My truck worked fine for the first 18000 miles I have had it and now it has almost 45000 miles on it. When the truck tries to change gears from second to third the transmission makes a clunk noise and then the rest of the time it changes gears fine. The noise just happens between second to third gear.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 47 of 51: complaints 1,361 to 1,390 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Originally informed ford dealer of loud shudder in vehicle upon starting when cold at about 11,000 miles and was told that is "normal" for this transmission and they do not know what causes it--"keep on driving it." transmission over-drive light began to flicker at about 69,400 miles. Ford service department looked into the problem and had the vehicle for repair for over three weeks. Reported broken seal in trans and worn torque converter. Trouble "locking out" after repair so they replaced the warped valve body.
Leaking seal on top cover of rear differential; differential was making noise. It was factory sealed with silicone which is not an acceptable long-term seal due to deterioration. Ford said silicone seals are not covered by warranty but relented after my strident cimplaint. Huge cost ($675) to remove differential which was repaired again with silicone which will not last. This needs to be a re-call as there will be oil leaks all over america. This is an improper seal design.
Transmission died at 3642 miles very low milage transmission has to be defective and it costs more than 3,000$ to fix it. The cost should be picked up by ford.
Rumbling/howling noise from under rear of vehicle. Dealer diagnosed rear differential failure. There should be a longer life expectancy for this component.
My 2002 ford explorer xlt had a transmission problem. When putting it in reverse nothing would happen for 5 - 10 seconds. Then it would lurch into gear and rev up and shoot backwards. Since nothing would happen you would think it needed gas and then when it engaged after 5 - 10 seconds it would lunge faster backwards creating a serious risk of backing into someone or something. Ford fixed the problem at my expense (over $1000) saying that there was a problems with the transmission controller. Others that I have spoke to have said they have had similar problems. I think that this should be subject to a safety recall.
I am the fleet manager of the buffalo grove park district and we own four ford explorers two of the four a 2002, and a 2003, explorer 4x4 xlt have had numerous expensive problems such as wheel bearing failures three failures on the 02 explorer and one on the 03, rear strut failure,seals leaking converter clutch failure,rear axle noise gear whine,clutch pack noise,all these problems on vehicles that are out of warranty by mileage but only a couple two or three years old. This year jan 04 to jan 05 3,500 in repairs for these two vehicles, not including the rear axle problems on the 03, this is "not acceptable" p.s. The mileage 72,000 on the 02, and 51,000 on the 03
Transmission will not shift to overdrive. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the transmission was replaced on five occasions. The over drive light would come on and the band would burn up.
The vehicle experienced strange sounds and delay when shifting the vehicle from park to reverse. *bf the ABS light was illuminated continuously.
Multiple wheel bearing failure on 2002 ford explorer 4x4, 42,000 miles. Loud noise prompted action before complete failure. Complete failure may have resulted in wheel lock-up and possible crash. Despite complaint and resquest for the repair to be covered given limited mileage, no assistance from ford motor company. Dealer did replace one unit at no charge. Ford provided no assistance. Personal knowledge of another owner with similar problem, had to replace all four wheel bearings. This is certain to become a major safety problem as these cars age if ford is not held responsible for the defect and forced to take preimptive action to save lives.
Had trouble shifting column shift & then it broke off in my hand.
Transmissions problem, been to two dealers, and cant fix the problem. Ford wil not help. I first went in before my 3-36 was up now im 45 days over and they won't pay . It misses under a load and when passing other cars feels very unsafe .
When shifting from drive to park column shift lever would get stuck. Upon a stalling ,, when shifting from drive into park to restart the car, column shift lever broke off resulting in being unable use the vehicle while in a parking lot at night with small children in the car. Vehicle towed to dealer, where we were told the whole steering column needed to be replaced at an estimate of $747.00 for a three year old vehicle.
I was driving,when I heard a loud noise comming from underneath my ford explorer.I thought for a second or two,that I had ran over something in the street.the vehicle,slowed.when I stopped for the traffic light,it would not move.the od off light was flashing.the only way I could move the truck was in neutral.I had the truck towed to joe rizza ford in n.riverside,il.they told me that the transmission had to be replaced.I purchased this truck from rizza new on 09/11/01.59,000 miles was on the spedometer.I believe the transmission was defective.I was told it would cost me $3,400.00 to get it replaced.I had no choice but to go further in debt and buy another vehicle.
When shifting gear from "park" to "drive" the column shifter was noticably difficult to move. Without warning , the column shifter fell off, resulting in not having a car to drive. I am currently trying to have the problem fixed.
While traveling at 25 MPH driver's gear popped out, and vehicle was not able to move. Consumer was informed that the vehicle needed a new transmission when taken to the dealer.
With normal driving, the differential of my 2002 ford explorer has progressed from humming to a loader roar while driving at all speeds, which I was told was 'normal for fords'. 5,000 miles later I am looking at $1,300.00 to replace the rear differential at my own cost, since fords warranty ran out at a measly 36,000 miles. This is a safety hazard in the fact that if you listen to what dealers and mechanics tell you, you can be driving down the road and have your whole rear end bust out on you, leaving the car without any capabilities to move anywhere. For someone who is not the most confident driver or does not now how to react, this can lead to some very erratic behavior.
My ford explorer transmission it was at 36000 miles, my car was tuned and serviced as shudule, and it cost a total of $1700.00 to fix. Which the car is only 2 year old. The air condition stop working in december of 2003 and at the time my car was barely 1 year old thier has been many other concern with my explorer that I am making $500.00 payment on. I belived I have purchase a defected car.
Whining noise coming from rear differential. Vehicle has only 44,000 miles. Possible crash if differential locks up at highway speed. Ford says I need to replace entire differential, yet not willing to pay part of the cost. Internet research shows this to be a common problem with 2002 explorer.
1.events leading up to the failure -on more than one occasion while having my car at the dealer while in warranty I made note to the service individual,that some thing felt wrong when my car would shift in to another gear while moving .nothing was ever found wrong or any documentation was made. 2.failure and its consequences-as my vehicle reached 43,900 miles my transmission started to shift even more harder and sometimes would not go in to gear.the rear would vibrate to the point where it shook the vehicle hard. 3.what was done to correct the failure-when vehicle was taken to the dealer it was quickly brought to my attention that my vehicle was out of waranty and after diagonosing the problem that the trans assy solenoid had to be replaced. I had no choice but to fix this problem because the vehicle was up on a lift . This cost me a total of $976.91. I feel that I was LED on until my warranty expired and that ford should covered the cost of this problem because this is a fairly new vehicle and it was not my fault that this part went bad.this part should be recalled.
Consumer complained about transmission problems. Automatic transmission shifted hard when changing gears,and slow in reverse. Consumer heard a grinding noise when the gear went into overdrive. Dealer was notified.
I bought my 2002 explorer in may of 04. It only has 40,000 miles and there is a severe whining noise in the rear-end. It will also jerk and slap sometimes when I let off of the gas. I also put it in 4-wheel drive and if feels and it slaps and jerks like the whole underneath is going to fall out.
2002 ford explorer rear differential noisy and leaking. I have had my 2002 ford explorer in for repair 5 times in 2 years for noisy (roaring) rear differential at speeds of 55-65mph it only makes the noise when gas pedal is applied. Coasting no noise. The rear differential is also leaking oil. Inion seals have been replaced 5 times, gears. He noise goes away after each repair but comes back after 5-10k miles. Currently have 108k000 miles. I see via internet searches ford is having lots of problems with this year and model 2002-2004 for the same expact problem.
I am the original owner of a 2002 ford explorer (eddie bauer). At speeds between 50-70 there is significant noise (roaring) from the rear differential. When I let off the gas, the noise goes away. Currently have 60k miles, but noise started shortly after the vehicle went out of warranty (36k). Thinking that it might be the tires, I replaced all at 40k. Tires made no difference. Took vehicle to dealership and was told the ring and pinion needed to be replaced at a cost of $1200. To incur this cost given the milage is rediculous.
Complete failure of transmission without any warning at low mileage.
My transmission shifter hard a few times ( loud "clunk") for some time now. I then lost 4 wheel drive. I am unable to select high four or even low. The low button no longer eluminates and shifts to low. I discovered I lost 4x4 mode while accelerating from a stop in the rain and my rear wheels spun wildly. I am out of warranty..what do I do. Ford definately has a problem with this the automatic transmissions. I have about 48.000 miles on vehicle. It was purchased used 3 months ago.
Transmission failure in a 2002 ford explorer, timing chain guide failure (4.0l previous ford recall) ford replaced trans. Now that trans is failing. Replaced timing chain and gear set.
While driving 30 MPH, the consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. While shifting gears the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. Please provide further details.
While driving at a slow speed the rear left axle started smoking and became red hot. The paint also peeled off. The vehicle was towed to the dealership who indicated that the rear left brake had locked up. The brake was replaced. The rear differential seal was leaking also. The seal and fluid was replaced. Since the brake failure there was a whining noise in the rear axle at speeds off 50-55 MPH.
My 2002 explorer has been through two transmission overhauls in only 53,000 mi. The first transmission overhaul was performed at 35,000mi by a local ford dealer who claimed to have replaced this, that and the other! I was given an extra 12,000mi warranty on that transmission. Well it lasted 12,000mi but at 50,000mi the transmission went out again!!! Ford insists that I take the vehicle to the dealer who wants to charge me $3000 to fix this problem again! I opted to take the vehicle to another shop that specializes in transmission repairs. I paid them $2000 to rebuild the transmission yet again. Apparently, on this model year the casings are defective. The transmission shop told me that he has already seen 4 of these explorers all with the same problems. There needs to be a recall done on the 2002 explorers along with the 2004.
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