Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10290329October 30, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON INTERSTATE 64. THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE, RIDICULOUS!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290394October 30, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290126October 28, 2009
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
THIS COMPLAINT IS CONCERNING THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS AND THE FREQUENCY IN WHICH THEY BREAK OR COME LOSE CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE ON 5 OCCASIONS, THE LAST OF WHICH FORD REFUSES TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST DUE TO IT BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY 2007 WHEN MY RIGHT FRONT BEARING BROKE WHILE I WAS ON AN HIGHWAY OVERPASS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AS THE WHEEL NEARLY COMES OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE VEHICLE JERKS. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED IN JANUARY 2008 WHEN MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING BROKE. THIS TIME I WAS THANKFULLY NOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY BUT ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AS IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR THIS TIME I REQUESTED THAT THE REAR BEARINGS BE CHECKED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THOSE TWO BEARINGS ALSO NEEDED REPLACEMENT. NOW, IN OCTOBER 2009, ONCE AGAIN MY FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING IS LOSE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED FORD REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BEARINGS ARE FAULTY AND THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE BUT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER JUST SAYS TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. THEY ALSO WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR AS IT IS OUT OF THEIR 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. I HAVE STARTED RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND 28 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND THIS IS JUST ONE WEBSITE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE BEARINGS ON 2002 EXPLORERS. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SEALED FACTORY PART THAT USUALLY DOES NOT REQUIRE REPAIR AND I AM ON MY FIFTH REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289899October 26, 2009
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE WHEELS LOCKED; WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289714October 25, 2009
STEERING
THERE IS A COMMON THREAD WITH GEARSHIFT SELECTOR BREAKAGE ON FORD EXPLORERS WHICH INDICATES THAT RECALL IS URGENTLY NEEDED. IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE, WITH CAR IN PARK, I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT. THE GEARSHIFT SELECTOR ON THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE OFF AND JUST DANGLED. I REMOVED THE RUBBER COVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN TO HAVE A LOOK, AND I COULD SEE ROUGH METAL WHERE END OF GEARSHIFT SELECTOR ROD MEETS WITH JOINT INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN, INDICATING THAT THE METAL SIMPLY BROKE THERE. CALLED SERVICE AT FORD DEALER IN HENDERSON NV, WAS TOLD THAT ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT PARTS + LABOR COST OF $1920. HAD I BEEN PARKED ON A HILLY STREET IN SAN FRANCISCO, E.G., A SERIOUS ACCIDENT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. RECALL IS URGENTLY NEEDED BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED DUE TO THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289694October 24, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER V8 LIMITED EVENT LEADING TO FAILURE: LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN TRANS. AND LURCHING, SLIPPAGE OF GEARS. FAILURE: TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. PERMANENT FAILURE. COULD POTENTIAL KILL SOMEONE IF LURCHES AND HITS CAR OR PEDESTRIAN. NO ACTION DONE YET TO COSTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289319October 22, 2009
WHEELS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER(XLS)ONE BY ONE EACH WHEEL(BEARING) HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED!THE WHEELS ON MY TRUCK WERE ACTUALLY ABOUT TO FALL OFF IT WAS SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS! IT STARTS OUT WITH A SQUEAKING SOUND LIKE THE BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT NO IT WASN'T THE BRAKES WHICH REPAIRS AND PARTS TOGETHER RANGE FROM $60 TO $90 IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARING WHICH REPAIRS AND PARTS TOGETHER RANGE FROM $300 TO $400!I HAD TO GET EVERY WHEEL REPAIRED ONE BY ONE WITHIN 6 MONTHS SO YOU DO THE MATH.ALSO MY (OD)LIGHT FLICKERS AND MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JUMPS IN TO GEAR!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289253October 21, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT - TRANSMISSION FAILURE - PURCHASED NEW IN 9-02 WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AND REPLACED AT 65K MILES BY DEALERSHIP UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AT 130K MILES. AT 136K MILES, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AT RANDOM, WILL NOT ENGAGE FROM STOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289071October 20, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT
I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN AUGUST 2002. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE GEAR PROBLEMS SINCE 2003. WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER MY TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND JUST IMMEDIATELY STOP ACCELERATING AND OFTEN COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SINCE 2003 AND HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK INTO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES. TWO TIMES THEY SAID NOTHING WAS FOUND. IN MARCH 2004 THEY FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, DID A QUICK FLUSH TO THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE TORQUE AND SENT ME BACK OUT WITH THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. ON 10/16/09 NOW THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND ONCE AGAIN I BROUGHT IT BACK IN AND NOW THEY SAY I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES AND THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A SAFETY OR MANUFACTURES DEFECT!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD, AND WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, HOW COULD THIS NOT BE A DEFECT. I HAVE LUCKILY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLIPS GEARS, STOPS ACCELERATING AND I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY THROW ON MY HAZARDS, AND TRY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY!! I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT NEARLY 800 OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME SORT OF TRANSMISSION RELATED PROBLEMS AND HAVE POSTED THEM ON AUTO BEEF. I REALLY NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME AND LOOK OUT FOR THE HONEST, AMERICANS WHO HAVE BROUGHT AN AMERCIAN CAR AND ARE BEING LIED TO AND TREATED WITH NO CUSTOMER SERVICE OR RESPECT. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY AMERICANS ARE BUYING FOREIGN MADE CARS!! PLEASE HELP US AND RECALL THE TRANSMISSION, AND HAVE THE CORRECT PEOPLE HELD ACCOUNTABLE...THE MAKER, NOT THE BUYER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288956October 19, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 83,000 MILES ON IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION FROM FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288981October 19, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE ODLIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP, AND WOULD NOT MOVE! I HAD TO CUT THE CAR ON AND OFF MANY TIMES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY BEGAN TO MOVE AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE BECAUSE I AM SIX MONTHS PREGNANT, AND THAT CAN BE SCARY DRIVING AND YOUR CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288722October 17, 2009
WHEELS
WE HAVE OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW. ON OCTOBER 13, 2009 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, THANKFULLY AT A SLOW SPEED, HE TURNED A CORNER AND REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE CAR, THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. SO HE SLOWED DOWN AND STARTED TO PULL OVER, HE THEN LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW TO SEE THE TIRE ROLLING OFF THE CAR AND DOWN THE STREET. THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE TIRE FELL OFF THE CAR. IT HAD SHEARED ALL THE LUG NUTS OFF. IF THE TIRE WERE TO FALL OFF AT HIGH SPEEDS THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH TO THE PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AND POSE A THREAT TO OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED EITHER. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF OF THE SAME WHEEL, WE THOUGHT THE FIRST TIME WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS - SLOW SPEED, TURNED AT A STOPLIGHT, THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG, THEN PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE TIRE FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE, ALL LUG NUTS WERE SHEARED OFF. WE HAD NO RECENT WORK ON THE TIRES OR THE VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY LOOSEN THE LUG NUTS FOR EITHER OCCURRENCE. TO FIX THIS FAILURE WE ARE HAVING THE CAR TOWED AND THE LUG NUTS REPLACED, AGAIN, ALONG WITH A PANEL THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE TIRE COMING OFF. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ESPECIALLY WITH OUR CHILDREN AS THE TIRE CAN JUST COME OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, AS I SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE THERE ARE EIGHT OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 2002 MODEL EXPLORERS AND SEVEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2003 EXPLORER YEAR AND TWO FOR THE 2004 YEAR AS WELL. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED! I ALSO FOUND ON THE WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM WEBSITE OTHER PEOPLES EXPERIENCES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN FORD EXPLORERS FOR THE YEARS 2002, 2003, AND 2004. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, IT IS A SERIOUS DEFECT! - *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287473October 15, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE HAD EXPERIENCED BETWEEN 5-6 MAJOR COLLISIONS/CRASHES WITH THE VEHICLE AND SUSPECTS THAT THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAGS WERE DUE TO THE INCIDENCES. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT SPECULATE THAT THE PREVIOUS CRASHES CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE, AND REPAIRS COST OVER $3,000.00. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 11/23/09. *LJ THE REAR PINION SEAL WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 11/24/09
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288532October 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION STUTTERS AND SHIFTS HARD. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND PAID FOR NOTHING AS NOTHING HAS CHANGED - THE SITUATION HAS BEEN WORSENING OVER TIME. THEY HAVE CHANGED FLUIDS, REPROGRAMMED A CHIP AND TEST DRIVEN IT MANY TIMES - SAYS THEY DON'T FEEL ANYTHING WRONG. IT IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288566October 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER V6 4X4, HAD SHIFTING ISSUES OCCURRED RANDOMLY AT FIRST WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AT LIGHTS OR PULLING INTO INTERSECTION. THE FIRST DAY OR SO IT HAPPENED SPORADICALLY SO WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS BOTH STATED DO NOT NEED REPAIRED AND SHOWS NO CODES. THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN DEC. 2001 AND HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE WITH ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EVEN MORE WORRISOME DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AFTER SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS AND ALMOST ACCIDENTS, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. NEW MECHANIC LOOKED IT OVER, DROVE IT AND SUGGESTED I TAKE TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE. AS I DROVE IT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. MECHANIC STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT/REPLACED-THIRD GEAR BAND IS BROKEN. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT MANY FORD 2002 EXPLORERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. EACH TIME IT OCCURRED THERE WAS HESITATION WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS, RPM'S INCREASE BUT SLOW OR NO ACCELERATION. FROM ALL INFO I HAVE SEEN IN MY RESEARCH AND BASED ON EXPERIENCED MECHANICS I SPOKE TO THERE WERE DESIGN FLAWS IN THESE 2002 VEHICLE TRANSMISSIONS (ONLY USED BY FORD FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS). THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE PROBLEM JUST STARTED HAPPENING. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER COSTLY REPAIR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE--THIS BEING THE MOST DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE. I AM A SINGLE MOM-GRANDMOM AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS $2500-$3000 PROBLEM. WHAT DO I DO NOW?! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287318October 14, 2009
POWER TRAIN
TRUCK SLOWS DOWN WHEN I HIT 20 TO 30, AND LEADS WITH A VIOLENT JERK. TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY SAID ITS MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287326October 14, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEAVER AND LINKAGE PULLED OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD TO CHECK TRAILER GOT BACK IN WENT TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE LEAVER FELL OFF NOW I'M PART WAY ON HIGHWAY HAD TO BE TOWED LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT SOME IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED COST 1200.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287273October 13, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, O/D SIGNAL STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. NOW TRANSMISSION IS SLOW AND HARD SHIFTING. WE REPLACED THE PRESSURE SWITCH SOLENOID AND CHANGED TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID. WE HAD IT PUT ON A COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THAT IT WHAT IT SAID, PRESSURE SENSOR SOLENOID. SPENT ALMOST $400. AND IT DIDN'T WORK. IT HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287101October 12, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING MY OD OFF LIGHT STARTED FLICKING AND MY CAR FELT AS IF IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. I COULD NOT KEEP UP TO SPEED AND MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND COULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE, THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE GEARS WORKED AS SHOULD. AROUND 40 MILES LATER, I WAS OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY AND AT A STOP LIGHT, AS I ACCELERATED, THE OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN AND SHIFTING WAS HARD, THEN AGAIN ONCE I WAS UP TO SPEED IT FELT AS IF THE GEARS SLIPPED, I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SLOWED. WHAT SAVED ME THIS TIME WAS I WAS OFF THE MAJOR HIGHWAY AND ON A SIDE COUNTRY ROAD WITH VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENED OCTOBER 10, 2009. THE CAR HAS NOT YET BEEN SERVICED AS IT WAS OVER THE WEEKEND THIS HAPPENED AND TODAY BEING A HOLIDAY, MY KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL, AND I WILL NOT PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. LIKE I SAID THERE WAS NO WARNING TO THESE EVENTS. I FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286822October 8, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AFTER DAYS OF NOT SHIFTING RIGHT,,IT FINALLY, STOPPED COMPLETELY,,,THIS HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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