2002 FORD EXPLORER Power Trainautomatic Transmission Problems

PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER 2001. IN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION SERVICED WITH 30000 MILES ON IT. AT THAT TIME IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, WITH 48700 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN SHIFTING VERY ROUGHLY IN 2-3 AND 3-4 SHIFTS. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THAT REPAIRS COSTS WOULD BE $890. SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SO GRACIOUSLY HELPED PAY FOR THE 3RD REPLACEMENT OF THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE ON THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED HERE AND ON OTHER INTERNET SITES THERE WAS CLEARLY AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. COMPARING THE NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2001 AND 2003 EXPLORERS TO THE 2002 AND IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE 2002 MODEL WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

NO NOTICED PROBLEMS UNTIL 68,000 MILES AND ODOMETER LIGHT CAME ON AND NOTICED REVVING PAST 4 TO GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. TOOK TO SHOP AND TOLD NEEDED 'UPDATE KIT' , AND ALL ENCLOSED FORD TRANSMISSIONS NEEDED REPAIRS. *AK

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, NO 3RD GEAR. *AK

DURING NORMAL DRIVING WITH A TOTAL OF 55,000 MILES UNTIL DELAY SHIFTING IN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT FLASHING AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOWER FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE OVERHAULED FOR $3,000 ALL OUT OF MY POCKET. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION BROKE THE 3RD GEAR BAND. THIS IS THE SECOND REBUILD WITH ONLY 40K MILES ON IT. I FEEL THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE LEMON LAW. I FEEL THESE VEHICLES SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 80,000 MILES BEFORE NEEDING A REBUILD. *TR

I PURCHASED USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT ON FEBRUARY 28, 2007 FROM CLASSIC NISSAN IN MOUNT. HOLLY, NEW JERSEY. THE WEEK OF APRIL 9, 2007 MY DAUGHTER AND I TOOK A TRIP TO FLORIDA. ON APRIL 11,2007 I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD HIT 55 MPH THE ODOMETER OFF LIGHT WOULD START BLINKING. I NOTIFIED CLASSIC NISSAN OF THE SITUATION. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT WHEN I RETURNED FROM MY VACATION. ON MY WAY HOME ON APRIL 13,2007 I BROKE DOWN IN FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT DRIVE AT ALL. I WOULD PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WAS ACTING AS IF I WERE IN NEUTRAL POSITION. I WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY STATED TO ME THAT THE PUMP FAILED IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH LED TO NO FLUID FLOW AND...

1. WAS JUST DRIVING, NOTHING SEEMED OUT OF THE ORDINARY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN... 2. THE "O/D OFF" LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED BLINKING RAPIDLY, AND THE MESSAGE PANEL IN THE DASH SAID "CHECK TRANSMISSION". BROUGHT IT INTO FORD DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3400. 3. NOTHING YET, BUT I'M TOLD IF I WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN, IT WILL REQUIRE A BRAND NEW $3400 TRANSMISSION. DID A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE FOR "2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION", AND AM SEEING A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS... PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. *JB

ALMOST HIT SOMEONE DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT DOWN SHIFT COMING TO A STOP AND THEN SHIFTING BACK INTO DRIVE AFTER BEING STOPPED FOR A GOOD 10 15 SECONDS THEN WHEN IT DOES, IT LURCHES . *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE IN THE REVERSE POSITION AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A LOUD THUMPING SOUND AND ALMOST STALLED. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 123,196.*AK

VEHICLE MADE A WHINNING NOISE WHEN IDLING. THERE WAS A PAUSE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, AND FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. THE PAUSE CAUSED VEHICLE TO NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED.*AK

ONLY 58,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHEN GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. I BABIED THIS CAR SO IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT.*AK

I HAVE A 2022 FORD EXPLORER WITH 82000 MILES, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. AT 74,000 WAS MILES FLUID AND FILTER REPLACED AT DEALER. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS WARM THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY TRAVEL 2-3 YARDS IN REVERSE, AND THEN LOCK. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS TRANSMISSION. DEALER WANTED TO TEAR THE TRANSMISSION DOWN AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE. IT COULD REQUIRE A COMPLETE REBUILD AT $3,500. THIS WAS A 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH OD. NO TOWING AND NO PLOWING. NORMAL TO/FROM WORK WITH VEHICLE. I NOTICED HUNDREDS OF TRANSMISSION ALERTS VIA A GOOGLE SEARCH, SOME SPECIFIC TO THIS VEHICLE AND PROBLEM. ALSO, HAD PROBLEMS WITH UPSHIFTING /DOWNSHIFTING ON HILLS. PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS TO DEALER.*AK

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN OCTOBER 2002. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE FOUR BALL BEARING JOINTS, AND ALTERNATOR AND NOW A TRANSMISSION WITH TOTAL COSTS TO EXCEED $7000. I AM WRITING NOW BECAUSE I FELT THAT THE OTHER EXPENSES WERE WEAR AND TEAR, AS I HAVE HAVE 98,000 MILES. BUT NOW IT IS GOING TO COST $3600 TO REPLACE MY TRANSMSSION. LAST THURSDAY 3/15 MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, AS MY RPM REACHED 3000. THEN IT WOULD SHIFT INTO GEAR AS I MADE MY WAY HOME FROM MY JOB 100 MILES AWAY. MY O/D LIGHT FLASHED AND THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 51,000. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR SEALS AXLE SEALS ON BOTH SIDES AND THEY BOTH NEED IT AGAIN.

AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, FORD FINALLY FOUND A PROBLEM AT 46,XXX MILES (NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT FORD OFFERED A $1000 DEDUCTIBLE). BURT FORD OF ARAPAHOE FORD INC. CENTENNIAL, COLORADO REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANUFACTURED SERIAL# 0302462W AND REPLACED THE REAR AXLE RING AND PINION GEAR SET, BEARINGS, AND SEALS (SEPT. '06). WE RECEIVED A FORD POWERTRAIN SERVICE PART WARRANTY UNTIL 06/17/2008 (7YRS FROM ORIGINAL OWNERS DATE OF PURCHASE). WE ARE TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO SERVICE NOW (MAR. '07) FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS TO CHAMPION FORD OF SANDY, UTAH AFTER 6,000 MILES OF USE.

2002 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER AWD, VEHICLE MILEAGE JUST UNER 100K. VEHICLE (W.O WARNING) WOULD NOT SHIFT THRU 3RD GEAR. SYMPTONS ARE WHEN VEHICLE GETS TO 3RD, ENGINE REVS AS IF IN NEUTRAL, CHECK TRANS LIGHT COMES ON, OD INDICATER FLASHES. BACKING OFF ON THROTTLE ALLOWS HARD SHIFT INTO 4TH AND VEHICLE PROCEEDS OK. FORD DEALER SAYS 3RD GEAR BAND IS GONE. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THEY CLAIM NO. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. ALSO FOUND OLD FORD TSB OUTLINING THE IDENTICAL SYMPTONS. IS THERE ANY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH FORD SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON EXPLORER PROBLEM

CAR STARTED MAKING HUMMING NOISE WHEN GOING 30-45 MPH, TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO REF ME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN FOR TRANSMISSION FLUSH, STILL THE SAME ISSUE, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I HAVE 4X4 WHICH REQUIRES THE SAME 4 TIRES OR THE CAR WILL JERK. THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATES, AND THE 4X4 GAUGE DOESN'T WORK, REPLACED THE COMPONENT AND STILL THE SAME ISSUE. ANY WHO TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, NOW I AM HEARING A CLINKING AND RUBBERY SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I AM NOW FORCED TO TAKE THE CAR IN... AND OF COURSE BE CHARGED A RIDICULOUS FEE, FOR THEM TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON THE TRUCK TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, AND THEN OF COURSE PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR.... MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A FOREIGN CAR.. THEY BREAK DOWN LESS, AND THE...

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE AT 20 MPH IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER SHE STARTED FEELING A SURGE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK. SHE HAS DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 105031 MILES.*AK

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR MAJOR TRANSMISSION AND REAR END PROBLEMS APPROX. 15 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP BETWEEN 2ND-3RD AND 3RD-4TH GEAR. IN REVERSE THE CLUTCH BINDS UP. THE REAR END ROARS AND WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES (AFTER NUMEROUS FIX ATTEMPTS) AND AT 66,000 MILES REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, RING GEAR & PINION WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALMOST OVERHAULED AT 35,000, RE-PROGRAMMED APPROX 3 TIMES AND NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN NOW. THE COMPASS HAS FAILED TWICE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE DRIVER TO STEER TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,350. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THIRD GEAR BANG OR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,350.

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE SHIFT GEARS AROUND 35-40 MPH. ENGINE WOULD REV HIGH. DEALER SAID I LOST 3RD SPEED. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $2565.77 PLUS $1020 IN LABOR. DEALER ALSO REPLACED REAR AXLE SEALS ($265.48). EXPLORER HAD 89,449 MILES ON IT. FRIENDS AND WEB SAY REAR DIFF AND TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOTORIOUSLY BAD. WHEN WILL FORD RECALL THESE VEHICLES? WILL THE CONSUMER EVER GET THEIR MONEY BACK? *NM

THE SAME THING I HAVE BEEN READING HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF TIMES ONLINE FROM OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS - O/D LIGHT FLASHING, HUMMING NOISE, RPMS REVVING UP WAY TOO HIGH WHEN ACCELERATING, SKIPPING 2ND GEAR ALTOGETHER. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED, AND STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT,WITH THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. THIS IS THEFT. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD LOST THE THIRD GEAR. THE GEAR WOULD SLIP INSTEAD OF ENGAGING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY BADLY, AND FEEL AS IF IT WAS PULLING AWAY FROM HIM. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENED BETWEEN 0 -29 MPH, AND THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 30 MPH IT WOULD LEVEL OUT AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DOING THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED EVERY DAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 40000.*AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER HAVING BEEN SERVICED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY FORD DEALERSHIP. TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE DISABLED IN TRAVEL AREA OF THE ROADWAY. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT THERE WAS "NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION". VEHICLE NOW NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES AT COST OF $2000 +. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV'S AND IMMEDIATE FAILURES ARE DANGEROUS TO PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. *NM

TRANSMISSION WENT AT 66K AND CAUSED ME SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. *JB

I HAVE TWO OR THREE ISSUES; THE FIRST ONE IS MY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE AND CAME UP THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET COVER. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY OF IT'S 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. I AM JUST RETURNING FROM IRAQ (AIR FORCE) I HAVE JUST HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT HAS NOT BE FIXED. I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS WERE IT JUMPS INTO GEAR AND I HAVE A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. I SPOKE WITH GANLEY FORD IN BARBETON AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS HOWEVER, A LOT OF CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SINCE SHE PURCHASED IT IN FEBRUARY 2002. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS AT A FORD DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE MAY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD HER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WAS INTERNAL. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, @ 52,000, I HAD MAJOR ISSUES W/ THE TRANSMISSION, AN OVERHAUL WAS COMPLETED, AND MY TRANSMISSION WAS "REBUILT". LESS THAN 2 YEARS LATER AND A LITTLE UNDER 40,000 MILES LATER, MY O/D LIGHT GOES OFF, GEARS SLIPPING AND I AM TOLD I NOW HAVE METAL IN THE PAN AND I DO NOT HAVE 2 GEARS, HENCE, I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW THAT I AM NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I AM TOLD THIS WILL NOW COST ME $3,000 TO REPLACE. AFTER LOOKING ON-LINE FOR ONLY 10-15 MINUTES, I FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE "REBUILT" TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS A 1-YEAR WARRANTY ON IT. I CALLED FORD MOTORS, AND AGAIN, WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY IS UP, AND THEY...

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS IN NOV 05 WITH 37000 MILES, IN JUNE 06 WITH 43000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. NOW, HERE IN JAN 07, WITH 52000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 02 EXPLORERS. *JB

OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON DASH OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER FLASHING ROUGH SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. *JB

I BOUGHT A USED (FLAWLESS) 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 32,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT WHICH TIME THEY REPLACED THE CILANOILD BODY. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, AND AT 44,000 MILES THE TRANSMISION IS BEING REPLACED. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2002 EXPLORER'S TRANSMISSION. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT FORD WON'T HAS NO RECALL! $3,500 LATER AND A NEW TRANSMISSION THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. FORD BLEW ME OFF AND I BELIEVE THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM!. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF. AS SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE ENGINE IDLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED. THE TRANSMISSION BAND FOR THIRD GEAR HAD FAILED. *AK

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION. IT HAS A HARD TIME GOING INTO GEAR, HAS NO PICKUP WHATSOEVER AND I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT LONG DISTANCES. I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB

TL* - THE TRANSMISSION ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 LITER SLIPS GEARS OCCASIONALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR WHEN AT A FULL STOP THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN SEVERAL SECONDS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107000. *JB

VEHICLE ALWAYS SHIFTED HARD. SUDDENLY BEGAN SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS. IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFERRED IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE SOLUTION WAS A TOTAL REBUILD AT 66,700 MILES. PARTIALLY COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT STILL COST $1300 OUT-OF-POCKET. LOVE THE TRUCK. DISLIKE THE MANUFACTURER FOR NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE. THE TRANSMISSION ON A TRUCK/SUV SHOULD BE ONE OF THE MORE DURABLE COMPONENTS NOT ONE OF THE WEAKEST (OPINION). *NM

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. IT MAKES NOISE, TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, ALSO REVERSE. IT JUMPS WHEN IT FINALLY ENGAGES. I HAVE ALMOST HAD AN CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. I HAVE TO TAKE IN TO BE REPAIRED. *JB

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WHEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THREW A CODE OF P0733 AND P0745. WE WERE TOLD THAT A BAND BROKE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND 3RD GEAR WENT OUT. THE FIX WAS TO OVERHAUL THE TRANSMISSION FOR $2700. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS AND FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER TWO ISSUES 1/1/07 - GRINDING OF REAR WHEEL. 1/2/07 - O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, WITHIN 7 MILES SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL LETTING OFF THE GAS. 1/2/07 - CALL AAA TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALER. FORD QUOTED $5,100 FOR REPAIRS. WE DENIED REPAIR AT FORD. DUE TO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WE HAD A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP DO THE REPAIRS. WE DID NOT WANT TO GIVE FORD ANY MORE MONEY SINCE WE WERE TOLD BY SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS. THE LOCAL SHOP INDICATED THERE WERE TSBS PUBLISHED AND THEY HAD TO BUY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FROM FORD TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. IF COMPANIES ARE BUYING SPECIAL TOOLS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON, ISN'T THERE A PROBLEM? WE ALSO INVESTIGATED MANY NUMEROUS WEBSITES TO READ ABOUT MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT...

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER NEW IN 2002 AND NOTICED SIX MONTHS LATER THAT THERE WAS OCCASIONAL SLIPPING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR AND THE OVERDRIVE IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAD MENTIONED IT TO THE FORD SERVICE GUYS BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. NOW WITH THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND 43,000 MILES ON THE CAR THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE FORD DEALER PULLS THE TRANSMISSION AND FINDS A SENSOR PLUG (PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID) HAD CRACKED THEN BROKEN, BANDS NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND SOME OTHER DAMAGE RECOMMENDED FOR REPAIR. CHOICES WERE $2800 FOR REBUILDING (CHANGING BAD PARTS) OR $3800 FOR REFURBISHING WITH 75K 3 YEAR WARRANTY. A TRANSMISSION THIS YOUNG SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND FROM RESEARCHING THE WEB (JUST TYPE IN FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION) LOTS OF FOLKS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH LOW MILES. FORD SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM...

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, AND OVERDRIVE LIGHTS WILL TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS FAILURE DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ANY PARTICULAR SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 67,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE WOULD NEED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *NM UPDATED 03/07/07*JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER - 58,000 ORIGINAL MILES. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THE 3RD GEAR IS GONE AND WILL COST $1800 TO FIX. *JB

IN MAY OF 2005 THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD 34,767 MILES. IN MAY OF 2006 THE REBUILT TRANS CONVERTER FAILED WITH ABOUT 47,000 MILES. THIS WAS JUST A FEW HUNDRED MILES OUT OF THE 12 MONTH, 12,000 FORD SERVICE WARRANTY. THERE WAS AN AFTERMARKET WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE THAT COVERED IT. UPON WRITTEN NOTIFICATION TO THE DEALER AND FORD WE SET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND TEST DRIVEN AGAIN DUE TO MORE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED THEN THE SHIFT LEVER LOCKED UP BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE AND HAD TO BE SERVICED WITHIN HOURS OF PICKUP. THEN A COOLANT GASKET WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND A ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR DAMAGED AND GLUED TOGETHER AND TIE WRAPPED TO THE TRANS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED IN WRITING OF THE DISCOVERIES. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED INDEPENDENTLY. A SHOP DIAGNOSED...

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 72,000 MILES. *NM

AT 74000 MILES OUR TRANSMISSION WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION! THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, SAID THAT "WE WERE THE ONLY ONE'S WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM" (YEAH RIGHT!) IT COST US $6000 OUT OF OUR POCKET TO FIX. AT 86000 MILES THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOW. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT. AGAIN, STAYTON FORD TOLD US THAT,"WE WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE." AT AROUND 85000, 95000 AND 105000 MILES, THE REAR SEALS LEAKED. WE WERE PROMISED EACH TIME THAT THEY WOULD LAST "FOR AT LEAST 50000 MILES." WE WERE ALWAYS A FEW MILES AWAY FROM GETTING THEM REPLACED FOR FREE SINCE THEY'RE LIMITED WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 10000 MILES. AT 111000 MILES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT "HAYWIRE." EVEN WHEN ALL OF THE DOOR AND HATCH ARE CLOSED, THE DOME LIGHT CONTINUES TO...

REGULAR DRIVING OF A FORD EXPLORER 2002 XLT, VERY EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILURE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION JUST GIVES OUT O/D LIGHT STARTS FLASHING ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO IN TO GEAR ALL OF THIS WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED ONLINE TURNS OUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, CALLED FORD THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $4000.00 TO REPAIR. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. MY COMPLAINT IS HAVING THIS CAR FOR ONLY 2 YEARS AFTER BUYING IT FROM THE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA FORD DEALER, NOW THE CAR HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAVE LOOKED UP A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MINE.. AND WE GET STUCK WITH $4K FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE.. CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T BE PAYING $4K FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS HAVING THE VEHICLE..SOME PEOPLE COMPLAINTS EVEN HAPPENS AFTER 2 YEARS BUYING THE VEHICLE. I THINK YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE SURE FORD COMPANY IS NOT MAKING MONEY FROM CONSUMERS THROUGH REPAIRS OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. *JB

PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM CROSSROADS FORD , RALEIGH NC JUNE 24,06 WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC NOV 22,06 CHECK TRANSMISSION APPEARED ON MESSAGE CENTER, ODO LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT INCREASE SPEED WHILE ENGINE RPM WERE INCREASING. VEHICLE GAVE NO PRIOR WARNING OF IMPENDING PROBLEM FROM JUN TO NOV AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN LOCALLY FOR THE PERIOD OF OWNERSHIP. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER CLOSE TO MY HOME I WAS INFORMED THAT AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REFERRING TO FORD TSB THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME AND TO CALL THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. CALLED CROSSROADS FORD AND LEFT A MESSAGE FOR MIKE BEVAN (SERVICE ADVISOR) HE FAILED TO RETURN MY CALLS. MY HUSBAND...

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. I BOUGHT IT NOVEMBER OF 2004 WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND SLIPS WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR AND I ALSO HEAR A WHINING NOISE IN THE REAR END. IT JERKS AND SLIPS CONSISTENTLY. THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE CAR SAYS "CHECK TRANSMISSION" ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I CALLED 4 FORD DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS LOW MILEAGE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS, AND FORD DOESN'T CARE. I AM STUCK WITH THE CAR THAT CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN NOW. OWNERS OF THESE CARS NEED HELP TO GET FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL. *JB

TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING IN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, 81,000 MILES. *NM

11/7/03 AT 20,272 MILES UNIT IN FOR REAR AXLE WHINE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT BUT REAR AXLE WHINE NOT FIXED. 11/13/04 AT 34269 MILES VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REAR END HOWL AGAIN REPLACED REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. NEXT MORNING WIFE WENT TO TAKE CHILD TO DAY CARE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPH WITHOUT RESISTANCE. HAD TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE WAS TOLD A FAULTY DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. PUT THE OLD ONE BACK IN AND REORDERED ANOTHER REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT AND PUT THE NEW UNIT IN ON 11//17/04 AT 34,291 MILES. WHEN THE SERVICE RECORDS STATE FOUND BAD BEARING IN THE UNIT. 6/12/06 REAR END AXLE SEAL LEAKING REPLACED THE REAR END WHINE WAS STILL EVIDENT. 6/12/06 AT 62,31 MILES REAR AXLE SEAL LEAK REPAIRED. 11/09/06 AT APPROX 68,000 MILES TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. REFERENCE TSB#16898 REAR AXLE WHINE AND TSB#03254. HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT...