Transmission Not Go Into Gear problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer

The transmission would not shift between gears in my 2002 Ford Explorer resulting in my being unable to accelerate on the massachusetts turnpike at rush hour.

Yesterday evening, I got into my 2002 Ford Explorer and noticed the gear shift lever was stuck in park. I was unable to shift into reverse in order to back out of the driveway. This morning I figured I would give it another attempt as I needed to head out for work. As I tried again, I simply applied the break, grabbed the shift lever and as I pulled the towards me and began to pull down to shift into reverse the lever completely broke and is now hanging. I did not apply excessive force at any point. No more pressure then I normally do when shifting from park to drive to reverse, etc. I looked up this particular situation via internet and noticed many, many complaints of the same exact description. Hopefully Ford will recognize this issue and issue a part recall.

Out transmission isn't out yet, it's on its way out. When accelerating it stops at 25-35 mph and the rpm rev up to the red limit if you don't take your foot off the gas and it wont switch gears for a minute or so. Sometimes you hear a loud dropping sound and the entire car jerks when it switches gears. This first happened when speeding up on a busy main road near detroit, almost causing us to be rear ended. We took it to a transmission garage and were informed it would be $2,000 or there abouts to fix. Had the other driver not been paying attention or had this happened on a highway myself, my fiance, our four children would have been seriously injured or worse. Apparently the transmission is a recurring problem with this model of vehicle and the manufacturer should be made responsible for this blatantly dangerous defect.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the over drive warning light illuminated as the vehicle started to skip gears. There was an abnormal increase in engine rpms and the vehicle would not shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic but the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The failure and the current mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while shifting from park to reverse, the gear shifter fractured. A local mechanic inspected the vehicle and located the failure at the gear housing unit. The mechanic advised the contact that the gear shifter housing would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 143,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle would not accelerate more than 20 mph, and the over drive warning light remained illuminated. Due to the type of warning light, the vehicle would not shift into gear, causing the transmission to fail. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls or warranties, and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 68,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving 10 mph when the vehicle failed to shift gears properly. The over drive warning light illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the first and second gears of the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.

We just purchased a 2002 Ford Explorer. We picked up the vehicle on March 3, 2010. The car drove fine the first 2 days. On the third day the o/d light starting blinking and the car skipped a gear. We heard a large clunk and the car keep skipping. After that the service engine light came on. We took it to two transmission shops today and they diagnosed it as the vehicle does not have a third gear. We received estimates of $2600 to repair.

My wife was driving our 2002 Ford Explorer home last week when she was approaching a red light. She noticed the o/d light began to blink very fast and when she went to pull away, the vehicle shifted to 2nd but would not shift to 3rd gear and the rpm's would go real high. Could not go above 30 mph. Did some research on the internet and appears to be a common problem. What is it going to take to get Ford to correct the problem. Maybe it will have to fail to someone on the freeway and someone gets hurt. Vehicle had 115k miles. Something needs to be done instead of recalling cheap fixes. This is not the first problem with this vehicle. We also had broken rear coil springs that I had to fix 3-4 years ago. Plus there has been several recalls already on this vehicle. Sounds to me like these vehicles should be scrapped.

O/d light flickering and transmission is slipping. Will not go into gear without a violent jerk and sometimes wont go into gear at all. Car has to completely idle before you can press the gas which is very dangerous because I will sometimes be in the middle of the roadway or driving down the road or crossing over traffic to the left after a stop at a light.

2002 Ford Explorer transmission - overdrive symbol flashing - no indication that the transmission was failing. The vehicle would not go pass 3rd gear.

My 2002 Ford Explorer has a transmission failure. The od light is blinking. And it shifts hard with gears. Also makes a knocking noise when trying to shift. When I try to go, the rpm just runs high and the truck does not move. When im driving and it needs to shift to another gear, it just rems and doesn't shift.

While driving home from work the odlight began to blink and then the transmission began to slip, and would not move! I had to cut the car on and off many times before it actually began to move again. I took the car to the dealership and he said that I needed a new transmission. This is an inconvenience because I am six months pregnant, and that can be scary driving and your car will not shift into gear .

Transmissions of the 2002 Ford Explorer seems to have numerous issues. I have had my transmission fixed twice, but there are numerous reports on-line with the same issues. I have addressed with Ford, but they do not see it as a safety issue. When a vehicle does not shift into gear as you pull into a roadway, it is very much a safety issue. I would just like your office to review these issues as a safety concern. Please read the on-line postings of people that own these vehicles. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

The o/d light on my 2002 Ford Explorer started flickering about a month ago. Four days ago, I noticed that my truck wouldn't go from second to third gear while driving. I will get up to 25 mph and the truck would rev up to 3500 rpms and not change gears. I have to ease up off the gas and let the rpms drop and then accelerate again and that's how it changes gears.

Was driving and transmission would not shift gears. O/d lights started to blink. Vehicle would not go anymore then 5 mph. Was taken home and research was done and found many people with the same complaint. Transmission problems. Vehicle was taken to aamco and transmission was repaired at a cost of $2748. 69.

I'm the first owner of a 2002 Explorer. At 30k miles, had to have the transmission rebuilt due to slipping, od light flashing and would not go into gear. At 60k miles, the exact same symptoms have re-appeared and Ford is unwilling to provide any compensation. Looking on-line, many owners of this model have the same issue. Other cars I have owned and have many more miles logged have never had transmission needing replacement. Ford's is obviously a defective design/product.

1. My family was driving on a state highway and the car's o/d off light started flashing. No other warning lights were going off. It was a matter of miles before the car stopped going. It's extremely dangerous for a car to suddenly slow down on a fast moving highway. 2. After the light flashed, the car stopped going into gear. We were going down the highway with other cars when our car suddenly slowed down because it would not go into gear. We were barely able to get up a hill before coasting to the side of the road. This occurred in the middle of nowhere with other traffic going high rates of speed. 3. The entire transmission had to be replaced.

Check engine soon light went off , then o/d light kept blinking, failed to go into gear and locked up while driving home. Took it to shop and mech said it was a bad transmission and is now rebuilding it for 1,900 usd.

Tranny slippage. O/d light/service engine light flashing. Engine revving but not coming into gear. The transmission shop said this is a known issues with Fords. The bands that wrap the 2nd & 5th gears to lock against the drum are defective. Ford has updated the style of the band and once replaced this issue does not repeat. My estimate so far is at $2100-$2300. We will not know full extent of damage until he removes, dismantles & inspects it ($595 to do that). As this is a known Ford issue with their defective part, there should be a recall and owners should be reimbursed for the cost of repairs.

Transmission slippage, rear end clunks when the tranny finally shifts to another gear, rear end whine at 60-70mph. Hasn't been fixed but the dealership estimates $2k for the rear end and $3k for the tranny.

I purchased a new 2002 Ford Explorer in October 2002. In the past two years, I have replaced all of the four ball bearing joints, and alternator and now a transmission with total costs to exceed $7000. I am writing now because I felt that the other expenses were wear and tear, as I have have 98,000 miles. But now it is going to cost $3600 to replace my transmssion. Last Thursday 3/15 my vehicle would not shift into gear, as my rpm reached 3000. Then it would shift into gear as I made my way home from my job 100 miles away. My o/d light flashed and then my service engine light came on.

2002 Explorer XLT 2wd (47,000 miles) automatic transmission would not shift to 3rd gear while driving 35 mph in rush hour traffic. The engine revved so I rolled to a stop luckily on a grass shoulder with no one hitting my vehicle. Ford rebuilt the trans for $2500. The district Ford rep would not pay for the repair eventhough I knew of the problem occurring in cincinnati and Ford paid. Research shows this is a common problem with this model of transmission. The fix is a $20 seal but they will only rebuild or replace the transmission.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer limited edition. While under warranty, @ 52,000, I had major issues w/ the transmission, an overhaul was completed, and my transmission was "rebuilt". Less than 2 years later and a little under 40,000 miles later, my o/d light goes off, gears slipping and I am told I now have metal in the pan and I do not have 2 gears, hence, I need a new transmission. Now that I am no longer under warranty, I am told this will now cost me $3,000 to replace. After looking on-line for only 10-15 minutes, I find thousands of complaints regarding 2002 Explorer transmission problems. I spoke to the service department manager, and was told there was nothing they could do since the "rebuilt" transmission only has a 1-year warranty on it. I called Ford motors, and again, was told that my warranty is up, and they are not responsible for the payment. Since this is not an isolated problem, I feel that something needs to be done! Ford needs to back their problems and either issue a recall, or foot the bill for the thousands of transmissions that are not working properly and need to be repaired or replaced. I can honestly say that I will never again buy a Ford, and I will make sure I tell all my friends and family the lack of support that this company gives to their customers. No wonder they are having financial difficulties!!.

All of a sudden the transmission would not shift gears and the overdrive light started flashing. When taken to a mechanic, the diagnostic test threw a code of p0733 and p0745. We were told that a band broke in the transmission and 3rd gear went out. The fix was to overhaul the transmission for $2700. Upon doing some research, it appears that this is a common problem with 2002 Ford Explorers and Ford should do a recall.

2002 Ford Explorer - 58,000 original miles. No indication of problem, automatic transmission would not shift into gear. Local Ford dealer says the 3rd gear is gone and will cost $1800 to fix.

Regular driving of a Ford Explorer 2002 XLT, very early transmission failure the vehicle's transmission just gives out o/d light starts flashing all of a sudden the vehicle does not go in to gear all of this while driving. Checked online turns out many people have had the exact same problem with this vehicle, called Ford they said that it would cost about $4000. 00 to repair.

Purchased vehicle from crossroads Ford , raleigh nc June 24,06 while driving in traffic Nov 22,06 check transmission appeared on message center, odo light started flashing, check engine light illuminated and vehicle would not shift gears. The vehicle would not increase speed while engine rpm were increasing. Vehicle gave no prior warning of impending problem from Jun to Nov and had been driven locally for the period of ownership. Took vehicle to the local Ford dealer close to my home I was informed that after diagnostic testing and referring to Ford TSB the transmission needed to be replaced. Called Ford customer service, they informed me that it was an unfortunate situation, but there was nothing they could do for me and to call the dealer where I purchased the vehicle. Called crossroads Ford and left a message for mike bevan (service advisor) he failed to return my calls. My husband called mike bevan and was able to speak with him, mike informed my husband that there was nothing they could do and if we would bring the vehicle to him they would let us know the cost to replace the transmission. I did some research online and was surprised at the large number of owners listed on carreview. Com with the same situation. If this happened on the highway another vehicle could have rear ended my vehicle causing damage and injury.

Car has been having transmission problems, got it checked by a mechanic running diagnostics on the computer, the od light came on and was flashing. At the time of the service it was working correctly but light would not turn off. It finally would not go into gear stranding my wife and infant son. I had the transmission replaced with a jasper transmission.

Grinding noise sounding like it is from front end, especially on accelerating at low speeds, and turning slow. Told to replace tires and front hub. Both done and still making same noise. Cannot figure what is wrong. Think the sound is from transmission or rear end. Also having problems with the transmission. The truck does not switch gears properly. It takes to long and sometimes reaches 4 rpms before finally switching on flat road surface.

Several problems - at 9,000 miles my brakes went and had to have my rotors resurfaced by 23,000 miles my rear brakes were completely gone and my front brakes were nearly gone. This cost me over $1,000 to repair. At 25-27,000 miles my vehicle would not change gears properly. Going in reverse the vehicle would "bang" into gear, then going from park to any gear this would happen. On level ground and on hill. The dealership said they guessed at the problem and fixed something in the transmission. At 32,000 miles the piece of plastic under the liftgate window completely cracked. Since under warranty the dealership is fixing this. There has been a "whining" noise while using the gas pedal for some time that the dealership can not recreate. . . . I expect that to go wrong as soon as my warranty expires. I think you only get 36,000 mile warranty because they know the vehicle will fall apart after that!.

Automatic transmission failing in 2nd gear. Seems to be a widely known problem in the v-6 2002 Explorer. Started acting up at 60k, as soon as the warranty was out.

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the vehicle will stick in park and will not shift gears causing a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts.