2002 Ford Explorer: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Transmission · 108,934 miles · NY

I was driving my 02 explorer on the thruway for 2 an 1/2 hours and when I got to my destination the transmission bucked and shuddered and revved up while I was trying to stop at a stop light I almost hit the person in front of me because of the transmission failing when I looked at my instrument panel on the dash the overdrive light was flashing so after I got home I checked the internet and would you know there are thousands of people that are experiencing the same problem... Ford should have a recall for this transmission because what happened to me might happen to someone else with deadly results... I talked to my transmission specialist and he said it needs a new transmission the truck doesn't even have 150,000 on it so I contacted ford and they can't help me because there is no recall for this truck... Ford needs to fix their manufacture error here because what they are doing is fraud they claim that their transmissions are good but like with a lot of the complaints I have read their trannys died before 100,000 miles so for them to sell defected suvs is fraudulent in its self because not only do we the customers have to pay all this money for the vehicle but we also have to put a new transmission in them before 100,000 miles at the cost of 3500 to 4000 dollars...

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Transmission · 135,568 miles · IL

Automatic transmission hard shuddering between 50-70 MPH with o/d off light blinking. Exactly the same as the more than 2000 other complaints on this same vehicle. Took it to ford dealer who charged me $250 to tell me that they could only reproduce the problem once, but when it happened it was heavy. Despite that they said nothing was wrong because they could not reproduce the problem again. I drove it 2 more months until the shuttering was very bad and also got the check engine light with codes p0775 and p0735. Now they want to replace my transmission for $4100. This defect leads to a very dangerous situation as it happens at high speeds and causes the driver to believe they may have hit something and possibly swerve off the road.

Filed May 4, 2009 · Suspension, Transmission · 61,500 miles · NJ

I own a 2002 ford explorer, purchased new in 2001. First a few years after the vehicle was purchased, my o/d light stated flashing. I brought the vehicle to my local ford dealer as it was still under warranty. The transmission was overhauled and haven't had a problem. In 2008 I had routine brake replacement done on my vehicle at a local garage and when this was done the technician working on the vehicle noticed that my rear coil springs were broken and nearly fell out. I had this problem replaced with new shocks and springs and did not think something like this would happen because the vehicle had low mileage. Now just recently with 61000 miles on my vehicle the o/d light began to flash again, I had problems shifting from park to reverse, their was a definite slip, and also noticed a few days before the light came on that their was a shudder when upshifting from 4th to 5th gear. I brought the vehicle to my local ford dealer and they determined that I needed to replace the transmission. Due to the cost of this being over $4000.00, I decided to bring it to a reputable transmission repair facility. I did get a lower quote and authorized the repair. I spoke to the owner of the business and he advised me that the transmission needed to be remanufactured and they also found water or coolant in the transmission fluid. The owner also advised me of the fact that their is a vent for the transmission and it was plugged with some sort of plug which should not be their.

Filed Aug 6, 2008 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · TN

Rear differential does not allow speed differences between wheels. Car turns like it has a locked or fixed axle. Causes a shudder when turning. Could results in control problems with the vehicle during sudden maneuvers. Issue is due to faulty clutch pack in the ford factory differential or incorrect differential fluid specification from factory. Not really sure which. Solution was to replace the clutch pack. Ford has also specified a different differential fluid from the factory installed fluid in one of their technical service bulletins.

Filed Mar 7, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 123,252 miles · MO

Driving on highway at 63 MPH and valve spring broke. Valve dropped into piston causing engine failure. Check engine code called for random engine misfire and code was triggered at around 2600 RPM. Prior to engine failure I have been experiencing a shudder when transmission shifts into overdrive. There is also a problem with the clutch pack in the limited slip differential that is causing a shudder when turning right or left from a dead stop. (dealership called it the parking lot shudder) I have a 02 ford explorer xlt with 4.6 and 4x4 that has bad engine, transmission, and rear differential. (engine replaced).

Filed Jun 7, 2006 · Brakes, Locks · 50,000 miles · 00

My 2002 explorer is also having the same problems which have been previously noted by other explorer owners. The whining when reaching 50-60 km/hr, which goes away when you take your foot off the gas, the slipping and shuddering of gears and sometimes passing gear never kicks in, the ABS light comes on (usually after the truck has warmed up and it doesn't seem to happen when the weather is really cold), the ABS is now starting to act up, wherein it randomly activates itself even while on dry pavement and the brakes feel mushy when this happens. Now the locks are randomly not working. I would like to share one instance about the passing, shuddering, slipping was when I was traveling on the highway with my kids, I pulled out to pass, and when I stepped on it the truck shuddered so hard, that my daughter, who was coloring a mother' day card, actually scribbled when it shuddered, if that makes any sense. She was po'd at me asking me why did I do that and now her card was ruined. We have had the transmission in for service and were told nothing was wrong. We had the transmission fluid changed and the truck worked fine for about 2 weeks and then back to the same old problems. My husband and I are seriously considering trading this piece of crap vehicle off and we have decided that it will only be imports from now on. Ford needs to wake up and start fixing all of these problems or they will be finding themselves bankrupt in no time. I was brought up as a kid in fords; 67 t-bird, ford ltd, 1/2 ton truck, 3/4 ton truck, 78 ford t-bird, ford taurus, my first car being a mercury lynx, then a 93 ford festiva, hubby owned a 93 ford ranger 4x4, 98 windstar, my mom owns a 96 explorer and so on. My friend just got rid of her 2000 explorer which she lovingly named her 'ford exploder'. Thanks for listening to my rant and I really hope that with everyone's input that something can be done about this.

Filed Jan 2, 2006 · Transmission · 41,000 miles · NY

2002 ford explorer 43k - rear tires shudder and feel like they are binding during turns. The inside tire spins/stops/spins as if the rear diff were locked. Repair shop can not isolate any problem - changed fluid, replaced 4x4 switch, problem persists. They are considering replacing the entire unit.

Filed Dec 28, 2005 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · NJ

Rear differential makes a howling noise at highway speeds. Noise goes away when letting off accelerator. It's been reported to dealer many times. This problem is common to explorers of the same year as evidenced by numerous internet forums. Transmission also shudders in 3rd gear, especially when cold.

Filed Jul 25, 2005 · Transmission · IN

Bought ford explorer (2002) used from toyota dealer. Drove fine for over 6 months. Beginning in march (2005), upon acceleration (esp. On hills), vehicle lurches/shudders as it gains speed. Have taken it to 3 different ford dealers, with no resolution (initially said that my new tires were 1/4-inch different in size...tires were replaced and problem continued). Continuous lurching finally fried the gem module (and front/rear speed sensors). Ford still did not have an answer. Took it to reputable local mechanic who determined that it was not the tires, nor sensors, but a problem with "slop" in the transfer case. This slop made the 4x4 auto sense slippage and compensate, but more slop meant more slippage and more compensation, hence the repeated lurching feeling. Graphical electrical chart indicated that 4x4 was engaging and disengaging approximately 40x a second. After-market warranty wouldn't cover repair at local mechanic, so brought car to ford dealer (6th time), who "think" problem is in the transfer case.

Filed Jul 4, 2005 · Transmission · GA

Drive train and rear axle have persistent shudder and binding when shifting gears 2-3 and upon acceleration dealership has been notified and will not resolve problems that have been id'd w/ service bulletins for the 5355-rw assembly and the rear-gear lubricant ratio mix-up inthe sealed rear housing even though they have rec'd protocal from mfg. On the procedure and/or replacement partsas being available since mar 2001 this has been noted in other complaints that have resulted in severe damage done to the rear axle and wheel components but they do not see this as a problem when in fact it can result in vehicle failurethat may result in injury or evem death. I personally see this as blatant negligence on the dealerand mfg. Part of resolving this issue. My explorer exhibited trouble since july'04 and was mfgd. In the time frame that a defect was brought to ford's attention in this matter. What do they want a certain number of deaths or injuries?

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 Feb 1, 2005 · Body, Transmission · 69,649 miles · WA

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.