Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2004 Ford Explorer. Transmission shifts roughly into reverse and third gear. Car was put into reverse in June, 2004 and did not move until a few seconds later, and then lunged backwards, hitting my wife and breaking her arm. Still shifts roughly to this day.
Started in 7/2007 had vibrations in drive train, Ford stated it was the drive shaft. Ford replaced the drive shaft with a high-performance balanced one. Vibration stopped. In 10/2007 the Explorer was slipping during acceleration, and slamming into gear. Overdrive light would be blinking on and off. This time they had said that they had to rebuild the transmission due to a bad oriface. Later I found out they only replaced the valve body at 24072 miles. I asked about the lag time between pressing the accelerator and actually moving and was told that this was the way the vehicle drives due to no cables for the throttle it was electronic and there might be a computer update at a later date. It hesitates upon acceleration just had to learn and accept it. …
2003 Ford Explorer eddie bauer AWD 4dr VIN [redacted] under warranty - 33125 miles when in reverse experience bangs/jerks - dealer stated it was transmission shift solenoid pack and replaced 6/05 - continued to bang/jerk into reverse until approx 1 month later, vehicle would not move whether in drive or reverse, along with loud whining noises - dealer could not look at vehicle for one week at which time flat bedded at owners cost as now at 37,000 miles (out of warranty of course) Ford inspected transmission and has denied repair/replacement under warranty. At 37,000 miles one would not expect a transmission to fail. Owner escalating this issue to Ford customer service. Dealer has been great, after reading similar complaints from this website, it appears Ford corporation is in total denial of a transmission problem for 03 explorers. Updated 07/19/2012
2003 Ford Explorer xls 4x4, front and rear hub bearings going out on a vehicle especially the front hub bearings. The left front hub bearing went bad and luckily we was not going down the highway at 55 MPH or higher, we was only going about 25-30 MPH. The left front hub bearing froze up and we did a "u" turn and no one was hurt. I had it towed to a service shop and they told me what the problem was,and they told me that this is a major problem with this truck. I contacted Ford on this matter and they told me I had to pay for the repair by myself,but if the same problem is on many,many trucks this is bad and not safe. Do you have any ideas? The repair shop called me and told me we should replace the two front hubs and the rear axle bearings also,and looked at them after the repair and the other ones were worn excessive also. …
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. …
Transmission failure. I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 2wd. At 109000 miles one day I was driving it on the freeway, and I noticed that the o/d light is flashing. I tried to turn it off, but it wouldn't. I exited from the freeway an I parked the car at the nearby gas station trying t o find out what was the problem. I turned the engine off for a few minutes,and then I turned it back on,and the o/d light went off. I thought it was finished, but it wasn't. I started driving for about 10 minutes the o/d light came back on, and the transmission shifts hardly from one gear to another. The next day I took the car to the transmission shop to check what is going wrong. From my house to the shop about 25 minutes drive, the o/d light started flashing. …
I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport which I bought new. I have always maintained it properly and I babied the vehicle. I have replaced many parts on it in the last three years from ball joints to hub assemblies many expensive repairs. Now it is making noise in the rear end and my mechanic has informed me that the rear end May go at any time. I have researched this and find that many other Ford owners are experiencing the same problem but it is not considered a recall. I am not in the financial situation at this time to have this repaired and it is my feeling with so many people having this problem with their explorers it should be considered a recall. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer Sport years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (32), 2001 (26), 2000 (13), 1997 (8) and 1999 (8) model years. Transmission complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Ford Explorer Sport transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Ford Explorer Sport model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Explorer Sport transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (55 mentions), followed by the driveline › differential unit (5).
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.