9.2
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$1,211.00
Average Mileage:
93,002 miles
Total Complaints:
18 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (10 reports)
- goodwill repair and upgrade manufacture of part (3 reports)
- repair shift lever (3 reports)
- had the part that breaks made of steel and modified (1 reports)
- stop using sub-standard, outsourced parts (1 reports)
transmission problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Explorer gear shift (prndl) fell off
2009Jul 30
Explorer XLT
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
click to see larger images
Complaint Photos
This morning as my wife was powering up the 2002 XLT The columm shift lever broke off in her hand. I notice that the aluminum (pot metal) casting sleeve going into the columm itself was busted. Now she can't remove the key from the columm. the car only turns on in and stays in "park"
Has anyone had this problem before? What is the solution? Do we have to replace the whole steering section? Is there a separate part for replacing the shift knob assembly?
I've noticed that the lever itself is not broken, The cylinder that is connected as the pivets on the lever and is in the columm is busted. Ford dealership wants 1000 for whole shifter columm and 400 for labor.
2009Jun 27
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 109,000 miles
This is truly unbelievable! I've had Fords my whole life and have never had a problem like this. I can't believe that there is not a recall for this.
Instead of fixing, I attached a pair of vice grips to the bottom of the broken cylinder and change gears with them. It's kinda ghetto, but I haven't wasted any money!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Mar 11
Explorer XLS 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 88,234 miles
I had the part that breaks redesigned, made of steel and modified to be replaced without having to remove the steering column. I'm also having it patented. It works better than factory and it does not break any more. If any body wants one don't hesitate to communicate with me at paeaas@yahoo.com. They also fit on other ford cars and trucks.
2009May 13
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 102,000 miles
How does a gearshift fall off? my mechanic tried to say I was too strong or forceful, I was dropping my son off at school and just tried putting it in Drive. The whole thing broke off and my keys were stuck in the ignition. After the full replacement of my steering column, I have had it lock up 4 more times and the last time I was stranded up in the mountains and had to walk 7 miles to get service on my phone for someone to come help. they winched it forward to release the pressure but I am really getting tired of this and having to spend so much money on one vehicle. I have spent over 3500 in the last 3 months. wondering if it was worth it:( why isnt this a recall??????????? if anyone knows of a solution, please let us know.
2007Jun 01
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Gearshift lever snapped off in my hand....cost $800 to fix. Due to shoddy parts and manufacturing.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009May 16
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 114,102 miles
Ford used a motto "Quality Goes in Before the Name Goes On" and that is certainly not true. I have owned Fords for most of my life and currently have two, neither of which I am satisfied with as they have had numerous maintenance problems beyond simple wear and tear issues. My 2002 Explorer was parked on a slight incline and when an attempt was made to shift it from Park to Reverse, the entire shift lever broke and fell out of the steering column. A quick inspection revealed that the cast pot metal assembly holding in the plunger spring had a uniform crack and the entire top of the assembly had broken off. From my inspection, it appeared that this assembly alone could be easily replaced and that the break was from either a bad casting or simply poor workmanship. After towing the car to the local Ford dealer, I was informed that they could not simply replace this assembly, but had to replace the entire steering column at an estimated cost of $1700.00!
This is not only absurd, but I find it hard to believe that such an integral component of a vehicles safety and operation receives ABSOLUTELY NO ATTENTION FROM FORD MOTOR CO, INC. I've probably owned over 20 Fords in my life, but never again. I will not buy from a company that fails to admit responsibility for poor workmanship. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMEONE IN THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE as evidenced by the numerous complaints on this site about the same problem. Quality doesn't go into Ford before the name goes on .... B.S. and a lack of customer loyalty does. Buick is gone, Chrysler is going .... Ford you are next! No wonder our economy is suffering. I'll buy an import next time.
2009May 08
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 61,000 miles
So like most of you people on here, I had the same problem. I decided to go grocery shopping and I went to put my car in reverse and the whole gear shift lever broke off out of the steering column. Total repair job with labor $1,638.60 what a bunch of bull**** for a lousy $30.00 part. Well I have contacted the Attorney General in my area and we will have to see what happens. Ford definitely should have a recall on the these vehicles.
2009Apr 06
Explorer Limited 5.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I'm a Diva in Orange County. Driving my Explorer and texting on my Iphone with my Dash as a backup phone. As I went to park my car; the lever completely snapped off. My husband Mr. Nine blames me for breaking his car. I furious and will do some damage at South Coast Plaza this weekend.
NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN!!!!
2009Mar 19
Explorer LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 44,000 miles
click to see larger images
Complaint Photos
The gear shifter broke off right after backing out out of the garage.
The car was left in the driveway with no way to get it moving and the keys locked in the ignition.
This looks like a very dangerous and under reported issue.
Please report it to here and to the DOT:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2004/transmission/gear_shift_broke_off_while_shifting.shtml
PICS attached.
No wonder people don't buy American cars!
At LEAST take responsibility and fix it for a low or no cost!!!!
It's all about the customer service.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Feb 11
Explorer XLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
This evening I tried to put my car in reverse, when the friggin gear shift broke, snapped off while in reverse. It remained in reverse for several minutes until I was able to "jimmy" the gear into park. I was not forcing it into reverse, merely switching gears. My key will not come out of the ignition. Thank God for automatic locks, that can be engaged with the remote. After reading complaint #7, I totally thought it was my husband writing in about our situation. It is exactly what we have experienced. Last year in March I had to replace my entire transmission, which cost $3800 at AAMCO, when the dealer wanted to charge me $4600. I have never had as many problems with any other vehicle as I have with my 2002 Ford Explorer. I will never buy another Ford again. Their customer service sucks as well.
2009Jan 01
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
Today I tried to put my car in Park and the gear shift snapped off. I wasn't trying to jam it in Park, just simply tried to put it in Park. After reading all the other complaints, I am wondering if it is worth the time to type this out, but here goes! I NEED A BAILOUT!!!!!!!!!!! Can the government help me pay for this approximately $1200? Or maybe Ford could simply do a recall and help us all out! We pay alot of money each month on a car payment for 5 years and when that's just about up, the gear shift breaks off. What can I do? I sure don't have that kind of money laying around especially just after Christmas. So please if anyone from Ford Motor Company reads this. HOW ABOUT A BAILOUT FOR YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS!!!!!!! I really love my Explorer, but I'm not sure I would buy another Ford if there is nothing they will do to help in this matter. I really don't like to complain but, what can I say? This wasn't my fault at all!
2008Dec 01
Explorer Limited V8
- Automatic transmission
- 62,000 miles
We are LIVID! This truck has been nothing but trouble since we bought it new. I will NEVER buy another Ford! I hope we can unload this pretty fast! It was a paid-off vehicle that we used when our Hybrid was gone (we have a teenager), and when we didn't want to use our 4 WD Suburban (trip vehicle). Now the Ford is the biggest problem we own. GRRRRRRR.
2008Oct 12
Explorer 2wd. Limited Edition 4.6L.
- Automatic transmission
- 88,698 miles
This issue has completely shocked me, due to the fact that i just recently had to have my complete transmission replaced at a cost of $4800.00, only 4000 miles ago. Along with the recent Timing set, I replaced a month ago , at a cost of $700. I cannot stand the thought of how much this is gonna cost for me to try to fix myself, to then get only 8 total miles per gallon...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Mar 12
Explorer XLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
click to see larger images
Complaint Photos
Unbelievable! Left my wife and two small children stranded for hours. AAA tow truck driver and mechanic. I will pursue this with NHTSA as this is clearly a design flaw for which owners should not be responsible.
2008Feb 09
Explorer Limited V8
- Automatic transmission
- 74,000 miles
After having just replaced one wheel hub ($600) and saving money for the remaining three that are ready to fall off the stupid vehicle, we just went to go to the grocery store.
Turned on Ignition. Put car into Drive from Park. Gear Shift lever came off steering column. WTF????!!!!! WHOSE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FALLS OFF THEIR CAR????
Is it any wonder Toyota is showing a profit and Detroit is going down the toilet? I will NEVER, EVER buy a Ford vehicle again.
Did I mention we are a one vehicle family and this is Saturday evening at 5:45 pm? Can it get more inconvenient?
2007Dec 28
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
Shift lever snapped off when shifting from Park to Reverse.
I've owned probably three dozen cars and trucks over the decades, and have never...NEVER...had a shift knob fall off until now. I figure I'm just lucky it wasn't the steering wheel.
I would say this Explorer is a poorly designed piece of junk, but the fact is, it's a fabulously designed piece of junk. In other words, if I set out to design a worthless vehicle, I'd be hard-pressed to beat this one.
Another entry on this site estimated the repair cost at $1,000. I can guarantee that won't happen. I'll be shifting that piece of ^&%$ with dental floss and a stick before I'll reward that kind of design by throwing any more of my money at Ford. Ever.
2007Jul 23
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
The gear shift (PRNDL) fell off the steering column last week for no apparent reason. Are you kidding me??? Who's gear shifter falls off. Ford tells me it's my problem and they aren't going to fix it. What a piece of garbage this Explorer has turned out to be. The part can't be found and they had to give the order to a vendor. Downtime of around one month and $1000.
Next vehicle won't be American.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 12
Explorer XLS 4.0L V6
IM A HARD WORKING EMS PROVIDER WHO IS HAVING A HARD TIME CATCHING UP WITH BILLS ALSO GOING THREW A DIVORCE AND 3 KIDS, JUST BOUGHT THIS 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV CAUSE WINTERS ARE HARD, PULL UP TO A COFFEE SHOP 20MIN BEFORE MY SHIFT STARTS I PARK IN PARKING SPACE START TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK WHEN THE SHIFTER BREAKS OFF WHILE STILL IN REVERSE, I MEAN SH*T HAPPENS BUT FROM WHAT IM READING IM NOT THE ONLY ONE, NOW IM OUT 1,200 BUCKS OF HARD EARNED MONEY THAT MY KIDS NEED AND IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ERROR WHY DOES IT COST ME SO MUCH TO REPLACE, I THINK THIS IS COMPLETE BULL SH*T I SHOULD GET MY MONEY BACK, WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF SOME SNOW STORM OR ICE STORM WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR, TIMES ARE HARD NO NEED FOR BULL CRAP.
Luis C.
Lowell, MA, USA
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