Overdrive light flashes after driving a little bit hard shifting doesn't shift into overdrive 4x4 lights indicate that it's working when the buttons are pushed but doesn't go into 4x4
2002 Ford Explorer transmission problems
1,502 complaints (46% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000. 26 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 1,502
- of this car's complaints
- 46%
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- crashes
- 26
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission886
- Driveline: differential unit160
- Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift44
- Axle assembly38
- Driveline31
- Transfer case (4-wheel drive)28
- Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal22
- Axle hubs15
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Explorer transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Ford Explorer transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Transmission failure 314Slipping 180Whining noise 142Won't shift 107Jerking 95Harsh shifting 93Hesitation 34Shudder 13
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
EA09013
What 2002 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission experienced hard shifting with a clunking noise present coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission gear ratio was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer jacob george ford located at 125 spring st, houtzdale, pa 16651 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The issues that I'm having is the exhilaration (picking up speed) on a public street as well as in the expressway it hesitates to do so. When the vehicle is parked and I go to switch gears it does not want to switch. The gauge indicator comes on and the gas idle be stuck on empty when it has a full tank of gas. While the vehicle is in motion the radio volume goes up and down on its own. And the vehicle did not want to start for me one day the very next day it started right on up (like it want to start but didn't catch). All of this started happening at the beginning of october 2020
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the transmission independently switched to 4 wheel drive and the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transfer casing and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The ignition coil was replaced and the transfer casing was repaired however the failure recurred. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failures. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The car gets stuck in park and will not into reverse, neutral or drive. It doesn't happen often but has been happening at infrequent periods since 2007. It's a nuisance when it does happen but after multiple attempts, depressing the brake and repeatedly attempting to shift; shutting down the engine and restarting and repeating the process; usually does shift into gear. The last incident was more than 4 years ago. Now since saturday, 9/28/19; can't shift out of park. I never reported the problem because it was always resolved and I forgot to report it to the dealership because I was always in a rush to get to my destination. My car is in good running condition. Original owner. 93964mi. Always serviced at dealership.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward after it was parked. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 232,160.
The shift lever literally snapped off at the steering column while putting the car into drive. Car couldn't be shifted into park, still running. Keys couldn't even be removed to turn the car off. Very dangerous. Seems like a fairly common problem among 2002 ford explorer owners. Many complaints filed here: https://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/accessories-interior/gear_shift_lever_fell_off-2.shtml
Transmission failed on a major highway
Transmissions going out it started all of a sudden with a vibration in transmission after driving it for a awhile in the higher gears the od light came on an flashed for awhile can u help me
The rear stabilizer links just broke out of nowhere not even to latest later the front stabilizer links just broke out of nowhere and I have no steering a whole lot of loose control
Questions about the 2002 Ford Explorer transmission
Does the 2002 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 1,502 complaints about the transmission of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 46% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Explorer transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Ford Explorer transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford Explorer have bad transmission?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most transmission complaints are 2002 (1,502 complaints), 2020 (507 complaints) and 2004 (460 complaints).
Other 2002 Ford Explorer problems
Body 486Suspension 422Engine 213Airbags 162Steering 155Acceleration 152Electrical 148Visibility 138Brakes 132Wheels 78Fuel system 72Locks 50Tires 38Seat belts 34Seats 30Lights 25Driver assistance 4
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