Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10163211July 23, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, SUSPENSION
BOUGHT 2002 EXPLORER IN 2003 WITH 12,000 MILES. SERVICNG DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER UNDER WARRANTY @ 32,000 MILES AFTER O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. NOW NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION @ 54,000 MILES. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED, DRIVEN LIGHTLY, NEVER TOWED, NEVER ABUSED. DEALER WILL NOT PAY OR HELP OUT ONE BIT. FORD KNOWS 2002 EXPLORERS HAVE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AND REAR ENDS, IS IGNORING PROBLEM, LEAVING CONSUMER TO ABSORB COST! HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY, AIR CONDITIONING UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACING- OUT OF WARRANTY. REAR END IS MAKING CLASSIC "HUMMING" SOUND THAT FORD IS ALSO IGNORING-PINION GEARS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163215July 23, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4WD REAR END TROUBLES, THIRD TIME HAVING WORK DONE ON THE REAR AXLE AND ASSEMBLY, TROUBLED STARTED AT ABOUT 40000 AND NOW AT 72000 MILES. SEALS, BEARINGS, REAR AXLE. HUMMING AND WHINING NOISE FROM REAR END AT BOTH HIGHWAY SPEED AND CITY DRIVING. DEALER QUOTED OVER THE PHONE COULD RUN IN EXCESS OF $2000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR, TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE SPENT $1032 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS. REPLACED WITH DEALER ONLY PARTS, NO SAVINGS THERE. FORD CLAIMS NO PROBLEMS WITH REAR END. ALL INDICATIONS IS THE PROBLEM WILL RETURN. I'M NOT CONVINCED THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163159July 22, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
PERSISTENT QUALITY PROBLEMS: ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, POWER STEERING, AIR COMPRESSOR, AND RELATED SAFETY HAZARDS SUCH AS DEFECTIVE REAR HINGE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163093July 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER W ABOUT 65000 MILES. JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, THE NEXT DAY OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS..DRIVE IT HOME, CALL FORD DEALER TAKE IT IN.. HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION @ $3500. SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE 2002'S
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162962July 20, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
BEARINGS. NOTICED A CLUNKING COMING FROM THE FRONT. WAS TOLD I NEED NEW BEARINGS AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1200. ONLY 55K MILES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163001July 20, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HUB BEARINGS ARE WEARING OUT LOCKING THE WHEEL UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE ROAD. THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BOTH WEARING OUT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS NO WAY OF CHECKING THE HUB BEARINGS. BECAUSE HUB BEARINGS ARE SEALED, THEY CAN'T BE GREASED, OR SERVICED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE SERVICE FOR THE HUB BEARINGS, THEREFORE THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN, AND CREATE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162752July 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW, THE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND THE SMELL OF SMOKE APPEARED. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CONSOLE AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE SMOKE SUBSIDED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162517July 16, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, EQUIPMENT
VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING, WHINING NOISE FROM REAR END AS WELL. OVER DRIVE LIGHT ON, THEN FINALLY VEHICLE STOPPED ENGAGING GEARS. 2002 EXPLORER HAS BEEN SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR ONE YEAR DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FORD NOT WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS 58000 MILES. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT REAR HATCH WINDOW BLEW OUT TWO TIMES WITH THE SECOND TIME GLASS BLEW OFF SO VIOLENTLY IT DAMAGED PAINT ON NEW VEHICLE (DEALER AND FORD MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR AND INSTRUCTED ME TO FILE INSURANCE CLAIM) DAMAGE TO OTHER CAR WAS CLEARLY DUE TO DEFECT IN WINDOW HATCH MECHANISM AND THEY SHOULD PAY. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162397July 14, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 25-35 MPH, THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE AN EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THE GARAGE DETERMINED A SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE THIS HAPPENS, IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE COIL WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE SPAR PLUG FAILED. UPDATED 08/08/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162394July 14, 2006
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. DEALER-TED BRITT, FAIRFAX, VA REFUSES TO COVER UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162398July 14, 2006
STEERING:COLUMN, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
STEERING COLUMN JAMMED TWICE. FIRST TIME UNDER THE WARRANTY, THEN 1 YEAR LATER NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. FATHER HAS SAME VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL YEAR, HE HAD TWO PUT IN HIS ALSO. REAR END WENT. HAD TO REPLACE TWO AXLES ALREADY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162301July 13, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I JUST BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 74,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD IT FOR JUST LONG ENOUGH TO DISCOVER A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT, AND HAVE DONE ENOUGH RESEARCH TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE BY FAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING, I JUST KNOW THAT LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS A LEAK IN MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THAT NOW - HOWEVER, THE SHOP MGR REFUSES TO FIX THE LEAK UNTIL THE REAR END BREAKS.... WHICH WILL COST MORE AND CAUSE MORE REPAIRS THAN NECESSARY AT THE CURRENT TIME. MY SECOND PROBLEM - WHICH THE SERVICE MGR AGAIN REFUSES TO FIX UNTIL IT BREAKS IS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER - WHICH LEADS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH ARE ALSO VERY COSTLY. I HAVE DONE MY HOMEWORK ON THIS SITUATION, SINCE I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO, AND I AM SEEING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, REPLACED THE REAR END ON MY 2002 EXPLORER (MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME VEHICLE), AND I AM SEEING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, NEW TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 EXPLORER (AGAIN, MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME VEHICLE). I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE KNOWS ABOUT THIS SITE, OR I'M SURE THAT HUNDREDS OF THE SAME KIND OF COMPLAINTS WOULD BE FILED WITH YOU.... SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK IN TO THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE FORD IS AWFUL PROUD OF THEIR VEHICLES AND I AM PAYING A HEFTY CHUNK OF MONEY FOR MINE, AS ARE THE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WHO JUST MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING SOMETHING DONE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM... I'M SPEAKING NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF, BUT, FOR LOADS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM, I BEG YOU!! I DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY BABIES (4 & 5 YRS OLD) PRAYING THAT THE RIGHT PERSON STOPS TO HELP ME AND NOT THE ONE WITH BAD INTENTIONS!! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS - FORD HAS GOT OBVIOUS DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEMS!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162078July 11, 2006
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE OPENING THE BACK WINDOW, THE LEFT SIDE HINGE FELL OFF. THE WINDOW WAS HANGING BY ONE HINGE. AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO SECURE THE WINDOW, BUT WHILE THE WINDOW WAS BEING ADJUSTED, THE RIGHT HINGE FELL OFF. THE WIRING FROM THE BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER HELD THE WINDOW IN PLACE AND KEPT THE WINDOW FROM FALLING TO THE GROUND. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED AND DETERMINED THE HINGES WERE STRIPPED. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED A REPLACEMENT HINGE KIT TO REPAIR THE WINDOW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162127July 11, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ACT ON ACCELERATION INTO TRAFFIC, THERE IS A DELAY IN SPEED PICK UP WHICH CAN CAUSE A NEAR REAR END COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES. NOT SURE IF IT IS THE ON BOARD COMPUTER OR A FAILURE OF THE LOW PRESSURE SEALS AS DISCUSSED WITH CAR DEALERSHIP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161811July 7, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2002 FORD EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY BEGINNING IN 2005 ONLY AFTER EXTENDED TRIPS (ABOUT 60+ MILES), THEN CAME ON AND STAYED ON IN 4-2006. THE ABS SENSOR AND BRAKE SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC SAID FORD HAD A RECALL. BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS ONLY ON A CERTAIN TRUCK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161606July 3, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
2002 EXPLORER HAS PROBLEMS PICKING UP SPEED AND OVER USE OF GAS. *TS THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, GEAR ADJUSTMENT, DIFFICULT HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVING EVEN AFTER GEAR CHANGE, AIR SUCTION INTO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR AND SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM UPDATED 07/06/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161236July 2, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161199July 1, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, THEN SHIFTING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT BECOMING INCREASINGLY WORSE TO THE POINT OF NOT SHIFTING AT ALL. NOTICEABLY JERKS WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. LOTS OF WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. ALSO REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKES LOUD WHINE/ROAR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 AND AT ACCELERATION. I UNDERSTAND THESE ARE VERY COMMON COMPLAINTS AMONG EXPLORER OWNERS AND CAN BE VERY COSTLY. MOST TRANSMISSION REPAIR PEOPLE TELL ME THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THAT FORD SHOULD FIX IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160723June 26, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 56,000 MILES. WHINING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. WHINING GOES AWAY IF PRESSURE IS REDUCED FROM ACCELERATOR OR IF SPEED IS GREATER THAN 60 MPH. SOME LEAKING OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AROUND DRIVESHAFT PINION SEAL. ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 54,000 MILES DUE TO ROUGH SHIFTING FROM 3 TO 4. TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COVERED UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE UNCOVERED MANY OTHER 2002/2003 EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR WHINING 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. I WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE REAR END IN ADDITION TO THE TRANSMISSION IF THERE IS NO REMEDY FROM FORD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160777June 26, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WENT BAD WHEN ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, FORD TOLD ME THAT IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Explorer