2002 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 3,613 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 163 involved a crash and 71 involved a fire. 213 people were injured and 6 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Campaign 09V399000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgate, hinge and attachmentsSep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V442000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Campaign 03V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, sidewallMay 24, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRES MAY HAVE HORIZONTAL CUTS ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.
OVER TIME, THE TIRE COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND, IF ANY SLICES ARE FOUND, THE CUT TIRES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 01V171000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearApr 10, 2001
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MONTAINEER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE BRACKETS CONNECTING THE LEFT CYLINDERS TO EACH SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS COULD ROTATE OUT OF POSITION IF EITHER THE URETHANE BOND OR TORQUE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
ROTATION OF THE BRACKETS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFT CYLINDERS TO DETACH FROM THE GLASS OR, IN SOME CASES, COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO BREAK. EITHER CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE GLASS IS BEING CLOSED.
FORD DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE POSITION OF BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT LIFTGATGE GLASS LIFT CYLINDER BRACKETS. IF THE BRACKETS ARE IN THE PROPER POSITION, THE BRACKET RETAINERS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE. IN CASES WHERE THE BRACKET IS NOT PROPERLY POSITION, THE BRACKET MUST BE RE-ALIGNED.
Campaign 01I010000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
1,575 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Apr 19, 2010
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS STARTING SLIPPING AND FAILING TO GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT WASN'T ON THEN COMES ON AND GOES OUT - DEPENDING ON WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IT APPEARS TO NEED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION NOW. IN LOOKING UP INFORMATION ON THIS I NOTICED A RATHER LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. I REGARDED FORD AS A SUPERIOR BRAND AND DIDN'T THINK I'D HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND DOES NOT HAVE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MILES. *TR
Power train, Apr 19, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER. ONLY OWNER 115,000 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY, WELL MAINTAINED. O/D LIGHT FLASHES, WARNING MESSAGE TO CHECK TRANSMISSION. IMMEDIATELY TAKEN INTO FORD SERVICE SHOP. CHARGED $90 FOR DIAGNOSIS: SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THEY WILL REQUIRE APPROVAL OF $720 TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. WHEN ASKED FURTHER QUESTIONS, I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD RANGE FROM THE $720 - $3,000 + . I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP TODAY. WAS TOLD BY THE MAN AT THE SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. HE ACTUALLY WAS ASKING ME IF IT DID THIS OR THAT....YES. HIS PRICE FOR REPAIR WAS THOUSANDS LESS THAN FORD'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND I AM NOT BEING ASKED TO PRE-PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS HIGHLY COMMON ON THE 02 EXPLORER. I HAD JUST LEFT THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I HAD GONE FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND MULTI-POINT INSPECTION. THEY TOLD MY THAT THEY VEHICLE WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. LITERALLY 5 MINUTES AFTER I LEFT THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME. *TR
Power train, Apr 18, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING, HARD SHIFTING. OUR 2002 EXPLORER (91,000 MILES) HAS THE ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I'M VERY SURPRISED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME PROBLEM. FROM ALL THAT I'VE READ, THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT FORD HAS IGNORED. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, YOU WILL FIND THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I'M REPORTING THIS TO YOU IN THE HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO FORCE FORD TO DEAL WITH IT. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Apr 15, 2010, crash
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATOR. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SHIFTING HARD FOR MONTHS BUT IT IS CONSIDERED BY FORD TO BE A "SEALED" UNIT AND IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT THE CUSTOMER MAINTAIN THE FLUID LEVEL, SO THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. IN JAN 2010 THE ACCELERATOR STUCK WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND WE WERE OUT OF CONTROL, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE AND HAD TO TURN OF THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO SHOULDER AFTER BRUSHING THE GUARD RAIL AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REAR ENDED. THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING THAT DAY AND IT WAS TOUGH TO REACH 60MPH. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I SHOPPED AROUND FOR DIAGNOSTIC. INDEPENDENT TRANS. GUY SAID IT NEEDS COMPLETE REBUILD, FORD DLR AGREES BUT FOR TWICE THE COST. NEW PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. IT MAKES NO SENSE WHY THIS CAR JUST STARTED TO FAIL ON ME LIKE THIS, I'M THE FIRST OWNER AND NOW ITS JUST DECIDED TO DIE AND FORD HAS BEEN NO HELP WHAT SO EVER. NOW I'M LOOKING AT A REPAIR THAT IS 80% OF THE BLUEBOOK VALUE. EACH MECHANIC I'VE BROUGHT IT TO SAYS THIS PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC TO THIS MODEL/YEAR AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. WHY WOULD THEY PUT IN A TRANS. THAT CANNOT BE REASONABLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED AND DIES JUST AFTER 100K MI. I HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BELIEVING THIS WAS NOT PLANNED BY FORD AND I WILL NEVER BUY THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN! MY CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE ENOUGH TO DRIVE TO THE GROCERY STORE LET ALONE THE FREEWAY. THIS IS A CLEAR CASE OF IRRESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURING PRACTICES ON FORDS PART AND WARRANTS A RECALL! *TR
Suspension, Power train, Apr 14, 2010
WHILE IN TRAFFIC TODAY, MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY LOST DRIVE POWER. FORTUNATELY, THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS NOT TAILGATING AND NOTICED MY VEHICLE SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY. I NOW FIND THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD 2002 EXPLORER. IN FACT ON ONE WEB SITE ALONE, WWW.AUTOBEEF.COM I SEE OVER 861 COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ALONE ALL WITH 2002 EXPLORERS. TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND AT HIGHER SPEED COULD CERTAINLY BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO LAST YEAR REPLACED BOTH REAR SPRINGS THAT HAD FAILED AND BROKE COMPLETELY AFFECTING BRAKING. *TR
Power train, Apr 13, 2010
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED BLINKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO;THEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO STICK WHEN ACCELERATING. AFTER I DRIVE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE TRUCK SEEMS TO JERK AGAIN BEFORE GETTING IN GEAR. I WILL TAKE TO AUTO SHOP AGAIN THIS WEEK. *TR
Power train, Apr 13, 2010
2002 EXPLORER SHIFTED FUNNY FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED IT NEW. I FIGURED NATURE OF THE BEAST AS A 4X4. LITTLE DID I KNOW, THESE TRANSMISSIONS WERE JUNK FROM THE BEGINNING, AND NOW THEY ARE ALL FALLING APART. MINE SELF DESTRUCTED AT 61,000 MILES. AFTER THE REPAIR, IT STILL SHIFTED AS CRAPPY AS IT DID THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. NOW ONLY 10,000 MILES LATER, IT IS SHOWING SIGNS THAT FAILURE IS NEAR AGAIN. IF THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT RECALLED, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD. *TR
Power train, Apr 10, 2010
SEALED TRANSMISSION IN 02 FORD EXPLORER. TANNY SHIFTS HARD THEN OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHES, STARTS SHIFTING INTO OD HARD THEN NOT AT ALL, THEN HARD THEN BACK AND FORTH ALOT. NO WAY TO CHECK FLUID. ALL FORD OFFERS IS A REBUILT AT 3000.00 DOLLARS. *TR
Power train, Apr 7, 2010
1. O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, CAR WAS JERKING WHEN SLOWING AND ACCELERATING. 2. ALMOST EVERY TIME STARTING AND STOPPING VEHICLE JERKS. 3. REMOVE AND REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, FM68 TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL KIT, OVERDRIVE BAND ASSEMBLY, INTER BAND ASSEMBLY, SERVO BUSHING KIT, BUSHING KIT. AS OF APRIL 5TH 2010 O/D LIGHT FLASHING AGAIN AND VEHICLE JERKS WHEN SLOWING AND ACCELERATING. *TR
Power train, Apr 6, 2010
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY FORD EXPLORER WENT OUT AFTER THE OD LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING... FORD THE TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS EXPLORER IT IS REALLY A PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2010, crash
SHIFTER HANGS-UP WHEN TRYING TO PUT CAR IN PARK. WHEN CAR WAS NEW THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE TRANS. APART TO FIX IT BUT IN A FEW MONTHS THE BURR WOULD WEAR AND IT WOULD WORK FINE.(ANOTHER DEALER LIE). I THINK IT IS GETTING WORSE. THE CAR NOW HAS ONLY 28,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2010
O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND ENGINE REVVING LIKE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2010
FORD 2002 6 CYLINDER EXPLORER XLT O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHING ON DASHBOARD. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED WITH 100,800 MILE. HAD REBUILT TRANSMISSION DONE AT 100,800 MILES. NOW VEHICLE HAS 109,900 MILES AND OD/OFF LIGHT FLASHING AGAIN. WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION IS FALLING APART. BACK IN TRANSMISSION SHOP AGAIN. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SAME COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD WILL NOT HELP AT ALL! FORD NEEDS TO RECALL TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT (4.0L 5R55W) TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT AS UNABLE TO PASS THROUGH INTERSECTION IN A TIMELY MANNER. WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, TRANSMISSION WOULD WIND BEFORE VIOLENTLY ENGAGING. REMEDY WAS TO TAKE FOOT OF ACCELERATOR AND ALLOW RPMS TO DECREASE. INCREASED ACCELERATION TIME IN LOWER GEARS A DANGER WHEN TRYING TO CROSS LANES OF TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE INTERMITTENT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 5/24/10 *CN UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB
Power train, Apr 5, 2010
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN IT SHIFTED GEARS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND THE RPMS WENT UP TO 4000 - 5000. AFTER A MINUTE THE CAR SHIFTED INTO THE NEXT GEAR AND IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE. THEN THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE DASH. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY. I HAVE SEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THE PROBLEM LISTED ON THE INTERNET FOR MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. *TR
Power train, Apr 3, 2010
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND THE O/D LIGHT IS STARTING TO BLINK AND BY READING UP ON THIS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ARE BEING MADE AND FORD SHOULD ADDRESS THIS.
Power train, Apr 1, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER. O/D LIGHT FLASHING WITH SERVICE ENGINE SOON FLASHING. CAR JERKING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. FORD SAYS TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION BUT AFTER READING SO MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS INCIDENT.
Power train, Apr 1, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC. TRANSMISSION BROKEN IN 3RD FEAR. OD LIGHT STARTING FLASHING WITH NO WARNING AND THEN TRANSMISSION BROKE. THE CAR HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AT AROUND 75,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER. IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AGAIN. 2,400. - 3,000 TO FIX.
Power train, Mar 30, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BOWER THAT I BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE 88000 MILES ON IT AND ROUGHLY 3WEEKS AGO THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" WARNING COMES UP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION COSTING BETWEEN $2,200-$3,500. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER.
Power train, Mar 30, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. WHILE SHIFTING THE CAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE SHIFTING LEVER SIMPLY SNAPPED OFF, LEAVING THE CAR STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. THE PIECE OF ALUMINUM WHERE THIS SHEARING OCCURRED IS UNBELIEVABLY WEAK MATERIAL. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE FOR THIS EXACT YEAR OF EXPLORER. THE ESTIMATE THAT I RECEIVED FOR REPAIRS EXCEEDED $2,000, AS THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO CORRECT THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS, HOWEVER, THE FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM, THE RANGE OF MILEAGE THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR IN (95-106K), AND THE EXTREMELY HIGH COST TO FIX, IN MY OPINION, SHOULD REQUIRE MANUFACTURER ASSISTANCE
Power train, Mar 29, 2010
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 EXPLORERS. 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. *CN
Power train, Mar 29, 2010
WAS DRIVING ON FLAT ROAD CAR STARTED TO SHIFT FUNNY CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR SHIFTS SECOND GEAR TO THIRD GEAR VEHICLE NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION
Power train, Mar 24, 2010
O\D LIGHT BLINKING AFTER ABOUT FIVE (5) MILES. NO ONE CAN SAY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IS TO MUCH. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED.
Power train, Mar 20, 2010
MARCH 17TH, 2010: WIFE CALLS ME AT WORK AND SAYS SHE WAS BRINGING MY DAUGHTER HOME FROM SCHOOL AND THE EXPLORER 2002 TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE O/D LIGHT WAS FLASHING. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME UNTIL I COULD LOOK AT IT. I DROVE IT LATER THAT EVENING AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD HEAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ON MARCH 19TH...I DROVE TO AUTOPARTS STORE AND HAD THEM READ CODE FROM COMPUTER: P0745. I DID ALOT OF RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT THE INTERMEDIATE BAND MAY HAVE BROKEN AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPAIRED/REPLACED ($1500-$3000???) I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD ON MONDAY MARCH 22ND, 2010 TO TAKE IT INTO SHOP AND HAVE THEM DETERMINE WHAT THEY THINK IS WRONG. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE... IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING ACCELERATION AND STARTS TO SLOW POSSIBLY CAUSING SOMEONE TO HIT VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. SOMETIMES IT KICKS IT IN ABRUPTLY...JERKING DURING THE GEAR SWITCHING...DANGEROUS!!! *TR