Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10361112October 18, 2010
STEERING
I WAS PICKING UP A FAMILY FRIEND, AN WHILE WAITING FOR HER TO COME TO MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, I PUT MY TRUCK INTO PARK, WHEN SHE GOT IN, I THEN ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE, AN THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND, IT BASICALLY DANGLED THERE AN I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CALL A TWO TRUCK DRIVER. I GOT AN ESTIMATE FOR OVER $600 FOR A USED COLUMN, CAUSE APPARENTLY FORD DOESN'T MAKE THE LITTLE PIECE THAT BROKE OFF. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE FOR AWHILE TO FIND ANOTHER WAY OF GETTING THIS FIXED AN I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS AN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE VERY SAME THING, WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED YET? WHAT DO I OR WE HAVE TO DO TO GET FORD ON THE BALL WITH THIS CONTINUING PROBLEM? THANK GOD IT IS STUCK IN PARK, AN UNFORTUNATELY SO ARE MY KEYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360937October 17, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360793October 16, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
2002 FORD EXPLORER LTMD...90K MILES FRONT WEAR BEARINGS COMPLETELY BLEW OUT, REAR STRUTS LEAKING MASSIVE OIL AND REAR SPRINGS FRACTURED....HAD FRONT BEARINGS REPLACED WHEN IT DISABLES BRAKE USAGE FROM TIRES BEING CROOKED IN NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS NEED TO HAVE REAR END DONE WITH STRUTS, SPRINGS AND BUSHINGS....ALL NEW PARTS NO CHOICE AND $2600.00 LATER IN ALL THE SPRINGS ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUE, THEY SHOULD NOT BREAK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360815October 16, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
CRACK IN REAR WINDOW SURROUND, NEAR CENTER AT A BOTTOM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360681October 15, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
BODY MOUNT CAB BUSHINGS ARE DETERIORATING SO BADLY THEY FLAKE OFF IN YOUR HAND IF YOU TOUCH THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360396October 14, 2010
STEERING
MY WIFE AND I AND OUR 8 YEAR OLD TWIN BOYS WERE ON VACATION THIS SUMMER DRIVING THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN A RAIN STORM. IT WAS AUGUST 13TH, 2010. THERE WAS A HUGE SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC JAM BECAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY WIFE NEEDED TO GET OUT AND STRETCH. WHEN I PUT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER BACK INTO DRIVE, THE SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND LIKE IT WAS MADE OF BUTTER. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE WERE IN SHOCK AND SCARED BECAUSE WE WERE STUCK AT THE TOP OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN A RAINSTORM. THE FORD WAS STUCK IN DRIVE SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY TO OUR HOTEL IN RIFE, COLORADO. WE WERE VERY SCARED THE WHOLE WAY. WE MADE IT TO OUR HOTEL. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER COULD NOT GET A PART UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK. A LOCAL MECHANIC RIGGED IT SO WE COULD GET HOME TO CALIFORNIA IN TIME FOR JOBS AND SCHOOL. WE FELT VERY UNSAFE THE WHOLE WAY. WHEN WE GOT HOME TO CALIFORNIA, THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND SHIFT LEVER FOR $1,300. I HAVE A 2ND 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK TODAY, I PARKED MY FORD EXPLORER IN THE DRIVEWAY, PUT THE SHIFT LEVER INTO DRIVE AND IT BROKE OFF! AGAIN, LIKE IT WAS MADE OF BUTTER. THIS IS EXACTLY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE OTHER ONE BROKE. TODAY IS OCTOBER 13, 2010. I AM VERY CAREFUL WITH MY VEHICLES. MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH TEACHERS IN OUR MID 40'S. NOW, I AM LEFT WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE EXACT SAME DEFECT AND I WILL BE CALLING FORD AND ASKING THEM TO TREAT ME FAIRLY AND REPAIR THIS DEFECT AT THEIR COST. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360237October 13, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT, STEERING:COLUMN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 5 MPH THE GEAR SHIFT CAME APART FROM THE COLUMN AND FELL IN HIS LAP WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $1,500 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 02/07/11 *BF UPDATED 04/20/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359953October 11, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING AND CHECK TRANSMISSION IS INDICATED IN MESSAGE WINDOW. DOES RESET WHEN TRUCK IS TURNED OFF BUT WARNING COMES BACK WHEN DRIVING AGAIN. AT THIS TIME VEHICLE DOES 'CLUNK' WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. IT IS STILL SHIFTING THROUGH 1ST, 2ND, 3RD ETC OK. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT BY FORD DEALER AT 50K MILES (3/24/06), CURRENTLY HAVE 75K MILES ON VEHICLE(10/11/10). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359608October 8, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2002 FORD SPORT TRAC 8 YEAR OLD CHILD BROKE DOOR HANDLE WHEN TRYING TO OPEN DOOR WITH CHILD LOCK ON. 5 YEAR OLD CHILD BROKE THE OTHER DOOR HANDLE THE SAME WAY. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THESE HANDLES ARE NOT HEAVY DTY ENOUGH FOR THE WEIGHT THAT IS FORCED ON THEM WHEN TRYING TO OPEN EVEN WITH THE CHILD LOCK OFF. THESE AUTOMAKERS SHOULD BE FORCED TO STOP USING THE PUBLIC AS GUINEA PIGS TO FIND OUT WHAT PROBLEMS THEY HAVE AND THEN NEVER ISSUE RECALLS. THEY JUST MODIFY IT ON THE NEXT MODEL AND BLOW OFF PRIOR OWNERS. THE HANDLES ACTUALLY CUT MY DAUGHTERS HAND WHEN IT BROKE. IT IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS. ALSO THE BRAKES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CALIPER ON THE PASS SIDE TWICE AND THEY EAT BRAKE PADS UP LIKE MAD. IT IS NOT DRIVING HABITS THAT CAUSED THIS IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. NO WONDER THEY WENT TO 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES( ANOTHER WAIT AND MODIFY ROUTINE) I'M SURE THIS WAS THEIR FIX FOR THAT PROBLEM AND THEY AVOIDED ANOTHER RECALL. WE PAY THOUSAND OF DOLLARS FOR THESE VEHICLES THEY SHOULD PAY THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THEIR ENGINEERING AND QC DEPARTMENTS LACK OF DETAIL WHEN TESTING THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU FOR ANYONE CARING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10359537October 7, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359544October 7, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SUDDENLY BROKE OFF. SHE PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THAT THE SHIFT HAD BEEN DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,444.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359552October 7, 2010
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE PRETENSION SET AND CLOCK SPRING REPLACED SEVEN TIMES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359250October 5, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WE HAVE KEPT UP ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON. WE HAVE OWNED IF SINCE JUNE OF 2008 (BOUGHT IT FROM A USED CAR DEALER) AND HAVE HAD NO REALLY BIG MAJOR ISSUES UNTIL NOW. THE O/D OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING WHICH IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GET MIXED SIGNALS AS TO IF THE OVER DRIVE IS ON OR OFF. WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT HARD AND ACTUALLY TRY TO LOCK UP AT SOME TIMES. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS NOW AND IN OUR MANUAL IT SAYS TO TAKE AND HAVE IT SERVICED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WELL WE DID AND THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO FIX IT EXCEPT REBUILD/REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. ONLINE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR MODEL AND PRETTY MUCH ANYONE WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THAT HAS OWNED THESE VEHICLES PRIOR SAYS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT AROUND 175000 MILES. WE ARE AT 174789 SO WE ARE RIGHT ON COURSE. WE DO NOT DRIVE IT HARD OR CRAZY AND WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF ALL OUR VEHICLES. WE HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH AN TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359348October 5, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. MY FORD SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BROKEN REAR SPRINGS ON EXPLORER'S AS WELL AS OTHER FORD'S. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE DRIVER HAS LOST THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE TRUCK. MINE BROKE WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY DAUGHTER AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I THOUGHT A TIRE BLEW. $800 TO FIX, FOR JUST THE 2 REAR SPRINGS, BUT SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD RECOMMEND REPLACING THE FRONTS AS WELL. UNTIL I CAN GET TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AS THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING LANDED ON THE REAR SUSPENSION AND MAY CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AS IT RUBS. I DROVE TRUCK SLOWLY HOME AS THE TRUCK NOW LEANS TO THE RIGHT (SIDE THAT FAILED) AND I HAVE DEFINITELY LOST THE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS TO THIS TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358978October 4, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LEADING UP TO THE EVENT OF THE FIRE, OCCASIONALLY THE "DOOR AJAR" BUTTON WOULD FLASH DURING DRIVING, THE ALARM WOULD RANDOMLY GO OFF, AND THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WOULD FLASH AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS WAS NEVER A PATTERN, AND THE CAR WENT PERIODS OF TIME WITH NOTHING HAPPENING TO IT. ONE MORNING, I OPENED THE CAR DOOR AND FOUND THE ENTIRE INSIDE TO BE BURNED OUT. THE FIRST STARTED IN THE MIDDLE CONSOLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359038October 4, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LOUD WHINE FROM REAR. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. FLASHING O/D LIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357288September 24, 2010
STRUCTURE
FORD EXPLORER 2002 REAR PANEL CRACKED, AND I TRAVELED AROUND THE COUNTRY AND I SAW SEVERAL CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I VISITED TOO MANY WEBSITES AND THERE'S MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ON THAT ISSUE. THE BACK DOOR PANEL IS CRACKED AND GETTING WORSE EVERYDAY, AND SOMEDAY THE GLASS IS GOING TO EXPLODE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357063September 22, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 2 WEEKS AGO WITH 129,000 MILES WITHIN 2 DAYS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. UPON INVESTIGATION WITH TRANSMISSION REPAIR LOCATIONS, WE HAVE TO SPEND $2500.00 OR MORE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION! WHAT A RIP OFF, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE, STEP UP TO THE PLATE, AND HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS OUT WHO HAVE PUT TRUST IN THEIR VEHICLES! IF FORD WANTS TO STAY IN BUSINESS, THEY BETTER START CONSIDERING RECONCILING WITH THEIR MANY DISGRUNTLED CUSTOMERS. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356818September 21, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR - ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356562September 20, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGE IN THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS FRACTURED AND THE LIFTGATE WOULD NOT REMAIN IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE LIABLE FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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