NHTSA Complaint #10359250 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WE HAVE KEPT UP ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON. WE HAVE OWNED IF SINCE JUNE OF 2008 (BOUGHT IT FROM A USED CAR DEALER) AND HAVE HAD NO REALLY BIG MAJOR ISSUES UNTIL NOW. THE O/D OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING WHICH IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GET MIXED SIGNALS AS TO IF THE OVER DRIVE IS ON OR OFF. WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT HARD AND ACTUALLY TRY TO LOCK UP AT SOME TIMES. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS NOW AND IN OUR MANUAL IT SAYS TO TAKE AND HAVE IT SERVICED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WELL WE DID AND THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO FIX IT EXCEPT REBUILD/REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. ONLINE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR MODEL AND PRETTY MUCH ANYONE WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THAT HAS OWNED THESE VEHICLES PRIOR SAYS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT AROUND 175000 MILES. WE ARE AT 174789 SO WE ARE RIGHT ON COURSE. WE DO NOT DRIVE IT HARD OR CRAZY AND WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF ALL OUR VEHICLES. WE HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH AN TRANSMISSION. *TR