Seems we have joined a long and distinguished list of 02 transmission problems. Went looking around google to find any info on the symptoms and found this site. We have experienced the EXACT same issues all have outlined and have calls into independent repair shops to avoid going to the dealer...in these times, no cars selling...the only way they can make any money is in the Service Center.

I filed a complaint with NHTSA this afternoon with a link to this site so they can see the magnitude of the issue. Imagine the amount of people who have not gone through the process of finding a site for information and thus have not posted here! It is a travesty that Ford has not stood by their problems. This is the third Explorer we've had and the other two were outstanding. We toyed with purchasing a Jeep back in 2002 because of the price but were scared off by the repair and reliability issues...pretty funny today! Please complain to the NHTSA...the more people who bring the issue to light the better chance Ford might actually own up to their design issues and help their customers!

This car is a piece of garbage. I've only owned it 6 years and now it's costing me over $3000 to repair, which is almost what the car is worth at this point. I was always one to stick up for American cars, having family who works for Ford, but I'm never buying American again. My next car will be a Honda or a Toyota.

Update from Jul 24, 2014: I posted a complaint back in 2008 after being forced to replace my 2002 Explorer's transmission at 82,000 miles. I managed to hang on to it for another 6 years. I've also had problems with the wheel bearing going bad and had to replace that. Now my O/D off light just started blinking at 132,000 miles. I've been told that this time it's likely a bad torque converter, which will cost around $750. But so far, the car still runs save an occasional jerking from 2nd to 3rd gear, so I think I'm going to skip the replacement, just change the trans fluids and drive it until I can't drive it any longer and get as much of my money back that I've put into it so far.

Without warning (of course!) the O/D Off lamp started flickering and the CHECK TRANSMISSION message displayed in the display. I was able to drive home, but the next day the transmission was definitely slipping and having problems on the less than two mile drive to the dealer. The mechanic drove it around the auto center with the comment "Wow, this transmission is really messed up!" and it needs to be completely replaced with bands worn out and debris from the self-destructing transmission finishing the job. This was the first site found in a search of 2002 explorer transmission problems and what a doosy it is.

Here is a little link to ford motor company. They would like to know how you feel about there vehicals. Let'em have it. I did.................https://secure.ford.com/footer/contact-ford/contact-us-email?contactMainTopic=VehicleServiceIssues

Update from Nov 6, 2010: Too many people with this issue. There should be a recall. So if you know of someone who has a Ford and has experienced problems please tell them to speak up and register their complaint by calling 800 392 3673. Be ready to provide VIN number and other identifying information. I was told they record every complaint thus creating the data base that could be the determining factor in a recall. If we never speak up then Ford wont know anything is wrong.

I have been a Ford person for some 25 years (other than a Corvette and Camaro for a hobby car). So I am not givving up on Ford because of this one FIASCO. My transmission has been blinking the OD light for almost 2 years now. I always have to let off the gas or it will not shift from 1st to 2nd. Ford wants 4500 to rebuild the transmission(That is crazy). I did get a friend to replace the PCB solenoid body that the PO775 code said was bad. But that was a waste of 700.00. After much research I have what I believe to be the problem. It is the Front OD Servo. I just need to find the information to get this done or find a reputable transmission dealer who will not rape me. I love ford I just hate the dealers!!!!

I own a 2002 Ford Explorer with a V8 auto transmission. This transmission has been having issues since I reached 60,000 miles. It would take over 5 seconds to engage into gear which could cause an accident if on a stopped and switching gears. Then one day I am driving and the overdrive light begins to flash. I went home and since it was a Saturday night , I decided to do a GOOGLE search on 2002 overdrive light flashing. Oh boy did I wish I knew that ALL 2002 ford explorers are having this issue before I bought it. Ford has put a sealed transmission in this vehicle which is flat out DANGEROUS!! How can they put a transmission into a vehicle that your not even able to check your fluid level. Your transmission could be low causing the transmission to go out, and the owner would never know. Not only are there massive amounts of Explorers with this issue, but with the same exact issue. Between 20 to 30 MPH (going from 2nd to 3rd) the transmission will slip allowing the vehicle RPM's to soar to 5000 + and then SLAMS into gear. If you do a internet search there are THOUSANDS of people with this SAME EXACT issue. Some vehicles report as low as 20,000 miles when the transmission fails. Ford should be held responsible for putting transmissions that are obviously FAULTY. Read the thousands of complaints out there from the hard working consumer, and I think you will agree. Ford does not want to admit that there transmissions in the 2002 explorer because of the cost to repair all of the vehicles straight up!! Remember the Ford Explorer is the #1 selling SUV in America for years! And with selling that many vehicles, If you where Ford and you ever had a major engine or transmission issue of course you would DENY it, That would be a good chunk of change out of there pocket. SHAME ON YOU FORD!! This is not the way your company built its customer base. If Henry Ford was alive he would be bitch slapping you idiots for putting that POS tranny into a vehicle let alone an SUV you dumb SOB's

Similar to previously reports. Blinking O/D light for 5 miles but then stopped blinking. No way to check transmission fluid level as confirmed by area autoparts and non-Ford service centers. No noticeable problems shifting but suddenly vehicle would not exceed 20 mph and transmission disengaged to a neutral-like mode. Would not engage in reverse or drive, and began to hear whining noise followed by "service engine" light. Stranded on busy interstate. A bit annoyed in that transmission serviced at 50, 75, and 125K miles. With the number of reported complaints with this year and model (and all previous year models), this should really be a recall item. Last Ford I will purchase, rent or drive. I think these complaints should be sent to congress as a further sign that Ford especially needs to get its act together (no bailout!!!). I really hate that I have more confidence in foreign vehicles...I wish I could have more faith in American vehicles.

I am currently living in the same world that all of you live in. The economy is not really booming right now. We have prices everywhere going up, monopoly's happening in pretty much every spectrum of the economy....(Where do we live....In the United States Of America..?) We are all buying vehicles from company's that we think are making a vehicle worthy of owning, but in reality we are purchasing something that will keep their companies making cars.

I purchased a used vehicle with 54000 miles on it, thinking i was buying something that would last for 5 years plus. I thought I would keep it after it is paid off to use as a back up vehicle. Well I guess that is out of the question seeing that my transmission is already going at 64000 miles....Yes I said 64000 miles. Wow...That is unbelievable. Well I know that i will be paying for this vehicle for the next five years.....and I also know that I will never in my life buy another Ford Vehicle...nor will anyone in my family....I can not believe that I am in a ford with 64000 miles and it is already headed towards the junk yard......Go Ford......Go straight to H#%@.

After reading all of the other 2002 Ford Explorer transmission nightmares, I actually now feel much better that my wife's piece of crap didn't tear up until 105,000 miles. Until now, it's just been typical cheap American craftsmanship problems: blinker bulbs going out, brake lights going out, door window falling out of track and showering, tailgate body panel separating from car.

I currently have a 2007 Toyota Tundra, after having a 1997 Dodge Ram that required 3 transmission rebuilds within 127,000 miles. This is now 4 transmissions in American vehicles. Why are American manufacturers surprised that they are losing all of their market share to Japanese and European manufacturers. I can promise you that, as long as I live, I will never purchase another piece of crap American vehicle.