Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10216275January 28, 2008
STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE REAR WINDOWS WAS RECALLED AND THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. NOW THE BACK WINDOW FAILED AS I AM TOLD BY THE FORD DEALER HAS CRACKED. AFTER SOME SEARCHING I SEE THIS IS PRETTY COMMON AFTER THE REPAIR. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WINDOWS_WINDSHIELD/REAR_LIFT_GATE_WINDOW_EXPLODED.SHTML *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216280January 28, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
STRESS FRACTURE RUNNING VERTICALLY ALONG PLASTIC PANEL OF LIFTGATE DIRECTLY UNDER BACK WINDOW APPEARED. THE CRACK IS LOCATED TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM RUNNING FROM THE GLASS THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL. NO FORCE OF ANY KIND WAS APPLIED TO THE AREA TO CAUSE THIS CRACK. I LIVE IN A COLD WEATHER CLIMATE WITH RAIN AND SNOW AND AM NOW WORRIED ABOUT WATER GETTING INSIDE AND EFFECTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SINCE THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED PROBLEM, THAT COULD LEAD TO FURTHER MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS, FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE PANEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216216January 27, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PURCHASED '02 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER BRAND NEW IN AUG '01. FROM BRAND NEW, EXPLORER WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND PRESSING THE GAS. AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS TO FORD, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THEY FINALLY GOT A SERVICE NOTICE THAT TOLD THEM HOW TO FIX IT. NOW AT JUST 86K MILES, YOUNG FOR GENTLY DRIVEN, FULLY MAINTAINED VEHICLES, I AM BEING TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. O/D OFF LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMES ON, GOES OFF WHEN I TURN OFF THE EXPLORER. ALSO, STRANGE VIBRATIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEED (NOT ROUGH ROAD), AND LOUD/FIRM SHIFT IN AND OUT OF REVERSE. YESTERDAY O/D OFF LIGHT CAME ON WITH SERVICE ENGINE SOON. FORD SERVICE SAYS THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $3K+ AND THAT IT CAN GO OUT ANY DAY NOW. AFTER RESEARCH, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND RELATED TO A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE AN EXPECTED COST OF AUTO OWNERSHIP. HAVE NOT DECIDED WHO TO HAVE REPAIR IT YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216225January 27, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
REAR END DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216156January 26, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
2 LARGE VERTICAL CRACKS IN BACK PANEL OF TAILGATE EXTENDING DOWN FROM WINDOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216174January 26, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OH WHERE TO START!! I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, MOSTLY THE TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE AROUND 75K MILES AND I'M ON MY 4TH TRANSMISSION, INCLUDING THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. NOW, ONE A COLD DAY MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS BROKEN. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE. ONE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE I HAD MY KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. IT WAS FINE ONE MOMENT AND THEN THE NEXT MOMENT I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS THE #1 PROBLEM WITH FORD CARS, OR EXPLORERS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215846January 24, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN WHICH IT ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT AN THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINS ON THIS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215797January 23, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND LIKE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE, I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE O/D LIGHT BLINKS OFF AND ON AND IT DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IF YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON, IT USUALLY SHIFTS OK FOR A WHILE BEFORE IT STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE LARGE MAJORITY OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN RESTART BEFORE IT SHIFTS PROPERLY AGAIN! THIS IS DANGEROUS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215826January 23, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2002 EXPLORER REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHEN MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER CLOSED THE TOP LIFT GATE. REAR WINDOW RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN 8/2007 FORD WILL NOT COVER COST ($1,400.00) FOR REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215642January 22, 2008
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON A PATCH OF ICE AND STRUCK A HARD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME UNDONE AND THE CHILD WAS THROWN AROUND AND INJURED INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT BROKE OPEN WHEN THE EXPLORER FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10215549January 21, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
NOISE LIKE UNBALANCED TIRE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT TIRE/WHEEL. NOISE INCREASES UNTIL IT BECOMES A ROAR LIKE AN AIRPLANE TAKING OFF. STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO VIBRATE. FEELS LIKE WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF CAR. MECHANIC TELLS ME LEFT FRONT HUB AND BEARINGS MUST BE REPLACED. THE THREE OTHER WHEELS ARE ALSO SYMPTOMATIC BUT NOT AS IMMEDIATELY PRESSING AS LEFT FRONT HE DOES NOT THINK BUT WON'T KNOW UNTIL REPAIR IS COMPLETED LATER TODAY. REPAIR BALL PARK COST AT THIS TIME IS $600-$700. STILL, OTHER THREE WHEELS BEARINGS/HUBS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS 70,000 MILES, HAS RECEIVED ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE AND HAS HAD CITY DRIVING. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT IT. THEY SAY THAT ONLY YOU CAN ISSUE A RECALL. THERE IS AN INTERNET BOARD AT THIS LINK HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WHEELS_HUBS/WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML WHERE 47 OTHER CONSUMERS OF THIS ISSUE MODEL HAVE FACED THE SAME ISSUE....REPETITIVE FAILURE OF WHEEL BEARINGS/HUBS...TO THE POINT WHERE WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF. EVEN WHEN REPLACED THE NEW FACTORY MADE REPLACEMENT BEARINGS WEAR OUT! PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS BEFORE SOMEBODY IS KILLED WHEN A WHEEL FLIES OFF ON A HIGHWAY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215423January 19, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, SUSPENSION:REAR
VEHICLE MILEAGE: 69,000. LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. NO PREVIOUS WARNING. REQUIRED TOW. REPLACED 2 CRACKED REAR SPRINGS, 2 DAMAGED STRUTS, 2 REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. UNUSUAL AND DANGEROUS INCIDENT FOR THIS MILEAGE. WE NOW KNOW IT IS A "NOTORIOUS PROBLEM" - OLD PARTS AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215426January 19, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WENT TO OPEN LIFTGATE WHEN PARKED IN THE DARK AND CUT HAND ON CRACKED PANEL. CALLED FORD, THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE PLASTIC PANELS ARE CRACKING IN THE COLD/HOT TEMP CHANGES BUT ARE NOT RECALLING THEM. WE TAPED THE CRACK SO OUR CHILDREN WON'T GET HURT. PLEASE HELP. IF YOU GO TO WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215378January 18, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AFTER HAVING MY FRONT BEARINGS DONE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE BACK OF MY TRUCK. IT FELT AS THOUGH MY LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS GOING FALL OFF. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $705 DOLLARS. I COULD HAVE DIED FROM THIS AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE BEARINGS. WITH A VERY LIMITED BUDGET I AM NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE PART FIXED AND THIS WILL LEAD TO ME MISSING TIME AT WORK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE FORD REFUSES TO DO SO AND THERE IS GOING BE A SERIOUS INJURY FROM THIS. PLEASE LETS NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE WHEN WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214657January 13, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH PLASTIC PANEL CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH, TOP TO BOTTOM DIRECTLY ABOVE AND BELOW THE OVAL FORD EMBLEM. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE RAN THE VIN. NO. AND TOLD ME THIS PANEL HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214662January 13, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE, SUSPENSION:REAR, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER V6 AND IN THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND ABOUT TO REPLACE THE ONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AGAIN. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD ONLY RECALL A VEHICLE IF YOU LADIES AND GENTLE CALL FOR A RECALL. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1200 DOLLARS ON THIS PROBLEM AND ABOUT TO SPEND ANOTHER $600. I CHECKED ON LINE AND REALIZED I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HUNDREDS OF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORER BUT STILL NO RECALL. I WAS JUST WONDERING WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT MY PROBLEM. I'M TIRED OF SPENDING MONEY ON A TRUCK THAT BARELY SIX YEARS OLD AND HAD LESS THAN 70,000 MILES WHEN THIS PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214480January 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM WHAT SHE BELIEVED TO BE THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE AND THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE NOISE WENT FROM A LOUD HUMMING NOISE TO A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND BEGAN TO PULL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THAT THE REAR AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR. FORD WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214512January 11, 2008
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S, SIZE P265/70/R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERE CRACKS AROUND THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES AND THEY ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIRE THAT FAILED HAD SEVERE TREAD SEPARATION. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,481 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,562. UPDATED 02-12-BF08 * THE CONSUMER STATED FORD REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH WRANGLER GOODYEAR RT/S DOT MD70 D5HR, MTS P245/75R16 AND CHARGED $100 FOR THE NEW TIRES. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214309January 9, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THIS 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER ABRUPTLY STOPS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR INDICATION THAT THE IGNITION WILL FAIL TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS AND ONE REPUTABLE AND ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP. THIS CAR WAS AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 30 DAYS AND THIS CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT STILL UNDIAGNOSED. NONE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED DEALERSHIPS COULD DETERMINE THE TRUE UNDERLYING PROBLEM. AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP A BRAND NEW STARTER WAS INSTALLED BECAUSE OF A NO START CONDITION SHOWING NO POWER TO THE STARTER AND BLOWN FUSES FOR THE INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, AND THE COMPUTER. THE SAME DEFECT SHOWED ITSELF ONE DAY LATER AFTER TRAVELING OVER 70 MILES WITH NO SIGN OF FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214266January 9, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE HAS BEEN INFORMED EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER THAT THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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