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 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sensor/Control Module
April 04 purchased 2002 ford explorer; just over 60,000 miles. No longer under warranty;sold as is. Day after purchase, noticed knocking sound. Returned to dealer. Stated sound coming from the rear ac. Repaired, did not hear after repair. Approximately one week after purchase, noticed delay in gears engaging when going from park to drive , park to reverse also gear shift seemed to be loose. Returned to dealer; told…
ODI 10132291
Automatic Transmission
Purchased vehicle with in 2 weeks transmission fluid was every where. Transmission took to dealer. Back and forth to dealer for almost one year. They eventually said they would put a new tranny in the truck. With in 2 wks was doing same thing. O/d light blinking, won't shift, clunking. Took back to dealer wouldn't do any more. Took to diff. Dealer found out that they had put a tranny out of a junk yard into my…
ODI 10329248
Automatic Transmission
While traveling at 25 mph driver's gear popped out, and vehicle was not able to move. Consumer was informed that the vehicle needed a new transmission when taken to the dealer.*ak
ODI 10103874
Automatic Transmission
Consumer experienced a problem with the transmission on another ford vehicle. Traded it in for a new vehicle. The newly purchased vehicle displayed the same symptoms as the previously owned vehicle. T he gears slipped when pressing the gas, then it engaged. The vehicle went from 50 mph to 30 mph.*ak
ODI 10111600
Automatic Transmission
My transmission failed in my 2002 ford explorer v-8 eddie bauer edition. It's 2 weeks over the warranty period, but has about 35000 miles on it, so it's under the 36000 mileage. Ford won't cover the repair even though my car has been properly maintained.*ak
ODI 10098902
Automatic Transmission · Seal
I have owned a 2002 ford explorer for 27 months. During that time i have had numerous issues with the auto transmission delaying before engaging into reverse and not smoothly going into forward gears when travelling. The dealer has tuned the transmission 3 times and now at 109,000 hwy miles i need a new tranmission for $3,000 usd. This tranmission has received numerous complaints in the nhtsa database and has almost…
ODI 10098600
Automatic Transmission
Transmission will not shift to overdrive. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the transmission was replaced on five occasions. The over drive light would come on and the band would burn up. *sc
ODI 10101925
Automatic Transmission
While driving 30 mph, the consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. While shifting gears the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. Please provide further details. *jb
ODI 10101605
Automatic Transmission
Transmissions problem, been to two dealers, and cant fix the problem. Ford wil not help. I first went in before my 3-36 was up now im 45 days over and they won't pay . It misses under a load and when passing other cars feels very unsafe . *ak
ODI 10104608
Automatic Transmission
While driving the odd light started flashing, the vehicle stalled and the consumer had to use the manual shift to get it to the dealer and it was discovered the transmission is defective. *jb
ODI 10099189
Automatic Transmission · Mechanical
1.events leading up to the failure -on more than one occasion while having my car at the dealer while in warranty i made note to the service individual,that some thing felt wrong when my car would shift in to another gear while moving .nothing was ever found wrong or any documentation was made. 2.failure and its consequences-as my vehicle reached 43,900 miles my transmission started to shift even more harder and…
ODI 10102206
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure, overdrive band caused damage inside transmission. Then hairline cracks were found in the transmission casing. Ford engineers told the service tech at the dealarship that they have seen cracks in explorer transmission casings. *ak
ODI 10098521
Automatic Transmission
When the consumer attempted to place the gear in park, it became stuck in reverse. As a result the vehicle drifted backwards. No impact reported. Please provide additional information. *jb
ODI 10097411
Automatic Transmission
Complete failure of transmission without any warning at low mileage.*ak
ODI 10100525
Automatic Transmission · Axle Assembly
Repeated rear axle and seal failure, transmission issues. *jb
ODI 10159279
Automatic Transmission
The 2002 explorer with the 5-speed automatic transmission definitely has manufacturing flaws and should either be replaced or repaired.*ak
ODI 10112502
Automatic Transmission
While shifting into third gear vehicle slipped and it felt like the transmission was in neutral. Transmission down shifted on its own. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced due to shaft sensor. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once, and had not been resolved. *ak the consumer stated that the transmission is…
ODI 10092638
Automatic Transmission
My 2002 ford explorer xlt had a transmission problem. When putting it in reverse nothing would happen for 5 - 10 seconds. Then it would lurch into gear and rev up and shoot backwards. Since nothing would happen you would think it needed gas and then when it engaged after 5 - 10 seconds it would lunge faster backwards creating a serious risk of backing into someone or something. Ford fixed the problem at my expense…
ODI 10107768
Automatic Transmission
Consumer complained about transmission problems. Automatic transmission shifted hard when changing gears,and slow in reverse. Consumer heard a grinding noise when the gear went into overdrive. Dealer was notified.*ak
ODI 10102031
Automatic Transmission
My 2002 explorer has been through two transmission overhauls in only 53,000 mi. The first transmission overhaul was performed at 35,000mi by a local ford dealer who claimed to have replaced this, that and the other! I was given an extra 12,000mi warranty on that transmission. Well it lasted 12,000mi but at 50,000mi the transmission went out again!!! Ford insists that i take the vehicle to the dealer who wants to…
ODI 10100442
Automatic Transmission · Differential Unit
Beginning late july, 2006 my 2002 ford explorer xlt began exhibiting halting or delayed shifting. After a few days, the o/d warning light came on intermittently and the shifting became noticeably worse. A reading the dtcs codes by multiple sources confirmed that the transmission would have to be rebuilt at a cost of $3,400. A month following this complete rebuild, i now have a major failure in the rear end…
ODI 10167747
Automatic Transmission
Transmission problems, slippage on 2nd to 3rd engine revs up to 6000 rpm, taken to dealer 4 times already they can't find cause of problem. *ak
ODI 10082811
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failed to operate. Wouldn't move in drive but in second gear. Ended up replacing with new transmission. 4 months later rear end went and had to be replaced. Mileage at time of transmission failure was 100,000 miles, and rear end failure 114,000. *ak
ODI 10116868
Automatic Transmission
Problems with transmission on 2002 ford explorer.*mr the vehicle was taken to the dealer for it's 60000 mile service and at that time the consumer complained about the vibration when the vehicle shifted gears. The technician indicated that nothing was wrong. Four days later the service transmission and o/d light illuminated. The vehicle was taken had to the dealer who informed the consumer that the transmission had…
ODI 10089160
Automatic Transmission
I bought a used (flawless) 2002 ford explorer with 32,000 miles. I took it to a dealership with what i thought was transmission problems at which time they replaced the cilanoild body. The problem continued. I had the transmission flushed. The problem continued, and at 44,000 miles the transmision is being replaced. I have read numerous complaints about the 2002 explorer's transmission. Obviously there is a problem…
ODI 10180643