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 · Equipment · Suspension
Event/situation: hesitates and chokes at 40-45 miles per hour when trying to accelerate, along with a slight rubbing sensation felt through the steering wheel and gas peddle. They advised replacing the upper ball joints. They also stated a weak battery which was replaced. This did seem to fix various faulty false electrical issues: interior lights staying on and false light/dashboard readings. Faulty transmission,…
ODI 10308749
Automatic Transmission
While driving on the interstate, i noticed a severe jerk in the back end of my 2002 ford explorer. Once i slowed down, the o/d indicator started blinking and the vehicle wouldn't shift from 4th back into over drive. I have received notification from my mechanic that the transmission would need to be replaced. I noticed that there are over 800 such complaints of this particular problem on a troubleshooting web site.…
ODI 10303961
Automatic Transmission
I was driving home from work tonight and my 2002 ford explorer would not go into shifting gear. It started bucking a little when i slowed down and tried to accelerate again. The o/d light starting blinking like crazy. By the time i got home i could only drive about 25 miles an hour. I only have 49,653 miles on my vehicle!! My warranty for 6 years is gone but i can't afford to get a new transmission. I went online…
ODI 10300471
Automatic Transmission
My 2002 ford explorer has 53,151 miles on it and the transmission failed. I was not involved in any automobile accidents nor did i abuse this vehicle in any way. The first indicator of a problem was the o/d off light began to blink intermittently. Then the service engine soon light came on. After that the transmission was slipping and taking an excessive amount of time to shift gears. I have maintained this suv with…
ODI 10301987
Automatic Transmission
My issue started late in 2009. The o/d light started coming on and flashing and for a few months my vehicle would not shift properly into 3rd gear and overdrive. It would slip and clunk into gear. Then while driving up hill on a main road the transmission completely stopped working. It would not propel my vehicle and shut down right in the middle of a busy road which nearly created a multi-car accident. Both forward…
ODI 10376564
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer. O/d light flashing with service engine soon flashing. Car jerking between 2nd and 3rd gear. Ford says to replace transmission but after reading so many of the same complaints i thought i should report this incident.
ODI 10323421
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission,4.0 v6. Od light flashes, check engine light,. Transmission hesitates then clunks into gear. I took car to garage, had the solenoids replaced, fluid and filter. Still have same problem. *tr
ODI 10311389
Automatic Transmission
O/d light blinks all the time. Transmission slips and clanks. *tr
ODI 10317511
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure od blinking repair new trans but still has the same problem 42 k miles ford explorer. *tr
ODI 10313511
Automatic Transmission
Transmission is slipping and the o/d light is blinking. *tr
ODI 10299919
Automatic Transmission · Equipment
Transmission on my 2002 ford explorer failed for the 2nd time in 2009 of december. I was on the highway when this happen and could have caused an accident. *tr
ODI 10363948
Automatic Transmission · Vehicle Speed Control
2002 ford explorer transmission failure and uncontrollable accelerator. The transmission had been shifting hard for months but it is considered by ford to be a "sealed" unit and it is not recommended that the customer maintain the fluid level, so there was nothing i could do. In jan 2010 the accelerator stuck while entering the freeway and we were out of control, i thought i was going to die and had to turn of the…
Crash reported
ODI 10325904
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission multiple failure- this transmission was replaced as defective two time, first at around 60,000 miles then again at near 150,000 miles. Now the transmission has failed again, this time failing to shift while entering a busy highway then erratically slamming into gear then revving high and slipping as traffic maneuvered to avoid the slowing vehicle. *tr
ODI 10298802
Automatic Transmission
Transmission sputters and jerks in third gear around 40mph. I bought this car used with 108,000 miles on it. This is my second day driving it, and i'm worried i just wasted thousands of dollars! From all the consumer websites i have read ford is aware of this problem and is doing nothing to rectify the situation. Please recall this transmission and make ford fix my car. Luckily there's a "lemon law" in my state and…
ODI 10298781
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer transmission - overdrive symbol flashing - no indication that the transmission was failing. The vehicle would not go pass 3rd gear. *tr
ODI 10298983
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving at 65 mph the transmission failed. The vehicle almost caused a crash on the highway. The contact called the manufacturer and is waiting on a response regarding the repair. He contact feels the transmission for this year make and model should be recalled since their are numerous complaints regarding them. The failure mileage was 93,000.
ODI 10298437
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive button continued to blink and flash. The gear shift button does not turn the light out as it's designed to. The vehicle was repaired by a local mechanic but the failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. The current mileage was approximately 117,000.
ODI 10341833
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer rattle from trans,o/d light flashes when going up a hill. Does not shift properly sometimes. *tr
ODI 10300157
Automatic Transmission
At approximately 60,000 miles, my transmission on my 2002 ford explorer failed. There are thousands upon thousands of complaints regarding this issue. Ford has not recognized the defect. This poses several hazards such as a locking transmission on the highway, slipping transmission when in park, no ability to move when in traffic. *tr
ODI 10380884
Automatic Transmission
Overdrive light turned on and now trouble shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. Car did this 25,000 miles ago but adjusted itself. *tr
ODI 10319091
Automatic Transmission
FORD EXPLORER 2002 - TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
ODI 10297521
Automatic Transmission
I have had to replace my transmission twice in the past 18 months and now it's slipping again. It just happens all he sudden and my car ramps up and then takes off jerking us as we are driving. It's ridiculous that this hasn't been recalled already. The o/d light comes on and it ramps up to 4000 rpms before i have to take my foot off the gas to get the transmission to switch. *tr
ODI 10297227
Automatic Transmission
2002 ford explorer o/d light flashed on and off on highway engine started to race and vehicle slowed down. When trying to start from a red light the transmission feels like it is slipping. Vehicle has under 100,000 miles and has always been properly maintained including a computer upgrade from my dealer (at my expense) that was supposed to fix the transmission that i complained about when the truck was still under…
ODI 10296942
Automatic Transmission
Transmission slips from second to third. Emailed ford, they are not recalling the transmission even after hundreds of complaints. *tr
ODI 10312302
Automatic Transmission
Od light flickering. Diagnosed as transmission torque converter problem. Many have reported this problem with explorer xlts and ford has done nothing but make $1000 each time. Causes transmission to slip. *tr
ODI 10301725