Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10246051October 19, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
THROTTLE STUCK AND CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL BUT ENGINE KEPT ON RACING, SEARCHED INTERNET ON FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE IS DEFECTIVE, FORD CHANGED DESIGN FROM 12 TO 9 WIRE DESIGN, SAW ALOT OF POSTS ON INTERNET WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, CAN'T BELIEVE NO RECALL. CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246002October 18, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
ON 10-14-2008, TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE NYS VEH INSPECTION. MIDAS MECH INFORMED ME THAT A 5 INCH PIECE SNAPPED OFF AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PASS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING . YOU COULD SEE THAT THE COIL SPRING WASN'T SEATED RIGHT ANYMORE. VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS APPROX 66,400. NEVER USED OFF ROAD. MECH INFORMED ME THAT 2002 FORD EXPLORERS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR DEFECTIVE WHEEL HUBS (WHICH IS TRUE BECAUSE I RECENTLY JUST REPLACED BOTH ABOUT 1000 MI AGO AT $1400) AND FOR THE STRUT COIL OVER SPRINGS SNAPPING. ENOUGH ALREADY!! WHEN WILL THE GOV MAKE FORD OWN UP TO DESIGN AND SAFETY FAILURES !!!??? I COULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS COIL SPRING PIECE SNAPPED OFF AND COULD HAVE PUNCTURED THE TIRE OR THE BRAKE LINE OR THE FUEL TANK!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246010October 18, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4.0L V6, THESE TRANSMISSIONS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED, YOU CANT CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL IN THEM WHICH IS NOT RIGHT ONLY TO BE DESIGNED TO BENEFIT FORD WHEN IT TEARS UP WITH HIGH REPAIR COSTS, MY EXPLORER HAD ONLY ABOUT 60000 MILES WHEN TRANS WENT OUT. I HAD IT REBUILT AT A LICENSED TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP FOR ABOUT $3000.00 IT DROVE GOOD FOR ABOUT THE SAME MILES AND STOP PULLING IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY TRAFFIC WITH CARS TAILGATING ME LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT. PLEASE HOW CAN THIS TRANS BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245754October 17, 2008
POWER TRAIN
ON THE DAY IN QUESTION I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE STAFF PARKING LOT FROM THE PRISON THAT I WORK AT AS AN ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICER, UPON SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT STICK FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE SHIFTER SNAPPED AND BROKE RIGHT INTO MY HAND HANGING BY A WIRE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND PARK IT BUT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TERMINALS TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. UPON REMOVAL OF THE UNDER STEERING COLUMN COVER I COULD SEE WHERE THE CONNECTING BOLT THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SHIFT STICK TO THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BROKEN OFF. THE MENTAL CONNECTING PIECE APPEARS TO BE MADE OF SOFT ALUMINUM. THE COST TO REPAIR I KNOW WILL BE EXPENSIVE !!! I THINK ITS A DEFECT AND THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THIS AND FORD SHOULD COVER THE REPAIR AND OR REPLACEMENT COST FOR ITS LOYAL FORD CUSTOMERS, THANKYOU !!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245817October 17, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1) 2002 FORD EXPLORER WILL CRANK BUT NOT START WHEN WEATHER IS HOT (2) MANY TIMES AT HOME WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. CONSEQUENCES: UNABLE TO USE CAR FOR A MONTH. (3) FORD DEALER ($250) CHANGED FUEL IDLE BOX. DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM.(4) FORD NOW WANTS TO CHANGE FUEL PUMP FOR $1000.00 MILEAGE IS 12000 . *TR .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245719October 16, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR, PARKING BRAKE
2002 FORD EXPLORER USED FOR NON BUSINESS DRIVING. NO HEAVY LOADS OR TRAILERS. NO OFF ROAD USE. NO INCIDENTS WITH OBJECTS IN ROAD, POT HOLES, OBSTACLES ETC. BOTH REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS BROKEN. ONE SPRING BROKEN IN 3 PLACES. NOTICED @ 56,500 MILES. SPRINGS HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR A WHILE(RUST ON BREAKS). DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL RECENTLY BROKEN SPRING ON OTHER SIDE ASYMPTOMATIC. THE ONLY IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES TO ME WERE A LARGE REPAIR BILL. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE IF I WAS PRESENTED WITH A NEED FOR AN EMERGENCY MANEUVER AND THE FAULTY SUSPENSION CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I REPLACED BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND STRUTS. PARTS IN REPAIR SHOP TRASH. WON'T LAST THERE TOO LONG. REPAIR SHOP REPORTS SEEING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH EXPLORER AND RELATED FORD MODELS. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED MANY PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH NO HISTORY OF ABUSE REPORTED. HAD REAR BRAKES SERVICED AT THE SAME TIME. HAD TO REPLACE SHOE PADS ON PARKING BRAKE BECAUSE THE PADS BOTH FELL OFF. USE PARKING BRAKE INFREQUENTLY. REPAIR SHOP REPORTED SEEING THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY ALSO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245730October 16, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM A HOSE AFTER REFILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ASSEMBLY LINE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,085.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245371October 14, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE MANUAL STATED TO BYPASS THE SHIFT INTERLOCK WITH A SCREWDRIVER, BUT THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245457October 14, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE O/D LIGHT STARTED COMING ON FOR NO REASON. THEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKE WHEN IT WAS SHIFTING GEARS. THEN IT WAS SHAKING A LOT AT ABOUT 60-65 MPH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245463October 14, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR SPRINGS BROKE JUST THE OTHER DAY. MINE HAD RUSTED OUT AND BROKE AT THE BOTTOM AND TOP OF THE SPRINGS FROM RUSTING OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245466October 14, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IN LATE JANUARY, 2008 SOMETHING STRUCK THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLER OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT AN OBJECT HAD PENETRATED BOTH OF THESE CAUSING COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER REPLACED MY ENGINE AND SOME PARTS IN MY TRANSMISSION. SINCE THEN MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES HAVING TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. WHEN THE FAILURES OCCUR, THE VEHICLE WILL RAPIDLY SLOW TO A STOP IN MID TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN ALMOST STRUCK IN THE REAR EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FORD DEALER THAT REPAIRED MY TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2000 WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ESPECIALLY NOW THAT TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS A DEPUTY SHERIFF FOR 16 YEARS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND A SEVERE TRAFFIC HAZARD. PLEASE HELP ALL MOTORISTS BY FORCING FORD TO RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND REPLACE THEM. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245269October 13, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WINDSHIELD, WATER LEAKING FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY 02 FORD EXPLORER XLT, BESIDES THAT HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS, SOME TIMES GEARS GET STUCK IN BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. SOMETIMES I HEAR A LOUD POPPING SOUND WHEN GEARS FINALLY GO INTO REVERSE....HAVE HAD BOTH PROBLEMS CHECKED AND REPAIRED, BUT GEARS CONTINUE TO STICK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245317October 13, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). ACCELERATING FROM 2ND GEAR, THE ENGINE WOULD REV. THEN I FEATHERED OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, STEPPED ON PEDAL GENTLY, ACCELERATED AND VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AND THEN LURCHED FORWARD AS IT WENT INTO 3RD GEAR. OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED ALMOST 100 MILES AND TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. BAND WAS BROKEN AND PLANETARY GEARS/BEARINGS WERE DAMAGED. TRANSMISSION REBUILT FOR $2200. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245170October 12, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
2002 FORD EXPLORER BADLY RUSTED CRACKED REAR COIL SPRINGS. WHILE DOING BRAKE JOB NOTICED HOW RUSTED AND CRACKED REAR COIL SPRINGS WHERE. CAR HAS LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON IT NEVER TOWED NO HEAVY WEIGHT SPRINGS SHOULD NOT CRACK LIKE THAT. COULD HAVE SHOT OUT AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE (IE SHOT THROUGH TIRE OR GAS TANK LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE ETC.) *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245171October 12, 2008
EQUIPMENT, SUSPENSION
WHEEL BEARINGS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER ARE WEARING OUT WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. I NEVER HAD A CAR THAT EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SEVER PROBLEM AS I DRIVE MY SMALL CHILDREN AROUND IN. KNOWING THAT A WHEEL COULD EVENTUALLY COME OFF SCARES THE LIFE OUT OF ME. THERE IS NO RECALL FROM AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245163October 11, 2008
VISIBILITY, POWER TRAIN, EQUIPMENT
WITHIN FOUR MONTHS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4WD START HAVING PROBLEMS. THEY ARE: 1. VIBRATION INSIDE INCLUDING PHYSICAL MOVEMENT INSIDE WHEN DRIVING WITH REAR WINDOW CRACK OVER 30 MPH. THE FASTER YOU DRIVE THE GRATER THE VIBRATION. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO SEVERAL DEALERS, THEY INFORM ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND IT'S REFER TO AS HELICOPTER EFFECT. 2. THE DIGITAL KEYPAD STOP WORKING. 2. THE KEYS DON'T OPEN THE DOOR 3. THE TRANSMISSION SLIP, KICK AND DELAYS WHEN PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. 4.TRANSMISSION DELAYS GOING INTO OVERDRIVE. 5.THE PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANEL GLASS SHATTER TWICE, AT FIRST I TAUGHT SOMEONE HAD BROKE IT AND MY SON REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY REPLACE IT AND FEW MONTHS LATER IN MY GARAGE IT SHATTER AGAIN AND THAT'S WHEN IT ALL CAME TOGETHER. THIS TIME MY SON FIX IT FOR ME. 6.THERES ALSO A WINDING SOME COMING FROM UNDER THE SUV AND MY SON THINKS IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE DIFF, KEEPING THE VIBRATION IN MIND. 6. THE LATCH THAT SECURE THE REAR WHERE THE JACK HANDLE IS LOCATED BROKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245077October 10, 2008
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR DOOR, THE REAR LIFTGATE AND HINGE ON THE TOP LEFT SIDE BECAME LOOSE. THE REAR GLASS FELL OUT AND SHATTERED ALL OVER THE CONTACT AND HER CHILD. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER MECHANIC AND WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). SHE CALLED FORD AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD BE MADE FOR FREE SINCE THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245105October 10, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING AND ERRATIC SHIFTING. DEALER DIAGNOSIS IS THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244712October 8, 2008
STEERING
2002 FORD EXPLORER SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN HAND WHILE AT GAS PUMP. THE PART THAT BROKE IS WHAT THE SHIFT HANDLE CONNECTS TO AND IS NOT REPLACEABLE. FORD SAYS I MUST PURCHASE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN IN THE AMOUNT OF $871.70. I HAVE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCE THAT SAME PROBLEM. FORD LIST THE PART NUMBER. 3C529. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244880October 8, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT MY 2002 EXPLORER WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT FROM A RESPECTED LOCAL FORD DEALER. 20,000 MILES LATER, MY O/D LIGHT WON'T GO OFF AND MY GEARS WON'T ENGAGE PROPERLY. THIS HAPPENS FOR 2 DAYS BEFORE I SPUTTER INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. I'M NOW BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2,500. THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK TRADE-IN VALUE IS ONLY $2,100 AND I STILL OWE $4,000! I FEEL DUPED AND SCAMMED BY FORD: A COMPANY MY FATHER HAS WORKED FOR 34 YEARS. FORD INSISTS THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THIS COST. MY QUESTION IS: WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL WHEN I'VE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FILED ABOUT THE VERY SAME PROBLEM I'M HAVING? WHY AM I JUST SUPPOSED TO EAT THIS COST WHEN IT'S AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT?! HELP!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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