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.
8.5
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,320
Average Mileage:
109,100 miles
Total Complaints:
386 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
ford needs to recall their faulty transmission (123 reports)
not sure (120 reports)
complete rebuild (78 reports)
new tranmission (46 reports)
new solenoid, pistol in tranny broken (11 reports)
Fix Your Transmission Problem For $200 - Andy Wanie, founder and owner of AJ1E Superior Solutions has a patent pending for fixing Explorer and Mountaineer transmissions. You do not need a complete rebuild on a trany with less than 100K miles. This guy has used true AMERICAN ingenuity to solve the problem that FORD will not fix. I suggest you support him and not your local Ford Dealer or Transmission shop.
O/D light began to flicker on and off, and the transmission would not shift properly. Would stay in a lower gear during acceleration as the rpm continued to climb. Had stored codes diagnosed with the following: P0732 (gear 2 incorrect ratio), P0733 (gear 3 incorrect ratio), P0734 (gear 4 incorrect ratio). Was advised not to continue to drive vehicle. Required complete transmission rebuild (by an independent including upgrades) including the replacement of the torque converter due to excessive metal filings throughout. Reputation and customer loyalty needs to be earned. Seems to me that Ford should value its customer base and do the right thing such as issue a recall, or offer some reimbursement to the many that have already incurred the costly rebuild.
I was just driving home from work and my o/d off light started rapidly flashing at me. I stopped and cut the car off and it stopped for a minute then started back. Just a couple miles later the transmission started slipping and jerking real bad. I can't believe there were no warning signs or anything, this was very sudden! For as many people that have the same problem Ford should issue a recall!!!
While wife was driving down a road at 45 MPH It just feels like complete power loss.. Then while accelerating she can only get to around 30 and then it just revs up like its in neutral. After doing some research it sounds like it could be a few things, Solenoid, Servo or the tranny itself. Was very hot the last few days, so I do not know if that contributed or not.. (Midwest Heatwave) Iowa.
Why is Ford Motor CO. dodging ? they know that this transmission is a mojor problem from early 2000.Look at some of the TSB 03-25-4. Then to add insult to injury They made this one someware in France and had the Trans sealed.Come on Ford step to the plate and give out some warranties.
Having same problem as others on this site with the transmission, will need a complete rebuild to fix the problem. Ford should take responsibility and recall these Explorers. Transmission should not need rebuilding at 85,000 miles. Explorers dominate the Top 20 worst vehicles, WAY TO GO FORD!!!
- Doug O.,
Clarksville, Tenn., US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I don't understand how any of these trucks are even on the road right now. The transmissions are notorious for failing. Rest assured, my days of owning a Ford SUV will end the day this truck finally dies or I find someone equally as ignorant as I was to purchase it.
Was driving to NYC to pick up my girlfriend and was driving in the highway, when the O/D light started to flash. Not only did it blink, but I was driving uphill and started losing power.
After that, On Sunday, was driving and the O/D light started to flash and the engine light went on. No power and no faith in Ford.
This is the second time I have rebuilt this transmission. The first time was two years ago and cost me $3,200.00. A couple weeks ago my O/D light started flashing, and the vehicle started slipping while driving down the road, and it also took several minutes to go into any gear. I just got it out of the shop a week ago and had the transmission rebuilt again - and paid $3,500.00 - which I can't afford - I am a single parent with one vehicle and just started a new job. Now I just discovered fluid leaking underneath the vehicle! I wish I never bought the Ford Explorer!
I cant believe so many people have had this same issue and Ford fails to act to make it right. This country is in complete turmoil because American products aren't selling. This is the reason why, we make inferior products and when there is a problem like a little child we hide and pretend nothing is wrong. I will never by American again for the simple fact that a huge company like Ford fails to own up to their mistakes.
Out of the blue, like most people report, the O/D light starts to blink. Then the service engine soon light comes on. Had it scanned at a local tranny shop, and I was told $2100 to fix it. What can you do? Join the coupon of the month club and just buy a new car? So, you're stuck. Will try to call ford and see what happens, but like other problems, they don't stand by you. When I bought the car, part of the rear defroster didn't work, and I was told that I must have scraped the inside of the window and if I wanted it fixed, then to put it through my insurance under glass coverage. Then, like everyone else's car, the rear panel cracked. No luck there either. Then the front seat motor went, a $900 fix. The airbag light is flashing, but I'm leaving that alone. Hopefully I won't go through the windshield. Now at 120, 000 miles, there goes the tranny. Guess I did good, since most seem to fail at 80,000. As an aside, I had 3 Tauruses (1996 and 1997) and all had failed trannies.
BOUGHT THIS BEAUTIFULLY CLEAN FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER, TOTALLY LOADED, LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO W/@ 150k MILES. TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 129127 MILES. NOW HAVE 174k MILES ON IT AND IT NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. ALSO REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE: BOTH REAR WHEEL HUBS/BEARINGS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, RIGHT FRONT WINDOW ACTUATOR/MOTOR...AMAZING HOW MANY OF THESE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS ARE TOTAL JUNK IN THE TRANSMISSION! FORD PLEASAE DO THE RIGHT THING, BE AMERICAN HEROES, AND HELP US OUT!!!!!!!!!!!
Already had the Solenoid Body and Reverse Servo Piston Assembly replaced when under warranty by a Ford Dealer. Now O/D Light continually flashes and slips while shifting from 2nd - 3rd gear. I have already had major transmission repair on this SUV as noted above ~ it's crazy that it is broken again and that so MANY others are having the SAME issue. OBVIOUSLY FAULTY EQUIPMENT was put out by FORD!
While driving the OD light began to flash in and out, had Advance Auto to put it on the computer and the results showed replace whole transmission, took to Ford and tramsmission could not be overhauled need a brand new one. This is awful, not a good choice fo a truck had no warning transmission was bad until od light began to flash.. Please don't invest your money in a Ford Explorer, replaced wheel bearrings and calibers. Service engine, door a jar and, abs lights continue to stay on . I'm going back to Buick next time for a car. Never agaun Ford you need to do a recall on you Ford Explorer 2002.
I feel the car dealership knew the problem! First it was the power steering pump (that took 4 months to repair) then the CD player (that never got repaired), and now the damn transmission! I only had this vehicle for 5 months and already transmission failure! The mechanic who works for the dealership has not picked the truck up yet and it has been over two weeks. They waited until last week to tell me that plenty of the Explorers they have sold have been having transmission problems. Now you tell me this bull! This is ridiculous and they think I am gonna pay $1600 for a rebuilt one, they must be crazy! I have learned my lesson never to get a vehicle from S&B in Sumter, SC
I purchased my 02 Explorer just 3 months ago. It was such a great buy at the time. Three months later I was driving home from work and the OD light started blinking fast, and the check transmission light came on. 2 min later it felt like it was skipping. I feel as if I was gypped This is like a wolf in sheeps clothing. The SUV looks great but smells like crap. FORD needs to fix this problem and quit making us poor folk deal with it. I have 3 kids and now no ride. That sucks!
Last month I had to replace the intake manifold. So imagine my discontent when I pull away from the gas station and my car does not want to shift into 2nd gear. The RPM's at 4 and the only way I can drive the car is to take my foot off the gas pedal (thank God for downhill driving). Oh, and that dreaded O/D light is flickering away.
I just called my mechanic and am waiting for the bad news. I will repost what I discover.
Went our of town last week and got about 100 miles away from home when the O/D light started flashing. I was running 65mph in cruise control and the truck went from 2200rpms up to 3000rpms and continued back and fourth. Shut cruise off, dropped down to 50mph and turned around to limp home. Dropped off at my local shop to check. Computer scan codes P0732, P0735 and P0775 came up (Gear#2 and Gear#5 Incorrect Ratio and Pressure Control Solenoid B Malfunction. The shop dug into the problem and as it turned out the truck had a bad Servo Piston Assy. Cost of repair was $600.00. After reading some of the stories here I felt kinda lucky. Not sure if I will buy Ford again or not. Will see.
I have had nothing but problems with my 2002 ford explorer xls"TRANSMISSION'!!!!!, It even had the wrong torque converter in it!!!!! I have had the transmission overhauled 2 times!!!!! I purchased the vehicle in good belief it was a good vehicle !!!!! The sales man told me it was a fine unit !!!!! I feel that i was done nothing but lied too !!!!!! I am disabled on a fixed income and put out nothing but money on this vehicles transmission !!!!! estell bailey,Norman, Oklahoma.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
O/D light began to flicker on and off, and the transmission would not shift properly. Would stay in a lower gear during acceleration as the rpm continued to climb. Had stored codes diagnosed with the following: P0732 (gear 2 incorrect ratio), P0733 (gear 3 incorrect ratio), P0734 (gear 4 incorrect ratio). Was advised not to continue to drive vehicle. Required complete transmission rebuild (by an independent including upgrades) including the replacement of the torque converter due to excessive metal filings throughout. Reputation and customer loyalty needs to be earned. Seems to me that Ford should value its customer base and do the right thing such as issue a recall, or offer some reimbursement to the many that have already incurred the costly rebuild.
- Bill B., Shorewood, IL, US