Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10229907June 4, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PARKING MY CAR BETWEEN TWO OTHER CARS, I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD TO ADJUST MY CAR TO THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING SPACE. I HAD MY FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE SO THAT THE IDLE SPEED WOULD INCH MY CAR FORWARD A LITTLE. WHEN I SHIFTED TO FORWARD, MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD 2 TO 3 FEET. BECAUSE MY FOOT WAS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE, I WAS ABLE TO HIT THE BRAKE HARD. THE CAR STOPPED WITHIN A FEW INCHES OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229904June 4, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE OXYGEN SENSOR CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED AT 40,000 MILES. THE DEALER PROMISED OVER THE PHONE TO REPAIR BOTH THE RECALL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT, BUT LATER DENIED SERVICE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 24,000 MILES OVER THE LIMIT TO REPAIR THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH TO PREVENT A FIRE FROM OCCURRING UNTIL THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE AVAILABLE. A YEAR HAS PASSED AND THE DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229916June 4, 2008
WHEELS, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I HAVE HAD 4 WHEEL BEARING/HUB ASSEMBLY UNITS FAIL ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLOYER. THE FIRST TO GO WAS AFTER ONLY 20K MILES. THE CAR NOW HAS ~70K MILES AND IN THE SHOP NOW FOR THE SAME REPAIR. A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND VERY DANGEROUS SITUITION. FORD WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE IT IS A PROBELM BUT UNDERSTAND IS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH MANY CUSTOMERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229735June 3, 2008
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED FROM THE BASE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO FALL BACK AGAINST THE REAR SEATS. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WOULD ONLY RECLINE IN ONE VERTICAL POSITION. THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229364May 30, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
THERE IS A LOUD WHINING SOUND FROM BACK END AND GET LOUDER THE MORE YOU ACCELERATE. THE REAR END OR BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229375May 30, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, SUSPENSION:REAR
MY VEHICLE HAS 79K MILES ON IT AND I HAVE ALL FOUR OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ONCE AND THE LEFT REAR BEARING REPLACED TWICE. I HAVE NEVER TOWED A TRAILER, DRIVEN THROUGH STANDING WATER OR OVERLOADED THE VEHICLE AT ANY TIME. THE COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET WOULD INDICATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2002 EXPLORER. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS ON OTHER VEHICLES AND I SUSPECT THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEALER WAS VERY GOOD. I DO NOT HOLD JOE COTTON FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DEFICIENCIES WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229243May 29, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO, SHE HAS HAD TO TAPE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SHUT TO KEEP IT FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH OR LOWER. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE DOOR AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229265May 29, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
NEEDED LOWER TIEROD ENDS REPLACED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE RUSTED AND BROKEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229266May 29, 2008
POWER TRAIN
HAD TO HAVE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED AND NOW OR STILL HAVE A WHINE THAT I FEAR IS COMING FROM THE REAR END. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229271May 29, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH A V6 ENGINE. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000 MILES BUT HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED. ON 5/24/08 WE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF OUR TRANSMISSION WHEN DRIVING IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE. THE O/D LIGHT WOULD BLINK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THIS FOUND THAT FIRST GEAR WAS AVAILABLE IF WE WOULD ONLY GO FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS AT BEST. WE ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS A TOTAL FAILURE AND REQUIRED A FULL REBUILD. HE ALSO FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAINTAINED TO SPEC AND THERE WERE NO SERVICE-RELATED ISSUES. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE ON I-5 OR GOING UP A STEEP HILL (OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY IN SEATTLE) THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. AS IT WAS, A FAMILY OF 5 WAS LEFT STRANDED ON A LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND BY A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229144May 28, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR BEARINGS IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER. MAJOR GRINDING AND LOUD SCRATCHING NOISES COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR END. I SEE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER, AND THAT POSSIBLE FATALITIES COULD OCCUR BY THE TIRE FALLING OFF. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN, ALL UNDER 10 YEARS OLD, AND THIS IS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229164May 28, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR COIL SPRINGS (LEFT & RIGHT) HAVE BOTH RUSTED THROUGH AND ARE ONLY HELD IN PLACE BY THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228948May 27, 2008
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE SHE WAS ABLE TO OPEN IT, AS A RESULT, THE HINGE BROKE AND THE BAR THAT HELD THE GLASS BROKE THEN THE GLASS SHATTERED. AS OF MAY 27, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228952May 27, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
WITH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF HAVING MY VEHICLE I HAD TO HAVE 2 TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR IT WAS DONE AGAIN AND THEN I STARTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NOISES AND A THUMPING COMING FROM THE REAR DURING ACCELERATION. I NOW KNOW THAT THE THUMPING IS DUE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND AXLE NEEDING REPAIRS. NOW THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS IS GOING TO COST ME ABOUT $1,000.00 NOT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION DONE ALSO AT A COST OF $400.00 THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT THAT I HAVE NOTICED ON THE INTERNET AND I THINK THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229008May 27, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ACCELERATING TO 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARED AND BEGAN RACING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED OTHER VEHICLES TO SWERVE AROUND HER TO AVOID CRASHING. SHE ACTIVATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT EVEN WITH THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE STILL RACED FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 30 SECONDS UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT GRABBED HER CHILDREN, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND WAITED FOR SOMEONE TO COME PICK HER UP. SHE LATER CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER HOUSE. THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT HER RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,761. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229010May 27, 2008
POWER TRAIN
AT 75,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE AN EXTREME GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR. TOOK TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INDICATED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS SHOT. ALL THE BEARINGS IN ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE SHOT. THE CAR REPAIRMAN INDICATED THAT HE HAS SEEN MANY OF EXPLORERS COME IN WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TO MAKE MATTERS EVEN WORSE, THE PARTS ARE NOT ENGINEERED TO REPAIR ECONOMICALLY. YOU MUST BUY ALL NEW ASSEMBLIES JUST TO REPAIR BEARINGS. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR IS $2,500. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228917May 26, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
PURCHASED VEHICLE USED IN APRIL 2007 - VEHICLE WAS CERTIFIED BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE, I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND TEST DROVE IT. THERE WERE NO ISSUES AT THIS TIME. OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS, BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. THE RIGHT SIDE IS BROKEN IN MULTIPLE PIECES AND DAMAGED THE STRUT. I HAVE DONE ZERO TOWING / HAULING ANYTHING OTHER THAN PEOPLE. THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD - FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE CONTROL. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY ORIGINALLY CRACKED/BROKE. I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR AND FINALLY DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND THEN TOOK IT TO A SHOP. A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228808May 24, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER IT STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND WOULD NOT START. CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF TO THE SIDE AND TOWED TO DEALER. THE MECHANIC SAID IT PROBABLY BROKE A VALVE SPRING WHICH CAUSED MASSIVE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT AND FORD BASICALLY TOLD US IT'S OUR PROBLEM. THEY REFUSE TO CONTRIBUTE ANYTHING TO THE ESTIMATED REPAIR OF $4,800.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228783May 23, 2008
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME FOR THE GLASS ON THE REAR WINDOW WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NO LONGER PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY FOR THE VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #01I010000). AS OF MAY 23, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228791May 23, 2008
PARKING BRAKE
WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLODER, WHEN I EXCITED THE VEHICLE I SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. I GRABBED MY SON AND GOT HIM FROM THE VEHICLE. A PASSERBY CAME OVER TO HELP GET MY SON FROM THE VEHICLE. HE INFORMED ME THAT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD SEIZED ON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS HAPPENED WHEN I HAVE NOT USED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. FIRE DEPT CALLED AND VEHICLE IS NOW SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. UNTIL I CAN GET THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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