Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On feb.12 2016 still no dash warning lights my Ford Trac..I left my home in drive moved onto highway 66, the truck would not shift as I tried to increase my speed up onto the 66 highway the RPM ran up only, I had to shift into second gear to get off road drove back home. Now the truck will not move when shifted into drive or reverse. I only had in 2nd gear this is a automatic transmission.fluid is still okay. What is wrong with this truck?.milage is 123242
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. While attempting to shift into park, the gear shifter fractured behind the cluster. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
There was not warning lights on dash, truck slowed down then engine raced up all on its own turned I turned off road shifted to nutral and sat until the racing stopped continued on to auto part store where they plugged into engine it read strange codes..
I own a 2002 Sport Trac, at about 46000 miles mi transmission started to miss shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear, it took about 3 to 4 seconds for the transmission to get into the next gear, so I took it to the dealer where I usually have the truck serviced thinking that it just needed a fluid check due to the fact they performed a transmission fluid change at about 30000. When I went back to the dealer I was advised that the transmission had a problem on the fluid lines and the transmission had to be taken out to be rebuilt, so I asked why was this happening and they stated that there was a problem with the gaskets been worn out inside the transmission. But they couldn't specify if this was a factory problem or a owner abuse problem, so when I asked if there was a transmission recall by the manufacturer (Ford) on this type of trucks the answer was no. …
I am very concerned about my 2002 Ford Explorer sporttrac. I bought it with 1600 miles on it already in March 2002. On 9/6/03, I had it towed in for a continuous reving between 1&2 and black smoke coming out of the tail pipe. The truck had already been stalling during the previous months whenever I wanted to speed up. Ford had my truck for about 2 1/2 weeks, replaced my transmission from the factory. The service man told me they had to send for yet another transmission - that even Ford was stumped with the problem so just sent them another transmission. I got my truck back and it worked fine. Then, the stalling started happening periodically again and again. I took it in again - they said they could not find a problem. I complain about it every time I take it in for servicing. …
Manual transmission and parking brake 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 39800 slave and master cylinders replaced at 700.00 in January 2008. First incidence occurred December 24, 2007. I was actually pulling into grandma's drive on christmas eve and tried to back up into a space when the vehicle was stuck in place blocking everyone in. It did finally work. Then at a shopping center it would not move forward when stopping for pedestrians to cross and then going through an intersection when shifting it just stopped between 2nd and 3rd wouldn't move into any gear. It was stuck between gears and would not move. I was blocking an intersection when I now had a red light. Eventually, I did get it moving to my home, but had it towed to the mechanic since it just would not move at all once restarted. I wonder if the ABS failure in August 2007 caused this problem. …
The last few months the vehicle has been sluggish in power and shifting at the wrong times. We brought it into the Ford dealership. We had them do a transmission flush since it was time, the vehicle had 37,000 miles. The dealership didn't know what was wrong with the transmission. They could hear and feel the problem but could not give us any answers. I picked up the vehicle after having the flush done. On the way home the overdrive light started flashing. This was new. I turned it around and brought it right back. After 2 weeks of going around with them, they finally find metal shavings inside the transmission and tell us we need a new transmission! This is a weekend car with only 37,000 miles on it. This is unacceptable! I contacted Ford directly they said they would look into if there was any program out there for us. …
I purchased my 2002 Explorer Sport Trac in March last year(2003). I had to wait and extra week to pick up my vehicle due to electrical problem that they swore to me was taken care of. In January 2004 my check engine light came on so I called my closest Ford dealership and they told me it would take 2 weeks for me to get an appointment to have my truck checked. Three days later my transmission blew. I called Ford customer relations and they said that it was not a problem and that I would have to pay to have my truck fixed. Three weeks and $2600.00 later I got my truck back. Now the check engine light is still on and my 4 wheel drive does not work. I called aamco(the place Ford referred me too), and they told me that it was not the transmission but now an electrical problem that I would need to take to the dealership to have fixed but I would have to pay to have that fixed as well. …
Transmission problem. O/d light blinking. Transmission instantly started to slip in 3rd gear under acceleration. Over 8,000 complaints listed but Ford says that is not enough for recall. This transmission has a history of problems, that can cause major problems while driving. Biggest one is lose of acceleration in traffic. This transmission has a lengthy bad history. It is the 5r55 series transmission, starting with the faulty solenoid pack. If you look at this transmissions history, you will find the same complaints about it over and over again, slipping while in gear failure to shift, o/d light blinks then goes out, trans failing at 50,000m, 60,000m. I am on my second pair of tires and the transmission is failing. I drive less than 8700 miles per year and maintain my vehicle very well. This type of failure should not have occurred. …
I bought the car in 02/02/2007 in a used condition the 4x4 was not working I replaced the cm 4x4 and the 4x4 switch in less then 4 months it went out I replaced the 4x4 control module again and this month it went out for the third time only this time it is stuck in the 4x4 lo changed the module with a Ford part #2c54-7h473-bf so I can get away from the one defected ones 1l24-7h473-ah but I think the damage is all done in the 4x4 driving case my car is a 2002 Ford Explorer please check the web site http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=101 and you will see most of complaints are about the 4x4 more then 3900 all having the same defect please check it out and do something about this alot of people told Ford about their defect but Ford will not do nothing about it that is whey I am doing this complaint I am sick of Ford not taking this issue seriously.
Transmission complaints in other Explorer Sport Trac years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 22% of the model year's 144 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.