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
Transmission is slipping. It makes noise, takes a long time to get into 2nd and 3rd gear, also reverse. It jumps when it finally engages. I have almost had an car accident because of it. I have to take in to be repaired. *jb
ODI 10178980
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explorer limited edition. While under warranty, @ 52,000, i had major issues w/ the transmission, an overhaul was completed, and my transmission was "rebuilt". Less than 2 years later and a little under 40,000 miles later, my o/d light goes off, gears slipping and i am told i now have metal in the pan and i do not have 2 gears, hence, i need a new transmission. Now that i am no longer under…
ODI 10180806
Automatic Transmission
All of a sudden the transmission would not shift gears and the overdrive light started flashing. When taken to a mechanic, the diagnostic test threw a code of p0733 and p0745. We were told that a band broke in the transmission and 3rd gear went out. The fix was to overhaul the transmission for $2700. Upon doing some research, it appears that this is a common problem with 2002 ford explorers and ford should do a…
ODI 10178702
Automatic Transmission
I bought a 2002 ford explorer new in 2002 and noticed six months later that there was occasional slipping between 3rd and 4th gear and the overdrive in the automatic transmission. I had mentioned it to the ford service guys but they said it was nothing to worry about. Now with the warranty expired and 43,000 miles on the car the overdrive light comes on and the ford dealer pulls the transmission and finds a sensor…
ODI 10178575
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer - 58,000 original miles. No indication of problem, automatic transmission would not shift into gear. Local ford dealer says the 3rd gear is gone and will cost $1800 to fix. *jb
ODI 10178441
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle always shifted hard. Suddenly began slipping between gears. Immediately taken to the dealer who referred it to a transmission shop. The solution was a total rebuild at 66,700 miles. Partially covered by an extended warranty, but still cost $1300 out-of-pocket. Love the truck. Dislike the manufacturer for not stepping up to the plate. The transmission on a truck/suv should be one of the more durable…
ODI 10178927
Automatic Transmission
O/d off light began flashing rapidly. Apparently tripped by a failed solenoid b valve body. The valve body of solenoid b (the one controlling 1st and od, which together constitute 3rd gear) is a known faulty part. This can also be associated with a failed epc valve, which is usually replaced at the same time as the solenoid. According to auto professionals, this is a common issue with ford light truck automatic…
ODI 10213793
Automatic Transmission
Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving at 10 mph she noticed that the overdrive light was flashing on and off. As she applied the accelerator pedal the vehicle would not respond and the engine idled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed. The transmission band for third gear had failed. *ak
ODI 10179512
Automatic Transmission · Wheel Bearing
2002 ford explorer two issues 1/1/07 - grinding of rear wheel. 1/2/07 - o/d light started flashing, within 7 miles service engine light came on. Car would not accelerate until letting off the gas. 1/2/07 - call aaa to have car towed to local ford dealer. Ford quoted $5,100 for repairs. We denied repair at ford. Due to out of pocket expenses we had a local transmission shop do the repairs. We did not want to give…
ODI 10178657
Automatic Transmission
Regular driving of a ford explorer 2002 xlt, very early transmission failure the vehicle's transmission just gives out o/d light starts flashing all of a sudden the vehicle does not go in to gear all of this while driving. Checked online turns out many people have had the exact same problem with this vehicle, called ford they said that it would cost about $4000.00 to repair. *jb
ODI 10177611
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission stutters and shifts hard. I have had it to the dealer many times and paid for nothing as nothing has changed - the situation has been worsening over time. They have changed fluids, reprogrammed a chip and test driven it many times - says they don't feel anything wrong. It is happening every day now. *tr
ODI 10288532
Air Bags · Air Conditioner · Automatic Transmission · Parking Brake · Power Window Devices And Controls · Seat Belts · Suspension
On my 2002 ford explorer suv i have had to replace 3 of the 4 wheel bearings and hub assemblies(approx $250 each), with the 4th not far behind. I have also had to replace the 4-wheel drive module(approx $400-$500). I have had problems with the rear window motors going bad and having to replace these too. The air conditioning unit has stopped working. The passenger air bag dummy light has come on for no reason. The…
ODI 10225925
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explorer and like numerous other people, i have transmission problems with this vehicle. The o/d light blinks off and on and it does not shift properly when this happens. If you turn the vehicle off and then back on, it usually shifts ok for a while before it starts all over again. I believe ford should recall this problem because obviously the large majority of these vehicles have this or similar…
ODI 10215797
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer limited, o/d light flashing and transmission had to be replaced at 72,000 miles. *nm
ODI 10177641
Automatic Transmission
Tl* - the contact stated that the check engine, and overdrive lights will turn on intermittently. This failure does not happen at any particular speed. The failure occurred at about 67,000 miles. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told he would need a new or rebuilt transmission. *nm updated 03/07/07*jb
ODI 10178577
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving 55-60 mph, the transmission stopped shifting. The affected gears were second and overdrive. The gear was able to shift from first to third gear without any problems. The contact took the vehicle to a transmission shop the same day and they diagnosed a major internal failure. He purchased a reconditioned transmission from ford and had it installed. The cost to…
ODI 10207281
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2002 ford explorer xlt. I bought it november of 2004 with 40,000 miles on it. It now has 80,000 miles on it and slips while shifting from 2nd to 1st gear and i also hear a whining noise in the rear end. It jerks and slips consistently. The overdrive off light is flashing, and the service engine light is on. The car says "check transmission" on the instrument cluster. I called 4 ford dealers and was told…
ODI 10174718
Automatic Transmission
Purchased vehicle from crossroads ford , raleigh nc june 24,06 while driving in traffic nov 22,06 check transmission appeared on message center, odo light started flashing, check engine light illuminated and vehicle would not shift gears. The vehicle would not increase speed while engine rpm were increasing. Vehicle gave no prior warning of impending problem from jun to nov and had been driven locally for the period…
ODI 10174827
Automatic Transmission
Transmission needs replacing in a 2002 ford explorer, 81,000 miles. *nm
ODI 10174029
Automatic Transmission · Differential Unit
11/7/03 at 20,272 miles unit in for rear axle whine dealer replaced the drive shaft but rear axle whine not fixed. 11/13/04 at 34269 miles vehicle taken to dealer for rear end howl again replaced rear differential unit. Next morning wife went to take child to day care and vehicle would not go over 35 mph without resistance. Had towed to the dealer and the was told a faulty differential unit. Put the old one back in…
ODI 10173149
Automatic Transmission
TRANSMISSION OUT. *NM
ODI 10172751
Automatic Transmission · Emission Control · Wiring
Dt*: the contact stated while accelerating, the vehicle vibrated and a noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times where the transmission converter was replaced twice, however the problem recurred. Also, while the contact was changing the oil it was noticed a wire from the battery was bare. The consumer stated the transmission is still not shifting properly and during acceleration, the vehicle…
ODI 10172688
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explorer. My complaint is having this car for only 2 years after buying it from the rancho santa margarita ford dealer, now the car has a transmission problem. I have looked up a lot of complaints regarding this particular problem with 2002 ford explorer. And they all have the same problems as mine.. And we get stuck with $4k for a new transmission. I think they should have a recall on this…
ODI 10174956
Automatic Transmission
My 2002 ford explorer xls, 85,000 miles, started without warning to flash the o/d light and the transmission failed. *jb
ODI 10172595
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer - overdrive light flashing, transmission has difficulty shifting. Winds up to excessive rpm's before shifting. Vehicle has only 57,000 miles. *nm
ODI 10171988