The transmission on our 2002 ford explorer needed to be rebuilt at 36,000 miles and is now needing to be rebuilt again at 74,000 miles. The first repair was done at a ford dealership and after much complaining we were able to have some of the cost absorbed by purchasing an extended warranty. The car started shifting rough again a few weeks ago and then quickly progressed to fully skipping 3rd gear. We are now facing rebuilding it again. We have read up on the problem and have discovered that it is very common for the earlier built 2002 ford explorers. We have even discovered a posting on a ford technical service bulletin explaining exactly our situation (http://216.198.221.184/forums/showthread.php?p=2595868) tsb 04-24-17. The most frustrating thing is that ford is aware they built a faulty transmission that will need to be rebuilt every 35,000-40,000 miles and they are doing nothing about it. Upon purchasing a car I feel that it is not unreasonable to expect the transmission to last more than 40,000 miles. We are now in the unusual situation where we no longer want to own this vehicle but feel uncomfortable selling it to anyone knowing that this is an ongoing problem and that the new owner will also have to deal with the expensive repairs of rebuilding the transmission in another 40,000 miles.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 10 of 51: complaints 251 to 280 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer ext wagon. The contact that stated that upon purchasing the vehicle he noticed that the transmission would shift in an awkward manner. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed him that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The failure suddenly recurred and he had to replace the transmission. He also stated that 3 out of 4 window regulators have failed. The windows are not working normally. The liftgate in the rear of the vehicle was fractured which made it difficult to open. The vehicle had only been repaired for the transmission and the 3 window regulators. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
My 2002 ford explorer o/d light is blinking, as many other ford explorer owners I am afraid this is a serious transmission problem, I want ford to be liable to address this problem of such a big magnitude.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH the overdrive and service warning lights illuminated as the vehicle began to lose power. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the transmission converter body was rebuilt. In addition, repairs were made to the overdrive piston, overdrive speed sensor, overdrive band, carrier planter, and reverse board bushing. The mechanic also replaced the transmission fluid. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that there were no recalls for the failure and would not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 61,411 and the current mileage was 61,445. Updated 2/28/11 *cn updated 06/03/11
My 2002 ford explorer transmission failed. I was traveling on an on ramp. When the o/d light started to flicker and there was a sudden powerful jerk. It was similar to getting rear ended. The failure occurs above 35 MPH. The consequences are sudden uncontrollable jerks. In order to correct the failure the transmission must be rebuilt for a vehicle under 80,000 miles.
Automatic transmission needs replaced
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 explorers. How can I shell out $2500 or more for a new transmission?? Ford should be held responsible for producing this lemon'that I have only owned 5 months. Are there any class action lawsuits being filed against ford motor company for this problem? I would be interested in participating.
The transmission in our 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer started flashing the od light @94,000 miles took it to ford they said the valve body and torque converter was bad, ford replaced the items above for 2600 dollars problem went away for 10, 000 miles problem is back torque converter and valve body needsto be replaced again.
2002 ford explorer xls, driving o/d light came on and transmission started failing to shift correctly, needs complete transmission rebuild.
2002 ford explorer - eddie bauer edition. Transmission o/d light turned on when driving up a hill. Car has less than 80,000 miles on it! Read the hundreds of complaints about other 2002 ford explorers: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/transmission/o_d_light_is_blinking.shtml please help.
2002 ford explorer, 274k miles. Transmission began making grinding noise; had it rebuilt by a reputable transmission shop. Shortly thereafter, if braking hard, the engine just stops and all power is lost. This has happened several times, yet it starts right back up when I turn the ignition key. Mechanic cannot get any codes to show up. Six months later, overdrive off light flickers or flashes fairly regularly, shifting between gears is rough and it won't stay in overdrive. Once reaching overdrive, it becomes 'mushy' and slips back and forth, losing speed while rpms bounce between 1,500 and 3,000. Transmission shop has checked it again, says it is an electrical issue and that I need to take it to the dealer. Dealer claims that there is only one recall out on this car and it is for the speed (cruise) control and that this would not have any effect on the transmission. 4x4 high light flashes whenever the transmission should be going into overdrive, but that eventually stops. I've had to resort to driving with overdrive turned off, which is the only way I can get the transmission to operate smoothly without all of the lights. This causes me to have to run the car at higher rpms and decreased fuel efficiency. I have an appointment at the dealership tomorrow for the recall and I'm hoping that maybe there is someone there who is honest enough to help. Went to another transmission shop who informed me that this is a very well-known problem, that they rebuild these tranmissions regularly and that ford hasn't acknowledged any form of responsibility or even a repair solution for this.
I was driving and my od light started flashing. A few miles later my cars rpms went up and my car slowed down, causing my to quickly pull over to the side of the road to avoid being rear ended. I tried to drive it to the store a few days later and I got about 1/4 of a mile down the road when I heard a loud noise and the car did the same thing. I have my car sitting in the drive way waiting to get it into be looked at. Since this is the second time that this has happened in under two years, I know that the transmission is having issues and more than likely I will have to have it replaced.
I have a 2002 ford explorer and the transmission just went out on it. I will tell the story from the beginning. Ok so I was about 30 mins away from my home and driving on the freeway back home when the od light started blinking very fast. Then I get off the freeway and stop and the red light then when I started to go the transmission started doing all sorts of crazy [xxx] it was changing gears like crazy and finally settle out. Then right before I turn in my drive the transmission just quits! It just stopped! I put it in park then drive and nothing...no sound.. No movement it would just roll backwards. So now it sitting on the side of the road where I pushed it to. All of this happened in 30 mins! Nothing was wrong before this happened.!!!! Please someone help and lets get this to be recalled! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Automatic transmission experienced complete failure of band(s) for gears 3-4. Dealer offered repair for about $2000, but not recommended as only receive 12 month / 12k mile warranty for replaced parts and no labor and not transferable. Opted for total replacement with ford authorized remanufactured complete transmission for $3500 with 36 month / unlimited mileage and fully transferable. Difficult to accept a transmission would experience such drastic failure with so few miles, normal suburban driving and no trailering.
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.
2002 ford explorer transmission jumped when put in reverse hit a parked car. When you slow down it slips out of gear and wont go. I have transmission problems with the vehicle. Im scared that it will fail again while on the freeway and my family and I will be hurt or even killed. Its not safe to drive.
The gear shift lever fell off the steering column while putting the car into park. It is held on only by the electrical connection.
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.
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.
O/d light started flashing, suddenly my car stopped shifting correctly. The car was never driven hard and is an automatic. After taking it to a transmission shop and doing some research I found that my transmission needed replaced and that it was not covered under warranty and costs around 3000 dollars to replace.
Got into my 2002 ford explorer today and my overdrive light was flashing and when I drove off, it revved up in the 300-400 RPM and shifted very hard. I have never driven offroad or very hard at all. Taking it to a mechanic monday, but we have dealt with enough cars to know that the transmission is going to blow up soon.
2002 ford explorer transmission experienced problem. The overdrive light began flashing and the vehicle shifted into neutral. There was no down hill engine braking. I stopped the vehicle and turned the engine off. When I restarted the vehicle the overdrive light was off and remained off for a few weeks. It is now back on again. I feel that the transmission shifting into neutral and not providing braking when going down a hill is a safety hazard.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH the vehicle stalled and would not shift into third gear. The contact noticed a recall for the power train transmission. Due to the VIN the vehicle was not a part of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer should extend the recall to more vehicle identification numbers since this was a known safety issue. The failure mileage was 190,000.
I have ford explorer 2002 o/d light is blinking and having problem with transmission.
Ford explorer would not shift out of 2nd gear. The vehicle is a 2002 ford explorer xlt with 4.0 l v-6, and automatic transmission. Took in to my mechanic and he advised me to take it to a transmission shop since the readout fault codes indicated major failure. Vehicle has less than 80,000 miles and has been well taken care of since it was new.
Transmission is failing in my 2002 ford explorer 4x4. A local transmission shop confirmed that my fear that the gears were not shifting properly was due to the transmission failing. It will cost $2400 to $2800 to repair. Because the transmission is sealed it will cost extra. Only through the first half of the year of 2002 were the explorers made with this transmission and mine was manufactured in may 2001.
Transmission failure on 2002 ford explorer in 2007 at 88,000 miles and 2010 at 140,000 miles. First time od light came on, I drove it home 3 miles and then was not driveable. Second time no warning or light and it slipped out of gear as I was crossing the boulevard. Original transmission and replacement transmission are not quality and failed. First time I was on the freeway and able to coast home and the second time crossing a boulevard when it slipped out of gear. It's as if ford put on disposable parts for consumers to replacement every several years conveniently after warranty expires. I spent over $5,600 the first time and over $3,400 the second time.
Transmission problems. This is the second time this has happened and the transmission was rebuilt in 2005. We've only averaged about 10,000 miles per year since the rebuild.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that she had issues shifting gears and when she would turn corners, the vehicle would shift out of gear. Other times, she had issues shifting into drive and moving forward. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that there were no related recalls. The transmission was replaced in 2008 at a repair shop. However, the failure continued. When the contact placed the vehicle in park (with the engine on) and went into a store, the vehicle shifted into drive and hit a building and then moved back and hit another vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken back to a repair shop where the contact was informed that a component of the steering column would not allow the vehicle to lock into gear. The steering column was repaired. However, after the repair, the transmission slipped. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 140,000. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Updated 10/21/11
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history