makes a clunk when shift on reverse. Took it for check up and need a new transmission which will cost about $2500+ i already paid $10,000 for suv cant pay any more and i only owned it for 10 months. And there are thousands of customers with the same problem that can be found on this website.…
ODI 10217507
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure. After research, it appears there are several issues dealing with this similar item. *tr
ODI 10212270
Automatic Transmission
I have this 2002 explorer eddie bauer edition. It only has 79k on it, and the o/d started flashing. I pulled over and shut it off, and started it again.....after i restarted no problems...light was gone, and still shifted correctly. I proceeded and took it to my dealer....was told it would be around 5800 to fix this. That is ridiculous...with that low of miles on it...... *tr
ODI 10216782
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While approaching a stop light, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the engine light illuminated. The dealer stated that there was transmission failure and it needed to be rebuilt. Ford stated that the contact would have to pay for the repairs. The vin was invalid. The current and failure mileages were 97,000.
ODI 10211491
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission slippage, issues with transmission over-revving between gears and then shifting gears at high rpms causing vehicle instability, o/d off light on console blinks consistently, "check transmission" notified on display screen on console, occurs even after engine restart, internet research shows that this is a common problem with the ford explorer with a 5r55w transmission. Extremely…
ODI 10211413
Automatic Transmission
Was driving my 2002 ford explorer with only 55k miles, overdrive light suddenly started flashing and now the transmission will not shift from second gear into third gear. The rpm`s rev very high and then it clunks into third gear. I understand there have been a lot of problems with this transmission. Something needs to be done about this immediately. *tr
ODI 10211248
Automatic Transmission
At 65,000 mi. The check transmission light came on and o/d light flashed while accelerating. I called dealer they said to wait until light stayed on. At 72,000 lights came on again as well as check engine. Brought it to dealer and need new transmission. I have found many posts regarding new transmissions for this vehicle at low miles. Cost of transmission was 3200 out of pocket. There should be a recall on this. *tr
ODI 10211807
Automatic Transmission
Transmission overdrive light is blinking and illuminated and jerks between 2nd and 3rd gear. This problem is clearly a defect as the identical problem is posted all over the internet. The error code for the service engine light points to the solenoid. There should be a recall issued before somebody's transmission fails and causes a death. *cn
ODI 10213788
Automatic Transmission
I drive a 2002 ford explorer xlt 4.0 v6 . My over drive light begun flashing and shortly after that my transmission failed. I own many fords and this is an issue that defiantly needs to be recalled. Perfect maintenance. *tr
ODI 10210149
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer xlt transmission failure at 45,000 miles. Had to have a new one installed for $3,000.00. *tr
ODI 10209605
Automatic Transmission
Purchased '02 explorer eddie bauer brand new in aug '01. From brand new, explorer would not immediately engage when stopped at a light and pressing the gas. After multiple visits to ford, and they couldn't find anything wrong, they finally got a service notice that told them how to fix it. Now at just 86k miles, young for gently driven, fully maintained vehicles, i am being told that i need a new transmission. O/d…
ODI 10216216