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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 3,613

Of the 2002 reports, 163 involved a crash and 71 involved a fire. 213 people were injured and 6 people died.

Primary concernPower train1,575 reports · 44% of complaints
Owner complaints3,613Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship10 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train1,575
  2. Structure532
  3. Suspension445
  4. Engine and engine cooling194
  5. Vehicle speed control181
  6. Electrical system179
  7. Air bags171
  8. Steering162

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  1. Power train, Mar 2, 2008

    TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS WELL AS DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE ON VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 90K,CAR HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED, THIS IS ONE OF MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. AT WHAT POINT WILL YOU INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION? FORD DESIGNED THIS TRANSMISSION AS A SEALED UNIT. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO CHECK THE FLUID. FLASHING O?D LIGHT VIOLENT SHIFTING, LOSS OF POWER IN 3RD GEAR. *TR

  2. Power train, Mar 2, 2008

    TRANSMISSION AND BEARING FAILURE. OD LIGHT ON TRANNY FLASHING. TOOK TO DEALER FOR NOISE AND OD LIGHT. THEY REPLACED BEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED PARTS TO A COST OF 1130.00 TO FIX TRANNY PROBLEM THEY WANT TO REPLACE TRANNY AND TORQUE CONVERTER FOR A COST OF 3500. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW AND MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I'VE CHECKED FORD RECALLS AND TSB'S AND THEY ARE NUMEROUS REFERRING TO BEARING AND TRANNY FAILURE. *TR

  3. Suspension, Power train, Mar 1, 2008

    2002 FORD EXPLORER WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WITH UNDER 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND NOW BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS DUE TO FAILURE. THE FIRST WAS A REAR HUB ASSEMBLY IN 06 THEN A FRONT IN 07 AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE REAR IN 08. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD DEALER THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A TSB ADDRESSING IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME IF NOT CAUGHT SOON ENOUGH THE TIRES COULD ACTUALLY COME OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING. WHILE THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN MY CASE THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. ALSO THIS VEHICLE HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT UNDER 70,000 MILES AND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE AS FOUND BY SEARCHING THE WEB FOR THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

  4. Power train, Feb 28, 2008

    AT 105K MILES THE CAR JUST DIED. NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED. THEY INSTALLED/REINSTALLED THE NEW TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES BEFORE IT WORKED PROPERLY. *TR

  5. Power train, Feb 27, 2008

    BOUGHT MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER 4X4 WITH TOW PACKAGE AND V-6 NEW FROM THE DEALER IN AUGUST 2001. AT 45K HAD TO HAVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED AS THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING THE USUAL "WHINING" SOUNDS AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEIR MECHANIC WOULD INSTALL THE PART WITH "TIGHTER SPECS" AND THAT IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL. YEAH RIGHT!! AT AROUND 75K, THE REAR DIFF STARTED LEAKING. HAD THE LEAK FIXED AND AS YOU MAY SUSPECT AT AROUND 80K THE "WHINING" SOUND TYPICAL OF REAR DIFF FAILURE CAME BACK. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THIS TIME WHICH WERE ALSO WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT. I DO USE THIS VEHICLE OFF AND ON THE ROAD AND HAVE USED 4WD PROBABLY MORE THAN THE NORMAL EXPLORER OWNER. ALSO DO SOME OCCASIONAL TOWING BUT AM ALWAYS CAREFUL TO STAY WITHIN THE WEIGHT LIMITS AND TAKE IT EASY ON THE SPEED WHILE TOWING. I'VE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE FOLLOWING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE EXACTLY. IT IS JUST TERRIBLE THAT FORD KEEPS INSTALLING THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND WON'T LAST MORE THAN 40 - 80K. SOME COMPENSATION WOULD BE NICE, MAYBE THROUGH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. ONE THING FOR SURE. NO MORE FORDS FOR ME! *TR

  6. Power train, Feb 26, 2008

    TRANSMISSION MAKING A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISE IN BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK. FROM ALL THAT I HAVE READ THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE OVERHAULED. WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS THERE ARE ON THIS VEHICLE FORD REALLY NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS BUT CHOOSE NOT TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT FORCES THEM TO DO SOMETHING. *TR

  7. Power train, Equipment, Feb 24, 2008

    2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS, WITH 86,000 MILES. O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. 4 DAYS LATER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR TOWED TO TRANNY MECHANIC. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

  8. Power train, Feb 24, 2008

    TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AT 86,200 MILES. REPAIRED COST A RIDICULOUS $3,936.18. FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

  9. Power train, Feb 22, 2008

    I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER USED IN 2003 WITH APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. BEFORE I HIT 80,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO A SHIFTING/CLUNKING PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO ERRATIC SHIFTING AND MALFUNCTION. THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP BOTH SAID THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. *TR

  10. Power train, Feb 22, 2008

    I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD A YEAR. I AM PAYING A LOAN FOR IT AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT FOR 3 MONTHS. SURPRISE IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION! APPARENTLY THIS IS NOTHING NEW FOR THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU TYPE IN A SEARCH YOU WILL FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND SINCE IT WAS MY FAMILIES MAIN TRANSPORTATION IT HAS BEEN A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. MY WIFE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE SHE HAS NO WAY TO GET THERE. HOW MANY PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL OR SOMETHING? THIS IS RIDICULOUS IT IS OBVIOUSLY A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM SO WHY NOT DO SOMETHING TO HELP PEOPLE FIX IT? ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM! *TR

  11. Suspension, Power train, Feb 21, 2008

    2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT FLASHES AND SHIFTING STALLS. NO REPLACEMENT HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM NEEDED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SHELL OUT FOR A REBUILD. ALSO 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BALL BARING HUBS AND BEARINGS. THE TOTAL COST WAS 1,000 DOLLARS USD. WE NEED FORD TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

  12. Power train, Feb 18, 2008

    OVERDRIVE INDICATOR ON MY WIFE'S 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS FLASHING AND EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. REPAIR FACILITY SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WAS THIS TRANSMISSION. SOLUTION IS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT OR REPLACED WITH ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. INTERNET GOOGLE RETURNS TONS OF SUPPORTING OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

  13. Power train, Feb 18, 2008

    YET, ANOTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, LOST POWER AND DELAY ON SHIFTING, HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM. LUCKILY I'M UNDER A CRAPPY EXTENDED WARRANTY. OR I WOULD BE 3,400 DOLLARS WORSE IN THE HOLE ON THIS 86,000 MILE 02 EXPLORER. ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE REAR SEALS REPLACED AND CONTROL ARM SAME OLD STUFF I HERE EVERYWHERE..... *TR

  14. Power train, Feb 18, 2008

    MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT A MONTH..AND BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ, MY TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO GO. ON ONE WEBSITE ALONE THERE WERE OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION NEEDING TO BE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE IS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION GOES AND DOZENS OF PEOPLE ARE KILLED BECAUSE OF A MASSIVE ACCIDENT?????? FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND BE MADE TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER!!! *TR

  15. Power train, Feb 18, 2008

    THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND SHIFTING ROUGH BETWEEN GEARS. HAD IT OVERHAULED AT 38,000 MILES. SAME PROBLEMS NOW OCCURRING AT 120,000. *TR

  16. Power train, Feb 17, 2008

    TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING, AND IT WON'T SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. *TR

  17. Power train, Feb 16, 2008

    AUTO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. ENGINE REV HIGH TO 4K AND ABOVE WITH HARD BANG INTO NEXT GEAR. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *TR

  18. Power train, Feb 16, 2008

    THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, RPM'S INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING LOUD NOISES AS THE GEARS SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOT ONLY A NEW ONE, BUT TO BOAR OUT THE EXISTING HOUSING AS IT WAS DEFECTIVE BY FORD. *TR

  19. Power train, Feb 15, 2008

    TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN THE 2002 EXPLORER WITH A 4.6L V8. *TR

  20. Power train, Feb 13, 2008

    I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN IT WAS SHIFTING IN TO 3RD GEAR SO A TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TWO DAYS LATER THEY CALL ME AND TELL ME THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION IT WOULD BE AROUND 3,300.00 .WELL I GO ON LINE TO RESEARCH AND TRY TO FIND A TRANSMISSION COME TO FIND OUT THERE'S HUNDRED OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO IT I KNOW THINGS DO WEAR OUT BUT IT'S A LITTLE FUNNY FOR IT DO BE THE SAME YEAR AND MODELS AND THE SAME MILEAGES I GOT IT USE AND IT HAD 90,000 MILES ON IT BUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REBUILT ALREADY. *TR

  21. Power train, Feb 12, 2008

    TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE WHEN LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE TRANSMISSION. RPM'S WENT UP DRASTICALLY. TRANNY LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN STARTING AND STOPPING THE TRUCK THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A HORRIBLE METAL SOUND. HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT FOR 1 MONTH DUE TO HAVING TO GO GET A LOAN TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. TOOK TO AAMCO WHICH STATED TODAY THAT THE TRANNY NEEDS TO BE TOTALLY OVERHAULED AT $2400. *TR

  22. Power train, Feb 11, 2008

    O/D LIGHT FLASHING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *TR

  23. Suspension, Power train, Feb 10, 2008

    MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD REAR AND FRONT HOWLING NOISES SIMILAR TO A JET DURING TAKE OFF. ALSO WAS VERY UNSTABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. FORD DEALERSHIP FOUND BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS NEED REPLACING. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HAD SUCH A WOBBLE THAT IT WOULD DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. JUST THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS COST ME ALMOST $600. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY FOUND THE FRONT HUBS AND RING AND PINION NOISY AND ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE TOTAL FOR THESE REPAIRS IS NEARING $3000. NO WONDER FORD IS HEADING INTO BANKRUPTCY! THIS VEHICLE STILL HAS WELL UNDER 100,000 MILES, HAS NEVER TOWED, PLOWED OR USED OFF-ROAD, ALL HIGHWAY MILEAGE. IS THIS WHY THEY SAY FORD IS FIX OR REPAIR DAILY? MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL NOT BE FORD FOR SURE. FORD NEEDS TO HAVE THESE ISSUES RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT. *TR

  24. Power train, Feb 9, 2008

    I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. IT HAS 99,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE THIS VEHICLE VERY GENTLY AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS. THEN ONE DAY OUT OF NOWHERE, THE TRANSMISSION WENT. IT WENT WITHOUT WARNING. NO PRIOR SLIPPAGE, NO JERKING, NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NOTHING. NOW I HAVE TO DISH OUT MONEY I DON'T HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THEY MESSED UP SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS A NICE BODY, A NICE LOOK AND FEEL. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM JUST NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I'M WAITING FOR A RECALL SO I CAN GET MY MONEY BACK. I'VE BEEN A FAITHFUL FORD DRIVER, AND THEY SHOULD BE THERE FOR EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS THEM BY BUYING THEIR VEHICLES. IF I DON'T GET ANY RESOLUTION, I'LL BE SURE TO NEVER EVEN LOOK AT A FORD AGAIN. I'LL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO STAY CLEAR OF FORD. *TR

  25. Power train, Feb 9, 2008

    CHANGING GEARS (PARK TO DRIVE) IN ORDER TO DRIVE CAR. GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF CAR. HAVE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL ON WEB WHERE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FALLS OFF STEERING COLUMN. WHAT CAR HAS A GEAR SHIFT LEVER THAT FALLS OFF???? *TR