Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10127873July 8, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
2002 4X4 EXPLORER LIMITED WITH V8. AT 7390 MILES (3/12/03, INVOICE # W40836) TWO ISSUES; THE TRANSMISSION NEVER SHIFTED PROPERLY AND IT STARTED LEAKING FLUID EVERYWHERE. TWO WEEKS LATER THE DEALER ADMITTED THEY DIDN''T KNOW THE CAUSE AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW ONE. ENGINE SEVERELY OVERHEATED (INVOICE 3W47852). AT 20K MILES THE TRUCK WILL ONCE IN A WHILE STOP (AS IF I HIT SOMETHING) AS I START TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE - PROBLEM DISCOVERED AT 31K BRAKE JOB - REAR SHOES ON PARKING BRAKE BROKE LOOSE ON DRIVERS SIDE (BOTH) AND ONLY ONE ON PASSENGER SIDE. LOOSE SHOE ON PASS. SIDE WOULD WEDGE WITH GOOD ONE AND LOCK UP WHEELS WHEN MOVING SLOW. LOT'S OF ARGUMENTS AND FORD FINALLY REPLACED SHOES (4/25/05 INVOICE # 99323). AT 26K (11/05, NO INVOICE) ONE TIRE WENT FLAT AND UPON INSPECTION BY A TIRE SHOP, THAT TIRE AND A SECOND TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION - RUNNING GOODYEAR''S. FORD QUICKLY REPLACED BOTH TIRES WITHOUT ANY QUESTIONS. AT 29K, MY FAMILY AND I MOVED FROM MI TO GA. EACH TIME I STOPPED FOR GAS THE EXPLORER SOUNDED LIKE THE FRONT END WAS GRINDING METAL TO METAL ON THE GEARS. THE 4X4 WAS IN AUTO FOR THE TRIP AND ONCE I GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY ABOVE 20 MPH THE NOISE WENT AWAY. HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO SHIFT POORLY AND IT STARTED TO SURGE (SHAKE) OR THUMP LIKE SOMETHING WAS CATCHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN EVERY TIME I WOULD LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND ALLOWED THE TRUCK TO DECELERATE WITHOUT BRAKING. EVEN AFTER NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS, THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND WORSE - NOW AT 34K, (5/30/05, INVOICE # W50821) THE TRUCK IS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 3RD TIME ON THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME, THEY REPLACED THE "MODULE-TRANSFER SH" WHICH DID PRETTY MUCH ELIMINATE THE SHIFTING ISSUE. THEY ALSO REPLACE THE "DRIVE SHAFT FLANGE PER SSM 16824" WHATEVER THAT MEANS. BUT A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE DRIVE TRAIN STILL EXISTS AND IT STILL UNRESOLVED. HERE'S MY POINT, FORD HAS A MAJOR DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEM WITH THE REDESIGNED 2002 EXPLORER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128127July 8, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVING AND HEARD ENGINE NOISE ENGINE STALLED WOULDN'T START IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC...I WAS GOING DOWNHILL AND ABLE TO ROLL TO THE SIDE OUT OF TRAFFIC AND TO SAFETY. ENGINE FROZE WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING, NO SIGNS...IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ENDANGERING MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER. MY CAR SAT 2 WEEKS AT THE FORD DEALER AS THEY RECEIVED 5 CARS WITH ENGINES FROZEN AND COULDN'T GET TO MY CAR UNTIL 7/8/05 CAUSE THEY HAD TO REPLACE ENGINES. WHEN ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN I WAS ADVISED A VALVE SPRING BROKE AND DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER TEARING UP THE ENGINE AND NOW I NEED A NEW ENGINE. FORD MOTOR WILL NOT BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125781July 8, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: THE CALLER SAW AN NEW REPORT ON 48 HOURS ABOUT FORDS BURNING UP AND HAS CONCERNS ABOUT HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE PART BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE HAPPENS. *AK THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND IT'S POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FIRE. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127779July 7, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DT: CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL 04520 IN 10-04. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY PUT HIM ON A LIST AND INDICATED THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK. IN 2-05 HE RECEIVED A CARD FROM FORD STATING DEALER COULD NOW ORDER PARTS FOR HIS VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS, AND THEY WILL ORDER THEM. THE DEALER SAID AGAIN HE WOULD BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST. THE RECALL WAS ON LIFTGATE BACK WINDOW BRACKETS. THAT WAS SIX MONTHS AGO AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T CALLED CONSUMER. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127445July 5, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 60K MILES ON IT. IT RECENTLY BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND ALARMING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT DOES AFFECT SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE WITH FORD V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY ADDRESSED BY FORD. ESTIMATES TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT IN THE CYLINDER HEAD THREADS RANGE FROM 2500 TO 3500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127388July 4, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
DRIVE TRAIN AND REAR AXLE HAVE PERSISTENT SHUDDER AND BINDING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS 2-3 AND UPON ACCELERATION DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND WILL NOT RESOLVE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN ID'D W/ SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THE 5355-RW ASSEMBLY AND THE REAR-GEAR LUBRICANT RATIO MIX-UP INTHE SEALED REAR HOUSING EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE REC'D PROTOCAL FROM MFG. ON THE PROCEDURE AND/OR REPLACEMENT PARTSAS BEING AVAILABLE SINCE MAR 2001 THIS HAS BEEN NOTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE DAMAGE DONE TO THE REAR AXLE AND WHEEL COMPONENTS BUT THEY DO NOT SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM WHEN IN FACT IT CAN RESULT IN VEHICLE FAILURETHAT MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR EVEM DEATH. I PERSONALLY SEE THIS AS BLATANT NEGLIGENCE ON THE DEALERAND MFG. PART OF RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. MY EXPLORER EXHIBITED TROUBLE SINCE JULY'04 AND WAS MFGD. IN THE TIME FRAME THAT A DEFECT WAS BROUGHT TO FORD'S ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. WHAT DO THEY WANT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DEATHS OR INJURIES?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127281July 1, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
RIGHT REAR AXLE AND BEARING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127044June 29, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
REAR HATCH HINGES POPPED OFF OF BOLTS, KNOWN PROBLEM, RECALLED SOME VEHICLES, DID NOT NOTIFY EVERY OWNER. WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127083June 29, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL. AND IF THE TRUCK WERE JUST IDLING ,AND IF CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD REV UP ALL THE WAY FOR ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS. IF HE DID NOT HAVE FOOT ON THE BRAKE HE COULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT UNLESS THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE PROBLEM WAS CRUISE CONTROL . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126591June 26, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
REAR END ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS ROARING AND LEAKING FLUID.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127967June 24, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
THE REAR SEAL ON THE AXLE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED 5 TIMES ON THE CONSUMERS 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126443June 24, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
DT: CONTACT STATES THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD, THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN, AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN RIGHT AWAY. THE WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126401June 23, 2005
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
HATCH FELL OF HITTING MY WIFE ON BACK AND NECK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10126298June 22, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ON 6-4-2005 WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. SRS LIGHT WAS ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND FIXED ONCE BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON, AND A WEEK LATER IT WAS REPLACED, AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN. POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10126098June 21, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DT: CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LIFTGATE STRUT, AND REPAIRS WERE DONE. BUT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE PART POPPED OFF, ON THE FOURTH OCCASION THE PART BROKE AGAIN. FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126131June 21, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT AROUND MID JULY/EARLY AUGUST 2002. IN AUGUST OF 2003 I NOTICE THAT MY CAR WAS EXPERIENCING SOME CLUNKING IN THE TRANSMISSION. I DON'T KNOW THE FULL DETAIL OF THAT PROBLEM BUT THEY GAVE ME AN EXTRA 5 YEAR WARRENTY ON MY VEHICLE. LAST YEAR MY FAMILY AND I TOOK A TRIP TO FLORIDA AND MY CAR WOULD GET THIS LOUD ROARING SOUND AT 45 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN WE RETURNED FROM MY TRIP I CALLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IT TO THEM BUT THEY SAID THAT IT WAS MY TIRES. MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE TIRES HOPING THAT THIS WOULD RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. (EVEN BEFORE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY REQUESTED US TOO). A WEEK LATER MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO TEXAS AND THE SOUND GOT WORSE. UPON RETURNING FROM OUR TRIP I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY AXEL. MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THEIR MISTAKE. I 'VE HAD MY FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, AXEL, AXEL BOOT, HUBS BEARINGS, EMERGENCY BRAKE (WHICH THEY SAY WAS SPLIT) REPLACED. I STILL HEAR A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT MY CAR IS SAFE TO RIDE IN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. I'VE GONE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, FILED A COMPLAINT FOR ABITRATION. MY (PREPAID) ATTORNEY HAS EVEN SENT THEM TWO LETTERS ADVICING THEM TO TAKE THIS SITUATION SERIOUSLY. THEY NEVER REPLIED BACK TO ME OR MY ATTORNEY. I'M FORD PLAN AND I REALLY THOUGHT THAT I WOULD BE TREATED WITH A LITTLE MORE RESPECT. I WANT THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND SEE THAT THEY SOLD ME A "LEMON". I REALLY NEED SOME HELP. THANK YOU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125765June 20, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE "O/D" LIGHT OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIT UP WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS TURNING. ENGINE "REVVED" BUT DIDN'T ACCELERATE. ONCOMING CARS SWERVED TO AVOID ME. THIS WAS AN UNSAFE SITUATION, AS I EXPECTED THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE TOTALLY REBUILT, FOR $2,400, SINCE I WAS 4000 MI OUT OF WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH <3 YEARS. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF FORD WOULD COVER IT. THE ZONE PERSON, ADVISED NO. I PHONED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE DEALER/FIELD DISCRETIONARY FUNDS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY, BUT ONLY FOR "LOYAL" CUSTOMERS. I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND HAD MY MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALER. I ASKED WHAT MAINTENANCE SHOULD BEEN DONE ON THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NONE. I SPOKE WITH A GENTLEMAN IN THE QUALITY DEPARTMENT AT A LOCAL TRANSMISSION PLANT, WHO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE, BUT THAT FORD WOULDN'T OFFER ANY HELP BECAUSE "MONEY IS TIGHT". HE SAID THAT THE BANDS IN MY TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SUPERCEDED TWICE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, AND A TECH BULLETIN EXISTED, EXPLAINING THIS TO DEALERSHIPS. I READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE! I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHY FORD HONORS A SECRET WARRANTY FOR "LOYAL" CUSTOMERS YET OFFERS NO RECOURSE FOR CUSTOMERS WHO WERE PUT IN THE SAME UNSAFE SITUATION, JUST BECAUSE THEY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. FORD ADVISES THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT AN INDEPENDENT. I AM ONE OF MANY CONSUMERS WHO MUST DRIVE IN A DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS VEHICLE, DUE TO THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT FAILED ME ONCE WITHOUT WARNING, I PAID $1,200 FOR REPAIR, AND APPROACH INTERSECTIONS WITH TREPIDATION DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF MY TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY SLIPPING AGAIN. I WOULD WELCOME CONTACT AT 248.808.1279 TO DISCUSS RESOLUTION OF THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097615June 20, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *BF THE CONSUMER HAS A REPORT WHICH STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A GAS LEAK. *JB *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125666June 17, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 3,500 MILES THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WILL GO FROM 60-3 MPH INSTANTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ,AND ON JUNE 6 AND 15, 2005. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125361June 15, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: PROBLEM WITH BACK END, TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER,AND DEALER SAID THEY FIXED AXLE, THEN, TOOK BACK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FIXED HUB, AND REPLACED THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. IN LAST 3 MONTHS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP 3 TIMES. CURRENTLY, IN THE SHOP. WENT TO GET OIL CHANGE LAST FRIDAY, AND MECHANIC NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE AXLE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IN SHOP TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE. THEY GAVE CONSUMER AN EXTRA 5 YR WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND THIS WAS 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP KEPT SAYING VEHICLE WAS SAFE EVEN THOUGH DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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