4x4 light on dash would sporadically flash on and then go off. During a snow storm, four-wheel drive failed to work, causing the car to slide on roads. Had to buy snow chains to get the car to a dealer. It took two visits before dealer could diagnose problem and replace a 4x4 electronic shift module part # 2c5z*7e453*bd.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission complaints
Page 49 of 51: complaints 1,421 to 1,450 of 1,502, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Problems with the transmission, rear axle and seatbelts. (nar) *mr transmission problem was found out to be a problem in the rear differential. Vehicle was serviced also for parking brake not locking in position. Also, consumer encountered a problem with right rear hatch guide for door pin coming apart, and trim on driver's seat bottom was coming loose. In addition, air bag light on dash kept coming on and stayed on. *la
On 3 separate occasions transmission slipped and jumped out of gear. Dealership changed several parts in the transmission. The consumer was not sure what parts were replaced.*ak
Consumer stated that gear shift broke off, preventing consume r from driving the vehicle. Also, electric windows broke, one at a time.
While driving at any speed transmission jerked when it engaged from park to reverse , and vehicle won't move. Dealer inspected vehicleseveral times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.
Transmission had to be replaced. *ph the vehicle was shaking, made rattling noises and had become impossible to steer. The mechanic suggested that the transmission had looked as if it fell apart and may be a result of an assembly line error and. The mechanic also found that the 4wd was inoperative.
The vehicle stalled while idling at a light. *ph the vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the valve. Unfortunately within three day the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate or repair the problem. The vehicle began to surge while surging idling. The dealer was unable to permanently resolve that problem. The consumer noticed a whine in the rear end of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the rear differential but when the vehicle was returned to the consumer the noise was still present. The vehicle was still under warranty when all these problems started.
When driving at any speed 4-wheel drive changed from high to low without warning. *ak the transmission made grinding noises when in reverse and slips when pulling off.
Vehicle stalls after driving 20 miles or above on freeway. When on exit ramp,engine light turns on and the engine shuts off. I have to put it in park and start engine again. The vehicle also accelerates when stopped at light, while foot is on brake. The engine stalls to change into faster speed.
Auto-transmission started out with delayed engagement in to reverse and hard shifts 25-30 MPH. Started to slip out of drive with no power to the wheels. This happen several times, once when pulling out across traffic and could have caused an accident. Repairs are estimated to exceed $2500.
The rear axle seals at the gear case have failed twice causing axle fluid to leak. The dealer has replaced each time saying that "ford has an issue" with these seals but they do not have a lasting repair. Not all 2002 ford explorers have this problem.
02 explorer xlt, around 28000 miles start having problem with overdrive going out. While driving, overdrive light start blinking and overdrive not engages. Had one repair, took over 10 days to fix. It's been two weeks since I got my car back and driving home from work yesterday same thing happens again. I'm taking the car back for repair again but not sure they know what they are doing. If there other similar problem? Is there a fix or do I have a lemon?
While driving and without warning transmission failed, causing the vehicle to pull off the highway. Driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer.
Roaring noise in rearend.took to dealer on 01/12/04 at 22,810 miles.tech check and said ford engineers were investigating that I should call back in a month to see if problem solve by engineers.first notice noise in june 2003.VIN#[xxx]. *ak *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Power train...transmission needs to be replaced....transfer case was replaced before warranty ran out...have 40,000 miles on truck. Was told it would cost $3350 to fix, I asked for help from my salesman and ford knocked off $1700.00 leaving me to pay $1650.00. I had no warning signs until the speedometer stated 30 miles per hour while the I was going 5 miles per hour. Then the high pitched whining noise started. The transmission should not give out at 40,000 miles.
While driving during heavy snow transmission module was not working. There was no dashboard indication of 4x4 failure. Dealer replaced the module sensor. *ak
My 2002 ford explorer xlt has expierenced all the power train problems that I ahve found on this site.my dealer ahs been admirable in trying to resolve these problems but it seems we get one fixed and another starts.the firs was the transfer casr had a shutter in it between first and second gear , then the rear end had a bad bearing, then the left rear axle had a bad wheel bearing, then the vehilce was staying in four wheel drive all the time, this happened on a trip this fall bare ground. Then the latest is the transmision is going to neutral at stop signs and red lights by itself. The vehile then sits and revs until with a bang the transmisson engages again.
I have a 2002 explorer purchased brand new in 2001. Have advised dealer once that vehicle makes hard shifts and that it has a vibration when stopped, they advised this was normal. Vehicle is now in shop due to transmission slipping. Whines between 2nd and 3rd gear at about 25 MPH, then slams into gear. Overdrive off light kept flashing. Dealer shop says it will probably need "major surgery". Vehicle has 44,000 miles, just went out of warranty.
Drive shaft on 2002 ford explorer with 42,000 miles "is worn out" according to romeo, mi ford dealership service manager. Previous compaint at 29593 miles to same dealership about loud noise when shifting (while under warranty) "could not be verified" at that time. I believe the drive shaft was defective and should be replaced without any charge.
2002 ford explorer 4x4 straining and banging sounds in drive train when in 4x4 mode and when cornering in this mode causes vehicle to become hard to steer and can feel vehicle shudder as banging occurs. Was taken to greiner ford on 12/04/03 the day problem started and was told by service advisor jim feiler that ford technical support has been advised of the problem and that they do notice all symptoms I brought vehicle in for but they do not know what the problem is and thus are not authorized by ford to repair even though vehicle is still under full warranty. I was then told they feel vehicle is safe to drive which I feel is interesting since they acknowledge they unit has a drive train problem but do not know exactly what the problem is, so how can they be sure it is a safe vehicle.
The initial problem with the rear-end differential unit was a whining noise which the ford dealer's service rep. Identified and immediately said it should be replaced. The new rear-end unit did not whine but within 3 1/2 months a vibration started and was returned to the dealer for a total of 6 different occasions to repair or fix this problem. Both the left and right rear axles were also replaced and another rear end differential unit was installed. At each service visit, the dealer's service manager and mechanic were completely involved and were very perplexed at the problem. My explorer was at the dealer for about 30 days on one service visit and a total of 42 days over the 6 total service visits for this problem. Persistent fluid leaks and a recurring vibration has prompted me to submit a "lemon" letter to ford.
At approximately 10,000 miles I started experiencing minor difficulties with the clutch. At 14,000 miles, the malfunction became much more pronounced especially when shifting out of first gear. I took the vehicle in for warranty repairs but today was told I had worn out the clutch and the repairs would not be covered by the ford warranty. Ford is asking $1,374 to repair the clutch.my explorer was used overwhelmingly for city and highway driving. At 10,000 miles it had been in 4wd only once and at 14,000 miles, only three times. This is the seventh vehicle I have owned with a manual transmission and I certainly know how to operate a stick shift. Today the general manager of leif johnson ford (austin), fred trudea, hung up on me because I was taking contact notes on my computer. He heard the computer keys clicking and asked what I was doing. He then refused to give me a phone number for ford's regional service manager, wasn't even sure of her name, and did not offer to find out. He was so flippant about my time and resources, that when I asked him to arrange a conference call with the regional service representative, he replied if you don't hear from me in four days, give me a call. When I told him I would not play tag and needed a daily update until this was resolved, he refused. Later in the day, another leif johnson employee, tony manzano, called to tell me the regional service representative declined to return my call. Mr. Manzano would not give me her phone number or email. I asked both mr. Trudea and mr. Manzano for something in writing stating they were refusing to make the warranty repairs and reasons. Both mr. Manzano and mr. Trudeau refused to place anything in writing. They told me to call the ford 1-800 number. Today was the most abusive consumer experience I have had in my life. Every request I made was returned with with no, stonewalling or just general contempt.
I have had several instances when trying to accelerate from a stopped position when there has been a 2-3 second hesitation before it actually kicks in, causing the vehicle to stall. At highway speeds, there is a loud vibration coming from the right rear of the vehicle, and the shifting becomes very erratic and the o/d light flickers. I have talked to several dealers. Two of them have stated that the vibration is because of the road surface. When trying to shift into reverse, there is a popping sound and hesitation before the vehicle actually moves.
The explorer has done about 21,000 miles in 2 and 1/2 years. About 2 months ago, it started having big clunks in the transmission when cold and even a grinding sound. Seemed to be when vehicle was being turned in either direction at low speed. The dealer replicated the problem and ordered and installed a "new clutch" in the transfer case -there was some kind of "fluid leakage." problem is now worse, was replicated with the mechanic in the car and the dealer has it back in for another attempt at fixing it. My wife won't drive it anymore. A few months ago it used to have a loud squeak when the vehicle went over speed bumps slowly and this was eventually found and "fixed." I wonder if the clunk in the transfer case is not that at all, but a loose/worn front suspension part giving way or losing tension when the vehicle is turned in either direction. Perhaps associated with the strut on the right side but not sure. Dealer has tried to be responsive and is not the problem. Any one else have a similar problem?
From purchase there was a khkhhhkh noise that my brother noticed. I took it back to the dealer and nothing was found. On the 3rd trip back to the dealer, I was told the transmission shield was loose so they tightened it. The noise continued so I had my neighbor who has a trans shop listen and he said have them look at the torque convertor. The dealer did (34,000 miles), had the car for 14 days and fixed?? It. Its back in the shop now (16 days) (37,000 miles) and 1st gear and my forward clutches are being replaced. Did I get a lemon?
I purchased a 2002 explorer new and have had this vehicle in to dealer twice with same complaints. Vehicle goes into neutral while in drive and back into drive with a loud bang and clung. Vehicle also takes about 30 seconds to go into gear from park to drive or reverse and also a loud bang & clung when it finally does go in. There is also a loud whining sound on the highway at higher speeds. Dealer each time says they can not find anything wrong with vehicle and unless they can duplicate the problem they claim they cannot fix. It does not matter that it has been happening while I drive it.
The stated the vehicle felt as though it was going to shut down, as if the transmission was failing. As days went by the overdrive light started to blink days later the vehicle made a sudden halt in the middle of the road, the consumer turned the engine off and back on, it ran for awhile and then stopped again. *ak *jb
While driving approximately 35 MPH transmission locked up in 2nd or 3rd gear. Had to move vehicle to side of road, and then had it towed to dealership. Mechanic checked the vehicle over and could not resolve the locked gear problem.
Transmission slips when stopped at a intersection or stoplight. Sometimes the vehicle will stall. The dealer has stated they could notreproduce the problem during and after the warranty period. I have filed safety complaint with ford motor company consumer relations and the dealer has attempted to repair without success. The delay in the transmission engaging is a safety hazard since the delay in pulling out into traffic could result in a serious accident. The problem is becoming more frequent, almost daily occurence.
When moving the drive selector from park to reverse, often there is a long delay before the gear engages. When it engages, the transmission makes a loud bang and the vehicle lunges backward at hihg speed.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history