Dt*: the contact stated while accelerating, the vehicle vibrated and a noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times where the transmission converter was replaced twice, however the problem recurred. Also, while the contact was changing the oil it was noticed a wire from the battery was bare. The consumer stated the transmission is still not shifting properly and during acceleration, the vehicle still vibrates. Upon inspection the 02 sensor was found damaged. The sensor was covered in glue and wrapped around to the transmission mount. Updated 12/01/06.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 37 of 51: complaints 1,061 to 1,090 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Ongoing shifting and slipping within the transmission. Also a loud shrill at the end of the acceleration. The transmission converter has been replaced multiple times and the transmission leaked out fluid at highway speed. After the repair of a stripped transmission line connector and a pile of glue to fix a broken electrical connector the vehicle was returned to service by the dealership and the warranty company. The converters are "remanufactured" which have been known to fail. The glob of glue on the electrical connector will be reviewed by the state as to the proper repair procedure. A law suit may follow due to separate repairs including a tire with a nail, where a new tire was purchased and a used on was installed (bf goodrich). The tire was also not balanced and was off by 1.5 oz. There was also a gasket removed from the cooling system that caused antifreeze to spill out onto the engine. The cooling system had been serviced two months prior and was never leaking until the day the vehicle was returned. There was also the discovery of the positive electrical harness to the starter having exposed wires due to the oil filter drain housing made of plastic rubbing against the wires. There are three wires exposed and there may be the potential for fire.
My 2002 ford explorer xls, 85,000 miles, started without warning to flash the o/d light and the transmission failed.
I have a 2002 ford explorer with 52,000 miles on it and the rear differential is starting to whine very loud. The whining started at about 30k miles. It has the 3.73 limited slip differential. I have talked to other explorer owners and they told me about this site to file a complaint as this seems to be a growing problem
2002 ford explorer - overdrive light flashing, transmission has difficulty shifting. Winds up to excessive RPM's before shifting. Vehicle has only 57,000 miles.
Transmission shifts hard both in/out of park as well as between gears. Cylanoid replaced twice within 2 years. Loud whine in rear assembly/axle fluid leak. The federal safety agency relects numerous complaints/service bulletins on this issue.
Vehicle makes a whinning sound from the rear drive shaft when accellarating over 35 mpg.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the overdrive light illuminated, and the vehicle operated at a reduced speed. It was driven to the dealer for inspection, who determined the automatic transmission needed to be replaced. After the replacement, the problem persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who determined the automatic transmission needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer was alerted.
I noticed a fluid leak from the rear axle of my 2002 ford explorer and took it to the dealer for diagnosis. It turned out that both the left and right rear axle seals had failed. The vehicle had only 75k miles on it when the leak began. I double checked the recommended service schedule to see if I had missed something but they do not recommend that the rear axle fluid be changed until 150k miles. So this is not a case of owner neglect. After some discussion at the dealer service center they informed me that this repair is fairly common on explorers, mountaineers and aviators and that the repair kit has a newly designed seal. If there is a newly designed seal available, this strongly suggests that the original seals are insufficient. This is also proven by the fact that both seals failed, not just one. The cost of the repair was quoted at $490 ($380 of which was labor cost). This is too much to ask a consumer to pay for a part that was under designed and not properly tested prior to being put into production. Therefore, I believe these rear axle seal parts should be recalled and the oem should be forced to reimburse vehicle owners for repair costs. I also noticed that there are tsb's regarding explorer, mountaineer, and aviator vehicles that may have been filled with the wrong rear axle fluid at time of production but have no way to get more information on this to see if my vehicle is affected. I would be interested in any information the federal safety agency may have.
Vehicle o/d light began to flash. Stopped vehicle and tried to get it to go off - won't go off. Started home and vehicle shifted "very hard" into 3 or 4th gear. Took to dealership the next available day - trans mission needs pressure solenoid, valve body and other parts - $2000 worth of repairs. Vehicle is 4 years old and has 75,000. Now taking to another dealer to get resolved. Called ford - will do nothing about it. Advised them of the multiple ntsb complaints, said we know nothing about recurring problems with vehicle.
Overdrive light flashes leading to transmission failure on my 2002 ford explore xlt.
2002 ford explorer - transmission went out at 63,884 miles - no warning - just went out. After reviewing so many complaints on the internet it appears that there is a major defect in this particular engine. Ford needs to do something about this. This will definitely be my last ford product.
O/d light flicker. On restart went away. Dealer indicated there was internal transmission damage. Transmission could not be rebuilt needed to be replaced. While in shop they discovered problems with the rear end as well. Car has 72,000 miles and needs transmission and new rear end. I was shocked.
My 2002 eddie bauer ford explorer revved at 30 MPH then the o/d light started flashing and the check transmission light came on. Immediately I took it to dealer and was told the 3rd gear was gone. New transmission needed. Very saddened.
Ford explorer 2002. Rear differential whining and leaking axle seals. The seals have been replaced once already and now it is back in the shop to have replaced again. 66,000 miles on vehicle.
I bought by 2002 ford explorer from board ford on 07/24/2004. It had 57051 miles on it. At 77117 miles the transmission gears went out while I was driving on the 91 fwy. I then had it repaired at cerritos ford. It once again while I was driving the transmission failed at 92120 miles. It was a frightening experience while driving for your gears to go out on a busy highway. Luckily I was able to pull over both times safely.
My transmission on my 2002 explorer is slipping from 2nd to 3rd and making a hissing noise. I understand there has been alot of complaints on these trucks. I want it fixed or replaced. I hope there is a recall on this automobile from ford.
My four wheel drive failed, while electronic light showed car in 4 wheel drive. Car slid backwards into a ravine. On snowy road. Local ford dealer did not know how to fix it, but problem was eventually tracked to a faulty electronic module that ford knew about. This caused the solenoid that engages 4 wheel drive to fail/ this was an extremely dangerous situation. I was driving over a snowy mountain road previous day and could have slipped off road if it failed one day earlier. I see numerous examples of the same problem. Why doesn't ford respond?
Transmission overdrive light started to flicker. Dealer tells me that 2nd gear is failing and when it fails my transmission will freeze and lock up causing a catastrophic failure which is a dangerous situation.
2002 ford explorer. Whining noise from rear differential. Whining goes away if pressure is reduced from accelerator. There was a lot leaking around the rear axle seals, it was fixed under warranty the first time at 17500 miles and was just fixed again at 54500 miles on my dime. Have uncovered many other 2002 explorer owners with similar rear differential issues. Would seem that since there are many others having the same issue that there is some design/materials flaw in the rear end gearbox causing this issue. This is a definite safety issue and should prompt a safety recall due to potential of the differential locking up.
2002 ford explorer xlt 4wd: I have had problems with my transmission on 5 occasions. Each time the transmission would shift really hard and thump. Ford fixed it and a few months later, the same problem. On the last occasion, I brought it in because it would stutter in 2nd gear like it was slipping (it felt like a stalling vehicle). Ford rebuilt the tranny and I got it 2 days later. It is now 3 days after the fix and it is doing it again. I will never buy another ford as long as I live.
I have a 2002 ford explorer that had a noise in the rear end within the 1st 30,000 miles. Ford refused to do anything. They said it was the tires. We replaced all tires and the noise continued. After 3 rear ends/differential being replaced and paid for by myself, I think it is time to start a class action suit against ford motor com.
Beginning late july, 2006 my 2002 ford explorer xlt began exhibiting halting or delayed shifting. After a few days, the o/d warning light came on intermittently and the shifting became noticeably worse. A reading the dtcs codes by multiple sources confirmed that the transmission would have to be rebuilt at a cost of $3,400. A month following this complete rebuild, I now have a major failure in the rear end differential and another estimated $1500-$2500 repair. This vehicle has only 82820 miles. Ford is aware of the transmission, driveline and differential component defects on this series of explorer and has addressed them in multiple tsb's to their dealers and service departments. They have failed to advise individual owners of these problems, and the major driveline components are designed so that they are not user serviceable. I urge all owners of these vehicles to contact the ford motor company customer relationship center and file a complaint with the federal safety agency if you have experienced these problems.
Today the transmission began to hang in 1st gear, then slammed into the next gear. It jerks and slips consistently. The overdrive off light is flashing, and the service engine light is on. The car says "check transmission" on the instrument cluster. I called 4 ford dealers and was told there was nothing they could do. The car is a 2002 explorer eddie bauer 4x4 with the 6 cylinder. I knew it was out of warranty as it has 68,000 miles on it. However, this is low mileage to have to replace the transmission. It is a known problem for these cars, and ford doesn't care. I am stuck with the car that cannot be safely driven now. Owners of these cars need help to get ford to issue a recall.
At roughly 45k miles, my 2002 explorer also had the whining noise from the rear end at 55-65 MPH, oil drip marks on the driveway - took it to the dealer and they stated that I needed a right wheel bearing, replaced for $800. Next time was just this summer (76k miles) - again had the whine return, drips on the driveway and this time it was the entire rear end - all bearings were shot. Spent another $1600. On repairs, plus rental vehicle costs to travel on vacation. Few days ago (78k miles), had "check gauge" lamp light when oil pressure gauge dipped to zero, then recover immediately. This happened three other times before I got home, with no flutter in the engine or anything that would indicate a real problem. Next evening we started the vehicle, it made a evil racket and quit almost immediately, never to start again. Aaa towed to dealer. Dealer left message (on my voice mail at home - I had to save it) that the engine needs to be replaced for roughly $5,000. Plus tax. I really need to speak to an attorney. This is what I paid $34,000 for 4 years ago? Perfect condition trade value today is 9,200?
Transmission failure.
Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was started it would be in 4-wheel drive high. Sometimes when the vehicle was backed up and/or making right or left turns the vehicle would go into 4-wheel drive high on its own. While driving at various speeds the vehicle kicked into 4-wheel drive high on its own. The dealership has not been contacted but the contact plans to call them soon. The 4x4 high light illuminated each time.
At a complete stop vehicle surges (accelerates). Have to place in neutral at standing stops to prevent an accident. Driver's side power window switch failed, had replaced, also the window whines when rolling up. Passenger's side power window regulator(cable) snapped?? When rear windows are down at a speed of 20 MPH+ it sounds like a helicopter is in the back seat(actually physically hurts your ears!!!) auto and auto>high. Can not pin point problem. That about wraps up my lovely experience with this vehicle. I am a married father of two and the only one working on a limited income. I bought this truck with very low miles thinking it would be dependable not unaffordable.
2002 ford explorer 71,000 miles....transmission shifts hard and whining from rear end with some vibration....ford should recall as I have read many others have same problems.
There is a slight leek of differential fluid from the left axle seal. I now have noise at highway speed from rear end. Fluid level has remained good.
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