10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 16 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 8 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 75,282 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
Overdrive light began to flash, then shifting became very difficult becoming increasingly worse to the point of not shifting at all. Noticeably jerks when shifting into reverse. Lots of whining noise from under the vehicle. Also rear differential makes loud whine/roar at speeds above 30 and at acceleration. I understand these are very common complaints among Explorer owners and can be very costly. Most transmission repair people tell me that it is a manufacturing defect and that Ford should fix it.
- Altoona, AL, USA
Transmission went bad when only 3 years old, Ford told me that it's a known problem.
- Conyers, GA, USA
2002 Ford Explorer XLT, 56,000 miles. Whining from rear differential between 40-60 mph. Whining goes away if pressure is reduced from accelerator or if speed is greater than 60 mph. Some leaking of rear differential fluid around driveshaft pinion seal. Also had transmission rebuilt at 54,000 miles due to rough shifting from 3 to 4. transmission was not covered under 36,000 mile warranty. In my research, I have uncovered many other 2002/2003 Explorer owners with similar whining rear differential issues. Would seem that since there are many others having the same issue that there is some design/materials flaw in the rear end gearbox causing this issue. I will be forced to replace the rear end in addition to the transmission if there is no remedy from Ford.
- Olathe, KS, USA
Automatic transmission on 2002 Ford Explorer 4WD eddie bauer at 85450 miles - 3rd gear clutch out and requires rebuild.
- Avon, IN, USA
My 2002 Ford Explorer transmission went out at 65,000 miles. Now its costing me $3500 plus tax to have a refurbished one installed. Transmissions should last much longer than this and I have seen a huge number of Ford transmission failures for this vehicle. Ford needs a recall and to reimburse us that have already paid.
- Downers Grove, IL, USA
On or about November 3, 2005, I purchased a break model used Ford Explorer XLT 2002 from norm reeves Honda car dealer in cerritos, ca. The car had 78,000 miles on it at the time of purchase. I signed the papers and took the possession of the car. It has not been more than 2 months that the car started giving me trouble on the pick up of the speed, transmission, gear adjustment, over use of the gas, difficult high altitude driving even after change of gears, air suction into the engine and transmission, accelerator and signs like service engine soon on the front panel, although I have been getting regular lube and tune on the car after every 3000 miles. While driving the, occasionally, the car gives a thundering noise on the tires as if it is dragging itself and running on the road. This makes me fear that my car is not safe for me to drive! the norm reeves Honda super store car dealer knew that the car is defective and they simply wanted to get rid of a used 2002 Ford Explorer XLT vehicle from the fleet as they primarily sell Honda cars and similar vehicles. Despite repeated requests, the norm reeves Honda super store and their sister company Ford of cerritos refused to provide service on the car since I stopped payments on the car loan. Other Ford car dealers have test driven this car and observed the same defects as I have mentioned. My purpose of writing this complaint with the NHTSA is to request the intervention of NHTSA immediately as the questioned vehicle is likely to endanger my life on the local roads and/or on highway/freeways. Due to major defects in the car, I can meet with a serious accident and can be crippled or suffer such pecuniary losses that are irreplaceable and/or I can die also with out any fault of mine. Please recall Firestone tires V. Ford Motor Company case law. Criminal charges against norm reeves Honda, Ford of cerritos and their ceos to follow. Please contact me and the dealers asap. Respectfully submitted, amardeep singh gill.
- Cypress, CA, USA
Repeated rear axle and seal failure, transmission issues.
- St Simons Island, GA, USA
My 2002 Explorer is also having the same problems which have been previously noted by other Explorer owners. The whining when reaching 50-60 km/hr, which goes away when you take your foot off the gas, the slipping and shuddering of gears and sometimes passing gear never kicks in, the ABS light comes on (usually after the truck has warmed up and it doesn't seem to happen when the weather is really cold), the ABS is now starting to act up, wherein it randomly activates itself even while on dry pavement and the brakes feel mushy when this happens. Now the locks are randomly not working. I would like to share one instance about the passing, shuddering, slipping was when I was traveling on the highway with my kids, I pulled out to pass, and when I stepped on it the truck shuddered so hard, that my daughter, who was coloring a mother' day card, actually scribbled when it shuddered, if that makes any sense. She was po'd at me asking me why did I do that and now her card was ruined. We have had the transmission in for service and were told nothing was wrong. We had the transmission fluid changed and the truck worked fine for about 2 weeks and then back to the same old problems. My husband and I are seriously considering trading this piece of crap vehicle off and we have decided that it will only be imports from now on. Ford needs to wake up and start fixing all of these problems or they will be finding themselves bankrupt in no time. I was brought up as a kid in Ford; 67 T-bird, Ford ltd, 1/2 ton truck, 3/4 ton truck, 78 Ford T-bird, Ford Taurus, my first car being a Mercury lynx, then a 93 Ford festiva, hubby owned a 93 Ford Ranger 4X4, 98 Windstar, my mom owns a 96 Explorer and so on. My friend just got rid of her 2000 Explorer which she lovingly named her 'Ford exploder'. thanks for listening to my rant and I really hope that with everyone's input that something can be done about this.
- Warman, 00, USA
O/D off light began flashing on dash, followed by service engine soon. Vehicle was taken in to Ford where transmission had to be completely rebuilt with only 53,000 miles on it. Known defect according to Ford tsb.
- New Milford, CT, USA
We own a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4X4...5-18-06 overdrive light flashes...5-19-06 it will not shift into drive gear...will only drive in first and second gears. Mechanic says the transmission is shot and needs to be rebuilt for $2200. This seems to be a very common problem with the 2002 Explorer and should be recalled...period.
- Charlestown, IN, USA
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.
- Knoxville, MD, USA
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 65,000. Transmission has gone bad. Third gear band is broken. Always driven in light city and highway miles. Never towed a trailer. Ford dealer says that truck is out of warranty.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
Soon after we bought it. The began over-revving before shifting on flat road. At approximately 80K the over drive began light flashing erratically. Would reset if I turned engine off, sat for few minutes, and restarted engine. Began slam shifting on flat road at approximately 100K. Complete transmission failure leaving me stranded at approximately 107K. * repair shop said 02 Explorer are #1 for needing transmission replacements. Going to cost over $3000 to fix.
- Knoxville, MD, USA
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.
- Erie, PA, USA
Last year I had an issue with my 2002 Ford Explorer XLT. The Ford dealer said it was the rear axel and tranny and fixed the issue. This year the same symptoms occurred plus the od light began flashing signaling tranny problems. Of course I am out of the warranty now and I know that the tranny on this model Ford is "sealed" meaning I cannot check tranny fluids and only the dealer can service the transmission. I hear many horror stories of the tranny going out prematurely and I understand that there is a service bulletin from Ford about this issue. I feel that with so many issues and the irreparable design, that a recall should be considered. I feel cheated and I understand that this fix can be over $2000. Please help.
- Durham, NC, USA
: the contact stated the overdrive light flashed and the check transmission light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, where it was determined the transmission needed to be rebuilt.
- Forest Hill, MD, USA
2002 Ford Explorer. Failed transmission, starter, rear wheel bearings, airbag, pinion, electric window. Now loud sounds from rear of car.
- Eden Prairie, MN, USA
Transmission failure and rear axle noises as well as rear wheel bearings.
- Lima, NY, USA
2002 Ford Explorer. The transmission completely had to be rebuilt at 85,000. The shop we took the car to said he sees a lot of 2002 Ford Explorer because it was a new model and Ford did not build the transmission correctly. The mechanic said Ford did not recall the transmission's but they should as it seemed to him to be a systemic problem, and not from abuse (in our case anyway).
- Easton, CT, USA
- Murrieta, CA, USA