2002 FORD EXPLORER Power Train Problems
286 NHTSA complaints on file
All Power Train Complaints — Page 4
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
ASIDE FROM CONTINUING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THE HATCH OF THIS FORD EXPLORER WAS RECALLED SOME YEARS AGO. HOWEVER, THE AREA BELOW THE WINDOW OF THE HATCH ON MANY EXPLORERS MADE IN OR AROUND 2002, HAS BEGUN TO CRACK AND EXTEND TO THE EDGE OF THE HATCH AREA. WHEN CLOSED, THIS CAN BE A HAZARD THAT LEADS TO FURTHER CRACKING, WHICH CAN FURTHER LEAD TO MORE CRACKING AND THEN BREAKING OF THE AREA. THIS CAN LEND ITSELF TO MATERIAL PROJECTING INTO SOMEONE'S EYE OR PROJECTING INTO A PART OF THE BODY THAT REQUIRES SURGICAL REMOVAL. PLEASE RECALL OR ISSUE A WARNING. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED VIA THEIR 1-800 NUMBER AND THIS CONCERN WAS DOCUMENTED. PLEASE RECALL... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND IMMEDIATELY, THE 4WD HIGH AND 4WD LOW WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFT INTO THE NEUTRAL GEAR, AS SPECIFIED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL HOWEVER, THE WARNING INDICATORS FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING UPON A RESPONSE PERTAINING TO THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SLIPPING IN-AND-OUT OF GEAR, FAILURE TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS, UNABLE TO STAY AT IDLE WITHOUT SHIFTING TO PARK. ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION WHEN GEAR SLIP OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR INTERSECTION. *TT
I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4 DRIVING 55MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE O/D LIGHT FLASHED A FEW TIMES AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED WORKING, AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL I COASTED SAFELY TO A STOP THANK GOD. I TOOK IT TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY THE SERVO BOAR????? NEVER HERD OF THIS. IT USED TO BE A SEPERATE LINE THAT COULD BE REPLACED NOW IT IS BUILT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. IS WHAT I WAS TOLD TO ME BY THE CERTIFIED FORD SERVICE MAN AND THAT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE OLD STYLE LINES BUT HE HEARS OF THIS OFTEN WITH THE NEWER TRANSMISSIONS. WAS THIS CHANGED JUST FOR PROFIT BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY? BECAUSE WITH THIS HAPPENING...
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. I DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES MORE TO MAKE IT HOME AND IT COMPLETELY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2002 EXPLORERS. OVER $2000 LATER I THOUGHT IT WAS FINALLY FIXED AND NOW NOT EVEN 2 YEARS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS THE OVERDRIVE. AS A COLLEGE STUDENT I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN. THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON FORD'S TRANSMISSIONS FOR THAT YEAR. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND THERE IS WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR FORD NOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO REV HIGHER THAN NORMAL. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT INDICATOR ON THE DASH BEGAN TO FLASH AND 2ND AND 5TH GEAR SEEMED TO HAVE STOPPED WORKING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTER FRACTURED. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE GEAR HOUSING UNIT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER HOUSING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK, I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AT THE END OF MY ROAD, LIKE I DO EVERY MORNING. HOWEVER, ON THIS MORNING, AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, MY CAR BOGGED DOWN WHICH LEFT ME IN THE ROAD FOR SECONDS LONGER THEN WAS SAFE. THERE WAS A CAR SPEEDING AROUND THE CURVE, AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD. FINALLY, AND THANK GOD, IT JAMMED INTO GEAR, AND ME AND MY ONE YEAR OLD SON WERE NOT INJURED. ALSO, ON THAT SAME DAY, MY CAR STARTING SKIPPING WHILE IN FIRST GEAR, WHICH ALSO WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT WAS JERKING SO HARD, IT WAS HARD TO KEEP IN UNDER CONTROL, PLUS IT ALSO SLOWED MY PROGRESSION ACROSS HIGHLY CONGESTED AREAS DOWN, WHICH ALSO PUT MY SAFETY AT RISK. WE TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP, AND THE REPAIRMAN STATED...
MY NAME IS[XXX] AND I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT (V6). I HAVE OWNED IT FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW (WILL BE IN JAN 2012) AND LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT UNTIL RECENTLY. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, I HEARD A STRANGE LOUD WHINING NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS GOING. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF I WOULD HAVE TOOK THE INTERSTATE TO WORK THAT EVENING I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY DIED OR CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO OTHERS ON ROAD. VERY SCARY! MIND YOU THIS BEARING WENT WITH NO WARNING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE I TOOK IT IN. WELL THE BEARING GOT FIXED AND I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN HAPPIER. HOWEVER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DOING ABOUT 70MPH WHEN MY TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I ASSUMED I WAS...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS RACED EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, BUT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FRACTURED WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT FROM PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 135,000.
REAR SPRING CRACKED AT 100,000 MIL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 120,000 MIL BODY ELECTRICAL NOT SEALED WELL AND KEEPS SHORTING IN DIFFERENT PLACES CRUISE GETS STUBBORN AND SCARED TO USE IT , IM AFRAID OF IT GETTING STUCK IN CRUISE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FRACTURED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
HI I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE ONLY HAD FOR 7 MONTHS AND APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK AGO MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS WHILE DRIVING. NOT LONG AFTER THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY O/D LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO GET THE CODE READ AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID B (CODE-P0775). I WENT HOME AND STARTED SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE CODE AND FOUND WHAT IT WAS AND I ALSO SAW THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ABOUT THEIR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE ANY RECALLS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I THINK ITS OUTRAGEOUS THAT WE, THE OWNERS, HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR WHEN ITS NOT OUR FAULT. I FEEL LIKE SINCE THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR THIS CAR IS FAULTY AND...
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE AND FORD DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS COMMON WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER. I AM NOW AT 100K MILES AND MY TRANSMISSION IS IN NEED OF BEING REBUILT BECAUSE FORD MANUFACTURED A TRANSMISSION THAT WAS TWO SMALL FOR THE 2ND AND 5TH GEARS TO SHIFT IN WHICH CREATED FRICTION AND WEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO STILL OWES MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD 2000 TO "REBUILD" THIS TRANSMISSION FOR IT TO FAIL ON ME AGAIN LIKE ALL THE REST. I CONTACTED FORD AND OF COURSE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. MY FATHER BEING A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS ABOUT TO BLOW DUE TO THE HIGH RPMS THIS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PUTTING OUT FOR A WHILE. AFTER...
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR
THIS TRANSMISSION ISN'T DUE FOR IT'S FIRST SERVICE UNTIL 150,000 MILES. WITH NO WAY TO CHECK FLUID LEVELS THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE OWNER TO PREVENT FAILURE. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY INDICATION OF LEAKS ( NO OIL SPOTS ON DRIVEWAY). TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT. *TR
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. *TR
I HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN JUNE 2006 UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, $4000 (BRAND NEW FORD BUILT TRANSMISSION), MY COST $100. MY EXPLORER HAD 59,900 MILES. I WAS SOMEWHAT SURPRISED! HERE IT IS AGAIN, OCTOBER 2011, AT 109,000 AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN! NO MORE EXTENDED WARRANTY! A BRAND NEW FORD BUILT TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED AFTER 50,000 MILES? I WOULD'VE NEVER THOUGHT IN A MILLION YEARS! I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON OCT. 28TH, 2011. I WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND FORD HAS NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR WARRANTIES AVAILABLE. I'M A SINGLE PARENT W/A KID IN COLLEGE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OR PURCHASE A NEW CAR. I'M BARELY MAKING MY ENDS MEET. FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY REFUSE TO CONDUCT A RECALL! FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS...
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP IN MAY OF 2011. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I AM UNABLE TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS IT IS A SEALED UNIT NO DIP STICK. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT NO LONGER MOVES. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IS 2800.00 PLUS... THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TT
TRANSMISSION (5R55) SOLENOID PACK AND SERVO BOTH WENT OUT AT SAME TIME SERVO IS TERRIBLE DESIGN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM FORD ON THESE PROBLEMS ON THIS TRANSMISSION. *TT
TRANSMISSION DIED FORD WOULD NOT WARRENTY. *TR
WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK THE SHIFT LINKAGE COUPLER SNAPPED AND THE SHIFTER CAME OFF IN MY HAND. UPON INSPECTION THE COUPLER IS A CHEAP RESIN AND SHOULD NOT SNAP WITH NORMAL WEAR USAGE. THIS IS A LINK TO A FORUM WITH 129 COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/GEAR_SHIFT_LEVER_PRNDL_FELL_OFF.SHTML. *TR
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TODAY AND ON WAY HOME THE TRANSMISSION "OD OFF" LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A MAJOR COMMON PROBLEM WITH A FAILED TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL. I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND CANNOT AFFORD THE $3,000 PLUS TO FIX. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED ABNORMAL NOISES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND PERFORMED THE REPAIRS IN NOVEMBER 2008 HOWEVER, IN OCTOBER 2011 THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER COMPLETELY DISENGAGED FROM THE HOUSING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
[XXX] GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER, INTENDING TO PICK UP HER SON FROM SCHOOL. WHEN SHE TRIED TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, SHE SAYS THE ENTIRE GEAR SELECTOR BROKE OFF AND FELL IN HER LAP. IT TURNS OUT SHE'S NOT ALONE. TEAM 4 INVESTIGATOR JIM PARSONS REPORTED THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AROUND THE COUNTRY -- SOME OF WHICH INVOLVED VEHICLES SLIPPING INTO GEAR AND CRASHING -- FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. NHTSA'S OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION SAYS IT HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVED THEY HAD SHIFTED THE SUVS INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES. EARLIER THIS YEAR, NHTSA UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS FOR 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORERS AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS. [XXX] SAYS FORD TOLD HER SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE HER ENTIRE STEERING...
GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF IN MY HANDS. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FAILED AT ABOUT 86,000 MILES AND REQUIRED $3000.00 TO REPAIR. FORD ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW BUT WOULD DO NOTHING TO COVER ANY OF THE REPAIR COSTS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE AND TALKING TO MECHANICS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS THAT HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A TEXTBOOK CASE OF THE NEED FOR A RECALL REQUIRING FORD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TT
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, MY TRANSMISSION JUST RECENTLY WENT OUT. IT HAS ABOUT 142,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, TO GET IT FIXED, THEY TOOK IT APART, AND TOLD ME IT WAS COSTING $3,786.60 TO GET IT FIXED/REBUILT! AS OF RIGHT NOW MY TRUCK IS STILL IN THE SHOP, IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 2 WEEKS NOW. THERE IS NO WAY CAN AFFORD TO PAY THAT, I"M JUST A STUDENT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM; TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT AND THE MAJORITY ON THE 2002 MODEL. THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, ONLY FOR IT TO GO OUT AGAIN. SOME PEOPLE HAVE REPLACED/REBUILT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS 4 OR 5 TIMES. I ALSO READ THAT THESE TRUCKS CAN STOP AT ANY MOMENT; ANYWHERE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF ON THE FREEWAY. I DON'T SEE...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT A POSSIBLE BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN 2005. AT ABOUT 85000 MILES I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND OFTEN JERKS REAL HARD WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER IN MY AREA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE ARE NO METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FLUID, HOWEVER, THEY DID TELL ME THAT THE 2002 FORDS ARE WELL KNOWS FOR HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME IN THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER, READING ALL THE PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED, I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR
WHILE MY WIFE WAS BACKING UP IN MY SON'S DRIVEWAY, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CHARGE TO REPAIR BY A FORD DEALER WAS ROUGHLY $2,000.00 (INCLUDING TOW CHARGES). AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, IT APPARENTLY IS WAY TOO COMMON, HOWEVER FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY OR ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF STEERING COLUMN AS THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK. COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE HAD I BEEN ANYWHERE OTHER THAN MY HOME AND SHIFTING INTO ANY OTHER GEAR THAN PARK. THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT ONLY TO FIND INFORMATION ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE 2002 EXPLORERS (OVER 100 REPORTED ON ONE WEBSITE ALONE). OTHER ISSUES I'VE EXPERIENCED SINCE DAY 1 OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW ARE TRANSMISSION LUNGING, VEHICLE ROCKING WHEN PUT IN PARK, AND DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO PARK.
TODAY I DROVE MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER OUT AND UPON RETURNING HOME I COULD NOT SHIFT IT INTO PARK. I SWITCHED IT OFF THINKING THAT IF I CRANK IT UP AND TURN THE WHEELS IT WOULD GO INTO PARK BUT I COULDN'T EVEN CRANK IT UP BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN THE PARK GEAR. I PLAYED WITH IT FOR 20 MINUTES AND IT FINALLY WENT INTO PARK. I LET IT SIT FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND WENT BACK OUT AND CRANKED IT, IT WENT INTO GEAR. I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK CAME BACK AND PARKED. CRANKED IT UP ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER TO GO OUT AND IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK GEAR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM BUT IF IT'S SOMETHING SERIOUS THE DEALER CAN HAVE IT BACK. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE FORD REPAIR THEIR MALFUNCTIONS, WE ARE TALKING SOME SERIOUS MONEY ON...
THIS REQUESTED RECALL INVOLVES A 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVING AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DURING NORMAL USE, THE SHIFT LEVER BREAKS OFF AT A CAST ROTATING CYLINDER THAT TRANSMITS THE TORQUE FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER TO PUSH AND PULL THE CABLE THAT PUTS THE VEHICLE IN PARK, DRIVE, NEUTRAL, AND REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A TENDENCY TO JUMP OUT OF PARK EVEN BEFORE THE PART BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK AND ALMOST PINNED ME BETWEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE PARKED DOWNHILL. THIS WAS A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. FORD WANTS TO CHARGE $1500 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. WE ELECTED TO JUNK THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME UNTIL ANOTHER SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND. VEHICLE STILL DRIVES IF YOU REACH YOUR HAND AND PUSH/PULL THE TRANSMISSION CABLE TO SHIFT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR. WE CAN SEND THE BROKE OFF SECTION...
WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO PARK OR REVERSE, CAR WOULD SOMETIME STILL BE IN DRIVE FOR SECONDS AFTER PUTTING CAR IN GEAR. SEVERAL TIMES NOW, OCCASIONALLY CAR WILL SIMPLY SHUT OFF. RECENTLY, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK AND SHIFTER SEPARATED FROM STEERING COLUMN. *TR
WHILE BACKING UP, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT WAS GOOD THAT I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET THE CAR BACK IN GEAR AND COULD HAVE GOTTEN HIT AND OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND THE PARTS WERE IN MY OPINION OVER PRICED. MY FEAR IS THAT IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE IT MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS SLIPPING AND GOING OUT WILL GET U KILLED IF U PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC AND IT STARTS SLIPPING AND WANT GO SOMEONE MAY HIT U AND GET U KILLED. *TR
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A REAR END NOISE IT IS REALLY LOUD I'VE NOTICED MANY EXPLORERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACE REAR AXLE THE WHOLE REAR END AND THE NOISE COMES BACK I THINK ITS RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO PAY ALL THIS MONEY TO FIX IT WHEN ITS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM FOR FORD EXPLORERS. FORD SHOULD HAVE A SOLUTION BY NOW AND SHOULD FIX IT FOR FREE.THE NOISE IS A CONSTANT WHEN DRIVING. *TR
TRANSMISSION IS WHINING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
MY WIFE WAS PREPARING TO TAKE OUR 3 CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. SHE PUT OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. AFTER STOPPING, SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE, LEAVING HER WITH A CAR STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE KEYS ARE LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE, I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THIS IS NOT A RECALL ITEM AND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S RECOMMENDED FIX IS CHANGING OUT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. IS THIS REALLY TRUE? *TR
PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS !!!! THE EXPLORER GEAR SHIFTER IS DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE. THERE IS A COMMON THREAD WITH GEARSHIFT SELECTOR BREAKAGE ON FORD EXPLORERS WHICH INDICATES THAT RECALL IS URGENTLY NEEDED. AFTER PARKING, I TRIED TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM DRIVE TO PARK TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. TO MY ABSOLUTE ASTONISHMENT THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE LIKE A DANGLING BROKEN ARM IN THE REVERSE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED USELESS AND ME OPTIONLESS. I WORK AT A SECURE GOV'T FACILITY AND IT WAS NO PICNIC TRYING TO GET A TOW TRUCK DRIVER ACCESS. I FINALLY GOT THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AT $85. THE DEALER THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $1,690. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND NEEDED A DAY TO GET THE TRUCK BACK TO ME. I HAD TO RENT A CAR WHICH WAS ANOTHER $102...
GEAR SHIFT IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY CAR IN GEAR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE LOCAL DEALER THAT THE PART IS PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT WOULD COST APPROX. $1200.00 TO REPLACE. THE PART THAT BROKE IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND IS ONLY ABOUT 4-5 INCHES LONG. THIS WAS A DANGER TO ME BECAUSE MY DRIVEWAY IS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. IN ADDITION IF THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, I COULD OF HAD CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE AND HOW WOULD I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN PARK? *TR
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH AT MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MY INFORMATION SCREEN SHOWED "CHECK TRANSMISSION" WHEN I GOT HOME, I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MY TRANSMISSION JUST WENT BAD AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO WHAT HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS SAY HAD TO BE DONE TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON,PULLED PLUG APART UNDER DRIVERS ,SEAT SPRAYED CLEANER ON IT PUT IT BACK TOGETHER, TOOK CARE OF THAT PROBLEM. GEAR SHIFT LEVER SHEARED OFF. FORD SAYS YOU NEED TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN. WENT ONLINE FOUND A MAN IN SWEDEN THAT MADE A REPLACEMENT PART,ORDERED IT ,PUT IT ON ,WORKS GREAT. (WHY COULDN'T FORD SUPPLY ONE?) THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO ACT UP, YOU SHIFT IN TO DRIVE IT HESITATES AND LEAPS FORWARD, QUITE HARD, SAME IN REVERSE. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
Other 2002 FORD EXPLORER Problem Areas
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
887 complaints
Suspensionrear
192 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
166 complaints
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
160 complaints
Electrical System
115 complaints
Suspension
115 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
112 complaints
Steering
110 complaints
Structurebody
110 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
103 complaints
Air Bags
96 complaints
Wheels
58 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
56 complaints
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
56 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
50 complaints
Engine
49 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
44 complaints
Unknown Or Other
42 complaints
Equipment
39 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assembly
38 complaints
Structure
38 complaints
Suspensionrearspringscoil Springs
38 complaints
Visibilityglass Siderear
38 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
37 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
34 complaints
Power Traindriveline
31 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
31 complaints
Tires
29 complaints
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
28 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
27 complaints
Steeringcolumn
25 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
25 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
24 complaints
Visibility
23 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaftseal
22 complaints
Structurebodytailgate
22 complaints
Seat Belts
21 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
19 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
18 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
18 complaints
Seats
18 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
17 complaints
Parking Brake
16 complaints
Power Trainaxle Hubs
15 complaints
Service Brakes
15 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
15 complaints
Suspensionrearsprings
15 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
14 complaints
Structurebodydoor
14 complaints
Suspensionfront
14 complaints
Air Bagssidewindow
13 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
13 complaints
Power Trainmanual Transmission
13 complaints
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
12 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
12 complaints
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
12 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatesupport Devicestrut
12 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
11 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
10 complaints
Suspensionfronthub
10 complaints
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
10 complaints
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
10 complaints
Exterior Lighting
9 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
9 complaints
Visibilitywiper
9 complaints
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
8 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcables
8 complaints
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
7 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
7 complaints
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
7 complaints
Interior Lighting
7 complaints
Steeringrack And Pinion
7 complaints
Suspensionrearaxlespindle
7 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
6 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelatch
6 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
6 complaints
Structurebodytailgatehinge And Attachments
6 complaints
Wheelshub
6 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
5 complaints
Electrical Systemwiring
5 complaints
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
5 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
5 complaints
Fuel System Other
5 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
5 complaints
Seat Beltsfront
5 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
5 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
5 complaints
Structureframe And Members
5 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
5 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
5 complaints
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
4 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
4 complaints
Power Trainclutch Assembly
4 complaints
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
4 complaints
Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light
4 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule
4 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
4 complaints
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
4 complaints
Suspensionrearaxlenon Powered Axle Assembly
4 complaints
Tiressidewall
4 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
4 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
3 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
3 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
3 complaints
Equipment Adaptivemobility
3 complaints
Equipmentmechanicalcarrierrack
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinestorage
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
3 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
3 complaints
Service Brakes Electric
3 complaints
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
3 complaints
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
3 complaints
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
3 complaints
Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire
3 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controllinkages
3 complaints
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
3 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
2 complaints
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
2 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
2 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
2 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlgas Recirculation Valve Egr Valve
2 complaints
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
2 complaints
Equipmentrecreational Vehicletrailer
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
2 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
2 complaints
Power Traindrivelinecenter Support Bearing
2 complaints
Power Traindrivelineconstant Velocity Joint
2 complaints
Power Trainmanual Transmissionfloor Shift Assembly
2 complaints
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
2 complaints
Seatsmidrear Assembly
2 complaints
Service Brakes Airantilock
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
2 complaints
Steeringgear Boxshaft Sector
2 complaints
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
2 complaints
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
2 complaints
Suspensionfrontstabilizer Bar
2 complaints
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
2 complaints
Tirestreadbelt
2 complaints
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwashermotor
2 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
2 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
2 complaints
Wheelsmulti Piece
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontaldriver Sideinflator Module
1 complaint
Air Bagson Off Switch Assembly
1 complaint
Back Over Preventionwarningsexternalpedestrian Alert
1 complaint
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
1 complaint
Electrical Systemhorn
1 complaint
Electrical Systemstarter Assemblysolenoid
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiring Rear Compartmenttrunk
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcrankcase Pcv
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
1 complaint
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncooling Unit And Lines
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assemblybanjo Housing
1 complaint
Seat Belts Rearotherbuckle Assembly
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
1 complaint
Seat Beltsrearother
1 complaint
Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust
1 complaint
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilockcontrol Unitmodule
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airdiscpads
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdifferential Proportional Valve
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
1 complaint
Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device
1 complaint
Steeringrack And Pinionpinion Shaft
1 complaint
Structurebodytrunk Lid
1 complaint
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Arm
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontspringscoil Springs
1 complaint
Tiresvalve
1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Controlsprings
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasherlinkages
1 complaint
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices
1 complaint
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesinterior
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherswitchwiring
1 complaint
Wheelshubcapcover
1 complaint
Wheelsrim
1 complaint