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
Automatic transmission failing in 2nd gear. Seems to be a widely known problem in the v-6 2002 explorer. Started acting up at 60k, as soon as the warranty was out.*jb
ODI 10137460
Automatic Transmission
I have had several instances when trying to accelerate from a stopped position when there has been a 2-3 second hesitation before it actually kicks in, causing the vehicle to stall. At highway speeds, there is a loud vibration coming from the right rear of the vehicle, and the shifting becomes very erratic and the o/d light flickers. I have talked to several dealers. Two of them have stated that the vibration is…
ODI 10047614
Automatic Transmission
I purchased a 2002 explorer new and have had this vehicle in to dealer twice with same complaints. Vehicle goes into neutral while in drive and back into drive with a loud bang and clung. Vehicle also takes about 30 seconds to go into gear from park to drive or reverse and also a loud bang & clung when it finally does go in. There is also a loud whining sound on the highway at higher speeds. Dealer each time says…
ODI 10042933
Automatic Transmission
While driving approximately 35 mph transmission locked up in 2nd or 3rd gear. Had to move vehicle to side of road, and then had it towed to dealership. Mechanic checked the vehicle over and could not resolve the locked gear problem.*ak
ODI 10042462
Automatic Transmission
My 2002 ford explorer appears to have rear-end problems. Have owned the vehicle for a couple of years and it started out with a whining noise in the rear-end and has progressed to a hard shift and on occasion a clunking when the vehicle shifts around third gear.
ODI 10133687
Automatic Transmission
When moving the drive selector from park to reverse, often there is a long delay before the gear engages. When it engages, the transmission makes a loud bang and the vehicle lunges backward at hihg speed.*ak
ODI 10038648
Automatic Transmission · Axle Assembly · Hub · Wheel Bearing
Dt: problem with back end, took vehicle to the dealer,and dealer said they fixed axle, then, took back vehicle to the dealer, and they fixed hub, and replaced the rear wheel bearings. In last 3 months vehicle has been in shop 3 times. Currently, in the shop. Went to get oil change last friday, and mechanic noticed oil was leaking from the axle. Currently vehicle in shop trying to figure out what was wrong with it.…
ODI 10125361
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer purchased feb. 2002 new. Vehicle now has 17,000 miles. Several automatic transmission problems. When shifting out of park into drive the shift lever pops as if it never engaged. The car lurches forward or backward 1-2 feet after shifting into park, engaging emergency brake, and getting out of car. Vehicle drifts backward several feet when stopped on a hill and trying to accelerate from a stopped…
ODI 10029162
Automatic Transmission · Axle Assembly
4 failures of the transmission. Common problems have been miss shifts from 2-3 and 3-4, delayed shifts from 2-3 and 3-4, and severely hard shifts in all gears. Transmission has been rebuilt twice and replaced once. Ford has bought the vehicle back after arbitration under the lemon law. The vehicle also has severe problems with the rear differential and right half shaft. I have had 6 total failures of the rear end.…
ODI 10023518
Automatic Transmission · Hatchback/Liftgate · Rear
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer xlt. The contact has been having a problem with the rear end. The rear end made an extremely loud roaring sound. Took the vehicle the vehicle to three different repair shops. One said it was the tires, and the other two maintained that it was an expensive rear end problem. She talked to other people with this same type of vehicle and they all had this problem. Also, had a…
ODI 10133380
Automatic Transmission
HARSH SHIFTING OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.*AK
ODI 10078918
Automatic Transmission
Recurring problems with transmission. Every now an then, the overdrive off light blinks, occasionally causing the check engine light to come on. 14854 miles the transmission was overhauled by the dealer. From about 50,000 miles the overdrive light would occasional flash but as long as i shut off the engine and restarted it, the problem wouldn't pop up for a few months. There didn't seem to be any consistent reason…
ODI 10148220
Automatic Transmission
I pulled up into the drive and put the car into park. I exited my 2002 ford explorer and opened the back door, unstrapped my grandson from his safety seat. He went into the house to get a game boy so i re-entered the front seat to wait for him. I sat there a few minutes and when he came out of the house, i was exiting my 2002 ford explorer when i heard a noise. The car engaged itself into reverse. I tried to place…
1 injury
ODI 10280078
Automatic Transmission
Transmission on 2002 ford explorer 4.0 liter slips and or jerks at times. At times upon entering a intersection the transmission will slip and then several seconds later the transmission will jerk into gear. On 03/04/03 we had a close call upon entering the intersection when this situation occurred. This problem continues in spite of taking the vehicle into ford numerous times. *jb
ODI 10014527
Automatic Transmission · Cooling System · Latch · Switch
I have had my vehicle into the ford dealer for the same problem at least 4 times with no success it is still under manufacturer warranty and is a 2002 ford explorer. *nlm
ODI 10016540
Automatic Transmission
Vehicle transmission has a shuttering feeling when under moderate acceleration between 25-40 miles per hour. Dealer has been told about problem and said everything was fine after a reprogram of transmission. *jb
ODI 10010492
Automatic Transmission
Ford told me i need a new transmission in my 2002 ford explorer that only has 50,000 miles. The is unacceptable for such a costly purchase. They offer no assistance or excuse for this type of defect in their product. *nlm
ODI 10010768
Automatic Transmission
The transmission started to slipping. The dealer recommended that new/rebuilt transmission is needed. The vehicle was out of warranty. Ph scc
ODI 10006731
Automatic Transmission
Since the vehicle purchase, the transmission has performed erratically, and has degraded over time. There are three main issues, first the vehicle tends to function like it drops into neutral during light acceleration. Secondly, and more of a concern, the vehicle creeps many feet when placed into 'park', with the engine off and the key out of the ignition, when parked on a grade. Finally, it takes upwards of 30…
ODI 10003391
Automatic Transmission
We purchased a used 2002 explorer ltd. In july 2010. The car had 62,500 miles on it and looked to be in great shape. The previous owner had all the service papers and we checked carfax and we saw no reason not to purchase the car. We should have checked carcomplaints.com though. As i write this, the transmission has failed. According to what i read on the internet this is a major problem for early 2000's ford…
ODI 10373349
Automatic Transmission
Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the vehicle will stick in park and will not shift gears causing a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts
ODI 10001654
Automatic Transmission
Constant transmission problems since purchase of car from ford dealer w/29,000 miles on it. Roblems: transmission shuttering, banging in gear, banging into reverse(always) and overdrive light blinks on and off sometimes. Sometimes the banging into gear feels like someone has hit you from behind. Car always bangs into reverse. Service to automatic as recommended by ford manual and ford dealer: we had the transmission…
ODI 10100281
Automatic Transmission
Transmission slips when stopped at a intersection or stoplight. Sometimes the vehicle will stall. The dealer has stated they could notreproduce the problem during and after the warranty period. I have filed safety complaint with ford motor company consumer relations and the dealer has attempted to repair without success. The delay in the transmission engaging is a safety hazard since the delay in pulling out into…
ODI 10039552
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure on 2002 ford explorer with 36,000 miles. *tr
ODI 10231958
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission problem, after days of not shifting right,,it finally, stopped completely,,,this has been nothing but trouble. *tr
ODI 10286822