Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10133170August 17, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: CONTACT STATED 2002, FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM OCCURRING AT 26,000 MILES . IT WAS SHIFTING VERY HARD. HE WILL BE DRIVING WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEARS, IT WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL, THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD. HE HAD THE TRANSMISSION RE PROGRAMMED. IT HELPED IT TWICE; BUT THEN IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. THE THIRD TIME THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT REPROGRAM IT AGAIN. HE THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. SECOND AND THIRD GEARS GEAR WERE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. FOUND IDENTICAL PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET. THERE WAS 62,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 2003 AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133089August 16, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY WIFE WAS UNLOADING TWO GRANDSONS FROM OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER. SHE HAD REMOVED THE YOUNGEST ONE WHEN THE FOUR YEAR OLD GOT INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON HIS KNEES AND PRETENDED TO DRIVE. THE IGINITION WAS OFF AND TRANSMISSION IN PARK. HE PULLED ON THE SHIFT LEVER, THE AUTOMOBILE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. MY WIFE OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS FASTER AND THE OPEN DOOR STRUCK HER KNOCKING HER TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE STRUCK TWO TREES SHHORTLY AFTER THAT CAUSING $5675.77 IN DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY 0N AUGUST 5, 2005AND SPOKE TO TIFFANY EXPLAINING THAT THE "BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK' HAD FAILED CAUSING THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE. HER QUESTION TO ME WAS, "WHAT DO YOU WANT FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO DO ABOUT THIS." I REPLIED THAT I WANTED COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES AND THE DEFECT CORRECTED. SHE SAID THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THIS DEFECT, NOR MAKE ANY COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES AND THAT I SHOULD HANDLE EVERYTHING THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I CALLED AGAIN ON AUGUST,09,05 AND SPOKE TO DAMIAN WHO GAVE ME THE SAME REPLY AS YIFFANY.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10132897August 15, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
REAR HATCH WINDOW LIFT FAILED AND CAUSED REAR GLASS TO SHATTER (LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT). THE WINDOW WAS LIFTED TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE REAR AND THE LIFT ARM APPARENTLY WAS WEDGED UNDER THE GLASS AND IT EXPLODED SO LOUDLY THAT NEIGHBORS 2 HOUSES AWAY RAN OVER AND PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE STREET CAME TO MAKE SURE NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE HAD THE GLASS REPLACED BY A GLASS COMPANY--THIS TOOK 4 DAYS DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE GLASS. THEY ALSO INDICATED THEY HAD JUST (THE SAME DAY) REPLACED ANOTHER WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. THE STRUTS WERE NOT REPLACED AND WE WERE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE HATCH DOOR UNTIL THEY ARE. OUR DEALER WAS NOT RESPONSIVE ON THIS MATTER BUT I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION. THE GLASS CO SAID THAT THE WINDOW DESIGN WAS CHANGED IN OR AFTER 2002 SO THE STRUTS ARE LOWER AND SUPPORT THE GLASS CORRECTLY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132788August 14, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
I HAD JUST LEFT WORK WITH MY MOTHER AND NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER OR WIRES. WE DROVE FOR APPROX. 4 BLOCKS STILL SMELLING THIS. WE ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS THINKING IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE. I EVEN TURNED OFF MY AIR CONDITIONING THINKING IT WAS PULLING THE ODOR IN FROM OUTSIDE. WE THEN DECIDED WE SHOULD TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT AND HAVE THE MECHANICS CHECK IT OUT. I TURNED THE CORNER AND SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE THEN PULLED OVER TO CALL OUR WRECKER. THE SMOKE GOT WORSE, SO WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND MOVED AWAY. WE THEN CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN, THERE WAS A SMALL EXPLOSION AND THERE WAS A HOLE BLOWN IN THE CENTER OF THE HOOD CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE FLAMES WERE THEN SHOOTING ABOUT 6 TO 8 FT IN THE AIR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. WE HAVE NOT YET HEARD IF IT IS A TOTAL LOSS, BUT I'M SURE IT IS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132685August 13, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE AIR CONDITIONER QUIT WORKING. I HEARD THE COOLANT AND COMPRESSOR STILL WORKING, BUT NO FAN BLOWER ON LEVELS 1,2 AND 3 LEVEL 4 STILL WORKED LUCKILY. I ALSO HAVE A HOWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION AND HARD SHIFTING WHEN ACCELERATING AND LETTING OFF OF THE GAS DURING A SHIFT. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY RESISTOR, THE REST HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. I NOTICE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE FOR THE SAME SYMPTOMS, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132689August 13, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT
I HAVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER REBUILT BY A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AT 53,000 MILES AND A FORD RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED AT THIS DEALERSHIP AT 69,000. THIS LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE TWICE, DRIVE AXLE, AND UNIVERSAL JOINTS BETWEEN 69,000 AND 74,000 TO CORRECT AN ONGOING REPORTED SHIFTING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 109,000, AGAIN, MUCH TO MY DISMAY. THE DEALERSHIP RESPONDED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S ISSUE AND SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT FORD. UPON CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEALERSHIP ISSUE AS THE DEALERSHIP HAD INSTALLED THE TRANSMISSION AND MAY HAD DONE SO INCORRECTLY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND INDICATED THAT THE PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION WAS, IN FACT, DEFECTIVE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132584August 12, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
DT: THE VAN WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAD 32,000 MILES ON IT AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAS ALREADY FAILED. IT WAS MAKING A ROARING NOISE EVERY SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR. TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THEY TOLD HER THE BEARING WAS BAD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129449August 12, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
DT: CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS, MAINLY IN THE REAR, BUT HE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ONE ON THE FRONT. THE VEHICLES WHEELS STARTED GRINDING AND THEY BECAME LOOSE ON THE AXLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL WERE GOING BAD. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY WERE UNRESPONSIVE.*AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132438August 11, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION CASE WEARING TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $3000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132450August 11, 2005
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT: THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDES. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 5, 2005. NOT CONTACTED FORD. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10132291August 10, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
APRIL 04 PURCHASED 2002 FORD EXPLORER; JUST OVER 60,000 MILES. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY;SOLD AS IS. DAY AFTER PURCHASE, NOTICED KNOCKING SOUND. RETURNED TO DEALER. STATED SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR AC. REPAIRED, DID NOT HEAR AFTER REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE, NOTICED DELAY IN GEARS ENGAGING WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE , PARK TO REVERSE ALSO GEAR SHIFT SEEMED TO BE LOOSE. RETURNED TO DEALER; TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL. ADVISED TO KEEP IN OVERDRIVE. LATE JULY 2004, NOTICED DELAY SEEM TO BE GETTING LONGER AND JERKING SUDDENLY WHEN FINALLY ENGAGED. WHILE DRIVING ,OD LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF ERRATICALLY. PROBLEM WITH OD LIGHT INTERMITTENT. SPOUSE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER; TOLD THAT IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WE COULD MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. SPOUSE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP HAD DONE BUSINESS IN THE PAST. THOUGHT THAT IT COULD NEED TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHECKED FLUID LEVELS NOT DEFICIENT. PROBLEMS CONTINUED; HAD THEM LOOK AT IT A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER. COULD NOT DETERMINE PROBLEM, ADVISED TO TAKE TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST IF CONTINUED. PROBLEM PERSISTED. SEEMED TO GET WORSE AS THE WEATHER TURNED COLDER. LATE DECEMBER 04, DELAYS IN ENGAGING GEARS WORSENED; NOW MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND LUNGES WHEN ENGAGES, OD LIGHT FLASHED ERRATICALLY ON A FREQUENT BASIS AND ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ON AND GEAR SHIFT SEEMED TO BE COMING OUT. JANUARY 2005, SPOUSE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC. TRANSMISSION SHOT. REBUILT AT A COST OF $2900. FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE BEFORE, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED. ITS OBVIOUS FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT. WHEN A COMPANY SELLS DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS THEY SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY DO SO KNOWINGLY. I STOPPED MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS JUNK AND WILL NOTIFY THE LENDER SO THAT THEY AND FORD CAN FIGHT IT OUT. ANY OWNER WHO WISHES MAY CONTACT ME AT 703-998-5510. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132016August 9, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE RECEIVED ONLY ONE RECALL NOTICE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER RELATING TO PROBLEMS WITH THE TAILGATE WINDOW. TONIGHT, AFTER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS THAT CAUSED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO JUMP TO A HIGHER RATE OF A MARKEDLY HIGHER RATE OF REVOLUTION, I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THESE PROBLEMS COST OVER $815 TO REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO HAD TO REPLACE A SOLENOID SWITCH ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I QUICKLY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE RECALL DATABASE TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEMS I EXPERIENCED. I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE A LARGE NUMBER OF RECALLS THAT I FAILED TO RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATION FOR. I AM FILING THIS TO REQUEST: (I) FORD TO REQUIRE DEALERSHIPS TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS PERSONALLY IN WRITING OF RECALLS...IF NHTSA OR THE MANUFACTURER DEEMS AN ISSUE IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE, SHOULDN'T THE DEALER BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER WRITTEN NOTIFICATION TO THE CONSUMER? IT IS AN UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE TO DO LESS THAN THIS, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE CONSUMER HAS FAILED TO RECEIVE THE BENEFIT OF HIS OR HER PURCHASE AND MAY BE RISKING OF DANGER TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS; AND II. NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE CAR LITERALLY "JUMPS" INTO A MUCH HIGHER RATE OF REVOLUTION AND ACCELERATION REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN CITY TRAFFIC OR IN AREAS WHERE SMALL CHILDREN ARE PLAYING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131685August 5, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2002 FORD EXPLORER [XXX] TRANSMISSSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. REAR END NOISY AT 40 MPH. NOT REPAIRED. *JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131083August 2, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
WHILE TURNING VEHICLE, HEARD A POPPING NOISE & FRONT LEFT TIRE SUDDENLY COLLAPSED INWARD. LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM, LOWER BALL JOINT, SHOCK & CAM BOLTS & WASHERS WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER FORD DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO COVER STATING THIS WAS THE RESULT OF VANDALISM. NO PROOF OF THIS WAS EVER SUBMITTED TO ME DESPITE CERTIFIED LETTER SENT TO THEM REQUESTING. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN LOCKED GARAGE AT NIGHT & PARKED IN SECURE, GATED LOT AT WORK DURING THE DAY. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON 5/21/04, BUT WAS BEING DRIVEN STRAIGHT. INS REFUSED TO COVER AS NO PROOF OF VANDALISM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130542July 29, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1) BEGAN WITH WHIRLING NOISE COMING FROM REAR END, ENDED WITH A LEAKING REAR END COMPONENT. BOTH REAR END PINION SEALS REPLACED,NEW SYNTHETIC OIL ADDED AND RE-PACKED WITH ALL NEW GASKETS.(NEW SEALS WERE ORDERED DIRECTLY FROM FORD) I WAS TOLD THAT THESE PARTICULAR PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE IN AFTERMARKET. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129995July 25, 2005
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
BOUGHT FORD EXPLORER (2002) USED FROM TOYOTA DEALER. DROVE FINE FOR OVER 6 MONTHS. BEGINNING IN MARCH (2005), UPON ACCELERATION (ESP. ON HILLS), VEHICLE LURCHES/SHUDDERS AS IT GAINS SPEED. HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS, WITH NO RESOLUTION (INITIALLY SAID THAT MY NEW TIRES WERE 1/4-INCH DIFFERENT IN SIZE...TIRES WERE REPLACED AND PROBLEM CONTINUED). CONTINUOUS LURCHING FINALLY FRIED THE GEM MODULE (AND FRONT/REAR SPEED SENSORS). FORD STILL DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER. TOOK IT TO REPUTABLE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT THE TIRES, NOR SENSORS, BUT A PROBLEM WITH "SLOP" IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS SLOP MADE THE 4X4 AUTO SENSE SLIPPAGE AND COMPENSATE, BUT MORE SLOP MEANT MORE SLIPPAGE AND MORE COMPENSATION, HENCE THE REPEATED LURCHING FEELING. GRAPHICAL ELECTRICAL CHART INDICATED THAT 4X4 WAS ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING APPROXIMATELY 40X A SECOND. AFTER-MARKET WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER REPAIR AT LOCAL MECHANIC, SO BROUGHT CAR TO FORD DEALER (6TH TIME), WHO "THINK" PROBLEM IS IN THE TRANSFER CASE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129825July 24, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AFTER A SHORT DRIVE TO AND FROM THE GAS STATION I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER. NOTICED WET SPOT ON THE DIVEWAY THE FOLLOWING DAY. A SHORT 6 DRIVE CONSUMED NEARLY A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AS OF YET. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE. ARE ANY OTHER REPORTS OF SUCH FAILURES? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129843July 24, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
DIFFERENTIAL FAILED; REPAIRED UNDER ORIGINAL FACTORY NEW VEHICLE WARRANRTY. DIFFERENTIAL FAILED AGAIN, 9000 MILES LATER, WHEN VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY. DEALER WANTS $825.00 TO REPLACE THE EXACT SAME PARTS AGAIN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129777July 23, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE STUMBLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY I FED IT GAS TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING AND IT ACCELERATED RAPIDLY INTO MY GARAGE DOOR. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM REPORTED TO DEALER BUT THEY CLAIMED THEY WERE NEVE ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE LAST SERVICE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY SAID SAME PROBLEM REPORTED AND THIS TIME I WAS CHARGED FOR THE TEST BUT ONCE AGAIN THEY FOUND NOTHING I COMPLAINED TO FORD VIA THEIR WEB SITE BUT THEY NEVER REPLIED TO MY EMAILI
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129800July 23, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELLERATOR ON OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT STICKS INTERMITTENTLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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