Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10185285March 16, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
IN DECEMBER, 2006, FOUND CRACK IN HATCHACK DOOR JUST BELOW THE WINDOW. CALLED MY DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY TO EXPLAIN WHAT I SAW AND WHAT THEY WOULD DO TO TAKE CARE OF THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ONLY COSMETIC AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT PAY TO REPLACE, THAT WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBLILITY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185288March 16, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. THE MECHANIC WAS ROTATING BOTH REAR TIRES AND CHANGING BRAKE PADS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS SHEARED OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,600. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED BOTH THE INVOICE AND PICTURES OF THE BROKEN COIL SPRINGS. UPDATE 4/23/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185150March 15, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
REAR COIL SPRING ON FORD 2002 EXPLORER BROKE. TOOK CAR IN FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION AND MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. WHILE IT WAS REPLACED WITH A DEALER PART, I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN FOR THE SPRING TO PIERCE A TIRE OR BRAKE LINE WAS TO HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. WHO KNOWS HOW LONG I WAS DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IN DANGER OF A POSSIBLE FATAL INCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185247March 15, 2007
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EXPLODED WHEN I OPENED IT. UNFORTUNATELY A FRIEND WAS STANDING NEAR AND RECEIVED A COUPLE MINOR CUTS. NO IDEA WHAT SO EVER WHAT CAUSED THE WINDOW TO SHATTER INTO A MILLION PIECES, THE LOCAL FORD MOTOR FOLKS SAID THIS WAS STRANGE AND HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES, SO IT WASN'T THAT COLD OUT. IT HAD BEEN CLOSED JUST MINUTES BEFORE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10185019March 14, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
EXPLORER XL, V6, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WITH 88,000 MILES. DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM. OUR MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT BROKE ON A PIECE OF METAL HOLDING THE PINION IN PLACE. WE WERE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, 70 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A NOISE. THE SOUND RESEMBLED A FLAT TIRE. WE PULLED OFF ON THE SHOULDER AND LOOKED AT ALL 4 TIRES. NO FLAT. WE THEN CALLED AAA TO TOW TO OUR FIRST MECHANIC. HE LOOKED AND DISCOVERED OUR PARKING BRAKE SHOE, YES, PARKING BRAKE SHOE, HAD FALLEN OFF. HE REPLACED IT, $130. HE DROVE IT OUT, AND STILL HEARD THE NOISE. HE SUSPECTED THE REAR END. HE COULDN'T FIX THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM. WE TOOK IT TO OUR SECOND MECHANIC. IT TOOK A WEEK TO GET THE LENGTHY REPAIR DONE, TO GET IT TO FIT INTO HIS SCHEDULE. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, ($885) THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM KICKED IN WHENEVER WE STOPPED. THE PEDAL THUMPED!SO WE TOOK IT BACK AND HE SAID WHEN THE PINION WAS DAMAGED, THAT ALSO RUINED THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE REAR END. HE FIXED IT FOR FREE, FEELING SORRY FOR US THAT WE HAD TWO EXPENSIVE CAR REPAIRS ON OUR FORD WITHIN 2 DAYS. THE MECHANIC SAID IF WE HAD DRIVEN MUCH LONGER WITH THAT PROBLEM, THE CAR COULD HAVE SEIZED (MY WORDS), AND "THROWN US THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD." (YES, WE WEAR SEAT BELTS.) *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184949March 13, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
ON A COLD DAY, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BODY PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE REAR GATE OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED. NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THE CRACK. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 32 DEGREE F AT THE TIME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184957March 13, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
DAUGHTER CAME OUT OF SCHOOL TO FIND CRACK BENEATH REAR WINDOW. THOUGHT TO BE RESULT OF HIT AND RUN IN PARKING LOT. TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. REPAIRED AT NO COST TO US, NO PROBLEM. GOOD DEALER! WE ARE VERY GOOD FORD CUSTOMERS, HAVING BOUGHT EXCLUSIVELY FORDS FOR 20+ YEARS. THIS WILL NOT DETER US FROM BUYING FORD AGAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184985March 13, 2007
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT
DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION BOX ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH 43K MILES - HAS ANYONE HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SAME YEAR EXPLORER WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND/OR ANY SUCCESS WITH FORD FIXING THE PROBLEM? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185002March 13, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE DEVELOP ROUGH IDLE. SUDDEN EXPLOSION SOUND REVEALED THAT NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG WAS DISCHARGED FROM THREADS. DEALER CLAIMED ZERO RESPONSIBILITY YET ADMITTED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4.6 AND 5.4 LITER ENGINES. SELF REPAIR WITH INSERT TO REPAIR DAMAGED THREADS CAUSED BY EXPLODING SPARK PLUG. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184747March 11, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR, STEERING:RACK AND PINION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR STARTED MAKING HUMMING NOISE WHEN GOING 30-45 MPH, TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO REF ME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN FOR TRANSMISSION FLUSH, STILL THE SAME ISSUE, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I HAVE 4X4 WHICH REQUIRES THE SAME 4 TIRES OR THE CAR WILL JERK. THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATES, AND THE 4X4 GAUGE DOESN'T WORK, REPLACED THE COMPONENT AND STILL THE SAME ISSUE. ANY WHO TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, NOW I AM HEARING A CLINKING AND RUBBERY SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I AM NOW FORCED TO TAKE THE CAR IN... AND OF COURSE BE CHARGED A RIDICULOUS FEE, FOR THEM TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON THE TRUCK TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, AND THEN OF COURSE PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR.... MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A FOREIGN CAR.. THEY BREAK DOWN LESS, AND THE COST OF MAINTENANCE AND EQUIVALENT OR LESS THEN THE COST OF MAINTAINING A GOOD OLE' AMERICAN MADE FORD VEHICLE. (LEXUS, KIA, AND I BELIEVE EITHER MAZDA OR TOYOTA ARE OWNED BY FORD.. SO STEER CLEAR OF THOSE BRANDS). TIMELINE REFLECTS THE LATEST ISSUE, AND THE AMOUNT OF PREVIOUS PROBLEMS.. AMOUNT TO MANY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184708March 10, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
I JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE GEAR AND PINION ASSEMBLY, AXLE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR ON MY 02 EXPLORER, A VERY COSTLY REPAIR ON A 02, 47K MILES VEHICLE. BUT THE REASON WHY I'M MAKING A COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I FOUND OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET FOR THE SAME YEAR/MAKE VEHICLE. I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT TOLD ME THAT IF I DIDN'T NOTICE THE NOISE AND REPLACED THE PARTS, MY REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK WHILE DRIVING AND I COULD HAVE FOUND MYSELF IN A VERY DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. SO I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT IT, THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THE NHTSA DIDN'T FIND THIS TO BE A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM FORD DECIDED NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL. POSSIBLY LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS ON A 4X4 VEHICLE IS NOT LIFE THREATENING???? HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE? IF THERE ARE NO FATAL ACCIDENTS FROM THIS PROBLEM YET IS BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WILL SPEND THE $1100 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY RISK THEIR FAMILIES...IS IT WORTH RISKING SOMEONE DYING SO FORD CAN SAVE SOME MONEY? I'M OUTRAGED!. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184536March 8, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, I NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEEMED SOMEWHAT LOOSE. WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY IN THE L.A. AREA WHEN I NEEDED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. AS I DID THIS THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND THE VEHICLE SURGED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID REAR ENDING A SEMI AND AVOID OTHER VEHICLE ON THE CONGESTED FREEWAY. THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT WAS ABLE TO LEAN UNDER THE DASH AND FREE THE PEDAL. WE PULLED OVER AND FOUND OUR WAY TO A MECHANIC. HE ADVISED THAT A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE HAD BROKEN NEAR THE PEDAL. A BAR THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE SYSTEM THEN STUCK UNDER THE DASH. HE REPAIRED THIS BY BYPASSING THE MANUFACTURERS SYSTEM FOR LESS THAN $200.00. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST OVER $800.00 FOR LABOR AND PARTS. I DON'T REALLY WANT TO REPAIR IT WITH THE SAME PARTS IF IT COULD POSSIBLY RECUR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184538March 8, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN MY TAILGATE THAT STARTS AT THE BACK WINDSHIELD GLASS AND RUNS HALFWAY DOWN MY TAILGATE. I GUESS THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THESE CRACKS AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IN PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS. I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX IT. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN IF THEY ARE GOING TO TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS...PLEASE HELP US GET THEM TO RECALL THIS. THANKS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184540March 8, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE AT 20 MPH IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER SHE STARTED FEELING A SURGE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK. SHE HAS DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 105031 MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184551March 8, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR MAJOR TRANSMISSION AND REAR END PROBLEMS APPROX. 15 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP BETWEEN 2ND-3RD AND 3RD-4TH GEAR. IN REVERSE THE CLUTCH BINDS UP. THE REAR END ROARS AND WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES (AFTER NUMEROUS FIX ATTEMPTS) AND AT 66,000 MILES REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, RING GEAR & PINION WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALMOST OVERHAULED AT 35,000, RE-PROGRAMMED APPROX 3 TIMES AND NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN NOW. THE COMPASS HAS FAILED TWICE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184282March 6, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, WHEELS
REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 80,000 MILES, BOTH REAR BEARINGS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184322March 6, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE DRIVER TO STEER TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,350. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THIRD GEAR BANG OR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,350.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184335March 6, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
WHILE CLOSING REAR TAILGATE WINDOW OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER,FIBERGLASS PORTION OF THE TAILGATE SHATTERED. NO INJURY WAS INCURRED; HOWEVER, THE POTENTIAL DOES EXIST. INQUIRED MANUFACTURE, AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PART THEREFORE, THEY FELT NO LIABILITY TO REPLACE THE PART. SINCE THE INCIDENT, I HAVE NOTICED 5 EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184353March 6, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ON FEB 3RD THE LIFT GATE SPLIT IN 2 PIECES. MANF. DEFECT. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING AND HAS NEITHER OFFERED ANY KIND OF MONTEREY ASSISTANCE OR ISSUED A RECALL. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO PAY THE REPAIR OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THEY UNDERSTAND THIS IS A HAZARD BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE ONLY THING HOLDING MY LIFTGATE CLOSED IS THE 2 PUMPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE GATE. OBVIOUS HAZARD!! THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES JUST LIKE MINE WHERE THE TAIL GATES ARE FAILING. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE BEFORE FORD DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT??? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184083March 3, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS ONLY ABOUT 1 MILE FROM HOME, THE VEHICLE HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND THEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY, I COULD SMELL FUEL OR SOME SORT OF ODOR, AS I ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, THERE WAS NO BRAKES OR STEERING, I ALSO COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO STARTING TO FILL WITH SMOKE INSIDE VERY QUICKLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN PARK, AND ROLLED WHILE I WAS TRYING TO EXIT. I CALLED 911, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY ENTIRELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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