I have had the 2002 ford explorer xlt 4x4 for less than 3 years and have driven approximately 47,000 miles. We began having transmission problems about 4 months. The first issue was a whine in the rear end that started at 20mph and got louder until about 60mph. Next the shift between gears started to get rough and there was a delay when shifting into reverse. When we brought it into the dealer they said the following would need to be replaced: the solenoid and related parts (to fix the issues with the transmission shifting between gears) and the rear differential (to fix the whining noise). Total cost is about $2,750. I expect a transmission to last more than 3 years.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 48 of 51: complaints 1,391 to 1,420 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Constant transmission problems since purchase of car from ford dealer w/29,000 miles on it. Roblems: transmission shuttering, banging in gear, banging into reverse(always) and overdrive light blinks on and off sometimes. Sometimes the banging into gear feels like someone has hit you from behind. Car always bangs into reverse. Service to automatic as recommended by ford manual and ford dealer: we had the transmission fluid changed, we had the trans. Computer reset twice, and we had to fix the 4-wheel drive that broke at about 40,000 miles. Since none of these services fixed the transmission, the ford dealer recommended a new transmission for about $3000. Which is ridiculous when the car is so new and so expensive.*ak the cars transmission has never worked properly, and has the same problems the 2004 explorer transmission have. The investigation in the expolorer's bad transmissions goes back beyond the 2004 models, because ours is a 2002 and has never worked properly.
My transmission failed in my 2002 ford explorer v-8 eddie bauer edition. It's 2 weeks over the warranty period, but has about 35000 miles on it, so it's under the 36000 mileage. Ford won't cover the repair even though my car has been properly maintained.
Front end of my 2002 explorer made a "clicking" sound when driving and turning. On june 16 2003, ford inspected and found both the right and left front axles were defective. They replaced them. On september 4, 2003 the same problem was occurring, ford again inspected and found the axles put on the vehicle in june were also defective. One year later I am now having the same problem. I took my vehicle in for an oil change and the mechanic said there is a problem with the front axles. There has to be some sort of issue with this part. The potential failure of this part will lead to an accident. My family rides in this vehicle every day, someone is going to get killed.
Abs light was on. Also, back axle was replaced. Currently, the ABS light was on again. *ak the ABS light was on a total of 3 times.
I have owned a 2002 ford explorer for 27 months. During that time I have had numerous issues with the auto transmission delaying before engaging into reverse and not smoothly going into forward gears when travelling. The dealer has tuned the transmission 3 times and now at 109,000 hwy miles I need a new tranmission for $3,000 usd. This tranmission has received numerous complaints in the federal safety agency database and has almost caused an accident where I hit another car when reverse engaged after 3 seconds. I have already spent in excess of $500 on this transmission and the first maintenance occurred at 32,000 miles. In addition, the axle seals continue to leak after being replaced several times and per my dealer sources are a design flaw. The federal safety agency needs to get this public before someone gets killed with the transmission issues and have ford correct their design flaw on the axle.
Transmission failure, overdrive band caused damage inside transmission. Then hairline cracks were found in the transmission casing. Ford engineers told the service tech at the dealarship that they have seen cracks in explorer transmission casings.
While driving the odd light started flashing, the vehicle stalled and the consumer had to use the manual shift to get it to the dealer and it was discovered the transmission is defective.
The vehicle went into four wheel drive on its own. The manufacturer informed the consumer it was not covered under warranty.
While shifting into third gear vehicle slipped and it felt like the transmission was in neutral. Transmission down shifted on its own. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced due to shaft sensor. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once, and had not been resolved. *ak the consumer stated that the transmission is slipping out of gear.
My 2002 explorer has a rear end problem and the vehicle only have 76,000 miles on it, I have put a window switch in it already , window regulator, 2 speed sensors, and some kind of an emmisions part. I should not be having these problems already.
When the consumer attempted to place the gear in park, it became stuck in reverse. As a result the vehicle drifted backwards. No impact reported. Please provide additional information.
Gear shift fell off. *bf the metal piece attached to the steering column broke.
My 2002 ford explorer had a howling sound in the rear end which was identified as worn out pinion bearings. They decided to replace the rear end but were advised by ford not to replace it with the original factory part number. In fact we were considering a used part and it was recommended to replace the rear end with a totally different part number.
I have a 2002 explorer with around 67,xxx miles. The problem first started out with a loud "pop" sound when engaging in reverse. Then while driving my overdrive off light started flashing like crazy and not wanting to shift. Have gotten several estimates on fixing this problem and we are looking at about $1,500-2,000 to get this all taken care of. After reading that this is a repeat complaint from several other owners of this 2002 explorer, I personally feel that this is the fault of the manufacturer and that they should fix this problem!
2002 ford explorer - rear differential axle seal began leaking at 23,000 miles and was replaced under warranty; started leaking again at 30,000 miles and the rear axle and seals were replaced under warranty; started leaking a third time approx. Eight months later and dealership replaced both axle seals; now 5000 miles later the seals are leaking again and the dealership is telling us they don't know why the seals continue to fail; in addition to the real seals leaking we have had to have the ABS sensors replaced twice, the oxygen sensor once and a seat belt sensor once.
Leased new '02 explorer in mar 02. Have had a warped driveshaft replaced, clunking noise in rear end area was "normal', and now at 65k miles have to replace entire transmission. Fmc of course claims no responsibility- vehicle isn't under warranty and I should take it up with dealer. Dealer says 3000 dollars to fix. Also had the stalling at highway speeds with speedometer reading between 5 and 95 MPH approximately 1 1/2 years ago. Dealer found nothing wrong.
Problems with transmission on 2002 ford explorer.*mr the vehicle was taken to the dealer for it's 60000 mile service and at that time the consumer complained about the vibration when the vehicle shifted gears. The technician indicated that nothing was wrong. Four days later the service transmission and o/d light illuminated. The vehicle was taken had to the dealer who informed the consumer that the transmission had failed. Since the vehicle is no longer under it's warranty the consumer feels the manufacturer should be responsible for the cost of a new transmission.
Consumer stated rear axle seals were leaking. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
We purchased a 2002 explorer in aug.2002. From day one it had a noise in the rear end that was audible when pressing the accelerator, but would stop when released. We took it to the dealership within a few weeks of the purchase and they told us it was road noise and normal. Since then the noise has gotten louder and we took it to a different dealership today. We were told our differential is goingn bad and needs to be replaced at $970 and we would have to wait for them to order the part. We told him it has been going on since we bought it and he said probably so there is a press release about it. He also said it will continue to get louder until if fails and it could cause an accident when the rear end locks up. Unfortunatly we are no longer covered by the warantee and have to pay for it ourselves. I have read on this website and others and it seems to be a ford trend to tell people there is nothing wrong with their cars until it is no longer under warantee and then admit that there is a problem. I have filed a complaint with ford motor company as well and was told that if they get enough complaints about this problem they will look into it becoming a recall issue where I "might" get a refund.
Purchased new ford explorer in 4/02 in 12/03 with 37100 miles transfer case started grinding and going into gear became difficult. Transfewr case replaced, in 1/04 4x4 computer module malfuntioned and was replaced. In 4/04 grinding from rear differential case,had to be replaced with all internal components.in 5/04 sent detailed letter to william clay ford explaining difficulties with vehicle along with all repair bills. . On 5/18/04 got a phone call from lynn arledge(ford executive rep).
Transmission problems, slippage on 2nd to 3rd engine revs up to 6000 RPM, taken to dealer 4 times already they can't find cause of problem.
I have a 2002 ford explorer xlt that has 68000 miles on it. Since we have had it the transmission has done nothing but shift hard and washboard from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to overdrive. This vehicle was taken in 2 times, and both times we were told that it was normal . I have had issue going up hill in mine because of the shifting, afraid to pass because I am not sure if the vehicle will shift. I finally took in my explorer last week and they told me that the computer said that the bearings were bad in my transmission and that I had to pay $3000 to replace it. This same issue has been going on since I first complained about it at 16000 miles.
Harsh shifting of automatic transmission.
While driving it was hard for the consumer to shift gears manually. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
My ford truck began making a whining noise and didn't shift out correctly. The ford technician stated that it was the torque converter and they didn't suggest that I fix it, and that "it was only a gas saver, and the truck would be okay without it." after 2 weeks the truck got worst. After returning it to the ford service center. I was told I need a new transmission. The truck only has 67,000 miles on it. To replace the transmission cost $2700.00. The truck is off of warranty and ford would not assist with any type of help despite the fact that this truck should not be having transmission problems so soon.
I am the owner of 2002 ford explorer xlt. I placed the vehicle in park and exited the vehicle, I took items out of the back hatch and left the vehicle area. Within a 5 to 10 minute period of time, the vehicle's transmission slipped out of park and began rolling, the vehicle rolled down an embankment, flipped over on it's roof then landed on another vehicle parked down in the yard. *ak the vehicle has been determined to be totalled. I am thankful that no one was in the vehicle at the time of this malfunction because they surely would have been seriously injured. I am very concerned that this transmission malfunction may occur to others who may not be so fortunate and injuries may occur.
The transmission malfunctioned. As a result, when applying the accelerator pedal the vehicle revved and rolled into a busy intersection. Please provide additional information.
Dealership replaced the automatic transmission at 39,500 miles. Dealer and consumer split the expenses.
Ford explorer rear end had high pitch noise: mechanic had to place a new rear end in the vehicle: four wheel drive locked into low gear and would not release: replaced control switch but 4x4 high light blinks.
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