Ford Explorer Sport slipping problems

Filed Sep 13, 2015 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · CA

The transmission of our 2002 explorer started slipping, jumping, jerking' surging, refusing to shift, shifting slowly and other associated things approximately 4 years ago. There is no consistency, it does it whenever it wants, regardless of the speed, outside temperature, driving distance. I feel ford owes me a new, redesigned transmission with installation. I would like to know what ford is doing about the problem with the transmission which was installed in this model and year explorers.

Filed Sep 10, 2011 · Transmission · 189,000 miles · WI

Transmission slips while shifting from 2-3 gear or between 30mph-40mph. O/d off light blinks on/off sometimes when this occurs.

Filed Apr 21, 2011 · Transmission · 20,577 miles · PA

Started in 7/2007 had vibrations in drive train, ford stated it was the drive shaft. Ford replaced the drive shaft with a high-performance balanced one. Vibration stopped. In 10/2007 the explorer was slipping during acceleration, and slamming into gear. Overdrive light would be blinking on and off. This time they had said that they had to rebuild the transmission due to a bad oriface. Later I found out they only replaced the valve body at 24072 miles. I asked about the lag time between pressing the accelerator and actually moving and was told that this was the way the vehicle drives due to no cables for the throttle it was electronic and there might be a computer update at a later date. It hesitates upon acceleration just had to learn and accept it. Vehicle had been fine until about feb 2011 when it started to slam into gear again, after scheduling for 90000 mile check told ford to please check this out. I was told that this time it was the servos for the overdrive and that the transmission had to be rebuilt or a new one purchased for about $3500. They stated it was a design problem, that the servo rods were made of steel and the trans casing was made of cast aluminum, hard metal slamming into soft metal wearing the orifice to an egg shape causing pressure loss. The new design trans has been corrected. Upon checking on a ford explorer forum on the web found out that this is an issue with the 2002-2005 5r55s and 5r55w transmissions due to the design flaws. If it's a design flaw they should correct it and not charge $3500 when you already purchased there product.

Filed May 4, 2010 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · AZ

My 2002 explorer sport o/d light began blinking when I bought it in feb 09. The car has about 104,000 miles on it. Soon after I bought the car, the transmission slipped. I took it to the mechanic and they could not reproduce the problem. About a year later, 4/29/10, the o/d light began blinking again. I had the transmission serviced and a diagnostic test ran on the transmission. This cost about $300. On 5/3/10 I took my explorer in again because the light came back on. They ran another test and told me I would have to get the transmission replaced or rebuilt but it should last me a little while longer. That same evening my car would not shift into gear. I had to turn the car off and turn it back on to get it into gear. I could not go over 5mph and my RPM's were unnaturally high for the speed I was traveling. By the time I got up the hill I was on I could go no further. My car would not go into any gear. I finally had to park on the side of the road in the middle of the night and walk home. I have read numerous complaints (over 300) on the 2002 ford explorer transmission and their poor performance or lack thereof. A recall would be much appreciated, as this defect in the transmission is due to poor vehicle construction, not typical wear and tear. All my family drives is ford, however after this incident I do not have much faith in ford. Given the opportunity, I would rather go with a foreign car next time.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Transmission · 88,397 miles · AZ

Transmission o/d light started coming on and blinking periodically with hard shifting or slipping and car lurching forward before shifting. O/d stops working after o/d light starts blinking. Had transmission solenoids adjusted last year but only helped slightly then back to slipping again. Only have 88,000 miles on vehicle with good care and no towing ever.

Filed Feb 1, 2010 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · GA

1. I have had my vehicle for almost two years and I have never abused it because it would come out of my pocket. I get it serviced regularly. 2.the failure is a transmission slip from 2nd to 3rd gear where is seems to slip into neutral and cause my rpms to shoot way up. Happens everytime I drive my vehicle, and just recently my o/d off light started flashing everytime the vehicle is turned on. 3.old part is still available, as I have yet to correct the failure because of the price to do so.

Filed Jan 29, 2010 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · KY

We have a 2002 ford explorer sport, within past few days my transmission started slipping when going into 2nd gear occasionally, now it is doing it much more and the od off light is blinking. I am seeing online that this a very common occurrence with this vehicle and ford should be required to do something. We pay alot of money to have dependable vehicles and to have the transmissions failing so often in these vehicles is ridiculous. Ford should be help accountable for faulty transmissions!!!

Filed Dec 1, 2009 · Transmission · 92,318 miles · CA

My 2002 ford explorer sport is having transmission problems. It slips all of the time, makes grinding noises and at times does not let me drive (goes no where while stepping on the gas pedal. Similar to what is happening to a lot of people out there with this same make and model of car. It happens on and off, it started a couple of months back.

Filed Feb 2, 2009 · Transmission · 156,000 miles · TX

My transmission is slipping especially on the highway o/d light flashes on and off. There are many many complaints on google with people who have had the same problem. Some have had the transmission stick leading to crashes. Ford should have a recall and be make to fix these before they kill someone, if they haven't already. Ford is very aware of this issue, and the federal safety agency needs to hold them accountable and get our vehicles repaired!!!

Filed Dec 21, 2008 · Transmission · 33,000 miles · MD

The not in overdrive light started blinking. After shutting off the engine I restarted and the light went off. Shortly the transmission started slipping. And now the engine races and the car wont move there is only 33000 miles on the car I am the original owner.