My 2002 Explorer with 80K miles has a auto transmission problem, similar to others I see here. Engine revs between 2nd and 3rd, clunks in reverse. No codes on the electronics. I'm getting a Ford re-built installed now, with 3 yr/36Kmi warranty, at $2800+ out-of-pocket.
I called Ford at 800-392-3673 and asked if there were recalls, secret recalls or service bulletins and they said No. But they will enter my information into the database and maybe something will happen in the future. Said to keep my receipts, for a possible refund in the future. I'm not holding my breath.
I've been a Ford man forever and this is my first real problem, my 2 previous Explorers went to 150K mi + and never had anything like this.

Interested in others' comments.

I think I know what is wrong, it is called a valve body. It's a little electronic panel that is located in the transmission and when Ford made a five speed trans out of a four speed, they used the 1st and OD to create a new gear, which I believe was the third gear. The valve body tells the tranny when to shift and usually they burn out about 50,000 miles or so. I'm not a mechanic, but this is what the trans guy told me. He had already replaced about 10 on Explorer Sports (and we live in a small area in Wi.). I contacted Ford and filed an official grievance about this part because they knew it was going to go bad. If it happens again, take your foot off the gas right before it shifts, or you'll burn out you clutch which is about $2,000. The valve body costs about $600 and about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs labour. I hope this helps, and if enough people complain with Ford, maybe we can get paid back for them producing faulty equipment.

I don't know a whole lot about cars but wanted to let you know what happened to us. We also have a 2002 5 speed automatic XLT. We were having this same delayed shift problem for a couple months and couldn't fix it. Then, we went on a road trip and had major transmission problems...It was still under warranty so we took it in and they replaced the transmission but then the o/d off light kept flashing. Then they told us in the 2002 Explorers there is a wire harness underneath the passanger side that controls the transmission that had a design flaw. It allowed water to seap into the harness which would then give the transmission mixed signals; causing a delayed shift. Over time the mixed signals caused our transmission to completely sheer. They said it was one of the worst transmissions they'd ever seen. Anyway, the service rep told us that ford didn't have to recall it because it wasn't life threating, but all service departments have a message to check that wire harness before replaceing a transmission. That message just went out 2 weeks ago though. Hope this helps.

Is this wire harness under the truck next to the tranny (pass-side) or under the hood somewhere? And I wonder if that would pertain to a 1996 also.

Hi,
I just had my overdrive light flash, and my car wouldn't shift. It was my transmission.
It is costing $2600.00 to fix. It is a 2002 Explorer XLT with 55,000 miles on it. The transmission place said it was electrical and my pressure dropped and I don't have a 3rd gear. Keep in mind, this is an automatic. I have never heard of a transmission going out at 55,000 before. I bought the truck brand new. I called Ford, and of course, they said that no one had ever reported a problem before. Obviously, this is a major problem, but Ford is going to do nothing about it. It is really funny how they said no one had ever reported the glass tailgate problem, and now it is recalled. I guess someone has to get hurt, in order for them to fix this problem.

I repplaced my tranny @ a little over 25,000 miles. Now, the same problem is having all over again where I need to warm up the truck for 10 - 15 minutes before driving it so that the transmission shifts properly. With this headache of working when the transmission will have to be replaced agai, I'll never by another Ford again.

Hi,

My 3rd gear went out at 50,000 miles also. It is in the shop now. No warning just broke. I am going to call Ford and let them know. Who knows maybe we all can get our money back. This is my 5th Explorer and never had any major problems with them. Nice to know I am not the only one who has gone thru the transmission problem at around the same amount miles.

I think I know what is wrong, it is called a valve body. It's a little electronic panel that is located in the transmission and when Ford made a five speed trans out of a four speed, they used the 1st and OD to create a new gear, which I believe was the third gear. The valve body tells the tranny when to shift and usually they burn out about 50,000 miles or so. I'm not a mechanic, but this is what the trans guy told me. He had already replaced about 10 on Explorer Sports (and we live in a small area in Wi.). I contacted Ford and filed an official grievance about this part because they knew it was going to go bad. If it happens again, take your foot off the gas right before it shifts, or you'll burn out you clutch which is about $2,000. The valve body costs about $600 and about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs labour. I hope this helps, and if enough people complain with Ford, maybe we can get paid back for them producing faulty equipment.

hello all..first time here at these forums due to that fact thats i am too having tranny probs with my 2002 explorer...cubboy i am definately interested in knowing if you have anymore info about that wire harness?

my prob occured when i was making a left turn in the inside lane, then all of a sudden tranny slipped out of gear...my first thought was no worries, but come to find out this tranny is a sealed one...wtf...i had figured that fluid was low and by making that turn the fluid sloshed to the side..i am not an expert.. but i do know that when my 72 chevelle is low on trans fluid it will slip out of gear, me i just figured that i would check the level in the explorer.. lol no dipstick!!!..
So i pulled it up on the rack looking for a fill tube found nothing..the wife was in the vehicle and i asked her to turn the key to the on position..the blower fan was on also...Then i happened to notice some water falling down from an overflow tube (or whatever its purpose is) right onto a wire harness.. WTF.. this tube is under the drivers side and when the blower was on water came DRIPPING out... blower off no water..hmmmmmm it hadnt even rained today or yesterday.. so where did this water come from...not from the AC just not hot enough to run it...
My OD light also flashes fast...but it seems to go into gear when i depress the OD button (turning OD off) even though the light is still blinking...Salesman said to just leave in in OD youll be fine..i would suggest to not drive with OD on, only use it when you need it...just my opinion..

now the SES (service engine soon) light is on.. i hooked the scanner up to it pulling out a code of PO174, referenced the number and came up with this : system to lean (bank 2) ...bank 2? referring to a side of the vehicle? 1,3,5 cylinders? 2,4,6 cylinders? any way light came on when the vehicle tried to shift into third..i let the rpm's get up to about 4000 before i let off the gas to see if it would shift, it shifted, something squeeled then the light came on....i am just gonna delete the code from the vehicle and see if it happens again...

Not my first time owning a ford, but it is my first time making payments on a piece of crap...not really a ford man...but my better half wanted this one cause of the third row seat..another little one on the way ...