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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
- Gulfport, MS, USA
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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 is known to fail at various times and miles, which are too low for a transmission to fail, Ford should be held responsible for this problem because it is definitely a safety issue because the transmission can fail at anytime which have caused many accidents and will cause more accidents and deaths until Ford take responsibility for their actions and recall the transmissions. I have two small kids that are in the car with me on a daily basis and I travel on the highways all the time and this is going to be very dangerous for me to do now. I don't know what to do because I don't have any money to repair or replace the transmission and this car is the only car that we have for transportation. We all need help to get Ford to do a recall.
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 doing research I found this website www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2002/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml where over 350 people are having the same issue with the same year, make, and model vehicle. I could have potentially broke down in the middle of the road with my three year old in the car where anything could have happened. These vehicles are normal bought for family vehicles and I do not see how this is not on the recall list since it is putting many families in danger. Please let me know if there is anything I need to do to get a recall active on this transmission. Thank you.
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.
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.
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 a multi-billion dollar corporation taking advantage of hard working consumers! buyer beware! I will never buy another Ford. You could not give me one for free! what shall I do...? Ford needs to be a shame of themselves! build Ford tough" let's a big fat lie!
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 plus... there was no reason why this should have happened.
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.
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.
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.
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 Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. [xxx] says Ford told her she would need to replace her entire steering column to fix the broken gear selector at a cost of more than $1,500. Instead, she worked with her local mechanic to find an after-market replacement part that retails for $30. So far, Ford Motor Company has not issued a recall on the gear selector. More information: NHTSA website details on Explorer investigation (type in action number EA09013) read more: www.wtae.com/news/29353127/detail.html#ixzz1zyubpjeg information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wyndotte, MI, USA