Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10192278June 1, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
MY WINDOW SWITCH STARTED TO SMOKE AND MELTED THE MAIN WINDOW SWITCH. IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL NOW. IT WILL BE TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191842May 28, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS FELL OFF THE HINGES. THE FALLING GLASS DAMAGED THE REAR DEFROSTER WIRES (CAN NO LONGER BE USED) THE HINGE HOLDING THE GLASS BROKE OFF FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE GLASS TO FALL TO THE GROUND. IT COST $130 AT THE FORD DEALER. NHTSE RECALL 04V442 INVESTIGATED THIS EXACT COMPLAINT AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED BUT FORD INFORMED ME THAT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT IN A FACTORY NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. THE NHTSE SHOULD CONSIDER RE-OPENING THIS CASE AS IT IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS THE RECALL ON THE SAME EXACT MAKE AND MODEL. ALL INCIDENTS OF THIS FAILURE OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HINGES SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191867May 28, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE FORD DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS TWICE IN 4 YEARS DUE TO RUSTING ROTORS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE RUST WAS TOO DEEP FOR THE ROTORS TO BE TURNED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS AT 15,857 MILES AND THE SECOND REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AT 29701 MILES. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, IT IS NOT USED OFF-ROAD OR ANY OTHER WAY TO CAUSE THE RUST. THE FIRST TIME, FORD PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS BUT NOT THE BRAKE PADS. THE SECOND TIME, I HAD TO PAY $401.00 FOR THE ENTIRE ROTOR AND BRAKE REPLACEMENT. FURTHERMORE, AT TIMES, THERE IS A METAL GRINDING SENSATION WHEN APPLY THE BRAKES. IT CREATES THE SOUND OF METAL GRINDING ON METAL. I HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP THE GRINDING SENSATION. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191785May 26, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR END WHINES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191713May 25, 2007
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT HAS A DEFECT. THE BELT ITSELF BECOMES LOCKED AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED AND EVEN BECOMES TIGHTER ON THE PASSENGER WHEN PULLED. I HAD TO HAVE THE PERSON SLIDE OUT FROM UNDER THE BELT TO BE RELEASED. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES BUT THIS LAST TIME WAS THE WORSE AS TO THE "TIGHTENING" ON THE PASSENGER. IT IS ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191715May 25, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION BROKEN FORD DOESN T CARE BROUGHT IT TO SAM GALLOWAY FORD IN FORT MYERS AT LEAST 20 TIMES THEY FINALLY REFUSE TO TAKE VEHICLE INTO REPAIR WITH THE WORDS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD FROM 2-3 GEAR CAR IS SLOWER THEN A 4 CYLINDER NO POWER WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD IN THE MEAN TIME TRANSMISSION SLAMMING GEARS STILL NOTHING WRONG WITH IT HESITATING WHILE ACCELERATING GRINDING NOISES WHILE ACCELERATING WHINING FROM REAR END FORD STILL SAYS NOTHING WRONG TRANSMISSION WENT IN 1ST GEAR WHILE DRIVING 45 WIPED OUT ALOMST HIT A TREE STILL NOTHING WRONG CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON FROM TIME TO TIME ERROR CODE SAYING FUEL SYSTEM BANK 2 HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM TOO RICH BROUGHT IT TO FORD ERROR CODES ERASED CAME BACK COUPLE DAYS LATER FORD SAYS THERE WHERE NO ERROR CODES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191628May 24, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. THE OVERDRIVE INDICATOR FLASHED REPEATEDLY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191673May 24, 2007
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE TAILGATE AND NOTICED THAT THE LIFT CYLINDER HAD DETACHED FROM THE SOCKET, CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO STRIKE HIM ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A BUMP ON HIS HEAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THERE WAS RECALL # 01I010000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE DEALER DID NOT VERIFY TO DETERMINE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10191356May 21, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER 2001. IN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION SERVICED WITH 30000 MILES ON IT. AT THAT TIME IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, WITH 48700 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN SHIFTING VERY ROUGHLY IN 2-3 AND 3-4 SHIFTS. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THAT REPAIRS COSTS WOULD BE $890. SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SO GRACIOUSLY HELPED PAY FOR THE 3RD REPLACEMENT OF THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE ON THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED HERE AND ON OTHER INTERNET SITES THERE WAS CLEARLY AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. COMPARING THE NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2001 AND 2003 EXPLORERS TO THE 2002 AND IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE 2002 MODEL WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191394May 21, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 75000 MILES. DURING NORMAL DRIVING BEGAN TO HEAR A HOWLING/GRINDING SOUND FROM THE REAR AXLE. SEEMED TO BE A REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM THAT WAS A VERY COMMON AMONG 2002-2004 FORD EXPLORERS. NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191285May 20, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 4WD FORD EXPLORER FAILED AT 73,000 MILES. I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE HIGHWAY WAS EMPTY AT THAT TIME WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND I FEEL THAT MY LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN ENDANGERED IF MORE AUTOMOBILES WERE PRESENT ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS TRAVELING ON. I READ THAT SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A VERY FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AMONG 2002 FORD EXPLORERS AND ALSO READ THAT FORD HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM THROUGH ANY SORT OF SAFETY RECALL PROCEDURE. WHEN I CALLED FORD TO SUBMIT A PATRON COMPLAINT FORD CONFIRMED THAT NO SAFETY RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191218May 19, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION RATTLED AND DEALER INVESTIGATED AND INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS COMMON ON THE EXPLORER ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. I HAD TWO SALES REPRESENTATIVES, WHOSE FLEET EXPLORED, AND THEY BOTH HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I BELIEVED THAT IF THE NHTSA WOULD INVESTIGATE FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION REPAIRS WITH FLEET COMPANIES YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORES XLT FROM 2002 TO 2005. MOST FLEET CAR DRIVER'S DIDN'T COMPLAIN BECAUSE THE REPAIRS DID NOT COME OUT OF THEIR PERSONAL FUNDS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190990May 17, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
GRINDING NOISE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS. TOOK THE CAR TO LOCAL MECHANIC. IN EARLY 2006 HE HAD REPLACED A REAR HUB ASSEMBLY FOR NOISE. HE DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE THREE BAD WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES AND THEY WERE THE SAME THREE REPLACED IN 2006. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON EXPLORER PROBLEM. I FELT 6 WHEEL HUB REPLACEMENTS IN 2 YEARS WAS EXCESSIVE AT $450 A POP, INCLUDING LABOR. THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDED TO ADDRESS. LUCKILY, TWO OF THE THREE PARTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY , NAPA, BUT I DID HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190867May 16, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2002 FORD EXPLORER 75000 MILES ,HAS REAR END NOISE WHEN BETWEEN 55-70 MPH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190741May 15, 2007
AIR BAGS
HAD AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON. IT WAS A $44.00 HARNESS THAT THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN TELLING HIM OF THE PROBLEM. IT COST ME 247 DOLLARS TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME HARNESS REPLACED AT ABOUT 60000 MILES. A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN SENT TO THE DEALER FOR THE LABOR CHARGES WHICH WERE OR SEEMED EXCESSIVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190718May 14, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EQUIPMENT
THE KEY IGNITION SWITCH KEEPS ON GETTING GROUND AND HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO PULL THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190594May 13, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AS WELL AS THE HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER, 60,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND IN REAR WHEELS, BOTH REAR BEARINGS IN WHEELS WERE BAD, AS WELL AS DIFFERENTIAL NOISE AND LEAKING OF FLUID, E NO RECALL ON THESE ISSUES, BUT I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. IT WAS A SAFETY VIOLATION NOT TO RECALL THESE. IF THE REAR WHEELS LOCK IT WOULD SEND VEHICLE INTO A SPIN, OR TRAVEL OFF THE ROAD, WHY HAVE YOU NOT REMEDIED THIS WITH FORD? YOU WERE TAKING A GREAT LEGAL RISK, BY NOT LOOKING OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190460May 11, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, PLASTIC TRIM PIECE BELOW REAR WINDOW GLASS CRACKED ALL THE WAY. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE GLASS COULD FALL OUT WITHOUT PROPER STRUCTURAL SUPPORT. FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE REAR GLASS HINGE POSTS, BUT THE WILL NOT FIX THE PLASTIC WHICH BROKE AS A RESULT OF NORMAL CLOSING OF THE HATCHBACK. I FOUND A FORUM WITH 129 POSTINGS ON IT TODAY CLAIMING THE SAME ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML I WOULD LIKE FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND DEFECT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190497May 11, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
DEFECTIVE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY BEARING SEALS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190513May 11, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 NEW. AFTER 30,000 MILES THE REAR GASKET WAS LEAKING. WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. 50,000 MILES LATER IT WAS LEAKING AGAIN. CAME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE SEALS LEAKING. AFTER TEARING INTO IT NEEDED NEW GEAR SET, TRACTION CLUTCHES AND BEARING FAILED. WAS THIS THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH? WHY WITH SUCH A COMMON FAILURE WERE WE, THE OWNERS, NOT NOTIFIED? THERE WAS ALSO SLIPPING AND POPPING NOISE IN THE REAR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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