We noticed a humming noise and a small oil leak coming from the rear axle. We took the vehicle to the ford dealer and were informed that the rear differential was in need of repair and that this was a known problem with explorers. We were given a discounted rate for the repair. Two weeks later the left rear wheel bearing went out (with only 59,000 miles) and were told that this had nothing to do with the rear differential repair and would cost a total of $700 for both rear wheel bearings.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 43 of 51: complaints 1,241 to 1,270 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Rear noise when trying to accelerate. Also fluid leak.
The differential was replaced between 20-25k. The car was taken into today for the yearly state inspection. The differential is now leaking. Car has 43k miles on it. Seems to be a differential every 20k or so miles, which is unacceptable. *jb two weeks ago on the way home from work o/d light started flashing, my , took it to the dealer, transmission solenoid went out, it was fixed. I had been complaining to them that something was wrong with the transmission since last feb, the transmission would slam into gear, would not shift properly, and would sound like it needed to upshift when the tac hadn't changed. Get the truck home and the 4x4 doesn't work. Take it back to the dealer the transfer case module went out. Dealer said it wasn't related to driving it with the o/d light on after ford's roadside assistance left me on the side of an interstate for 3 hours and then told me to just drive it with the light flashing. Abs light came on, it was code c1237, the rear speed sensor went out, thus I had no ABS, checked message boards online, this is a frequent problem. Along with the inspection today, it was brake pad replacement day. My pads were not completely worn down, but with winter coming up I wanted them done. Went to my regular mechanic to have this done. The rotors are warped, and I should probably have them replaced with an aftermarket set, as the original ones are too small for a vehicle that size, and turning them would make them even thinner.
Vehicle goes into neutral when braking hard and when turning vehicle off, outside under driver seat a winding down noise is heard 9 times out of ten when turning vehicle off. Transmission pan replaced, solenoid assembly replaced, no longer goes into neutral and nothing was found at dealership regarding winding down noise, problem still exists.
I bought a new 2002 ford explorer xlt. At 13,743 work order writes my complaints as "when going from park to drive trans clunks into gear and delay up shift a slow speeds". Dealer wrote on completed order form "cause: inop, correction:reprogram PCM, tech notes:roadtest trans engagement are harsh intermittent upshifts are firm, reprogram PCM...". At 16,482 miles I again complained of clunking when shifting gears. Dealer said could not reproduce. At 24,613 I complained of trans clunking, and hesitating between shifting, again dealer said could not reproduce. At 35,976 miles they said there was a trans problem and rehauled (rebuilt) trans. At 50,295 miles car was hesitating again between shifts and clunking again. At stopping the car would jerk hard. They said the trans was bad again and rehauled it again. At 52,900 miles I was going to stop at a light, I thought something had happened to the brakes as the car would not slow any further (I was at a low speed at this time) for a few seconds and the brake pedal was shuttering and grinding. I immediately went to the dealer. The brakes twice more the way over felt strange but not as much as the first time. I would step on the gas, the car would hesitate before going faster and then would jerk forward. The RPM needle during this time would not move and then jump forward and then jump down. Three times on the way to the dealer the car would on it's own go slightly faster without me depressing the gas pedal further. This was on saturday and I told the person writing up my paper work I could not except that they can not reproduce the problem, I need an answer since this is beyond being a time consuming problem and bother into a safety issue and I will not drive that car as is. Since there was no service manager there, I returned on monday to talk with him. He was very nice and said they would look into it. But again, I am without my car for I do not know how long.
Since I purchased the vehicle new in july 220 I have had noise coming from rear of car. There are occasionally loud clangs coming from what appears to be transmission when shifting from park to drive. Now, the o/d light is flashing continuously and it looks as if the car needs a new transmission with 65,000 miles on it. *jb the consumer requested that his complaint be deleted. Updated 11/29/05.
Rear end in 2002 ford explorer has failed.
My 2002 ford explorer is making a howling sound from the rear end and is leaking fluid, sometimes this fluid reaches the tires and makes contact with the brakes... Could this cause them to fail? Crash? Many people have this same problem, I went to a large parking lot and looked under several ford explorers 2002-up 6 out of about 10 had this problem, what is it going to take before ford fixes the problem, does someone have to die?
My 2002 ford explorer has a leak from the rear differential. I have had the seals replaced, but the leak persists. I believe there is a defect in the differential-transmission housings.
Whine in rear end of a 15911 mile 2002 ford explorer, part, ring and pinion, had to be replaced, I had to pay a 100 ded. Supervisor at ford's 800 # denied that this was a common identified problem, said that if it was it would be subject to a recall and I would have gotten a notice. Tsb 18466 & 18423 describes the problem.
Ford explorer 2002 model xlt, 4 dr, 2 wheel drive. At about 30,000 miles,and at speeds above 30 MPH, the rear end (differential) started to roar. Thinking that the tires were bad, I have replaced the tires, but did not make any difference. Now, with 70,000 miles, I believe there is a defective design with the differential and it appears to be a common problem with certain ford explorers. I am afraid that if the rear end fails while traveling, it would cause the vehicle to wreck. Thanks.
I am the original owner of a 2002 ford explorer. It makes a humming noise when driving at a speed between 30 and 55 MPH; additionally the differential leaks as well. The ford dealer told me it costs around $1,500 to replace. I have heard numerous complaints for other explorer owners on this very same problem, yet ford refuses to admit there is anything wrong with the part. I think it is time for a recall.
Began backing out of garage but noticed "door ajar" light on; a frequent occurrence in this car, and light doesn't indicate which door is the problem. So, finished backing car out of garage and parked it in driveway, placing car in park and applying emergency brake. Left car running. Exited car, left driver door open, and had some time to stand, turn around and look at back door behind driver's side first. Determined it was closed by visual check. Began to move toward rear of car to check hatch next (hatch problematic; had it fixed after bought the car then it was just recently recalled again. But much to my shock the car slipped out of park and ran over me. Tried to dive out of way; car ran over me at both knees. Suffered crush injury. Had car examined; forensic specialist thought it was a design flaw with lots of gap in steering column between reverse and park and some play in where it would groove in. *jb
I have a 2002 ford explorer with 56,000 miles on it and the rear differential is starting to whine very loud. It has the 3.73 limited slip differtial. 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.
Dt: the consumer stated that the 2002 ford explorer xlt was having problems with the transmission. The consumer said that the vehicle would not accelerate, and then would accelerate quickly up to o 80 MPH. The truck would decelerate and accelerate randomly. The transmission knocked when going into gear. The owner had requested that the transmission be checked prior to the warranty expiring on two different occasions. At this point, the vehicle only had 25,000 miles on it. The consumer was out of town and had a complete transmission failure which resulted in the installment of a new transmission when reaching home. Currently, the new transmission was having problems going into gear. There was a knocking sound in the transmission when the gears were changing. The consumer was constantly dealing with the dealership general manager, who in return, was dealing with the ford regional representative. This has been on going for the past two weeks. The dealership tested the old transmission with diagnostics and found nothing. The consumer for dealing with the dealership and ford simultaneously concerning reimbursement for repair expenses.
2002 ford explorer, 5r55w transmission. 84k on vehicle, transmission no-shift/late shift between 1st and 2nd. Od light on intermittently, occasionally no power, transmission slips between 1-2 and 2-3.
The rear differential has had an increasingly loud whine at speeds above 45 MPH. It was first noticeable at mileage of 30,000. Now at 55,000 miles it has gotten worse. I will have to replace the differential soon, but ford has not engineered an improved rear-end. Therefore the problem will probably reoccur. Many ford explorers (2002-2005 ) have this same problem. This repair should be paid for by ford as a known defect.
I own a 2002 ford explorer that is now having its transmission replaced for the second time. The first time I was at 77000 mile, just outside the extended 75000 mile warranty that I purchased, when the car began shifting with a hard jerk or slip when it was trying to change for second to third gear. After further driving the o/d light began to flicker on and off and the service engine light came on. I took it to the local ford dealer, which did not seem to be surprised that I had this problem, and told me it would take a couple of weeks and cost me $3600. He said he could take it down the road to a transmission repair shop that they used so that maybe he could get it done faster. Well, I decided to take it there myself. I got the same report, but they could fix it, with all new parts, for $2000. So, I let them fix it. After one year and 44000 miles I am having the same exact problem and it is in the process of being fixed. I do not know what it will cost me this time around. I have made a complaint with ford motor customer service. I just want someone to know based on what I am hearing and reading that this along with the rear diff. Problem, which I also have, seems to be common in the 2002 ford explorer. In the last ten years I have owned 5 fords and this is the second explorer. I do not think I will be buying another one unless ford can do something about the transmission problem they seem to have.
1.) no indication of impending failure 2.) transmission is completely gone. 3.) $4000 later a new transmission is being installed.
2002 4 door explorer 4x4 eddie bauer transmission replaced at 40,000 miles now the rear end has a humming noise at 50,000 miles.
The rear differential leaks.
Transmission 3rd gear slipping causing transmission to have to be completely re built. There is a service bulletin #03254 . How come ford has not done any thing? Because this is a well known fact . Ford should hay to pay for its mistake or help the consumer in some way. They new in 12/13/24 there is failure in this transmission # 5r55w . I checked on this at www.car review.com and there was many complaints thanks. Jb
Automatic transmission failing in 2nd gear. Seems to be a widely known problem in the v-6 2002 explorer. Started acting up at 60k, as soon as the warranty was out.
There has been a load humming noise from the rear differential since 42000 miles.
The complaint is directed at a widely known manufacturing defect in 2002 ford explorers involving the drive train. The problem surfaces just before the 36k warranty period and begins as a whine in the rear differential. The whine gets worse over time and at this writing my local ford dealership has had parts on order for 3 weeks with no definitive delivery date. My explorer has 40k miles and just ran out of the 3yr warranty in may 2005. Even with new parts installed these 2002 models have the same results re-occur in 10-20k miles. This is, by all accounts, not a defect that will likely result in personal injury to any thing but your wallet, but it is of such proportion in the marketplace that the consumer should have somebody to go to bat for them. These ford explorers are lemons if you can't get 40k out of the drive trains. I have a 1993 expl that has 200k and no issue. A recall should be a mandate for the consumer. At this writing I have parked the vehicle to avoid any more miles and I am waiting for arrival of parts. Please listen to us, the individual, and help us as we fight for what is right wit the corporation and it's clout.
I own a 2002 ford explorer 4x4 and while driving the vehicle the o/d light begin to flash and at a stop light the vehicle would not engaged to drive. Finally after turning of the vehicle and re starting it and proceeded to go. Took it into the dealership where they informed me that they would have to drop the pan and if there was metal in it I would need a whole new transmission. They called me a few hours later to inform me that the technician saw lots of metal and the cost of a new transmission would be 3400.00 dollars. I said are you sure that the problem has been diagnosed properly with a transmission with 50,000 miles and he said the tests don't lie. Well, I said I would be up to the dealership to see this metal and 2 minutes later he called saying that the tech. Didn't actually pull the pan down. I picked up my explorer and they were so very nice to give me the technical service bulletin on it too; think that was a mistake. Took it to cottmans transmission right down from the dealership and they hooked it up to a computer and codes p0733 and p0745 were flashing: problem a broken intermediate band and o/d band. They said that it could have more damage but would see when transmission was down. They weren't surprised by the dealerships claim; it is all about money to them. After 2 days they informed me that the 2 bands would have to be replaced, a torque converter, transmission rebuild kit and a little thing called a planet gear was causing the whole problem it seems. The bearing in the gear was destroyed. They ordered the planet gear from the kentucky plant and low and behold that bearing in the gear was destroyed as well. I believe that the transmission problems that people are experiencing is coming from the defect. The cost of this little repair was 1500.00 dollars more than half of what they said and they have the same tsb report on the problem. Crown ford is the dealer.
I own a 2002 ford explorer 4x4 and while driving the vehicle the o/d light begin to flash and at a stop light the vehicle would not engaged to drive. Finally after turning of the vehicle and re starting it and proceeded to go. Took it into the dealership where they informed me that they would have to drop the pan and if there was metal in it I would need a whole new transmission. They called me a few hours later to inform me that the technician saw lots of metal and the cost of a new transmission would be 3400.00 dollars. I said are you sure that the problem has been diagnosed properly with a transmission with 50,000 miles and he said the tests don't lie. Well, I said I would be up to the dealership to see this metal and 2 minutes later he called saying that the tech. Didn't actually pull the pan down. Pick up my explorer and they were so very nice to give me the technical service bulletin on it too; think that was a mistake. Took it to cottmans transmission right down from the dealership and they hooked it up to a computer and codes p0733 and p0745 were flashing: problem a broken intermediate band and o/d band. They said that could have more damage but would see when transmission was down. They weren't surprised by the dealerships claim; it is all about money to them. After 2 days they informed me that the 2 bands would have to be replaced, a torque converter, transmission rebuild kit and a little thing called a planet gear was causing the whole problem it seems. The bearing in the gear was destroyed. They ordered the planet gear from the kentucky plant and low and behold that bearing in the gear was destroyed as well. I believe that the transmission problems that people are experiencing is coming from the defect. The cost of this little repair was 1500.00 dollars more than half of what they said and they have the same tsb report on the problem.crown ford is the dealer.
Roar/whine from rear end @ 40-65 MPH. Stops when foot removed from accelerator.
My 2002 ford explorer rear end started whining around 45000 miles. I took it to the dealer and they said that the rear end needed to be replaced with a cost of $2000. I decided not to have the work done at that time. They said that it would get louder as time goes by. It now has 65920 miles and the whine is a little louder. I have owned a lot of automobiles , mostly fords and this is the 1st one that had the rear end wearing out with such low mileage. In reading 2002 explorer complaints there are many with the same problem. My next car may not be a ford.
2002 explorer, 50,000 miles loud noise coming from rear end (differential) at speed above 40 MPH. From internet research I've read where many others are reporting similar noises. Dealer quotes $1500-1700 to replace rear end.
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