Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10217703February 11, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
MY FAMILY AND I WENT TO MY FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE AND AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND UNLOCKING THE DOORS MY DAUGHTER'S DOOR (REAR PASSENGER) WOULD NOT UNLOCK NOR OPEN FOR THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, BY SWITCH NOR MANUALLY. FOR MY DAUGHTER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SHE HAD TO CLIMB IN THE FRONT SEAT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, WE HAVE A BABY THAT RIDES IN A CAR SEAT SO SHE COULDN'T EXIT ON THE DRIVER PASSENGER SIDE. I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TAKE THE PANEL OFF AND TAKE THE ONE SCREW OFF THAT HOLDS THE HANDLE MECHANISM AND PULL IT A FEW TIMES TO FINALLY RELEASE THE LATCH. I JUST READ ABOUT A FORD RECALL ON FAULTY LATCHES. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THIS RECALL AND MY LATCH ISSUE IS MY LATCH WILL NOT RETURN TO AN OPEN STATE. I FEEL THAT MY ISSUE IS RELATED IN THE SAME CONTEXT, AND FEEL THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF SOMETHING HAPPEN MY DAUGHTER COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217739February 11, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 FORD EXPLORER FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT FIRE HAZARD. FUEL LINE RETAINING CLIPS (50 CENT PART) ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM FORD IN A $200 FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY. NOT USING THESE CLIPS CAUSES TO MUCH SLACK IN THE FUEL LINE TO FILTER CONNECTION. THEIR INTENT TO ROPE THE CONSUMER INTO A $200 PURCHASE MAY CAUSE ALTERNATE, READ:UNSAFE SOLUTIONS BY THE CUSTOMER. THE FEELING IS THAT FORD IS EXTREMELY NEGLIGENT IN NOT MAKING THESE 'LOCKING R-CLIPS' AVAILABLE SEPARATELY AT THE DEALERSHIP PARTS COUNTER, OR IN THE AFTERMARKET FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ITEM. (FUEL FILTER). FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED TWICE REGARDING THIS OVERSIGHT ON THEIR PART AND REFUSE TO OFFER THE CLIPS BY THEMSELVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217755February 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
O/D LIGHT FLASHING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217586February 10, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE, POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, SUSPENSION:REAR
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD REAR AND FRONT HOWLING NOISES SIMILAR TO A JET DURING TAKE OFF. ALSO WAS VERY UNSTABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. FORD DEALERSHIP FOUND BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS NEED REPLACING. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HAD SUCH A WOBBLE THAT IT WOULD DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. JUST THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS COST ME ALMOST $600. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY FOUND THE FRONT HUBS AND RING AND PINION NOISY AND ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE TOTAL FOR THESE REPAIRS IS NEARING $3000. NO WONDER FORD IS HEADING INTO BANKRUPTCY! THIS VEHICLE STILL HAS WELL UNDER 100,000 MILES, HAS NEVER TOWED, PLOWED OR USED OFF-ROAD, ALL HIGHWAY MILEAGE. IS THIS WHY THEY SAY FORD IS FIX OR REPAIR DAILY? MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL NOT BE FORD FOR SURE. FORD NEEDS TO HAVE THESE ISSUES RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217518February 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HIGHWAY, IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM W/ 2002 EXPLORERS. ASK ANY TRANSMISSION SHOP. ALSO CHECK OUT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM - IT IS THEIR #1 WORST VEHICLE. I COUNTED 10 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS TRANSMISSION, BUT NO RECALL !?! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217531February 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
CHANGING GEARS (PARK TO DRIVE) IN ORDER TO DRIVE CAR. GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF CAR. HAVE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL ON WEB WHERE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FALLS OFF STEERING COLUMN. WHAT CAR HAS A GEAR SHIFT LEVER THAT FALLS OFF???? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217535February 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. IT HAS 99,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE THIS VEHICLE VERY GENTLY AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS. THEN ONE DAY OUT OF NOWHERE, THE TRANSMISSION WENT. IT WENT WITHOUT WARNING. NO PRIOR SLIPPAGE, NO JERKING, NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NOTHING. NOW I HAVE TO DISH OUT MONEY I DON'T HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THEY MESSED UP SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS A NICE BODY, A NICE LOOK AND FEEL. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM JUST NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I'M WAITING FOR A RECALL SO I CAN GET MY MONEY BACK. I'VE BEEN A FAITHFUL FORD DRIVER, AND THEY SHOULD BE THERE FOR EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS THEM BY BUYING THEIR VEHICLES. IF I DON'T GET ANY RESOLUTION, I'LL BE SURE TO NEVER EVEN LOOK AT A FORD AGAIN. I'LL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO STAY CLEAR OF FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217453February 8, 2008
WHEELS:HUB, SUSPENSION
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, IT HAS 79,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS. THE TIRE WAS PRACTICALLY FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE BY THE TIME IT MADE ENOUGH NOISE FOR ANYONE TO NOTICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217458February 8, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN WONDERFUL UNTIL MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IT WOULD RUN FINE THEN JOLT INTO GEAR OUT OF NO WHERE THEN BE RUNNING FINE AGAIN. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK THE OTHER DAY AND OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR STALLS IN DRIVE I AM PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING NO MOVEMENT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND BANG YOU NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, I DID NOT TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS SO FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, SO I THOUGHT OK MAYBE TRANSMISSION FLUID OR OIL CHANGE DID THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS THEN I LOW AND BEHOLD I AM OUT 1000'S OF DOLLARS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEN I DECIDE TO RESEARCH MY YEAR, MAKE, MODEL VEHICLE AND FIND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS TO THROW AWAY MONEY THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD BECAUSE FORD KNEW ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ALL ALONG. I HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT FORD VEHICLES BUT I THINK THAT I MIGHT HAVE TO RECONSIDER WHEN I LOOK FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE UNLESS FORD WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THIS YEAR TRANSMISSION AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO WERE OUT MONEY GETTING THEIR VEHICLES FIXED WHEN FORD KNEW THAT THEIR WAS A PROBLEM TO BEGINNING WITH. THANK GOODNESS THAT I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN MY CAR STALLED BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AND THEN I WOULD BE MORE UPSET THAN I AM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217492February 8, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, STEERING:RACK AND PINION
FORD EXPLORER 2002 CLUTCH PACK IN REAR DIFF WENT OUT CAUSING RACK AND PINION TO GO OUT. FORD DEALER STATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR. HAD REAR DIFF REBUILT BY DEALERSHIP WITH FORD PARTS AND 24,000 MILES LATER THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. AT $1300 TO OVER $1500 EACH TIME THIS IS CRAZY AND NEITHER FORD NOR THE DEALERSHIP WILL ASSIST IN THE COST. AFTER CALLING FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE MY AGGRAVATION INCREASED BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. NOW SAME PROBLEM ON OUR 03 EXPEDITION. IF THE DIFF LOCKS UP I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WILL HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217507February 8, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 103K MILES MAKES A CLUNK WHEN SHIFT ON REVERSE. TOOK IT FOR CHECK UP AND NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL COST ABOUT $2500+ I ALREADY PAID $10,000 FOR SUV CANT PAY ANY MORE AND I ONLY OWNED IT FOR 10 MONTHS. AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_SLIPS_WHEN_SHIFTING_AND_CLUNKS.SHTML I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND HELP US OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217353February 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING TRANSMISSION BANDS FAILURE, REQUIRING A COMPLETE REBUILD $2500-3500 FOR REPAIR AT 68,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217358February 7, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PER MANUFACTURES RECOMMENDATIONS. IT IS NOT USED OFF ROAD AND RUN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. WITH NO WARNING AND NO PREVIOUS NOISE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB/BEARING FAILED. THE BEARING CAME APART AND THE WHEEL WAS SO LOOSE IT WAS WALKING 1-2 INCHES SIDE TO SIDE. HAD MY WIFE NOT BEEN DRIVING SLOWLY THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIFIC WRECK. LUCKILY SHE WAS CLOSE TO A SHOP WHEN IT HAPPENED. I HAVE NOT FIXED IT AS OF YET BUT AM IN THE PROCESS NOW. I KNOW I WILL NEED A HUB, BEARING AND THE BRAKES WERE KNOCKED OUT BY THE WALKING MOTION. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. I SEE ON THE INTERNET WHERE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217368February 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANNY SLIPPAGE. O/D LIGHT/SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING. ENGINE REVVING BUT NOT COMING INTO GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES WITH FORDS. THE BANDS THAT WRAP THE 2ND & 5TH GEARS TO LOCK AGAINST THE DRUM ARE DEFECTIVE. FORD HAS UPDATED THE STYLE OF THE BAND AND ONCE REPLACED THIS ISSUE DOES NOT REPEAT. MY ESTIMATE SO FAR IS AT $2100-$2300. WE WILL NOT KNOW FULL EXTENT OF DAMAGE UNTIL HE REMOVES, DISMANTLES & INSPECTS IT ($595 TO DO THAT). AS THIS IS A KNOWN FORD ISSUE WITH THEIR DEFECTIVE PART, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND OWNERS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217365February 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORE V-8 XLT THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND ALL THE SUDDEN I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WHEN I AM IN DRIVE ALL SUDDEN OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR WILL EITHER STALL OR IT WILL JOLT INTO GEAR. THEN IT WILL BE OK FOR A WHILE THEN IT STARTS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. I AM MORE MAD THAT MORE THAN 100 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN POSTED WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR THE SAME YEAR FORD VEHICLE ALL OF THEM ALMOST THE EXACT SAME AND THERE IS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ON A WEBSITE THAT LISTED THIS WEBSITE FOR VEHICLE COMPLAINTS AND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217375February 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
ONE OF MY CUSTOMERS CAME TO ME WITH 53,000 ON HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE COMPLAINT WAS A MILE LONG. ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, ABS LIGHT IS ON, SPEED SENSOR,A/C PROBS, REAR AXLE SEALS ARE LEAKING ON THE IRS, POOR EXCUSE FOR A REAR AXLE SYSTEM IN MY OPINION. A PERSON CANT TELL IF IT IS THE DIFFERENTIAL OR THE REAR BEARINGS ARE BAD, READING ON HERE I THINK THAT THEY ARE BOTH BAD. DIFF IS FULL OF METAL SHAVINGS. I AM SORRY BUT IF FORD DON'T START STANDING BEHIND SUCH A POOR EXCUSE FOR A VEHICLE, THAT ONE ONE GENTLEMEN ON HERE IS GOING TO BE RIGHT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT FIRST. THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT INPUT ON HERE AS A MECHANIC IT MEANS A LOT. I AM GOING TO LOOSE A BIG JOB GRANTED. UNLIKE OTHER CERTAIN PLACES HMMMMMMMMM DEALERS I CARE ABOUT MY CUSTOMERS AND VALUE THEIR LIVES. YOU SHOULD DO LIKE I AM GOING TO STRONGLY ENCOURAGE MY CUSTOMER TO GET RID OF THIS PIECE OF CRAP. THIS IS WHY THE FOREIGN CAR MANUFACTURER ARE KICKEN OUR BUTTS BECAUSE WE CANT BUILD ANYTHING DECENT AND THE STAND BEHIND IT. WHAT'S THAT. THAT'S HOW WE ARE, WE ALWAYS WAIT TILL ITS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT, LIKE OUR CHILDREN. WHAT REALLY PAINS ME IS THAT FORD MOTOR CO USE TO BE AN AMERICAN ICON ALONG WITH ALL THERE COMPETITORS IN THE AMERICAN MARKET AND USE TO CARE ABOUT KEEPING A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE AND KEEP UP ON THINGS LIKE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND QUALITY, INS CO (DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED). THE WORST PART ABOUT IT IS YOU CANT TELL ME THAT YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO 100,000 MILES WITHOUT MAJOR DEFECTS OTHER THAT NORMAL MAINTENANCE. OK IM DONE. SIGNED: A GUY WORRIED THAT PEOPLE CANT FIND US HONEST MECHANICS KURT FROM GREEN BAY WI. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217391February 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FORD EXPLORER XLT 2002 WITH 61,000 MILES O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING RAPIDLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND NEEDED REPLACING. REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING RAPIDLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. HAD THE CODES READ AND NEEDED TO REPLACE PRESSURE SENSOR VALVE. WORKED FINE UNTIL LATELY AND NOW VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217410February 7, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION TYPE 5R55W STARTED TO SLIP AND THE VEHICLE HAS 110,000 MI. NEXT MY O/D DASH LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND THEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT WENT ON. DEALER STATED IT WAS JUST A BAD SOLENOID REPLACEMENT COST OF $1,000 OR WORSE? SECOND OPINION STATED THAT THERE IS A BURIED CODE IN THE DIAGNOSTIC ABOUT THE OVERDRIVE WASN'T WORKING AND THE TEST DRIVE BY MECH. NOTED THAT 5TH GEAR WASN'T WORKING. THE INDEPENDENT MECH. STATED THAT HE WAS SORRY WHEN HE FOUND OUT IT WAS AN EXPLORER BECAUSE HE HAS A LOT OF THIS WORK. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED TO THE SUM OF $2,710. SAFETY CONCERN? WELL YOU HAVE YOUR FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY WHILE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR WORSE. TO ME THIS IS AS BIG AS A SAFETY ITEM AS THEIR BACK GLASS LIFT GATE THEY RECALLED. OR THEIR ROLL OVER ISSUE FOR THAT MATTER. SO I MAY BE ONE PERSON BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO TYPE IN THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ARE INCREDIBLE. OK SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. SO GO TO THEIR TSB AND THIS IS LITTERED WITH TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULTY TRANSMISSION FROM THE START BUT APPARENTLY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH FOR FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE. I WOULD ASK THAT THE NHTSA DO WHAT IS IN THEIR POWER TO REQUEST FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE AND REIMBURSE US FOR FIXING AN OBVIOUS AND DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217415February 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH AN O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND NOW A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT. ONLY 46000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. ONLY CHANGED EVERY 3000. EXTENDED WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED ON DEC 13, 2007 AFTER 5 YEARS. UPDATED *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217067February 6, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL LOCATED BELOW TAILGATE GLASS THE CRACK IS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Explorer