Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10262612March 21, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHEELS
WHEEL HUBS ESPECIALLY THE REAR - CONSTANTLY GOING BAD USUALLY 12 MONTHS OR LESS- REAR DIFFERENTIAL VENTED WITH HOSE OVER REAR TIRE. CAUSES WATER TO GET INTO GEARS - MAJOR PROBLEM. I KEEP CATCHING THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY BECAUSE I NOW LOOK FOR THEM BUT IT HAS BEEN CLOSE - RECENTLY I HAD TO HAVE IT TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SITE AS IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262621March 21, 2009
VISIBILITY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
MY SUV WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I PUSHED THE REAR WINDOW RELEASE BUTTON TO OPEN THE REAR WINDOW AND IT EXPLODED. GLASS FRAGMENTS WERE FOUND UP TO 12 FEET IN ALL DIRECTIONS. THE NOISE IT MADE WAS LOUD, LIKE A SHOT GUN HAD GONE OFF. A PROFESSIONAL AUTO MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY REAR WINDOW REGULATOR MUST HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. CLEARLY THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT FORD SHOULD RECTIFY AND FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF ANYONE OWNING/USING THIS VEHICLE. I'M CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262654March 21, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THERE HAS NOT BEEN A TOTAL FAILURE YET, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ FROM OTHERS IT IS NOT TOO FAR OFF. I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL. FROM WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP TELLS ME THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE. FROM WHAT THE FORUM TELLS ME THAT IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END. FORD MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BY NOW, BUT AS I FAR AS I CAN TELL THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF FIXING THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ISSUE. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY AND DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A TOTAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, OR LEAVING MY WIFE AND KIDS STRANDED. THE OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH AND THE FOURTH AND FIFTH GEARS WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262664March 21, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED. WHILE IN THE CAR WASH, TWO THIRDS OF THE REAR PANEL FELL OFF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT AND THAT FORD HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS IF IT FELL OFF IN A CAR WASH WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT FELL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING 55-65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY? ALSO, I AM NOT THRILLED ABOUT THE IDEA OF HAVING TO SPEND $500 TO FIX A PIECE OF MY VEHICLE THAT SHOULD REMAIN INTACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262667March 21, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LEFT REAR BLINKER AND BRAKE LIGHT QUIT WORKING. BULBS AND FUSES WERE CHANGED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM WAS FOUND IN TILT STEERING COLUMN. A WIRE PULLED ITSELF FREE OF THE WIRE CONNECTION HARNESS DUE TO USAGE OF THE TILT STEERING FEATURE. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE LED TO A VERY SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT SINCE DRIVERS BEHIND THE VEHICLE HAD NO IDEA THE VEHICLE WAS PREPARING TO MAKE AN LEFT HAND TURN AND IT COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE ONLY ONE BRAKE LIGHT WORKED. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE STEERING COLUMN OFF AND REINSERTED THE WIRE INTO THE HARNESS AND APPLIED EPOXY TO SECURE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262518March 20, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHEELS
I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE BEARINGS REPLACED DUE TO PROBLEMS THAT MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND RESPECTIVE YEARS. ONCE THE BEARINGS WERE REPLACED I NOTICED MORE ISSUES WITH THE "SLIPPING" TRANSMISSION THAT MANY MANY MANY MORE HAVE ALREADY LODGED COMPLAINTS AGAINST. WHAT IS BEING DONE? WHEN CAN WE EXPECT ANSWERS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262524March 20, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY OD LIGHT STARTING BLINKING. THEN I STARTED HEARING A CLICKING NOISE. CAR SHUTTERED NUMEROUS DAYS, THEN WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THEN 25 MPH. HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REBUILT. HAD 92,000 MILE ON IT. EVIDENTLY FORD IA AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262541March 20, 2009
WHEELS
PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR MY 17 YR OLD DAUGHTER. A FEW WEEKS LATER SHE DROVE HOME FROM COLLEGE AND SAID SHE THOUGHT IT NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE CAR VIBRATING. SHE HAD SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS DONE. A COUPLE DAYS LATER SHE WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN HER AND THE PASSENGER HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR THAN BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY HARD AND LOOSE CONTROL. SHE COULD NOT KEEP ON THE ROAD AND ROLLED ACROSS THE INTERSTATE AND INTO THE MEDIAN. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BROKEN OFF THE CAR. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND THE TWO SURVIVED THE CRASH WITH NON LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. I CAN ONLY HOPE THE NEXT PERSON THIS HAPPENS TO IS AS LUCKY. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I REALIZED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE FORD RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE HURT OR KILLED? I HOPE THIS IS ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED.*TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10262434March 19, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SEVERE CRACKS IN BACK WINDOW HOUSING. CRACK IS SO SEVERE, CONSIDERATION OF WINDOW FALLING OUT IS POSSIBLE. INFORMATION PANEL REGISTERS DOOR AJAR WHICH CONSEQUENTLY FLASHES INTERNAL LIGHTS, RE-LOCKS DOORS, SETS WARNING BELLS TO GO OFF. OFTEN, DOOR AJAR DOES NOT REGISTER, BUT ELECTRIC LOCKS LOCK RE-LOCK AND LOCK MANY TIMES WITH WARNING BELLS GOING OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERING,MANY TIMES IN ONE INSTANCE. ALL ACTIVITIES HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT CAUSE OR REASON CAUSING SEVERE DISTRACTION TO DRIVER. THEFT ALARM GOES OFF AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOCKED SEVERAL HOURS; FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN UNLOCKED AND RE-LOCKED, CONTINUES TO GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I BELIEVE THE REAR WINDOW HOUSING BREAK IS THE ROOT OF ALL THIS ACTIVITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262479March 19, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE RPMS WOULD ACCELERATE VERY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND PERFORM AS IF IT WERE IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND INDICATED THAT THE SOLENOIDS WERE FAULTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 99,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262483March 19, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
THE GEAR SHIFT (PRNDL) FELL OFF THE STEERING COLUMN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE METAL THAT HOLD THE SHIFT GEAR FAILED. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE! VERY DANGEROUS! LUCKILY IT HAPPENED IN THE DRIVEWAY OR IT MAY HAVE LEAD TO INJURY/DEATH. IT IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE GEAR SHIFTER THAT LEADS TO THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/GEAR_SHIFT_PRNDL_FELL_OFF.SHTML. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262387March 18, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
2 CRACKS IN THE HATCHBACK ABOVE THE LOGO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262126March 17, 2009
POWER TRAIN, EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED THAT HAS HAD CONTINUOUS REAR AXLE LEAKING AND OPERATING ISSUES. I HAVE HAD THE BEARINGS REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE SHAFT AXLE SEAL REPLACED, THE KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND THE SPINDLE REPLACED. I HAD THIS WORK DONE AT CORTESE AUTO GROUP IN HENRIETTA NY (585-475-1211) IN JUNE OF 2007 AND APRIL OF 2008. I JUST NOTICED DIFFERENTIAL FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AREA ON MARCH 16, 2009 AND CALLED THE CORTESE GROUP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HONOR THEIR PREVIOUS REPAIR. THEY ADVISED ME THAT I WAS BEYOND THE "ORIGINAL PROBLEM" 2007 REPAIR DATE AND THE COST WAS ON MY OWN. TO REPAIR THIS LEAKY AXLE SEAL WILL COST ME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $400 AND CONSIDERING THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, I FEEL FORD MOTOR COMPANY OR CORTESE SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH NO COST TO ME. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT APPEARS THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AMONG FORD EXPLORERS (HAD I KNOWN THAT AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE, I WOULD HAVE RECONSIDERED BUYING FROM FORD). IF THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AMONG FORD EXPLORERS AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHY IS IT NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL AND REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE? PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE AND IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE ON BEHALF OF OTHER AFFECTED CONSUMERS. AFTER ALL, IN THIS TOUGH ECONOMY, WHO HAS $400 TO THROW AT A PROBLEM THAT WAS A KNOWN DEFICIENCY TO FORD AND ONE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262163March 17, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE AN 02 EXPLORER WITH 70K MILES ON IT AND THE O/D LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ARE BOTH ON. I WAS TOLD THAT 2ND AND 5TH SHIFTS ARE GONE AND THAT I SHOULD REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS READING DIFFERENT ARTICLES AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS CAR! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261968March 16, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD CLANG FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. I FELT THE BACK OF THE CAR DROP. LUCKILY, I WAS ONLY ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM HOME SO I DROVE IT HOME. LOOKING UNDER THE CAR ONCE I GOT IT HOME IT WAS IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING HAD JUST SNAPPED. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING OR GOING OFF ROAD; IT IS STRICTLY A HIGHWAY VEHICLE. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PROBLEM, HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY OR THE TURNPIKE IT COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT MY BACK TIRE CAUSING A WRECK. BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261992March 16, 2009
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER) AND HAD THE BOLTS REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE SEAT RECLINED ALL THE WAY BACK AND NOT FORWARD. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE SEAT CUSHION AND NOTICED THAT THE BOLT IN THE MECHANISM WAS IN PLACE; HOWEVER, THE FRAME FAILED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FRAME FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR IT AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT WHEN THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BOLT, THEY MAY HAVE WEAKENED THE FRAME, WHICH MEANS THE REPAIR SHOULD BE PERFORMED FOR FREE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO PURCHASE A NEW SEAT. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261803March 14, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHINING FROM THE REAR HAS GROWN TO A LOUD ROAR AT ANY SPEED OVER 10MPH. WE DON'T DRIVE THIS CAR VERY OFTEN, SO WE IGNORED THE PROBLEM THINKING IT WAS THE TIRES. FROM ALL I HAVE READ AND HEARD, THIS CAN ONLY END IN A BAD SITUATION SINCE IT INVOLVES THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LABELED AS A RECALL AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261827March 14, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE ON 2002 EXPLORER FOR UNKNOW REASON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261829March 14, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SAME PROBLEM EVERYONE ELSE HAS. I HAVE A 2002 EXPLORER TRANS WENT HAD TO GET IT REBUILT. ONLY HAD THIS EXPLORER 11 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261837March 14, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MY O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING ALONG WITH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE COMPLAINT #1 WITH THIS VEHICLE IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET. I SEEM TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION REBUILD COMING MY WAY. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN TOUGH TO SWITCH FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. NOW MY LIGHTS ARE FLASHING AND IT HAS A HECK OF A TIME SWITCHING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I HAVE 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE ISSUE #2 FROM THE INTERNET COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. MY TAILGATE MOLDED PLASTIC BENEATH MY REAR WINDOW SPLIT IN HALF AND FELL OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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