02 Explorer transmissions
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28
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02 Explorer transmissions
I have an 02 XLT Explorer with 80,000 had some of the problems that are common with this vehicle like egr sensor, rear wheel bearing replaced 4x4 modual and so on, but I had no Transmission problems yet.
My friend has an 02 and the tranny went at 53,000 miles he told me his mechanic said the 02 exp are noted for Transmission problems is this true because if it is it may be time to unload this vehicle because of the price of repairing the transmission I was told is high.
My friend has an 02 and the tranny went at 53,000 miles he told me his mechanic said the 02 exp are noted for Transmission problems is this true because if it is it may be time to unload this vehicle because of the price of repairing the transmission I was told is high.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
Well, I can't really say anything bad about Explorer's don't want to get a bad rep, but with 80,000 I would be thinking trade in.
Bad transmissions? 02's make that all of them. Fords no.1 moneymoblie and they managed to ruin it.
Don't use the dealerships for anything but warranty work, or maybe service.
A new trans will cost thats for sure.
Bad transmissions? 02's make that all of them. Fords no.1 moneymoblie and they managed to ruin it.
Don't use the dealerships for anything but warranty work, or maybe service.
A new trans will cost thats for sure.
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Please let me add this - the rebuild on my is estimated at $3700-$3800. A replacement transmission is around $3600.
And this after they'd repaired it around 1 1/2 years ago. I'm working on getting some help from Ford, but will not be hold my breath in hope!
I love Fords, but this transmission problem annoys me. And to find out that it's most if not all 2002's just makes it worse.
And this after they'd repaired it around 1 1/2 years ago. I'm working on getting some help from Ford, but will not be hold my breath in hope!
I love Fords, but this transmission problem annoys me. And to find out that it's most if not all 2002's just makes it worse.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
If you have 80,000 miles and have had no problems, have the fluid and filter replaced by a trusted transmission shop or your Ford dealer. They claim that these transmissions do not need maintenance, but my local tranny shop says all the ones he has seen either had bad solenoids, or a lot of friction material that was the result of the engineered slippage. The factory designs a certain amount of slippage to make the transmission shift smoother. The problem is that when it slips, friction material is burned of the bands and clutches, and these particles are so small they pass right through the filter. If you get enough of this stuff, it begins to act like a micropolish, wearing down the metal surfaces, eating away the seals, and or plugging up tiny passages. I would personally take it to a good transmission shop and tell them to just give it a basic service. If they can inexpensively firm up the shifts, that is even better. The firmer shifts means less slippage. Less slippage means less wear to the friction surfaces. Less wear means less heat, and less friction material in the fluid. All of this means longer life.
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Thanks for the info. My Explorer has about 58,000 miles on it and had the fluid changed by the local dealer just short of 30,000. Sounds like the maintenance requirement may have been met and I've just got a junky transmission. We'll see!
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Well that engineered slippage can bit anyone. It works sometimes, but its a fine line between just the right amount and too much.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 347
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From: Newark, Delaware
my tranny went on my 02 at about 45-50,000 miles dont remember excatly...and the part that sucks is when it happened my warranty expired 1 month earlier...cost about 3k for a brand new tranny.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Charlotte, NC
I have a 98, had the tranny rebuilt at 83000 for 1500 after losing 1st gear completely. My sister has an 02 with about 60, and it's having issues with the tranny, had it serviced, and still having issues, not as bad, but they are still there. I love ford, I loved my 5 spd ranger, I am hating my explorer right now and looking to unload it before I have any more issues than I currently have with it. And i'm the kind of guy that takes care of his vehicles, been maintained the way it should, and it's still falling apart. I have lost faith in ford automatics, and late 90-early 00 models of the explorers, bc everyone I know that has one, has some sort of issues, and they are the same around the board.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
i think there are some explorers with trans porblems, but there are quite a few explorers in the field right now. i dont think the percentage is high. I have a 96 with 150,000 and a 2002 with 90,000 miles. have put a couple wheel bearings on both , and alternator in the 96, thats all.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
The big mistake they made in the newer transmissions is the engineered slippage. It is done that way to soften the shifts, but it is hard on the fluid and the bands. The best thing that can be done is high performance bands that will firm up the shifts, and in some models, and transmission boost valve. The reduces or eliminates the slippage and makes the transmission more dependable.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,110
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mo 2003 has suspevted torque converter problmes now, i have owned it less than a week even. calling the dealership i bought it from tomorrow about it.
trannies use to be strong back in the day, or at least when they broke it did not cost an arm and a leg to rebuild.
what is so dang complicated about it? i think they purposely over engineer it into a piece of crap.
trannies use to be strong back in the day, or at least when they broke it did not cost an arm and a leg to rebuild.
what is so dang complicated about it? i think they purposely over engineer it into a piece of crap.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: South...
Our 02 EB is in the shop at this moment - service writer said they replaced the torque converter today...along with overhauling the rear-end for the second time in less than a year. It only has 45k miles on it. No more new Fords for us! My wife's 06 Mustang GT convertible will be the last...
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
I have an 02' with 141,700 miles that my wife has driven since new.I had the tranny flushed by the dealer at 35k and about 90k.Should have it done again.I did just dropped some money on new rear wheel bearings and an new toe link and wheel alignment.All the wheel bearings have now been replaced.