The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the overdrive light illuminates intermittently and then the vehicle accelerates without warning. When the overdrive light is blinking, it cannot be shut off with the overdrive switch unless the vehicle is shut off and then restarted. The contact also stated that the transmission was slipping gears. The failure occurs randomly while driving 10 mph or greater. The dealer and the manufacturer have not been notified. The failure mileage was 79,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

- Dillwyn, VA, USA

The transmission in my 2002 4WD Ford Explorer failed at 73,000 miles. I was traveling on a highway when the problem occurred. I was fortunate that the highway was empty at that time when the transmission failed. The problem occurred suddenly and I feel that my life could have been endangered if more automobiles were present on the highway I was traveling on. I read that sudden transmission failure is a very frequent occurrence among 2002 Ford Explorer and also read that Ford has not addressed the problem through any sort of safety recall procedure. When I called Ford to submit a patron complaint Ford confirmed that no safety recall had been issued.

- Denver, CO, USA

2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4X4 control module goes out. There are hundreds of posts talking about this problem in forums. They remade the part 3 times because they knew they had a problem. I got stuck 2 miles on a beach with my wife and 2 children because the 4 wheel drive wouldn't kick in. There is no warning that it is broke until you try to use it.

- Gratz, PA, USA

4 wheel drive will not engage. Has been used one other time since I purchased the vehicle in 2002

- Louisville, KY, USA

Prior to purchase 6/03 @ 40K miles, trans fluid 2 qts low, nothing else addressed. April '04 @ 50K miles replaced leaks in transmissions, charged $200 deductible. Sept '04 replaced rear differential, Jan '05 replaced rear diff clutch assembly, now need whole new transmission at 68000 miles.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

Module that controls the "control trac" 4-wheel drive system, failed at 3000 miles causing system to assume rear wheels were slipping. This caused the system to intermittently cycle the front wheel drive to assist even though rear tires were not losing traction. Owner complained to dealership 4 previous times of control trac problems, but dealership did not admit problem (told owner everything was fine with drive train) until 7000 miles when owner demanded a fix. Dealer then told owner that Ford knows about bad part, but that they have no idea when part will be available for repair. Currently, Explorer's 4X4 system is unpluged by dealer and is 2wd only. Dealer said they "don't know how much damage has already been done with 4000 miles of driving with bad system." Ford says module for fix, is on backorder, and don't know when fix will be available.

- Farmington, NY, USA