I have a 2002 ford explorer and I have had the transmission replaced. When it was replaced by the ford dealership I had to take it back the very next morning due to it leaking. When I got it back I was never satisfied so I eventually took it to another dealership where they told me they rebuild the transmission. Now my o/d light is blinking like so many other owners but I haven't gotten anywhere with ford.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 20 of 51: complaints 551 to 580 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2002 ford explorer that the transmission has started to fail on, after checking online I have found that this is a common problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving, the transmission started to shift with resistance and the over drive light flashed continually. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 79300.
In may 2005, the car would not go into reverse. The o/d light had been going on and off for a number of days. Transmission has to be replaced at a cost of $4500. Car had approximately 60000 miles. In january of 2008, the engine had to be replaced due to because the timing belt went at a cost of $3000. Car had 75000 miles. In august 2009, both rear spring were discovered to be broken when the car was taken in for a whining in the rear, which was the rear axle bearing. The car had 94000 miles, cost of repair was $1200.
Like so many others, I am the unfortunate owner of a 2002 ford explorer. And like the thousands of others, I am having a transmission problem - flashing overdrive light - hard shifting between second and third gears - at times difficulty going into first gear. Ford is fully aware of the problem and has done nothing to rectify it. I think that someone needs to hold ford accountable. The online complaints are overwhelming. They need to fix their problems just like everyone else!
Like so many others, I am the unfortunate owner of a 2002 ford explorer. And like the thousands of others, I am having a transmission problem - flashing overdrive light - hard shifting between second and third gears - at times difficulty going into first gear. Ford is fully aware of the problem and has done nothing to rectify it. I think that someone needs to hold ford accountable. The online complaints are overwhelming. They need to fix their problems just like everyone else!
I pulled up into the drive and put the car into park. I exited my 2002 ford explorer and opened the back door, unstrapped my grandson from his safety seat. He went into the house to get a game boy so I re-entered the front seat to wait for him. I sat there a few minutes and when he came out of the house, I was exiting my 2002 ford explorer when I heard a noise. The car engaged itself into reverse. I tried to place my right foot back into the car and press on the brake, but the door knocked me down. I went under the drivers door and the front left tire began to run over me. I grabbed the underneath of the door and tried to hang on but the tire was running over my pelvic and my left leg. The car drug me on the concrete , then it stopped. I was pinned under the front driver's tire. Before this injury,I had problems with this car at 26,000 miles sent it for repairs but the dealer kept telling me it was ok. The car would jerk during take off and hesitate when placed in reverse. After the accident I took it to other dealers and finally one put it on the test rack and told me it had transmission problems. Not sure what ford has done with the parts.
After vehicle has been put in park, it will roll about a half foot or so when door or hatch is shut. Vehicle is not going all the way in park and you don't know it. It has rolled to the point where it has bumped me but than stops.
Tranny slips on 2002 ford explorer had my kids in car did not accelerate almost got hit in an intersection. Changed solenoid was good for couple months then started slipping and making clunking noise new tranny cost me $2400 @ yrs later starting again with the blinking o/d lite.
Faulty transmission. Was replaced at 58,049 miles with a re-manufactured one direct from ford. 85,374 miles and it needs to be replaced again. Less than 20 days after the three year warranty, but mileage is still under. This made a loud grinding noise, and was dangerous when driving in traffic on the interstate. I have two small children that ride in this vehicle and do not appreciate that this has been a known issue with this vehicle model year, there is a part of the solenoid that could literally blow a hole in the transmission, which could cause a vehicle fire, and nothing has been done to hold ford accountable by our government. We want people to buy american, yet aren't holding the manufacturers accountable for the quality of the products they put out, nor will they themselves stand behind a known issue and make it right for the thousands of consumers that gave them our hard earned money and purchased from them. I've owned five other brands of vehicles, which had more mileage on all of them than I currently have on this vehicle, and never had issues with a transmission on any of them. You ask several questions below relating to fire, damage, crash, death or injuries. It is only a matter of time before a fire or crash occurs because of this issue. A faulty transmission could cause a serious accident in heavy traffic because of non-performance, not to mention that the noise it made was very scary and I'm lucky that noise alone did not cause me to lose focus and have an accident. The government just provided millions of dollars in "bail-out" money to this company (again - consumer's hard earned money). Perhaps if they put out a higher quality product and stood behind it their sales would've been better and we wouldn't have to give them more money to keep selling us products that are not of the quality I expect from american made.
Being doing some research online about the "o/d" light blinking on my 2002 ford explorer. From what I found, the results have been astounding. Every issue I found on blinking o/d in my research LED to having to rebuild the transmission; avg. Costs being around $2600. Even after the repairs, they state that the issues still continue and spend over $1000 on something else the dealers say is wrong. One site, autobeef.com, had approximately 740 complaints (I stopped reading after 150) on this issue. Before I pay out over $3000, I just want to get to the bottom of this issue plaguing the 2002 ford explorer line.
2002 ford explorer has shifting issue as a result of transmission not working properly. Occurs random when accelerating from stop at lights or pulling into intersection. Have been to 2 different mechanics and repaired once and has started to occur again although mechanics state do not need repaired and shows no codes. Also, the fluid cannot be checked from under the hood as it is located underneath the vehicle. Each oil change I have them check and the level is ok. Since happens randomly does not always happen when the mechanics look at the vehicle. Has been frustrating since vehicle was bought new and taken care of with routine maintenance. All mechanics are aware of this issue and just state to drive it until it fails completely and needs a rebuild or sell it before the rebuild is needed. Each time it occurs usually there is not an issue just a hesitation with a slow acceleration. Although, several times this has occurred recently when pulling or merging into traffic nearly causing accidents with the wife and kids in the car. From all info I have seen and based on experienced mechanics they feel there were design flaws in these 2002 vehicle transmissions. They all recommend either to sell the vehicle or be prepared to drive until they completely fail and need rebuilt. Some state they have worked on these vehicles and that I am actually lucky that I have only had these problems as many of their customers have had accidents and issues through out their entire ownership of the vehicle. We have only had this issue for approx the last 2-3 years since purchased new in 2002. Although, a near collision with my family and another vehicle from this issue is a serious concern.
I have a 2002 ford explorer xlt 4.0l v6 and would like to request that an investigation launched into the vehicle's transmission. The other day, as I was traveling down the highway, the o/d off indicator began blinking and shortly thereafter the check engine soon indicator light came on. In doing my research, after reading numerous online complaints related to this issue, I have chosen to seek your assistance as a means to help offset the costs associated with this wide-spread, very well known and documented problem. Basically, the transmission needs to be rebuilt or replaced, at costs that range from $2,000 to $4,000. *tr thank you!
The transmission in my 2002 ford explorer stopped working at aprox. 95000 miles ,just like the hundreds of other explorers in 2002 have and ford refuses to recall the vehicle.
I have a 2002 ford explorer, I love this car and has been perfect except for 1 major thing the piece of '!@#$% transmission, what a joke have had 2 replaced at 48,000 miles and 115,000 miles,there needs to a be a recall on these junk transmissions this is a big problem for these cars. I have other fords and they are awesome this 2002 explorer is a complete lemon. Its a hazard when your going 68 MPH down a highway and your transmission blows out, going on a roadtrip to the white mountains of nh.
I took a trip from home in ok to canton, tx on return heard loud noise when I stopped to have the vehicle inspected I found out the front drive shaft was coming out. In march of 2008 I noticed a noise coming from the rear of the explorer. When I had it inspected I was told the rear end needed to be replaced. This cost me over $2000.00. My transmission is now slipping and after reading other complaints I fear the worse if I have my transmission checked. Who do we contact to have a lawsuit started? My truck now has approximately 110,000 miles. I have replaced the front drive shaft, rear end assembly. My air bag light stays on and the rear panel below the back window has cracked. I have all the complaints listed except for the gear shifter breaking off in my hand.
When I go to or from park the car jerks and has almost cause me to get into several crashes. This happens at least a couple times a week.
Our 2002 ford explorers gear shift lever broke off in my hand while trying to shift from park to reverse. We had some trouble with the lockout in the past, but this left us stranded and required a tow.
I have had my 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer edition for 4 years. The entire time of owning this vehicle it sounds like the engine slips and lately it seems like it is getting worse. I have talked to a few car repairmen and they said that this make and model is known for this complaint. I feel like since there is an overwhelming amount of complaints for the transmission, someone should look into this.
My 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer v8 has required a transmission at 35k & 85k miles. This is a huge safety concern when the car fails without warning!!!! I'm not alone in dealing with this incredibly costly & dangerous predicament. Please take action! I'm reading that the design of the transmission is apparently bad. Quoting another's description: "after lots of research it appears the most likely cause is worn case bore, where the pin for the 2nd gear & overdrive band servo actuator passes through the case. If the people designing these machines spent even a bit of time in their lives working with their hands on real parts they would know better than to pass a hard steel pin in a wear point fashion through a softer aluminum casting. It is no wonder so many transmissions experience this problem." you would think when my transmission was replaced the 1st time that ford would have been required to solve this problem by putting brass casings on the pins to ensure the safety of the vehicle. Now, I'm having to get a 2nd transmission, & since I didn't take it to ford, they are replacing the transmission with this fix implemented. I shouldn't have to bear the $3500 needed to replace the transmission. Ford should stand by their products, but since they won't, I hope that you can require them to do so! Thanks! I identified this as an equipment failure because the transmission that came with the car was obviously defective to require a new one at 35k miles. My car is dead at a shop so I can't look at the transmission to give you any product information. The date I provided for equipment is the date the 1st transmission was replaced. I am the original owner & purchased the car new. I am assuming that the 1st transmission failed due to the pins. There's no way to check the transmission fluid because it's a closed system, which has also been a problem. The site detailing these problems is: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/.
O/d off light flashing, find out solenoid pack needs to be replaced. Also needs all 4 ball joints replaced. Found out these are very common problems to 02 explorers. Not sure if we will repair because it looks like we'll end up doing it again or the transmission will go out. We've already replaced rear end, window motor and have faded window panels and a cracked back panel on lift gate. Why is the gov't not addressing these problems. This was not a cheap car - why is it acceptable to have this many problems with a vehicle?
2002 ford explorer xlt parked nose down on an inclined driveway. No keys in ignition but vehicle slipped away and hit a lightpost 50 meters down the street.
Gear shift lever snapped off in the hand of my 110 lb girlfriend. She put her foot on the brake, went to shift the car into reverse and the part that connects the gear shift to the steering column broke off. The car was on and luckily did not make it all the way into reverse or the car would have been stuck in reverse!! She quickly turned the car off, but the transmission is not in park either, so the key won't come out! I have 2 small children and my neighbors have little ones as well. This is a dangerous safety issue. The car is not completely in any gear and the key is in it. It can't be driven so I had it towed, and like many, many others have found out, this small, cheaply made part is not available to replace. The entire steering column must be purchased through ford and replaced. I was given a "discounted" quote of $1900 from berge ford in az. How has this small, weak, cheaply made part not been recalled yet? Are we waiting for someone to be run over and possibly killed by a vehicle stuck in gear?!
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. He took the vehicle to a local mechanic and was informed that the bearings and gear of the universal rear differential unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 77,000.
While attempting to move the shift lever on my 2002 ford explorer from park to reverse, the entire shift level fell out of the steering column. Inspection revealed that the cast pot metal plunger assembly that engaged the shifting lever had a uniform crack and the entire top of the assembly had broken off. A review of the internet, specifically www.carcomplaints.com showed that this is not an isolated problem with the ford explorer series. Ford has accepted no responsibility for this inherently dangerous safety defect, has issued no recall, and will not acknowledge faulty or defective workmanship and/or casting. What is probably a $40 to $50 sub-assembly part cannot be replaced even though it looks as though it could. The local ford dealership advised that the entire steering column must be replaced at a cost of approximately $1700.00. Please review the website I have listed and you'll see that I am not alone and that this is not a problem, but an overall symptom of an issue that exists in various year models of the ford explorer. A component of a steering system that can experience such fatigue under normal operating conditions and which will completely break off in ones hands is simply a tragedy waiting to happen. Please help us the consumer out --- investigate this problem and hold ford motor company responsible. We average citizens cannot fight and win against a major corporation but if you fail to investigate this problem on our behalf then your concerns for driver safety are no more valid than ford's claim that "quality goes in before the name goes on". The service manager of the ford dealership that has my car said that he "has never seen anything like this", but at the same time acknowledged that he had heard about the problem and that ford wouldn't do anything about it. Help ---- this is not right !!!!!
2002 explorer started out with alot of electrical problems and now depending on how much you push in the gas pedal the transmission starts slipping. Just like alot of other complaints. Had some similar trouble with it about 2 years ago dealer said had to wait till it got worse to find exact problem.
I own a 2002 ford explorer xls 4x4. Yesterday while trying to cross an intersection,all of a sudden the o/d light started to flash and the transmission would not go. Their was an 18 wheeler coming in which had to slam on brakes nearly hitting me and my children, I have done research on this model and the trouble with the 5r55w transmissions. Their is a service bulletin on these,but no recall I feel that their is an safety issue and one that needs to be addressed this is definitely an lemon transmission and ford needs held reliable.
I am having the same problems all the other people are having that own a 2002 explorer. O/d off light flashing, service engine soon light on, car slips out of gear if you have to stop suddenly, hard to put into park, erratic shifting. Please make ford recall these vehicles and fix the problems that they knew about but sold the vehicles anyway. Do this before someone has to die in a wreck because then it will be too late!
2002 ford explorer faulty transmission.
I went to put vehicle in park and shift lever broke off inside steering column. Had to replace entire steering column for 1 little piece of cast white metal which I found out is a common problem with this particular vehicle. After repair was complete ,od off light started blinking and service engine soon light came on. Code po755 on engine scanner which according to carcomplaint web site and my mechanic is also a very common problem with this vehicle.
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