Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)
3,572 consumer complaints on file.
- #10490353December 28, 2012TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH COOPER DISCOVERY HTP TIRES, SIZE: 235 70 R16 (N/A). THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A SIDE RAIL AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE WHIPLASH INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10490083December 26, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY WHILE ON A TRIP LEFT US ALL STRANDED IN COLD! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10490051December 25, 2012WHEELS
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES. TIME BETWEEN ONSET OF NOISE AND NEAR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES. FEARING A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS MIGHT FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURIES, THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO INCUR THE HIGH COST TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS AND RELATED PARTS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF MODEL YEARS AND IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DESIGN DEFECT. NHTSA HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE VIA A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS AND MUST COMPEL FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO ISSUE A RECALL OF ALL FORD EXPLORERS BEGINNING WITH MODEL YEAR 2002 OR EARLIER. THE RECALL RIGHTFULLY MUST INCLUDE FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY REPAIR COSTS INCURRED BY OWNERS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10489563December 23, 2012POWER TRAIN
WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING CAUSING THE EXPLORER TO BARELY PULL OUT INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH HAD TO STOP TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, AND IT HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10489204December 18, 2012ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
THREE MONTHS AGO THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. SOMETIMES THE RPM'S WILL REV BUT THE CAR WILL NOT INCREASE IN SPEED.THE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SHIFT HARSHLY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10489039December 17, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PULSATING, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FEEL SPONGY WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT TWO OF THE ABS SENSORS WERE FAULTY AND WERE OVERRIDING THE BRAKES. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE ABS SENSORS. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY FAILURES AFTER THE SENSORS WERE DISCONNECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10488919December 16, 2012POWER TRAIN
MERGING INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC ON US23 N. IN OHIO, TRIED TO ACCELERATE JUST AS I ALWAYS DO AND THE TRANSMISSION DECIDES IT DOESNT WANT TO SHIFT, THEN WHEN IT FINALLY DID (APPROX 5000 RPM) IT SLAMED INTO GEAR. NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING REAR-ENDED. TURNED VEHICLE AROUND, TRIED FLUID/FILTER CHANGE WITH NO SUCCESS. DID A SEARCH ON THE NET AND FOUND THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECKED FOR RECALL AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NONE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10487669December 7, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED. THE CONTACT TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO PARK AND SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 210,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10487342December 4, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EMITTED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AS THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL-BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A PHONE POLE. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND MOUTH. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND A BRUISED TAIL BONE. THE PERSON SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND LACERATIONS TO THE FEET. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 4
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10486630December 1, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALARM GOES OFF WHEN SET AND NO ONE IS AROUND, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK, LIGHT INSIDE DO NOT TURN OFF AND SOMETIMES DO NOT TURN ON, RADIO DOES NOT TURN OFF WHEN OPENING THE FRONT DOORS, BUT WILL TURN OFF WHEN BACK DOORS ARE OPENED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10486631December 1, 2012POWER TRAIN
DRIVE TRAIN, BUCKS, GRINDS, IS SLIPPING. MAKES ALOT OF NOISE. HAD THE REAR END REPLACED AND IT DID NOT WORK, PAID $1000.00 OR SO AND DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10486572November 30, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
BODY/CHASSIS MOUNTS ARE DETERIORATING AND CRUMBLING. BODY IS NOW LOOSE ON THE FRAME AND HAS SLIGHT MOVEMENT. THESE MOUNTS ARE NOT RUBBER LIKE MOST; THEY ARE SOME SORT OF URETHANE COMPOSITE. INTERNET RESEARCH AND TRUCK OWNER SITES CONFIRM THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. FORD DOES NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY/RECALL ISSUE AND HAS DIRECTED OWNERS OF SUSPECT VEHICLES TO YOUR DEPARTMENT. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN SALT OR SNOW AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE CAB SHAKING AND RATTLING IS CAUSING MOVEMENT THAT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY EFFECT THE BRAKE LINES AND STEERING COLUMN AS THEY ARE ATTACHED TO BOTH THE BODY AND THE CHASSIS. FORD IS NOW USING ANOTHER COMPOUND FOR THE MOUNTS APPARENTLY IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10485926November 24, 2012AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. ON OCCASION I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT MY AIR BAG HAS NOT GONE OFF YET. ALSO WHILE DRIVING MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT & DOME LIGHTS COME ON. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10483997November 12, 2012LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I'VE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK SAYING THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT'S NOT. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSIDE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS. I NOTICED IT USUALLY HAPPENS EITHER WHILE ITS RAINING OR IF IT JUST FINISHED RAINING. SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE (YEAR/MAKE/MODEL) SAYS THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO HIS VEHICLE. I'M WONDERING IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND IF SO, WHAT STEPS DO THE MANUFACTURES TAKE IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR A SPECIFIC PROBLEM? ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10483947November 10, 2012STEERING, POWER TRAIN
I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN A PRIVATE SALE ON 11/09/12 AND ON 11/10/12 WENT TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO REVERSE ON A FLAT SURFACE AND MY SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF AND I AM NOT ABLE TO SHIFT MY VEHICLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10483878November 9, 2012POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BECAME DETACHED, LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10483740November 8, 2012POWER TRAIN
THE O/D LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING ON AND OFF. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION DOES NO LONGER WANT TO SHIFT GEARS; AND WHEN IT DOES IT SHIFTS VERY HARD. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10483280November 4, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. WHEN YOU GO TO PUT GAS IN IT THE PUMPS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. SOMETHING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM IS TELLING THE PUMP THAT THE TANK IS FULL WHEN IT IS NOT. IT CAN TAKE 30 MINUTES TO PUT 10 GALLONS IN THE TANK. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10482882November 1, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE INADVERTENTLY STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BRUISED CHEST, RIBS ARMPIT AND WRISTS. HE ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ALL OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 250,100.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10481485October 22, 2012POWER TRAIN, STEERING
ON THE AFTERNOON OF OCTOBER 22ND 2012 MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS LEAVING THE SPEECH THERAPIST WITH MY SON WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE SHIFTER SNAPPED OFF IN HER HAND. THE CAR EVERY SINCE WE HAD IT WHEN U PUT IT IN PARK AS A DELAY AND ROLLS FOR WARD A BIT I FEEL THAT THIS IS A RECALL THAT FORD SHOULD ISSUE FOR THIS CAR. ITS JUST NOT FAIR TO HAVE TO PAY OVER 1200 DOLLARS TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS NOT MY FAULT.WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE STREET LUCKILY MY WIFE KNEW TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS PROBLEM REALLY COULD END UP IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN FATALITY TO AN INDIVIDUAL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0