Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10182519February 13, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2002 FORD EXPLORER - PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW (APPLIQUE) CRACKED. FORD DEALER CLAIMS IT HAPPENS WHEN WEATHER IS TO HOT OR COLD. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182394February 12, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE BACK PANEL OF OUR FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED THE VERTICAL LENGTH OF THE TO PANEL. HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182234February 11, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CRACK IN THE REAR WINDOW AS A RESULT OF A RECALL THAT OCCURRED TWO YEARS AGO. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN 5 OTHERS WITH IDENTICAL CRACKS. FORD IS AWARE OF IT BUT REFUSES TO TAKE ANY ACCOUNTABLE ACTIONS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181941February 8, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF COLUMN, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO TOP OF SHIFT CABLE. WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT VEHICLE INTO OR OUT OF ANY GEAR. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR WHICH IS COSTING $1300.00, SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLACE PART THAT BROKE, BUT HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE COLUMN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181986February 8, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
I HAVE A CRACKED PANEL IN MY FORD EXPLORER 2002. THIS PANEL COULD BREAK IN HALF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182040February 8, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
I WALKED AROUND THE BACK OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TODAY TO FIND THE PANEL DIRECTLY BELOW MY REAR WINDOW WAS SEVERELY CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. I HAD A MINOR CRACK WHICH I REPAIRED ON MY OWN BEFORE. IN NEITHER INSTANCE DID I HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES TO CAUSE THE CRACKS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND CONTACTING A FEW FORD DEALERSHIPS, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE PHANTOM SPLITTING OF A BODY PANEL ON A MODERN VEHICLE IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW. MY VEHICLE'S SAFETY IS NOW IN QUESTION; I AM CONCERNED THAT THE HATCH-BACK GLASS IS NOW NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED DUE TO THE MULTIPLE CRACKS BELOW IT. PLEASE, FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL 2002 EXPLORER DRIVERS AND THE TRAVELERS BEHIND THEM ON THE ROAD, SEE TO IT THAT THIS DEFECT IS REMEDIED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY WITH A PRODUCT RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182042February 8, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
I BEGAN HEARING AN ODD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC AND REQUESTED THAT HE CHECK THE BRAKES. HE SAID OUR BRAKES WERE OK, HOWEVER WE HAD A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WE WERE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING OUR WHEELS. BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THIS ISSUE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY HAD WE NOT DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM, WE REQUESTED THAT OUR MECHANIC KEEP THE OLD PARTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181839February 7, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE), SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN IT STARTED TO GET VERY COLD, MY EXPLORER, THAT I JUST BOUGHT, STARTED TO NOT WANT TO GO INTO GEAR. IT WOULD GRIND AND SLIP. THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. IT WAS FROM THE COMPUTER THAT RUNS THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE 4 LOW BUTTON WOULD JUST KICK IN BY ITS SELF. THEN IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. AFTER A WHILE OF TRYING TO GET IT INTO GEAR IT WOULD GO. IT WOULD ONLY ACT UP WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD OUT (10 TO -5 DEGREES) IT DID THIS TO ME FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN IT JUST STUCK INTO 4 LOW AND NOW WON'T COME OUT. THERE WAS A SMELL THIS LAST TIME OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRE AND SMOKE. NOW MY EXPLORER WON'T DRIVE AND HAS A ELECTRICAL SMOKE SMELL STUCK IN IT. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. IT ALSO MAKES A REALLY LOUD POPPING SOUND WHEN I GO TO TURN OR HIT A BUMP. SOUND COMES FROM THE FRONT OF THE EXPLORER DRIVERS SIDE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181863February 7, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TWO LARGE CRACKS IN BACK BODY PANEL BELOW BACK WINDOW. APPEARED SPONTANEOUSLY AND HAVE STEADILY WORSENED. TWO SEPARATE DEALERS HAVE STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $400-500 TO HAVE IT FIXED. HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORERS AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF FORD OWNING UP TO THE PROBLEM OR FIXING THESE CARS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181751February 6, 2007
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. A LUG NUT HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS LODGED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE NEW LUG NUT AND STEMS AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON TOW OCCASIONS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181569February 5, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER DRIVING ON A COLD WEATHER NIGHT AT SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN EVEN WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL, THE RPM WAS ABOVE 4000. FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO STILL WANT TO MOVE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181576February 5, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE HAS DEVELOPED TWO VERTICAL CRACKS, APPROX 1/8TH" IN DIAMETER RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL (APPROX 5 INCHES) TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE 'FORD' EMBLEM. THESE DEVELOPED SPONTANEOUSLY OVER TIME, ONE AFTER ANOTHER. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR OTHER TRAUMA TO TRIGGER THESE CRACKS. RESEARCH REVEALS THAT _MANY_ OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT. I NOTICED THE SAME CONDITION ON SEVERAL OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORERS SIMPLY DRIVING AROUND TOWN. FORD WILL NOT REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS MOST OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181663February 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE TWO OR THREE ISSUES; THE FIRST ONE IS MY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE AND CAME UP THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET COVER. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY OF IT'S 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. I AM JUST RETURNING FROM IRAQ (AIR FORCE) I HAVE JUST HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT HAS NOT BE FIXED. I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS WERE IT JUMPS INTO GEAR AND I HAVE A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. I SPOKE WITH GANLEY FORD IN BARBETON AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS HOWEVER, A LOT OF CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181681February 5, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. IT IS A VERTICAL CRACK THE HEIGHT OF THE PANEL TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY SUCCESS IN GETTING FORD OR MY DEALERSHIP TO MAKE A REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIR IS $571.20. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CRACK MAY AFFECT THE STABILITY OF MY REAR WINDOW. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181720February 5, 2007
WHEELS:RIM
TL*- THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER TO GET NEW TIRES WHERE SHE OBSERVED THAT TWO OF THE RIMS WERE CRACKED, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CRACK ALMOST DISSECTED THE RIM. KMC THE SPECIFIC WHEEL SHE HAD WAS THE KING PIN 20 INCH CHROME WHEEL. SHE CALLED THE DISTRIBUTORS FOR KMC WHEELS AND THEY STATED IF SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY FAXED HER THE WARRANTY. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WOULD ONLY BE COVERED IF SHE HAD A RECEIPT. THE NAME OF THE DISTRIBUTORS WASWHEEL PROS 562-921-1237. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181533February 4, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
THE UPPER REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE WAS OPENED TO ACCESS CARGO AND AS SOON AS IT WAS IN THE UP POSITION, THE GLASS EXPLODED SENDING SHARDS OF GLASS WITHIN THE VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. HUSBAND WAS SHOWERED WITH GLASS AND JUST MISSED BEING HIT BY THE ATTACHED LOWER PANEL THAT FELL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. IF PASSENGERS WERE SITTING IN THE THIRD ROW SEATS, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED IN GLASS. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE A PARENT IS HOLDING A CHILD WHILE RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE BACK, THEY COULD INCUR SERIOUS INJURIES. GLASS SHATTERING OVER YOUR HEAD FOR NO APPARENT REASON IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLE DID GO IN FOR THE RECALL SENT OUT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO TO REPLACE A BRACKET. OBVIOUSLY, THIS DID NOT DO A THING TO PREVENT THIS WINDOW FROM BREAKING, FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND TRIED TO DO THE CHEAPEST THING POSSIBLE TO FIX IT, INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE REAR LIFTGATE ASSEMBLY. FORD SHOULD BE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT AND ALBEIT MY OPINION, I BELIEVE THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SHOULD BE ON THE HORIZON. WE WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER TOMORROW AND FINDING OUT WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. WITH ALL THE INFORMATION THAT IS ON THE INTERNET ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RESOLVED BEFORE IT CAUSES A DEATH OR LIFE CHANGING INJURY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181543February 4, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD SPORT TRAC WITH APPROX 42K MILES. BEGAN WITH RAPID FLASHING OF LEFT TURN SIGNAL. REAR TURN AND BRAKE LAMP WERE INOPERABLE. REPLACING BULB HAD NO EFFECT. FOUND POSITIONING STEERING COLUMN TO A HIGHER TILT POSITION CORRECTED MALFUNCTION. REMOVED STEERING COLUMN COVER AND FOUND 4 WIRES PULLED OUT OF CONNECTOR ON MULTI-FUNCTION (TURN SIGNAL SWITCH). WIRES MOVE IN AND OUT AS COLUMN IS MOVED THROUGH TILT RANGE. WIRES OUT AT BOTTOM OF TILT AND IN AT TOP OF TILT RANGE. REMOVED CONNECTOR PART # E6DB-14489-DA. 3 CONNECTOR PIN RETAINERS FELL OUT AND WERE RECOVERED. A FOURTH WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE CONNECTOR BUT NOT RETAINING IT'S PIN. CONNECTOR MUST BE REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. ALSO THE WIRING HARNESS IS SECURED ABOVE THE TILT PIVOT POINT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I BELIEVE THE HARNESS IS SECURED WITH INSUFFICIENT SLACK TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE CONNECTOR AT THE LOWER POSITIONS OF THE STEERING COLUMN TILT RANGE. I BASE THIS ON THE FACT THAT THE 3 PINS WITH BROKEN RETAINERS ARE ON THE TOP ROW OF THE CONNECTOR AND WOULD BE THE MOST STRESSED IN A LOWER POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO I HAVE OVER 20 YEARS OF AIRCRAFT ELECTRONICS EXPERIENCE AS AN AVIONICS TECHNICIAN AND FULLY UNDERSTAND PROPER WIRE ROUTING PROCEDURES. DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE CONNECTOR ARE AVAILABLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181391February 2, 2007
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I BOUGHT A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM EVERGREEN FORD IN ISSAQUAH WASHINGTON. THE SALESMEN TOLD ME THE CAR HAD GREAT TIRES AND THEY WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR A WHILE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO GET SERVICED FOR THE FIRST TIME (ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT) I WAS TOLD THE TIRES WERE BALD AND THE CAR WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE - THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE I WAS DRIVING AROUND WITH SUCH BAD TIRES. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE ABUSIVE AND EXTREAMLY RUDE OVER THE PHONE, THEY WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181436February 2, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
THERE IS A PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW GATE THAT HAS A VERTICAL CRACK.. INITIALLY, THE REAR WINDOW WAS A RECALL, NOW THE PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW HAS CRACKED. THE REAR WINDOW WAS REPLACED, AT NO COST, BUT FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THE DEFECT/CRACK ON THE BACK PANEL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181372February 1, 2007
STRUCTURE
CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL UNDER THE REAR GLASS. 02 FORD EXPLORER. WENT TO PICK UP KIDS FROM MOTHERS HOUSE, AND WALKED AROUND TRUCK, AND SAW IT. CRACKED ALL THE WAY FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP, IN AN UPSIDE DOWN FASHION. ALL THE WAY THROUGH FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. LOTS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, AND AROUND TOWN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFRAID IT IS ALSO A REAR GLASS PROBLEM, AS THE REAR GLASS IS ATTACHED TO THE CRACKED PEICE. ALSO HEARD THERE WAS AT ONE TIME A RECALL ON THE REAR GLASS OF THE 02. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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