Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10165876August 14, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE SCRAPING THE REAR WINDOW. *KB THE LIFTGATE HINGE SNAPPED OFF AS THE CONSUMER OPENED THE REAR GLASS WINDOW. THE BROKEN HINGE ALSO CAUSED THE REAR CLASS TO SCRAPE THE PAINT ON THE UPPER REAR PORTION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GLASS BROKE OFF THE HINGE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HE DEALER. THEY ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE TECHNICIAN CHECK THE VEHICLE VIN AGAINST THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V442000. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE HINGE REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165423August 14, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE LIFTGATE LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SCREW THAT HOLDS THE LIFTGATE HAD LOOSENED, AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE HINGES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HINGE, BUT THAT RECALL WAS CLOSED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164941August 8, 2006
STEERING:COLUMN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING COLUMN HANDLE FRACTURED AND DETACHED. BEFORE IT FRACTURED, THE STEERING HANDLE SEEMED TO HAVE A CLICKING SOUND IN IT. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY PARKED THEREFORE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENTS. THE STEERING HANDLE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164982August 8, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER NEW. AT 90000 MILES, THE MILEAGE GAUGE WENT OUT AND FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $600 TO REPAIR. MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS OF THE SAME YEAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164721August 7, 2006
POWER TRAIN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT JUMPED GEARS, ACCELERATED FORWARD AND HIT A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE STILL IN PARK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD USE THE PARKING BRAKE IN THE FUTURE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164803August 7, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS PEDAL STUCK CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BY HITTING A VAN AND BARELY MISSING A HOUSE. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE, HOWEVER, THE POLICE HAVE NOT FINALIZED THE POLICE REPORT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164814August 7, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED. THE REAR END WAS OBSERVED TO BE RIDING LOW. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE REAR SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED AND THEY WERE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164665August 6, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHINING NOISE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHINING GOES AWAY IF PRESSURE IS REDUCED FROM ACCELERATOR. THERE WAS SOME LEAKING OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AROUND DRIVESHAFT PINION SEAL, IT WAS FIXED (FORD REPAIR SAID IT WOULD ALSO FIX THE NOISE, IT DIDN'T!) I HAVE UNCOVERED MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR REAR DIFFERENTIAL ISSUES. WOULD SEEM THAT SINCE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT THERE IS SOME DESIGN/MATERIALS FLAW IN THE REAR END GEARBOX CAUSING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD PROMPT A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO POTENTIAL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING UP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164593August 5, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD INSTEAD OF A TAP KIT TO AVOID METAL SHAVINGS RUINING THE ENGINE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164606August 5, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
I HAVE 68K MILES ON MY 2002 EXPLORER AND FELT I WAS IN NEED OF NEW BRAKES AND DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE AT MIDAS. I WAS CONTACTED BY THE MECHANIC THAT AFTERNOON AND WAS ADVISED: "SIR I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT YOUR BRAKES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION; HOWEVER, I'M SORRY TO BE THE BEARER OF VERY BAD NEWS. YOUR REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS ARE BAD AND LEAKING AND THE DIFFERENTIAL IS CLOSE TO 'FALLING OFF' OF YOUR VEHICLE! HE FURTHER STATES, "HE HAS BEEN AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC FOR 25 YEARS AND FEELS THIS IS AN INHERENT FLAW FROM FORD AS THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ONE HE HAS SEEN AND THAT I PROCEED TO THE NEAREST FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEM TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS "SAFETY ISSUE." THE MECHANIC ALSO GAVE ME A COPY OF THE TSB FROM FORD. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE SAME DAY IN A STATE OF PANIC! A SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE MECHANIC WHO ALERTED ME OF THIS "FLAW" NOT AUTHORIZED BY FORD, BUT HE WAS ONLY OVER-REACTING! I TOOK MY EXPLORER IN TODAY WITH THE NOTICE PRINTED BY MIDAS AND IT WAS ONLY DISCOUNTED AS BEING A "SERVICE BULLETIN FOR TECHNICIANS." I PAID $55 FOR THEM TO RUN THE SAME TESTS AS MIDAS HAD DONE, WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER; "THE RIGHT REAR BEARING NEEDS REPLACING, THE SEALS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS ARE BAD AND LEAKING AND NEED REPLACING, THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, YOU'RE OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE $700+ AND SERVICE SHOULD BE DONE VERY SOON AS THE DAMAGE WILL WORSEN. NO ONE AT THE DEALER WOULD ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A RECALL. I PAID A $55 DIAGNOSIS CHARGE FOR THEM TO TELL ME WHAT PARTS HAD FAILED WHICH I ALREADY KNEW. I DECLINED THE REPAIRS, ADVISED THE SERVICE MANAGER I WOULD BE CALLING MY ATTORNEY FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTION. I AM NOW SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE AS I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS "INHERENT FORD FLAW" AND WILL DO MY BEST TO SEE THAT FORD ADDRESSES THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW FROM FORD!*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164575August 4, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ABOUT 57,000 MILES. I RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT A PLACE CALLED THE OIL WELL AND THEY NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND ADVISED I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AS IT APPEARED THAT THE SEALS WERE LEAKING. THE OIL WELL ADVISED THAT I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET THE SEAL REPLACED BUT THE LEAK DID NOT APPEAR TO BE BAD. I JUST TOOK MY EXPLORER TO THE DEALER ON AUG 4, 2006 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS LEAKING BADLY AND THEY REPLACED THE SEALS. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL HOURS , I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS READY BUT THE IS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHICH THEY ADVISED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS ARE BAD AND THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT $1400.00 TO REPAIR. IT APPEARS I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM WHICH I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER IF IT IS NOT FIXED THAT THE REAR COULD LOCK UP AND THEN I COULD HAVE EVEN WORST PROBLEMS. IT APPEARS THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD A REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT JUDGING BY THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164277August 3, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
CLASSIC REAR DIFFERENTIAL. HUMMING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 TO 65 MPH UNDER LOAD AND LEAKING SEALS AND MY VEHICLE HAS 57K MILES ON IT. IT IS A FORD DEFECT.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164317August 3, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC "THE CAGED NUT BROKE FROM 8 AN INCH BOLT WITH WASHERS ON THE REAR END" HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163954July 31, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE'S REAR AXLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING AND THERE WERE ALSO METAL FLAKES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164023July 31, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
REAR END NOISE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163920July 30, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EXPLORER MAKES WHINING NOISE IN REAR END AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 AND 70 MPH. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS LIT CONTINUOUSLY EVEN AFTER HAVING THE BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICES. HAVE ALSO HAD FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ALL THIS SINCE THE VEHICLE REACHED 60,000 MILES IT NOW HAS 86,000 AND MECHANIC SAYS IT NEED A NEW REAR END. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163770July 28, 2006
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 40,000 ORIGINAL MILES WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN IT WAS GOING UP A HILL OR DURING ACCELERATION. SINCE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. IT NEEDED THE TRANSFER CASE TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST ME OVER $1600. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163628July 27, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE HAVE 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV WITH ONLY 68K MILES AND WE HAD TO HAVE AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN IT,JUST A YEAR AND A HALF EARLIER WITH LESS THAN 59K MILES WE HAD A NEW SHIFT SOLENOID REPLACED. A YEAR AND A HALF LATER THE TRANSMISSION STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN WHICH PROMPTED THE NEW TRANSMISSION .AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WE WERE INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE DONE NUMEROUS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULS ON THESE EXPLORERS AND JAGS, WITH VERY LOW MILES, JUST IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THIS EXPLORER HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT DRIVEN THAT MUCH THAT IT WOULD HAVE NEEDED SUCH A MAJOR UNDERTAKING WITH SUCH LOW MILES. WE HAVE BEEN CHECKING AROUND AND TRANSMISSION SHOPS HAVE TOLD US THEY HAVE SEEN ALOT OF THE EXPLORERS LIKE OURS WITH LOW MILEAGE NEEDING COMPLETE REPLACEMENTS DON'T KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO GET A RECALL INTO EFFECT BUT I AM HOPING THIS MIGHT BE A STEP THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN BY INDIVIDUALS. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $3500 IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF ON OUR EDDIE BAUER AND REGRET THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT. OUR 1986 CHEVY WAGON WITH 133K NEVER HAS GIVEN US ANY PROBLEM THIS BIG. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163741July 27, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THE MILES ON IT ARE 69,013. THE TRANSMISSION WENT. I HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT FOR 2129.60. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. COULD SOMEONE CHECK INTO THIS. I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE FOR A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILES TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163441July 25, 2006
TIRES
AROUND MARCH 2005 ON A SPRING BREAK, TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN ABOUT 15 MILES OUT MY TOWN, ONE OF THE TIRES, THE RUBBER JUST SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE , CAUSING THE TRUCK TO MOVE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, BUT THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD SINCE I JUST STARTED TO SPEED UP THE VEHICLE IT DID NOT FLIP THE TRUCK,BUT CAUSED DAMAGED INSIDE THE TRUCK WHERE THE WHEEL IS LOCATED, ALL BECAUSE A PIECE OF THE RUBBER SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE EXPENSE WAS LESS THAN $200.00 BUT THE DRAMA WAS PRICELESS, AND THE KIDS ALL WERE CRYING .I NEED INFORMATION ON THE RECALL TIRES OF MY TRUCK. THANK YOU. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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