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
Ford explorer is 2002. Had to repair transmission at ford service transmission in june 2004. The whole transmission failed suddenly april 1, 2005. We do not believe this is acceptable to hav to put $3700 on one major repair and one complete rebuild of the transmission inside ofthree years on the transmission of a new vehicle.*ak
ODI 10116253
Automatic Transmission
1.transmission began slipping, banging in reverse, problems getting the vehicle to shift from park to reverse. . Vehicle became unable to shift out of 2nd, trans light and overdrive light came on and flickering. . Taken to miller ford, where it was diagnosed as having no 3rd gear at all, both bands, servos and solenoid need replace. 4.spent 2 days in service, rented a vehicle at a cost of $50. Work was completed at…
ODI 10118465
Automatic Transmission
Three months after purchasing my 02 explorer, and at 39000 miles, the transmission began slipping just a bit. A week later, third gear could not engage at all, and i was forced to drive to the repair shop in second gear, with my hazard lights on, and with school-age children in the car. My repair person drove the car for about 15 seconds and knew immediately what the problem was. He knew because he had just fixed…
ODI 10114746
Automatic Transmission
Gears began to slip at 59,000 miles on three year old vehicle. One day od light went off and transmission was completely burned up. We had given vehicle regular service. There was no warning up until the day the tranny went out. We took the vehicle to an outside source who concluded that the seal looked like it had never been broken on the transmission plug. This leads us to believe that ford never even checked our…
ODI 10115973
Automatic Transmission
Shortly after buying the vehicle (68k miles) the transmission started shuttering and having issues shifting from 1-2 gear. It would also have problems down shifting under load. I would have to release the throttle momentarily to make it shift. Overdrive light would blink, the odometer would blink all 'dashes', and the speedometer would go to 0 mph. I have had the vehicle worked on at a local dealership 3 times and…
ODI 10203310
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 ford explorer xls, 4.0 engine, that has transmission failure at 59,000 miles. I have been researching this type of vehicle and have noticed a high number of transmission failures at low mileage such as my vehicle. I called ford to see if they would provide assistance for the repair and they said no and deny any major problems with those transmissions. I am now faced with having to pay $1500 - $2000 for…
ODI 10114617
Automatic Transmission
O/d light flashing on a 2002 explorer. Resulting in a new transmission after only 50,000 miles. It's a known problem, and i have to suffer and pay for ford's failure to provide a recall or compensation for owning their equipment.*ak
ODI 10112707
Automatic Transmission · Axle Assembly · Clutch Assembly · Control Module (Tcm, Pcm)
Prior to purchase 6/03 @ 40k miles, trans fluid 2 qts low, nothing else addressed. April '04 @ 50k miles replaced leaks in transmissions, charged $200 deductible. Sept '04 replaced rear differential, jan '05 replaced rear diff clutch assembly, now need whole new transmission at 68000 miles. *ak
ODI 10112495
Automatic Transmission · Equipment · Hinge And Attachments
Vehicle started to hesitate when shifting, whining noise from rear end as well. Over drive light on, then finally vehicle stopped engaging gears. 2002 explorer has been sitting in driveway for one year due to transmission failure. Ford not willing to fix the problem. Vehicle has 58000 miles. Prior to this incident rear hatch window blew out two times with the second time glass blew off so violently it damaged paint…
ODI 10162517
Automatic Transmission
Whine in the rear end. Mechanic rebuilt the rear end and the bearing all show signs of failure according to the mechanic ford had used cheap bearings in the rear end. The transmission also has problems shifting. Each time the vehicle shifts, it shutters and jerks. I am afraid that ford used the same type bearings in the transmission as they did in the rear end and they are failing as well. *nm
ODI 10145616
Automatic Transmission
My truck is starting to have problems with shifting in to 3rd gear, dealership told me i'll have to fix transmission or replaceit. Major problem in these transmissions, crappy idea to make it a sealed transmission. *ak
ODI 10113909
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure shifting to overdirve. Dealer recommended replacement. Vehicle is only 37 months old. Mileage is 50,000. *ak
ODI 10112504
Automatic Transmission
I bought my ford explorer xls on feb 5 2005. Complained about the transmission at time of purchase and they said that nothing was wrong. About 6 months later i had it checked at another dealership and they said the shifter solenoid was bad. I had it replaced for a price of 2100.00 to go 50 miles down the road and same thing started again. They then said it was the transmission itself. Nothing but problems from day…
ODI 10228146
Automatic Transmission · Hatchback/Liftgate · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Several problems - at 9,000 miles my brakes went and had to have my rotors resurfaced by 23,000 miles my rear brakes were completely gone and my front brakes were nearly gone. This cost me over $1,000 to repair. At 25-27,000 miles my vehicle would not change gears properly. Going in reverse the vehicle would "bang" into gear, then going from park to any gear this would happen. On level ground and on hill. The…
ODI 10110201
Automatic Transmission
Transmission died at 3642 miles very low milage transmission has to be defective and it costs more than 3,000$ to fix it. The cost should be picked up by ford.*ak
ODI 10108095
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failed during ordinary driving. Transmission required nearly three weeks to repair at a cost of $2,800.*ak
ODI 10114397
Automatic Transmission
The 2002 ford explorer transmission has well documented issues. These complaints are all over the internet. The transmission fails in as little as 23,000 miles and needs a complete re-build. I have spent over $5000.00 in repairs and extended warranty service on this transmission alone. Ford won't do anything to help the consumer. What can this agency do to help? *tr
ODI 10319554
Automatic Transmission
The "o/d" light of my 2002 ford explorer lit up without warning while i was turning. Engine "revved" but didn't accelerate. Oncoming cars swerved to avoid me. This was an unsafe situation, as i expected the vehicle to function properly. I took the car to the dealer and was told the transmission had to be totally rebuilt, for $2,400, since i was 4000 mi out of warranty, even though <3 years. I asked the service…
ODI 10125765
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer has had 2 rebuilt transmissions and over $1,800 in transmission work not related to the rebuilt transmissions. *ak
ODI 10114452
Automatic Transmission · Rear/Other
Over time noticed jerking while upshifting. Loud winding noise at high way speeds when on gas pedal. Drive mostly highway and still extremly poor mpg. 9.8-10.6mpg average on highway! Also passenger side rear seat belt does not retract. Had replaced under warranty. Still have the problem. *ak
ODI 10110068
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Steering · Tires
It started very early after buying the 2002 ford explorer...electrical prob..couldn't get veh started...100 miles away from home dealership....towed to closest ford dealership...fixed; or so we thought. Same thing happened a week later. Home dealership advised us that the other dealership installed the wrong part and it could have caused life-threatening problems....we contacted the other dealership and advised them…
ODI 10253399
Automatic Transmission
The same thing i have been reading hundreds upon hundreds of times online from other explorer owners - o/d light flashing, humming noise, rpms revving up way too high when accelerating, skipping 2nd gear altogether. I can not afford to have this fixed, and strongly believe that,with the thousands of other explorer owners that have the exact same problem, this should be something that ford should have to pay for.…
ODI 10183599
Automatic Transmission
2002 4 door explorer 4x4 eddie bauer transmission replaced at 40,000 miles now the rear end has a humming noise at 50,000 miles. *nm
ODI 10137701
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Glass, Side/Rear · Hatchback/Liftgate · Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
At 74000 miles our transmission went out completely while we were on vacation! The dealership where we bought the vehicle, said that "we were the only one's who have had this problem" (yeah right!) it cost us $6000 out of our pocket to fix. At 86000 miles the rear window cracked right below the window. Ford and the dealership refuses to fix it. Again, stayton ford told us that,"we were the only people who have had…
ODI 10177659
Automatic Transmission · Unknown Or Other
I was driving,when i heard a loud noise comming from underneath my ford explorer.i thought for a second or two,that i had ran over something in the street.the vehicle,slowed.when i stopped for the traffic light,it would not move.the od off light was flashing.the only way i could move the truck was in neutral.i had the truck towed to joe rizza ford in n.riverside,il.they told me that the transmission had to be…
ODI 10104441