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
2002 ford explorer xlt with 4.0l engine, 2wd: after 100,000 miles, the o/d light began flashing. Transmission service technician noticed chunks of brass and steel in the tran pan (this had been checked 6 months earlier and there was no sign of metal in the pan). Technician dropped the valve body, thinking that the valve body gasket was blown. However, the gasket was fine, but there was more metal found in the valve…
ODI 10147138
Automatic Transmission
Dt*: the contact stated without warning, the transmission would slip when shifting into second or third gear. The dealership determined the transmission needed to be rebuilt. *nm
ODI 10148182
Automatic Transmission · Axle Hubs · Driveline
Replace rear end in 2002 explorer 2 times. Ford vented the differential with a tube that exits around the rear wheel well. This design allows a lot of water to get into the differential and ruins all the workings. I had it fixed and in less than a year later experienced the same problem - i now have to have the tube reworked as well as fix the bearings again. My mechanic says it is very dangerous! *tr
ODI 10222359
Automatic Transmission
I have had many problems with my transmission. It has a hard time going into gear, has no pickup whatsoever and i am afraid to take it long distances. I have read that many others have had this type of problem with the 2002 ford explorer. *jb
ODI 10179292
Automatic Transmission
I have had my vehicle in to ford for transmissions and differential problems over the last 2 years. They could not fix the problem while under warranty and now the transmission failed and left me stranded on a cross country move. I had the vehicle in for service right before the trip stating the truck was not right. They could not fix it. *nm
ODI 10147036
Automatic Transmission · Differential Unit
Rear differential makes a howling noise at highway speeds. Noise goes away when letting off accelerator. It's been reported to dealer many times. This problem is common to explorers of the same year as evidenced by numerous internet forums. Transmission also shudders in 3rd gear, especially when cold. *jb
ODI 10146291
Automatic Transmission
O/d light flashing so i took car into dealer. Transmission is bad and needs new solenoids at 45,000 miles. *nm
ODI 10145518
Automatic Transmission
2002 transmission failure causing me to buy a new transmission at only 45,000 miles..2002 ford explorer xlt 2wd 4.0l v6. It has been rebuilt 2 times since i was made to buy a new transmission. This is totally unacceptable and there are others with the same problems at this site. We shouldn't be forced to pay $4000.00 to fix a problem on a vehicle that is nowhere near the expected timeframe for this sort of…
ODI 10144816
Automatic Transmission
Bought 2002 explorer xlt 4x4 new. Has been in for transmission-related problems multiple time during warranty and extended warranty. A couple times, they could not duplicate the problem and did nothing. # other times, they found thing wrong and 'supposedly' fixed them. Went back into the dealer again today with o/d off light flashing. Warranty has now expired. I am waiting for a call back from them to tell me what's…
ODI 10144660
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer - od light flashing and engine over-revving when going fm 2nd to 3rd gear - automatic transmission. When it does finally shift into gear, it is very hard and jolting. 73,000 miles on the car and it was purchased new. I'm being told by the ford dealership that the transmission will have to be "overhauled" at a cost of $1500-minimum. I understand that there is a history of this type of problem with…
ODI 10144514
Automatic Transmission
Transmission band broken -- only 50,000 miles ford has performed all service repairs including oil changes ever done on this vehicle. One day while driving, i heard a pop and the vehicle would not accelerate. The speed would only go up to 30 mph and would jerk again. I have now been told it would cost 2500 dollars to fix. After researching the issue, i found out information that this problem is common to a lot of…
ODI 10144015
Automatic Transmission · Owners/Service/Other Manual
Purchased new 2002 ford explorer. I had the original transmission replaced at 63,658 miles due to its failure. The rebuilt one that cost $2,974 is now slipping @77,853 miles. It will have to be replaced soon and the company that did the work is now out of business, thus the warranty is worthless and i am probably going to have to junk the vehicle and buy a foreign vehicle. *tr
ODI 10200643
Automatic Transmission
Our 2002 ford explorer had issues almost from the beginning, when putting it into drive it sometimes would hesitate and then lurch forward, even with the brake applied. Lately, after 65,000 miles, the transmission would not shift into 3rd gear, the engine would rev., but not shift. If you left your foot off the gas, it might shift. Then the o/d light would blink. We have taken it to a transmission repair shop. *nm
ODI 10143877
Automatic Transmission
The transmission on my 2002 ford explorer with only 45,000 miles has gone out. I started to notice problems when it hard shifted between 2nd and 3rd gear. On november 24, 2005, the overdrive off light started flashing and the vehicle no longer shifted into 3rd gear. After several attempted to fix it at the dealership, they finally determined the problem had to do with an aluminum case around a steel moving part. The…
ODI 10144754
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure and rear axle noises as well as rear wheel bearings. *jb
ODI 10155959
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explorer xlt. Have had transmission problems since about 58000 miles and has been in the shop 5 times for the same problem of hard shifting to transmission having problems finding the correct gears to finaly, 3rd gear band finaly broke at 68000 miles. Just got fixed but still having issues. Now i have a shutter and third gear still slips slightly. This is just frustrating!! *nm
ODI 10143691
Automatic Transmission
Transmission has failed on 2002 explorer v-6 with 76,721 miles. Has been to shop 3 times. Torque changed, then transmission rebuilt, now still jerking and lurching-will have to go back. No warranty. *nm
ODI 10150388
Automatic Transmission
The band in my transmission broke, it would not shift to third gear, i have seen in forums that many people have this problem, i think ford should issue a recall and fix this problem, the minimum charge to rebuild the transmission is about $2500.*jb
ODI 10144197
Automatic Transmission · Door · Pads
Dt*: the contact stated while shifting gears, the automatic transmission made a clunking noise and the vehicle displayed a jerking motion. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and the solenoid housing of the automatic transmission was replaced. Afterwards, the problem persisted and the solenoid housing was again replaced by the dealer. The front pads were replaced. The drivers side door would pop open. There was a delay…
ODI 10152556
Automatic Transmission
I bought a new 2002 ford explorer xlt. At 13,743 work order writes my complaints as "when going from park to drive trans clunks into gear and delay up shift a slow speeds". Dealer wrote on completed order form "cause: inop, correction:reprogram pcm, tech notes:roadtest trans engagement are harsh intermittent upshifts are firm, reprogram pcm...". At 16,482 miles i again complained of clunking when shifting gears.…
ODI 10142069
Automatic Transmission
Since i purchased the vehicle new in july 220 i have had noise coming from rear of car. There are occasionally loud clangs coming from what appears to be transmission when shifting from park to drive. Now, the o/d light is flashing continuously and it looks as if the car needs a new transmission with 65,000 miles on it. *jb the consumer requested that his complaint be deleted. Updated 11/29/05. *jb
ODI 10141799
Automatic Transmission
Transmission sometimes not going into 3rd and slipping between 1st and 2nd and 3rd. Bought it used so out of luck but have talked to dozens who had the same problem. Ford issued this warning to their dealers "03-25-4 dec 03 a/t - 5r55w no 3rd gear/slipping 2-3 shift/dtc's set" so many of these are just going out. Due to having a baby we have not had the 2800 to fix it. Just hoping it lasts at least 6 more months. *nm
ODI 10154880
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer had transmission problems from the beginning. Took the vehicle in prior to the 36k warranty expiring and was told that the trouble was due to a new type of transmission that was used in this model. Was told it was a "memory transmission" and that was why it shifted so hard and made noises. Problem never went away and had to get the transmission rebuilt in 12/05 because the problem became so…
ODI 10144388
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · Automatic Transmission
When we first bought our 2002 explorer xlt from finks used car lot in zanesville ohio it had about 22 or so thousand miles on it and we requested a check up on the vehicle. The back hatch brackets was replaced, and the back wheel brakes were sticking and burning, locking up. That problem seemed to be fixed. Then the antilock brake system light started coming on and the front brakes seemed to be grabbing....just last…
ODI 10144087
Automatic Transmission · Torque Converter
Transmission broken ford doesn t care brought it to sam galloway ford in fort myers at least 20 times they finally refuse to take vehicle into repair with the words there is nothing wrong with it transmission shifting hard from 2-3 gear car is slower then a 4 cylinder no power whining noise from under the hood in the mean time transmission slamming gears still nothing wrong with it hesitating while accelerating…
ODI 10191715