Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10345038July 24, 2010
POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING. THEN THE PASSENGER ASKED ME IF I COULD SMELL TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I HAD SAID YES. THIS ENDED UP COSTING ME $2800 AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS FAILING AND SENSE HE HAD IT APART HE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND REBUILD IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345071July 24, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LAST NIGHT, THE O/D OFF LIGHT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER STARTED BLINKING. TODAY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE IN NORMAL DRIVE MODE OR REVERSE. IN DOING SOME INVESTIGATING, APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD EXPLORERS. PARTICULARLY THE 2002 MODELS. THIS IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS, BUT UNFAIR THAT FORD HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS VERY COMMON ISSUE. I'M AWAITING AN ANSWER ON WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG WITH MY EXPLORER. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, THE MOST COMMON CAUSE IS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I HOPE FORD DOES THE RIGHT THING AND INSTITUTES A RECALL TO THE MANY DRIVERS OF 2002 EXPLORERS THAT HAVE SUFFERED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344822July 23, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344554July 21, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING BELT PLASTIC GEARS WAS SLUNG OFF AND CRACKED A REAR VALVE. HAD TO REPLACE VALVE AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC GEARS. COST APPROXIMATELY $2000-3500, MOSTLY IN PART BECAUSE ENGINE REMOVAL IS NECESSARY TO ACCESS THE TIMING CHAIN. MANY DEALERSHIPS SUGGEST BUYING A NEW ENGINE. IF NOT FIXED, COULD POTENTIALLY HARM SHAFTS, AND/OR OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE TIMING BELT/CHAIN COMPARTMENT AND FURTHER REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL NEED TO BE PURCHASED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344617July 21, 2010
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BEEN ERRATIC! THE FRONT ONES WILL COME ON WHENEVER THEY WANT AND ALOT WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED. AS OF LATE THEY COME ON VERY OFTEN AND IS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. TODAY THEY WERE SO UNPREDICTABLE THAT THEY ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH ME AND MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344306July 20, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT, WHEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTS TO FLASH AND THE CAR BECOMES JERKY, THEN LOCKS INTO GEAR SO I BRAKE PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A BIT , TURN IT BACK ON AND THE O/D FLASHES AND I MANAGED TO MAKE IT HOME BUT ONLY GOING SLOW AS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY CHILD. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW DAYS AND HAD MY HUSBAND DRIVE IT AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT GOT STUCK IN GEAR ON HIM TWICE. WE'VE CONTACTED A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL IT HAS BEEN VERY COMMON FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THEY RECOMMENDED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND EITHER PUT THE CAR UP FOR SALE OR REPAIR IT AS IN THEIR EXPERIENCE THEY TRANSMISSION WILL PROBABLY GO AGAIN IN A YEAR OR 2.. FORD NEED TO ACCEPT THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE AND OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKES, THEY CAN'T EXPECT PEOPLE TO JUST SIT BACK AND ACCEPT IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE ISSUE, IF I WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED WHEN IT FIRST STARTED WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED, I MAY NOT OF BEEN ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL AND SOMETHING SERIOUS MAY OF BEEN BUT LUCKILY IT WASN'T, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO READ ABOUT THE PERSON WHO COULDN'T KEEP CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344127July 19, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
O/D AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY SUV EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT AS SOON AS THE LIGHTS GO ON THE SUV TANS STARTS ACTING UP AND SLIP CALLED FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT, HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED SO IT WILL COST 2,300.00 PLUS LABOR. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4 . WHY IS IT THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS YEAR FORD BUT, YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT ! I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEB OF THIS YEAR AND NOW I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM ! I PULLED OUT FROM A GREEN LIGHT THE OTHER DAY AND ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TRANS SLIPPED HAD ALL 4 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME ! MAYBE I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THIS BUT,THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I NEED TO DRIVE ! AND I SURE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS PROBLEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING BESIDES ME ! FORD NEEDS TO FIX THERE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT OR ENDS UP WORSE DEAD !! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343605July 16, 2010
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR DURING ANY TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITION. THE WIPERS ALSO FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO FRICTION CAUSED BY THE DRY WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343679July 16, 2010
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED HER CHILD WAS SEATED AND PROPERLY SEATED IN A CHILD RESTRAINT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE CHILD RESTRAINT BEGAN TIPPING FORWARD. SHE FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. THE CONTACT THEN INSPECTED THE REMAINING SEAT BELTS AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343699July 16, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, FOLLOWED BY A CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT. THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY IN TRAFFIC AND HAD TO PULL THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT REMAINS UNTIL IT CAN BE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THIS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 4 X 4 V-8. FROM READING ABOUT THIS YEAR OF FORD EXPLORER'S, I SEE THAT IT THE MOST COMMON CAR COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. I HOPE YOU WILL FORCE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THANK FOR YOU HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343352July 14, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER, V-6 4X4 AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT HOME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343004July 13, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FRACTURED IN HER HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342645July 12, 2010
WHEELS
WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES ON IT TO DATE. WE TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION AND WERE TOLD THAT 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD BEEN HEARING A LOUD, ALMOST GRINDING NOISE, WHILE DRIVING. THESE ASSEMBLIES, BEING OF POOR QUALITY, MEAN 3 OF THE 4 WHEELS ON OUR VEHICLE WERE LOOSE. I SEE A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342499July 11, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER OD LIGHT BLINKING TRANSMISSION SLIPS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342440July 10, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1. WAS DRIVING IN TOWN EXPLORER SHIFTED INTO 2ND HARD AND THEN 3RD GEAR SLOWED THE CAR DOWN THEN SHIFTED LIKE A HARD JERK 2.WAS OCCURRING SEEMS WHEN CAR GET WARMED UP THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND THE OD LIGHT BLINKS AND NOW EVEN COLD THE OD LIGHT BLINKS ALL THE TIME NOW TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION JUST BOUGHT IT 4 MONTHS AGO 3 CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME TO THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL THIS IS HOW I WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY COMPLAINT SO WE CAN ALL GET FIX BY FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342123July 9, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE TERRIBLE GRINDING/RUBBING NOISE WHILE 50 MILES FROM HOME. ON EXIT RAMP TO MY CITY, IT SWAYED... THE NEXT MORNING MY COUSIN EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FINDING THE RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKEN, AND THE LEFT IN TERRIBLE CONDITION AS WELL. I AM JUST THANKFUL NOTHING BAD HAPPENED ON MY WAY HOME. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS VEHICLE OFF ROAD NOR USED IT TO PULL ANYTHING. AFTER VIEWING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THE "CAR COMPLAINTS" WEB SITE, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN B/F FORD IS FORCED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM????? I HAD TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED, AND I DO HAVE THE OLD SPRINGS! GOOD THING I DID NOT HIT A HUGE BUMP OR POT HOLE ON MY WAY HOME OR HAVE TO SWERVE QUICKLY, I HATE TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342162July 9, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT HER OWN EXPENSE AND TO FILE A CLAIM. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342281July 9, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER - THE O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT; IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342096July 8, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR HATCH UPPER GLASS PLASTIC TRIM CRACKED NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THIS ALLOWED WATER INTO THE TRIM THAT CAUSED THE BOLTS HOLDING THE LATCH TO RUST THROUGH AND COMPLETELY FAIL. I REPLACED THE ENTIRE GLASS LAST SPRING (2009). THE REPLACEMENT PART ALSO CRACKED IN TWO PLACES AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF MICHIGAN WINTER. THE LATCH BOLTS IN THIS UNIT ARE NOW RUSTING AS WELL. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PLASTIC TRIM EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS AT A DIFFERENT RATE THAN THE GLASS. SINCE THEY ARE BONDED TOGETHER, THE WEAKER PLASTIC FAILS. THE CRACKS CONTRACT AND EXPAND DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341833July 7, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON CONTINUED TO BLINK AND FLASH. THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON DOES NOT TURN THE LIGHT OUT AS IT'S DESIGNED TO. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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