Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10219566February 28, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT 110,000 MILES BOTH REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. A TRIP TO THE DEALER SAID BOTH WINDOWS NEEDED NEW CABLES AND IT WOULD COST $1,000. WINDOWS WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219565February 28, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT 105K MILES THE CAR JUST DIED. NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED. THEY INSTALLED/REINSTALLED THE NEW TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES BEFORE IT WORKED PROPERLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219586February 28, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE, EVEN WHEN INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS IT IS ON. INITIAL FAILURES WERE FAILURE TO ENGAGE OR UNEXPECTED DISENGAGEMENT. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, THE SPEED CONTINUALLY ACCELERATES AND DOES NOT DISENGAGE WITH BRAKE PEDAL, MUST USE OFF BUTTON ON STEERING COLUMN. ALL BUTTONS ARE FREE. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND THEY REPORT NO RECALL ON THIS VIN. SEARCH OF NHTSA SITE SHOWS 3 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219320February 27, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
I FOUND AN ~3" LONG PIECE OF UNKNOWN STEEL IN MY GARAGE. NOTICED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 2" LOWER THAN LEFT. THE UNKNOWN STEEL WAS PART OF THE TOP OF THE COIL SPRING. ALSO, THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING WAS BROKEN AND THE SPRING HAD COME TO REST ON THE LOWER SWING ARM. TOTAL OF 3 BREAKS ON THE RIGHT SIDE SPRING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A LIFT THE RIGHT SIDE WAS FOUND TO HAVE TWO BREAKS, ALSO NEAR THE OPT OF THE SPRING. CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE REPAIRED 'A FEW OF THEM'. REPAIR GARAGE COULD NOT OBTAIN AFTERMARKET SPRINGS, THEY WERE TOLD THEY WERE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. LOCAL DEALER WAS OUT AND RECEIVED 2 TODAY, WHICH WERE INSTALLED. I HAVE PLACED ~95% OF THE ~62,000 MILES AND VEHICLE WAS NOT ABUSED IN ANY FORM. OLD PARTS AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219339February 27, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
BOUGHT MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER 4X4 WITH TOW PACKAGE AND V-6 NEW FROM THE DEALER IN AUGUST 2001. AT 45K HAD TO HAVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED AS THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING THE USUAL "WHINING" SOUNDS AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEIR MECHANIC WOULD INSTALL THE PART WITH "TIGHTER SPECS" AND THAT IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL. YEAH RIGHT!! AT AROUND 75K, THE REAR DIFF STARTED LEAKING. HAD THE LEAK FIXED AND AS YOU MAY SUSPECT AT AROUND 80K THE "WHINING" SOUND TYPICAL OF REAR DIFF FAILURE CAME BACK. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THIS TIME WHICH WERE ALSO WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT. I DO USE THIS VEHICLE OFF AND ON THE ROAD AND HAVE USED 4WD PROBABLY MORE THAN THE NORMAL EXPLORER OWNER. ALSO DO SOME OCCASIONAL TOWING BUT AM ALWAYS CAREFUL TO STAY WITHIN THE WEIGHT LIMITS AND TAKE IT EASY ON THE SPEED WHILE TOWING. I'VE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE FOLLOWING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE EXACTLY. IT IS JUST TERRIBLE THAT FORD KEEPS INSTALLING THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND WON'T LAST MORE THAN 40 - 80K. SOME COMPENSATION WOULD BE NICE, MAYBE THROUGH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. ONE THING FOR SURE. NO MORE FORDS FOR ME! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219228February 26, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION MAKING A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISE IN BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK. FROM ALL THAT I HAVE READ THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE OVERHAULED. WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS THERE ARE ON THIS VEHICLE FORD REALLY NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS BUT CHOOSE NOT TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT FORCES THEM TO DO SOMETHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219049February 25, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
NOISE COMING FROM REAR END OF VEHICLE. MECHANIC STATES BOTH REAR BEARINGS ARE BAD. ALSO STATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. COST ESTIMATE OF 700.00-800.00. PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL FALLING OFF VEHICLE WHILE UNDER WAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219520February 25, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR GLASS WAS CRACKED FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS. HE NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK BEGINNING TO FORM AT THE TOP AS WELL. ONE CRACK IS IN THE CENTER AND THE OTHER IS ON THE TOP RIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ASSUME A SMALL PORTION OF THE COST TO HAVE THE GLASS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT STATE WHETHER THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,700. UPDATED 04-02-08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219003February 24, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AT 86,200 MILES. REPAIRED COST A RIDICULOUS $3,936.18. FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219034February 24, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS, WITH 86,000 MILES. O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. 4 DAYS LATER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR TOWED TO TRANNY MECHANIC. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218897February 22, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD A YEAR. I AM PAYING A LOAN FOR IT AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT FOR 3 MONTHS. SURPRISE IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION! APPARENTLY THIS IS NOTHING NEW FOR THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU TYPE IN A SEARCH YOU WILL FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND SINCE IT WAS MY FAMILIES MAIN TRANSPORTATION IT HAS BEEN A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. MY WIFE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE SHE HAS NO WAY TO GET THERE. HOW MANY PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL OR SOMETHING? THIS IS RIDICULOUS IT IS OBVIOUSLY A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM SO WHY NOT DO SOMETHING TO HELP PEOPLE FIX IT? ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218905February 22, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER USED IN 2003 WITH APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. BEFORE I HIT 80,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO A SHIFTING/CLUNKING PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO ERRATIC SHIFTING AND MALFUNCTION. THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP BOTH SAID THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219460February 21, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
2002 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS VISITING HIS SISTER IN A DIFFERENT STATE. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO REPAIR HER VEHICLE AND RENTAL COST THEM $600.00 OUT OF POCKET. *KB PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONSUMER ASKED THE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD A LIST OF DOCUMENTATION RELATING TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO GET A JUMP SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN FIRST STARTING UP. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE ALTERNATOR AND WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218728February 21, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FORD RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE OF 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL HAS GONE BEYOND A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR TO PERFORMED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218726February 21, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT FLASHES AND SHIFTING STALLS. NO REPLACEMENT HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM NEEDED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SHELL OUT FOR A REBUILD. ALSO 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BALL BARING HUBS AND BEARINGS. THE TOTAL COST WAS 1,000 DOLLARS USD. WE NEED FORD TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218806February 21, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
I RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY FORD VEHICLE FOR THE SPEED CONTROL. IT MAY LEAK CAUSING AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. I NEED TO HAVE A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INSTALLED INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO FORD DEALERSHIPS THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH ME DUE TO THE FACT THAT I PARK MY TRUCK IN MY GARAGE THAT IS ATTACHED TO MY HOME. I DO NOT WANT MY HOME TO BURN DOWN AND DO NOT WANT A FIRE TO START UNDER MY HOOD WHILE DRIVING EITHER. PLEASE HELP IT HAS BEEN 6 MONTHS SINCE I RECEIVED THE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218811February 21, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RIGHT WHEEL TURNED OUTWARDS AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED IN A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR FAILED. HE SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10218527February 19, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AFTER NORMAL DRIVING I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD GRINDING AND HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER GOING TO MY MECHANIC HE HAD SAID MY REAR BEARING AND HUB ARE BAD WHICH ALSO MADE MY REAR TIRE UNSTABLE. HE BEGAN TO TELL ME IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE BEARINGS, HUBS, AND BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY CANNOT HANDLE THE BRAKING LOAD OF THIS VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE IT WOULD SEEM HE IS CORRECT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM IN THAT ALL THE BEARINGS AND HUBS EVENTUALLY GO BAD AND CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME MAKING THE TIRES UNSTABLE AND COULD FALL OFF DURING DRIVING. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND /OR PARTS INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EVENTS HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS. SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A VERY EXPENSE FIX FOR UNSUSPECTING OWNERS I HOPE YOU LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND MAKE FORD ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218417February 18, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND SHIFTING ROUGH BETWEEN GEARS. HAD IT OVERHAULED AT 38,000 MILES. SAME PROBLEMS NOW OCCURRING AT 120,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218415February 18, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SHOCKS WERE NO LONGER HOLDING UP THE WINDOW WHEN OPEN. REPLACED BOTH SHOCKS, CLOSED THE LIFTGATE GLASS AND THE WINDOW EXPLODED, RESULTING IN THE BOTTOM TRIM PIECE FALLING AND SHATTERED GLASS FLYING EVERYWHERE. FORTUNATELY THEIR WERE NO INJURIES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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