2002 Ford Explorer: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Jun 14, 2022 · Transmission · MS

Overdrive light flashes after driving a little bit hard shifting doesn't shift into overdrive 4x4 lights indicate that it's working when the buttons are pushed but doesn't go into 4x4

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Transmission · 93,964 miles · NV

The car gets stuck in park and will not into reverse, neutral or drive. It doesn't happen often but has been happening at infrequent periods since 2007. It's a nuisance when it does happen but after multiple attempts, depressing the brake and repeatedly attempting to shift; shutting down the engine and restarting and repeating the process; usually does shift into gear. The last incident was more than 4 years ago. Now since saturday, 9/28/19; can't shift out of park. I never reported the problem because it was always resolved and I forgot to report it to the dealership because I was always in a rush to get to my destination. My car is in good running condition. Original owner. 93964mi. Always serviced at dealership.

Filed Apr 12, 2016 · Transmission · GA

Vehicle lunges at red lights or when I put it in park or take it out of park. Rpms go up to 4000 rpms and wont shift. Od light stays on and flashes while driving and shifts up and down while driving. Almost ran through a store front one day as I pulled up because the rpms were so high. If rpms are up sitting at red light it cruises by itself when I let off brake at 30mph but wont go any faster when I give it gas until rpms come down. This has been happening for a year now. I don't have the money to keep replacing transmissions this is the second one now in 4 years.

Filed Apr 7, 2015 · Transmission · 98,954 miles · MA

The transmission would not shift between gears in my 2002 ford explorer resulting in my being unable to accelerate on the massachusetts turnpike at rush hour.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Transmission · 188,800 miles · OH

Transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear unless you let off gas.

Filed Feb 23, 2015 · Transmission · 155,000 miles · CO

Gear shifter broke off while attempting to shift the vehicle in reverse. I am thankful that I was at home in my own driveway and that it did not go into gear. It is stuck in park, but my keys are stuck in the ignition. This seems like it could be a safety hazard if the car were to go into gear, or get stuck in reverse.

Filed Jun 24, 2014 · Transmission · 171,483 miles · MI

Driving in rush hour traffic, transmission would not shift into high. I was almost hit by a semi truck on I-94 near I-275.

Filed Dec 17, 2013 · Steering, Transmission · 177,772 miles · CA

Yesterday evening, I got into my 2002 ford explorer and noticed the gear shift lever was stuck in park. I was unable to shift into reverse in order to back out of the driveway. This morning I figured I would give it another attempt as I needed to head out for work. As I tried again, I simply applied the break, grabbed the shift lever and as I pulled the towards me and began to pull down to shift into reverse the lever completely broke and is now hanging. I did not apply excessive force at any point. No more pressure then I normally do when shifting from park to drive to reverse, etc. I looked up this particular situation via internet and noticed many, many complaints of the same exact description. Hopefully ford will recognize this issue and issue a part recall.

Filed Jul 25, 2012 · Engine, Steering · 203,000 miles · TX

When accelerating on a start, car doesn't shift into 2nd and 3rd gear....unless there is a push or jump into it.

Filed Jun 27, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 155,000 miles · IN

While driving car would not shift passed 3rd gear. I had to pull over on a busy highway because I was afraid the engine would explode. I later found out, after researching, that the risk of it shifting into reverse is a common problem with the po745 error code in 2002 explorers.

Filed Mar 2, 2012 · Transmission · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the over drive warning light illuminated as the vehicle started to skip gears. There was an abnormal increase in engine rpms and the vehicle would not shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic but the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The failure and the current mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 29, 2011 · Transmission · 169,000 miles · MI

In my 2002 ford explorer, the cel came on, along with the o/d off light blinking. It started to make a whining noise, and the next day, the car would not shift into second gear. It would only stay in 1st gear and would only go about 20 MPH. I now have to replace the transmission or have it rebuilt.