Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10138748October 5, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS STARTING TO WHINE VERY LOUD. IT HAS THE 3.73 LIMITED SLIP DIFFERTIAL. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THIS SITE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138750October 5, 2005
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
ON ROUTINE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT REAR SPRING ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS BROKEN. THIS VEHICLE HAS 55,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS PROBABLY NOT BROKEN LONG SINCE I INSPECT MY VEHICLES REGULARLY. WHEN I WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY INITIALLY WANTED ME TO PAY THE FULL REPAIR BILL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRING; HOWEVER, AFTER NEGOTIATION, THEY OFFERED REPLACEMENT IF I PAID HALF OF THE BILL, OR $78.00. I AGREED TO THIS OFFER, AND HAD THE SPRING REPLACED. I FEEL, AND EXPRESSED THIS OPINION TO THE FORD AGENCY, THAT THIS SPRING SHOULD NOT BREAK AFTER ONLY 55,000 MILES. IN ADDITION, I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER REAR SPRING, AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT BROKE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138548October 4, 2005
SEAT BELTS
DT: 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ON VEHICLE THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WEAR THROUGH THE PLASTIC TRIM ON THE PILLAR, AND IT CAUSED THE EDGE OF THE SEAT BELTS TO FRAY. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SEAT BELT AND TRIM, AND IT RECURRED WITHIN A FEW WEEKS. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND CURRENTLY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN THE EDGES OF THE SEAT BELT FRAYED THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT BELT WILL TEAR ALL THE WAY. *AK (11/08/05) *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138342October 3, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND THEN WOULD ACCELERATE QUICKLY UP TO O 80 MPH. THE TRUCK WOULD DECELERATE AND ACCELERATE RANDOMLY. THE TRANSMISSION KNOCKED WHEN GOING INTO GEAR. THE OWNER HAD REQUESTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE CHECKED PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRING ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 25,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONSUMER WAS OUT OF TOWN AND HAD A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN THE INSTALLMENT OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WHEN REACHING HOME. CURRENTLY, THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING PROBLEMS GOING INTO GEAR. THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE GEARS WERE CHANGING. THE CONSUMER WAS CONSTANTLY DEALING WITH THE DEALERSHIP GENERAL MANAGER, WHO IN RETURN, WAS DEALING WITH THE FORD REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE DEALERSHIP TESTED THE OLD TRANSMISSION WITH DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND NOTHING. THE CONSUMER FOR DEALING WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD SIMULTANEOUSLY CONCERNING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138255September 30, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER, 5R55W TRANSMISSION. 84K ON VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION NO-SHIFT/LATE SHIFT BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. OD LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY, OCCASIONALLY NO POWER, TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 1-2 AND 2-3. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138109September 29, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS HAD AN INCREASINGLY LOUD WHINE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. IT WAS FIRST NOTICEABLE AT MILEAGE OF 30,000. NOW AT 55,000 MILES IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL SOON, BUT FORD HAS NOT ENGINEERED AN IMPROVED REAR-END. THEREFORE THE PROBLEM WILL PROBABLY REOCCUR. MANY FORD EXPLORERS (2002-2005 ) HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY FORD AS A KNOWN DEFECT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138030September 28, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS NOW HAVING ITS TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME I WAS AT 77000 MILE, JUST OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED 75000 MILE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED, WHEN THE CAR BEGAN SHIFTING WITH A HARD JERK OR SLIP WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO CHANGE FOR SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. AFTER FURTHER DRIVING THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO BE SURPRISED THAT I HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND COST ME $3600. HE SAID HE COULD TAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP THAT THEY USED SO THAT MAYBE HE COULD GET IT DONE FASTER. WELL, I DECIDED TO TAKE IT THERE MYSELF. I GOT THE SAME REPORT, BUT THEY COULD FIX IT, WITH ALL NEW PARTS, FOR $2000. SO, I LET THEM FIX IT. AFTER ONE YEAR AND 44000 MILES I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND IT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING FIXED. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT WILL COST ME THIS TIME AROUND. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW BASED ON WHAT I AM HEARING AND READING THAT THIS ALONG WITH THE REAR DIFF. PROBLEM, WHICH I ALSO HAVE, SEEMS TO BE COMMON IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IN THE LAST TEN YEARS I HAVE OWNED 5 FORDS AND THIS IS THE SECOND EXPLORER. I DO NOT THINK I WILL BE BUYING ANOTHER ONE UNLESS FORD CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THEY SEEM TO HAVE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137838September 27, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1.) NO INDICATION OF IMPENDING FAILURE 2.) TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY GONE. 3.) $4000 LATER A NEW TRANSMISSION IS BEING INSTALLED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137701September 26, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 4 DOOR EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES NOW THE REAR END HAS A HUMMING NOISE AT 50,000 MILES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137511September 24, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE BREAK LIGHTS ON MY CAR GET STUCK ON, I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN TO ME THREE TIMES, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHEN I WAS IN PENSACOLA AND HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED...IT SEEMS TO BE THE SENSOR ATTACHED TO THE BREAK PEDAL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137512September 24, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137460September 23, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILING IN 2ND GEAR. SEEMS TO BE A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE V-6 2002 EXPLORER. STARTED ACTING UP AT 60K, AS SOON AS THE WARRANTY WAS OUT.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137484September 23, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION 3RD GEAR SLIPPING CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY RE BUILT. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN #03254 . HOW COME FORD HAS NOT DONE ANY THING? BECAUSE THIS IS A WELL KNOWN FACT . FORD SHOULD HAY TO PAY FOR ITS MISTAKE OR HELP THE CONSUMER IN SOME WAY. THEY NEW IN 12/13/24 THERE IS FAILURE IN THIS TRANSMISSION # 5R55W . I CHECKED ON THIS AT WWW.CAR REVIEW.COM AND THERE WAS MANY COMPLAINTS THANKS. JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137057September 20, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: CONTACT'S WIFE ON STATES ON 9-17-05 WAS DRIVING THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND SHE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A HILL. SHE TOOK FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SURGED VERY HIGH AND LUNGED FORWARD, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT'S WIFE DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE DEALER DID NOT THINK THIS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS KIND. THE CONTACT REPORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. *AK.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137084September 20, 2005
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT SWITCHED ON, AS A RESULT OF PRE-TENSIONER FAILURE FROM MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TWICE TO A FRIEND OF MINE WITH A 2002 EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT SENSOR FAILED. ** JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136937September 19, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
I HAVE DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE BENEATH THE LIFTGATE WINDOW. IT APPEARED AS A SCRATCH AND HAS MORPHED INTO A FULL BLOWN CRACK ABOUT SIX INCHES LONG. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137014September 19, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 52,000 MILES. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH FORD ESP. IN AUGUST, A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE LEFT HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER AUTHORIZED WARRANTY WORK THAT WOULD REPLACE THE HEAD ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAD THE VEHICLE BACK FOR 2 WEEKS AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE RIGHT HEAD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE FAULT. THEIR REASON IS THAT THERE WERE AUTOLITE SPARK PLUGS IN THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF MOTORCRAFT SPARK PLUGS. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID THE PREVIOUS REPAIR WITHOUT REALIZING THAT. FURTHERMORE, THEY ONLY REPLACED THE ONE PLUG ORIGINALLY THAT BLEW OUT, RE-USING THE OTHER 3 PLUGS (AUTOLITES) THAT WERE IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TALKED WITH FORD IN MICHIGAN AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT. FIRST, THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT HONORING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF SPARK PLUG BRAND IS SOMETHING I CANNOT FIND WRITTEN ANYWHERE. SECOND, IF THOSE PLUGS ARE SO BAD, THEN ARE THEY NEGLIGENT IN PUTTING THOSE PLUGS BACK IN. THIRD, THE FACT THAT THIS HAPPENED AND COULD HAVE PIERCED A FUEL LINE IS VERY HAZARDOUS. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR HALF DAY TRIP IN A DESOLATE AREA. SHOULD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAVE HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS OUT THERE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HORRIBLE. DOES FORD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DENY COVERAGE WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS REASON? IS IT NEGLIGENT ON FORD'S PART TO SIMPLY TELL ME AFTER THE FACT THAT THE PLUGS THAT ARE IN THERE ARE NON-STANDARD AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE WORK?*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137024September 19, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
THERE HAS BEEN A LOAD HUMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SINCE 42000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136859September 18, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE COMPLAINT IS DIRECTED AT A WIDELY KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN 2002 FORD EXPLORERS INVOLVING THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE PROBLEM SURFACES JUST BEFORE THE 36K WARRANTY PERIOD AND BEGINS AS A WHINE IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE WHINE GETS WORSE OVER TIME AND AT THIS WRITING MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HAS HAD PARTS ON ORDER FOR 3 WEEKS WITH NO DEFINITIVE DELIVERY DATE. MY EXPLORER HAS 40K MILES AND JUST RAN OUT OF THE 3YR WARRANTY IN MAY 2005. EVEN WITH NEW PARTS INSTALLED THESE 2002 MODELS HAVE THE SAME RESULTS RE-OCCUR IN 10-20K MILES. THIS IS, BY ALL ACCOUNTS, NOT A DEFECT THAT WILL LIKELY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO ANY THING BUT YOUR WALLET, BUT IT IS OF SUCH PROPORTION IN THE MARKETPLACE THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE SOMEBODY TO GO TO BAT FOR THEM. THESE FORD EXPLORERS ARE LEMONS IF YOU CAN'T GET 40K OUT OF THE DRIVE TRAINS. I HAVE A 1993 EXPL THAT HAS 200K AND NO ISSUE. A RECALL SHOULD BE A MANDATE FOR THE CONSUMER. AT THIS WRITING I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE TO AVOID ANY MORE MILES AND I AM WAITING FOR ARRIVAL OF PARTS. PLEASE LISTEN TO US, THE INDIVIDUAL, AND HELP US AS WE FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT WIT THE CORPORATION AND IT'S CLOUT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136887September 18, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ON JUNE 29, 2005, DURING ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION MY 2002 EXPLORER HAD TO HAVE NEW REAR BRAKE ROTORS INSTALLED FOR THE 2ND TIME DUE TO RUST. MILEAGE WAS 24,713 MILES. PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW ON MARCH 29, 2002. AUGUST 14, 2003, APPROXIMATELY 10,250 MILES, HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR ROTORS DUE TO RUSTING. FORD DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE BRAKE LININGS BE REPLACED AS WELL. FORD COVERED THIS COMPLETE COST. IN THIS 2ND INSTANCE, FORD WILL COVER NOTHING SINCE VEHICLE IS BEYOND ITS 36 MONTH WARRANTY, & BRAKES ARE CONSIDERED WEAR ITEMS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE RUSTING OF THE REAR ROTORS PREVENTED MY VEHICLE FROM PASSING THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. ADDITIONALLY, THIS IS MY 3RD EXPLORER, ALL PURCHASED NEW, & THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. INITIAL 1991 EXPLORER DRIVEN 9 YEARS & OVER 70,000 MILES; 2ND EXPLORER A 2000 MODEL STILL DRIVING, OVER 54,000 MILES, HAD THE REAR ROTORS & BRAKE PADS REPLACED AFTER 44 MONTHS, 33,692 MILES. HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME AREA & DRIVEN THE SAME ROADS WITH ALL 3 VEHICLES. HAVE HAD ESSENTIALLY ALL SERVICE WORK DONE BY THE SELLING FORD DEALER IN ALL 3 INSTANCES. IF THE BRAKE PADS WERE WEARING OUT, & THE ROTORS WERE BEING DAMAGED DUE TO THE WORN PADS, I COULD UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CONDITION WAS DUE TO MY NEGLIGENCE IN NOT ATTENDING TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PADS HAVE NOT BEEN WORN OUT IN EITHER REPLACEMENT SITUATION. THE SERVICE ADVISER & SERVICE MANAGER BOTH CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, AS THE ROTORS CANNOT BE TURNED, RUST IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS, AND FORD REGARDS BRAKE ROTORS AS WEAR COMPONENTS. CORRESPONDENCE THRU FORD'S INTERNET SITE REPEATED ROTORS ARE CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM & CANNOT BE COVERED, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON FOR REPLACEMENT. NO ONE WILL PROVIDE ANY FORD REGIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION FOR DISCUSSION. IT APPEARS TO BE A NO WIN SITUATION WHERE THE MANUFACTURER CAN CLASSIFY A COMPONENT AS A WEAR ITEM & HAVE NO CONSEQUENCES WHEN THE COMPONENT FAILS FOR OTHER NON-WEAR REASONS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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