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2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints

Page 12 of 51: complaints 311 to 340 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2002 Ford Explorer transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 20, 2010 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CA

2002 ford explorer xls. I was shifting from drive to park and the shifter broke in my hand. Not a good thing. After doing some research it seems this a common problem with ford explorers due to the cast aluminum that is used in the part. Ford should have a recall for this, seeing as how it happens due to the way it was made not due to driver error.

Filed Aug 20, 2010 · Transmission · 38,000 miles · VA

2002 ford explorer transmission failure. The transmission kept slipping, wouldn't shift, and the o/d light kept coming on. I took it to the ford dealer in wasilla, ak three times and each time they kept it for 3-4 weeks while "repairing" it. The fourth time it went out (may 2008), it was out of warranty, so I had to purchase a rebuilt transmission. In august 2012, the transmission went out again; it simply wouldn't engage in any gear. This could have been extremely dangerous had I been stranded (1) in the dead of winter (which, in alaska, can be 35 below and life&death situation) or (2) in heavy traffic, causing an accident. I have now been informed that coolant got into the transmission (which is supposedly sealed?) and the transmission must be replaced again; but the warranty is void. I see hundreds of complaints on this transmission. Why hasn't anything been done - a recall??

Filed Aug 18, 2010 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The ignition was started and the gear selector would not shift out of park. The contact stated the gear shift lever fractured inside of the steering column. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where they informed the contact that the steering column assembly would need to be replaced. The part was unavailable and the dealer was in the process of locating the part for repair. The vehicle was not. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2010 · Transmission · 121,000 miles · SC

2002 ford explorer with 120,000 miles. Transmission began to slip 3rd gear. Stalling in traffic. Ford dealer could not look at it for 2 days so went to independent shop who knew the problem well. Not only had to replace solenoid valves, but also torque converter and rebuild. Had to drill out one port and install stronger linkage part ford offered since 2006.

Filed Aug 17, 2010 · Transmission · 11,250 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer xlt. The contact stated when driving at various speeds, the vehicle would fail to engage in third and fourth gears. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not under recall and would not provide any further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 11,250 and the current mileage was approximately 11,300.

Filed Aug 17, 2010 · Transmission · 136,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While attempting to shift the vehicle from drive to park, the gear shift lever suddenly fractured into the contacts hand. There where no prior warnings of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2010 · Transmission · KY

Od off light flashing, causing the 02 ford explorer not to shift properly, replaced transmission 3 times and the light is still flashing. Ford needs to recall this junk.

Filed Aug 15, 2010 · Transmission · 149,000 miles · OK

Hello, I am complaining about a problem with my 2002 for explorer. Me and my family were driving and getting ready to merge onto the highway and suddenly the car jerked and the overdrive light started blinking. Then the RPM's went up to about 5000. I then had to run off the road to avoid a semi running us over. I have 5 children and we were lucky. I don't want this to happen to other families. This needs to be a recall! Thank you

Filed Aug 11, 2010 · Steering, Transmission · 80,000 miles · FL

I have a 2002 ford explorer and this morning I was going at work when the gear shift arm broke off in my hand. I had to call my wife for go at work and I was unable to remove my keys from the ignition. My car is completely un-drivable.

Filed Aug 11, 2010 · Acceleration, Transmission · 105,342 miles · MN

Major transmission problems at 106k miles on my ford explorer xlt 4.0l. This was not due to poor maintenance or up keep! Shifting into neutral going 75 miles an hr down the freeway, shifting out of place, rough, scary shifts, shimming from the transmission jumping allover the place is just the beginning. After 5 trips to the mechanic, first I did wires, then plugs, then updated computer, full tranny flush and finally had to rebuilt the transmission due to the solenoids in the transmission being defective and faulty per a ford service manager in owatonna, mn. The service manager informed me that ford was looking at making it a recall, but it wasn't the top of their priority list and maybe they would eventually get to it! He has seen many of these trucks in the shop with their "busy" transmissions, and the same issues! This was the issue all along..after all of the service appts, and money spent nothing was resolved, until the transmission was rebuilt! $4k later just for the tranny repair! For their faulty defective transmission solenoids! As if the truck didn't already cost enough! And the troubleshooting "bandaids" (which between the tranny, diagnostics, labor etc total well over $5500!!) I contacted ford after directed to due so my (their) technician and employee of 25 yrs. I read all the posts of duplicate complaints (I see there are several other consumers in my situation!), to inform them of the money I've lost, time incurred into this headache, and all the days I went without a vehicle for my family that I had nothing to do with it was their equipment! That it was their fault! Curious about what their compensation was, if any, going to be. Or what they planned on doing about it! And after several service appt, $5500 loss and numerous complaints that ford is aware of the rep stated basically said oh well! Its ur problem not ours!!! Lol!

Filed Aug 10, 2010 · Transmission · 118,042 miles · NJ

Original owner of a 2002 ford explorer xlt. Transmission is not shifting properly. O/d light is constantly blinking on the dashboard. Never towed anything and had the transmission serviced. Very disappointing coming from a loyal ford fan.

Filed Aug 9, 2010 · Transmission · 58,212 miles · IL

Transmission failed.

Filed Aug 7, 2010 · Transmission · 145,138 miles · OH

2002 ford explorer, transmission total fail while driving.

Filed Aug 5, 2010 · Airbags, Engine · 99,968 miles · FL

Long list of repairs made this summer including computer, airbag sensors, A/C whole system, main window controls and now my transmission.

Filed Jul 30, 2010 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · OH

Noise from rear wheel hub bearings. Ford tsb 05-25-8. I have only 35,000 on this vehicle and am concerned that if there is a bearing failure on a rear wheel hub you could lose control of the vehicle. I feel that ford should be responsible to correct this defect.

Filed Jul 29, 2010 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · NV

2002 ford explorer o/d light started flashing, transmission is slipping, clunking and seems like it won't last much longer.

Filed Jul 26, 2010 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · MO

2nd gear out of transmission. It occurs everytime you drive it. The od light blinks and the engine light comes on as a result. The transmission has to be replaced, the old transmission is available at this time, but won't be for long.

Filed Jul 26, 2010 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · OH

During normal driving conditions, "service engine soon" light turns on, followed by "o/d off" light flashing, followed by erratic shifting by automatic transmission. Happens at least once per week, resets after engine is turned off and rests for a short period of time.

Filed Jul 25, 2010 · Transmission · 15,900 miles · 00

I have a 02 ford explorer driving on the road when the od light flashing lost power it hard to shift in gear am not the only 1 wit this problem there thousand of ford owner wit this same problem why cant u guys make ford recall this problem toyota make they recall they manup to their problem why cant ford do that.

Filed Jul 24, 2010 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · CT

Last night, the o/d off light on my 2002 ford explorer started blinking. Today, the vehicle will not drive in normal drive mode or reverse. In doing some investigating, apparently, this is a common issue with ford explorers. Particularly the 2002 models. This is not only dangerous, but unfair that ford has not taken responsibility for this very common issue. I'm awaiting an answer on what exactly is wrong with my explorer. Based on my research, the most common cause is a faulty transmission. I hope ford does the right thing and institutes a recall to the many drivers of 2002 explorers that have suffered with this problem.

Filed Jul 24, 2010 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · FL

I have a 2002 ford explorer I was driving down the highway when I noticed the overdrive light flashing. Then the passenger asked me if I could smell transmission fluid and I had said yes. This ended up costing me $2800 and my mechanic told me that the torque converter was failing and sense he had it apart he should go ahead and rebuild it.

Filed Jul 23, 2010 · Transmission · 138,000 miles · FL

2002 ford explorer transmission fails.

Filed Jul 19, 2010 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · PA

O/d and check engine light goes on every time I drive my SUV everytime I drive it as soon as the lights go on the SUV tans starts acting up and slip called ford dealer and they said this is a common problem but, has not been recalled so it will cost 2,300.00 plus labor. I am a single mother of 4 . Why is it there are so many complaints about this year ford but, yet nothing is being done about it ! I just bought this car in feb of this year and now I am having this problem ! I pulled out from a green light the other day and almost got in an accident because the trans slipped had all 4 children in the car with me ! Maybe I should not be driving this but,this is my only vehicle and I need to drive ! And I sure don't have the money to replace this problems that everyone is having besides me ! Ford needs to fix there problem before someone ends up in a really bad accident or ends up worse dead !!

Filed Jul 16, 2010 · Transmission · 57,800 miles · CA

The o/d light started blinking, followed by a check transmission warning light. The truck began to shift erratically. I was unable to drive safely in traffic and had to pull the truck to the side of the road where it remains until it can be towed to a transmission shop. This a 2002 ford explorer limited 4 x 4 v-8. From reading about this year of ford explorer's, I see that it the most common car complaint on the internet. I hope you will force a recall on this vehicle. Thank for you help. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 13, 2010 · Transmission · 122,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated while attempting to shift from park to reverse, the gear shift lever fractured in her hand. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. There were no prior warnings of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 122,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2010 · Transmission · 171,000 miles · MO

2002 ford explorer od light blinking transmission slips.

Filed Jul 10, 2010 · Transmission · 132,000 miles · OK

1. Was driving in town explorer shifted into 2nd hard and then 3rd gear slowed the car down then shifted like a hard jerk 2.was occurring seems when car get warmed up the transmission shifts hard and the od light blinks and now even cold the od light blinks all the time now took to transmission shop told me I need a new transmission just bought it 4 months ago 3 called ford dealership they told me to that there was no recall this is how I will correct the problem with my complaint so we can all get fix by ford.

Filed Jul 9, 2010 · Transmission · 168,058 miles · GA

2002 ford explorer - the o/d light is flashing and no one seems to know how to fix it; it appears there are many many complaints about this problem.

Filed Jul 9, 2010 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving 35 MPH the overdrive light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated that the automatic transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed her that she had to replace the transmission at her own expense and to file a claim. There were no related recalls or warranties. The failure and current mileages were 45,000. Updated 10/21/10. *lj updated 10/25/10

Filed Jul 7, 2010 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive button continued to blink and flash. The gear shift button does not turn the light out as it's designed to. The vehicle was repaired by a local mechanic but the failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. The current mileage was approximately 117,000.

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