Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10136552September 15, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WE RECENTLY LEARNED FROM HTTP://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/ THAT FORD COIL SPRING PROBLEMS MAY NOT BE LIMITED TO WINDSTAR MINIVANS. " FORD COIL SPRING PROBLEMS MAY NOT BE LIMITED TO WINDSTARS WASHINGTON, JAN. 31, 2001 -- THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION OF 926,000 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS AFTER REPORTS THAT A SPRING IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM CAN BREAK AND PUNCTURE A TIRE. " WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, [XXX], WHICH HAS TWO (2) BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS, BOTH OCCURRING AT THE SAME TIME. THE SPRINGS BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THE TRUCK IS SELDOM USED FOR HAULING; HAS NEVER BEEN OVERLOADED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ADMITTED HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON WINDSTAR AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES, BUT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, OTHER THAN REPAIR IT AT MY COST. THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS & REPLACEMENT COIL SPRING(S) WAS $ 535.00. THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF COMMISSION FOR THREE DAYS. THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS: IRWIN MOTORS UNION & BISSON AVENUE LACONIA, NH 03246 THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THIS INFORMATION AND FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU MAY PROVIDE IN FORCING THE MANUFACTURER TO STAND UP TO THIS ISSUE, AN ISSUE WORTHY OF A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD - THE BROKEN COILS CAN CUT THE TIRES DURING TRAVEL. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] . *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136585September 15, 2005
PARKING BRAKE
RUBBING NOISE HEARD ON REAR WHEEL. FOUND PARKING BRAKE PADS HAD DIS-BONDED FROM BRAKE SHOE. SAFETY SYSTEM THAT FORD MOTOR DEALER, CHANTILLY, VA INDICATED IT WOULD NOT REPLACE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A DEFECT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136442September 14, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE O/D LIGHT BEGIN TO FLASH AND AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGED TO DRIVE. FINALLY AFTER TURNING OF THE VEHICLE AND RE STARTING IT AND PROCEEDED TO GO. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE PAN AND IF THERE WAS METAL IN IT I WOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY CALLED ME A FEW HOURS LATER TO INFORM ME THAT THE TECHNICIAN SAW LOTS OF METAL AND THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD BE 3400.00 DOLLARS. I SAID ARE YOU SURE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED PROPERLY WITH A TRANSMISSION WITH 50,000 MILES AND HE SAID THE TESTS DON'T LIE. WELL, I SAID I WOULD BE UP TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE THIS METAL AND 2 MINUTES LATER HE CALLED SAYING THAT THE TECH. DIDN'T ACTUALLY PULL THE PAN DOWN. PICK UP MY EXPLORER AND THEY WERE SO VERY NICE TO GIVE ME THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT TOO; THINK THAT WAS A MISTAKE. TOOK IT TO COTTMANS TRANSMISSION RIGHT DOWN FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HOOKED IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND CODES P0733 AND P0745 WERE FLASHING: PROBLEM A BROKEN INTERMEDIATE BAND AND O/D BAND. THEY SAID THAT COULD HAVE MORE DAMAGE BUT WOULD SEE WHEN TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN. THEY WEREN'T SURPRISED BY THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM; IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY TO THEM. AFTER 2 DAYS THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE 2 BANDS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, A TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION REBUILD KIT AND A LITTLE THING CALLED A PLANET GEAR WAS CAUSING THE WHOLE PROBLEM IT SEEMS. THE BEARING IN THE GEAR WAS DESTROYED. THEY ORDERED THE PLANET GEAR FROM THE KENTUCKY PLANT AND LOW AND BEHOLD THAT BEARING IN THE GEAR WAS DESTROYED AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING IS COMING FROM THE DEFECT. THE COST OF THIS LITTLE REPAIR WAS 1500.00 DOLLARS MORE THAN HALF OF WHAT THEY SAID AND THEY HAVE THE SAME TSB REPORT ON THE PROBLEM.CROWN FORD IS THE DEALER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136443September 14, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE O/D LIGHT BEGIN TO FLASH AND AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGED TO DRIVE. FINALLY AFTER TURNING OF THE VEHICLE AND RE STARTING IT AND PROCEEDED TO GO. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE PAN AND IF THERE WAS METAL IN IT I WOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY CALLED ME A FEW HOURS LATER TO INFORM ME THAT THE TECHNICIAN SAW LOTS OF METAL AND THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD BE 3400.00 DOLLARS. I SAID ARE YOU SURE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED PROPERLY WITH A TRANSMISSION WITH 50,000 MILES AND HE SAID THE TESTS DON'T LIE. WELL, I SAID I WOULD BE UP TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE THIS METAL AND 2 MINUTES LATER HE CALLED SAYING THAT THE TECH. DIDN'T ACTUALLY PULL THE PAN DOWN. I PICKED UP MY EXPLORER AND THEY WERE SO VERY NICE TO GIVE ME THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT TOO; THINK THAT WAS A MISTAKE. TOOK IT TO COTTMANS TRANSMISSION RIGHT DOWN FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HOOKED IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND CODES P0733 AND P0745 WERE FLASHING: PROBLEM A BROKEN INTERMEDIATE BAND AND O/D BAND. THEY SAID THAT IT COULD HAVE MORE DAMAGE BUT WOULD SEE WHEN TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN. THEY WEREN'T SURPRISED BY THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM; IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY TO THEM. AFTER 2 DAYS THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE 2 BANDS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, A TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION REBUILD KIT AND A LITTLE THING CALLED A PLANET GEAR WAS CAUSING THE WHOLE PROBLEM IT SEEMS. THE BEARING IN THE GEAR WAS DESTROYED. THEY ORDERED THE PLANET GEAR FROM THE KENTUCKY PLANT AND LOW AND BEHOLD THAT BEARING IN THE GEAR WAS DESTROYED AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING IS COMING FROM THE DEFECT. THE COST OF THIS LITTLE REPAIR WAS 1500.00 DOLLARS MORE THAN HALF OF WHAT THEY SAID AND THEY HAVE THE SAME TSB REPORT ON THE PROBLEM. CROWN FORD IS THE DEALER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136350September 13, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AFTER BRINGING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED BACK BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THAT MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND ROTTED. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED THE CAR TO BECOME UNABLE TO STOP. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BRAKES (ROUTINE), BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 40,000+ MILES ON IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136097September 10, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
ROAR/WHINE FROM REAR END @ 40-65 MPH. STOPS WHEN FOOT REMOVED FROM ACCELERATOR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136048September 9, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR END STARTED WHINING AROUND 45000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF $2000. I DECIDED NOT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE AT THAT TIME. THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD GET LOUDER AS TIME GOES BY. IT NOW HAS 65920 MILES AND THE WHINE IS A LITTLE LOUDER. I HAVE OWNED A LOT OF AUTOMOBILES , MOSTLY FORDS AND THIS IS THE 1ST ONE THAT HAD THE REAR END WEARING OUT WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. IN READING 2002 EXPLORER COMPLAINTS THERE ARE MANY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY NEXT CAR MAY NOT BE A FORD.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135836September 8, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2002 EXPLORER, 50,000 MILES LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR END (DIFFERENTIAL) AT SPEED ABOVE 40 MPH. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH I'VE READ WHERE MANY OTHERS ARE REPORTING SIMILAR NOISES. DEALER QUOTES $1500-1700 TO REPLACE REAR END. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135535September 7, 2005
STEERING, SUSPENSION:REAR
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BEARING WENT OUT ON 9-6-05. THE CONSUMER IS UNSURE IF IT WAS ON THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. SHE DID NOT HEAR A NOISE PRIOR TO THIS BUT REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE FELT SLUGGISH. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY AND IT WAS PULLING ALL OVER THE ROAD. SHE REPORTED THAT STEERING WAS VERY SLOPPY AND SHE COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY TOOK A COMPLAINT FROM HER AND SAID THEY WOULD EVALUATE IT WITHIN 3-5 DAYS.*AK *MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135739September 7, 2005
WHEELS:HUB, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
1. I NOTICED A HUMMING TYPE SOUND THAT WOULD INCREASE AS I SPED UP. I THOUGHT I HAD A WHEEL OUT OF ALIGNMENT, OR TIRE OFF BALANCE. I WAS DUE FOR MY 36,000 MILE MAINTENANCE CHECK, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. THEY PERFORMED A $400.00 MAINTENANCE PACKAGE TO MY VEHICLE ON MAY 4, 2004, OF WHICH I THOUGHT INCLUDED INSPECTING TIRES, WHEELS, ETC. THEY RETURNED MY VEHICLE TO ME AND AS I DROVE HOME, NOTICED THE HUMMING SOUND WAS STILL OCCURRING, BUT I JUST HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED, AND THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A NOISE THAT WAS NORMAL. 2. THE NOISE CONTINUED ON, GETTING WORSE (LOUDER) AND WAS BOTHERSOME, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. UPON REVIEW OF MY VEHICLE, HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS. 3. ON JULY 3, 2004 THE RR HUB ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $360.52. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. I DON'T BELIEVE THE OLD PART IS STILL AVAILABLE. BUT, AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER MECHANICS, I HAVE HEARD THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE AND WANTED TO LET SOMEONE KNOW I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS TOO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135368September 6, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON TWO TIMES IN THE PAST. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG. THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO AND I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AGAIN LAST WEEK. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN "ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM" WITH MY FORD 2002 EXPLORER THAT WAS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO STAY ON. REPAIR WAS A WHOPPING 487.00. FIRST, I AM WONDERING WHY THEY DIDN'T DISCOVER THIS PROBLEM ON THE PRIOR TWO OCCASIONS AND SECONDLY, I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT A CO-WORKER HAS ALSO HAD TO HAVE HER FORD ESCAPE SERVICED 4 TO 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME, SHE WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SENSOR. HER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS SINCE CAME ON AGAIN. IS THIS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FAMILY OF SUVS?*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135470September 6, 2005
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. AT 24,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR:TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. AT 26,000 MILES, LOAD WHINING HEARD FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS TO COMPLAIN AND WAS TOLD THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE" AND "IT IS HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO SOUND". ON THE THIRD RETURN , I PRODUCED SEVEN PAGES OF DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS FOUND ON THIS WEB SITE AND OTHERS. THEY DECIDED THAT NOW THEY MIGHT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVE SHAFT. PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR THE NEXT 30,000 MILES BUT IS NOW DISPLAYING THE SAME NOISE AND IS "CLUNKING" IN TO DRIVE AND REVERSE. SEPARATE PROBLEM WITH THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS, THEY FLASH LIKE AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE TILL I TURN THE HEAD LIGHTS ON. I DID NOT NOTICE TILL I WAS PULLED OVER BY A SHERIFF AND QUESTIONED AS TO WHY I HAD EMERGENCY LIGHTS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE. ON A POSITIVE NOTE, I DO GET THROUGH TRAFFIC JAMS A LOT FASTER NOW. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135254September 3, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT FAILED AT 43000 MILES. TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED AT 40000 AND PROBLEMS BEGAN AFTER FLUSH. NO FINANCIAL HELP FROM DEALER. SERVICE REP TOLD ME PISTON STRIKING TRANSMISSION CASE WAS COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TRANSMISSION AND WARNED ME NOT TO REPLACE IT WITH A USED 2002 FORD 5 SPEED AUTO TRANNY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135108September 1, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO SHIFT PROPERLY INTO REVERSE AND BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS AFTER NORMAL USAGE FOR 38 MONTHS AND 66,00 MILES. REPAIR FACILITY STATES THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR BETWEEN 60 AND 80K MILES. TRANSMISSION REBUILD AND REMILLING OF TRANSMISSION CASE IS REQUIRED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135128September 1, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HARD SHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION. ESPECIALLY GOING INTO 3RD GEAR. SOUNDS & FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO BREAK DOWN AT ANY TIME. IN TURN, LEAVING ME & MY CHILDREN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134698August 30, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND BRAKING, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SURGE IN ACCELERATION THAT THE BRAKING COULD NOT CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A CONCRETE ABUTMENT, THE PASSENGER FRONT FENDER CLIPPED THE DRIVER REAR FENDER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I QUESTIONED FORD ABOUT PROBLEM, THEY SAID THEY HAD NO RECALLS AND I SHOULD GET IT LOOKED AT. THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134468August 29, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2002 FORD EXPLORER, REAR END WHINING, REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME AT 48K MILES. NOW AGAIN AT 57K. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134440August 28, 2005
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN - MILEAGE 50,000. JUST NOTED WHILE DOING UNDERCARRIAGE INSPECTION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134447August 28, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
SO I BOUGHT A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER (V6) AND IMMEDIATELY HAD A LOUD VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR END. THE MECHANIC KNEW WHAT IT WAS BEFORE I FINISHED THE FIRST SENTENCE. HE INFORMED ME THAT I WAS HIS FOURTH 02 EXPLORER THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HE FURTHER INDICATED THAT, IN HIS OPINION, USING LIGHT WEIGHT ALUMINUM ALLOY FOR THE REAR END WAS A VERY POOR DESIGN CHOICE. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, AND, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, I JUMPED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I KEYWORD SEARCHED "2002 FORD EXPLORER" (YEAH, JUST THAT) AND HIT NUMBER ONE WAS A TWO PAGE TIRADE FROM QUITE A FEW OWNERS INDICATING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, EVERY 02 EXPLORER OWNER I KNOW (6 OF EM) SAID THEY HAVE OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW IS THERE NOT A RECALL? THAT '!@#$% COST ME 1200 DOLLARS. THAT WAS SIX MONTHS AGO. THERE'S ANOTHER VIBRATION IN THE REAR AGAIN. STATISTICALLY, THIS SURE SEEMS LIKE A COVER-UP BY FORD TO ME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134384August 27, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND WHINE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. DEALER HAS TO REPLACE REAR END AT MY COST. NO WAY A DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD GO OUT AT 48,000 MILES. DO NOT KNOW IF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED AT THIS TIME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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