This is the second time we had to have the transmission replaced. The first time my Explorer had a transmission problem was in December 2008 my Explorer only had 107,262 miles on it. The second time was June 2012 with 136,671 miles on it. Then again in September 2015 with the mileage of 184,086. I think anytime you have to replace the transmission 3 times there is definitely is a problem. I loved my Explorer and didn't really have any other issues other than the transmission but will I never buy another Ford product again.

The board (computer board) which makes a Ford Explorer 4WD a 4WD cannot be sourced.

AWD function does not work. Any 4WD function does not work. Have been trying to source the "board" forever, and ever now with nothing showing up.

Oh yeah, Ford will put you on the top of their list when they "decide" to manufacture them. So for $500 plus the extra $50 for the Ford list, plus the extra "keying in factor" at the dealership at $650... oh and plus the mechanic to change in and out.......what's another grand when I've spent upwards of $12,000 to keep this fantastic vehicle running.

Always happens when you're just about to sell and then something else goes awry....!

Ford really needs to step up and take some ownership for putting used beer cans on the road and disguising them as vehicles!

I've only had the vehicle a few weeks, and lately it doesn't want to move when I first start it. At first, I was able to work around the problem by starting the car and letting it warm up for 5-10 minutes, after which it would drive okay. Now that doesn't work any more. When I shift from P into R or D, nothing happens -- absolutely nothing. There's no noise, no bump, no change in engine note or tach reading, nothing at all. It's as though I'd left it in Park. I have found that by revving the engine several times (2500-3000 rpm) with the transmission in Neutral, then shifting into R or P with the engine at idle, it usually works. The transmission then seems to shift fine, though sometimes there's some slip and slop in 2nd, and it doesn't "go dead" at a stop sign or red light. But if I park the car for a while, say at the grocery store, then come out and start it after 20-30 minutes, it does the same thing when I shift from P to D or R -- nothing. Again, I have to put it in N and rev the engine a few times, presumably to get the tranny fluid circulating.

We just purchased this vehicle for our 16yr old son in November 2012. With the hope that this would be the vehicle that he takes to college, it would be a safe and reliable for him. We have only owned it not even 3months. Purchased it from a dealership. We have never been big fans of Ford, but it was a great looking vehicle and thought we'd give Ford a try. Well now after reading all the blogs about 2002 & 2003 Ford Explorers and transmissions problems NOT HAPPY!! If that many people are having problems you think Ford would do SOMETHING for these people !!

I had the transmission rebuilt and replaced back in 2011 at about 168,000, miles after that was done I had to replace the drive shaft the front and back pumkins also replaced the front wheel bearing twice now after $3500.00. Now when I got to a stop sign it would not accelerate it just sat there like it want to go but wouldn't.....I have owned fords most of my driving life and have never had problems, I have an escape that is at 283,000 mile that I have never had problems with but the explorer is a whole different beast...THE EXPLORER IS BY FAR THE WORST SUV I EVERY OWNED I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER EXPLORER! it's like a money pit!...

This transmission is definitely foreign made. Doesn't even have a dipstick and you have to check the fluid HOW through the pan? My truck will shift but not move in any of the gears. I drove it not even 2 hours earlier with no problems. Changed the filter and fluid both looked ok and minor shavings on the magnet. It looked like normal wear and tear for 160,000 miles. Could be the bands. I am going to have the electrical check. Hope it is something inexpensive to fix. To make a long story short. If I pull the trans it will cost $1200 to $1500 to rebuild. New is $2000. If I pay someone I will be paying $1700 to $2400 to rebuild and install. Merry Christmas Ford a recall would of been nice with this worthless transmission.

Ford was aware of this problem while they were selling new 2002 explorers to their dealers. Their customers have suffered because they have refused to have a recall. Before I bought this Truck I was told it had already been replaced once, I have read some people have went through 3-4 transmissions and yet Ford could careless.

Is there not a lawfirm out their that would like to get us all some payback. A class action lawsuit is way overdue for the 2002 Ford Explorer owners. My Next vehicle will be an Import. It's obvious that American care manufactures design their cars to break. I used to work for Honda and if this was a Honda it would be so uncommon they would good will a new transmission.

First, I would like to say this is 100% my fault. Not listening to my dad since I was little TO NEVER BUY A FORD/MERCURY. In my life, I've owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Stratus, GMC Yukon, Mecury Sable and the dreaded Ford Explorer. I'm here to add another complaint to this vehicle. I had a tail light issue, the one on top of the rear window went out, tried replacing it and it locked up the freakin ignition. $600 for a light bulb issue. Back side window slipped out of the track, refuse to pay for it. A cheap trick of cardboard is holding it up. And now the transmission issue. Yesterday, while accelerating from a complete stop, it did not go pass 20mph although the RPM was skyrocketing pass 3, 4, 5 6, 7. Unbelievable. This vehicle has given me so much hell that I will be forced to throw a canopy over it and say a little prayer for it. Its done...

This happened, 5 HOURS after I bought the damn thing! Went grocery shopping and came back out with the kids, turned the car on and shifted to D, and it wouldn't move, the engine just rev'ed! So I switched off and got under the hood, maybe I was low on fluid, but oh no, we have no transmission fluid dipstick! So I call the dealer, and show my a$$, so they get a wrecker for me and "fix" the car, says they flushed the tranny, and gave me a loaner till i got my explorer back which was a week and a half later. Didn't know it took 10 days to flush a tranny ha ha. bullcrap!