Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10224872April 18, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE CALLED FORD SEVERAL TIMES SINCE RECEIVING THE NOTICE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED IN OCTOBER OF 2007. AS OF APRIL 18, 2008, THE PART IS STILL UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 05/07/08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224780April 17, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM A FORD DEALER IN APRIL 2005, WITH APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON IT. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THOUGHT THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. AFTER PURCHASING ALL FOUR NEW TIRES, THE NOISE CONTINUED TO WORSEN. BY 60,000 MILES THE NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE AND I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL GARAGE THAT THE RIGHT REAR HUB SEAL WAS THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF IF I DIDN'T REPLACE IT. THE ENTIRE HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO RUST FUSING THE PARTS TOGETHER. SURPRISINGLY, THE NOISE CONTINUED (ALTHOUGH SOMEWHAT MORE MUFFLED THIS TIME), BUT I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I DO ALOT OF LOCAL ON AND OFF HIGHWAY DRIVING AND I WAS AFRAID OF LOSING A WHEEL AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I TOOK IT INTO A FORD DEALER AND BOTH REAR HUBS NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. I NOW HAVE 105,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RE-OCCURRED. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THOUGH THAT FORD HAS NOT OWNED UP TO THIS WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM BY MAKING THESE FORD-OWNERS WHOLE AFTER THEY'RE MADE TO SPEND ANYWHERE FROM $500 TO $1500 (LIKE I DID) TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT SURELY THEY MUST KNOW COULD POTENTIALLY COST THEM ANOTHER HEADLINE!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224823April 17, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND ALARM ARE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY . ALSO THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM WILL GO OFF FOR NO REASON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224835April 17, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS, SUSPENSION
WHEEL HUB AND BEARING BAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224845April 17, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
THE PAINT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS PEELING OFF THE PANELS BETWEEN THE WINDOWS AFTER 3 YEARS (AND IT'S PRIMARILY PARKED IN MY GARAGE). AFTER CONTACTING FORD AND APPEALING TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR ASSISTANCE, I DECIDED I COULD LIVE WITH IT BECAUSE IT WAS COSMETIC FLAW EVEN THOUGH THE DEALERS ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL" FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. HOWEVER, ON DEC 26, 2007, I WENT OUT TO MY CAR IN THE MORNING WHILE OUT OF TOWN,AND NOTICED A THREE INCH CRACK IN THE BODY OF THE REAR HATCH, JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD LOGO. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF BEING CLOSED TOO HARD OR ANY OTHER LOGICAL CAUSE. IT JUST CRACKED ON ITS OWN. I CALLED FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR AN ESTIMATE. I COMPLIED WITH THIS REQUEST AND TOOK IT IN. THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT AT ONE TIME, THERE HAD BEEN FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THIS REPAIR, BUT NOT ANYMORE. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. SO FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT SINCE I TOOK CARE OF MY VEHICLE BY PARKING IT OUT OF THE ELEMENTS, IT DID NOT MANIFEST UNTIL THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CRACKED PLASTIC IS A BIT SHARP AND I DO NOT WISH TO CUT MY HAND WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224718April 16, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224584April 15, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
O/D LIGHT BLINKING; SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND IT WAS HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER. BASICALLY WAS TOLD I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS MORE COMMON THAN I THOUGHT. THERE IS EVEN A TSB (03-25-4). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224647April 15, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT AT APPROX. 95,000 MILES ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE SHIFTIING OF THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY CAUSING A USUALLY HIGH IDLE AT CERTAIN GEARS. ALSO THE O/D LIGHT WOULD ALSO CONSTANTLY BLINK ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CURRENTLY MY EXPLORER IS IN A REPAIR SHOP AND NEEDS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR IS $2,300. A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH LESS THAN A 100K MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224435April 14, 2008
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
REAR PANEL WAS CRACKED WHICH THEN LEAD TO THE REAR WINDOW HINGE FAILING AND THE WINDOW SHATTERED IN AN UNPROVOKED MANNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10224518April 14, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
PULLED IN THE DRIVE WAY WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE SHIFTER FEEL OFF CALLED ON THE PART YOU CANT JUST BY THE PART YOU HAVE TO BY THE WHOLE COLUMN AT A PRICE OF 600.00 JUST FOR THE PART NOW I AM A WELDER AND MECHANIC BY TRADE AND HAVE BEEN FOR 20 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE THE EXPLORER THEY MAKE THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OUT OF POT METAL THIS IS A VERY POOR QUALITY OF METAL DIE CAST JUNK USED TO MAKE TOYS THERE IS NO REASON WHY I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BY THIS PART OTHER THAN FORD JUST WANTS TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND FORCE THE PUBLIC INTO BUYING THE WHOLE THING THIS IS NOT RIGHT OR FAIR AND TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CAN NOT GET THE CAR BACK INTO THE PARK POSITION . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224298April 12, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT MADE A LOUD TINGING, SCREECHING NOISE ON A TUESDAY MORNING ,ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. IT WAS NOT A CONSISTENT SOUND. MY HUSBAND LUBRICATED THE BUSHINGS THAT NIGHT, THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. NEXT DAY, THE SOUND WAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING, I EVEN HEARD IT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT PATH, BUT THE NOISE STILL WAS NOT CONSISTENT. IT DID SEEM LOUDER WITH A CLANKING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THAT DAY ON THE HIGHWAY COMING HOME FROM WORK THE NOISE WAS INTERMITTENT UNTIL I HAD SLOWED DOWN FOR TRAFFIC AND IT BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS AT MY EXIT AND WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME. I WAS ABSOLUTELY FRIGHTENED. THERE WAS A RUBBING SOUND NOW THAT WAS AT THE REAR RT SIDE OF THE CAR. LATER, THAT EVENING WE WERE TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE BEARING. FIRST MY HUSBAND WENT OUT AND PURCHASED THE BEARING FROM A FORD DEALER. THEN HE CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THE ENTIRE KIT WAS NEEDED, AS WELL AS, A SPECIAL TOOL TO GET THE BOLT OFF WHICH TOOK HOURS TO LOOSEN AND RELEASE. TODAY HE IS STILL TRYING TO REPLACE THE RT REAR WHEEL BEARING WITH THE KIT FROM AN AUTO STORE SINCE FORD IS NOT OPEN AND THIS IS OUR ONE MEANS OF TRAVEL FOR THE FAMILY. PLEASE INCLUDE THIS COMPLAINT WITH ANY OTHERS AS A "NEAR MISS" FOR AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED ON THE BELTWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. I FEEL VERY LUCKY, BUT I WANT FORD TO KNOW ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND TO CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY RECALL FOR OTHERS. AS I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS HAPPENING FAR TOO OFTEN AND IS A SERIOUS HAZARD TO OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS AND THE PUBLIC. THE CAR WHEEL COULD HAVE COME OFF AS WELL AS THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD HAVE BROKEN. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD OCCUR ON A 2002 VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THE LEFT SIDE HAVING PROBLEMS NOT TOO LONG AFTER THE RT OR VICE VERSA. PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF ANY UPDATES ON THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224168April 11, 2008
PARKING BRAKE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, AND E-BRAKE. E BRAKE REPLACED AND BAD AGAIN. HAD TRANSMISSION REPAIR AT DEALERSHIP A 400 MILES BEFORE 75,000 MILE WARRANTY ENDED. TAKEN BACK 100 MILES LATER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AGAIN. PAST WARRANTY NOW AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. I WILL NOT BUY FORD AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. -PLEASE IGNORE EQUIPMENT PART OF THIS COMPLAINT, I MISUNDERSTOOD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224200April 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT
TRANSMISSION WOULD REV BEFORE SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, HAD IT REPLACED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP WITH FORD PARTS, 17 MONTHS LATER SAME THING AND FORD WILL NOT BACK IT UP, A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 17 MONTHS, THIS HAS COST ME A TOTAL OF $4,000.00 DOLLARS, AND DUE TO THIS DEFECT THE CARS BOOK VALUE IS $4,500.00 BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT THE FACTORY PARTS AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NO GOOD. 12 MONTH, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHEN THE STANDARD IS 36 MONTH, 36,000 MILES. THIS TRUCK SUCKS!!!!!!!!! FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224231April 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PLACING VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN PLACING BACK INTO PARK IT IS HESITANT. THIS REALLY SCARES ME, I HAVE TO PARK A BIT FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , TO MAKE SURE I DON'T HIT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224248April 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BADLY IN TRAFFIC AND THE CONTACT WOULD LOSE CONTROL. HE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $5,000 BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. FORD ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST TO HAVE IT REBUILT FOR $3,100. THE SPECIALIST STATED THAT IMPERIAL PARTS DID NOT MANUFACTURE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224053April 10, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING AND ROARING SOUND. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. AS OF APRIL 10, 2008, THREE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,306 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224095April 10, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
A CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, ON THE FIBERGLASS PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 2WD, 4.0 FI. I TOOK THE CAR IN AT ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF OLD, WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS "TAKEN CARE OF" AT FORD'S COST. ABOUT 3-6 MONTHS AFTER THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY EXPIRED I NOTICED THE SAME CRACK START TO REAPPEAR AND WITH IT BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, THE FORD DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AT THEIR COST. AS OF 4/10/08 I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTICES FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223765April 9, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE FIBERGLASS PIECE OF THE REAR HATCH LID OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL TODAY WHEN I GOT TO LOOKING FOR THE PRICE OF A REAR WINDOW. WHILE SEARCHING I SEEN THAT THERE WAS ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THAT SOME HAD EVEN HAD THE WINDOW SHATTER ON THEM. WELL I AM NOW ONE OF THEM. TODAY AS I OPENED MY REAR HATCH THE PASSENGER SIDE PIECE THAT SECURES THE WINDOW TO THE BODY OF THE EXPLORER JUST FELL OFF CAUSING THE WINDOW TO SHATTER AND GLASS TO CUT MY ARMS, AND FACE, AND ALSO SENT PIECES OF GLASS INTO MY EYE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10223810April 9, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2002 CRACK ON HATCHBACK PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW. ON DECEMBER 26, 2007 I WENT INTO MY GARAGE AND NOTICED 2 CRACKS, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM, EACH ABOUT 3 TO 4 INCHES LONG. I KNOW FOR SURE THEY WERE NOT THERE THE NIGHT BEFORE BECAUSE WE HAD TAKEN SOME PACKAGES OUT OF THE HATCHBACK, AND THERE WERE NO CRACKS. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A FAULTY MANUFACTURED HATCHBACK. WHEN I SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB, IT WAS SURPRISING TO FIND OUT THAT IT HAD THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS THAN ANY OTHER EXTERIOR COMPLAIN. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. ONCE THE CRACKS RUN DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL THERE IS BIG POTENTIAL THAT THE WINDOW WILL FALL OUT. THIS LEAVES THE WINDOW AT RISK TO FALL OUT AND INJURE SOMEONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223820April 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND CAR ENGINE REVVED WHEN GIVING GAS WHILE DRIVING. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER 3300. DOLLARS LATER A NEW TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEN DRIVING IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU KNEW YOUR TRANSMISSION COULD CUT OUT ON YOU WHILE DRIVING SAY ON THE HIGHWAY WOULD YOU DO IT?WOULD YOU PUT YOUR FAMILY IN IT? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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