Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10242563September 17, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FAILURE 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC ONLY 38000 MI WHEN THIS OCCURRED IN AUG 07. I ALMOST HIT THE BACK OF A SCHOOL BUS WHEN DROPPING MY CHILDREN OFF AT SCHOOL. THE BRAKES WOULD GRIND AND NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES PULSATION WOULD OCCUR AT ANY SPEED. IT WAS LIKE THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS COMING ON WHEN IT SHOULDN'T(SUMMER DRY ROADS) AND THEN GETTING STUCK IN THE BRAKE RELEASE STATE. SO WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE FOOT PEDAL, THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS WORKING AGAINST YOUR BRAKING ACTION. THIS CAUSES A VERY SCARY FEELING WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STILL REMAINS IN MOTION. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT NOT THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT INCIDENCE OCCURRED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC I ALMOST HIT 2 PEDESTRIANS IN A CROSSWALK AT A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE JUST KEPT ON GOING AND I QUICKLY BEEPED THE HORN FOR A NEAR MISS OF A MAN AND HIS LITTLE BOY. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. HE SENT US TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE SAID THIS IS A DEFECT IN CERTAIN FORD EXPLORER MODELS. THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SENSORS, ALONG WITH THE LOCATION OF THEM IS THE PROBLEM. HE SAID TO FIX THIS IT WOULD COST ANYWHERE BETWEEN 300-600 DEPENDING ON WHAT ELSE WAS DAMAGED, BUT HE STRESSED DRIVING THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS UPSET BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS ONLY OVER WARRANTY MILES BY 2000 BUT 5 YRS OLD. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS SO I WAS INSTRUCTED TO PULL THE FUSE ON THE ABS BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE ABS. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. WITH THE ABS FUSE PULLED I DO NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM, BUT LACKING ABS. FORD NEEDS TO STAND BY THERE PRODUCT AND OFFER A RECALL ON THIS COMPLETELY UNSAFE MALFUNCTION OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242649September 17, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, PARKING BRAKE
MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND PARKING BRAKE 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC 39800 SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDERS REPLACED AT 700.00 IN JANUARY 2008. FIRST INCIDENCE OCCURRED DECEMBER 24, 2007. I WAS ACTUALLY PULLING INTO GRANDMA'S DRIVE ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND TRIED TO BACK UP INTO A SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN PLACE BLOCKING EVERYONE IN. IT DID FINALLY WORK. THEN AT A SHOPPING CENTER IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHEN STOPPING FOR PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS AND THEN GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN SHIFTING IT JUST STOPPED BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD WOULDN'T MOVE INTO ANY GEAR. IT WAS STUCK BETWEEN GEARS AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I WAS BLOCKING AN INTERSECTION WHEN I NOW HAD A RED LIGHT. EVENTUALLY, I DID GET IT MOVING TO MY HOME, BUT HAD IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC SINCE IT JUST WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL ONCE RESTARTED. I WONDER IF THE ABS FAILURE IN AUGUST 2007 CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. THE MALFUNCTION OF THE ABS WOULD CAUSE STRESS ON THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE ABS COMING ON RANDOMLY AT ANY SPEED. PLEASE SEE MY BRAKE FAILURE COMPLAINT AND ALSO DEFECTIVE CALIPER COMPLAINT(CALIPER OCCURRED AT ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES). THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASE IS STILL A PROBLEM. YOU MUST PUT YOUR FOOT UNDER THE FOOT PEDAL OF THE PARKING BRAKE TO GET IT TO RELEASE COMPLETELY. THE LIGHT MAY GO OFF BUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS STILL ENGAGED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242655September 17, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
DEFECTIVE BRAKE CALIPER 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC WITH LESS THAN 6000 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENCE APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 2002. A BRAKE CALIPER WAS STUCK ON AFTER PUTTING ON THE BRAKES WHILE IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE CALIPER WAS REPLACED AND THE ROTOR WAS DAMAGED BUT STILL USABLE. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS MALFUNCTIONING WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE(SUMMER, DRY ROADS). THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED (DO HAVE THESE PARTS). THE ABS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OCCURRED BETWEEN AUG 2007 AND DECEMBER 2007. THE VEHICLE HAD 38000-40000 MILES AND LIGHTLY DRIVEN. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 470000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN 6.5 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED FOR TOWING. IT WAS USED PRIMARILY FOR TAKING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, ACTIVITIES, AND FAMILY VACATIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242525September 16, 2008
STEERING
WAS PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE WHEN GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF OF STEERING COLUMN, LATER FOUND THAT CHEAP ALUMINUM CONNECTING PIECE BROKE NOT THE SHIFT HANDLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242229September 15, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY
SAME AS NOTED FROM OTHER FORD EXPLORE 02 OWNERS.....THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR WINDOW IS CRACKED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN 03. I HAVE NOW ATTACHED A SIGN USING STICK ON LETTERS THAT READ ON THE BACK PANEL "FORD QUALITY' WITH AN ARROW POINTING TO THE CRACK AS THE DEALER AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS EVIDENT BY ALL THE COMPLAINTS. I THINK FORD NEEDS THIS TYPE OF PUBLICITY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242014September 12, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR, POWER TRAIN
REAR SPRING BROKEN ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 80,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241877September 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR UNUSUAL USAGE. I HAD BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH PREDOMINANTLY CITY DRIVING, NO HAULING HEAVY LOADS OR OFF ROAD DRIVING. THE SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED, CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED, GEARS ENGAGED OR MOVED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS EVENT OCCURRED DURING HURRICANE EVACUATION AS WELL. AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THERE SEEMS TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF THE SAME (SIMILAR)COMPLAINT. IF THIS OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAY OR HIGH TRAFFIC DRIVING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241907September 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE O/D OFF LIGHT CAME ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 2 DAYS AGO. IT HAS 75,880 MILES ON IT.THIS SEEMS TO BE A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES.HOW CAN FORD MOTOR CORP NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM?WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY $2600 TO $3500 FOR A TRANSMISSION REPAIR!!!!!LIKE ALWAYS THE MIDDLE CLASS GETS THE SHORT END OF THE STICK AGAIN..... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241681September 10, 2008
POWER TRAIN
I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT MY HOUSE AND WENT TO PUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT INTO PARK WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE THAT ANYONE WITH ANY SENSE WOULD ENGINEER AND/OR DESIGN A PRODUCT THAT GETS SO MUCH USE OUT OF SUCH SHODDY MATERIAL. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY OUR AUTO COMPANIES ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS - ASK FORD ENGINEERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241686September 10, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FORD IS AWARE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID THEY USE IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241597September 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN
O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS AN INDICATION OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CHECKED ON LINE FOR WARRANTY INFORMATION, AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD'S 2002 TRANSMISSIONS. FORD WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE COST OF REPAIRS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER THE 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. EVERY THING POINTS TO A $ 2,000 / 3,000 REPAIR JOB. I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN 10/08 AND NOW I HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO A MAJOR REPAIR BEFORE OWNING IT FOR A YEAR. I REALLY THINK THAT FORD SHOULD IN SOME WAY COMPENSATE ITS VEHICLE OWNERS FOR A DEFECT THAT THEY ARE APPARENTLY WELL AWARE OF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241599September 9, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ERRATIC OPERATION OF CRUSE CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241635September 9, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN I WOULD MAKE A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN AND USE THE BRAKES THE BRAKES WOULD PULSATE AND WOULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK RIGHT AWAY. IT WOULD ACT LIKE IT HAD HIT ICE AND ITS WAS THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER. IT WOULD STILL MOVE ABOUT A FOOT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD HE GETS ALOT OF FORD'S THAT DO THIS AND THEY DON'T HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. THE SHOP REPLACED THE PART IN THE HUB OR WHEEL NOT SURE AND NOW ITS FINE BUT IT COST ME OVER 500.00 AND I ONLY HAVE 50,000 MILES ON IT. I KNOW THAT PARTS WEAR BOUT BUT THIS WAS A FAILURE OF A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BAD. ALSO THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK BUTTON IN THE TRUCK STOPS WORKING, THE OPEN SECTION WORKS BUT NOT THE LOCK BUTTON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241350September 8, 2008
SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORE EXPLORER XLT 10/2004 WITH 69,500 MILES. I NOW HAVE 17,500.00 MILES. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROX 4 YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS FOR ALL 4 WHEELS. THE FIRST TIME WAS 12/05. ALL FOUR TIMES THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY OFFER NO REASON WHY THIS MIGHT HAPPEN. THIS WAS MY FIRST FORD VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240916September 4, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
BROKEN REAR SPRINGS, TWO UPPERMOST COILS COLLAPSED ON BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDES. I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS CHANGING THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS IN AUGUST 2007. FROM THE RUST, IT APPEARS THAT THE SPRINGS HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR A WHILE. HAVE YET TO REPLACE SINCE IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE EFFECTED HANDLING, BUT INTEND TO DO IT THIS FALL JUST TO BE SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240576September 2, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER! GETTING ON INTERSTATE, ON THE RAMP, HIT 30 MPH'S, AND NOTHING! THE RPM'S SHOOT STRAIGHT UP, AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL!! I HAVE 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME, AND ALMOST CREATE A PILE-UP BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE ON ENTRANCE RAMP! COME TO FIND OUT, A NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS TOPIC. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED WITH THIS MESS UP. I WAS ABOUT RAN OVER!! RIDICULOUS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240645September 2, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN OIL CHANGE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RUPTURE THE TIRES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/24/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240501September 1, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
READING THE FORUMS AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR EXPLORERS 4X4. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS LIKE IF YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY OR YOUR BATTERY DIES SO DOES YOUR CONTROL MODULE FOR THE 4X4. MINE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THAT HAPPENED. THAT IS WHEN MY 4X4 SELECTOR SWITCH LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND MY 4X4 WAS NOT ENGAGING. SEEMS LIKE FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART. I GOT A NEW CONTROL MODULE AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. COULD BE DANGEROUS IN WINTER TIME FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE TO HAVE NO 4X4. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240299August 30, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
STUCK IN 4X4 MODE AND CANNOT TURN. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240308August 30, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BOUGHT MY 02 SPORT TRAC IN 04. IT HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK REPAIRED BY ORIGINAL OWNER AT (20,000 MILES) IN 03. IN 05, AT 55,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING IN ORIGINAL LOCATION PLUS ANOTHER. REPAIRED BY FORD AND I WAS ALLOWED A PO5 PAYMENT PROGRAM. AFTER 15,000 MILES FROM THIS REPAIR, TRANSMISSION FLUID AGAIN LEAKING. TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED, ALONG WITH REPAIR TO SEALS. FORD DISTRICT MANAGER REFUSED TELEPHONE CONTACT TO DISCUSS. FORD REFUSED ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY, INCLUDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. TRANSMISSION ON THIS TRAC NOW HAS BEEN PULLED THREE TIMES AFTER FOUR FLUID LEAKS. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON LAST REPAIR. LOCAL FORD DEALER, UPSET WITH MY AGITATION, INFORMED ME THAT AT NOW 70,000 MILES, I SHOULD EXPECT THE NEED FOR REPAIRS! HA! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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