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.
7.8
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,140
Average Mileage:
124,850 miles
Total Complaints:
101 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (49 reports)
new or rebuilt transmission (31 reports)
replace transmission (10 reports)
push in button underneath steering wheel (2 reports)
All right, this one really pisses me off. I've been a Ford owner all my life, and until I bought this 02 Explorer I would have recommended them to anyone. But I think this is my last. It has been babied and serviced regularly, first the 4WD module, then the crack in the hatch panel, now the tranny. It started shuddering between 2nd and 3rd, then the OD light started to flash, and I have no idea of how much this is going to cost. It wouldn't piss me off except for the fact that every internet site I have been on looking into the problem and the PO745 code shows me that this is a problem with the majority of 02 Explorer's. I find it hard to believe that Ford hasn't been aware of this problem for years and at the very least have issued a recall before it affected us all. Strike three in my book for Ford, I'll never trust them enough to buy another. I have an old 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee with over 200,000 miles on it which has never given the first problem. Chrysler may have had to been bailed out by the Federal Government, but I'm beginning to think this may have been to them not resorting to knowing putting sub standard parts on their products, which I'm beginning to believe is what Ford did with these 02 Explorer's
My transmission would not shift well between shifts. Would not go into reverse. I had to get pulled out of a friends driveway because it wouldn't back up. How bad was that? I love my truck but it's not worth the hassle of owning it.
Ford should recall this transmission. It's obvious there is a genuine flaw in the design after reading all of the complaints. I took mine in after the OD light light started flashing and noticed the truck had trouble shifting. It simply would rev. but not go any faster. I took it in to 3 tranny shops for an inspection and they all knew exactly what was wrong before looking at it. Heck, one guy said it was his bread and butter and that he does so many, all of the parts are carried in stock! Prices for a rebuild ranged from 1500-2200. I'm taking it in today.
Last year had transmission replaced because it was slipping. Doing the same thing, problem shifting out of 2nd. The RPM's soar...was originally told when it was replaced the first time that Ford put a plastic piece in the transmission and over time it wears out! I have a problem with Ford telling us it's our issue when they built it with the crappy parts....DESIGN DEFECT...take the blame and repair the right way!!!! I will be writing FORD as well!!! We need to gripe and complain. IF enough of us do it, then they will have to issue some sort of recall!
Well it seems that I am not the only one with the annoying overdrive light being on .So I took my 2002 explorer to knoebels 119 miles away made it back home just fine the next day I went out wasn't expecting any problems and I noticed that it was winding out and wasn't shifting shortly after the damn o/d off light started flickering and the service engine soon light came on as well ,called a local ford dealer and they can't get it in until the 15 th of August are you kidding this is the only vehicle I have to realy on .Not only that when I bought the vehicle the door ajar light is on and stays on as so does the freekin air bag light I love this vehicle but if it's gonna start breaking its gotta go any way I took it to Autozone and had them hook it up to there computer and it puuled up a pressure sensor and an egr pressure senor what would an egr sensor have anything to do with it shifting.
- shanwade,
Lockwood, NY, US
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OUT OF NO WHERE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND IN 5HT GEAR. ALSO THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING. ITS AN EXPENSE I CANT AFFORD RIGHT NOW, BUT NOW DONT HAVE A TRUCK TO DRIVE UNTIL I HAVE THE MONEY.
The humming of the transmission was bad enough, but the vehicle rides pretty well, and is paid for. The problem is shifting into 3rd gear. Jumping, jerking, but if you let off the gas pedal just right, it will change. The OD light flashes on and off. I have been given an estimate of $2400.00 to fix this problem. HOWEVER, the parts needed are on back order and have been for at least a year (as I was told).
I know Ford is aware of issues with the early 2000 Explorers, but no recall! I admire them for not taking baleout money, but I will not be buying another ford!!!!
HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH TRANS UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO. PARKED VEHICLE FOR THE NIGHT AND WHEN I RESTARTED NEXT MORNING I GOT ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM HOUSE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IN BETWEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. HAD TRANSMISSION LEVEL CHECKED AND WAS FOUND TO BE FULL. DONT KNOW WHAT CAUSED POROBLEM BUT ALSO DONT HAVE THE $2000.00 OR SO DOLLARS TO FIX EITHER. HAVE READ OTHER FORUMS ABOUT SAME PROBLEM , AND FOUND OUT IT IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM....................WHAT NOW???????????
WELL, ABOUT THREE WKS AGO WE WERE COMING FROM HOU,TX AND THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING , THEN THE TRUCK STARTED ACTING AS IF IT WAS GONNA STOP. TWO DAYS AFTERWARD WE TOOK IT TO EXPERT TRANSMISSION AND HAD IT SERVICED. ONE WEEK LATER THE DARN TRUCK WENT HAYWILD,STOPPING, JERKING, LIGHTS BLINKING AND DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE GEARS. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND WHERE OTHER PPL WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEMS AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS IN THE SYSTEM. SO, I CALLED THE SHOP THAT SERVICED IT AND THE GENTLEMAN TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. HE SAID SOMETHING WAS WRONG BECAUSE WHEN HE TOOK THE PAN OFF METAL SHAVINGS WERE IN IT. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD BECAUSE WE HAD IT SERVICED; WELL, ISN'T THIS WHAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO? FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PROBLEMS. AND TO THINK WE WERE GONNA BUY A NEW FORD EXPLORER. MY RESPONSE IF "HELL TO THE NAW". AND THE SAD PART IS , WE ARE STILL PAYING FOR THIS TRUCK. IT'S GONNA COST 2,500.00 TO FIX.WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?
When putting in forward/ reverse the truck is jerking as if the sensor . they said i need a new transmission. It has been a problem since I brought the truck.
Doesnt want to shift from first to second, second to third, and the overdrive light rapidly flashes and pushing the button doesnt help. Sometimes it shifts from first to third and jerks really hard.
I thought you were supposed to be able to drive Fords into the ground! I certainly was not expecting to pour $3300 into a vehicle that is only worth $6000 or $7000. I called Ford customer service and was told that there was nothing they could do for me. Really?? I filed a complaint with the NHTSA. I am also considering suing Ford for the cost of the repair. If anyone has done that successfully, please message me.
O/D light was flashing and service engine light is staying on. Took it for emissions and code that came through was transmission. Transmission having a problem. At shop.
I am really upset with vehicle and my economic situation won't allow another car purchase .this Ford explorer should be placed on a recall list with as many transmission issues it has .
Ford at its finest! Motor runs strong but can't go anywhere without slipping the 3rd-4th gears. Slip slip slip. Then the grind if I don't let up on the gas. What a piece of crap tranny in an otherwise nice SUV.
No good trannys found in junkyards. They are all bad.
I'm very surprised to hear so many complaints about the same issues, we are experiencing. Yes, I know the mileage is high, but should a transmission realy out at all. We have babied this truck and have had it service on a regular basis. I'm very disappointed to know that Ford has let this issue continue to effect there good name, service and reputation.
Transmission failure is just the start.... Countless problems wheel bearings, springs, transfer case, rear end seals replaced, leaky brake fluid. Its endless. I had the truck in the shop Wednesday for front wheel bearings. Its back again Monday (not even a week) for rear wheel bearings. The rears were replaced not even a year ago... What the hell is going on?
will never buy any American technology ever again. will stick with Japanese like always did.this was 1st American car we bought and now it be the last.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
All right, this one really pisses me off. I've been a Ford owner all my life, and until I bought this 02 Explorer I would have recommended them to anyone. But I think this is my last. It has been babied and serviced regularly, first the 4WD module, then the crack in the hatch panel, now the tranny. It started shuddering between 2nd and 3rd, then the OD light started to flash, and I have no idea of how much this is going to cost. It wouldn't piss me off except for the fact that every internet site I have been on looking into the problem and the PO745 code shows me that this is a problem with the majority of 02 Explorer's. I find it hard to believe that Ford hasn't been aware of this problem for years and at the very least have issued a recall before it affected us all. Strike three in my book for Ford, I'll never trust them enough to buy another. I have an old 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee with over 200,000 miles on it which has never given the first problem. Chrysler may have had to been bailed out by the Federal Government, but I'm beginning to think this may have been to them not resorting to knowing putting sub standard parts on their products, which I'm beginning to believe is what Ford did with these 02 Explorer's
- jdb1963, Jimmy Byington, TN, US