Two problems related to universal joint 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.
I have a Ford Explorer XLT 2002, and at 160 000klm the transmission started to have a hard time getting through p-r-n-d-1-2-3, without going through a hard "clunk" after looking at universal joints, bushings, crossmembers and diff slake I realized its the transmission. After 2000 klm the od light started flashing, and it's getting worst. . . This truck is like a gm , when problems start they all follow through one after the other. What a lemon. Had to go 2000 klm for a christmas gathering with all family and kids, and all came from parts of the world cause parents are getting very old. So I had to put my family through sad time and not go to the get together of the lifetime. Ford didn't come through for us.
I have had my transmission in my 2002 Ford Explorer rebuilt by a local Ford dealership at 53,000 miles and a Ford re-manufactured transmission installed at this dealership at 69,000. This local dealership has replaced the transfer case twice, drive axle, and universal joints between 69,000 and 74,000 to correct an ongoing reported shifting problem with the transmission. My transmission failed at 109,000, again, much to my dismay. The dealership responded that it was a manufacturer's issue and suggested that I contact Ford. Upon contacting Ford motor company, I was told that it was a dealership issue as the dealership had installed the transmission and may had done so incorrectly. I took my vehicle to an independent transmission specialist who replaced the transmission and indicated that the previous transmission was, in fact, defective.