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
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 mph on the highway, the overdrive light illuminated, and the vehicle operated at a reduced speed. It was driven to the dealer for inspection, who determined the automatic transmission needed to be replaced. After the replacement, the problem persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who determined the automatic transmission needed to be replaced again. The…
ODI 10171710
Automatic Transmission
Transmission shifts hard both in/out of park as well as between gears. Cylanoid replaced twice within 2 years. Loud whine in rear assembly/axle fluid leak. Nhtsa relects numerous complaints/service bulletins on this issue.
ODI 10171813
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle o/d light began to flash. Stopped vehicle and tried to get it to go off - won't go off. Started home and vehicle shifted "very hard" into 3 or 4th gear. Took to dealership the next available day - trans mission needs pressure solenoid, valve body and other parts - $2000 worth of repairs. Vehicle is 4 years old and has 75,000. Now taking to another dealer to get resolved. Called ford - will do nothing about…
ODI 10171349
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer - transmission went out at 63,884 miles - no warning - just went out. After reviewing so many complaints on the internet it appears that there is a major defect in this particular engine. Ford needs to do something about this. This will definitely be my last ford product. *nm
ODI 10170340
Automatic Transmission
My 2002 eddie bauer ford explorer revved at 30 mph then the o/d light started flashing and the check transmission light came on. Immediately i took it to dealer and was told the 3rd gear was gone. New transmission needed. Very saddened. *jb
ODI 10170258
Automatic Transmission
O/d light flicker. On restart went away. Dealer indicated there was internal transmission damage. Transmission could not be rebuilt needed to be replaced. While in shop they discovered problems with the rear end as well. Car has 72,000 miles and needs transmission and new rear end. I was shocked. *jb
ODI 10170272
Automatic Transmission
My transmission on my 2002 explorer is slipping from 2nd to 3rd and making a hissing noise. I understand there has been alot of complaints on these trucks. I want it fixed or replaced. I hope there is a recall on this automobile from ford. *nm
ODI 10169009
Automatic Transmission · Seal
After several attempts to diagnose transmission problem while under warranty, ford finally found a problem at 46,xxx miles (not covered under warranty, but ford offered a $1000 deductible). Burt ford of arapahoe ford inc. Centennial, colorado replaced the automatic transmission with a remanufactured serial# 0302462w and replaced the rear axle ring and pinion gear set, bearings, and seals (sept. '06). We received a…
ODI 10185440
Automatic Transmission
Transmission overdrive light started to flicker. Dealer tells me that 2nd gear is failing and when it fails my transmission will freeze and lock up causing a catastrophic failure which is a dangerous situation. *nm
ODI 10168549
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer xlt 4wd: i have had problems with my transmission on 5 occasions. Each time the transmission would shift really hard and thump. Ford fixed it and a few months later, the same problem. On the last occasion, i brought it in because it would stutter in 2nd gear like it was slipping (it felt like a stalling vehicle). Ford rebuilt the tranny and i got it 2 days later. It is now 3 days after the fix and…
ODI 10167834
Automatic Transmission
Today the transmission began to hang in 1st gear, then slammed into the next gear. 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 there was nothing they could do. The car is a 2002 explorer eddie bauer 4x4 with the 6 cylinder. I knew it was out of warranty as it…
ODI 10167683
Automatic Transmission
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NM
ODI 10167610
Automatic Transmission
Blinking o\d light, transmission will only shift into overdrive under no load, late and hard shift from 1st to 2nd (or accel to about 20 mph then back off to minimize jar to drive line components), and 4-wheel drive will not engage. Safety issues: (1) pulling out in traffic, can't accelerate until shifts into 2nd gear (have to back off in 1st before it shifts) (2) 4-wheel traction lock does not function. From the…
ODI 10225030
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2002 ford exploere and transmissionwas giving me problems. Also, has some vabration in rear end and front end ,took it to ford on waranty, and they said nothing was wrong . Well now i have a transmision problem and out of waranty, and they said there was nothing they could do for me, i would have to pay to get the problem fixed. But they should of look in to this problem when i had the car for a month. Now a…
ODI 10193507
Automatic Transmission
I bought by 2002 ford explorer from board ford on 07/24/2004. It had 57051 miles on it. At 77117 miles the transmission gears went out while i was driving on the 91 fwy. I then had it repaired at cerritos ford. It once again while i was driving the transmission failed at 92120 miles. It was a frightening experience while driving for your gears to go out on a busy highway. Luckily i was able to pull over both times…
ODI 10169137
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer 71,000 miles....transmission shifts hard and whining from rear end with some vibration....ford should recall as i have read many others have same problems. *jb
ODI 10166408
Automatic Transmission
I bought this vehicle with 60,000 thousand miles on it and now i am finding out that it may be junk. It is experiencing many of the problems you read about that are associated with this vehicle. It shifts really hard into 3rd and the rear end makes a whining noise/grinding type noise. *nm
ODI 10166023
Automatic Transmission
The overdrive warning light started flashing and the engine was whining and running between 3k to 5k rpm. The transmission band broke and caused a systematic failure. *nm
ODI 10165673
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2002 ford explorer. When the vehicle was 3 years old, the transmission went out in it. One day it wasn't driving right, and by the next day the transmission was out. The dealership did not stand behind their warranty (it was still under 100k miles) i ended up shelling out over $2000 for this to be repaired. I have had alot of people tell me that they have had the same problem with their explorer. The shop…
ODI 10216512
Air Conditioner · Automatic Transmission · Axle Assembly · Differential Unit · Rear Window Wiper/Washer · Suspension
Bought 2002 explorer in 2003 with 12,000 miles. Servicng dealer replaced transmission and torque converter under warranty @ 32,000 miles after o/d light started flashing. Now needs another transmission @ 54,000 miles. Car has always been serviced, driven lightly, never towed, never abused. Dealer will not pay or help out one bit. Ford knows 2002 explorers have defective transmissions and rear ends, is ignoring…
ODI 10163211
Automatic Transmission · Engine · Hydraulic Power Assist System
Persistent quality problems: engine, transmission, power steering, air compressor, and related safety hazards such as defective rear hinge. *nm
ODI 10163159
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2002 ford explorer the miles on it are 69,013. The transmission went. I had to have it rebuilt for 2129.60. When i brought it in for service the mechanic said that this has been a problem with this model and that nothing has been done. Could someone check into this. I find it very hard to believe for a vehicle with such low miles to have transmission problems. *jb
ODI 10163741
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure on a 2002 ford explorer 4 door. Transmission failed at 78,000 miles and was rebuilt by condit ford in newton nj around july 2006. Transmission failure again at 128,000 miles on april 9, 2010 and was rebuilt by foxworth's auto service in greensboro, nc. *tr
ODI 10328805
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer w about 65000 miles. Just had the transmission serviced, the next day overdrive light blinks..drive it home, call ford dealer take it in.. Have to replace transmission @ $3500. Seems to be a pretty common problem with these 2002's
ODI 10163093
Automatic Transmission · Differential Unit
2002 ford explorer transmission and rear differential failures, reported well before 100,000 warranty expiration and ignored by ford! *jb
ODI 10204100