- September 25: Ford Recalls 2024 Explorer Hybrids Over Fire Risk recalls | 1 days ago
- September 22: Ford Maverick Radio Problems Kill the Backup Camera Images recalls | 4 days ago
- September 16: Ford Mustangs Recalled Over Fractured Rear Suspension Knuckles recalls | 10 days ago
- September 7: Ford Issues Transit Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Recall recalls | 19 days ago
- September 7: Dimple Patel, 23, Charged in Fatal Ford BlueCruise Crash news | 19 days ago
Transmission Failure
2002 Ford Explorer (Page 13 of 23)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
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.
9.3
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $2,840
- Average Mileage:
- 94,800 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 441 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- replaced with rebuilt transmission (115 reports)
- replace transmission (86 reports)
- transmission needs to be recalled (81 reports)
- call Ford customer service and complain 800-392-3673 (63 reports)
- not sure (40 reports)
- local mechanic fixed, not giving dealer any more business (18 reports)
transmission problem
Helpful websites
- Ford Explorer Transmission Problems - Information on what to look for and actions your can take if your transmission fails.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
click to see larger images
On Christmas night my 02 explorer "exploder" started shifting funny, i wasn't sure what was going on, until my o/d light started flashing, my engine light came on as well. i started driving it, shifted out of 1st gear just fine but when it went to shift from 2nd gear to 3rd gear it revved up high and it slammed into gear. thats when i knew i had tranny problems. so i drove it home parked it and didn't drive it for the next 9 months until now. i called ford to asked them what was going on with my tranny, i explained to them my issues they said that i need a new Solenoid pack that that would take care of the problem. so i did and it didn't do a dam thing. while i was under the tranny i saw one of the anchors loose as if one of the bands were broken, so i explained to ford and told them that one of the anchors is loose and they said "its supposed to be like that" what a crock of dodo. i finally decided to take down my tranny and look everything over since i work at a bodyshop i would save lots of money doing it myself. i came to realize that my valve body was gone bad after testing it, both my bands were broken so i replace them with new ones and i also replaced all the seals and torque converter, and i also took out the pump and everything else and they seem to be in working order. so after about $750 with my discounts from ford i replaced all the infected parts and installed everything and added the tranny oil and updated my tranny to latest calibration and everything works so far runs actually really good. i think that ford did not want to help me, i think they were hoping that i would bring my car to them and pay them 3 thousand dollars to fix it. ford sucks im gonna get rid of my explorer for good no more american cars for me especially ford. if you need help with your tranny especially the 5R55W with the 4.0 l tranny let me know i fixed my own rig and it works great.
- Am H., Seattle, WA, US