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.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While parking the vehicle, the gear shift lever fractured and separated from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.
02 Explorer stop shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear, after 2nd gear when it's time to shift it sounds like it goes in neutral, when I let off it finally shifts (hard) it's very dangerous when driving in front of traffic I'm afraid for myself and my children, this is an issue for alot of people, please help us with this issue, this really needs to be recalled thank you
Vehicle lunges at red lights or when I put it in park or take it out of park. Rpms go up to 4000 rpms and wont shift. Od light stays on and flashes while driving and shifts up and down while driving. Almost ran through a store front one day as I pulled up because the rpms were so high. If rpms are up sitting at red light it cruises by itself when I let off brake at 30mph but wont go any faster when I give it gas until rpms come down. This has been happening for a year now. I don't have the money to keep replacing transmissions this is the second one now in 4 years.
My 2002 Ford Explorer 4.6L is having major transmission problems at only 110K miles. It hesitates shifting gears and slips while driving. The vehicle also stalls when stopping at a red light or stop sign. It has the infamous crack down the back hatch. Both are problems thousands of customers have complained about yet Ford does nothing. The transmission problem is a very expensive cost to repair and it shouldn't be the customers responsibility when Ford knew there was a problem.
- Hyden, KY, USA
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As I was out driving one day, I pulled off from a green light and out of nowhere the "service engine light" and the "O/D light" both turned on at the same time. At the same time I noticed that the truck began to shift very poorly coming out of 1st and 2nd gear. It is now to the point where there is a really loud "clunk" every time the truck shifts, especially in the lower gears and when putting the truck in reverse. I pulled over to ensure that it wasn't something I had done and it wasn't! I let the car sit for a few hours hoping that would clear the issue, but no luck! after much research on the problem this is a very well known problem by Ford Motor Company and nothing has been done to resolve it for their customers. I purchased this vehicle just under a month ago and already I'm looking at $2,000 to put in a new transmission. Well after purchasing the vehicle I can not afford to fix Ford's mistake!!! this is a clear defect of a Ford product and after spending my hard earned money on one of their products I expect much better from them! even after spending $2,000 on another transmission, it is a sure fact that it is only inevitable that this problem will happen again and again and again to anyone who purchases a 2003 Ford Explorer! if I and I'm sure anyone else would've known this fact, I'm positive; Ford would have not sold as many models. Can we say bamboozled and taken for my money by Ford Motor Company! please help us customers out and demand a recall on these poorly built components they mass produced and stuck inside a widely marketed and sold vehicle. How would you feel if you and your infant child was driving and out of nowhere...boom...another $2,000 you do not have for another poorly built Ford transmission smh... ## VIN failed ## [xxx] ## information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While the gear shifter was shifted into the park position, the four wheel drive shifted. While driving 10 mph, the four wheel gears shifted again. The contact activated the gear buttonm but it did not work. The vehicle managed to place itself back into drive gear. The warning lights did not illuminate. The failure occurred numerous times. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 145,819.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While attempting to start the vehicle, the gear shift fractured without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not at the dealer being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Both rear coil springs broke. Replaced front and rear wheel bearings replaced ball joints replaced transmission has now failed and is now undependable. May fail with out warning no accidents, any of the above could have resulted in an accident Ford is aware of all of the mentioned problems and refuses to rectify the problems. This is a wide spread problem with all 2002 Ford Explorer.
Air bag wiring harness to short : every time you move the seat the air bag light would come on $683 repair service technical service bulletin from Ford no compensation for repairs miles 22,000. Front wheel bearing failure left and right 60,000 miles. Rear spring failure 75000 miles front spring failure 75000 miles. Fuel tank registers 1/4 tank when tank is empty 45000 miles transmission cellinoid failure 28000 miles and 800000 miles heater control module 70000 miles. Intake leak 80000 miles. Rear wheel bearing and axle seals 100,000 miles. Other than that great car. If Ford cared about its customer it would have fixed the transmission problems they had six flaws from day one of production from 1990 ---- why Ford if you had a real transmission it would make up for all the other failure built into this car. You make great real trucks like the F150 other than that your entire fleet is junk.
The O/D light has started flashing and my check engine light came on, it is not shifting when it should be, going up to 5000 rpms, I have to take my foot off the pedal to try and get it to shift into 3rd. Sometimes it works, other times not so much. After doing a thorough search, I have found a ridiculous amount of complaints identical to mine, most with similar mileage (mine is at 162,000), with the problem being either the solenoid pack or the O/D servo. Some are lucky and have this replaced first, but others end up having to rebuild/replace the tranny. That is an expensive fix for what seems to be a very common problem, too expensive for most people who drive a vehicle that is this old.I am a single mother of two small children, I do not have the money to fix this or buy another vehicle.
Started with flashing of light went to check engine light code P0775 transmission control solenoid B.... from what I'm finding out this is just a symptom of the bigger problem the servo bore leaking and needing a brass sleeve insert fix... I think it's total crap I have to pay for a kit and find someone who will follow the proper refit procedures and pay them when Ford is well aware of this issue and should be forced into a recall retro fit... I am a 50 yr old disabled woman who can't afford to fix a problem the manufacturer should be dealing with....the transmission is hazardous and can disengage from loss of pressure while driving...
1st transmission total failure at 87K miles 2nd transmission total failure at 156K miles vehicle is driven very light duty usage by a mature woman (now 86 years old at the time of the 2nd failure). From researching on the internet I have found that Ford many issues with early mileage transmission failures and never a recall for this issue. I'm filing this on behalf of my mother
I financed this vehicle thru 123 auto in homosassa fl citrus county and it has a airbag that is no good and no horn and the transmission was bad the day I bought it and they will not fix so I am currently paying to get it fixed I was told to make a complaint with this office to see if you can help me get something done because it is not right
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the transmission shifted from third gear to fourth gear independently and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle made an abnormal noise and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the transmission was burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, a snapping sound emitted from the vehicle and the steering wheel became hard to turn. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the power steering pump was defective which prevented it from holding the fluid damaging the anti-brakes system. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift into different gears. The contact mentioned that there was a loud whining sound coming from the transmission. While driving up a hill, the contact was unable to change gears and had to apply the brakes in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000.
The transmission would not shift between gears in my 2002 Ford Explorer resulting in my being unable to accelerate on the Massachusetts turnpike at rush hour.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sterling Heights, MI, USA