The transmission started slipping,clunking and the o/d light is flashing. Just paid this piece of junk off and now waiting to here from the dealer where we bought it for that oh familiar quote of 3000 to 4000 to fix.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 11 of 51: complaints 281 to 310 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Failure of transmission in 2002 ford explorer - known problem of many vehicles made my ford especially this model/year. But no recalls or help in fixing this problem. Had to replace mine costing $2600 in parts and labor.
Transmission does not engage when put in drive until 3000 rpms. I was pulling out in traffic and was almost hit by another car because mine was not engaging to move the car. I understand that this problem is very common on the 2002 ford explorer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer xlt. The contact stated that the overdrive warning light would continuously flash. The failure would occur sporadically whether the vehicle was in over drive or not. The contact stated that when placed in park, the vehicle would continue to roll further than usual. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility where the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or generate a failure code. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 118,000.
Trouble removing vehicle from park on incline over few week period. Transmission changing gears in rough manner over a few day period. Od light flashing during highway driving and then odor of something burning on october 10, 2010. Diagnosed as "fried transmission" by dealer. Cost to replace $3887 plus $125 for diagnosis. Not yet repaired - deciding our next action. Vehicle purchased new, always maintained according to dealer recommendations. Vehicle never abused, only towed very light utility and snowmobile trailers.
I have an 02 ford explorer eb edition. Not too long ago, my od light began flashing and my transmission was hesitating. I was 1.5 hrs from home at 9pm (sunday). Called my husband, he made a couple of suggestions and I was able to make it home. Same problem occurred twice the next day (monday). Contacted my ford dealership and dropped the truck off for a solution to my problem. Was told it was a solenoid body going bad. Thought my truck would be repaired in a day, but they had my truck for the entire week. I rec.'d a call on friday of that week and was told that they had dropped the pan on my transmission and found a "gear" laying in the pan. I was told I would need my transmission replaced. The following monday, I took the truck back (as is) and took it to a transmission shop for a second opinion. A broken wiring harness in my steering column was diagnosed as the problem and it was repaired for $230.88. I rec.'d my truck back on a thursday. It drove fine that day. I drove it out of town that friday and returned home saturday. Two weeks after this problem began, I left my home on a mid-sunday morning and the problem started again with the flashing od light and a hesitant transmission. I was able to run my few errands and get back home. I, just like everyone else who has encountered this problem, thinks ford should take responsibility. This is the first ford I've ever owned and I, personally, don't want to get rid of my truck. I rec.'d an exceptional deal on it and I truly believe it still has a lot of good left in it. I have no blame to place on my local ford dealership or the transmission shop. The responsibility lies with ford itself. A recall needs to be issued so that their dealerships can make the proper repairs to this vehicle. I have a 2yr daughter and I spend about 75% of my time in that vehicle with her. I need peace of mind that my vehicle is going to be there for me as I take care of it with proper service and maintenance. Thank you.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer. While driving in reverse 5 MPH the gear shift came apart from the column and fell in his lap while the engine was running. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that it would cost $1,500 to replace the steering column. There were no warranties related to the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 02/07/11 *bf updated 04/20/11
Overdrive light is blinking and check transmission is indicated in message window. Does reset when truck is turned off but warning comes back when driving again. At this time vehicle does 'clunk' when going into reverse. It is still shifting through 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc ok. I had the transmission rebuilt by ford dealer at 50k miles (3/24/06), currently have 75k miles on vehicle(10/11/10).
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the gear shift suddenly broke off. She previously noticed that the shift had been difficult to move. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current and failure mileages were 114,444.
We own a 2002 ford explorer that we have kept up all the maintenance on. We have owned if since june of 2008 (bought it from a used car dealer) and have had no really big major issues until now. The o/d off light is flashing which is causing the transmission to get mixed signals as to if the over drive is on or off. Which causes the transmission to shift hard and actually try to lock up at some times. It has been going on for about 4 days now and in our manual it says to take and have it serviced as soon as possible. Well we did and the mechanic says that there is nothing we can do to fix it except rebuild/replace the entire transmission. Online this is a very common problem in this year model and pretty much anyone we have spoken with that has owned these vehicles prior says that the transmission will go out around 175000 miles. We are at 174789 so we are right on course. We do not drive it hard or crazy and we take very good care of all our vehicles. We have never had an issue with an transmission.
Loud whine from rear. Transmission slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear. Flashing o/d light.
We bought a 2002 ford explorer xlt 2 weeks ago with 129,000 miles within 2 days of owning this vehicle, the o/d light started blinking. Upon investigation with transmission repair locations, we have to spend $2500.00 or more to replace the entire transmission! What a rip off, after researching this issue, it is quite obvious that ford needs to recall this vehicle, step up to the plate, and help their customers out who have put trust in their vehicles! If ford wants to stay in business, they better start considering reconciling with their many disgruntled customers. Thank you.
Transmission doesn't shift from 2nd to 3rd gear - entire transmission needed to be replaced.
I do not have to provide an in depth description, myself as with all the owners of a 2002 ford explorer are all having this same problem. Ford should be ashamed, and have this recalled if its happening with more than enough vehicles. The o/d light will flash rapidly and then the transmission will skip a gear, has a hard time switching into first gear. Big clunk! This is ridiculous. If all of these people are complaining ford needs to address this issue asap! I will never buy another ford!
Got a transmission overheated error and o/d was off. Looks like its a common occurrence on my explorer.
Faulty transmission.
O/d light blinking and slipping gears.
2002 ford explorer xlt v-6: overdrive off (o/d off) light blinking rapidly. Transmission is suddenly shifting very erratically which makes vehicle difficult to control. I understand that there have been numerous complaints regarding this issue on this vehicle -- please exert your authority to require ford to address this serious problem.
O/d light is blinking and transmission might be going out.
2002 explorer xlt 2wd (47,000 miles) automatic transmission would not shift to 3rd gear while driving 35 MPH in rush hour traffic. The engine revved so I rolled to a stop luckily on a grass shoulder with no one hitting my vehicle. Ford rebuilt the trans for $2500. The district ford rep would not pay for the repair eventhough I knew of the problem occurring in cincinnati and ford paid. Research shows this is a common problem with this model of transmission. The fix is a $20 seal but they will only rebuild or replace the transmission.
2002 ford explorer gear shift lever broke off while in drive. The lever is connected to a soft aluminum cylinder thru a u shaped end and a pin. The cylinder sheared at the base of the u as a result leaving no way to shift or get the key out after turning the motor off when I finally got stopped. Repair cost is $1400 for a new steering column plus labor. Cannot buy small part that broke separately so explorer is not fixed. A picture of the problem can be seen at this url http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188761&page=4.
Defective transmission in a 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer after only 117k miles. Transmission fails shifting between 2nd and 3rd gears. Some times gets stock in parking. Complete failure estimated repair cost $3600 to $4000.
It has been an ongoing issue for years about the transmission failure in the 2002 ford explorer yet ford doesn't wish to address this issue by calling the vehicle back. I have my transmission now gone after only 150000 miles. This issue needs to be addressed by ford taking responsibility for a faulty transmission.
1. Repeated transmission problems. O/d light blinking, expensive service, repeats every 12 months or so. 2. Approximately every 12 months. The vehicle requires service each time. The service runs from $300 - $1100. 3a. 01/07/05 57,424 miles: o/d light lite. No code when serviced. Changed $88.00. 3b. 02/02/09 159,777 miles: code p0796. O/d light blinks. Required service. Replace shift solenoid body, fluid and filter ($1,179.85). 3c. 10/13/09 172,769 miles: o/d light blinks. Required service.replaced servo. $366.40. 3d. 10/14/2010 172,779: check engine light. Required service. O2 sensor was unplugged during previous service. $00.00.
I have had many problems with my 2002 ford explorer. I started getting the crack in my hatch by the rear window in 2005. It has spread and gotten worse and I still have not fixed it. Last year in 2009 our ABS light has been coming on and off and when I go to brake at times it feels like they kick on at irregular times, but I also feel I do not have the braking power I should. In june 2010 I was driving the explorer and the o/d light starting blinking and the explorer was shifting out of control. We had to have the transmission replace and the u-joints and the rear axle fixed for around $2900. We also had to replace the battery in july 2010. I called ford motor company and told them all of my issues and they told me that since they did not have enough complaints they could not do anything about it. To this point I was aggravated and couldn't believe the way they had treated me and let alone others who I am sure made the same call. I feel this is a safety issue because even now when it is in gear in park the car seems to move back and forth.
Transmission failure with no warning, engine reved instead of accelerating, resulting in near accident while pulling off an interstate ramp. Had to have vehicle towed. Estimate to repair is approx $4000. Vehicle only has 112k miles on it!
O/d light started to blink while accelerating. Transmission starts to slip. This a permanent failure. Took to ford service and without inspecting the vehicle, I was told that the transmission needs to be replaced.
My 2002 ford eddie bauer explorer is malfunctioning. The transmission appears to be failing as it will not accelerate properly after being in a stopped position, for example at a traffic light. This is becoming a safety issue in that in an intersection should my vehicle not accelerate properly I may be hit by another car! I have attempted to have my car repaired twice by two different mechanics in a period of one year and has cost me $1400.00. The repairs seem to work for a brief period of time then the same symptoms occur! I can not afford to invest any more money on this vehicle for repairs. I feel ford motor company should recall this faulty transmission, for the good of their name, and more importantly for the safety of their customers and the families that rely on their vehicles!
We own a 2002 ford explorer xlt with the 4.0 v6 4x4 , the transmission we believe has a major safety hazard to occupants and pedestrians with vehicle serge from a long delay engaging the transmission ether forward or reverse possibly causing injury to driver/passengers and /or nearby objects/persons and or runaway vehicle from the transmission not disengaged from gear or from a sudden vehicle launch if the driver is attempting to accelerate thinking the transmission "is' in gear ,ford has taken a blind eye to the problem in our opinion for fear of public backlash/ public relations and or dislike for there trucks/SUV's. Ford is not doing enough to ensure public safety from accidents this common transmission issue can cause and I understand from researching complaint forums , ford has been aware of the problem for years.
Purchased 2002 explorer xlt v6 4.0l already transmission slipping solenoid or whatever out.. I have read reports and wonder why this transmission is not recalled? I have it in shop now having to have it rebuilt and everything changed. Also right wheel bearings bad, upper and lower ball joints bad, suspension shot. And the records show the previous owners maintained everything well. But also had transmission replaced and had problems at 99,000miles. Please doing something for all of us out here. Also coolant leak, engine leak, power seat failure, and on.
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