8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,290
Average Mileage:
108,950 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace solenoid, wait for defective part to fail again (9 reports)
  2. not sure (6 reports)
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problem #15

Sep 262015

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 169,000 miles

I just brought this truck not too long ago. I was told that it was two problem the bearing and get 4 new tires. I replaced two front tires because the old tires was making too much noise. So that was done. Then a week later, I got a blown tire and went back to the same place and got the same tires for nothing. After the tires were taken off from the spare tires to the new tires, that's when I knew it was a problem with the truck. I took it to the Firestone and they told me it was the ball joints. So I went and got parts for the truck.

My tech guy came and said he knew what the problem was. It was the transmission solenoid block, so he try to repair this problem over a week and nothing got solved! I finally got my answer and it was that he could not get the transmission parts to get to the solenoid because it needs 4 parts but he could not open it. He recommend me to call to see of there is a recall on this truck. I called Ford on Oct 6, 2015 there is no recall .

- Belinda H., Waterbury, CT, US

problem #14

Nov 222011

Explorer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 153,000 miles

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I purchased a 2002 Ford Explorer about 7 months ago and I'm still currently financing it. I week ago i noticed that my car wasn't shifting gears like its supposed to when I drive and accelerate the gas. I would have to take my foot off the gas pedal so that the car can get back into gear. It also jerk real hard when I start to accelerate the gas and it revs up before it drops back down into gear. Not long after that my check engine light came on and then my o/d light came on, so I took it to Autozone to get the code read and they told me that it was a pressure control solenoid B (code-P0775). I went home and started to look on the internet to find out what this meant and that's how I got to this site. I was just in shock at how many people was on here complaining about the same thing. After reading all the possibilities that it could be, I started calling around to my local mechanic shops to ask them their opinion and most of them couldn't tell me what it was because they say that the code-P0775 is a manufacture's code and they couldn't pull it up because Ford blocked access to those kinds of codes simply because they made it to where when something like this, transmission failure, you have to go to them for repairs, which I think is totally ridiculous! I don't know what to do because I definitely cant afford to have the transmission rebuilt or replace it with a new one. I have two small kids that are in the car with me daily and its a major safety issue that needs to be fixed and it shouldn't be at our expense!. Ford needs to make a recall about their faulty transmissions for these cars before it causes a lot of accidents or deaths. Now I'm at a crossroads as to what to do because this is the only car that we have and my fiance's job is not close to where we live at so this is going to cause us a lot of headache, money and stress.

- Jennifer L., Jonesboro, GA, US

problem #13

May 202011

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles

I am so upset! Just had the SOlenoid pack replaced at the dealership( 740.00). Drove to work this morning and experiencing a whining noise when driving. Told Differential might be bad. Also bubum, bubump, bubump noise when slowing down in the front end. 2 Years ago replaced front ball bearings. Two weeks ago I replaced shocks/strutts for 900.00!. I am broke! They tell me get rid of it, but who wants car payments again. The dealership told me trade in or sell. They were embarrassed to tell me what they would give me for it, after all the work I put in. So what do we do? Fix Fix Fix???? Ford should have recalls on the Transmission and ball bearings that go bad quickly! They should be responsible to their customers.

- fergie, New York, NY, US

problem #12

Jan 032011

Explorer EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles

this explorer is not mine but ive had to replace 3 times all ready first it was solenoid A then twice it been solenoid B it is wrong that ford does not put a recall on this part so many people have this same trouble

- piglet12, Ypsilanti, MI, US

problem #11

Apr 232010

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

2002 ford explores suck I had a 93 ford mustang never had hardly any problems just power stering hose busted cuse it was old and dry roted now I have a 2002 ford explorer Ive had it less than a year and put 4 new wheel barings new roaters and now the transmission went out ford got lazy

I dont think Ill ever buy a ford agin uless its an older car they used to be built ford tough now I wouldnt trust one to get me across the street there a pice of sh*t ford got lazy they dont do there job like they should if they did they would know 2002 should have a recall

- porteous, Holland, MI, US

problem #10

Feb 012010

Explorer XLT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,352 miles

Major transmission problems at 106k miles on my ford explorer XLT 4.0L. This was not due to poor maintence or up keep! Shifting into neutral going 75 miles an hr down the freeway, shifting out of place, rough, scary shifts, shimminig from the transmission jumping allover the place is just the beginning.

Afters 5 trips to the mechanic, first I did wires, then plugs, then updated computer, full tranny flush and finally had to rebiuldt the transmission due to the solenoids in the transmission being defective and faulty per a FORD SERVICE MANAGER in Owatonna, MN. The Service manager informed me that FORD was looking at making it a recall, but it wasnt the top of their priority list and maybe they would eventually get to it! he has seen many of these trucks in the shop with their "busy" transmissions, and the same issues! This was the issue all along..after all of the service appts, and money spent nothing was resolved, until the transmission was rebuilt! $4k later just for the tranny repair! For their faulty defective transmission soleniods! As if the truck didnt already cost enough!

And the troubleshooting "bandaids" (which between the tranny, diagnostics, labor etc total well over $5500!!) I contacted FORD after directed to due so my (their) technician and employee of 25 yrs. I read all the posts of duplicate complaints (I SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMSUMERS IN MY SITUATION!), to inform them of the money ive lost, time incurred into this headache, and all the days I went without a vehicle for my family that i had nothing to do with it was their equipment! that it was their fault! Curious about what their compensation was, if any, going to be. Or what they planned on doing about it! and after several service appt, $5500 loss and numerous complaints that FORD is aware o.f the rep stated basically said oh well! its ur problem not ours!!! LOL!

- Jennifer L., Faribault, MN, US

problem #9

Jun 102010

Explorer Limited 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 163,000 miles

Sick of my ford !!!! Add me to the list!!!! Sick of my ford !!!! Add me to the list!!!! Sick of my ford !!!! Add me to the list!!!! Sick of my ford !!!! Add me to the list!!!! Sick of my ford !!!! Add me to the list!!!! Sick of my ford !!!! Add me to the list!!!! Sick of my ford !!!! Add me to the list!!!!

- Bradley B., Lugoff, SC, US

problem #8

Nov 102009

Explorer XLS V6 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

After having the transmission rebuilt at 100k then the transmission solenoid pack went, another common problem with this explorer. You have to take it to the transmission place or dealer due to part having to be reprogramed. Such a bad design all around

- Ryan S., Derby, NY, US

problem #7

Jan 012009

Explorer XLT 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,500 miles

After the transmission failed at 34K 47K and 57K and was completely removed and rebuilt under the after market warranty the transmission solenoid pack has failed again and there are 79K miles on it. There is no more after market warranty and the non dealer repair facility strongly suggests the we get rid of this vehicle if the new solenoid pack does not fix the current shifting problems that he has experienced for himself. Shifting is clunk, hunt, clunk and shrill. No one would want this vehicle that has now had over $20,000 in repairs. Mostly paid for by the after market warranty company formerly owned by Ford and sold to Allstate. Our decision to buy American vehicles has been a mistake and we will not make that mistake again. We are American but we have been treated like dirt by Ford Motor Company which was reinforced by our Attorney when we settled our law suit with the Dealership due to their ongoing faulty service visits.

- Daniel M., Howell, MI, US

problem #6

Feb 112005

Explorer Eddie Bauer V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,923 miles

Had the used vehicle less than a MONTH and it would not shift gears. Dealer wanted $4000 for an extended warranty, or we NONE. Now we just had the entire tranny rebuilt, and the rear end is toast! If my wife did not love this beast I'd shoot it!

- festiva1990, Abbotsford, BC, Canada

problem #5

Jan 162008

Explorer LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

My wife's 2002 Ford Explorer began with the blinking of the O/D light then promptly continued into the hard shifting of gears between 2nd and 3rd. In our house, things always happen in 3s, so we are trying to repair a water leak and replace the heater in our house before we start working on the Explorer. I have taken the auto to AutoZone for a code and have been to Ford where they told me it was a solenoid problem and to expect at least a $500 bill. We are looking on the internet, ebay, salvage yards for a replacement part, but it looks like we will be headed back to the dealer. I have always been a loyal Ford customer, but the next vehicle we buy will not be a Ford. We are very disappointed, especially after seeing how many other people have had the same problems.

- Rick W., Clarksville, AR, US

problem #4

Jul 232007

(reported on)

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

Ford transmissions suck. For all of the technology that these newer cars offer, they sure like to break down easily. You can't even check the transmission fluid level in the '02 Explorer. It cost me eighty dollars just to get the diagnosis. It's a conspiracy to make more money. Soon, a guy won't even be able to check his *&^%#%^ oil without a *&^&%$% computer. Screw all car manufacturers and their ploy to make more money off of us because they put cheap/foreign crap on our "American Made" vehicles.

- Marc P., Madison, MS, US

problem #3

Apr 112007

(reported on)

Explorer Eddie Baurer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,031 miles

THE FOLLOWING IS ENITRELY BASED UPON MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND REFLECTS ONLY MY PERSONAL OPINION IN REGARDS TO FORD MOTOR VEHICLES AND MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER EDITION. ANYONE WHO READS THIS EXPRESSION OF HOW I FEEL SHOULD KNOW THAT I AM NOT A MECHANIC OR AN AUTOMOBILE EXPERT, ONLY A VERY DISAPPOINTED CONSUMER WHO CHOOSES TO SHARE MY DISAPPOINTMENT.

I invite anyone who wishes to read about my entire experience and see the invoices and documentation AND THE PICTURES OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH MY OPINION EXPRESSED FOR EVERYONE TO SEE

- I painted my opinion in BRIGHT YELLOW PAINT on MY LIFTGATE WINDOW. My web-site will be published on April 12-13 2007 - WWW.FORDFAILURES.COM

I essentially refused to allow ADAMSON FORD, located in Birmingham, AL, to work on my car until I fully understood the nature of the needed repairs. ADAMSON FORD NEVER EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO MY SATISFACTION.

However, Chris at AUTO SERVICES COMPANY, Inc. - my extended warranty company AND in my opinion - AWESOME, ACCOMODATING, THOROUGH, GENEROUS, DELIGHTFUL, VERY CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED - explained that all the work was a SOFT-OVER HAUL of the transmission.

Chris' helpfulness, patience, and quick responses were what anyone could ever ask for from a warranty/insurance company and ASC and Chris deserve HIGH COMMENDATION because their response to my problems and my worries and me, personally, were the polar OPPOSITE of FORD Motor Vehicles' FAILURE TO FOLLOW UP ON MY COMPLAINTS AS OF TODAY, April 11, 2007.

20 DAYS - THE NUMBER OF DAYS FORD MOTOR VEHICLES CUSTOMER SERVICE RELATIONSHIP DEPARTMENT HAS . . . totally and completely . . . . FAILED, FAILED, FAILED . . . to even respond to my complaints and concerns to FORD Motor Vehicles’ Customer Service Call Center employee - JOHN, ID# 7235, at their customer service department. All I can say is that I could not tell the difference between him and an automated response voice (and I DID TELL HIM THAT I COULDN’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE!)

John, ID #7235, didn’t care.

MY BIG BEEFS with FORD MOTOR VEHICLES are numerous and much exacerbated specifically by Birmingham, AL’s ADAMSON FORD - Director of Service, JAMES WHITEHEAD - who, in my opinion, epitomizes the sleaziness associated with the automobile industry. I asked Mr. Whitehead - verbatim - if the solenoid pack in my transmission was a "ticking time bomb" under the hood of my 2002 Ford Explorer, if it would fail again - and he said YES.

I made him repeat this answer to this exact question again - in the presence of my father when I came back to complain about a second crack in the back panel of my lift gate that appeared while my vehicle was being simultaneously serviced for the RECALL on the lift gate hinges. (Just scroll through the other complaints on the 2002 FORD EXPLORER for this info).

Mr. James Whitehead again confirmed that the solenoid pack WILL FAIL AGAIN!!! THUS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. And only with persistence and the support of my incredibly patient and observant father - did Mr. Whitehead agree to fix the panel - but that is a different chapter of this story. As are the other issues such as the sluggishness in my new solenoid pack. The refusal to provide me with a rental car for the recalled part and the damage done to my car while they supposedly fixed the recalled part. And the refusal to notify me of the significant delay (3 days) in this “repairing” or provide appropriate explanation. And Mr. Whitehead’s gender discriminating behavior in responding in a timely manner to my father’s call after ignoring mine – on the first go around ---------and then FAILING TO HONOR HIS WORD by failing to call me the next morning to let me know if the part came in – AND THEN SHOWING FURTHER DISCRIMINATION AND INSULT BY NOT EVEN CALLING ME TO LET ME KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE READY, but instead calling my father. (I love and adore my father and know that he wants me to be safe, not taken advantage of, and happy – and so I, of course, confided in him about my problems with ADAMSON FORD and FORD MOTOR VEHICLES and have his total SUPPORT IN EXPRESSING MY OPINION of how FORD Motor Vehicles FAILS in vehicle owner customer service.

A DIRECTOR OF SERVICE AT A FORD MOTOR VEHICLES DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE KNEW THE SOLENOID PACK - WHICH IS AN ELECTRICAL PART OF THE ENCLOSED TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUALIZES THE CHANGING BETWEEN GEARS - WILL FAIL ------------ and since FORD refused to provide me with further details about this part, I can only conclude that this part endangers my life since it is electrical and will fail and if it fails while I am driving on the highway, my 2002 FORD EXPLORER WILL COME TO A DEAD STOP , POSSIBLY WHILE I AM IN TRAFFIC OR ANOTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION ----- AND FORD KNOWS THIS.

And then there is the small matter of a missing 450-500 miles on my odometer – and I have the invoices, a CARFAX, my NHTSA filing form, and a receipt from Express Oil Change to prove the discrepancy is there.

I am ONE FORD vehicle OWNER who REFUSES to accept FORD MOTOR VEHICLES' FAILURE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE NUMEROUS OTHER FAILURES, IN MY OPINION, THAT FORD CONTINUES TO MAKE EVERY DAY.

- carriedaway, Birmingham, AL, US

problem #2

Mar 192007

(reported on)

Explorer Eddie Bauer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,010 miles

The solenoid was gone got it replaced. No problems now 74,000 miles and the OD On/Off flashes and the check transmission light has come on. Resets when you turn the Explorer off and then back on. I think this transmission is screwed but it could be the solenoid again because it drives fine, It is usually after an acceleration.

- exp2002/f1502007, Barrie, Ontario, Canada

problem #1

Feb 202007

(reported on)

Explorer Eddie Bauer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

Add me to the list of won't buy Ford again!!

- zaxt, Omaha, NE, US