Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10417483August 3, 2011
POWER TRAIN
OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF, AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. WOULD STAY IN A LOWER GEAR DURING ACCELERATION AS THE RPM CONTINUED TO CLIMB. HAD STORED CODES DIAGNOSED WITH THE FOLLOWING: P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO), P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO), P0734 (GEAR 4 INCORRECT RATIO). WAS ADVISED NOT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. REQUIRED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD (BY AN INDEPENDENT INCLUDING UPGRADES) INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER DUE TO EXCESSIVE METAL FILINGS THROUGHOUT. TOTAL COST $2581.60. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING (NO HITCH) AND IS NOT ABUSED. . INVESTIGATION ON THE WEB REVEALS THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO BE QUITE COMMON, CITING WEAKNESSES IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. CREATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION BECAUSE THE FAILURE CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME AT WHICH POINT THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416539August 1, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UP WITH HER FOOT BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A FEW SMALL TREES IN A WOODED AREA. THE DRIVER PREVIOUSLY SUFFERED FROM SPINAL INJURIES AND EXPERIENCED BACK AND HIP PAIN. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED BY A DOCTOR FOR THE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ UPDATED 10/05/11
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10415299July 27, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I NEVER HAVE ANY WARNING BEFORE MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM 2ND GEAR INTO 3RD GEAR, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS MY OD DASH LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING; THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE FIRST MONTH I THAT I HAVE OWNED (APRIL 2007, WITH 77,000 MILES). I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY WILL NOT TOUCH IT UNLESS I PAID $195. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THAT DONE UNLESS THE COST GOES TOWARDS A REPAIR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE HAPPENING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415333July 27, 2011
SUSPENSION:REAR
BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS (STRUT ASSEMBILES) BROKEN ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. BREAKS IN STEEL COIL SPRINGS DISCOVERED DURING DEALER INSPECTION IN 2010. VEHICLE IS USED FOR STANDARD DAILY DRIVING ON PAVED ROADS. RESULTED IN SAGGING REAR OF VEHICLE AND DEGRADED VEHICLE CONTROL IN BUMPY TERRAIN. PARTS LIKELY BROKEN FOR SOME TIME BEFORE DETECTION. REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. PHOTOS OF BROKEN PARTS AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415400July 27, 2011
SEAT BELTS
2002 FORD EXPLORER LF SEATBELT BUCKLE PRETENSIONER BAD. AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AFTER TWO REPLACEMENTS OF OVER 300.00 EA. SAFETY ISSUE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415134July 26, 2011
SUSPENSION
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER/MERCURY MOUNTAINEER MODELS (4 DOORS). I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR XLS WITH 150,000 MILES. RECENTLY MY VEHICLE BECAME VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHEN I ACCELERATE AND THEN RELEASE THE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD "PUSH" TO ONE SIDE OR ANOTHER. ALSO GOING AROUND CURVES I WOULD GET A "DEATH WOBBLE" WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD "PUSH" FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN ALMOST A SWINGING MOTION AND WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO CORRECT IT, IT CONTINUES TO SWING EXCESSIVELY BACK AND FORTH. TONIGHT I WENT TO CHECK MY WHEEL BEARINGS THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM, AND I FOUND 3 OUT OF THE 4 COIL SPRINGS ON THE STRUTS WERE BROKEN. BOTH REAR COILS WERE SHATTERED (EASIEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT) AT THE TOP OF THE SPRING. I COULD LITERALLY PULL PIECES OF COIL SPRING OUT OF THE COIL. THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING WAS ALSO CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH, NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE COIL. I HAVE SPENT ALOT OF TIME WORKING ON CARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEE 3 COIL SPRINGS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY ARE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD!!! I ALSO DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND READ WHERE OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD SPRING FAILURES AS LOW AS 75,000 MILES!! PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE THERE ARE SO MANY OF THESE ON THE ROAD. I WORK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THIS I FEEL IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AFTER EXPERIENCING THE LOSS OF CONTROL YOU HAVE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE ILLINOIS WINTER WITH ICE ON THE ROADS IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. I WILL BE REPLACING THE ENTIRE STRUT/COIL SPRING ASSEMBLY SING THE REAR SPRINGS HAVE COLLAPSED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE SPRING IS RUBBING ON THE STRUT BODIES. ONE OF THE ISSUES IS, WITH EXCEPTION OF THE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS, THE VEHICLE SITS LEVEL AND CLOSE TO ITS NORMAL RIDE HEIGHT AND ITS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL 3 SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. I WILL BE TAKING PICTURES TO DOCUMENT THIS FAILURE AND I WILL BE WILLING TO PROVIDE THIS TO YOU. I MAY ALSO SAVE THE OLD PARTS IF YOU WOULD LIKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415126July 25, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM GETTING GROCERIES AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WAS AT A INTERSECTION SO IT WAS A UNPLEASANT SITUATION AS THEIR WAS ONCOMING CARS. PULLED THE CAR OVER AND SHUT OFF.. CHECKED FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID.. THERE WAS NONE. STARTED CAR AND IT WOULD ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 15 MPH THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. THE OVERDRIVE CONTROL ON THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. 2200 REPAIR.. CHECKED THE RECALLS AND THERE CURRENTLY IS NOT ONE EVEN THOUGH THIS SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION HAS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINS (NOT OVER EXAGGERATING) THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATIONS CONSIDERING I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR A ON RAMP. THIS VEHICLE IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE AWAITING A RECALL OF WHEN MY FAMILY GETS THE FINANCIAL STABILITY TO REPAIR IT IN A NON FORD DEALERSHIP/REPAIR SHOP. THIS SUV GETS REGULAR FLUID FILLS/CHANGES AT THE CORRECT INTERVALS WITH DOCUMENTATION.. THIS TRANSMISSION IS "SEALED" WHICH MEANS IT CANNOT BE CHECKED FOR FLUID LOSS OR BAD FLUID. "BAD ENGINEERING" WHICH SHOULD REQUIRE A REPAIR AT FORDS EXPENSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10414654July 22, 2011
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
2002 FORD EXPLORER , HAD REAR END REPAIRED AT 75000.0 MILES BY FORD DEALER AND AGAIN IT'S MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AT 101000.0...LIKE ALL OTHERS, THEY STATE OUT OF WARRANTY AND WANT CUSTOMER TO PAY. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10414665July 22, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 177,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413885July 21, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND BOTH TURN SIGNALS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE LIGHTS AND STATED THAT THE WIRES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413687July 20, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AT 85,300 MILES, MUST HAVE IT REBUILT. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413261July 18, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2002 FORD EXPLORER-TRANSMISSION FAILURE-130,000 MILES-JULY 12, 2011 TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 119,000 MILES ON JAN. 13, 2010 BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER- BOTH FAILURES CONSISTED OF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR DURING NORMAL DRIVING. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES SPEED AND PASSENGERS ARE SUBJECT TO REAR END IMPACT OR SUDDEN SURGES OF SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS BACK INTO GEAR, CAUSING A POSSIBLE REAR END IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION STICKS IN ONE GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION SINCE 2002. MY LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT FMC FIGURES REVEALED THAT 30% OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THIS TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF SOME TYPE. HOWEVER FMC OFFERED VERY LITTLE RELIEF TO ITS CUSTOMERS. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS TIME FOR AN IMMEDIATE FORCED RECALL OF THIS TRANSMISSION. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413268July 18, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTER SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 183,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411931July 12, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSTRUCTION BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412017July 12, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSON SLIPPING GEARS, HARD TO SHIFT, AND NOT ACCELERATING IN APRIL 2008 AT 100K MILES. REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN AFTER ONLY 40K MORE MILES AND ONLY 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411723July 11, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 20 MPH, AND THE OVER DRIVE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE TYPE OF WARNING LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES, AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411742July 11, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2002 XPLORER, RECENTLY THE O.D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND THE TRUCK STARTED JERKING VIOLENTLY. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.I HAVE AN EIGHT YEAR OLD WHO WAS IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AT THE TIME.THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD AND SHOULD DEFINATELY BE LOOKED INTO. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410040June 30, 2011
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR CRACKED/CRUMBLING STRUT SPRINGS BOTH SIDES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10409288June 29, 2011
STEERING
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I NOW HAVE TO PAY $1360 FOR A REPLACEMENT (USED) STEERING COLUMN. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD VOLUNTARILY DO A RECALL, BEFORE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IS BROUGHT AGAINST THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10409083June 27, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS RIDING ALONG THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH MY TWO KIDS ON VACATION. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS . I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THEN CONTINUED ON FOR ABOUT 2 MILES THAN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK TEMP GAUGE CAME ON AND THE GAUGE WAS ALL THE WAY HOT. I WAITED FOR A SAFE PLACE ON THE SIDE OF THE RODE TO PULL OVER. AS SOON AS THE TRUCK WAS PUT IN PARK SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX AND THE HOOD. MY SON WHO WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SAID HIS LEGS FELT HOT. A PASSERBY PULLED OVER AND YELLED GET YOUR STUFF AND GET OUT OF THE TRUCK. WE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET WHAT WE COULD AND RUN. THE TRUCK STARTED TO BURN AND ALL WE COULD DO WAS WATCH. WE WERE STRANDED 4 HOURS FROM HOME. LUCKILY FOR US THE GOOD SAMARITANS PROBABLY SAVED OUR LIVES. THE TRUCK WENT FROM HOT TO FULLY INVOLVED IN A MATTER OF A FEW MINUTES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPT. CAME THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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