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
During normal driving with a total of 55,000 miles until delay shifting in 2nd and 3rd gears. This was followed by the overdrive off light flashing and then the check engine light went on. Tower ford dealership said the transmission had to be overhauled for $3,000 all out of my pocket. *ak
ODI 10189255
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission broke the 3rd gear band. This is the second rebuild with only 40k miles on it. I feel this is a known issue and this should be covered under the lemon law. I feel these vehicles should last at least 80,000 miles before needing a rebuild. *tr
ODI 10188727
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure on 2002 ford explorer in 2007 at 88,000 miles and 2010 at 140,000 miles. First time od light came on, i drove it home 3 miles and then was not driveable. Second time no warning or light and it slipped out of gear as i was crossing the boulevard. Original transmission and replacement transmission are not quality and failed. First time i was on the freeway and able to coast home and the second…
ODI 10362435
Automatic Transmission
I purchased used 2002 ford explorer xlt on february 28, 2007 from classic nissan in mount. Holly, new jersey. The week of april 9, 2007 my daughter and i took a trip to florida. On april 11,2007 i noticed that when i would hit 55 mph the odometer off light would start blinking. I notified classic nissan of the situation. They said that they would look at it when i returned from my vacation. On my way home on april…
ODI 10188208
Automatic Transmission
1. Was just driving, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, when all of a sudden... 2. The "o/d off" light on the dash started blinking rapidly, and the message panel in the dash said "check transmission". Brought it into ford dealership, was told the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $3400. 3. Nothing yet, but i'm told if i want to drive the car again, it will require a brand new $3400 transmission. Did…
ODI 10188155
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the transmission will not engage in the reverse position and failed to accelerate. In addition, when the vehicle turned, the rear of the vehicle produced a loud thumping sound and almost stalled. The contact brought the vehicle to the dealer, who was unable to fix the failure. The current and failure mileages were 123,196.*ak
ODI 10187744
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle made a whinning noise when idling. There was a pause when shifting from park to drive, from reverse to drive, and from drive to reverse. The pause caused vehicle to not move forward or reverse until the transmission engaged.*ak
ODI 10187619
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2022 ford explorer with 82000 miles, and transmission fluid replaced at least twice since i purchased the vehicle. At 74,000 was miles fluid and filter replaced at dealer. When the transmission was warm the vehicle will only travel 2-3 yards in reverse, and then lock. Dealer diagnosed the problem as transmission. Dealer wanted to tear the transmission down and determine the cause. It could require a…
ODI 10186355
Automatic Transmission · Seal
I have a 2002 ford explorer. I have had to replace the transmission at 51,000. I have also had to replace the rear seals axle seals on both sides and they both need it again.
ODI 10185584
Automatic Transmission
I purchased a new 2002 ford explorer in october 2002. In the past two years, i have replaced all of the four ball bearing joints, and alternator and now a transmission with total costs to exceed $7000. I am writing now because i felt that the other expenses were wear and tear, as i have have 98,000 miles. But now it is going to cost $3600 to replace my transmssion. Last thursday 3/15 my vehicle would not shift into…
ODI 10185575
Automatic Transmission
2002 explorer eddie bauer awd, vehicle mileage just uner 100k. Vehicle (w.o warning) would not shift thru 3rd gear. Symptons are when vehicle gets to 3rd, engine revs as if in neutral, check trans light comes on, od indicater flashes. Backing off on throttle allows hard shift into 4th and vehicle proceeds ok. Ford dealer says 3rd gear band is gone. When i asked the dealership if this is a known problem they claim…
ODI 10185409
Automatic Transmission · Rack And Pinion · Rear
Car started making humming noise when going 30-45 mph, took to a mechanic who ref me to the dealership to check the transmission and then for transmission flush, still the same issue, i was advised that the tires needed to be replaced, i have 4x4 which requires the same 4 tires or the car will jerk. The brake pedal vibrates, and the 4x4 gauge doesn't work, replaced the component and still the same issue. Any who to…
ODI 10184747
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving 40 mph on the highway, the contact was accelerating and heard a loud noise and the engine began to idle. The contact was thrown forward into the steering wheel causing the driver to steer to the right. The failure mileage was 31,350. The dealer stated that the third gear bang or the transmission needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 61,350.
ODI 10184322
Automatic Transmission
Tl*- the contact stated that while going up an incline at 20 mph in the 2002 ford explorer she started feeling a surge in the transmission. The overdrive light started flashing, as well as the check engine light. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealership, and they stated that they will need to replace the transmission solenoid pack. She has done some research online and saw similar complaints. The current…
ODI 10184540
Automatic Transmission
Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The dealer told him that he had lost the third gear. The gear would slip instead of engaging. The contact stated that the vehicle would shake the steering wheel really badly, and feel as if it was pulling away from him. This normally happened between 0 -29 mph, and that when the vehicle reached 30 mph it would level out and…
ODI 10183610
Automatic Transmission · Non-Powered Axle Assembly · Rear · Spindle
My 2002 ford explorer has been repaired for major transmission and rear end problems approx. 15 times in the past 3 years. The transmission continues to slip between 2nd-3rd and 3rd-4th gear. In reverse the clutch binds up. The rear end roars and was replaced at 35,000 miles (after numerous fix attempts) and at 66,000 miles rear wheel bearings, ring gear & pinion were replaced. The transmission was almost overhauled…
ODI 10184551
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failed after having been serviced on multiple occasions by ford dealership. Transmission failed causing vehicle to be disabled in travel area of the roadway. Ford dealership stated on multiple occasions that there was "no problem with the transmission". Vehicle now needs new transmission after only 60,000 miles at cost of $2000 +. This is an ongoing problem with 2002 ford explorer suv's and immediate…
ODI 10183443
Automatic Transmission
Transmission went at 66k and caused me safety concerns when driving because i could not accelerate. *jb
ODI 10183057
Automatic Transmission
2002 explorer xlt 2wd (47,000 miles) automatic transmission would not shift to 3rd gear while driving 35 mph in rush hour traffic. The engine revved so i rolled to a stop luckily on a grass shoulder with no one hitting my vehicle. Ford rebuilt the trans for $2500. The district ford rep would not pay for the repair eventhough i knew of the problem occurring in cincinnati and ford paid. Research shows this is a common…
ODI 10353939
Automatic Transmission
Transmission started slipping while shift gears around 35-40 mph. Engine would rev high. Dealer said i lost 3rd speed. Dealer replaced transmission at cost of $2565.77 plus $1020 in labor. Dealer also replaced rear axle seals ($265.48). Explorer had 89,449 miles on it. Friends and web say rear diff and transmissions are notoriously bad. When will ford recall these vehicles? Will the consumer ever get their money…
ODI 10183965
Automatic Transmission
Ford 2002 xlt explorer 4wheel drive i am on my 3rd transmission at under 100k miles. Luckily i travel close to home when the occurrences happen. But others i have spoke to with same vehicle have had the same problem, looked up also car stats.com and too numerous to mention, ford should have researched this problem and recalled. *tr
ODI 10221135
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that he had to rebuild his transmission and replace the rear differential bearings. The vehicle failed while driving 70 mph. He stated that the vehicle shut off when he shifted into reverse. He had to wait a few minutes before the vehicle could be restarted. The vin was unknown. The current mileage was 80,000 and failure mileage was 67,117.
ODI 10202117
Automatic Transmission · Engine And Engine Cooling
I have two or three issues; the first one is my timing chain tensioner broke and came up through the head gasket cover. It was brought to my attention that ford has had this problem with many of it's 2002 ford explorers. I am just returning from iraq (air force) i have just had it towed to the repair shop it has not be fixed. I have transmission problems for about 2 years were it jumps into gear and i have a whining…
ODI 10181663
Automatic Transmission
Overdrive light on dash of 2002 ford explorer flashing rough shifting into reverse and from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. *jb
ODI 10179533
Automatic Transmission
Tl* - the transmission on a 2002 ford explorer 4.0 liter slips gears occasionally. The contact stated that after engaging the accelerator when at a full stop the transmission will slip into neutral and then several seconds later the transmission will jerk into gear. The failure mileage was 107000. *jb
ODI 10178907