Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10272528June 1, 2009
STEERING
I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT MY EXPLORER INTO PARK THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF AND THE CAR WAS NOT IN PARK. THANKFULLY I WAS HOME AND IT IS NOW SITTING WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION AND EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. TRIED TO BUY THE GEAR SHIFT PLUNGER ON STEERING COLUMN AND THE FORD DEALER SAID I CAN ONLY BUY THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. $1200.00 THEY SHOWED ME THE COLUMN IT HAS A DIFFERENT PLUNGER THAT REINFORCED THIS SUGGEST THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272542June 1, 2009
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
FLAT TIRE; AFTER TAKING TIRE OFF I NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN IN HALF AND THE WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO WOBBLE. THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE PART FAILURES. AFTER CONSULTING OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE TYPE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS - WHEEL BEARINGS AND COIL SPRING FAILURE. FORD MAY WANT TO RECALL THESE BEFORE IT CAUSES ACCIDENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272341May 29, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
JUST LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS BOTH OF MY REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AT THE TOP OF THE SPRING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT (POOR QUALITY) I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. OBVIOUSLY THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAS REAR END ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. I JUST CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO COIL SPRING RECALL? FORD MUST KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THEM, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SEARCH THE WEB TO SEE THAT SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END. THIS SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BECAUSE IT'S CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE HELP GET THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOME FAMILY WHO ISN'T AWARE OF THE ISSUE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272384May 29, 2009
STEERING
WHEN I TRIED TO PUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER INTO REVERSE THE GEAR SHIFTER SNAPPED OFF IN MY HANDS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE BUT HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS TO BE A REAL ISSUE WITH THE FORD EXPLORER DESIGN OF THE SHIFTER MECHANISM. MY VEHICLE HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENT AS TO WHEN MOST BREAK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270143May 27, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
GEAR SHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF IN THE HAND OF MY 110 LB GIRLFRIEND. SHE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WENT TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE PART THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SHIFT TO THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE OFF. THE CAR WAS ON AND LUCKILY DID NOT MAKE IT ALL THE WAY INTO REVERSE OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN REVERSE!! SHE QUICKLY TURNED THE CAR OFF, BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK EITHER, SO THE KEY WON'T COME OUT! I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND MY NEIGHBORS HAVE LITTLE ONES AS WELL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR IS NOT COMPLETELY IN ANY GEAR AND THE KEY IS IN IT. IT CAN'T BE DRIVEN SO I HAD IT TOWED, AND LIKE MANY, MANY OTHERS HAVE FOUND OUT, THIS SMALL, CHEAPLY MADE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPLACE. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE PURCHASED THROUGH FORD AND REPLACED. I WAS GIVEN A "DISCOUNTED" QUOTE OF $1900 FROM BERGE FORD IN AZ. HOW HAS THIS SMALL, WEAK, CHEAPLY MADE PART NOT BEEN RECALLED YET? ARE WE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE RUN OVER AND POSSIBLY KILLED BY A VEHICLE STUCK IN GEAR?! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270001May 26, 2009
STEERING
SATURDAY I TRIED TO PUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT IN PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFT SNAPPED OFF. I WASN'T TRYING TO JAM IT IN PARK, JUST SIMPLY TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARK. IT IS RIGHT NOW STUCK IN REVERSE WITH THE KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME AND NO CLUE THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS A BIT. AFTER, DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF FORD HAD ANY RECALLS FOR THIS I FOUND THAT MANY MORE PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. THE PICTURES THAT THE OTHERS HAVE UPLOADED OF THE METAL/ALUMINUM PIECE IS THE SAME EXACT PIECE THAT IS BROKEN ON MINE. PLEASE BELIEVE ME I AM NOT AN EXTRA STRONG PERSON AS TO WHERE I COULD HAVE DONE THIS MYSELF (BROKE THE PIECE OF METAL). PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269570May 21, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION
HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, HAD BRAKES CHANGED, NOISE CONTINUED. FOUND OUT IT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BOTH GOING BAD. REPAIRS NOT DONE TOO EXPENSIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269593May 21, 2009
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BEARINGS AND GEAR OF THE UNIVERSAL REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269414May 19, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH CRACKED REAR TAILGATE APPLIQUE. HAVE SEEN MANY MORE ON THE ROAD. FORD SAYS THERE IS NO DEFECT. THEY WANT $350 TO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269279May 18, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE ENTIRE SHIFT LEVEL FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CAST POT METAL PLUNGER ASSEMBLY THAT ENGAGED THE SHIFTING LEVER HAD A UNIFORM CRACK AND THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN OFF. A REVIEW OF THE INTERNET, SPECIFICALLY WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM SHOWED THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER SERIES. FORD HAS ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT, HAS ISSUED NO RECALL, AND WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE FAULTY OR DEFECTIVE WORKMANSHIP AND/OR CASTING. WHAT IS PROBABLY A $40 TO $50 SUB-ASSEMBLY PART CANNOT BE REPLACED EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT COULD. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1700.00. PLEASE REVIEW THE WEBSITE I HAVE LISTED AND YOU'LL SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE AND THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT AN OVERALL SYMPTOM OF AN ISSUE THAT EXISTS IN VARIOUS YEAR MODELS OF THE FORD EXPLORER. A COMPONENT OF A STEERING SYSTEM THAT CAN EXPERIENCE SUCH FATIGUE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS AND WHICH WILL COMPLETELY BREAK OFF IN ONES HANDS IS SIMPLY A TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP US THE CONSUMER OUT --- INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND HOLD FORD MOTOR COMPANY RESPONSIBLE. WE AVERAGE CITIZENS CANNOT FIGHT AND WIN AGAINST A MAJOR CORPORATION BUT IF YOU FAIL TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM ON OUR BEHALF THEN YOUR CONCERNS FOR DRIVER SAFETY ARE NO MORE VALID THAN FORD'S CLAIM THAT "QUALITY GOES IN BEFORE THE NAME GOES ON". THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT HAS MY CAR SAID THAT HE "HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS", BUT AT THE SAME TIME ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE HAD HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HELP ---- THIS IS NOT RIGHT !!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268848May 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4X4. YESTERDAY WHILE TRYING TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION,ALL OF A SUDDEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO. THEIR WAS AN 18 WHEELER COMING IN WHICH HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES NEARLY HITTING ME AND MY CHILDREN, I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS MODEL AND THE TROUBLE WITH THE 5R55W TRANSMISSIONS. THEIR IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THESE,BUT NO RECALL I FEEL THAT THEIR IS AN SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED THIS IS DEFINITELY AN LEMON TRANSMISSION AND FORD NEEDS HELD RELIABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268887May 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2002 EXPLORER STARTED OUT WITH ALOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND NOW DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH YOU PUSH IN THE GAS PEDAL THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. JUST LIKE ALOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. HAD SOME SIMILAR TROUBLE WITH IT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO DEALER SAID HAD TO WAIT TILL IT GOT WORSE TO FIND EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268586May 13, 2009
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268667May 13, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THAT OWN A 2002 EXPLORER. O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHING, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON, CAR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR IF YOU HAVE TO STOP SUDDENLY, HARD TO PUT INTO PARK, ERRATIC SHIFTING. PLEASE MAKE FORD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT BUT SOLD THE VEHICLES ANYWAY. DO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE HAS TO DIE IN A WRECK BECAUSE THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268457May 12, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268292May 9, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268195May 8, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STEERING
I WENT TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INSIDE STEERING COLUMN. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN FOR 1 LITTLE PIECE OF CAST WHITE METAL WHICH I FOUND OUT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. AFTER REPAIR WAS COMPLETE ,OD OFF LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. CODE PO755 ON ENGINE SCANNER WHICH ACCORDING TO CARCOMPLAINT WEB SITE AND MY MECHANIC IS ALSO A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267907May 7, 2009
STEERING:COLUMN, POWER TRAIN
2002 FORD EXPLORER GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACE TRUCK IN GEAR. I HAVE HEARD THROUGH BLOGS THAT THIS IS NOW BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM. MY TRUCK WAS PLACED IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON PRIOR TO SHIFTING THE LEVER INTO PARK, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE THE LEVER SNAPPED AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE TRUCK NOR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME HOW TO PLACE THE TRUCK IN DRIVE MANUALLY UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT SAFE CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT ONE IS UNDERNEATH A RUNNING VEHICLE AND THE PROBABLITY OF BEING RAN OVER IS HIGH. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD IS BEING PRESSURED IN RECALLING THIS PART CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THE PIECE THAT BREAKS IS NOT SOLD INDIVIDUAL, THE CUSTOMER IS OBLIGATED TO BUY A COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN JUST TO OBTAIN THE PIECE THAT BREAKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268167May 7, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH A 4.6 LITER V8 WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND THE ENGINE EJECTED A FACTORY INSTALLED SPARK PLUG I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERS THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267637May 4, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A TRANSMISSION GOING BAD. AT THE END OF MY 36,000 MILE WARRANTY I TOOK IT IN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHO SAID SINCE THE VEHICLE JUST WENT OVER THE WARRANTY BY LESS THAN A 1,000 MILES THAT THEY WOULD SHARE IN THE COST OF DOING THE WORK. IT COST ME APPROX. $700. FOR WHAT I HAVE SINCE LEARNED WAS A SOLENOID. NOW, (70,000 MILES LATER) I'M BEING TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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