2002 Ford Explorer Sport - Consumer Discussions

Ford Explorer Transmission Questions

• 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Transmission

  Written by: danmcg on May 6, 2012 7:24:34 AM

  I have a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport with over 180,000 miles. I recently had it in the shop for a tune up and replacement of the intake gaskets (Check engine light was on). Now, the engine sounds like a diesel truck at idle that is worse when I first start the truck and sometimes eases up after driving it for awhile. At other times, the noise remains. In addition, the transmission ... Read More

Ford Explorer Electrical Problems

• Re: 2002 Ford Explorer Sports Trac [janie13]

  Written by: nvbanker on Jan 22, 2012 8:56:27 PM

  This sucks, but you may have no recourse. This is not common, but there was a recall on SOME Ford trucks about a speed control connection that could cause a fire. I have no idea if your truck was included in the recall. Also, if so, it may have already been fixed. Otherwise, it's not a design flaw on the truck. Apparently you don't what the cause was, so I don't ... Read More

• 2002 Ford Explorer Sports Trac

  Written by: janie13 on Jan 21, 2012 4:04:40 PM

  I purchased a 2002 Explorer Sports Trac which just happened to caught on fire last night. I searched for any recalls that may have been issued on this vehicle. Fortunately my son was able to get out of the truck in time. He was traveling on the freeway, when the truck all of the sudden died he coasted to the inside lane. When he tried to restart the truck smoke came ... Read More

Ford Explorer Starting and Stalling Problems

• Re: 2000 Ford Explorer won't idle when below 50 degrees [heyjules]

  Written by: twayne38 on Jan 12, 2012 4:44:40 PM

  Regarding your idle problem, I have a 2002 Sport Trac Explorer and had the exact same problem. It's the IAC sensor located under the air duct and on top of the motor, simple fix for me, just removed the air duct, unplugged the sensor , and as I recall removed to bolts and it slides right out. Now there is a pental inside that you can clean with "Gum Out" or ... Read More

Ford Explorer Air Conditioner and Heater Problems

• Air conditioning compressor clicking

  Written by: jpod3 on Jul 6, 2010 4:08:28 PM

  I have a 2002 ford explorer sport, mileage 91,000 - when I turn the air conditioning on, a loud clicking sound comes from the compressor. It blows cold air - just wondering if there was anything I could do to quieten this noise (other than not using the air). Is this a warning of trouble to come or does it need refrigerant?

• Air conditioning compressor noise

  Written by: jpod3 on Jul 5, 2010 4:40:43 AM

  I have a 2002 ford explorer sport, mileage 91,000 - when I turn the air conditioning on, a loud clicking sound comes from the compressor. It blows cold air - just wondering if there was anything I could do to quieten this noise (other than not using the air).

Ford Explorer Brake Problems

• 02 ford explorer sport trac abs brakes pulsate

  Written by: tjbell5 on Dec 16, 2009 8:22:17 AM

  My 2002 ford explorer sport trac abs brakes pulsate below 5 mph everytime I stop. Any ideas?

Ford Explorer Door and Body Questions

• Re: 2000 Explorer Child Safety Locks Won't Unlock [jamilou]

  Written by: bonnettv on Feb 2, 2007 9:11:25 AM

  I have the same problem with my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac that I just purchased the end of 2006. I didn't know at the time when I bought it because I didn't sit in the back seat and shut the door. It wasn't until I took my kids to school that next monday that we found that out. Has anybody found a fix to this problem?

Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

• 2003 Explorer XLT sport with grinding/binding rear axle

  Written by: jodar96 on Apr 15, 2006 6:42:04 AM

  With 56K miles, my Explorer developed a grinding/binding feel at rear axle when the wheel were truned and was ready to take off. The dealer diagnosed the problem as "Sticking clutch plates" in rear axle. While they were replacing the clutch pack, they also replaced gear& pinion, and it apears that most moving parts in the rear axle. I have an extended warranty to 75K miles. It cost me $100 deductible ... Read More

Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier

• Transmission Comment

  Written by: jrc346 on Mar 25, 2006 9:06:25 AM

  I wrote to Consumer Reports about their drastic increase in reports of transmission problems on Explorers specifically. Other vehicles that use the 5R55E seem to be alright (Sport Trac for instance), however, the sealed units in the 2002-2005 generation seem to be very problematic. My wife drives a 2000 Explorer 4.0 SOHC with the 5R55E and it has always shifted fine, but I guess I feel lucky. The internals of the ... Read More

• Thinking about buying a 2002 Mercury Mountainer and need opinions!!

  Written by: levyman on Jul 30, 2005 7:50:51 PM

  Hello everyone. I'm thinking about buying a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer with a v6 engine and 32,000 miles. Leather seats, 6 CD changer. Drove it today and liked it alot. Just wondering what some owners say about the vehicle and if they would recommend it. Have had a 1995 Ford Explorer Sport with around 145,000 miles on it and I think it's on it's last legs. Any suggestions or opinions would be ... Read More

Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

• HELP...

  Written by: dmitri on Jul 25, 2005 10:29:56 AM

  I have a 2002 ford explorer sports utility truck and for some odd reason i notice that in the mornings when i start the car off and shift to reverse the car gets a bit jumpy on reverse...but after a few minutes to warm up...it will function normally. This just happened recently and I'm not sure if it's something to do with either the tranny or with the engine....Help, inputs are ... Read More

Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier

• Re: 2001 Explorer Sport [fdthird]

  Written by: steve_ on Jul 11, 2005 8:35:30 AM

  I think the Sport discussions faded away since Ford quit making the Sport. My understanding is that a lot of the mechanicals on yours are the same as the pre-2002 four-door Explorer, so ask away in here. Or check out the Ford Explorer: Problems & Solutions discussion. Steve, Host

• 2003 Leather Seat Quality

  Written by: jodar96 on Apr 18, 2005 2:27:24 PM

  I bought an 03 XLT Sport with leather seats with 34K miles that was put in service in Nov 2002. The driver side seat bottom has a little hump/ bulg on the left side of the cushion. It feels like foam under the leather is folding/bunching. The right side has the same feel but to much lesser extend. I feel it is a defect. The dealer says that Ford is very ... Read More

• More Happy Ownership

  Written by: jrc346 on Jan 6, 2005 7:30:45 AM

  1996 Explorer Sport. Sold in 2002 @ 92,000 Miles. Needed a fuel pump, new shocks, and a door lock actuator. 2000 Explorer XLT 2 year lease. 4.0L SOHC motor had to have the timing chain tensioner fixed. Gave back to dealer with close to 30,000 miles on it. 2000 Limited with the 4.0L SOHC that my wife currently drives. Has needed 2 lower ball joints and a thermostat. She is currently ... Read More

Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

• And Some more on that and that

  Written by: jrc346 on Apr 19, 2004 9:30:35 AM

  I have owned 3 Explorers, all with V6 engines. The first, being a 96 Sport had the OHV engine in it, and while it was very reliable, it was gutless in certain situations. The next two were 2000's. A leased XLT 4.0L SOHC V6 that has been turned in for about 2 years now, and my wife's current vehicle, a 2000 Limited 4.0L SOHC V6. Both of the 2000's needed the ... Read More

• 3rdTime

  Written by: jrc346 on Feb 6, 2003 8:47:34 AM

  It looks like there is a TSB on this problem. It says only to 2001 Explorers. However it sounds like you have the same problem. Here it is. The best of luck. A/T - Slipping Shifts/Delayed Engagements/DTC's Set Article No. 02-13-8 07/08/02 TRANSMISSION - 4R44E - 4R55E - 5R44E - 5R55E - LOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT) - SLIPPING SHIFTS AND/OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS - POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE ... Read More

Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier

• 2002.5 Explorer

  Written by: jerry2281 on Mar 4, 2002 11:57:20 AM

  Visited my Ford Dealer today. New 2002.5 Explorer production begins today at Louisville and 3/11 at St. Louis. Advance Trac $795 including trailer tow and adjustable pedals (according to dealer) prices up $86-$378-4 door models 3 new colors- silver birch, true blue, aspen green Safety canopy system replaces side curtain AB Low back bucket seats with adj. head restraints standard on XLS AND XLT-$560 Fog lamps standard on XLT (YEH!) Black ... Read More

• Response to twoof1 and jrc346

  Written by: wilsonze1 on Feb 16, 2002 8:02:57 PM

  There is no doubt that the folks writing and responding favor Ford products as I have for many years considering I still have my first 1984 SVO, 2000 Saleen supercharged convertible and 2001 Explorer Sport. I traded my Cadillac Escalade for the Mountaineer because like the enthusiast on the Lincoln Navigator chat section I like the looks inside and out, size, power, new suspension and since I have two children the ... Read More

• Still lovin' my 2002 XLT...

  Written by: kheintzelman on Dec 31, 2001 8:37:27 PM

  As you may recall from my previous posts, in mid-November I purchased a new 2002 4WD XLT with V8, leather, towing package, single CD/cassette, etc. I've since put >3000 miles on this vehicle, and I'm happy to report that to date, this vehicle has simply been a gem to own and drive. I've not yet had ANY problems to bring to my dealer's attention, i.e., I don't have a legal pad ... Read More

Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

• The real story on the 4wd systems.

  Written by: g159 on Jan 14, 2002 8:02:05 PM

  Unfortunately, there appears to be some misinformation on previous posts. The 91-94 Explorer used a part time system for use on slick roads. The 95-2002 use the control trac system that uses computer monitors to apply an electromagnetic clutch (except the awd v8 from 96-2001)(and except the 2001 two door) to put power to the front wheels. Originally the dial on the dash had three spots, 2wd, automatic 4wd, and 4wd ... Read More

Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier

• 2002 Tire Recall

  Written by: rcinsc on Aug 2, 2001 8:28:00 AM

  Have any of you had problems with the new tires? I just rec'd this email from safetyalerts.com SafetyAlerts August 1, 2001 2002 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer Recalled Detroit, MI (SafetyAlerts) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a recall affecting certain 2002 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer automobiles manufactured between August 2000 and April 2001. On certain sport utility vehicles, the right side tires may have horizontal ... Read More

• Rear Window

  Written by: melodious on Jul 17, 2001 5:30:10 PM

  Closing the back window on my 2002 Explorer XLT last night, was not the problem... it was opening it! I heard a snap as I lifted the rear window, paused and looked at the wiper, and then heard another pop and the window EXPLODED!!! There was a 15' radius of glass shards on me and the driveway around me! I am, thankfully, okay but rattled. My 15 day old truck is ... Read More

• 2002 Mountaineer Ordered in Southern CA at 3 percent over invoice

  Written by: fsmasek on Jun 20, 2001 4:09:45 PM

  I thank this discussion group for allerting me to the $1,200 price advantage of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer over a 2002 Ford Explorer. We had rented an Explorer while on a trip and liked it, although the V6 is slow after 30MPH. The new GM Bravada, Envoy, and Trailblazer have an excellent engine, but lack the independent rear suspension, 3rd row seat, and side curtain air bags. I was offered 3% ... Read More

• I couldn't believe it!

  Written by: mattrichter on May 5, 2001 12:30:49 AM

  My wife are looking to replace our 94 Explorer Sport. We've narrowed it down to a 2002 EB AWD V8, 2001 Pathfinder LE and Acura MDX. The MDX dealer said that we were almost up so we dicided to go on some more test drives to really figure out which we wanted. Our first stop was Capitol Ford in San Jose CA. They had almost no selection, so we had to ... Read More

• 2001 leftovers

  Written by: IntrepidJC on Mar 17, 2001 11:22:41 PM

  well, no 2002 Explorer for me. I just picked up a 2001 XLT Sport package today. Couldn't pass up all the rebates available and the great interest rates. Also was able to take advantage of some rebates i had available from my ford citibank card and also from my employer, who is part of a program called XPLAN. You get a $1000 rebate on any 2001 model on top of any ... Read More

Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

• RE: The Other Vehicle

  Written by: ford624 on Feb 17, 2001 9:17:27 AM

  My wife is also considering the Lincoln LS V8 Sport. These two choices came with some discussions. I absouletly refused to buy a BMW SRV or the big Lexus sedan, 60k each. After we went to the New Car Show in San Jose, and my wife read the Edmund's consumer discussions and reviews of the 2002 Explorer and Lincoln LS she decited with those two. I am very pleased with her ... Read More

• The Other Vehicle

  Written by: ford624 on Feb 17, 2001 9:13:54 AM

  My wife is also considering the Lincoln LS V8 Sport. These two choices came with some discussions. I absouletly refused to buy a BMW SRV or the big Lexus sedan, 60k each. After we went to the New Car Show in San Joe, and my wife read the Edmund's consumer discussions as reviews of the 2002 Explorer as Lincoln LS she recited with those two. I am very pleased with her ... Read More