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.
After having driven about 20 miles from home, I noticed several indicator lights flashing on my dash and the car was no longer shifting properly. I managed to return home with the car not wanting to properly up shift. When I took it to a repair shop, about 5 miles from home, I also lost reverse gear. Transmission ended up needing to be replaced.
Transmission not shifting into overdrive have to let gas to make it shift change screen tired to correct problem another problem Ford good idea to put cheap timing chains in the 4.0 V6 engines thank you
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the gear shift lever fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the overdrive warning light illuminated as the vehicle began to loose power. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
- Brockton, MA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
This 5R55W transmission had to be replaced at 108,890 miles for $3500 while my daughter lived at college. I purchased a 3-year 36,000 mile Ford warranty as I was confounded that a truck transmission might fail at such an early age. 3-years 16-days 35,652 miles later this Ford reman Ford installed trans also failed and Ford is unwilling to accept any responsibility for cost of repair replace, 16-days beyond a 100% free replacement. The local dealer quoted $4500 and the previous dealer (100 miles away) quoted the same $3500. I opted for aamco at $2500 and 3-year 36,000 mile warranty, since Ford can't re-engineer their own transmission to last a reasonable amount of time, there are hundreds of complaints just on the 2002 Explorer transmission, and there are thousands for 5R55W transmission. It is unconscionable that Ford is unwilling to accept any liability.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle became hesitant to acceleration. After shutting the engine off and restarting, the check engine and od warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
Yesterday evening, I got into my 2002 Ford Explorer and noticed the gear shift lever was stuck in park. I was unable to shift into reverse in order to back out of the driveway. This morning I figured I would give it another attempt as I needed to head out for work. As I tried again, I simply applied the break, grabbed the shift lever and as I pulled the towards me and began to pull down to shift into reverse the lever completely broke and is now hanging. I did not apply excessive force at any point. No more pressure then I normally do when shifting from park to drive to reverse, etc. I looked up this particular situation via internet and noticed many, many complaints of the same exact description. Hopefully Ford will recognize this issue and issue a part recall.
TL- the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked he placed the gear in drive when the gear assembly detached. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated the gear assembly would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.the vehicle was being repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
As I was driving in snow, I put the car into reverse to go around another car. When I put it back in drive the gear shift handle broke off in my hand. I was stuck in my car unable to shift, if I turned it off I would not have been able to restart the car. I had to sit on the side of the road and figure out how to get it back into gear with my foot on the brakes.
I bought the 2002 Explorer new from a Ford dealer. At 86,000 miles the transmission proved to be defective and had to be replaced costing $3,000. Just today 11/19/2013 at 134,000 miles the transmission needs to be replaced again $4,200. I have seen several websites with hundreds of posting telling about similar problems with Ford transmissions. Here is one such sites web address: www.topix.com/forum/autos/Ford-Explorer/tdmgq44C3jtcjsr03/P26#lastpost Ford knows about these problems but refuses to take action other then profiting from continued sales of more defective transmissions and parts. I bought the Explorer in good faith for about $31,000 and will have paid $7,200 (approx 23%)in transmission replacements. The danger here is that these Ford transmissions could and may actually have already seize while driving thus causing untold safety issues. Please research this and create a recall. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, a burning odor was noticed as the rear differential seized within moments. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the rear differential had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Driving forward at 20 mph in a trailer park when overdrive light started flashing and transmission started shifting hard. Was told its a well known problem and thousands of 02 Explorer had this issue. Garage wants $3500 to repair the transmission. I called Ford who had no answers for me and wont fix even though they know its a big issue with these. Thousands of complaints to date. Also clock spring just failed and horn stopped working and air airbag light is flashing.
Heard a knocking noise went to mechanic. Was told I blew a two holes through timing chain cover. Went online found that it is a recurring problem for that year of Ford. Very upset there is no recall. Was told it would cost at least 2000 to fix. Ford needs to do something about this. I want to go to media to let everyone that has this problem know that Ford knows about it and will not do anything. Apparently everyone has to pay out the [xxx] to have this fixed. I'm not one of them. I want my car fixed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
While moving the shift lever from park to reverse, the lever broke away from the steering column and could not be returned to park position. The vehicle was stuck in reverse, engine running, and brake applied. With the brake applied, the engine was turned off, still in reverse. The key could not be removed until a small wire contact inside the steering column was shorted to the metal in the column. The vehicle had to be dragged onto a tow vehicle and taken to aikins Ford in winder, Georgia. I was told the entire steering column had to be replaced and the part plus labor would be approximately $1500. Aikins ordered the part and is still waiting after discovering that there were 221 steering columns on back order with the after market manufacturer licensed to provide the part. The design of the shift lever included a "pot" metal disk housing that requires the spring behind it to be actuate by pulling the lever forward to change the gear status. The housing snapped in half, leaving the lever dangling by a small wire. Only the fact that the vehicle was not moving averted clear and present danger of an accident. I have requested that the steering column part be returned to me and have very good photos of the vehicle and the actual separation at the break in the column. I will furnish either to your department if and when I get my Explorer back. Now 56 days and still waiting. I believe that it was design flaw to allow a part that requires uniform strength to be a molded piece of "pot" metal and someone may get hurt, if not already in the 221 incidents that Ford is aware of.
The transmission slips between first and second gear, the check engine light comes on. The code reads bad servo when read by the nh inspection station. Investigation on internet and through dealer inquiries states this is a very common problem with Explorer automatic transmissions in this manufacturing time period, everything and everyone states there should be a recall. This is a very well known problem by Ford for the 2002-2004 Explorer transmissions.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the over-drive warning light illuminated as a message appeared stating to check the transmission. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The dealer stated that the transmission had defective rings and bushings. The dealer also stated that the transmission solenoid block was leaking. The contact did not have any repairs performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 233,577.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission was rebuilt. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- New Tripoli, , PA, USA