CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 Ford Explorer is hands-down our worst vehicle on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.
Another common problem for the 2002-2003 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
105,461 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Ford 2002 6 cylinder Explorer XLT O/D off light flashing on dashboard. Transmission problem started with 100,800 mile. Had rebuilt transmission done at 100,800 miles. Now vehicle has 109,900 miles and od/off light flashing again. Was told that transmission is falling apart. Back in transmission shop again. There are thousands of same complaints for the same problem on 2002 Ford Explorer. Ford will not help at all! Ford needs to recall transmission.
Stuck throttle on a 2002 Ford Explorer with different automatic transmissions! four wheel drive model. At wide open throttle when release gas pedal throttle will stick at wide open throttle only way to stop is to put transmission in neutral (automatic).
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2002 Ford Explorer [xxx] - gear shift lever broke off of steering column while shifting from park into reverse.
On my way to do morning drop off for school, my 2002 2wd, 6cy Ford Explorer transmission gave out, without warning while making a left hand turn with very busy oncoming traffic headed towards my son in the passenger side. Thankfully traffic was alert on this morning and slowed until I was able to cross! now I am toldi need a new trans. And son and I were almost killed in the process! please recall this item and make Ford do good by its customers as I had no luck with them! ps my mileage is only 105,000 for an 8 year old car.
I was leaving a friend's house... put the key in the ignition and attempted to shift into reverse and the shifter broke off into my hand; only connected by the rubber and the wire inside. The metal connection actually just snapped in half! I was glad I wasn't stuck in drive or anything I had my 20 month old niece in the car! this could have ended really really bad! if Ford knows that this is a common problem with this model why has nothing been done!?! I got one estimate from the local Ford dealership where I had to have the car towed to; $1795+7% sales tax! I called around and found a place to get a used steering column put in for $1000+tax but I have to have it towed another 40 miles to get it to that shop... something needs to be done before someone dies from this parts failure! it's seems senseless for Ford to sit by and do nothing if they can act now and save lives!
- Galloway, NJ, USA
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Started vehicle put into gear and car will not move won't go in reverse won't go into drive. Will go into gear but will not move forward or backward. I have had various problems with this vehicle just got it out of the shop for $1600 in the middle of November 2009 for wheel bearings, tie rods, and oil change. Now within less than 2mths I am stuck without a vehicle to get to work again. Please help bill collins Ford doesn't seem to give me any help just constant repair work and high costs with no repairs really being done.
I pulled up to the gas station while on my way to work and as soon as I was about to shift into park the gear shift broke right off in my hand. It was causing some nor difficulties in the past where it would show signs of resistance when shifting gears but never something so serious as this current incident. I called a tow truck which appeared about 40 minutes later and then took me home. I have tried to find a new part but no dealer or parts manufacturer has it in stock.
2002 Ford Explorer gear shift broke completely off when cast aluminum ring failed. I see on "www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2002/transmission/gear_shift_prndl_fell_off.shtml" that this is happening on numerous Explorer of the same year. I believe this is a manufacturing defect that could cause a significant safety issue if someone were to shift up or down while the vehicle is in motion. Fords estimated cost to repair is $2400.
Three months after buying a 2002 Ford Explorer I experienced my O/D off light blinking, and my service engine soon light come on. I'm scared to drive my vehicle now after reading all the horror stories on a website. I have no money and this has happened to me. I absolutely cannot afford to put a transmission in my vehicle. The people we bought it from rebuilt the transmission a year ago and that should have fixed the problem, but it didn't. now it's messed up again. This is dangerous because people's transmissions go out on them. The car jumps in and out of gear. Our families are in these vehicles, doesn't that matter to you guys. What does it take to make Ford responsible for this issue, a death to occur, well then it's too late and there would be more payout on Ford part if a life is lost. I'm sure the family would sue and especially knowing this is an issue with the transmissions in the 2002 Explorer. You are supposed to protect us before a death or accident occurs. You need to step up to the plate and make Ford accountable for their dangerous transmissions. I can tell you I will own the Ford company if something happens to my family. I will also have a copy of this to show the court that I tried to tell you to do something about it before it came to a death or accident. Something needs to be done. Now, not later.
Im another sad story of a 2002 Explorer. The transmission started slipping, clunking and the O/D light is flashing. Just paid this piece of junk off and now waiting to here from the dealer where we bought it for that oh familiar quote of 3000 to 4000 to fix.
Recently purchased 2002 Ford Explorer. Shortly after, within one to two days I attempted to exit the vehicle by shifting into park and opening the drivers side door. Although vehicle was at a complete stop when I exited it began to roll backwards causing me to fall beside alongside the driver side with lower right extremities still inside the vehicle. Immediate assistant was available so minimal damage was done. Currently requires caution when shifting into park do to additional maneuvering to shift into park.
2002 Ford Explorer automatic transmission problems. Various problems. When I first got it (at 45K miles), it would take about 20-30 seconds to engage into first gear after being in reverse. When it did engage, it jumped forward while doing it. That does not happen much anymore. If I have to slam on the brakes (dog, kid, deer runs out, light suddenly changes or someone cuts me off, etc...) the tranny slips out of gear into neutral stays there for an indefinite amount of time, then lurches forward 3-4 feet as it kicks back into gear. This has not caused an accident yet! have seen a dealer for both of these problems - 3 times. Was not able to even get the problem diagnosed, much less repaired. As time has passed, I have learned to be careful and ginger with the vehicle. I shift softly and slowly, I don't gun it and do my best to ensure there is plenty of room between me and the car in front of me. Now the transmission has begun slipping. I have seen multiple accounts online of people having transmission problems with the 02 Explorer. I firmly believe Ford needs to issue a recall. The lurching forward problem is huge! very dangerous! today it was scary. I was approaching a crosswalk and only doing 25. Hikers and bikers notoriously just walk/ride through the crosswalk without looking. There is brush that blocks the view of bikes in one direction. Today, a bike made no effort to stop to look for cars and bolted out into the crosswalk. I did not see him coming for the brush. I had to slam on the brakes. As he was in front of me, he caught some gravel and slid and fell in front of my car. My car lurched forward nearly hitting him. I can't get the problem fixed if the dealer can't figure out what is wrong. Short of having the transmission completely rebuilt...which is what I am going to do. I really feel that Ford should be responsible for the cost of doing so.
After vehicle has been put in park, it will roll about a half foot or so when door or hatch is shut. Vehicle is not going all the way in park and you don't know it. It has rolled to the point where it has bumped me but than stops.
2002 Ford Explorer gear shift lever broke when attempting to place truck in gear. I have heard through blogs that this is now becoming a common problem. My truck was placed in park with emergency brake on prior to shifting the lever into park, when I attempted to put the truck in reverse the lever snapped and I was unable to move the truck nor remove the key from the ignition. The tow truck driver showed me how to place the truck in drive manually underneath the truck in order to move the vehicle. This is not safe considering the fact that one is underneath a running vehicle and the probablity of being ran over is high. I would like to know if Ford is being pressured in recalling this part considering the fact that the piece that breaks is not sold individual, the customer is obligated to buy a complete steering column just to obtain the piece that breaks.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Commack, NY, USA