111 problems related to transmission failure have been reported for the 2002 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2002 Explorer.
Transmission failed on a major highway.
Upon beginning to drive home from work the transmission failed when shifting from second to third gear. There is no longer a third gear in my automatic transmission. In order to get home I had to manually shift with gear shifter and attempt to skip over third gear. Was driving on city streets. Vehicle has 174000 miles on it.
Air bag wiring harness to short : every time you move the seat the air bag light would come on $683. 00 repair service technical service bulletin from Ford no compensation for repairs miles 22,000. Front wheel bearing failure left and right 60,000 miles. Rear spring failure 75000 miles front spring failure 75000 miles. Fuel tank registers 1/4 tank when tank is empty 45000 miles transmission cellinoid failure 28000 miles and 800000 miles heater control module 70000 miles. Intake leak 80000 miles. Rear wheel bearing and axle seals 100,000 miles. Other than that great car. If Ford cared about its customer it would have fixed the transmission problems they had six flaws from day one of production from 1990 ---- why Ford if you had a real transmission it would make up for all the other failure built into this car. You make great real trucks like the f150 other than that your entire fleet is junk.
1st transmission total failure at 87k miles 2nd transmission total failure at 156k miles vehicle is driven very light duty usage by a mature woman (now 86 years old at the time of the 2nd failure). From researching on the internet I have found that Ford many issues with early mileage transmission failures and never a recall for this issue. I'm filing this on behalf of my mother.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift into different gears. The contact mentioned that there was a loud whining sound coming from the transmission. While driving up a hill, the contact was unable to change gears and had to apply the brakes in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000.
Driving on the interstate at 70 mph. Transmission failed while driving in traffic. Was nearly hit trying to get vehicle off the road. No warning, transmission just went. Huge problem and safety issue with Ford Explorer.
Transmission failure before 100000 miles while on freeway.
When is the NHTSA going to address the chronic issues with the 2002-2005 Ford Explorer automatic transmissions? it is common knowledge ( including by Ford) that these transmissions all fail anywhere from 50,000 miles up to less than 150,000 miles. Towing with this vehicle has nothing to do with the issue. The market is flooded with these broken Explorers and they are the regular customers at the repair shops if people don't junk them and can afford to have them fixed. They are a hazard on the road when the vehicle suddenly fails to move in traffic or from a stop at an intersection. I was nearly rear ended when my vehicle started into a busy intersection and the transmission failed leaving me coasting in traffic. I am sure that many other complaints have been lodged against these vehicles and that serious injury has occurred as a result of the transmission failures. The internet even sells questionable repair fixes for these transmissions.
Third transmission failure since 2010. Bought a Ford remanufactured trans as this is my second 2002 with a failed trans. The first one I bought failed seven months later. Replaced under warranty at 17,000 miles later. Fast forward to last Saturday. Same failure as the last two. No help from Ford, probably surprised I made it through the warranty.
Transmission seals fell off in the driveway, transmission completely failed.
This 5r55w transmission had to be replaced at 108,890 miles for $3500 while my daughter lived at college. I purchased a 3-year 36,000 mile Ford warranty as I was confounded that a truck transmission might fail at such an early age. 3-years 16-days 35,652 miles later this Ford reman Ford installed trans also failed and Ford is unwilling to accept any responsibility for cost of repair replace, 16-days beyond a 100% free replacement. The local dealer quoted $4500 and the previous dealer (100 miles away) quoted the same $3500. I opted for aamco at $2500 and 3-year 36,000 mile warranty, since Ford can't re-engineer their own transmission to last a reasonable amount of time, there are hundreds of complaints just on the 2002 Explorer transmission, and there are thousands for 5r55w transmission. It is unconscionable that Ford is unwilling to accept any liability.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 40-45 mph, the transmission failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission was rebuilt. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.
Transmission failed on the highway at 70mph pulled off exit and continued on city roads to our jobs parking lot and is no longer drive able.
Rear spring cracked at 100000 mil transmission faild at 120000 mil body electrical not sealed well and keeps shorting in different places cruse gets stubbern and scared to use it , im afraid of it getting stuck in cruse.
Transmission failure.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55 mph she noticed smoking in the rear of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who stated there was a minor defect in the transmission. The mechanic repaired the defect and within two weeks the transmission failed. The contact towed the vehicle to her home and notified the manufacturer regarding the transmission failure. The manufacturer stated there was nothing they could since there were no related recalls. The contact stated if the transmission failed while driving on the highway, a crash could occur. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Was driving home from getting groceries and the car failed to accelerate. Was at a intersection so it was a unpleasant situation as their was oncoming cars. Pulled the car over and shut off. . Checked for transmission fluid. . There was none. Started car and it would only drive about 15 mph the remainder of the trip. The overdrive control on the transmission had failed. 2200 repair. . Checked the recalls and there currently is not one even though this specific transmission has thousands of complains (not over exaggerating) this is a dangerous situations considering I could have been on the interstate or a on ramp. This vehicle is sitting in my garage awaiting a recall of when my family gets the financial stability to repair it in a non Ford dealership/repair shop. This SUV gets regular fluid fills/changes at the correct intervals with documentation. . This transmission is "sealed" which means it cannot be checked for fluid loss or bad fluid. "bad engineering" which should require a repair at Fords expense.
Transmission failed.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the automatic transmission failed and was replaced at the contacts expense. Two years later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic shop who advised that the transmission would need to be replaced or rebuilt a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who offered no assistance and there were no recalls for the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
I was driving my 2002 Ford Explorer SUV when the transmission suddenly failed, shifting into nuetral/losing power in traffic. This was a dangerous situation! fortunately I was able to get out of the way of traffic.
Transmission is failing in my 2002 Ford Explorer 4x4. A local transmission shop confirmed that my fear that the gears were not shifting properly was due to the transmission failing. It will cost $2400 to $2800 to repair. Because the transmission is sealed it will cost extra. Only through the first half of the year of 2002 were the Explorers made with this transmission and mine was manufactured in may 2001.
It has been an ongoing issue for years about the transmission failure in the 2002 Ford Explorer yet Ford doesn't wish to address this issue by calling the vehicle back. I have my transmission now gone after only 150000 miles. This issue needs to be addressed by Ford taking responsibility for a faulty transmission.
Transmission failure with no warning, engine reved instead of accelerating, resulting in near accident while pulling off an interstate ramp. Had to have vehicle towed. Estimate to repair is approx $4000. Vehicle only has 112k miles on it!.
Defective transmission in a 2002 Ford Explorer eddie bauer after only 117k miles. Transmission fails shifting between 2nd and 3rd gears. Some times gets stock in parking. Complete failure estimated repair cost $3600 to $4000.
Transmission failed.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission fails.
Transmission failure, od light flashing.
2002 Ford Explorer transmission failure due to faulty machining of piston pathways in the transmission casing. My Explorer will not shift into third gear because of this issue and it is unsafe to drive. There are thousands of complaints about this same issue out on the internet and yet Ford will not take responsibility for a recall.
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. . Read more...
Transmission failure on a 2002 Ford Explorer 4 door. Transmission failed at 78,000 miles and was rebuilt by condit Ford in newton NJ around July 2006. Transmission failure again at 128,000 miles on April 9, 2010 and was rebuilt by foxworth's auto service in greensboro, nc.
Transmission failure on my 2002 Ford Explorer. Transmission has always had "so-so" performance. Hard shifting into gears. Now is going to cost me $3500 to repair.
Transmission failure, this is the second transmission in just under 2 years. Ford needs to do a recall. I have had the vehicle properly maintenanced and all the necessary upkeep. This is awful.
Faulty transmission on 2002 Ford Explorer. Od light flashes and transmission will not shift. If continued to be driven transmission will fail. This is the second time this has happened to me on the same vehicle.
Transmission failure od blinking repair new trans but still has the same problem 42 k miles Ford Explorer.