Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10249969November 26, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 81,000 AND TRANNY IS ALREADY ON THE WAY OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249793November 25, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY IDLE WITHOUT ACCELERATION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249661November 24, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 XLT EXPLORER WITH THE 4WD NOT WORKING. DURING MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FOR REPLACEMENT THE 4X4 CM UNIT FAILS AND THE 4WD SYSTEM BECOMES INOP. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS UPGRADED THE MOTOROLA UNIT WITH THE END RESULT COSTING THE CONSUMER $500 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE RUNS IN 4X4 AUTO ADJUSTING THE DRIVETRAIN TO WEATHER CONDITIONS OPTIMIZING THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.. THIS COMPONENT REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE QUALIFIED AS A RE-CALL BY FORD AND THE COST SHOULD NOT EFFECT THE CONSUMER. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER VEHICLES AND IS MORE SERIOUS THEN THE FIRESTONE TIRE COMPLAINT. SINCE FORD RECOGNIZES THIS DEFECTIVE MODULE THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I'M SHOCKED THAT THIS DEFECTIVE PART THAT CONTROLS THE SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF THE 2002 EXPLORES HAS NOT ALREADY REGISTERED A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249383November 20, 2008
STRUCTURE
2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH HAS A CRACK IN IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249391November 20, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE PURCHASED IN JULY OF 07 FROM DEALER WITH 75,000K. CURRENTLY HAS 86,000K, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. VEHICLE BEGAN SLIPPING A MONTH AGO, AND NOW SLAMS INTO GEAR. I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER TO HAVE THE FLUIDS CHECKED, AND THEY REFUSED UNLESS I WOULD PAY FOR THE SERVICE INSPECTION. THESE TRANNY'S ARE MADE SO AS I CANNOT CHECK THEM MYSELF DUE TO THE ENCLOSED CASING. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND OVER 300 INDIVIDUALS ON ONE WEB SITE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. CALLED DEALER ABOUT SERVICE INSPECTION AND THEY WANT $100+ TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BEFORE THEY WILL EVEN TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY DIRECTLY AND THEY INFORMED ME VIA EMAIL THAT THEY COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE NHTSA DURING INVESTIGATIONS AND I SHOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND HAVE THEM CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO SUGGESTED I SHOULD DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I DO NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH ANYONE. I WANT FORD TO BE MADE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON A PAYMENT PLAN AND ARE NOW STUCK WITH A LEMON THAT THEY CAN NEITHER AFFORD TO FIX OR REPLACE. I TOOK A LOAN ON THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER $10,000, AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP OFFERED ME $3000 TRADE-IN VALUE FOR IT LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE VEHICLE ITSELF. IF THEY KNOW IT ISN'T WORTH ANYTHING, THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. I AM CURRENTLY MAKING A MONTHLY PAYMENT ON A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT ABLE TO BE MOVED FROM MY DRIVE-WAY. AFTER RESEARCHING AND SPEAKING WITH OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, I HAVE NOT FOUND ONE THAT HAS NOT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249101November 18, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFTGATE PANEL CRACKING BELOW GLASS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249157November 18, 2008
STEERING
THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE AWAY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE SHIFTER ITSELF DID NOT BREAK, BUT RATHER A PIECE OF METAL ATTACHED TO THE COLUMN, REQUIRING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN BE REPLACED AT $1100. THE REQUIRED COST TO GET YOUR VEHICLE FIXED IS EXTREME AND CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW. I GOOGLED BROKEN GEAR SHIFT ON '02 EXPLORER AND FOUND AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE. FORD CLEARLY SHOULD RECALL THIS PART AND COVER EXPENSES INCURRED TO REPAIR THEIR PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY, BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL SUGGESTS SWITCHING GEARS WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD CLEARLY BE DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE DRIVER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248940November 16, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
WHEEL BEARING ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS COMPLETELY SHOT AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL AND SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. WELL SIMPLE WEAR AND TEAR AND EXTREMELY POORLY MANUFACTURED PARTS ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE. ON MOST VEHICLES THESE PROBLEMS DON'T OCCUR UNTIL WELL AFTER 160+ THOUSAND MILES I HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM RIGHT NOW AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON ALL FORD EXPLORER BETWEEN 2002 AND 2004. I HAVE READ THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE WHEEL ON THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO THE POINT OF FALLING OFF. AS FOR REPLACEMENT AND CORRECTION YOU COULD REPLACE ALL FOUR BEARING AND BETWEEN 8 AND 24 THOUSAND MILES THEY WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. TYPICAL REPAIR COST RANGE FROM $500- $2500 WHICH REALLY ISN'T TOO AFFORDABLE WHEN IT OCCURS MORE THAN TWICE IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD. I ALSO READ THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD AND ALL FORD SAYS SOME ONE MAY CALL YOU OR THAT ITS NOT UNDER RECALL SO WE CAN'T DO NOTHING FOR YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248936November 16, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WAS HEARING A BANGING NOISE IN THE HOOD, MY HUSBAND FOUND OUT THAT THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT AND STRIPPED THE HEAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248869November 15, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OF BURNED TWO HOLES IN ITSELF DUE TO PLASTIC CONSTRUCTION NOT ABLE TWO WITHSTAND HEAT WITCH CAUSED A CASCADING AFFECT AND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CONVERTERS AND THE MANIFOLD TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248830November 14, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION TWO TIMES IN 30,000 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. O/D BAND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248705November 13, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
FORD 2002 EXPLORER HAS LARGE CRACK ON LIFTGATE PANEL RUNNING FROM JUST OF THE LEFT OF THE FORD INSIGNIA TO THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR WINDOW. FORD WILL NOT HELP WITH REPLACEMENT DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS AND THE ADMISSION THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS. THE LIFTGATE WAS RECALLED A FEW YEARS AGO FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM WITH THE CYLINDERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248460November 11, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT I WAS LIFTING MY REAR GLASS WINDOW NOT THE WHOLE LIFTGATE JUST THE GLASS I WAS ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY UP WHEN I HEARD THIS LOUD NOISE AND WAS SHOWERED BY FALLING GLASS AND THEN EVENTUALLY STRUCK BY THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. I CALLED FORD THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO FIX THIS ISSUE I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10248296November 10, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT MY EXPLORER USED WITH 67000 MILES ON IT I HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BUT HE DIDN'T DO A VERY THOROUGH JOB. AFTER ABOUT 3 WEEKS I HAD A HARD TIME PUTTING INTO REVERSE BUT THEN SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND I DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR AWHILE THIS LASTED ON AND OFF FOR A YEAR AND HALF WHEN ONE DAY IT WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE AT ALL AND NO OTHER GEARS EITHER I HAD IT REPAIRED AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE THEN MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND STOPPED WORKING THAT WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL , 1ST , 2ND AND REVERSE GEARS STARTED SLIPPING I HAD THOSE REPAIRED NOW MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS DEFINITELY MY TRANSMISSION AND PROBABLY ALWAYS HAS BEEN. I KNOW SOMEONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR 02 FORD AND SPEAKING TO THE MECHANICS THEY WERE NOT SURPRISED AT ALL AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH LOTS OF 02 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ON LINE ARE HAVING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. HOW MANY VEHICLES DOES IT TAKE TO TURN INTO A RECALL??? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248357November 10, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DURING THE COLDEST PART OF THE WINTER, THE DOORS ON MY VEHICLE REFUSE TO LATCH. I HAVE TRIED WARMING THE CAR UP LONGER, SPRAYING THE INSIDES OF THE DOOR WITH SOLUTION THAT IS SUPPOSED TO UNFROZEN WINDSHIELDS AND LOCKS (EVEN THOUGH THERE NEVER IS ICE OR WATER SEEN) & NOTHING WORKS. LAST YEAR, IT EVEN REFUSED TO LATCH AFTER LETTING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAD LATCHED WHEN WE LEFT THE HOUSE A MILE EARLIER. WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER OUT OF THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE DOOR FLEW OPEN & ALMOST TOOK OUT A MAILBOX. I HAVE CALLED FORD REGARDING THIS CONCERN, & THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO SINCE IT HAS 119,000 MILES ON IT & THE WARRANTY IS OVER, EVEN THOUGH I BELIEVE IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN! AS IT IS GETTING COLDER HERE, I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AS MY DAUGHTER AND YOUNG GRANDSON ARE USING THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY WORKS AT THE FORD FACTORY & HE SAID THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE DOORS NOT BEING FITTED CORRECTLY & IN THE WINTER THE SEAL IS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248085November 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 140,000 HIGHWAY MILES. BOUGHT BRAND NEW BY OWNER IN 2005, AT 90,000 MILES TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING LOUD CLUNKING NOISES. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED, BUT STILL CLUNKING NOISES. NOW AT 140,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND NOT GOING INTO 1ST OR SECOND GEAR. I HAVE BEEN ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES, AND HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH FORD'S ENCLOSED TRANSMISSIONS ON THEIR EXPLORERS AND OTHER VEHICLES. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A REDESIGNED TRANSMISSION AND FAILING FOR THOUSANDS OF FORD'S CUSTOMERS. I OWNED A JEEP CHEROKEE FOR TEN YEARS, AND HAD OVER 350,000 MILES ON IT, AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT I AM ONLY ONE OF THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM. OUR ECONOMY IS NERVOUS BECAUSE OUR AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE FALLING APART. THIS IS THE REASON WHY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248026November 8, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 69,000 MILES. FORD HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY COMPENSATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247908November 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND WOUND UP REBUILDING MY TRANSMISSION - LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR. THIS COST ME OVER $3000. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN ANY INVESTIGATION INTO FORD AND ALL THE 2002 EXPLORERS WITH FAILED TRANSMISSIONS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247924November 7, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER I HAVE A CRACK ON THE BACK PANEL UNDER THE LIFT GATE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCHING AND FIND THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON. I BELIEVE IT HAS TO DO WITH THE LIFTGATE HINGE RECALL. I AM AFRAID THAT THE PANEL BEING BROKEN MAY CAUSE IT TO COME OFF AND HIT A CAR BEHIND ME. I FEEL THAT THIS CRACK MAY CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IF I WAS IN A WRECK. I FEEL THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO REPLACE THIS PART. THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS AS I CAN SEE FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247922November 7, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE LIFTGATE ON THE VEHICLE, THE REAR GLASS SUDDENLY SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, A PIECE OF GLASS LANDED IN THE CONTACT'S HAIR. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE RECALL REMEDY HAS NOT CORRECTED THE SAFETY DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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