Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10637740September 20, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT JOB ON ENGINE HOOD IS BUBBLING UP. SUV HAS BEEN REGULARLY WASHED AND WAXED; SO ONE WOULD NOT EXPECT PROBLEMS WITH THE PAINT JOB. BASED UPON INTERNET RESEARCH, FORD HAS PAINT JOB ISSUES WITH VEHICLES SOLD FROM 2000-2005. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637235September 18, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. PROBLEM TRACED TO TILT STEERING AND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS. BROKEN RETAINER CLIP ALLOWS WIRES TO BE PULLED FROM CONNECTOR BREAKING CONNECTION FOR BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL. ONCE TILT STEERING IS ENGAGED CONNECTION IS BROKEN AND WIRES DO NOT STAY CONNECTED AND LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL IS THE RESULT. THIS COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT, INJURY AND OR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM HAD ELUDED ME UNTIL I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET WHICH RESULTED IN HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF PEOPLE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLING THE FORD DEALER AND PROVIDING THE PART NUMBER (E6DB14489DA) ON THE CONNECTOR PROVED FUTILE IN HAVING THEM EVEN IDENTIFY THE PART YET I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART ON THE INTERNET JUST BE A GOOGLE SEARCH. AT THIS POINT, I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT PART SO I AM FORCED TO HOT GLUE THE WIRES INTO THE BROKEN CONNECTOR IN ORDER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10632648September 12, 2014
POWER TRAIN
WHEN IS THE NHTSA GOING TO ADDRESS THE CHRONIC ISSUES WITH THE 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS? IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE ( INCLUDING BY FORD) THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS ALL FAIL ANYWHERE FROM 50,000 MILES UP TO LESS THAN 150,000 MILES. TOWING WITH THIS VEHICLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ISSUE.THE MARKET IS FLOODED WITH THESE BROKEN EXPLORERS AND THEY ARE THE REGULAR CUSTOMERS AT THE REPAIR SHOPS IF PEOPLE DON'T JUNK THEM AND CAN AFFORD TO HAVE THEM FIXED. THEY ARE A HAZARD ON THE ROAD WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILS TO MOVE IN TRAFFIC OR FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED LEAVING ME COASTING IN TRAFFIC. I AM SURE THAT MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN LODGED AGAINST THESE VEHICLES AND THAT SERIOUS INJURY HAS OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE INTERNET EVEN SELLS QUESTIONABLE REPAIR FIXES FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631431September 8, 2014
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, AIR BAGS
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 21, 2014. TWO OR MORE DEER'S RAN OUT IN FRONT OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND I RAN OFF THE ROAD HITTING A POLE. IT CRUSHED THE WHOLE FRONT END AND MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS AND I DID HAVE ON MY SEAT BELT BUT THE AIRBAG SHOULD OF DEPLOYED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631146September 5, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BROUGHT VEHICLE IN JAN 2014. EVERY SINCE FIRST DAY BROUGHT, HAD A PROBLEM WITH GETTING FUEL INTO VEHICLE WITHOUT FUEL PUMP CLICKING AS IF VEHICLE IS FULL. THIS HAPPENS AT ABOUT EVERY FUEL STATION I GO TO. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. BROUGHT PLENTY OF FORDS, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT DOES THIS. BEFORE I GET A FEW OUNCES OF FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE IT WILL CLICK AND CONTINUE DOING THIS AS LONG AS IM TRYING TO PUT IN FUEL. LOVE VEHICLE BUT HATE IT BECAUSE OF THIS. I READ ON OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP US ALL./ THIS IS DEFINITE A RECALL. [XXX] (RETIRED VET / RETIRED U. S. POSTAL SVC. ). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10628731August 27, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR LIFT GATE PLASTIC PANEL CRACKED, ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER. I HAVE NOTICED MANY FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WHY HAS FORD IGNORED THIS DEFECT, I SEE MANY COMPLANTS ON-LINE WITH THE SAME FLAW BY OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10627112August 21, 2014
POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE
I PURCHASED THIS TO USE AS A SECOND VEHICLE FOR CAMPING TRIPS SO THE MILEAGE ON IT IS VERY LOW FOR ITS AGE. SUDDENLY ONE DAY OF NORMAL LOCAL DRIVING, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGH. IT COULDN'T SEEM TO ACCELERATE AND RPMS WERE HIGH. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON SINCE THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE ANY MOMENT. SINCE O/D FLASHING MEANS SOMETHING WITH TRANSMISSION, I TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS WHO BOTH DIAGNOSED A BAD TRANSMISSION THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT $3,500. I WAS SHOCKED THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 43000 MILES ON VEHICLE DESPITE ITS AGE. BOTH SHOPS INFORMED ME THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR BAD TRANSMISSIONS. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE WITH THIS REPAIR. THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME IN ANY WAY. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE AND I AM NOT IN A FINANCIAL POSITION TO TAKE ON SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A SECOND VEHICLE. RIGHT NOW IT IS SITTING UNUSED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE COSTING ME TO KEEP IT INSURED. CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SINCE I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A REPUTABLE PRODUCT. FORD ABANDONED ME WHEN THEIR PRODUCT FAILED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. THE LEAST FORD COULD HAVE DONE WAS ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES AND NOT CHEAT THE PUBLIC. OTHER ISSUES I AM HAVING IS FLAKING PEELING PAINT AND A CRACK THROUGH THE FORD EMBLEM ON THE REAR DOOR PANEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10627317August 21, 2014
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING MY 02 EXPLORER ON THE THRUWAY FOR 2 AN 1/2 HOURS AND WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION THE TRANSMISSION BUCKED AND SHUDDERED AND REVVED UP WHILE I WAS TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT I ALMOST HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING WHEN I LOOKED AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DASH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING SO AFTER I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND WOULD YOU KNOW THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM... FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS TRANSMISSION BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME MIGHT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE WITH DEADLY RESULTS... I TALKED TO MY TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND HE SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION THE TRUCK DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 150,000 ON IT SO I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY CAN'T HELP ME BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS TRUCK... FORD NEEDS TO FIX THEIR MANUFACTURE ERROR HERE BECAUSE WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS FRAUD THEY CLAIM THAT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE GOOD BUT LIKE WITH A LOT OF THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ THEIR TRANNYS DIED BEFORE 100,000 MILES SO FOR THEM TO SELL DEFECTED SUVS IS FRAUDULENT IN ITS SELF BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE THE CUSTOMERS HAVE TO PAY ALL THIS MONEY FOR THE VEHICLE BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN THEM BEFORE 100,000 MILES AT THE COST OF 3500 TO 4000 DOLLARS... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10625918August 18, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. O/D LIGHT BLINKING. TRANSMISSION INSTANTLY STARTED TO SLIP IN 3RD GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION. OVER 8,000 COMPLAINTS LISTED BUT FORD SAYS THAT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR RECALL. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS, THAT CAN CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING. BIGGEST ONE IS LOSE OF ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS A LENGTHY BAD HISTORY. IT IS THE 5R55 SERIES TRANSMISSION, STARTING WITH THE FAULTY SOLENOID PACK. IF YOU LOOK AT THIS TRANSMISSIONS HISTORY, YOU WILL FIND THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, SLIPPING WHILE IN GEAR FAILURE TO SHIFT, O/D LIGHT BLINKS THEN GOES OUT, TRANS FAILING AT 50,000M, 60,000M. I AM ON MY SECOND PAIR OF TIRES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. I DRIVE LESS THAN 8700 MILES PER YEAR AND MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE VERY WELL. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. I THINK FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT TILL THEY WILL BE FORCED TO DO SOMETHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10621374August 11, 2014
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE RODE ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THREE OF THE WHEEL STUDS WERE SHEARED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES WITH THE REMAINING WHEEL STUDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WITHIN 7 MONTHS THE THE REAR WHEEL STUDS SUDDENLY SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE LAST TIME THE DRIVER WAS ON THE FREEWAY WITH 5 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. UPDATED 3/30/2015 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10621227August 10, 2014
WHEELS, POWER TRAIN
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELT A SHARP JERK/PULL TO THE RIGHT. AT FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE SO GOT OFF ON NEXT EXIT. WASN'T A FLAT TIRE BUT COULD SMELL SOMETHING AWFUL. MADE GRINDING SOUND AND STILL HAD BAD SMELL, KNEW WE HAD TO DRIVE IT BACK TO THE PLACE WE ARE STAYING AT. HAD HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND ONLY DROVE 10-15 MPH BECAUSE OF THE SOUND AND BECAUSE OF HOW SCARY IT WAS. KNEW SOMETHING BAD WAS HAPPENING TO OUR CAR. BRAKES AT THIS POINT PRACTICALLY WENT OUT. WOULD NOT HAVE TO PRESS BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR WOULD JUST STOP. STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT EVEN, BUT MORE OR LESS 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT. PULLED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND A CAR LEAVING THE STREET SAW THAT OUR VEHICLE AT THIS POINT WAS ON FIRE! EXTINGUISH FIRE (SINCE IT WAS A GAS FIRE) AND LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE. LOOKS LIKE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WASN'T EVEN CONNECTED TO ANYTHING. DO NOT KNOW HOW OR WHEN FIRE STARTED BUT THE FLAMES WHEN WE NOTICED WERE ABOUT 1 FOOT TALL AND WIDE BY THE INTERNAL DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10620689August 7, 2014
SEAT BELTS, SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
THE BODY MOUNT INSULATORS DETERIORATED AND THE BODY COULD COME LOOSE FROM THE CHASSIS. FORD WANTS OVER 3000 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH IS AN OBVIOUS MATERIAL FLAW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10617989July 31, 2014
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT, POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE SHIFT SELECTOR FRACTURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10616693July 27, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
REAR DOOR GLASS HATCH HINGES CAME OFF.THIS WAS MY WIFES VEHICLE DRIVEN VERY LITTLE UNTIL SHE PASSED AWAY 2009.THEN IT WAS DRIVEN EVEN LESS. BACK HATCH GLASS WAS NEVER USED AS FAR AS I KNOW. SHE ALWAYS USED THE METAL DOOR. I DROVE IT TO GROCERY STORE,PUT GROCERIES IN BACK USING LARGE DOOR. WHEN I GOT HOME I JUST GRABBED GLASS HATCH HANDLE BY MISTAKE,IT CAME OFF IN MY HAND.BOTH HINGES WERE BROKEN. I DON'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG,THE LATCH WAS ALL THAT KEPT IT IN PLACE.WHEN THE LATCH OPENED IT EXPLODED OUTWARD ,RESULTING IN BADLY DAMAGED PAINT AND BOTH REAR DEFROSTER WIRES TO BE TORN OFF GLASS.LUCKILY IT WAS ME AND NOT MY WIFE,COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE.LIFT CYLINDERS WERE SO STRONG I COULD NOT PUT IT BACK IN PLACE,HAD TO YELL FOR NEIGHBORS FOR HELP!HAD IT REPAIRED LOCAL FORD DEALER.TOLD ME ABOUT RECALL FOR MODELS EXCEPT SPORT.NO RECALL FOR IT.$150.50(NOT INCLUDING PAINT) FOR REPAIRS & 10 DAYS @ DEALER.IT NOW HAS 71,800 MILES GLASS HATCH NEVER USED,IT HAS BROKEN DRIVERS SIDE HINGE AGAIN.07/28/2014.HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER AGAIN AS OF THIS TIME. BUT I PLAN TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS FOR SUCH INADEQUATE REPLACEMENT PARTS. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, NEVER ABUSED AND WELL MAINTAINED. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10616078July 24, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
BACK TAILGATE PANEL WAS CRACKED (DEFECT) AND THE BACK WINDOW JUST EXPLODED WHEN THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10615568July 23, 2014
STRUCTURE
WHILE OPENING MY REAR HATCH WINDOW TO LOAD GROCERIES I NOTICED THE TOP RIGHT HINGE HAD DETACHED FROM THE CAR, LEAVING THE GLASS HATCH HANGING BY A SINGLE HINGE. WHEN I GOT HOME I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED RECALL #04S20 AND MENTIONED IT TO MY DEALER WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICING. THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED, SO I CALLED FORD AND THEY AGREED. EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL SPECIFIES "ALL FORD EXPLORER MODELS" THEY SAY MINE IS THE 2-DOOR "SPORT" EDITION AND SO ISN'T INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH THE HATCH IS IDENTICAL (I'VE OWNED BOTH). THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM (THE OTHER HINGE BROKE 2 YEARS AGO). I'D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD DETERMINE IF THE 2-DOOR MODELS ARE SUFFICIENTLY DIFFERENT THAT THEY CAN BE EXEMPTED FROM THIS RECALL, AND IF THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED TELL ME HOW TO PROCEED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10610484July 14, 2014
POWER TRAIN
PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE (FLAT SURFACE) AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THE GEARSHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND. THE SAME THING HAPPEN ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND OUR MECHANIC REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608330July 5, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
MY GEAR SHIFT BROKE AS I WAS PUTTING INTO GEAR AND IT JUST FELL INTO MY HANDS IT BROKE INTO TWO HALF A PIECE THAT SHOULD NOT BROKE AND AS I WAS GOING SOMEWHERE THE TRUCK JUST STARTING GOING CRAZY THE LIGHTS WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF THE ALARMS WAS GOING OF THE LIGHTS FLASHIN,SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT THE ALARM JUST GOES OFF ON IT ON WE SEE ALL THIS HAPPEN AND NO ONE IS BY THE TRUCK NO CATS DOGS NOTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10607977July 3, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ UPDATED 09/11/2014 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606347June 26, 2014
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE AND THE SPEED WOULD DECELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SENSOR LIGHT AND OVER DRIVE LIGHT HAD ILUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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