02-03 explorer trannys

hi i'm new to the forum. i was planning on buying a new 2003 explorer but had heard some things about the older model's tranny's. supposedly the 4.0L engines in the older models had trannys that were too small. is this the same case with the new 02-03 4.0's?????

thats all for now. Thanx!

Please think twice about buying an Explorer. I have a 2002, purchased used from a Ford dealer with low mileage. I've only had in for one month and it's been in to fix the defroster. It is going in again to have the transmission looked at. I have trouble getting the shift lever into the Park position. I also have other issues they will be addressing. I would not advise the purchase of this vehicle to anyone.

hi i'm new to the forum. i was planning on buying a new 2003 explorer but had heard some things about the older model's tranny's. supposedly the 4.0L engines in the older models had trannys that were too small. is this the same case with the new 02-03 4.0's?????

thats all for now. Thanx!
I second that!! I just bought a new 2003 Explorer in August and have had nothing but problems with it. Look at my other posts....and then run as fast as you can away from the Ford Explorer!

Yes, the older generation trannys were built too small for the vehicle and were poorly designed to boot. I'm not sure about the new generation Explorer trannys, but in general, if you buy a Ford, put away 2k for a tranny that will most likely be needed during your ownership. They tend to start failing at 50k.

well some stuff is true, but most of what was said up above is bullshit

50k then they start falling apart?

are you fucking stupid

I know someone with a 93 Lincoln Continental with over 350,000 miles on it
my 1990 F-150 has over 100,000 miles on it

my 95 thunderbird just rolled over 100,000 miles on it

my 92 Explorer has almost 99,000 miles on it,
and the tranny is strong yet, shifts fine

now with the new Explorers, the transmissions are different and built better, especially on the all-wheel drive models with the V8s

i know that some of the 2001 and 2002 Explorers had defective trannys that were made at a certain plant and they were junk, but the other trannys made at other plants were fine

oh yeah and instead of buying a ford, go out and get a nice brand new dodge!

then you can take it back to the shop every 30,000 miles to have the tranny either rebuilt or replaced

how do you know if you got one of the bad 2002 trannies

I bought an '02 Mountaineer in May with 28k miles on it. Now have 40K. I've had the tranny issues since I bought it. Ford says it's "normal". It's not. Luckily I have an extended warranty that will pay for the new tranny.

I bought an '02 Mountaineer in May with 28k miles on it. Now have 40K. I've had the tranny issues since I bought it. Ford says it's "normal". It's not. Luckily I have an extended warranty that will pay for the new tranny.


What was the problem with your transmission? I also bought a used Explorer limited that now has 48k on it with an extended third party warranty...at roughly 26 mph it hesitates on the upshift to third from 28 to 40 mph it has a wash board feel to the ride unless I am accellerating quickly than it is ok...Ford calls it within spec I disagree

I have that problem I think their transmissions the automatics are computer controled, and there's and there's a hesitation when traveling 20 to 40 when you speed up then slow down or remove your foot from the accelator. Just my observation Think they need a better computer

I have a 2002 XLT, 4.6V8, 39K miles, with tow package, bought brand new with 12 miles on it. Has had every service requested by Ford - it's in the shop now to have the tranny repaired. It lost some kind of 'band' that effects the shifts from 2nd to 3rd. The job is a couple of thousand for the repair. It's also getting the reverse sensing system repaired - 2 out of the 5 sensors have failed. hmmm?

I have that problem I think their transmissions the automatics are computer controled, and there's and there's a hesitation when traveling 20 to 40 when you speed up then slow down or remove your foot from the accelator. Just my observation Think they need a better computer
did you ever have it checked out by Ford and if so what was their comment?

I have a 2002 XLT, 4.6V8, 39K miles, with tow package, bought brand new with 12 miles on it. Has had every service requested by Ford - it's in the shop now to have the tranny repaired. It lost some kind of 'band' that effects the shifts from 2nd to 3rd. The job is a couple of thousand for the repair. It's also getting the reverse sensing system repaired - 2 out of the 5 sensors have failed. hmmm?
was the tranny covered by a warranty?

Yes - the car was checked by Ford. In @30Kmiles (solution was to perform 30K tranny service), but it didn't really resolve... Got worse, so it went in again at 35K - they reprogrammed the computer. Then the full failure at 39K. After complaining and noting the service records, Ford has agreed to fix the tranny for $100, and I have to pick up a week's worth of car rental ( which will probably work out to about $200). The reverse sensor repair was just quoted at around $250 - $275.

my own experience: I have a '95 with 203,000 miles on it. Have yet to have a single problem with the engine in this truck. No oil comsumption, no leaks, runs fine. Trans (4R55E) acted up at 140K, had it rebuilt by an IDIOT who caused more problems than he fixed. Should have had the dealer install another, would have cost less in the end. I blame the shop that I had fix it, they handed me a box of parts when I demanded the used parts after the second time they tried to fix it. Most of the stuff in the box that they handed to me was GM parts. Have no idea what they really did or didn't replace. Other than the trans problem my Explorer has been bulletproof and stone reliable. I bought it with 124K on it from my company, former fleet vehicle, I knew the driver and had all service records. The fleet's been using Explorers since '92, service and reliability has been extremely good. The first Explorers replaced S-10 Blazers which were total rattling disintegrating JUNK at 100k.