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2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints

Page 46 of 51: complaints 1,331 to 1,360 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2002 Ford Explorer transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed May 9, 2005 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · VA

There is a loud droning sound from underneath the car and vibrations in the floorboards.

Filed May 3, 2005 · Transmission · 33,000 miles · VA

The transimiison began to slip aat 30 MPH, 37, 000 miles. On 10/02/03- was serviced, but problem returned from time to time. In 2005 problem worsened at 48, 000 miles. Took vehicle to dealer for transmission service. $dealer reported new transmission was needed @ cost of 3,222. The repair was done on 4/22/05.

Filed Apr 26, 2005 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · CT

1.transmission began slipping, banging in reverse, problems getting the vehicle to shift from park to reverse. . Vehicle became unable to shift out of 2nd, trans light and overdrive light came on and flickering. . Taken to miller ford, where it was diagnosed as having no 3rd gear at all, both bands, servos and solenoid need replace. 4.spent 2 days in service, rented a vehicle at a cost of $50. Work was completed at a cost of $1523.28.

Filed Apr 21, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · 43,894 miles · WV

1. Rear end howling noise (3/18/2005) - hear noise when accelerating between 40 and 65 MPH. When letting off of accelerator, noise goes away, comes back again when accelerator is pushed again. Dealer service dept replaced rear carrier bearings, cup, seals, and spacer in rear differential. Noise now occurs between 65 and 70 MPH. Was taken back to dealer service dept on 4/11/2005. Was informed 4/20/2005 that rear differential was adjusted with new spacer, but noise is still there. Service manager has another ford explorer on lot and test drove it. This explorer has same noise between 40 and 65 MPH. One of the techs (who used to work at a ford dealership) told service manager that alot of 2002 ford explorer owners have been having this problem. Ford has no solution or cure. 2. Noise in timing chain area. Ford has a tsb on this. I can hear this rattling noise coming from this area and told dealership to look into it. They could not duplicate the noise, although when test driving it with assist. Service manager, I could still hear the noise, but he could not. I had my local mechanic check this out, and they can hear the noise that I'm talking about. This problem has yet to be fixed. 3. Vibration coming from front end on interstate that starts at around 70+ MPH. When climbing a steep hill on interstate and transmission downshifts, can feel a grinding noise in powertrain. Dealer believes that the fluid in the transfer case might need to be changed,causing clutches inside to stick. Will find out tomorrow (4/21/2005).

Filed Apr 13, 2005 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · MA

Transmission failed to operate. Wouldn't move in drive but in second gear. Ended up replacing with new transmission. 4 months later rear end went and had to be replaced. Mileage at time of transmission failure was 100,000 miles, and rear end failure 114,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2005 · Transmission · MO

Hello, I own a 2002 ford explore xlt with 50,000 miles v-6. In the rear end of the vehicle there is a grinding noise that is in a rythmic patteren. I have scheduled an appointment next tuesday but was wondering if there is any recalls that I should know about. After reading several forms from other ford explorer owners it sounds as if there is a reoccouring problem.

Filed Apr 7, 2005 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · CA

Bought the 2002 xlt 4x4 explorer in july of 04 with 43,000 miles on the car. At 60,00 miles had the transmission serviced. At 63,000 miles o/d light flashed. Took car into dealer the next day and car needs a new transmission. Thank goodness we bought the extended warrenty so the work should be covered but after reading all the repeat problems I am concerned that this might become a constant problem. Also experienced the same rough shift into reverse and the transmission slipage between gears.

Filed Apr 5, 2005 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · IA

4x4 automatic transmission complete failure. Lost 3rd and 4th gears and reverse. This truck never towed or was worked at all. 47000 miles and the transmission melted. Dealer advised to completely replace, nothing left to rebuild. The only hint was the truck had a pause of 3-4 seconds before it went into a forward gear.

Filed Apr 5, 2005 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · OH

O/dlight flashing on pa pike, was told by selling dealer to stop driving. Took to a ford dealer an hour from my home . Had to rent a car for a week and spent $700 to fix tranny. 3 months later 4 hours from home happened again. Lost a week work while it transmission was torn down again, still under 12,000 warranty from march. Since then o/d light has flashed 4 diferent times, ford dealer couldn't find anything wrong. Last time went to an independent transmission specialist, has said $2,000 to fix, also this transmission has been a big lemon and ford will not stand behind it. I had another bauer explorer that I traded in with 150,000 and never had a problem with it, this is why after a car I went back to the explorer. Huge mistake. It is time to seek an alternate form of justice.

Filed Apr 2, 2005 · Transmission · 59,100 miles · NE

Ford explorer is 2002. Had to repair transmission at ford service transmission in june 2004. The whole transmission failed suddenly april 1, 2005. We do not believe this is acceptable to hav to put $3700 on one major repair and one complete rebuild of the transmission inside ofthree years on the transmission of a new vehicle.

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · OH

I have a 2002 ford explorer and I have only had it one year I got it used from a dealership it was a one owner and in the time that I have had it I have put over $800 worth of work in to it with brakes,hubs,and one auto lock hub the hubs on the drivers side let go one month ago and a week ago the pasenger side rear hub let go it has been siting ever sence thes are very expensiv things to replace and shold not need to be done on avehical that is only three years old.

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Transmission · 60 miles · CA

Gears began to slip at 59,000 miles on three year old vehicle. One day od light went off and transmission was completely burned up. We had given vehicle regular service. There was no warning up until the day the tranny went out. We took the vehicle to an outside source who concluded that the seal looked like it had never been broken on the transmission plug. This leads us to believe that ford never even checked our fluid when we did take it in for service. This constitutes fraud in my opinion, although we have no proof.

Filed Mar 25, 2005 · Transmission · 39,300 miles · NC

Three months after purchasing my 02 explorer, and at 39000 miles, the transmission began slipping just a bit. A week later, third gear could not engage at all, and I was forced to drive to the repair shop in second gear, with my hazard lights on, and with school-age children in the car. My repair person drove the car for about 15 seconds and knew immediately what the problem was. He knew because he had just fixed the same problem last month on an 02 explorer with less miles than mine. He stated that ford is aware of the problem, but with the advent of extended warranties, they would not stand behind their product. I did not purchase an extended warranty because who would expect that a transmission should be rebuilt at 39000 miles (incidentally 3000 miles past my warranty coverage). Luckily no one was injured because I parked the truck almost immediately. But now I am faced with the cost of rebuilding third gear into my truck, with no one accepting responsibilty for the defect.

Filed Mar 24, 2005 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · FL

I have a 2002 ford explorer xls, 4.0 engine, that has transmission failure at 59,000 miles. I have been researching this type of vehicle and have noticed a high number of transmission failures at low mileage such as my vehicle. I called ford to see if they would provide assistance for the repair and they said no and deny any major problems with those transmissions. I am now faced with having to pay $1500 - $2000 for a major repair of a low mileage vehicle. The car was diagnosed at a ford dealership under the advice of ford customer service. I am now going to remove the vehicle from the dealership and take it to an outside repair station because the dealership wants $600 to tear down the transmission and do further diagnosis. I am upset at the poor quality of the vehicle which was a major investment for me and the additional expenses associated with this vechicle.

Filed Mar 23, 2005 · Transmission · KY

The lugs: bolts on the rear driver's side wheel have broken off twice causing the wheel to come off. The first time was in october 2004 and second time was in january 2005. 1st time I was getting on the expressway and the 2nd time I was just getting off the expressway. This problem has cost me over $2000 in repairs, time lost on my job, but more importantly - it could have cost me my life or the lives of others. When I spoke with a ford representative, I was told, " sorry" and sent a customer satisfaction survey. I can't believe this has not occurred to others. I am reluctant to even drive this thing anymore but owe too much on it to get rid of it. If nothing is done to make me feel safe in my explorer, then it will be the last ford product I will ever own and will encourage everyone I come in contact with to avoid ford products as well and I'm going to put a sign on the back for everyone to see letting them know that the explorerer is an unsafe vehicle. All I want is peace of mind when driving my vehicle.

Filed Mar 22, 2005 · Transmission · 37,012 miles · IN

2002 ford explorer has had 2 rebuilt transmissions and over $1,800 in transmission work not related to the rebuilt transmissions.

Filed Mar 21, 2005 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · PA

Transmission failed during ordinary driving. Transmission required nearly three weeks to repair at a cost of $2,800.

Filed Mar 18, 2005 · Transmission · 110,488 miles · KY

1st time was the rear howling noise at highway speeds, primarily during acceleration. It was remedied once foot was off the gas pedal. Inner/outer axle bearings, racers, pinion seal were replaced. 2nd incident occured less than 30 days, and 3000 miles later, when the truck decided to pull me from 75 MPH to 25 MPH in seconds. There was a major leak under the rear axle, and the truck required towing. There was a major replacement to the rear end, do not have the documentation at hand, but it was expensive. Now, 2 years later, 30000 miles later, the rear end needs an expensive part for replacement. When I made sharp right/left handed turns, there was a shudder, a grind, that was coming from the rear. Ford service notified me same day that a pack needs to be replaced for $725, about the same region where original problems have occurred. Should I expect to see similar problems continuing during the next 30k miles? I feel that I have been pretty caring to the vehicle by having it serviced every 3k miles. Didn't see this coming. How many more complaints until recall?

Filed Mar 12, 2005 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · NJ

I have a 2002 ford explorer xls which started to experience a whining noise from the rear end shortly after warranty expired. It continued to get worse. The fluid was checked, all o.k. Now at 75,000 miles the rear end has failed. Cost to repair est $1200 - $1500. There appears to be a design or defective part issue. Dealers tell me this is an isolated case, which is not true as I personally know 2 other individuals who had same problem.

Filed Mar 11, 2005 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NJ

Differential hums at 55-75 MPH. 50,000 miles on vehicle hum started after warranty period expired. Read that many owners with the same year explorer 2002 are experiencing the same problem. Ford should be recalling/repairing this problem free of charge because it is clearly a factory defect.

Filed Mar 10, 2005 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · 00

My truck is starting to have problems with shifting in to 3rd gear, dealership told me I'll have to fix transmission or replaceit. Major problem in these transmissions, crappy idea to make it a sealed transmission.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · WI

O/d light flashing on a 2002 explorer. Resulting in a new transmission after only 50,000 miles. It's a known problem, and I have to suffer and pay for ford's failure to provide a recall or compensation for owning their equipment.

Filed Mar 7, 2005 · Transmission · 54,000 miles · MI

Rear drive axle has excessive gear whine under load from 50-70 MPH.

Filed Mar 4, 2005 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · IL

Transmission failure shifting to overdirve. Dealer recommended replacement. Vehicle is only 37 months old. Mileage is 50,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2005 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · AL

The 2002 explorer with the 5-speed automatic transmission definitely has manufacturing flaws and should either be replaced or repaired.

Filed Mar 4, 2005 · Transmission · MO

Prior to purchase 6/03 @ 40k miles, trans fluid 2 qts low, nothing else addressed. April '04 @ 50k miles replaced leaks in transmissions, charged $200 deductible. Sept '04 replaced rear differential, jan '05 replaced rear diff clutch assembly, now need whole new transmission at 68000 miles.

Filed Feb 16, 2005 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · TX

Consumer experienced a problem with the transmission on another ford vehicle. Traded it in for a new vehicle. The newly purchased vehicle displayed the same symptoms as the previously owned vehicle. T he gears slipped when pressing the gas, then it engaged. The vehicle went from 50 MPH to 30 MPH.

Filed Feb 12, 2005 · Transmission · UT

Heard whining noise when driving between 55 and 70 MPH in this vehicle for several months; the whining grew into a faint grinding at lower speeds and then a more major grinding. The differential unit had to be replaced. Apparently the light construction of the explorer differentials causes this problem frequently.

Filed Feb 9, 2005 · Body, Brakes · 9,000 miles · MA

Several problems - at 9,000 miles my brakes went and had to have my rotors resurfaced by 23,000 miles my rear brakes were completely gone and my front brakes were nearly gone. This cost me over $1,000 to repair. At 25-27,000 miles my vehicle would not change gears properly. Going in reverse the vehicle would "bang" into gear, then going from park to any gear this would happen. On level ground and on hill. The dealership said they guessed at the problem and fixed something in the transmission. At 32,000 miles the piece of plastic under the liftgate window completely cracked. Since under warranty the dealership is fixing this. There has been a "whining" noise while using the gas pedal for some time that the dealership can not recreate.... I expect that to go wrong as soon as my warranty expires. I think you only get 36,000 mile warranty because they know the vehicle will fall apart after that!

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Seat belts, Transmission · 43,000 miles · CA

Over time noticed jerking while upshifting. Loud winding noise at high way speeds when on gas pedal. Drive mostly highway and still extremly poor mpg. 9.8-10.6mpg average on highway! Also passenger side rear seat belt does not retract. Had replaced under warranty. Still have the problem.

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