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.
There seems to be a national problem with these vehicles with transmissions going out with any duration of mileage. Obviously a manufacture defect that the manufacture denies.
Had the transmission rebuilt 60,000 miles ago for $2,700. I complained about it on here. The same gear fell apart two weeks ago as last time. The shop recommended not fixing it, because there are too many things going wrong with this vehicle. Second gear is also used as Overdrive. So, if your vehicle is revving up in first gear, to change, it's because it is skipping to 3rd gear. To fix the same problem, they are quoting at $1,700, but saying the design of the transmission is only going to continue to fail, which is the other reason why they are recommending against it.
I bought this vehicle used in 2004. I suggest this vehicle should not be allowed to be resold. Drive them until they die, and then take our losses. Don't let someone else get ripped off with these things. Ford is not going to fix the problem or compensate anyone for it. It's not a safety problem.
People say that the transmission is bad and Ford needs to recall it. I'm sure the reason they have not done so is because they can not find an issue with the transmission. I have found that the TORQUE CONVERTER is the issue and that it ruins the transmission because they work together. It starts out with the O/D light flashing sometimes when it goes into overdrive then shuddering for a few seconds like you are driving over rumble strips with or without the O/D light flashing. TEMPORARY "FIX":If you turn the overdrive off you will have no issues with flashing lights or shuddering and it will let the tranny last longer if you plan on running it till it dies. If you want to keep the Explorer then I would suggest replacing the torque converter as soon as the O/D light starts flashing and hope you caught it before it could damage the tranny.
I WAS DRIVING TO LUNCH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OD LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED TO SHIFT HARDER! AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMMENTS WE SAW IT COULD BE THE SPEED SENSOR, PCM, TORQUE CONVERTER OR THE TRANSMISSION. WE REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR, DID NOT WORK, WE HOOKED UP A MACHINE TO PULL CODES AND THERE WAS NOTHING!!! WE NOW HAVE IT AT THE DEALERS WAITING ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TO COME BACK!!
I HAVE READ THAT THE FORD DEALERS HAVE A HABIT OF TELLING CUSTOMERS THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND WHEN THEY GET THE CAR BACK, IT STILL HAS THE SAME ISSUE!! UGH, I SEE THERE IS SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE SO, WHY HAVE THEY NOT DID A RECALL ON THIS? ANY ADVISE WILL BE HELPFUL PLEASE AND HAS ANYONE HAD ANY ASSISTANCE ON GOODWILL FROM FORD?
I have a 2002 Explorer. At 100000 miles the trans went bad. I took it in to a certified trans shop over 1 year ago and it is still there. They don't know whats wrong. It has cost me over 2700 dollars, my job and any work I had. I cannot afford another vehicle. I put all my savings into having this piece of junk tranny fixed..it still is not right..I cannot even drive it..
Ford should fix this by recalling these faulty transmissions and fixing them for free..and how about the engine..the timing chains go bad cause they used a plastic piece for the tension on the timing chain.they fail. I have had another engine put in and then the trans goes out. I had under 100 thousand miles and all this stuff happened.. Ford should recall the 2002 Ford Explore, fix the engine and trans problems for free!! As far as I am concerned Ford is junk. If they would make good on their faulty trans and engines then it would be different..they won't and Ford should be ashamed of their vehicles.
The car drives fine for about 10 to 15 minutes, then then the o/d starts to flash and 5th gear won't jump in. This is so frustrating. Ford needs to correct this asap. This should be a recall.
This week my 2002 Explorer had some rough shifting into gears happening and the O/D light continued blinking. Sent it to the mechanic (again) and he is diagnosing it as I type. He is a friend of mine, good, honest mechanic, one that I trust completely. He has stated that it sounds like we will be in need of another transmission. This will be the third one I have had to put in this hunk of junk. I do not have the money to buy a new car at this time in my life, and I do not have the money to put a new transmission in either. I am not sure what I am going to do for a vehicle at this time. Really sucks.
On a different occasion I was asking this same mechanic about pulling a small ATV trailer behind this Explorer and using the O/D button. He said, "If I were going anywhere with four full-grown adults in it I would use O/D. It is the worst transmission ever built." If only I had known about carcomplaints.com before buying it.
"OD off" light flashing; revs up waaay high in drive and can only drive in 3rd gear with failing power, or 2nd gear going 25-30mph; losing power to move.
I WAS REALLY EXCITED WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A DEALER, IT WAS AN EX-POLICE CAR WHICH I THOUGHT WAS COOL BUT THEN I FOUND OUT THE TRANS IS SHOT THE MOMENT I DROVE OUT OF THE LOT. I TURNED BACK AND THE SALESMAN ACTED LIKE HE DIDN'T KNOW WHO I WAS. THE MANAGER SAID "TOUGH LUCK KID". I'LL GO TO FORD TOMORROW. GREAT START FOR THE NEW YEAR. MY LAST CAR WAS A 92 SO I BOUGHT 10 YEARS NEWER BUT NOW I'M 10 YEARS BEHIND FINANCIALLY!
I own a 2002 Ford Explorer that I bought from my grandmother for my first car. It has the 4.6L V8 and it is in Eddie Bauer trim, the vehicle has always been very well taken care of and has only had one issue which was the window motor going out. The transmission does not shift into third gear anymore and the clutch slips frequently now. This car has been taken very good care of and should not behave this way unless it is a problem that was there at the start. I will now take my business to Chrysler or Chevy for my next car seeing as this problem has been existing for a long time and Ford has yet to be responsible about it. There is a reason why they call them exploders after all.
Yet another Explorer with the defect which Ford refuses to acknowledge. Is Ford waiting for all 02 -04 Exporters to end up on the scrap heap rather than admit the problem they are fully aware of ?
Just bought this vehicle 3 weeks ago, and one week after I bought it, the service engine light came on. I didnt have the time to have it serviced right away, but now the O/D light is flashing too. I just brought it to the transmission shop, and they told me it will be $1800.00 to repair the transmission. Ive been reading alot of info online, and find out that this tranny in the this vehicle is known for its problems, and Ford is doing nothing to help out with the repairs. From what Ive read, this is a very widespread problem with Explorer owners and a very expensive problem to repair. Ford must know that this transmission is a piece of crap, and they should stand behind their product. We need a recall from Ford .
Bought a 2002 Ford Explorer new in 2002, 1st new car that I ever owned. In the 1st year the back window hinge broke twice and had it replaced. Then the back panel with the Ford Emblem cracked in two twice and now the O/D light is on and the transmission is slipping and lurching. I had it checked and was told it was a sensor in the trans. and was told it would cost $400.00 for part and $400.00 for labor and THAT was not guaranteed that would fix the problem. I was told to fix the O/D light would be a new trans for 2600 dollars.
YES FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE TRANS BECAUSE OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS THERE ARE .HELL, THERE'S NOT EVEN A PLACE TO CHECK WITH A DIPSTICK. DIDN'T KNOW THAT WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND WON'T BE FOOLED AGAIN.
I have 2 children and it is very dangerous for the transmission to be clipping like that i could be rear ended or anything when it starts acting up. I definitely think ford needs to do a recall on their transmission and fix this problem. This is the first ford I've ever owned and it will definitely be my last. I have already put over 500 dollars into fixing this problem and it didn't fix it. VERY upset with ford. Ill be buying dodge from now on.
O/D light blinking and transmission slipping. Took it to a few "transmission experts." Price to rebuild ranges from 1400-3800 depending on the crooks . Plus, you have to leave the car with them for 3-4 days . And since you're not seeing what they're doing, you don't know if all that's needed in some minor work and you're getting charged for major work. You just don't know. I already had a rebuilt engine put in and new wheel bearings .
Ford knew what they were doing . They knew this cars transmission would break down after so many miles.
They should be held responsible for selling a defective vehicle. All of these vehicles should be recalled.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Ford 2002 Explorer XLT 4.0 V6 with a bad transmission problem. OD light is now blinking and it slips past 2nd gear.
- Delbra W., Romulus, MI, US