Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10468894August 1, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE TRYING TO FILL THE GAS TANK AT THE FUEL PUMPS, IT TAKES SOMETIMES UP TO 20 MINUTES TO COMPLETELY FILL THE TANK. I CAN ONLY SQUEEZE THE HANDLE ON THE GAS PUMP HOSE LINE SLIGHTLY YET IT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL. I KNOW THAT IT TAKES NEARLY 20 GALLONS TO FILL MY TANK YET THE NOZZLE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF EVERY 10 - 12 SECONDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468339July 30, 2012
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED INTO THE BACK SEATING AREA CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND INSPECTING THE SEAT, THE FRAME OF THE DRIVERS SEAT FRACTURED CAUSING THE BACKREST TO SEPARATE FROM LOWER PORTION OF THE SEAT AND OVERRIDE THE RECLINER HANDLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468129July 29, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
I AM EXPERIENCING A LOUD CLANKING AND CRASHING SOUND EMITTING FROM UNDER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS WITH MINIMAL BUMPS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH INCREASED ROLL MOVEMENT WHILE CORNERING. AFTER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE BODY MOUNTS TO BE CRUMBLING APART, BODY MOUNTS MISSING LARGE CHUNKS OF MATERIAL AND OTHER BODY MOUNTS ARE SOFT AND JELLY LIKE WHEN TOUCHED. THESE FORD BODY MOUNTS HAVE BEEN ENGINEERED IMPROPERLY AND HAVE REACHED A PREMATURE FAILED STATE. THIS AFFECTS THE ROLL OF THE VEHICLE AND MAY POSE GRAVE DANGER TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS WHEN PERFORMING A LANE CHANGE OR ANY VEHICLE ROLL MANEUVER AND AFFECTS VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A INTERNET SEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC OWNERS AND OTHER FORD TRUCKS AS WELL. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA FROM 2002-2010, AND IN GEORGIA FROM 2011-PRESENT AND HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT, SNOW OR ANY ABNORMAL ENVIRONMENT TO CAUSE THIS FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468064July 28, 2012
SUSPENSION
REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE RUSTED AND CRACKING, PIECE FELL OFF. IT APPEARS THAT INADEQUATE OR DEFICIENT METAL WAS USED. MECHANIC SAYS VERY RARE FOR COIL SPRINGS TO RUST LIKE THIS, SPRINGS LOOK AS THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN IN A JUNK YARD FOR 30 YEARS.THIS VEHICLE IS A FAMILY CAR, NOT USED FOR OFF-ROADING AND KEPT IN A GARAGE. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, SOME HAVE EVEN HAD THE PIECES PUNCTURE TIRES CAUSING A BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT FORD IS NOT CONCERNED WITH CONSUMER SAFETY, BUT ONLY WITH THEIR OWN PROFITS AND ARE WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467725July 25, 2012
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
WHEN ACCELERATING ON A START, CAR DOESN'T SHIFT INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR....UNLESS THERE IS A PUSH OR JUMP INTO IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467026July 23, 2012
SUSPENSION
FORD DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL MECHANIC HAVE WITNESSED DOZEN OF CASES WITH FORD IN WHICH THE VEHICLE IS VIBRATING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WE HAVE TRIED REPLACING TIRES, BALANCING, AND WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ONLINE, BUT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO EDUCATE THEIR STAFF OR PUBLIC ABOUT THIS ISSUE. MOST COMMON IDENTIFIED ISSUE HAS BEEN THE REAR DIFFERENTIALS, BUT THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED HAS HAD THE VIBRATION COME BACK AFTER TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464378July 6, 2012
POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING FROM 2-3 GEAR AND I FOUND OUT WITH MY 2YR AND 3YR KIDS IN THE CAR IF I NEED TO PULL OUT ON TO A HIGHWAY WITH CARS COMING THE SUV DON'T WANT TO DO SO AND WILL REV UP AND MIGHT SLAM INTO GEAR WHEN YOU LET OFF THE GAS. I LOVE MY EXPLORER GREAT FAMILY CAR BUT WITH THIS PROBLEM I WILL NOT HAVE MY KIDS IN IT AT ALL. AND NOT KNOWING IF IT WILL MAKE IT OR NOT. FORD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. IM NOT THE ONLY ONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464441July 6, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK AND HAPHAZARDLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS OPPOSED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,705.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10463294June 27, 2012
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT PASSED 3RD GEAR. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID THE ENGINE WOULD EXPLODE. I LATER FOUND OUT, AFTER RESEARCHING, THAT THE RISK OF IT SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PO745 ERROR CODE IN 2002 EXPLORERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462943June 25, 2012
POWER TRAIN
FORD IS A GREAT COMPANY. I LOVE THEIR F-350, MUSTANGS, AND VANS. BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION. I HAVE SEEN AND RESEARCHED THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS THE CITIZENS HAVE SENT TO FORD AND THROUGH YOURSELVES. AND YET TO NOW PREVAIL? WHAT RIGHT DOES A PERSON HAVE TO CREATE A VEHICLE AND NOT OWN UP TO ITS COMPLICATION. NOW I'M NOT SAYING THEIR ARE PERFECT CARS BUT A FORD EXPLORER HAS THEM. NOW I CAN SEND YOU A LIST OF WHAT I WANT. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO RANT LIKE SOME 5 YEAR OLD IN A CANDY STORE. BUT CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN. HUNDREDS OF THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO GO THROUGH OUT THEIR DAY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE NEED A BREAK. ACTUALLY THEY NEED A FIX. A "SHIFT"INTO THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AND HUNDREDS MORE ARE FILING LAWSUIT AGAINST EVERYONE THEY CAN ABOUT IT. YOUR CANT TRADE THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND WHO HAS THE MONEY TO DISH OUT ALMOST OVER $3,000 FOR A HEADACHE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM THE START. ALL I NEED IF YOU. YES YOU IS TO SEND THIS MESSAGE TO ANYBODY. OR EVERYBODY AND HELP PUSH FOR A NEW TOMORROW A SUNNY DAY. A FIXED PROBLEM. BUT I AM FILING A LAWSUIT FOR EVERYTHING THEIR WORTH. OR AT LEAST A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR ALL EXPLORER OWNERS. REGARDLESS OF THE YEAR OR SUB MODEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462808June 23, 2012
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO COMPLAINT NO. 10459987. AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR RECORDS, WE DISCOVERED THAT DURING A SERVICE OF MY TRANSMISSION, FORD FACTORY REQUIRED THE DEALERSHIP TO CUT THE METAL TRANSMISSION LINE AND INSTALLED A RUBBER LINE WITH A FILTER. IF THEY DID NOT INSTALL THE FILTER, THEN THE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE BEEN VOID. AFTER INSTALLING, NO ONE EVER INSPECTED OR REPLACED THE LINE OR FILTER. IT WAS SIMPLY FORGOTTEN. 75,000 MILES LATER THE RUBBER LINE WAS RESTING ON THE EXHAUST, WHICH BURNED A HOLE AND CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK AND SPRAY ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAUGHT FIRE. WE WERE LUCKY IN THAT WE SAW THE SMOKE EARLY AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. I AM CONCERNED THERE ARE MORE CARS OUT THERE WITH THIS RETRO-FIT FILTER ON THE TRANSMISSION THAT NO ONE IS INSPECTING OR MAINTAINING BECAUSE IT IS NOT ON AN OFFICIAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462565June 21, 2012
STEERING
I WAS BACKING UP IN A COSTCO PARKING LOT AND THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE YOU SHIFT GEARS BROKE IN HALF. THERE WAS NO WAY TO DRIVE OR SHIFT THE CAR. THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL AND THERE WERE PEDESTRIANS IN FRONT OF ME AND CARS BEHIND ME. I YELLED FOR EVERYONE TO STAY CLEAR, HAD A FEW MEN HELP PUSH ME BACK TO A PARKING BIN AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BREAK. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE. I CHECKED ON LINE AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OVER 1,000 FORD 2002 OWNERS. IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY MANUFACTURER PART IN THE COLUMN SHIFT, A METAL PIECE THAT BROKE OFF. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462232June 19, 2012
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I JUST HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR A RECALL AT CHEROKEE FORD IN WOODSTOCK GA. JUST 3 DAYS LATER, MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY STREET AND I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. I WAS VERY LUCKY NOT TO BE HIT. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461968June 16, 2012
POWER TRAIN
I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND WITHIN 1 WEEK THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT....HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED AND STILL NO GOOD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461650June 13, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FORDS TAILLIGHT/STOP SWITCH ILLUMINATES THE BRAKE LIGHTS, IS USED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IS USED TO ENABLE THE OPERATOR TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. ROUGHLY A YEAR AGO I HAD SOME INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH TRYING TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE WHEN USING THE BRAKES PLUS I HAD TROUBLE TAKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WITHOUT HAVING TO STEP ON THE BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES. LASTLY HAVING A FRIEND FOLLOW ME HOME I WAS TOLD MY BRAKES LIGHTS DID NOT ALWAYS ILLUMINATE WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN OR AT A COMPLETE STOP! GOING BACK TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT SWITCH THAT HAD INSTRUCTIONS TO CUT THE OE'S PLUG OFF OF THEIR HARNESS AND TO HARD WIRE THE NEW SWITCH IN IT'S PLACE AS FORD HAD EXPERIENCED SOME "ISSUES" WITH THOSE ORIGINAL COMPONENTS. JUST 13 MO'S LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THIS TIME IT FAILED COMPLETELY SO THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED IN PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY. HAVING SEEN RECALLS ON SEVERAL OTHER FORD AND MERCURY PRODUCTS FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND EXPECTED FORD TO GIVE ME A FREE REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER, AFTER ENTERING MY VIN # THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS BUT THEY WOULD REDUCE THEIR NORMAL PRICE FROM $93.44 TO $76.00 AS THEIR COMPENSATION. CONTACTING MY LOCAL NAPA SUPPLIER I BOUGHT ANOTHER SWITCH FROM THEM FOR JUST $44.49 WHICH RESOLVED MY PROBLEM FOR EVEN LESS MONEY. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO REPORT MY FINDING AND STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT THEY CONTACT THEIR FORD REP. AS I BELIEVE THIS BRAKE SWITCH ISSUE IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THEN FORD IS AWARE OF OR HAS OWNER UP TO KNOWING ABOUT. I WAS ACTUALLY LUCKY TO HAVE THE SWITCH FAIL AT MY HOME AS HAD I BEEN ON THE ROAD I COULD VERY WELL HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED DUE TO MY BRAKES LIGHTS NOT COMING ON. I QUESTION IF FORD WILL EVER TAKE MY WARNING SERIOUSLY SO I FELT OBLIGATED TO PASS THIS INFORMATION ALONG TO AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10459987May 30, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I LOOKED BACK IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING OUT THE BACK OF MY CAR. I PULLED OVER. MY HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE FRONT. I SMELLED FIRE AND HE SAID IT'S ON FIRE. MY HUSBAND SAW A LIQUID DRIPPING FROM THE CAR THAT WAS CLEARLY ON FIRE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WE IMMEDIATELY GOT OURSELVES AND OUR 2 YOUNG CHILDREN, AGES 7 AND 5, OUT OF THE CAR. THE FIRE STOPPED ONCE THE CAR WAS OFF. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR AND THE MECHANIC THAT FIXED THE CAR THAT A TRANSMISSION HOSE WAS SITTING ON THE EXHAUST PIPE, CAUSING A LEAK IN THE HOSE AND THE RESULTING FIRE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MAY BE SUBJECTED TO A RECALL REGARDING A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL AFTER READING ON THE INTERNET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458608May 15, 2012
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM, ENGINE
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY FUEL GAUGE WENT FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK GAUGE LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE VEHICLE DIED AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE POWER BRAKES. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458157May 11, 2012
POWER TRAIN
THE O/D LIGHT FLICKERS ON AND OFF AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO THIRD GEAR, ACCORDING TO THREE MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION INSPECTIONS. RESEARCHING WEBSITES INDICATES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PREVALENT PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. NEED TO KNOW: 1. WAS THERE A RECALL? 2. WHAT, IF ANYTHING, FORD IS WILLING TO DO TO FIX OR COMPENSATE FOR THE CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE INVOLVED TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458159May 11, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE OFF - DID NOT WANT TO START - DEALER FIXED UNDER WARRANTY , CHANGED FUEL PUMP 20 DAYS LATER TOOK BACK AGAIN , STILL HAD TROUBLE START , BAD FUEL READING - CHANGED PUMP AGAIN, TOOK BACK 45 DAYS LATER , FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING - 3 DAYS LATER , FOUND BAD FUEL SENDER CARD [BOARD] ORDERING NEW BOARD AS I WRITE THIS. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE EXPLORER GAUGES SODIUM BUILDUP ON UNIT DUE TO THE CRAP 10% ETHANOL ADDED . ALL BEING FIXED UNDER WARRANTY , THANK GOD! MY DAUGHTERS 2005 EXPLORER STARTING TO HAVE FUEL GAUGE PROBLEMS ALSO 69,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458051May 10, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WENT TO BACK OUT CARPORT, WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PUSH IT WENT TO FLOOR AND STUCK !, AUTO TRAVELED OUT DRIVE WAY CIRCLED A FIELD COME BACK AND HIT TREE, AFTER TRAVELING APPROX 1500 FT MORE OR LESS, KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS, BROKE DENTURES, NECK AND BACK INJURIES , CONCUSSION , TOTAL THE AUTO A 2002 FORD EXPLORER ... *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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