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 21, 2008
TRANSMISSION MAKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. OD LIGHT BLINKS AND CHECK TRANSMISSION MESSAGE COMES ON. *TR
Power train, Apr 20, 2008
REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. YOU MAKE TONS OF MONEY OFF YOUR LOYAL COSTUMERS, NOW DO SOMETHING FOR THEM AND FIX AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT MECHANICS, DEALERSHIPS AND OWNERS OF 2002 FORD EXPLORERS KNOW ABOUT. THANK YOU *TR
Power train, Apr 20, 2008
BLINKING O\D LIGHT, TRANSMISSION WILL ONLY SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE UNDER NO LOAD, LATE AND HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND (OR ACCEL TO ABOUT 20 MPH THEN BACK OFF TO MINIMIZE JAR TO DRIVE LINE COMPONENTS), AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT ENGAGE. SAFETY ISSUES: (1) PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC, CAN'T ACCELERATE UNTIL SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR (HAVE TO BACK OFF IN 1ST BEFORE IT SHIFTS) (2) 4-WHEEL TRACTION LOCK DOES NOT FUNCTION. FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THIS EXPLORER NEW, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED LATER AND HARDER THAN I THOUGH APPROPRIATE. THEN AT ABOUT 80 TO 85K MILES THE OD AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE STOPPED WORKING AND SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST TO 3RD BECAME MUCH WORSE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP STILL SEEMS TO BE WORKING (CAN TELL WHEN IT'S RUNNING ROAD SPEED IN 3RD GEAR). AFTER SOME RESEARCH USING FORD SHOP MANUALS, THERE SEEMS TO BE DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND LATE/HARD SHIFTS AND THE OVERDRIVE PROBLEM BUT I CAN;T FIND AN OFFICIAL FORD POSTING OR TECH BULLETIN TO PROVIDE DETAILS. INTERNAL PRESSURES CONTROL THE SHIFTING AND THERE ARE SEVERAL VALVES, ORIFICES, SOLENOIDS, ETC THAT CAN CAUSE IMPROPER CONTROL PRESSURES. FORD MUST KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND TRUTHFULLY, I THINK THE RELIABILITY OF THE TRANNY IN THE IRS EXPLORER FALLS WELL BELOW THE PUBLICS EXPECTATIONS AND SHOULD BE EVEN FARTHER BELOW FORDS ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA. DESPITE THE PREMATURE FAILURE, I WOULD PROBABLY BE CONTENT IF FORD PROVIDED THEIR EXPLORER OWNERS A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FAILURE, DEVELOPED A LONG TERM FIX, PROVIDED FORD OWNERS SOME REASONABLE OPTIONS TO INSTALL THE PARTS AND/OR MAKE THE MODIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR A LONG TERM FIX (TO INCLUDE SELF REPAIR AS AN OPTION), AND ESTABLISH A HELP DESK TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH THIS EXTREMELY HIGH TRANSMISSION FAILURE RATE. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Apr 17, 2008
WHEEL HUB AND BEARING BAD. *TR
Power train, Apr 16, 2008
2002 FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR
Power train, Apr 15, 2008
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT AT APPROX. 95,000 MILES ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE SHIFTIING OF THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY CAUSING A USUALLY HIGH IDLE AT CERTAIN GEARS. ALSO THE O/D LIGHT WOULD ALSO CONSTANTLY BLINK ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CURRENTLY MY EXPLORER IS IN A REPAIR SHOP AND NEEDS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR IS $2,300. A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH LESS THAN A 100K MILES. *TR
Power train, Apr 15, 2008
O/D LIGHT BLINKING; SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND IT WAS HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER. BASICALLY WAS TOLD I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS MORE COMMON THAN I THOUGHT. THERE IS EVEN A TSB (03-25-4). *TR
Power train, Apr 14, 2008
PULLED IN THE DRIVE WAY WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE SHIFTER FEEL OFF CALLED ON THE PART YOU CANT JUST BY THE PART YOU HAVE TO BY THE WHOLE COLUMN AT A PRICE OF 600.00 JUST FOR THE PART NOW I AM A WELDER AND MECHANIC BY TRADE AND HAVE BEEN FOR 20 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE THE EXPLORER THEY MAKE THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OUT OF POT METAL THIS IS A VERY POOR QUALITY OF METAL DIE CAST JUNK USED TO MAKE TOYS THERE IS NO REASON WHY I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BY THIS PART OTHER THAN FORD JUST WANTS TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND FORCE THE PUBLIC INTO BUYING THE WHOLE THING THIS IS NOT RIGHT OR FAIR AND TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CAN NOT GET THE CAR BACK INTO THE PARK POSITION . *TR
Power train, Apr 11, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BADLY IN TRAFFIC AND THE CONTACT WOULD LOSE CONTROL. HE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $5,000 BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. FORD ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST TO HAVE IT REBUILT FOR $3,100. THE SPECIALIST STATED THAT IMPERIAL PARTS DID NOT MANUFACTURE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.
Power train, Apr 11, 2008
PLACING VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN PLACING BACK INTO PARK IT IS HESITANT. THIS REALLY SCARES ME, I HAVE TO PARK A BIT FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , TO MAKE SURE I DON'T HIT IT. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Apr 11, 2008
TRANSMISSION WOULD REV BEFORE SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, HAD IT REPLACED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP WITH FORD PARTS, 17 MONTHS LATER SAME THING AND FORD WILL NOT BACK IT UP, A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 17 MONTHS, THIS HAS COST ME A TOTAL OF $4,000.00 DOLLARS, AND DUE TO THIS DEFECT THE CARS BOOK VALUE IS $4,500.00 BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT THE FACTORY PARTS AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NO GOOD. 12 MONTH, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHEN THE STANDARD IS 36 MONTH, 36,000 MILES. THIS TRUCK SUCKS!!!!!!!!! FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!! *TR
Parking brake, Power train, Equipment, Apr 11, 2008
CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, AND E-BRAKE. E BRAKE REPLACED AND BAD AGAIN. HAD TRANSMISSION REPAIR AT DEALERSHIP A 400 MILES BEFORE 75,000 MILE WARRANTY ENDED. TAKEN BACK 100 MILES LATER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AGAIN. PAST WARRANTY NOW AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. I WILL NOT BUY FORD AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. -PLEASE IGNORE EQUIPMENT PART OF THIS COMPLAINT, I MISUNDERSTOOD. *TR
Power train, Apr 9, 2008
OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND CAR ENGINE REVVED WHEN GIVING GAS WHILE DRIVING. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER 3300. DOLLARS LATER A NEW TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEN DRIVING IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU KNEW YOUR TRANSMISSION COULD CUT OUT ON YOU WHILE DRIVING SAY ON THE HIGHWAY WOULD YOU DO IT?WOULD YOU PUT YOUR FAMILY IN IT? *TR
Power train, Apr 8, 2008
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 73K STARTED WITH O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION MESSAGE. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY MY WIFE TO CART MY DAUGHTER AROUND, NEVER ABUSED, NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. *TR
Power train, Apr 6, 2008
NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Power train, Apr 4, 2008
2002 FORD EXPLORER - TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 65,000 MILES, IT WAS REBUILD AND FAILED AGAIN. MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS GRINDING. *TR
Power train, Apr 3, 2008
TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES, OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLICKERS SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. *TR
Power train, Apr 3, 2008
LEAKING REAR AXLE SEAL. *TR
Power train, Apr 2, 2008
WHEN I START MY EXPLORER FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, THE 4 WHEEL LOW AND 4 WHEEL HIGH LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND THE EXPLORER WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT'S LIKE THE CAR IS NEUTRAL AND WHEN I GO TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE GRINDING GEARS. *TR
Power train, Apr 2, 2008
2002 FORD EXPLORER. PULLING OUT ONTO MAJOR HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF 2ND GEAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND SERVICED UP TO FACTORY SUGGESTED STANDARDS. TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOTHING EXCEPT SUGGEST A REBUILT FORD TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Apr 2, 2008
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH 34,000 MILES ON IT IN 2003 AND STILL HAVE IT. BEFORE THE FACTORY WARRANTY WAS UP AT 36,000 MILES AND HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANS AND THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT. WITHIN A YEAR LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY FIRST SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I COULDN'T DO WITHOUT A VEHICLE SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE IT BACK. ONCE AGAIN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AND I TOOK IT BACK. THIS TIME THEY DID A COMPLETE REHAUL OF THE TRANS AND SAID EVERYTHING SHOULD BE FINE. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME ABOUT 900 DOLLARS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MORE WARRANTY ON IT AND THE YEAR WARRANTY THEY GAVE ME ON THE FIRST JOB HAD EXPIRED. LUCKILY THEY WORKED WITH ME AND ONLY CHARGED ME A DEDUCTIBLE OF 100. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAT THERE WAS A REASON A 1 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 34K MILES ON IT WAS TRADED IN AND AFTER THIS INCIDENT I FOUND OUT. CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS 107,000 MILES ON IT AND THE SAME PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT IN TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE LABOR ALONE JUST TO LOOK AT IT WILL COST OVER 100 DOLLARS. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD AND I JUST FOUND ABOUT THIS SITE BECAUSE I WAS ONLINE LOOKING UP A PANEL FOR THIS SAME VEHICLE AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Power train, Mar 31, 2008
MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILING CATASTROPHICALLY, SENDING BITS OF BRASS AND METAL SHAVINGS EVERYWHERE INSIDE AND DESTROYING THE ASSEMBLY. THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS FAILURE WERE AS FOLLOWS: SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHING VERY RAPIDLY AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVE TIME. UPON AN EXTREMELY SIMPLE INVESTIGATION (GOOGLE SEARCH), I FIND THAT THIS IS A SUSPICIOUSLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS, EVEN THOUGH MY OWN DEALER SAYS HE'S NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE NOW, WHICH WAS ALSO A COMMON THREAD IN THESE COMPLAINTS I FOUND ONLINE. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER IS THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE I'VE FOUND: NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY SAY IT IS TOTALLY DESTROYED INSIDE, THE PIECES OF TORQUE CONVERTER HAVE RUINED VIRTUALLY EVERY PART OF THE TRANNY. *TR
Power train, Mar 30, 2008
2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD INITIAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 101,000 MILES. CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY, RUNNING FINE UNTIL O/D INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND NOW HAS FAILED AT 151,000 MILES. RESEARCH CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM SHOWS THAT MANY CONSUMERS OF FORD 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
Power train, Mar 27, 2008
I JUST HAD TO PURCHASE MY THIRD FORD TRANSMISSION FOR MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT A COST OF $3600 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION I ALSO HAD INSTALLED BY FORD AT A COST OF $3400 38,500 MILES PREVIOUSLY. *TR
Power train, Mar 26, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE OD SENSOR BEGAN BLINKING AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND READ THE MANUAL, WHICH STATED TO IMMEDIATELY HAVE THE VEHICLE ASSESSED FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SPECIALIST AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF UPDATED *JB