2.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,273 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.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Owner Comments

problem #17

Apr 302007

Explorer Sport Trac 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I never have any warning before my transmission slips while driving my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. My transmission slips when it shifts from 2nd gear into 3rd gear, after the transmission slips my od dash light begins flashing; this problem has been happening since the first month I that I have owned (April 2007, with 77,000 miles). I have attempted to get the dealership to diagnose the problem, but they will not touch it unless I paid $195. I cannot afford to have that done unless the cost goes towards a repair. I have researched this problem on the internet and I found numerous complaints about this transmission issue happening.

- Pleasant Garden, NC, USA

problem #16

Jan 242010

Explorer Sport Trac

  • miles
O/D light flashing. Now I have to fix the transmission. Read all the comp. And looks like everyone is having this problem. I totally agree that Ford should recall the Explorer. It has cause a lot of trouble and money to a lot of people. Please help. If transm. Locks it could cause a major accident.

- Port Neches, TX, USA

problem #15

Feb 072010

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 103,000 miles
Multiple defects with the transmission and the drive train cause the vehicle to stop operating causing a huge safety risk to the driver and passengers. I have read online that this is a huge issue with this make and model and Ford refuses to issue a recall.

- Fitchburg, MA, USA

problem #14

Dec 022009

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 113,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

O/D light flashing on my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #13

Nov 232009

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 65,000 miles
Vehicle hangs up in park almost every time it is used; very difficult to get it into a drive or reverse gear; generally must be turned off and restarted in N to get moving again.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #12

Jan 262009

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 37,426 miles
The last few months the vehicle has been sluggish in power and shifting at the wrong times. We brought it into the Ford dealership. We had them do a transmission flush since it was time, the vehicle had 37,000 miles. The dealership didn't know what was wrong with the transmission. They could hear and feel the problem but could not give us any answers. I picked up the vehicle after having the flush done. On the way home the overdrive light started flashing. This was new. I turned it around and brought it right back. After 2 weeks of going around with them, they finally find metal shavings inside the transmission and tell us we need a new transmission! this is a weekend car with only 37,000 miles on it. This is unacceptable! I contacted Ford directly they said they would look into if there was any program out there for us. Now again 2 week later I spoke to the Ford service manager and he said that he is unaware of any program that can help us. He said there was a program where Ford was repairing the transmissions as a good faith repair but that ended last year. Now I am stuck having to pay $4000 to replace my transmission on a practically new vehicle.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

problem #11

Jan 142009

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 116,972 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While pulling onto a busy hwy. In eastern Utah my transmission without warning just started slipping and I had to quickly manually down shift the automatic and hope that it would go to avoid getting broad sided by a semi that was bearing down on me. When I got to a place that was safe I stopped and found that 1st and reverse gears were gone.

- Bluebell, UT, USA

problem #10

Dec 012008

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 69,000 miles
I am having problems with my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission and am being told that it needs to be replace at a cost of $3200 of which I can not afford right now as I live on a fixed income, there is a known problem with this transmission that Ford Motor Company will not address.... please make Ford fix this problem I need my car to get to work.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #9

Aug 152007

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. While driving 45 mph, the contact noticed that the transmission switched to a lower gear. In addition, the overdrive light illuminated. The contact noticed that the vehicle would lose control slightly when the failure occurred. The failure occurs everytime the vehicle is driven. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 150,000 and failure mileage was 148,000.

- Waldoboro, ME, USA

problem #8

Jun 032008

Explorer Sport Trac

  • miles
Bought my 02 Sport Trac in 04. It had transmission fluid leak repaired by original owner at (20,000 miles) in 03. In 05, at 55,000 miles, transmission fluid leaking in original location plus another. Repaired by Ford and I was allowed a PO5 payment program. After 15,000 miles from this repair, transmission fluid again leaking. Torque converter replaced, along with repair to seals. Ford district manager refused telephone contact to discuss. Ford refused accepting responsibility, including financial assistance. Transmission on this trac now has been pulled three times after four fluid leaks. I am still making payments on last repair. Local Ford dealer, upset with my agitation, informed me that at now 70,000 miles, I should expect the need for repairs! ha!

- Mountain View, AR, USA

problem #7

Jun 042006

Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission fails to act on acceleration into traffic, there is a delay in speed pick up which can cause a near rear end collision with other vehicles. Not sure if it is the on board computer or a failure of the low pressure seals as discussed with car dealership.

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #6

Aug 132004

Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,555 miles
2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with just 51,000 miles had continuous problems with breaks, rear-end seals and finally needed a new transmission. Since it was out of warranty by mileage, we had to replace it ourselves. In talking with several mechanics, both at dealerships and independent, they made comments in reference to the fact that they were seeing this frequently. We emailed the Ford corporation and they still have not responded.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #5

Jan 072004

Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles
I purchased my 2002 Explorer Sport Trac in March last year(2003). I had to wait and extra week to pick up my vehicle due to electrical problem that they swore to me was taken care of. In January 2004 my check engine light came on so I called my closest Ford dealership and they told me it would take 2 weeks for me to get an appointment to have my truck checked. Three days later my transmission blew. I called Ford customer relations and they said that it was not a problem and that I would have to pay to have my truck fixed. Three weeks and $2600 later I got my truck back. Now the check engine light is still on and my 4 wheel drive does not work. I called aamco(the place Ford referred me too), and they told me that it was not the transmission but now an electrical problem that I would need to take to the dealership to have fixed but I would have to pay to have that fixed as well. My truck had 39,000 miles and was less than 2 years old and Ford is stating that they are refusing to fix anything for free. I have seen all kinds of reports of electrical and engine problems with this year and model truck and I do not agree with this.

- Morristown, NJ, USA

problem #4

Sep 062003

Explorer Sport Trac

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,665 miles
I am very concerned about my 2002 Ford Explorer sporttrac. I bought it with 1600 miles on it already in March 2002. On 9/6/03, I had it towed in for a continuous reving between 1&2 and black smoke coming out of the tail pipe. The truck had already been stalling during the previous months whenever I wanted to speed up. Ford had my truck for about 2 1/2 weeks, replaced my transmission from the factory. The service man told me they had to send for yet another transmission - that even Ford was stumped with the problem so just sent them another transmission. I got my truck back and it worked fine. Then, the stalling started happening periodically again and again. I took it in again - they said they could not find a problem. I complain about it every time I take it in for servicing. I also complain about the constant front passenger wind noise; they initially said there were leaks and even though I still complain, they now say there isn't a problem. I asked about the lemon law and the salesman who sold me the truck (I bought it in another city) told me the same exact problem has to happen 5 times. I am not happy with this situation. What can I do? I have now read other instances in this web site that other people have experienced the same thing. My truck now has almost 32,856 miles on it. I responded '0' to 'number of failures' - I don't know what is meant by this question. Yes, my transmission failed.

- Buda, TX, USA

problem #3

Aug 202003

Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
Bought from dealer, used with 15000 miles. After 300 miles had to have transmission rebuilt (tranny warning light and vibration under acceleration, upshift 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd). Only happened occasionally. Three weeks after rebuild noticed vibration at slow speeds, but could not replicate on demand. Dealer could not repeat vibration and returned it with no action. One week later transmission warning light illuminated on 2 different days. Taken to dealer for evaluation today. I'm concerned that there may be an inherent problem with the transmission

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #2

Feb 152003

Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18 miles
I own a 2002 Sport Trac, at about 46000 miles mi transmission started to miss shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear, it took about 3 to 4 seconds for the transmission to get into the next gear, so I took it to the dealer where I usually have the truck serviced thinking that it just needed a fluid check due to the fact they performed a transmission fluid change at about 30000. When I went back to the dealer I was advised that the transmission had a problem on the fluid lines and the transmission had to be taken out to be rebuilt, so I asked why was this happening and they stated that there was a problem with the gaskets been worn out inside the transmission. But they couldn't specify if this was a factory problem or a owner abuse problem, so when I asked if there was a transmission recall by the manufacturer (Ford) on this type of trucks the answer was no. Then I was advised that my truck was out of factory warranty which is 3 years or 36000 miles and if I wanted to have the job done it had to be self financed, so I asked for an estimate which was about 18 hours labor @ $100 P/H and $500 in parts totaling $2300 and finally after calling Ford and complaining about this $30000 truck having a faulty transmission and getting a "your truck is out of warranty, and we don't have any other trucks with the same problem" I finally paid the repairs out of my pocket which I personally think should not be happening on a almost brand new truck.

- Kings Beach, CA, USA

problem #1

Oct 102001

Explorer Sport Trac

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehicle stalls mostly when shifting from 3rd to 2nd gear. Vehicle has stalled at least 20 times, taken to dealer 8 times. Dealer could not remedy, Ford was buying vehicle back.

- La Quinta, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?