Noise in differential.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 35 of 51: complaints 1,001 to 1,030 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2022 ford explorer with 82000 miles, and transmission fluid replaced at least twice since I purchased the vehicle. At 74,000 was miles fluid and filter replaced at dealer. When the transmission was warm the vehicle will only travel 2-3 yards in reverse, and then lock. Dealer diagnosed the problem as transmission. Dealer wanted to tear the transmission down and determine the cause. It could require a complete rebuild at $3,500. This was a 5 speed automatic with od. No towing and no plowing. Normal to/from work with vehicle. I noticed hundreds of transmission alerts via a google search, some specific to this vehicle and problem. Also, had problems with upshifting /downshifting on hills. Previously reported this to dealer.
I have a 2002 ford explorer. I have had to replace the transmission at 51,000. I have also had to replace the rear seals axle seals on both sides and they both need it again.
I purchased a new 2002 ford explorer in october 2002. In the past two years, I have replaced all of the four ball bearing joints, and alternator and now a transmission with total costs to exceed $7000. I am writing now because I felt that the other expenses were wear and tear, as I have have 98,000 miles. But now it is going to cost $3600 to replace my transmssion. Last thursday 3/15 my vehicle would not shift into gear, as my RPM reached 3000. Then it would shift into gear as I made my way home from my job 100 miles away. My o/d light flashed and then my service engine light came on.
After several attempts to diagnose transmission problem while under warranty, ford finally found a problem at 46,xxx miles (not covered under warranty, but ford offered a $1000 deductible). Burt ford of arapahoe ford inc. Centennial, colorado replaced the automatic transmission with a remanufactured serial# 0302462w and replaced the rear axle ring and pinion gear set, bearings, and seals (sept. '06). We received a ford powertrain service part warranty until 06/17/2008 (7yrs from original owners date of purchase). We are taking the vehicle back to service now (mar. '07) for the same problems to champion ford of sandy, utah after 6,000 miles of use.
2002 explorer eddie bauer awd, vehicle mileage just uner 100k. Vehicle (w.o warning) would not shift thru 3rd gear. Symptons are when vehicle gets to 3rd, engine revs as if in neutral, check trans light comes on, od indicater flashes. Backing off on throttle allows hard shift into 4th and vehicle proceeds ok. Ford dealer says 3rd gear band is gone. When I asked the dealership if this is a known problem they claim no. After research online I found many other owners with the identical problem. Also found old ford tsb outlining the identical symptons. Is there any recall on this issue, do I have any recourse with ford since it seems to be a fairly common explorer problem
Explorer xl, v6, automatic transmission, with 88,000 miles. Differential problem. Our mechanic determined that the bolt broke on a piece of metal holding the pinion in place. We were going down the interstate, 70 MPH, the speed limit. All of a sudden we heard a noise. The sound resembled a flat tire. We pulled off on the shoulder and looked at all 4 tires. No flat. We then called aaa to tow to our first mechanic. He looked and discovered our parking brake shoe, yes, parking brake shoe, had fallen off. He replaced it, $130. He drove it out, and still heard the noise. He suspected the rear end. He couldn't fix that type of problem. We took it to our second mechanic. It took a week to get the lengthy repair done, to get it to fit into his schedule. After the repair was done, ($885) the ABS brake system kicked in whenever we stopped. The pedal thumped!so we took it back and he said when the pinion was damaged, that also ruined the speed sensor in the rear end. He fixed it for free, feeling sorry for us that we had two expensive car repairs on our ford within 2 days. The mechanic said if we had driven much longer with that problem, the car could have seized (my words), and "thrown us through the windshield." (yes, we wear seat belts.)
Car started making humming noise when going 30-45 MPH, took to a mechanic who ref me to the dealership to check the transmission and then for transmission flush, still the same issue, I was advised that the tires needed to be replaced, I have 4x4 which requires the same 4 tires or the car will jerk. The brake pedal vibrates, and the 4x4 gauge doesn't work, replaced the component and still the same issue. Any who to make a long story short, now I am hearing a clinking and rubbery sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. I am now forced to take the car in... And of course be charged a ridiculous fee, for them to run diagnostics on the truck to diagnose the issue, and then of course pay for parts and labor.... My next car will be a foreign car.. They break down less, and the cost of maintenance and equivalent or less then the cost of maintaining a good ole' american made ford vehicle. (lexus, kia, and I believe either mazda or toyota are owned by ford.. So steer clear of those brands). Timeline reflects the latest issue, and the amount of previous problems.. Amount to many.
I just had to replace the gear and pinion assembly, axle differential gear on my 02 explorer, a very costly repair on a 02, 47k miles vehicle. But the reason why I'm making a complaint is because I found over 100 complaints over the internet for the same year/make vehicle. I talked to a couple of different mechanics that told me that if I didn't notice the noise and replaced the parts, my rear wheels could lock while driving and I could have found myself in a very dangerous accident. So I contacted ford about it, they responded that they were aware of the problem, but since the federal safety agency didn't find this to be a life threatening problem ford decided not to issue a recall. Possibly locking the rear wheels on a 4x4 vehicle is not life threatening???? Hundreds of consumers with the exact same problem and nothing is being done? If there are no fatal accidents from this problem yet is because people like myself will spend the $1100 to repair the problem before they risk their families...is it worth risking someone dying so ford can save some money? I'm outraged!.
My 2002 ford explorer has been repaired for major transmission and rear end problems approx. 15 times in the past 3 years. The transmission continues to slip between 2nd-3rd and 3rd-4th gear. In reverse the clutch binds up. The rear end roars and was replaced at 35,000 miles (after numerous fix attempts) and at 66,000 miles rear wheel bearings, ring gear & pinion were replaced. The transmission was almost overhauled at 35,000, re-programmed approx 3 times and needs to be done again now. The compass has failed twice.
Tl*- the contact stated that while going up an incline at 20 MPH in the 2002 ford explorer she started feeling a surge in the transmission. The overdrive light started flashing, as well as the check engine light. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealership, and they stated that they will need to replace the transmission solenoid pack. She has done some research online and saw similar complaints. The current and failure mileage were both 105031 miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving 40 MPH on the highway, the contact was accelerating and heard a loud noise and the engine began to idle. The contact was thrown forward into the steering wheel causing the driver to steer to the right. The failure mileage was 31,350. The dealer stated that the third gear bang or the transmission needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 61,350.
Transmission started slipping while shift gears around 35-40 MPH. Engine would rev high. Dealer said I lost 3rd speed. Dealer replaced transmission at cost of $2565.77 plus $1020 in labor. Dealer also replaced rear axle seals ($265.48). Explorer had 89,449 miles on it. Friends and web say rear diff and transmissions are notoriously bad. When will ford recall these vehicles? Will the consumer ever get their money back?
Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The dealer told him that he had lost the third gear. The gear would slip instead of engaging. The contact stated that the vehicle would shake the steering wheel really badly, and feel as if it was pulling away from him. This normally happened between 0 -29 MPH, and that when the vehicle reached 30 MPH it would level out and drive normally. The contact stated that the vehicle was doing this for approximately three months. The contact stated that weather was not a factor. The contact stated that this happened every day. The failure mileage and the current mileage were both 40000.
The same thing I have been reading hundreds upon hundreds of times online from other explorer owners - o/d light flashing, humming noise, rpms revving up way too high when accelerating, skipping 2nd gear altogether. I can not afford to have this fixed, and strongly believe that,with the thousands of other explorer owners that have the exact same problem, this should be something that ford should have to pay for. This is theft.
In january, 2006, my car stopped dead on the highway. After it was towed to the dealership, we were told that a valve had broken and had been sucked into the engine, causing engine failure. Our only alternative was to have the engine replaced - which we did for over $5000.00. The following january, (2007), after the first measurable snow fall of the year (since our engine had been replaced), the car went into a huge fishtail skid on a snowy road and after the first skid, was caught by the cable guard rail on the side of the road - causing another $5000.00+ repair. When brought to the dealership after the accident, we were told that the 4 wheel drive electronic monitor had failed and we had no 4 wheel drive. My concern - besides the cost and inconvenience and scare of the accident is that there were no warning lights to let me know that the car's 4 wheel drive had failed. I had gotten into the car assuming that the 4 wheel drive was working (as the car goes into 4 wheel drive automatically and there are no indicator lights normally to let you know that the 4 wheel drive is working). With no indicator lights that the 4 wheel drive is working and no indicator lights that it is not working, ford put me in a very unsafe situation. Had the cable guard rail not been there to catch the car, we would have gone over the embankment and been more seriously injured.
Transmission failed after having been serviced on multiple occasions by ford dealership. Transmission failed causing vehicle to be disabled in travel area of the roadway. Ford dealership stated on multiple occasions that there was "no problem with the transmission". Vehicle now needs new transmission after only 60,000 miles at cost of $2000 +. This is an ongoing problem with 2002 ford explorer SUV's and immediate failures are dangerous to passengers and other motorists.
Transmission went at 66k and caused me safety concerns when driving because I could not accelerate.
Noise coming from rear differential on 2002 ford explorer.
I began hearing an odd noise coming from the rear of my 2002 ford explorer. We took the vehicle to our mechanic and requested that he check the brakes. He said our brakes were ok, however we had a real problem with the rear differential. We were on the verge of losing our wheels. Because of the severity of this issue and the possibility of injury had we not discovered the problem, we requested that our mechanic keep the old parts.
Gear shift lever broke off column, where it attaches to top of shift cable. Was unable to shift vehicle into or out of any gear. Had to have vehicle towed to a dealership for repair which is costing $1300.00, service department stated they could not replace part that broke, but had to replace the whole column.
I have a 2002 ford explorer. When it started to get very cold, my explorer, that I just bought, started to not want to go into gear. It would grind and slip. There was a clicking sound coming from under the dash. It was from the computer that runs the 4 wheel drive. The 4 low button would just kick in by its self. Then it would not go into gear. After a while of trying to get it into gear it would go. It would only act up when it was very cold out (10 to -5 degrees) it did this to me for about a week and then it just stuck into 4 low and now won't come out. There was a smell this last time of burning electrical wire and smoke. Now my explorer won't drive and has a electrical smoke smell stuck in it. I now have to have it towed to a ford dealer to get it fixed. It also makes a really loud popping sound when I go to turn or hit a bump. Sound comes from the front of the explorer drivers side.
I have two or three issues; the first one is my timing chain tensioner broke and came up through the head gasket cover. It was brought to my attention that ford has had this problem with many of it's 2002 ford explorers. I am just returning from iraq (air force) I have just had it towed to the repair shop it has not be fixed. I have transmission problems for about 2 years were it jumps into gear and I have a whining noise coming from the rear end. I spoke with ganley ford in barbeton and they tell me that there are no recalls however, a lot of customers complain.
Tl* - the contact stated she has been having problems with a 2002 ford explorer since she purchased it in february 2002. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle vibrated and the check engine light turned on. The contact stated that the vehicle is at a ford dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle may need a new transmission. The contact stated that the repair shop told her the problems with the vehicle was internal.
I have a 2002 ford explorer limited edition. While under warranty, @ 52,000, I had major issues w/ the transmission, an overhaul was completed, and my transmission was "rebuilt". Less than 2 years later and a little under 40,000 miles later, my o/d light goes off, gears slipping and I am told I now have metal in the pan and I do not have 2 gears, hence, I need a new transmission. Now that I am no longer under warranty, I am told this will now cost me $3,000 to replace. After looking on-line for only 10-15 minutes, I find thousands of complaints regarding 2002 explorer transmission problems. I spoke to the service department manager, and was told there was nothing they could do since the "rebuilt" transmission only has a 1-year warranty on it. I called ford motors, and again, was told that my warranty is up, and they are not responsible for the payment. Since this is not an isolated problem, I feel that something needs to be done! Ford needs to back their problems and either issue a recall, or foot the bill for the thousands of transmissions that are not working properly and need to be repaired or replaced. I can honestly say that I will never again buy a ford, and I will make sure I tell all my friends and family the lack of support that this company gives to their customers. No wonder they are having financial difficulties!!
I bought my 2002 ford explorer xls in nov 05 with 37000 miles, in june 06 with 43000 miles the transmission had to be completely replaced. Now, here in jan 07, with 52000 miles the transmission has to be replaced again. In my research, I have found that this a common problem with the 02 explorers.
I bought a used (flawless) 2002 ford explorer with 32,000 miles. I took it to a dealership with what I thought was transmission problems at which time they replaced the cilanoild body. The problem continued. I had the transmission flushed. The problem continued, and at 44,000 miles the transmision is being replaced. I have read numerous complaints about the 2002 explorer's transmission. Obviously there is a problem but ford won't has no recall! $3,500 later and a new transmission the problem is solved. Ford blew me off and I believe they knew of the problem!.
Overdrive light on dash of 2002 ford explorer flashing rough shifting into reverse and from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.
Tsb 05-12-6 rear-end noise in a 2002 ford explorer. I have found that there are thousands of others with the same situation. This is a known defect and obviously a flaw on ford's part. The cost of this fix should clearly be placed on ford.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving at 10 MPH she noticed that the overdrive light was flashing on and off. As she applied the accelerator pedal the vehicle would not respond and the engine idled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed. The transmission band for third gear had failed.
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