NHTSA Complaint #10029162 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

2002 FORD EXPLORER PURCHASED FEB. 2002 NEW. VEHICLE NOW HAS 17,000 MILES. SEVERAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE THE SHIFT LEVER POPS AS IF IT NEVER ENGAGED. THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD OR BACKWARD 1-2 FEET AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, ENGAGING EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND GETTING OUT OF CAR. VEHICLE DRIFTS BACKWARD SEVERAL FEET WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. AT 17,000 MILES, AND ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER A NORMAL SCHEDULED SERVICE, STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A LOUD WHINING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND ONLY ON ACCELERATION (NOT WHEN COASTING). THE WHINING WOULD COME AND GO. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER AND THEN WHEN OUT. THE NEXT DAY, TRANSMISSION STARTED SEVERE SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. IMMEDIATLELY TOOK IT TO FORD GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A TOTAL TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. THEY ALSO EXPLAINED THAT FORD WILL NOT REPLACE WITH NEW TRANSMISSION IF IT CAN BE OVERHAULED FOR UNDER $2100. ALSO, THERE IS NO PLACE TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID. MANUAL STATES THAT IT SHOULD BE CHECKED PERIODICALLY BY FORD DEALER AND ESPECIALLY IF SLIPPING OR OTHER PROBLEMS ARE NOTICED.*AK