Transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear unless you let off gas.

- Parma, OH, USA

Parked on hill or flat ground it happen before, but the gear shift gets stuck. You can turn the steering wheel right, left to get it to unlock but it want, no locked brakes.but I kept on trying to get my truck in gear to point of doing dangers things as of sticking one foot out of the door and rocking it back and forth.to get the lock to brake but that did not work then I tried again and the gear shift broke a aluminum part on the inside broke and I have saw three more like this and some more reports of this and nothing has been said or done about this, that I am not the only one.

- Columbus, GA, USA

In 2009 on the way to our family vacation our transmission failed. We had it towed and the transmission replaced with a Ford rebuilt transmission with a warranty purchase. In 2012 this rebuilt transmission failed and we had it taken to a Ford dealer and the transmission replaced with another transmission. This current transmission is exhibiting the same symptoms as the last two did prior to failure.

- Mclean, VA, USA

While driving the vehicle made a loud "bump" and then I lost all acceleration. This problem needs to be addressed by Ford, this is very dangerous to all of the sudden lose a transmission while driving. I have seen numerous complaints on the transmission of this year of vehicle, so there is obviously a problem. Transmissions are not cheap by any means, I don't know how I'm going to get the money to fix mine. I currently have no vehicle and have had to resort to bumming rides from people just to get to work. This vehicle needs to be recalled!!!

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Gear shifter broke off while attempting to shift the vehicle in reverse. I am thankful that I was at home in my own driveway and that it did not go into gear. It is stuck in park, but my keys are stuck in the ignition. This seems like it could be a safety hazard if the car were to go into gear, or get stuck in reverse.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

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.

- Jefferson, OH, USA

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.

- Troy, AL, USA

I am an owner of a 2002 Ford Explorer. I have had numerous issues with the transmission. When traveling at highway speeds the transmission will intermittently disengage causing the vehicle to have to be pulled to the side of the road, shift into park, then back to drive. I have consulted with my local Ford dealership numerous times on the issue. I have been repeatedly told that this is a known issue with the Ford Explorer / Mercury Mountaineer transmission. Ford Motor Company is failing to address this issue as being a safety concern. My mother owns a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer with the same exact issue. The previous owner replaced the transmission shortly before I purchased the vehicle due to the same issue. The transmission was replaced with a new transmission from Ford. I wonder how many people have been in accidents because their Explorer/Mountaineer transmission disengages" the Ford dealership in my area referred me to this website being that the service manage believes this should be a safety recall through Ford. I would have to agree with the dealership. Why has Ford or the NHTSA not required the manufacture to correct this issue? do people have to die in car accidents before this is rectified" it is not safe to pass a vehicle since the transmission randomly cuts out without warning.

- Jefferson, OH, USA

Bought an Explorer we thought was a private owner on craiglist in Chicago, and found out he was a dealer from Indiana. He signed the title as first auto Inc. 2620 165th in hammond in 46323. The name of seller is [xxx]. the dmv file a complaint on our behalf and stated what he did was illegal. We did not know he was a dealer til when we tried to transfer our plates the next day. We took the truck in for service and my mechanic stated that carfax has the miles almost 80,000 more than what is on the odometer. The odometer listed 110,000 and carfax was far past that amount. The dealer rolled back the miles of Explorer. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Round Lake Beach, IL, USA

O/D light keeps flashing, will not switch into second gear until you let off the throttle. Gets as high as 38,000- 40,000 RPM.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 mph, the gear shift fractured and only operated in reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.

- Solon, IA, USA

Overdrive light came on. Check transmission light came on. The truck suddenly started screeching loudly, nearly caused an accident while going to the airport on an expressway.

- Copiague, NY, USA

I got in it after 15 minutes of it warming up, pulled out of the drive and the RPM went to 3000rpm before it shifted in second gear. Then the O/D light started flashing on and off, next the check transmission indicator light came on. Went home and called a mechanic, took it to him and then bad news. It has worked perfectly up to this point.

- Farwell, MI, USA

A part that should never fail, the shifter handle broke off. This appears to be a common and expensive failure.

- East Amherst, NY, USA

Parked in parking lot on level surface. Started engine went to put in reverse and shifting lever fell off. Contacted Ford instead of selling broken part wanted to sell complete steering column.

- Herrick, SD, USA

The handle to shift the manual transmission from park to reverse broke off at the metal part inside the steering column. This is could have been very dangerous if I was driving! Ford states they no longer produce the part.

- Sonora, CA, USA

Went to put vehicle in reserve and gear shift on the column fell in my hand, completely snapped.

- Gloucester, NJ, USA

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 Explorer 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.

- Richmond, NH, USA

I was driving my 02 Explorer on the thruway for 2 an 1/2 hours and when I got to my destination the transmission bucked and shuddered and revved up while I was trying to stop at a stop light I almost hit the person in front of me because of the transmission failing when I looked at my instrument panel on the dash the overdrive light was flashing so after I got home I checked the internet and would you know there are thousands of people that are experiencing the same problem... Ford should have a recall for this transmission because what happened to me might happen to someone else with deadly results... I talked to my transmission specialist and he said it needs a new transmission the truck doesn't even have 150,000 on it so I contacted Ford and they can't help me because there is no recall for this truck... Ford needs to fix their manufacture error here because what they are doing is fraud they claim that their transmissions are good but like with a lot of the complaints I have read their trannys died before 100,000 miles so for them to sell defected SUVS is fraudulent in its self because not only do we the customers have to pay all this money for the vehicle but we also have to put a new transmission in them before 100,000 miles at the cost of 3500 to 4000 dollars...

- Waterloo, NY, USA

I purchased this to use as a second vehicle for camping trips so the mileage on it is very low for its age. Suddenly one day of normal local driving, the O/D light started flashing and the vehicle started to run very rough. It couldn't seem to accelerate and rpms were high. I had to drive home with emergency flashers on since the car felt like it was going to die any moment. Since O/D flashing means something with transmission, I took it to two different transmission repair shops who both diagnosed a bad transmission that would need to be replaced at about $3,500. I was shocked that I would need a new transmission with only 43000 miles on vehicle despite its age. Both shops informed me that the 2002 Ford Explorer are notorious for bad transmissions. I called Ford Motor Company to request assistance with this repair. They would not help me in any way. The vehicle is not drivable and I am not in a financial position to take on such an expensive repair for a second vehicle. Right now it is sitting unused in my driveway while costing me to keep it insured. Can't believe this has happened to me since I thought I was buying a reputable product. Ford abandoned me when their product failed. I will never buy another Ford product again. The least Ford could have done was assume responsibility for their mistakes and not cheat the public. Other issues I am having is flaking peeling paint and a crack through the Ford emblem on the rear door panel.

- Baltimore, MD, USA