Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10184060March 2, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
REAR HATCH CRACKED TWO SPOTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183907March 1, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS. VEHICLE NEVER USED OFF ROAD OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN NORMAL ROADWAY DRIVING. WENT FOR NEW TIRES AND MECHANIC FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING WAS BROKEN INTO MULTIPLE PIECES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183965March 1, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE SHIFT GEARS AROUND 35-40 MPH. ENGINE WOULD REV HIGH. DEALER SAID I LOST 3RD SPEED. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $2565.77 PLUS $1020 IN LABOR. DEALER ALSO REPLACED REAR AXLE SEALS ($265.48). EXPLORER HAD 89,449 MILES ON IT. FRIENDS AND WEB SAY REAR DIFF AND TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOTORIOUSLY BAD. WHEN WILL FORD RECALL THESE VEHICLES? WILL THE CONSUMER EVER GET THEIR MONEY BACK? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183599February 27, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE SAME THING I HAVE BEEN READING HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF TIMES ONLINE FROM OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS - O/D LIGHT FLASHING, HUMMING NOISE, RPMS REVVING UP WAY TOO HIGH WHEN ACCELERATING, SKIPPING 2ND GEAR ALTOGETHER. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED, AND STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT,WITH THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. THIS IS THEFT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183610February 27, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD LOST THE THIRD GEAR. THE GEAR WOULD SLIP INSTEAD OF ENGAGING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY BADLY, AND FEEL AS IF IT WAS PULLING AWAY FROM HIM. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENED BETWEEN 0 -29 MPH, AND THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 30 MPH IT WOULD LEVEL OUT AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DOING THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED EVERY DAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 40000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183652February 27, 2007
STRUCTURE
THE FIBERGLASS PANEL ON THE BACK HATCH OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED FROM THE GLASS STRAIGHT DOWN APPARENTLY DUE TO COLD WEATHER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT FOR SOME REASON THIS HAD HAPPENED A LOT THIS WINTER. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE TAKEN CARE OF OR AT LEAST A 50/50 SPLIT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE MANAGER TOLD ME BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON MY VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I HAVE SINCE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF THE FORD EXPLORERS THAT HAVE THE 2 PIECE FIBERGLASS PANELS ARE CRACKED ALSO THAT ARE DRIVING AROUND. CAN FORD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS? I HAVE NO OTHER DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. BUT THIS IS VERY NOTICEABLE AND YOU CAN BET WHEN I GO TO TRADE IT IN FORD WILL DISCOUNT FOR THIS DEFECT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183524February 26, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
DIGITAL ODOMETER DISPLAY NUMBERS DO NOT LIGHT UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO VIEW CUMULATIVE MILEAGE AND USE OF TRIP COMPUTER AND COMPASS DOES NOT WORK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183527February 26, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
TAILGATE EXTERIOR APPLIQUE CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183443February 25, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER HAVING BEEN SERVICED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY FORD DEALERSHIP. TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE DISABLED IN TRAVEL AREA OF THE ROADWAY. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT THERE WAS "NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION". VEHICLE NOW NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES AT COST OF $2000 +. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV'S AND IMMEDIATE FAILURES ARE DANGEROUS TO PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183460February 25, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
IN JANUARY, 2006, MY CAR STOPPED DEAD ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE TOLD THAT A VALVE HAD BROKEN AND HAD BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. OUR ONLY ALTERNATIVE WAS TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED - WHICH WE DID FOR OVER $5000.00. THE FOLLOWING JANUARY, (2007), AFTER THE FIRST MEASURABLE SNOW FALL OF THE YEAR (SINCE OUR ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED), THE CAR WENT INTO A HUGE FISHTAIL SKID ON A SNOWY ROAD AND AFTER THE FIRST SKID, WAS CAUGHT BY THE CABLE GUARD RAIL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD - CAUSING ANOTHER $5000.00+ REPAIR. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE ELECTRONIC MONITOR HAD FAILED AND WE HAD NO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. MY CONCERN - BESIDES THE COST AND INCONVENIENCE AND SCARE OF THE ACCIDENT IS THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE CAR'S 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAD FAILED. I HAD GOTTEN INTO THE CAR ASSUMING THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS WORKING (AS THE CAR GOES INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATICALLY AND THERE ARE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS NORMALLY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS WORKING). WITH NO INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS WORKING AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT IT IS NOT WORKING, FORD PUT ME IN A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. HAD THE CABLE GUARD RAIL NOT BEEN THERE TO CATCH THE CAR, WE WOULD HAVE GONE OVER THE EMBANKMENT AND BEEN MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183313February 23, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
THE TAIL GATE DOOR PANEL BELOW THE GLASS HAS TO LINE CRACKS. IT BEGAN TO SEPARATE. IT ALSO HAPPEN TO MY FATHER IN-LAW. I HAVE ALSO SEEN IT IN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183372February 23, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*- THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE APPLIQUE ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS CRACKED. THE APPLIQUE HELD THE BACK REAR GLASS ONTO THE LIFTGATE. THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED IF THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS UNWILLING TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE DUE TO THE CRACK. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP AND FORD MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAD 67200 MILES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183155February 21, 2007
AIR BAGS
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS STAYED LIT AND NEEDED REPAIRS ON 2 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS A YEAR AGO. AT THAT TIME, WE TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE SAFETY HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS RECENTLY COME ON AGAIN. AGAIN, WE TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME ARE TOLD THAT ANOTHER HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND A WIRE UNDER THE SEAT IS NOT WORKING AND THE REPAIRS (WHICH ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY) WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $370. I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS AS THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEIR PREVIOUS REPAIR SHOULD HOLD SOME GUARANTEE. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT THE CASE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. I FIND THIS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AS A NON-FUNCTIONING AIRBAG IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I AM NOTIFYING THE NHTSA AND THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183161February 21, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
LEFT PANEL BELOW TAILGATE WINDOW CRACKED WITHOUT ANY CONTACT TO VEHICLE - NOTHING HIT THE CAR AND THE CAR DID NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183057February 20, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WENT AT 66K AND CAUSED ME SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183081February 20, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE LIFTGATE EXTERIOR CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE WITH NO PRESSURE BEING APPLIED, MAYBE THE WEATHER MADE IT CRACK, BUT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183090February 20, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
SUBJECT: CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW (TAILGATE APPLIQUE) WHERE: 9 DEGREES TEMPERATURE IN SHILOH, ILLINOIS (15 MILES EAST OF ST. LOUIS). VEHICLE TYPE: 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4 DOOR WAGON 6 CYL 4.0 SOHC 51,101 MILES. WHAT: THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE HAS DEVELOPED ONE VERTICAL CRACK, APPROX 1/8TH" IN DIAMETER RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL (APPROX 4.5 INCHES) TO THE RIGHT OF THE "FORD" EMBLEM. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OVER 75 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, MOST IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS (COLD WEATHER). THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY (ESP). PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE LISTED BELOW FOR OTHER CUSTOMERS COMMENTS. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTM COST/COMMENTS: AUFFENBERG BODY SHOP (BELLEVILLE, IL 618-234-0330) REPAIR COST $380.00 IF REAR WINDOW BREAKS ADD AN ADDITIONAL $1100.00. FORD DEFINITELY HAS A QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THIS COSMETIC DEFECT PART. AFTER CONTACTING FORD PRIOR APPROVAL DEPARTMENT (800-321-7790 OPTION #3) AND CUSTOMER CENTER (800-392-3673), BOTH OFFICES INFORMED ME THAT THIS DEFECT IS NOT COVER UNDER THE ESP WARRANTY. ACTION: FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THE PANEL AT NO CHARGE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY AND A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. A COPY OF THIS LETTER WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182976February 19, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT 55,350 MILES MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT'S TRANSMISSION WOULD FLARE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A SOLENOID MALFUNCTION IN MY TRANSMISSION; THEREFORE, AFFECTING OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. MILES WISE, I STILL HAD A LITTLE UNDER 5,000 MILES UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, YEARS WISE, I WAS AT 5 YEARS 74 DAYS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS PROBLEM COST ME $2168.38. I DON'T THINK VEHICLE AT 55K MILES SHOULD NEED A REBUILDING OF A TRANSMISSION. I THINK I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED IN SOME WAY FOR THE COST.....EVEN THOUGH I WENT OVER THE WARRANTY BY 74 DAYS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182852February 17, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
NOISE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182494February 13, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
ON A 10 DEGREE NIGHT, I WOKE UP TO FIND A NASTY CRACK IN THE REAR LIFTGATE UNDER THE GLASS. IT NOT ONLY CRACKED, BUT SEPARATED AND MADE ABOUT AN 1/8" GAP. ANOTHER CRACK BESIDE IT FORMING A TRIANGULAR SHAPE AS WELL. LOOKS LIKE IT WILL FALL OUT ANY TIME. MY INSURANCE WON'T COVER THIS BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN FORD ISSUE!!!!!!! TELL ME HOW THAT IS FAIR, THAT WE PAY THE MONEY FOR THESE VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLES, AND THERE IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN THEM, BUT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I CAN'T BLAME THE INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR DENIAL. IT IS FORDS PLACE TO PAY FOR THIS. IT IS UNETHICAL FOR FORD TO TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS AND VERY BAD FOR BUSINESS. I CAN'T USE MY BACK HATCH ANYMORE FOR FEAR THAT IT WILL CRACK AGAIN AND PIECES FALL OUT. I CARRY FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE AND DO MY PART TO TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLE, NOW I CAN'T AFFORD TO COVER SOMETHING THAT IS FORDS FAULT!!!!!! COME ON FORD, CUT US SOME SLACK. CH . *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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