Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10292725November 18, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR SPRINGS BROKE , PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292440November 17, 2009
STEERING, POWER TRAIN
RECENTLY PURCHASED 2002 FORD EXPLORER. SHORTLY AFTER, WITHIN ONE TO TWO DAYS I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO PARK AND OPENING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ALTHOUGH VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN I EXITED IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS CAUSING ME TO FALL BESIDE ALONGSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE WITH LOWER RIGHT EXTREMITIES STILL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATE ASSISTANT WAS AVAILABLE SO MINIMAL DAMAGE WAS DONE. CURRENTLY REQUIRES CAUTION WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK DO TO ADDITIONAL MANEUVERING TO SHIFT INTO PARK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10292208November 15, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE ON 2002 EXPLORER. THIS WAS NOTICED DURING INSPECTION WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED. IT APPEARS TO BE BAD STEEL AS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS ON THE INTERNET. FORD SHOULD RECALL AND PAY FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THESE REPLACED. MY TAKE ON THIS IS IT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTN.(IN THE FORM OF A RECALL FROM FORD) TO SAVE LIVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292217November 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, AND LOOKING TO GET IT FIXED. *TR UPDATED 11/25/09
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292050November 13, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR HATCH LIFT-GATE UNDER THE FORD EMBLEM HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS. CONSEQUENTLY WATER HAS ENTERED THE DOORS AND LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY BETWEEN $600-$700 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291947November 12, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN
2002 FORD EXPLORER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. VARIOUS PROBLEMS. WHEN I FIRST GOT IT (AT 45K MILES), IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS TO ENGAGE INTO FIRST GEAR AFTER BEING IN REVERSE. WHEN IT DID ENGAGE, IT JUMPED FORWARD WHILE DOING IT. THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN MUCH ANYMORE. IF I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES (DOG, KID, DEER RUNS OUT, LIGHT SUDDENLY CHANGES OR SOMEONE CUTS ME OFF, ETC...) THE TRANNY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL STAYS THERE FOR AN INDEFINITE AMOUNT OF TIME, THEN LURCHES FORWARD 3-4 FEET AS IT KICKS BACK INTO GEAR. THIS HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT YET! HAVE SEEN A DEALER FOR BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS - 3 TIMES. WAS NOT ABLE TO EVEN GET THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, MUCH LESS REPAIRED. AS TIME HAS PASSED, I HAVE LEARNED TO BE CAREFUL AND GINGER WITH THE VEHICLE. I SHIFT SOFTLY AND SLOWLY, I DON'T GUN IT AND DO MY BEST TO ENSURE THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN SLIPPING. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS ONLINE OF PEOPLE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE 02 EXPLORER. I FIRMLY BELIEVE FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE LURCHING FORWARD PROBLEM IS HUGE! VERY DANGEROUS! TODAY IT WAS SCARY. I WAS APPROACHING A CROSSWALK AND ONLY DOING 25. HIKERS AND BIKERS NOTORIOUSLY JUST WALK/RIDE THROUGH THE CROSSWALK WITHOUT LOOKING. THERE IS BRUSH THAT BLOCKS THE VIEW OF BIKES IN ONE DIRECTION. TODAY, A BIKE MADE NO EFFORT TO STOP TO LOOK FOR CARS AND BOLTED OUT INTO THE CROSSWALK. I DID NOT SEE HIM COMING FOR THE BRUSH. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. AS HE WAS IN FRONT OF ME, HE CAUGHT SOME GRAVEL AND SLID AND FELL IN FRONT OF MY CAR. MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD NEARLY HITTING HIM. I CAN'T GET THE PROBLEM FIXED IF THE DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. SHORT OF HAVING THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REBUILT...WHICH IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO. I REALLY FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF DOING SO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291801November 11, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291814November 11, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE BACK OF MY EXPLORER WHICH IS A 2002 AND MY FRIEND HAS A 2003 EXPEDITION AND HERS IS DOING THE SAME THING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE HEAT IN THE BACK BUT IT KNOCKS ALL THE TIME AND WHEN YOU TURN THE REAR HEAT ON IT GETS REALLY LOUD. IT KNOCKS ALL THE TIME AND IT IS ANNOYING AND LOUD I KNOW OF 3 VEHICLES THAT ARE FORD AND THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED COULD IT NOT CATCH FIRE OR SOMETHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291883November 11, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR COIL SPRINGS . I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MANY EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY REPORT THAT THEIR REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BREAKING AND CRACKING PREMATURELY! AS OF NOW, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND AS I CHECKED UNDER THE REAR END OF MY EXPLORER TODAY, BOTH REAR COILS ARE BROKEN AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT. AS I UNDERSTAND, THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT ONLY EXIST IN 2002 MODELS, BUT OTHERS ALSO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291634November 10, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. HER REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRING HAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 47,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291437November 9, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THAT IT WILL NOT MOVE INTO 2ND/3RD GEAR. THE CAR DROVE OK THE PREVIOUS DAY, THEN ON MY WAY TO WORK -- IT GAVE A LURCH AND AFTER THAT WOULD NOT POWER PAST 30-35MPH. FORD SERVICE SHOP HAS QUOTED ALMOST $4K TO OPEN UP THE TRANSMISSION AND FIX A VALVE IN THE VALVE BODY.. 2ND OPINION FROM AAMCO -- MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAS FIXED NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION ALTOGETHER, AS OPPOSED TO TRYING TO FIX CURRENT TRANSMISSION.. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FOR CLASS ACTION RECALL/DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291406November 8, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, STRUCTURE:BODY
FOLLOWING THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN #04V442000 RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE HINGE ON THE REAR HATCHBACK OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, CRACKS IN THE BODY HAVE APPEARED IN THE PANELING AROUND THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW. THESE CRACKS APPEAR TO BE STRESSED INDUCED AND MAY POSE A HAZARD TO THE REAR WINDOW IF THE FRAMING AROUND THE WINDOW CONTINUES TO DEGRADE AND CRACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291211November 6, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WILL HESITATE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL. WILL MAKE A BIG CLUNK AND HESITATE WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE AND MAY NOT MOVE AFTER GAS PEDAL APPLIED. OD LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY AND SERVICE LIGHT REMAINS ON 95% OF TIME. TRANSMISSION WILL TUG HARD WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE GAS PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION WILL CONSTANTLY SLIP AND GAS PEDAL NEEDS TO BE RELEASED AND REAPPLIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO STOP AUTO FROM JOLTING/TUGGING. MUST PULL OFF ROAD AND TURN OFF ENGINE TO RESET OD LIGHT WHICH FLASHES ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER THE AUTO HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD. UNABLE TO USE CRUISE CONTROL DUE TO THE CONSTANT TUGGING AND JOLTING. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/POWER TRAIN. PURCHASED 2 YEARS AGO FROM A USED DEALERSHIP. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. THE OD LIGHTS STARTED TO APPEAR REGULARLY 9 MONTHS AGO. SERVICE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON ABOUT 2 MONTHS NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290909November 4, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:FRONT
UPON INSPECTING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR STATE INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING TO BE BROKEN. THIS IS ONE OF TWO BROKEN ON THIS VEHICLE TO DATE, THE FIRST WAS THE LEFT REAR DISCOVERED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHEN IN FOR A ROUTINE CHECK, THEY REPLACED THAT SPRING, I REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE & STILL HAVE THE PIECES (3 TO BE EXACT) IN MY POSSESSION. WE HAVE ALSO HAD ALL FOUR AXLE BEARINGS REPLACED. ONE OF WHICH BECAME SO HOT, THE LEFT SIDE REAR HUB CAP MELTED & FELL OFF THE WHEEL. ALL FOUR BEARINGS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. NONE OF THE BEARINGS OR HUB CAP WERE UNDER WARRANTY SO WE WERE STUCK WITH THOSE & THE RR SPRING EXPENSE. KNOWING THE TYPE OF PART FAILURES ON OUR EXPLORER IT BRINGS UP A MORE CRUCIAL QUESTION OF, COULD ANY OF THEM HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. ROLLOVER,SWERVING OFF OF THE ROAD TO POSSIBLY HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE,ETC. WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AROUND THE SAME TIME? I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED FORD PRODUCTS, REPAIRED MANY,HOPE THEY WILL TAKE THIS AND APPLY IT TO TOUGHER TEST STANDARDS. VEHICLES' CURRENT MILEAGE IS OVER 120,000 I UNDERSTAND OTHER FORD MODELS HAVE HAD OTHER COIL SPRING CONCERNS ALSO, SUCH AS A NOTICE WE RECEIVED WHEN WE OWNED OUR '95 WINDSTAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290985November 4, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER. SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT MY EXPLORER AFTER ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE SLIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. THE SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE AT SPEEDS UNDER 50 MPH. WHAT IS DANGEROUS ABOUT THIS IS WHEN IT HAPPENS AT A TIME THAT I WANT TO GET INTO TRAFFIC WHILE CROSSING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE AND THE TRANSMISSION WON'T GO BACK INTO GEAR TO ALLOW ME TO COMPLETE THE ROAD CROSSING WHILE CARS HAVE TO APPLY THEIR BRAKES TO STOP FOR ME. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY GOES INTO GEAR, IT DOES SO WITH A BIG CLANK. I HAVE PERSONALLY MET A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE AND EVERY SINGLE ON COMPLAINS OF THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND HAVE HAD CLOSE CALLS IN TRAFFIC DUE TO THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION WORKED ON AND HAVE PAID ANYWHERE FROM $1700.00 TO OVER $2500.00 FOR REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEMS RETURN. I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ON THE WEB REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND IN EVERY SITE THAT HAS BLOGS DEDICATED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF THIS PROBLEM, THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD THIS WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL TRANSMISSION THAT WAS BOUGHT BY FORD FROM AN OUTSIDE MANUFACTURER, IN ORDER FOR FORD TO SAVE MONEY AND NOW WE, THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT IT IS NEGLIGENT AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF FORD TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES WITH THIS TYPE OF DANGEROUS TRANSMISSIONS. PEOPLE CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND INJURE PASSENGERS OR CAUSE PEDESTRIANS TO BE HURT OR KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND CONSIDER DECLARING A RECALL OF THIS TRANSMISSION. PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO GET HURT BEFORE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290789November 3, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE MALFUNCTION WAS RELATED TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290738November 2, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I AM 100% CERTAIN YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE. MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS LOCKED UP AND FAILED TO GO INTO THE REVERSE GEAR. THE NUMBER OF OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD ENDLESS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS KEEPS GROWING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290693November 2, 2009
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE STANDING BEHIND THE VEHICLE, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR TO MODERATE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT. HOWEVER SHE HAS TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT A RECALL, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10290726November 2, 2009
POWER TRAIN
DEFECTIVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290509November 1, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AUGUST 10,2009 WHILE DRIVING NOTICE SMOKE WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS ME THEN PULL OVER TO NOTICE WHEN HOOD WAS LIFT UP THEIR WAS FIRE. I THEN CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH POLICE. MY INSURANCE NATIONWIDE THEN HAD IT PLACE IN TO AUTO BODY SHOP WHICH IT COULDN'T BE FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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