2002 Ford Explorer Power Train

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 50,000 MILES. A WHILE AGO A LOUD, EXCESSIVE WHINE NOISE STARTED COMING THE REAR AXLE AT CRUISE SPEED.(50 MPH OR HIGHER). BROUGHT IT INTO FORD DEALER AND SAID RING AND PINION GEAR HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1300. TALKED TO 2 OF MY NEIGHBOR'S WITH 2002 EXPLORER WHO HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD LOOK INTO, ADDRESS AND CORRECT.*JB

CAR HAS BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, GOT IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS ON THE COMPUTER, THE OD LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING. AT THE TIME OF THE SERVICE IT WAS WORKING CORRECTLY BUT LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. IT FINALLY WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR STRANDING MY WIFE AND INFANT SON. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITH A JASPER TRANSMISSION. *NM

I HAVE 68K MILES ON MY 2002 EXPLORER AND FELT I WAS IN NEED OF NEW BRAKES AND DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE AT MIDAS. I WAS CONTACTED BY THE MECHANIC THAT AFTERNOON AND WAS ADVISED: "SIR I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT YOUR BRAKES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION; HOWEVER, I'M SORRY TO BE THE BEARER OF VERY BAD NEWS. YOUR REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS ARE BAD AND LEAKING AND THE DIFFERENTIAL IS CLOSE TO 'FALLING OFF' OF YOUR VEHICLE! HE FURTHER STATES, "HE HAS BEEN AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC FOR 25 YEARS AND FEELS THIS IS AN INHERENT FLAW FROM FORD AS THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ONE HE HAS SEEN AND THAT I PROCEED TO THE NEAREST FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEM TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS "SAFETY ISSUE." THE MECHANIC ALSO GAVE ME A COPY OF THE TSB FROM FORD. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE SAME DAY IN A STATE OF PANIC! A SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE MECHANIC WHO ALERTED ME OF THIS "FLAW" NOT AUTHORIZED BY FORD, BUT HE WAS ONLY OVER-REACTING! I TOOK MY EXPLORER IN TODAY WITH THE NOTICE PRINTED BY MIDAS AND IT WAS ONLY DISCOUNTED AS BEING A "SERVICE BULLETIN FOR TECHNICIANS." I PAID $55 FOR THEM TO RUN THE SAME TESTS AS MIDAS HAD DONE, WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER; "THE RIGHT REAR BEARING NEEDS REPLACING, THE SEALS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS ARE BAD AND LEAKING AND NEED REPLACING, THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, YOU'RE OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE $700+ AND SERVICE SHOULD BE DONE VERY SOON AS THE DAMAGE WILL WORSEN. NO ONE AT THE DEALER WOULD ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A RECALL. I PAID A $55 DIAGNOSIS CHARGE FOR THEM TO TELL ME WHAT PARTS HAD FAILED WHICH I ALREADY KNEW. I DECLINED THE REPAIRS, ADVISED THE SERVICE MANAGER I WOULD BE CALLING MY ATTORNEY FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTION. I AM NOW SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE AS I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS "INHERENT FORD FLAW" AND WILL DO MY BEST TO SEE THAT FORD ADDRESSES THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW FROM FORD!*JB

1.) MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4WD TENDS TO SURGE IN 1ST,2ND, AND 3RD GEAR. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE SOME SLIPPAGE ISSUES. 2.) NO "FAILURE", YET. 3.) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE YET. *JB

LAST YEAR I HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE FORD DEALER SAID IT WAS THE REAR AXEL AND TRANNY AND FIXED THE ISSUE. THIS YEAR THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED PLUS THE OD LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING SIGNALING TRANNY PROBLEMS. OF COURSE I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY NOW AND I KNOW THAT THE TRANNY ON THIS MODEL FORD IS "SEALED" MEANING I CANNOT CHECK TRANNY FLUIDS AND ONLY THE DEALER CAN SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION. I HEAR MANY HORROR STORIES OF THE TRANNY GOING OUT PREMATURELY AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT WITH SO MANY ISSUES AND THE IRREPARABLE DESIGN, THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. I FEEL CHEATED AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS FIX CAN BE OVER $2000. PLEASE HELP. *NM

I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN TO FORD FOR TRANSMISSIONS AND DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON A CROSS COUNTRY MOVE. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE RIGHT BEFORE THE TRIP STATING THE TRUCK WAS NOT RIGHT. THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. *NM

REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING LEAKING FLUID. PROBLEM WAS FIXED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY BUT IS NOW LEAKING AGAIN. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX AGAIN SINCE IT IS 12 MONTHS PAST ORIGINAL REPAIR AND VEHICLE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, IT WAS PULLED FORWARD AND PARKED. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO SLOWLY DRIVE ONE AND A HALF MILES TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW HOWEVER; WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC ENGAGEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND REAR AXLE NOISES AS WELL AS REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *JB

I HAVE A ROAR IN THE DIFFERENTIAL IN MY FORD EXPLORERS. IT STARTED JUST AFTER THE 36000 WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE 60000 AND THE ROAR IS VERY LOAD. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY HAD TO BE REBUILT AT 85,000. THE SHOP WE TOOK THE CAR TO SAID HE SEES A LOT OF 2002 FORD EXPLORERS BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW MODEL AND FORD DID NOT BUILD THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY. THE MECHANIC SAID FORD DID NOT RECALL THE TRANSMISSION'S BUT THEY SHOULD AS IT SEEMED TO HIM TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM, AND NOT FROM ABUSE (IN OUR CASE ANYWAY). *NM

THE REAR END ON MY CAR WAS CAUSING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE ABOVE 40 MILES PER HOUR. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ABOUT 57,000 MILES. I RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT A PLACE CALLED THE OIL WELL AND THEY NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND ADVISED I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AS IT APPEARED THAT THE SEALS WERE LEAKING. THE OIL WELL ADVISED THAT I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET THE SEAL REPLACED BUT THE LEAK DID NOT APPEAR TO BE BAD. I JUST TOOK MY EXPLORER TO THE DEALER ON AUG 4, 2006 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS LEAKING BADLY AND THEY REPLACED THE SEALS. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL HOURS , I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS READY BUT THE IS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHICH THEY ADVISED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS ARE BAD AND THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT $1400.00 TO REPAIR. IT APPEARS I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM WHICH I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER IF IT IS NOT FIXED THAT THE REAR COULD LOCK UP AND THEN I COULD HAVE EVEN WORST PROBLEMS. IT APPEARS THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD A REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT JUDGING BY THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *NM

LOUD TIRE ROAR WHEN I REACH SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. DEALER NOTICED THE NOISE BUT DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE HOW TO FIX IT. VERY LOUD, ALMOST MAKES YOU NOT WANT DRIVE. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE REAR WHEELS SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT SHOWN SIGNS OF EXTREME WEAR AND WOULD NEED REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (5R55W) HAS FAILED AT 30,300 MILES 10 MONTHS PAST LOUSY 3YR/36K BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY EXPIRATION! 1 MONTH PRIOR TO FAILING THERE WAS A SECOND OR SO DELAY SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR A HARSH BUMP UPON ENGAGEMENT. ON 2/26/06 AFTER A 30 MINUTE DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THEN DOING AN IN-TOWN ERRAND, THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. AFTER PARKING IT IN OUR GARAGE THERE WAS A BURNED FLUID SMELL. DUE FOR THE 30K TRANSMISSION SERVICE, I ALSO ASKED FOR A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT AN INDEPENDENT TRANS. SPECIALIST. THE MECHANIC CAME TO ME WITH THE PAN ASKING DO YOU POSSIBLY HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. (NO! I SHOULDN'T NEED ONE FOR A MAJOR COMPONENT SUCH AS A TRANSMISSION.) THE FLUID WAS COMPLETELY BLACK WITH NO HINT OF RED. ADDITIONALLY THE MAGNET WAS COVERED WITH A 1/2" THICK LAYER OF METAL SHAVINGS! THE COMPUTER CODE (P1783) REVEALED THAT THE FLUID HAD HEATED TO GREATER THAN 270 DEGREES F. THE TRANSMISSION IS FRIED AND HIS BEST ESTIMATE TO REBUILD IT WAS AROUND $3,000! LET ME STATE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER DRIVEN UNDER ANY HARSH CONDITIONS, EVEN THOSE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO ACCORDING TO FORD ADVERTISEMENTS SUCH AS TOWING, OFF-ROAD OR USING THE 4 X 2 LOW GEAR. AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH AND READING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPEATED FAILURES WITH THE REBUILT AND/OR NEW 5R55W'S INSTALLED, WHAT IS THE CONSUMER SUPPOSED TO DO? WE HAVE TO PAY FOR FORD'S MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR POOR ENGINEERING ON THEIR VEHICLES. AS MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN PAID FOR SO THIS IS A HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR OUR FAMILY. I RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE EXACTLY, BUT IT SURE IS HURTING THE POCKETBOOK OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE NO PROTECTION FROM CONSUMER LAWS ONCE IT'S PAST THE 1 YR FOR LEMON LAW OR THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. HOW DO WE GET SUPPORT AS A GROUP TO GET A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT STARTED? NOT BUILT FORD TOUGH!

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT. I ENDED UP HAVING TO DRIVE AT 25 MPH AND AT 5000 RPMS IN ORDER TO GET HOME. I HAVE HEARD OF MORE THAN SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2002 EXPLORERS. FORD DID NOTHING TO HELP ME. *JB

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3-4 TIMES FOR REAR END NOISE / VIBRATION. IT HAS BEEN REPLACE, RE LUBRICATED AND ADJUSTED. THE CAR HAS 85000 MILES ON IT AND THE NOISE IS BACK AGAIN. ANY TIME YOU ARE ACCELERATING AND REACH 55-60 MPH, THERE IS LOUD WHINE THE COMES FROM THE REAR END. LET OFF THE GAS AND IT GOES AWAY.*JB

VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY NOW AT 114K MILES. TRANSMISSION JUST REPLACED AT MY COST AND NOW THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS MAKING A BAD HOWLING NOISE. I SUPPOSE THAT WILL END UP NEEDING REPLACEMENT OUT OF WARRANTY. I'M HAVING A REAL PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING WHY THE VEHICLE IS HAVING SUCH BAD/EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS AT JUST OVER 100K MILES. ARE THEY REALLY BUILDING GARBAGE ??? *JB

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE SUDDEN. *NM

REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS LEAKING OIL AND WHINE AT ROAD SPEED ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 51000 MILES. VIN [XXX]. *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2002 FORD EXPLORER EXHIBITING TRANSMISSION AND REAR END PROBLEMS FORD SHOULD RECALL ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO BE VERY WIDE SPREAD. COST ESTIMATED TO BE $6000 FOR REPAIR. *NM

2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION IS BAD AFTER ONLY 33,000 MILES. *JB

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS, 85,000 MILES, STARTED WITHOUT WARNING TO FLASH THE O/D LIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB

CLASSIC REAR DIFFERENTIAL. HUMMING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 TO 65 MPH UNDER LOAD AND LEAKING SEALS AND MY VEHICLE HAS 57K MILES ON IT. IT IS A FORD DEFECT.*JB