2002 Ford Explorer: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jun 14, 2022 · Transmission · MS

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

Filed Feb 25, 2021 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Apr 5, 2016 · Transmission · 182,000 miles · NY

As I was out driving one day, I pulled off from a green light and out of nowhere the "service engine light" and the "o/d light" both turned on at the same time. At the same time I noticed that the truck began to shift very poorly coming out of 1st and 2nd gear. It is now to the point where there is a really loud "clunk" every time the truck shifts, especially in the lower gears and when putting the truck in reverse. I pulled over to ensure that it wasn't something I had done and it wasn't! I let the car sit for a few hours hoping that would clear the issue, but no luck! After much research on the problem this is a very well known problem by ford motor company and nothing has been done to resolve it for their customers. I purchased this vehicle just under a month ago and already I'm looking at $2,000 to put in a new transmission. Well after purchasing the vehicle I can not afford to fix ford's mistake!!! This is a clear defect of a ford product and after spending my hard earned money on one of their products I expect much better from them! Even after spending $2,000 on another transmission, it is a sure fact that it is only inevitable that this problem will happen again and again and again to anyone who purchases a 2003 ford explorer! If I and I'm sure anyone else would've known this fact, I'm positive; ford would have not sold as many models. Can we say bamboozled and taken for my money by ford motor company! Please help us customers out and demand a recall on these poorly built components they mass produced and stuck inside a widely marketed and sold vehicle. How would you feel if you and your infant child was driving and out of nowhere...boom...another $2,000 you do not have for another poorly built ford transmission smh... ## VIN failed ## [xxx] ## information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 21, 2013 · Brakes, Fuel system · 177,156 miles · MN

We were driving down the highway and we heard a clunk and so we pulled over right away and looked and thought it looked like the rear passenger side was sagging but wasn't sure, we drove home and then realized it was def sagging. I took it to the car lot I bought it at and their going to check it all out to see what's going on.. Just be looking at it the car lot mechanic said looks like suspension issue as if something broke. Also the check engine light came on and we had it checked out a few times and it appears to have o2 sensor issues located on the exhaust which seems to be a issues with alot of ford explorers which makes gas mileage terrible and vehicle stalls out and dies, not to mention the piece of plastic under the rear hatch window that always breaks.

Filed Sep 12, 2012 · Suspension · 161,664 miles · NJ

Heard a clunk noise in the rear of truck...come to find out both rear strut coils were rotted out and broken..trucks has never pulled a trailer or been off road!

Filed Jul 6, 2012 · Transmission · 156,000 miles · NC

I have a 2002 ford explorer and the over drive light started flashing and the check engine light is on and the transmission started slipping from 2-3 gear and I found out with my 2yr and 3yr kids in the car if I need to pull out on to a highway with cars coming the SUV don't want to do so and will rev up and might slam into gear when you let off the gas. I love my explorer great family car but with this problem I will not have my kids in it at all. And not knowing if it will make it or not. Ford do something about this. Im not the only one.

Filed Aug 4, 2011 · Suspension · 102,000 miles · MN

2002 ford explorer had all coil springs broken and some may have been for quite some time. This is a common problem that ford will not acknowledge. I pulled into my driveway and I heard something clunk in the back and sure enough it was completely cracked. Took it into get repaired along with struts and ball bearing plate. Total cost for the failure of these springs = $1750!

Filed May 10, 2011 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · GA

Transmission failure at 60k miles. Hard shifting, jerking, sudden shifts into 4x4 high. Replacement cost of 2800 dollars. Three visits later and it still isn't right.

Filed Jan 13, 2011 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · CT

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 and reverse did not work making it impossible to get my car off the road. My car has been sitting in the back yard since I can not afford the costly repairs. I feel there is an overwhelming amount of similar problems and ford should recall this item.

Filed Dec 10, 2010 · Transmission · 128,500 miles · OH

I was traveling to mt. Washington, ky. From lorain, ohio, ( approx. 330 miles). We stopped at the rest are at the halfway mark, between washington ch, oh. & jeffersonvlle, oh. When we came back out, started the car, & it wouldn't go into reverse. Pushed it out of the parking spot & it wouldn't go in drive either. About 30 miles before, it made some clunking noises & it felt like we had a flat tire. I took it out of cruise control & it drove normally until the rest area. I had to have it towed to washington courthouse & then back home on monday, nov., 29th, (at my own expense). Approximate cost of repair to date was $2969. I had my daughter & 6 yr. Old great granddaughter with me & I feel this could have possibly ended with disastrous results. Ford has known about these faulty transmissions probably from day 1. I'm not trying to just blast ford, happen to be an employee. I feel they need to man up & take care of this problem before it leads to serious consequences.

Filed Nov 23, 2010 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · MD

When driving the o/d light came on and started flashing erratically, then I was unable to shift from 1st to 2nd gear. The only way I can shift from 1st to 2nd gear is if I let the RPM's go up above 3,000 and 4,000. Then I can take my foot off the gas and it will switch into 3rd gear. I have not drove the truck since it started doing this, the only time I have drove it was to go to the mechanic. The mechanic says it is what makes the gears shift that is causing the problem. The only way to fix it is to put a new or rebuilt transmission into my 2002 ford explorer. On the way home from the mechanic it started slamming into gears.

Filed Nov 22, 2010 · Transmission · 30 miles · CT

2002 ford explorer transmission failure with only 87,899 miles on vehicle , I complained to the dealer 4days after having the about hard shifting and gears banging .they made adjustment to the PCM ,but a month later it started again,3yr later without putting over 30,000 on the tranny is broken.