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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The transmission of our 2002 Explorer started slipping, jumping, jerking' surging, refusing to shift, shifting slowly and other associated things approximately 4 years ago. There is no consistency, it does it whenever it wants, regardless of the speed, outside temperature, driving distance. I feel Ford owes me a new, redesigned transmission with installation. I would like to know what Ford is doing about the problem with the transmission which was installed in this model and year explorers.
My 2002 Explorer Sport o/d light began blinking when I bought it in feb 09. The car has about 104,000 miles on it. Soon after I bought the car, the transmission slipped. I took it to the mechanic and they could not reproduce the problem. About a year later, 4/29/10, the o/d light began blinking again. I had the transmission serviced and a diagnostic test ran on the transmission. This cost about $300. On 5/3/10 I took my Explorer in again because the light came back on. They ran another test and told me I would have to get the transmission replaced or rebuilt but it should last me a little while longer. That same evening my car would not shift into gear. I had to turn the car off and turn it back on to get it into gear. I could not go over 5mph and my RPM's were unnaturally high for the speed I was traveling. By the time I got up the hill I was on I could go no further. …
Overdrive light began to flicker on and off, and the transmission would not shift properly. Would stay in a lower gear during acceleration as the RPM continued to climb. Had stored codes diagnosed with the following: p0732 (gear 2 incorrect ratio), p0733 (gear 3 incorrect ratio), p0734 (gear 4 incorrect ratio). Was advised not to continue to drive vehicle. Required complete transmission rebuild (by an independent including upgrades) including the replacement of the torque converter due to excessive metal filings throughout. Total cost $2581.60. The vehicle has never been used for towing (no hitch) and is not abused. . Investigation on the web reveals this transmission failure to be quite common, citing weaknesses in the original design. …
When trying to shift car from drive into park, the gear shift lever broke off inside the steering column and fell of in my hand. The car was still in drive and I turned off the ignition. The key could not be removed and the car was towed to the dealership. To repair this linkage part, the entire steering column had to be replaced, at a cost of over $1800. I called Ford to report the incident and was told that they have no record of something like this ever happening before. They said they would add the incident to their database. I told them that I felt this was a serious safety issue and that this needs to be referred to engineering or quality assurance for investigation before someone gets injured or killed. I got the impression that Ford was not going to do anything with this information.
At 55,350 miles my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport's transmission would flare when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. When I took it to the dealership, I was told that I had a solenoid malfunction in my transmission; therefore, affecting other components of the transmission. I was told by the dealership that my transmission would need to be rebuilt. Miles wise, I still had a little under 5,000 miles until the warranty expired, years wise, I was at 5 years 74 days. Needless to say, this problem cost me $2168.38. I don't think vehicle at 55K miles should need a rebuilding of a transmission. I think I should be reimbursed in some way for the cost.....even though I went over the warranty by 74 days.
O/d off light started blinking. Dealer stated that this is an indication of transmission problems. Checked on line for warranty information, and found out that this is a very common problem with Ford's 2002 transmissions. Ford will not assist in the cost of repairs because the problem occurs after the 36,000 miles or 3 year warranty period. Every thing points to a $ 2,000 / 3,000 repair job. I purchased this truck in 10/08 and now I have to look forward to a major repair before owning it for a year. I really think that Ford should in some way compensate its vehicle owners for a defect that they are apparently well aware of.
While driving over 70 MPH vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic detrermined that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that the tires where cupping and had to be replaced. The consumer stated that he had to drive the unsafe vehicle for 2 and a half years limited to no high speed traveling. The consumer stated that he would like a refund. The tailgate keeps locking and the rear door can not be opened from inside. The right front window rattles whien it is all the way up.
In August 2003, reported to dealer that the truck was groaning when turning. Service advised that I was turning the wheel too far and rubbing the tires on the wheel wells. This was not possible since the tires were the original factory installs. By November, the truck would hardly turn without dragging the back tires and the dealer found there was no fluid in the rear differential requiring a complete overhaul. Then, in June 2004, the "new" seals failed allowing the fluid to, again, drain out. Dealer is currently repairing.
We have a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, within past few days my transmission started slipping when going into 2nd gear occasionally, now it is doing it much more and the od off light is blinking. I am seeing online that this a very common occurrence with this vehicle and Ford should be required to do something. We pay alot of money to have dependable vehicles and to have the transmissions failing so often in these vehicles is ridiculous. Ford should be help accountable for faulty transmissions!!!
1. I have had my vehicle for almost two years and I have never abused it because it would come out of my pocket. I get it serviced regularly. 2.the failure is a transmission slip from 2nd to 3rd gear where is seems to slip into neutral and cause my rpms to shoot way up. Happens everytime I drive my vehicle, and just recently my o/d off light started flashing everytime the vehicle is turned on. 3.old part is still available, as I have yet to correct the failure because of the price to do so.
Transmission complaints in other Explorer Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 24% of the model year's 133 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Explorer Sport transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, though it has 3 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 3% 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.