Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10274876June 24, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON REACHING HIS DESTINATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274565June 21, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, I LOVE THIS CAR AND HAS BEEN PERFECT EXCEPT FOR 1 MAJOR THING THE PIECE OF '!@#$% TRANSMISSION, WHAT A JOKE HAVE HAD 2 REPLACED AT 48,000 MILES AND 115,000 MILES,THERE NEEDS TO A BE A RECALL ON THESE JUNK TRANSMISSIONS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS. I HAVE OTHER FORDS AND THEY ARE AWESOME THIS 2002 EXPLORER IS A COMPLETE LEMON. ITS A HAZARD WHEN YOUR GOING 68 MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY AND YOUR TRANSMISSION BLOWS OUT, GOING ON A ROADTRIP TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274303June 19, 2009
PARKING BRAKE, SEAT BELTS, SUSPENSION:REAR
BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 85000 MILES. ALSO NEED FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, EMERGENCY BRAKE REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274345June 19, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DOOR AGAR LIGHT. ALL THE DOORS WILL BE SHUT AND WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND BEEPING NOISE WILL COME ONE. WHICH RESULTS ALSO IN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. IT DOES IT EVERYDAY AND KEEPS GOING TILL THE VEH IS IN PART. ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND OFF, I CANT EVEN LOCK MY DOORS ANYMORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274294June 18, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
I TOOK A TRIP FROM HOME IN OK TO CANTON, TX ON RETURN HEARD LOUD NOISE WHEN I STOPPED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED I FOUND OUT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS COMING OUT. IN MARCH OF 2008 I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE EXPLORER. WHEN I HAD IT INSPECTED I WAS TOLD THE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST ME OVER $2000.00. MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW SLIPPING AND AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I FEAR THE WORSE IF I HAVE MY TRANSMISSION CHECKED. WHO DO WE CONTACT TO HAVE A LAWSUIT STARTED? MY TRUCK NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, REAR END ASSEMBLY. MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW HAS CRACKED. I HAVE ALL THE COMPLAINTS LISTED EXCEPT FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER BREAKING OFF IN MY HAND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274165June 17, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE BRAKE REPLACEMENT. TRUCK HAD BEEN HANDLING POORLY, WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKES & SHOCKS. SERVICE ADVISOR ADVISED OF DISCOVERY OF CRACKED SPRINGS, HAD TO KEEP VEHICLE OVERNIGHT FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274012June 16, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
WHEN I GO TO OR FROM PARK THE CAR JERKS AND HAS ALMOST CAUSE ME TO GET INTO SEVERAL CRASHES. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273843June 15, 2009
STEERING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. WE HAD SOME TROUBLE WITH THE LOCKOUT IN THE PAST, BUT THIS LEFT US STRANDED AND REQUIRED A TOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273890June 15, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
DRIVING FROM PARKING LOT, HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM THE REAR. UPON INSPECTING, THE REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273684June 13, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS
WHEN I TRIED TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENTIRE IGNITION CYLINDER CAME OUT!! MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND HAVE A NEW CYLINDER INSTALLED! A YEAR LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN!!! SO I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FORD IGNITION CYLINDER TWICE AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT NOW---SO PROBABLY HAD ONLY ABOUT 40,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND 50,000 THE SECOND TIME. ALSO-- NOW MY FUEL GAUGE SAYS EMPTY ALL THE TIME, EVEN AFTER I JUST FILLED IT WITH GAS! AND IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX! I DID GET THE DRIVER SEATBELT FIXED, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T TIGHTEN, BUT NOW IT'S TOO HARD TO PULL OUT AND USE! LASTLY, BOTH INSIDE MIRROR COVERS HAVE JUST CRACKED OFF WHEN LIFTING OPEN, AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE ENTIRE VISORS! WE HAVE 3 FORDS AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT'S EVER HAD PROBLEMS. DATES ARE SPREAD OUT SO IT'S TOO HARD TO COMPLETE THAT PART OF THE FORM BELOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273708June 13, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE HAD MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION FOR 4 YEARS. THE ENTIRE TIME OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE SLIPS AND LATELY IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS GETTING WORSE. I HAVE TALKED TO A FEW CAR REPAIRMEN AND THEY SAID THAT THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS KNOWN FOR THIS COMPLAINT. I FEEL LIKE SINCE THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION, SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273663June 12, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN IN HALF NEAR TOP PORTION. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OF EXPLORER, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273623June 12, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 35 MPH, BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH CHEMICALS AND MADE A VERY LOUD SOUND THAT SHOCKED THE DRIVER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS REQUESTED THAT THE COMPUTER BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. FORD COULD NOT OFFER A SOLUTION NOR GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273298June 10, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
I DRIVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 86,000 MILES. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273319June 10, 2009
STEERING
ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE GEAR SHIFTER IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER STARTED GETTING HARDER TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK ESPECIALLY ON INCLINES. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG BUT THAT IT DID STICK A LITTLE. GRADUALLY OVER SEVERAL MONTHS IT GOT WORSE. EVENTUALLY, IT GOT STUCK IN PARK AND I ACTUALLY BROKE OFF THE GEAR SHIFTER TRYING TO GO FROM PARK TO REVERSE. WE HAD TO PAY ALMOST $1,200 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AND SHIFTER. WE WERE THEN TOLD THAT WE MIGHT PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK BEFORE SHIFTING INTO PARK ON HILLS. I TOLD THEM THAT IT DIDN'T MATTER IF YOU WERE ON A HILL OR NOT, IT STILL WOULD GET STUCK. AFTER FIRST REPLACING THE COLUMN, IT WAS EASIER TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THEN, OVER A FEW MONTHS IT BECAME INCREASINGLY HARDER TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AGAIN, UNLESS I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I DID USE THE BRAKE ON HILLS AND INCLINES MOSTLY BUT THEN SOMETIMES IT WOULD GET HARD TO SHIFT ON JUST FLAT SURFACES. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN. THEY SAID THAT I WOULD ALWAYS JUST HAVE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE SHIFTING INTO PARK. I ASKED THEM WHY - IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT. THEY SAID, "THAT IS JUST NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURE". I, OF COURSE, ARGUED THAT WAS NOT NORMAL AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I ASKED THE FORD COMPANY WEBSITE AND THEY SAID THEY CONSULTED WITH OUR DEALER AND THAT THEY CONCUR WITH THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272983June 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER - 4.6 V8 HAS THE POPULAR BLOWN SPARK PLUG ISSUE WHICH HAS CAUSED ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS ON PRETTY MUCH THE WORST WEEKEND OF MY LIFE THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED IN. THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY POPULAR COMPLAINT ABOUT FORDS W/ THIS ENGINE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. IT IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW W/ THE ALUMINUM AND METAL HEATING ISSUES CAUSING THE SPARK PLUGS TO BREAK OFF OR JUST SHOOT OUT OF THE ENGINE. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE UNDER MY HOOD FOR A SHORT TIME AS WELL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. IN MY CASE, I DID HEAR THE INFAMOUS "CLICKING" NOISE THAT HAPPENS JUST BEFORE THE PLUG BLOWS AND THEN RIGHT AFTER, IT BLEW, SOUNDING LIKE SOMEBODY WAS STARTING A HARLEY UNDER MY TRUCK. I WAS UNDER MY HOOD LOOKING AND HEARING FOR THE NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A BELT ISSUE WHEN THIS BLEW. THIS THING SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BLOW MY HEAD OFF WHILE I WAS UNDER THE HOOD AND LUCKILY I WAS NOT HURT, OR FORD WOULD HAVE A LAW SUIT ON THEIR HANDS. WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE BROKEN PLUG AND GET A NEW ONE TO THREAD MAYBE ONE THREAD DEEP TO GET ME HOME SAFELY. THERE IS ONLY ONE THREAD GRABBING AND I WILL MORE THAN LIKELY HAVE TO HAVE THE $1500 - $2000 JOB DONE OR TRADE THIS PILE IN BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO THE OTHER PLUGS, WHICH I HEAR IS INEVITABLE, DUE TO FORD NEVER ADDRESSING OR REMEDYING THIS ISSUE. THIS BEING MY SECOND EXPLORER W/ SEVERE ISSUES THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF, THIS WILL BE MY LAST. THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272847June 4, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT PARKED NOSE DOWN ON AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY. NO KEYS IN IGNITION BUT VEHICLE SLIPPED AWAY AND HIT A LIGHTPOST 50 METERS DOWN THE STREET. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272902June 4, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHING, FIND OUT SOLENOID PACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO NEEDS ALL 4 BALL JOINTS REPLACED. FOUND OUT THESE ARE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS TO 02 EXPLORERS. NOT SURE IF WE WILL REPAIR BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL END UP DOING IT AGAIN OR THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT. WE'VE ALREADY REPLACED REAR END, WINDOW MOTOR AND HAVE FADED WINDOW PANELS AND A CRACKED BACK PANEL ON LIFT GATE. WHY IS THE GOV'T NOT ADDRESSING THESE PROBLEMS. THIS WAS NOT A CHEAP CAR - WHY IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272915June 4, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V8 HAS REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION AT 35K & 85K MILES. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN WHEN THE CAR FAILS WITHOUT WARNING!!!! I'M NOT ALONE IN DEALING WITH THIS INCREDIBLY COSTLY & DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT. PLEASE TAKE ACTION! I'M READING THAT THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION IS APPARENTLY BAD. QUOTING ANOTHER'S DESCRIPTION: "AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH IT APPEARS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE IS WORN CASE BORE, WHERE THE PIN FOR THE 2ND GEAR & OVERDRIVE BAND SERVO ACTUATOR PASSES THROUGH THE CASE. IF THE PEOPLE DESIGNING THESE MACHINES SPENT EVEN A BIT OF TIME IN THEIR LIVES WORKING WITH THEIR HANDS ON REAL PARTS THEY WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO PASS A HARD STEEL PIN IN A WEAR POINT FASHION THROUGH A SOFTER ALUMINUM CASTING. IT IS NO WONDER SO MANY TRANSMISSIONS EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM." YOU WOULD THINK WHEN MY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE 1ST TIME THAT FORD WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY PUTTING BRASS CASINGS ON THE PINS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. NOW, I'M HAVING TO GET A 2ND TRANSMISSION, & SINCE I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO FORD, THEY ARE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION WITH THIS FIX IMPLEMENTED. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BEAR THE $3500 NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. FORD SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS, BUT SINCE THEY WON'T, I HOPE THAT YOU CAN REQUIRE THEM TO DO SO! THANKS! I IDENTIFIED THIS AS AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE TO REQUIRE A NEW ONE AT 35K MILES. MY CAR IS DEAD AT A SHOP SO I CAN'T LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE YOU ANY PRODUCT INFORMATION. THE DATE I PROVIDED FOR EQUIPMENT IS THE DATE THE 1ST TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER & PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. I AM ASSUMING THAT THE 1ST TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO THE PINS. THERE'S NO WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE IT'S A CLOSED SYSTEM, WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM. THE SITE DETAILING THESE PROBLEMS IS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272803June 3, 2009
VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
ON MONDAY JUNE 1ST WE WERE LOADING ITEMS INTO MY EXPLORER FOR A GARAGE SALE AND MY HUSBAND WENT TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND WHEN HE WENT TO CLOSE IT JUST EXPLODED EVERYWHERE. LUCKILY BY THE GRACE OF GOD MY GRANDSON WAS NOT AROUND THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. I JUST FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHENEVER THE RECALL WAS POSTED, THEY SHOULD STILL HONOR IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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