Dt*: the contact stated while backing out of the driveway the vehicle automatically engaged into 4 wheel drive low. The vehicle would not disengage, it was pulled forward and parked. The contact was instructed by the dealership to slowly drive one and a half miles to the service department. The dealer was able to disengage the 4 wheel drive low however; was unable to duplicate the problem of the 4 wheel drive automatic engagement. The manufacturer was alerted.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 40 of 51: complaints 1,151 to 1,180 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission failure and rear axle noises as well as rear wheel bearings.
I have a roar in the differential in my ford explorers. It started just after the 36000 warranty. I now have 60000 and the roar is very load.
Three instances of whining noise at 50+ MPH and fluid leakage from rear axle seal 2002 ford explorer. The first one caused loss of control when accelerating on highway. Difficult to determine since rear transaxle fluid leaks down drive shaft to brake assembly. I noticed significant corrosion of brake assembly where fluid is running into the wheel assembly. Only when leak is significant will fluid drip onto surface below rear axle. Dealer noted ford engineers are aware of problem but expect the consumer to pay for repairs. First replacement of rear axle seals at 30000 miles; second at 460000 miles and the third at 62000 miles. These seals should last longer. Second instance had vibration when engaging the vehicle in reverse and loud whining noise/ vibration from rear; then fluid leakage. My dealer acknowledges that many explorers (2002-2005) have this problem and ford motor company engineers are evaluating; as a dealer there is nothing they can do. Ford has not indicated a fix other than to check fluid level, replace rear axle seals, and/or the rear unit. This is a significant hazard since in most cases the vehicle owner will not know there is a pending failure due to the fluid leaking down the rear axle drive shaft toward the brake/wheel assembly. The whining noise will increase as fluid level decreases with risk failure and loss of control. This problem is far more common than reported due to the difficult nature of observation of leakage. One has to crawl under the rear transaxle and carefully inspect the two axle seals to look for signs of corrosion and fluid leakage.
2002 ford explorer. The transmission completely had to be rebuilt at 85,000. The shop we took the car to said he sees a lot of 2002 ford explorers because it was a new model and ford did not build the transmission correctly. The mechanic said ford did not recall the transmission's but they should as it seemed to him to be a systemic problem, and not from abuse (in our case anyway).
The rear end on my car was causing a loud humming noise above 40 miles per hour.
2002 ford explorer xlt - may 2005 had loud roaring noise from right rear wheel. Replaced right rear bearing/pinion/etc. April 2006 had loud roaring noise from left side. Replaced left front and left rear bearing/pinion/etc. Requests to dealer and directly to ford co. To cover 2nd & 3rd replacements denied.
2nd gear lost in transmission o/d light flashing erratic shifting, had transmission rebuilt at over $3000.00 cost to me ford said whoops sorry.
There is a loud howl/whine coming from the rear axle area of our 2002 ford explorer. We understand that this has been a common complaint with these vehicles. Our explorer is out of warranty but since this seems to be an inherent problem with this vehicle we would like for ford to at least share the cost of repair with us.
Transmission failed suddenly while traveling at highway speed of 65 MPH, car jerked extremely hard at 65 MPH and suddenly slowed to 30 MPH. O/d on/off light came on and also check engine light. I was able to get the car off the road thanks to the help of another motorist who was behind me and realized my car was breaking down. He assisted in helping me change traffic lanes to get to a safe spot to stop. Car was towed to dealership and determined that at 54,000 miles transmission failed. Transmission is covered under the 100,000 mile warranty, however first automotive has decided to put in either a used or salvaged transmission. They refuse to tell us anything about the condition or mileage of the used/salvaged part.
Transmission sometimes not going into 3rd and slipping between 1st and 2nd and 3rd. Bought it used so out of luck but have talked to dozens who had the same problem. Ford issued this warning to their dealers "03-25-4 dec 03 a/t - 5r55w no 3rd gear/slipping 2-3 shift/dtc's set" so many of these are just going out. Due to having a baby we have not had the 2800 to fix it. Just hoping it lasts at least 6 more months.
Transmission went bad at 68,000 miles. It was unable to shift from second to third gear. Previous to that make very hard noises when shifting from third to second.
Took 02 ford explorer in due to car not shifting when it should. According to ford, I need a new transmission. The explorer only has 34,000 miles. Freedom ford in hampton, va installed a new transmission for $3600.00.
Whining noise in rear differential of 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer edition have read many complaints on the web about the same problem.
Loud tire roar when I reach speeds over 45 MPH. Took it in for service. Dealer noticed the noise but didn't acknowledge how to fix it. Very loud, almost makes you not want drive. The problem is with the engineering of the vehicle.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at no particular speed, the rear wheels shook. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The mechanic determined the rear differential unit shown signs of extreme wear and would need replaced. The manufacturer was alerted.
Automatic transmission (5r55w) has failed at 30,300 miles 10 months past lousy 3yr/36k bumper to bumper warranty expiration! 1 month prior to failing there was a second or so delay shifting into reverse or a harsh bump upon engagement. On 2/26/06 after a 30 minute drive on the interstate and then doing an in-town errand, the overdrive off light started flashing. After parking it in our garage there was a burned fluid smell. Due for the 30k transmission service, I also asked for a computer diagnostic test at an independent trans. Specialist. The mechanic came to me with the pan asking do you possibly have an extended warranty. (no! I shouldn't need one for a major component such as a transmission.) the fluid was completely black with no hint of red. Additionally the magnet was covered with a 1/2" thick layer of metal shavings! The computer code (p1783) revealed that the fluid had heated to greater than 270 degrees f. The transmission is fried and his best estimate to rebuild it was around $3,000! Let me state that this vehicle was never driven under any harsh conditions, even those you should be able to do according to ford advertisements such as towing, off-road or using the 4 x 2 low gear. After doing an internet search and reading how many people have repeated failures with the rebuilt and/or new 5r55w's installed, what is the consumer supposed to do? We have to pay for ford's manufacturing defect because they are not taking responsibility for poor engineering on their vehicles. As many others have expressed, this vehicle is not even paid for so this is a huge financial burden for our family. I recognize that this is not a safety issue exactly, but it sure is hurting the pocketbook of consumers who have no protection from consumer laws once it's past the 1 yr for lemon law or the warranty has expired. How do we get support as a group to get a class action lawsuit started? Not built ford tough!
While driving on the freeway, my o/d light started flashing and my car would not shift. I ended up having to drive at 25 MPH and at 5000 rpms in order to get home. I have heard of more than several other people having the same problem with 2002 explorers. Ford did nothing to help me.
My 2002 ford explorer has been in the shop 3-4 times for rear end noise / vibration. It has been replace, re lubricated and adjusted. The car has 85000 miles on it and the noise is back again. Any time you are accelerating and reach 55-60 MPH, there is loud whine the comes from the rear end. Let off the gas and it goes away.
Automatic transmission failure sudden.
Vehicle out of warranty now at 114k miles. Transmission just replaced at my cost and now the rear differential is making a bad howling noise. I suppose that will end up needing replacement out of warranty. I'm having a real problem understanding why the vehicle is having such bad/expensive problems at just over 100k miles. Are they really building garbage ???
2002 ford explorer exhibiting transmission and rear end problems ford should recall all 2002 ford explorers for this problem. It appears to be very wide spread. Cost estimated to be $6000 for repair.
Rear differential seals leaking oil and whine at road speed on 2002 ford explorer with 51000 miles. Vin [xxx]. *jb updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Rear end hum and leak back tire was loose due to rear wheel bearings deteriorating, took it apart and bearings fell apart. There was no grease on them. This '02 explorer has 30,000 miles on it.
2002 explorer transmission is bad after only 33,000 miles.
This is the second time in less then two years I have had to have the transmission rebuilt. It was bought on 8/14/04 as is no warranty from a dealer (demo) unit it had 38547 miles on it, 10/13/04 the transmission blew with 41675 miles on it. The dealer wouldn't give me no help as well as ford customer service, I paid 2181.03 to have it rebuilt including the torque converter replaced, and the solenoid pak (which was replaced 2 more times shortly after being installed each time) it needed a ls kit, bas hing kit, 5 forward steels, filter and fluids. March 8th 2006 I find myself spending another 1412.56 to have it rebuilt yet again now only having 64460 miles on it, it needed an overhaul kit, filter and trans fluids, intermediate band, od servo piston, int servo piston and another solenoid pak as well as the transmission case repaired. I have owned several cars in my life time and never had to replace a transmission especially twice in less then two years, this is my first ford and will be the last ford I own! I can't afford to spend this much money every two years and shouldn't have to the way I see it!
Dt*: the contact stated while shifting gears, the automatic transmission made a clunking noise and the vehicle displayed a jerking motion. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and the solenoid housing of the automatic transmission was replaced. Afterwards, the problem persisted and the solenoid housing was again replaced by the dealer. The front pads were replaced. The drivers side door would pop open. There was a delay when shifting gears, and then the vehicle would slam into gear. Updated 04/06/06.
Automatic transmission began having shifting difficulties shifting up and down between gears. The occasion that prompted this occurred as I attempted to place the car in reverse and it did not engage immediately. I was almost broadsided by an approaching vehicle before reverse engaged and I was able to avoid the collision. It seems it took approximately up to 1 minute for reverse to engage and the vehicle lurched backwards once engaged.
Transmission overheating and not shifting correctly while on highway at 65 MPH 63000 miles on 2002 ford explorer xlt complete overhaul needed on transmission approx cost $2600.00 to repair.
Noisy differential. Constant whining around 50 MPH and up. Reluctant to report to dealer for indications of lack of response cited by other complainants. Living with problem until diff fails!
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