NHTSA Complaint #10138030 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS NOW HAVING ITS TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME I WAS AT 77000 MILE, JUST OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED 75000 MILE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED, WHEN THE CAR BEGAN SHIFTING WITH A HARD JERK OR SLIP WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO CHANGE FOR SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. AFTER FURTHER DRIVING THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO BE SURPRISED THAT I HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND COST ME $3600. HE SAID HE COULD TAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP THAT THEY USED SO THAT MAYBE HE COULD GET IT DONE FASTER. WELL, I DECIDED TO TAKE IT THERE MYSELF. I GOT THE SAME REPORT, BUT THEY COULD FIX IT, WITH ALL NEW PARTS, FOR $2000. SO, I LET THEM FIX IT. AFTER ONE YEAR AND 44000 MILES I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND IT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING FIXED. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT WILL COST ME THIS TIME AROUND. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW BASED ON WHAT I AM HEARING AND READING THAT THIS ALONG WITH THE REAR DIFF. PROBLEM, WHICH I ALSO HAVE, SEEMS TO BE COMMON IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IN THE LAST TEN YEARS I HAVE OWNED 5 FORDS AND THIS IS THE SECOND EXPLORER. I DO NOT THINK I WILL BE BUYING ANOTHER ONE UNLESS FORD CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THEY SEEM TO HAVE. *NM