2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TODAY I DROVE MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER OUT AND UPON RETURNING HOME I COULD NOT SHIFT IT INTO PARK. I SWITCHED IT OFF THINKING THAT IF I CRANK IT UP AND TURN THE WHEELS IT WOULD GO INTO PARK BUT I COULDN'T EVEN CRANK IT UP BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN THE PARK GEAR. I PLAYED WITH IT FOR 20 MINUTES AND IT FINALLY WENT INTO PARK. I LET IT SIT FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND WENT BACK OUT AND CRANKED IT, IT WENT INTO GEAR. I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK CAME BACK AND PARKED. CRANKED IT UP ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER TO GO OUT AND IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK GEAR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM BUT IF IT'S SOMETHING SERIOUS THE DEALER CAN HAVE IT BACK. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE FORD REPAIR THEIR MALFUNCTIONS, WE ARE TALKING SOME SERIOUS MONEY ON THESE REPAIRS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF IS LOOKING FOR WORK NOW. PEOPLE WE NEED TO START PROTESTING OUT SIDE THESE DEALERSHIPS. THEY ARE GETTING RICH AND WE ARE SUFFERING AT THEIR MISHAPS. *TR

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.

SPARKPLUG WAS EJECTED FROM HEAD WHILE DRIVING. THE PLUG WAS MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATION AND PROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE CORRECT TORQUE. SPARKPLUG HOLE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE MACHINED FOR A NEW PLUG. CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS A FIRE HAZARD AS THE EMPTY CYLINDER FORCES AIR/FUEL MIXTURE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHERE EJECTED SPARK PLUG COULD IGNITE IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER FRACTURED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

THIS REQUESTED RECALL INVOLVES A 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVING AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DURING NORMAL USE, THE SHIFT LEVER BREAKS OFF AT A CAST ROTATING CYLINDER THAT TRANSMITS THE TORQUE FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER TO PUSH AND PULL THE CABLE THAT PUTS THE VEHICLE IN PARK, DRIVE, NEUTRAL, AND REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A TENDENCY TO JUMP OUT OF PARK EVEN BEFORE THE PART BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK AND ALMOST PINNED ME BETWEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE PARKED DOWNHILL. THIS WAS A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. FORD WANTS TO CHARGE $1500 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. WE ELECTED TO JUNK THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME UNTIL ANOTHER SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND. VEHICLE STILL DRIVES IF YOU REACH YOUR HAND AND PUSH/PULL THE TRANSMISSION CABLE TO SHIFT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR. WE CAN SEND THE BROKE OFF SECTION OF THE PART IF YOU WILL RETURN IT. ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME FAILURE FOR YEARS 2002 THROUGH 2005 FORD EXPLORERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING THE VEHICLE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AFTER STARTING THE CAR (LEAVING MY SON'S BASEBALL GAME WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN CAR!), I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF IN MY HANDS. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. IT REQUIRED A SPECIAL TOW TRUCK TO GET THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY QUOTED ME $1600 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. IF YOU SEARCH ONLINE THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS. WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BEEN ISSUED? THIS IS RIDICULOUS, AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE. WHAT IF YOU WERE GOING IN REVERSE AND TRIED TO SHIFT TO DRIVE AND THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF? YOU COULD CASE MAJOR ACCIDENTS. NOT TO MENTION GETTING STRANDED WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND NO WAY TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION! FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED - THIS PART THAT BROKE IS MADE OF CHEAP POT METAL, AND FORD DOES NOT MANUFACTURE OR SELL A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE SMALL PIECE THAT BROKE, INSTEAD THEY MAKE YOU BUY A $1200 STEERING COLUMN! SHAME ON FORD! *TR

FUELING SYSTEM/FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS MY SECOND 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE FIRST EXPLORER I HAD I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME. NOW THE CURRENT 2002 EXPLORER I HAVE NOW IS EXPERIENCE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I'M JUST AMAZED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER BUYERS AND IT STILL ISN'T CONSIDERED A RECALL. VERY FRUSTRATED! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE SHIFTER SO THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,957. UPDATED 11/03/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE THE SHIFTER ATTACHED AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CAME APART. THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/08/12

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT I PURCHASED 8 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE WINDOWS 8 TIMES NOW. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW GOES DOWN WHILE NOONE IS TOUCHING IT AND WILL NOT GO BACK UP. I HAVE JUMPED THE WINDOW UP AND DISCONNECTED THE PLUG UNTIL I COULD AFFORD IT EVERY TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE COST IS ABOUT $200 TO REPAIR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS SO FREQUENT AND UNTIL A PERSON CAN AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO JUMP YOUR WINDOW AND DISCONNECT THE PLUG, ALLOWING NONE OF THE WINDOWS TO GO DOWN. WHAT IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND PUTTING A WINDOW DOWN WAS THE ONLY WAY FOR AN ADULT OR A CHILD TO GET OUT OF THIS VEHICLE? TO ME THAT IS DANGEROUS! AND TERRIFYING! IN 8 MONTHS OF OWNING A VEHICLE THAT I PAID $6,500 FOR I HAVE NOW PUT $1,600 INTO ON TOP OF IT! AND I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE TO DO SO IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT RECALLED. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO 4 DIFFERENT GARAGES AND THE ONLY "FIX" OPTION I AM GETTING IS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH! THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING MORE THAN THIS IF THE SWITCH IS GOING BAD EVERY MONTH OR MORE! THIS LAST TIME IT TOOK A WHOLE 3 DAYS FOR THE SWITCH TO GO BAD AGAIN! I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS NOT DANGEROUS OR IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT LETS BE REAL HERE.....IF THE PLUG IS NOT CONNECTED THE WINDOWS CANNOT GOT DOWN. SO IF THERE IS A FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY OUT PEOPLE MAY DIE!! SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY TO JUST KEEP PAYING TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, HOWEVER IT IS GETTING EXPENSIVE AND IT IS NOT TRULY FIXING WHATEVER THE PROBLEM IS! FORD MADE THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS ISSUE!! *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER SPARK PLUG EJECTION ISSUE ON V8 4.6L ENGINE. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE HAD SPARK PLUGS EJECT FOR THE ENGINE. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FORD REDUCED THE NUMBER OF THREADS FOR THE SPARK PLUGS TO SAVE MACHINING TIME AND COSTS IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET THE SPARK PLUG THREADED BACK IN AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT SOMEWHERE FOR PROPER REPAIR. I AM NOT SO LUCKY THE SECOND TIME AS THE THREADS IN THE HEAD ARE DESTROYED. NOW I HAVE THE EXTRA COST OF TOWING THE TRUCK FOR REPAIR. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS ON THIS ISSUE YET FORD CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE SAFETY OF IT'S CUSTOMERS. IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DESIGN DEFECTS. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR

TRANSMISSION HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT. HAVE HAD WORK DOWN ON IT AND FINALL Y HAD TO REPLACE IT IN MAY 2011, COST $5000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FRACTURE THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE LIFTGATE AND THE LIFTGATE WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT WERE ONLY MANDATED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE UNDER THE RECALL ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND THEN SHIFTING THE GEAR IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR SCRATCHES ON THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,900.

TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF STEERING COLUMN AS THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK. COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE HAD I BEEN ANYWHERE OTHER THAN MY HOME AND SHIFTING INTO ANY OTHER GEAR THAN PARK. THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT ONLY TO FIND INFORMATION ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE 2002 EXPLORERS (OVER 100 REPORTED ON ONE WEBSITE ALONE). OTHER ISSUES I'VE EXPERIENCED SINCE DAY 1 OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW ARE TRANSMISSION LUNGING, VEHICLE ROCKING WHEN PUT IN PARK, AND DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO PARK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO EXHIBITED SEVERE HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,071.

MY WIFE WAS PREPARING TO TAKE OUR 3 CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. SHE PUT OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. AFTER STOPPING, SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE, LEAVING HER WITH A CAR STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE KEYS ARE LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE, I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THIS IS NOT A RECALL ITEM AND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S RECOMMENDED FIX IS CHANGING OUT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. IS THIS REALLY TRUE? *TR

PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS !!!! THE EXPLORER GEAR SHIFTER IS DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE. THERE IS A COMMON THREAD WITH GEARSHIFT SELECTOR BREAKAGE ON FORD EXPLORERS WHICH INDICATES THAT RECALL IS URGENTLY NEEDED. AFTER PARKING, I TRIED TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM DRIVE TO PARK TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. TO MY ABSOLUTE ASTONISHMENT THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE LIKE A DANGLING BROKEN ARM IN THE REVERSE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED USELESS AND ME OPTIONLESS. I WORK AT A SECURE GOV'T FACILITY AND IT WAS NO PICNIC TRYING TO GET A TOW TRUCK DRIVER ACCESS. I FINALLY GOT THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AT $85. THE DEALER THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $1,690. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND NEEDED A DAY TO GET THE TRUCK BACK TO ME. I HAD TO RENT A CAR WHICH WAS ANOTHER $102 BUCKS. MAKE FORD TAKE CARE OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD. I ASKED FOR THE PART AND CAN SHOW YOU WHAT BROKE INSIDE WHICH IS LITERALLY A WEAK METAL HOUSING THAT THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE FITS IN.... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. THE OVER DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FIRST AND SECOND GEARS OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF WHILE SWITCHING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC SINCE THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVE IT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WONT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. *TR

DRIVING 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHEN O/D LIGHT FLASHED AND WARNING CAME ON TO CHECK TRANSMISSION. WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EB AND THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THE TRANNY IS SLIPPING LIKE CRAZY AND ITS HARD TO CHANGE FROM PARK TO DRIVE. I HAVE LOOKED IT UP AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND IT IS A CLOSED TRANNY SO I CANT EVEN CHECK THE FLUID IN IT BUT FORD IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE I WILL NEVER OWN A FORD AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE GEARS SLIPPING WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT AND TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED INJURIES BUT THEY WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 291,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION DIED FOR THE SECOND TIME AFTER I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE IT, 75,000 MILES AGO. I AM NOW SITTING AT 156000 AND IT IS DOING THE SAME THINGS AGAIN. THIS GIVES ME SUCH A BAD TASTE TOWARD FORD, AND I HAVE BEEN A DIE HARD FORD GUY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO PARK OR REVERSE, CAR WOULD SOMETIME STILL BE IN DRIVE FOR SECONDS AFTER PUTTING CAR IN GEAR. SEVERAL TIMES NOW, OCCASIONALLY CAR WILL SIMPLY SHUT OFF. RECENTLY, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK AND SHIFTER SEPARATED FROM STEERING COLUMN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT JERKS AND STRUGGLES TO CHANGE GEARS. WHEN YOU TRAVEL AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IT WHINES AND JERKS WHEN IT CHANGES GEARS AND WHEN YOU'RE STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT MAKES WEIRD NOISES AND HESITATES WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS. WE HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED OVER THE YEARS.

GEAR SHIFT IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY CAR IN GEAR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE LOCAL DEALER THAT THE PART IS PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT WOULD COST APPROX. $1200.00 TO REPLACE. THE PART THAT BROKE IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND IS ONLY ABOUT 4-5 INCHES LONG. THIS WAS A DANGER TO ME BECAUSE MY DRIVEWAY IS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. IN ADDITION IF THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, I COULD OF HAD CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE AND HOW WOULD I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN PARK? *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A REAR END NOISE IT IS REALLY LOUD I'VE NOTICED MANY EXPLORERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACE REAR AXLE THE WHOLE REAR END AND THE NOISE COMES BACK I THINK ITS RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO PAY ALL THIS MONEY TO FIX IT WHEN ITS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM FOR FORD EXPLORERS. FORD SHOULD HAVE A SOLUTION BY NOW AND SHOULD FIX IT FOR FREE.THE NOISE IS A CONSTANT WHEN DRIVING. *TR

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH AT MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MY INFORMATION SCREEN SHOWED "CHECK TRANSMISSION" WHEN I GOT HOME, I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MY TRANSMISSION JUST WENT BAD AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO WHAT HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS SAY HAD TO BE DONE TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD BUT WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARD WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD MAKE DRIVING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND HE BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD, AS HE FELT HE WAS SITTING TO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,220.

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ON MY 02 FORD EXPLORER BROKE. THERE WASN'T ANY INDICATIONS PRIOR FOR US TO KNOW IT WOULD HAPPEN.WHEN IT DID IT FELL ONTO RUBBER STOPS BUT TRACTED CROOKED AND SPRING ALMOST HIT TIRE.I WENT TO DEALER THEY SAID NO RECALL CALL FORD. I CALLED FORD REP SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO JUSTIFY A RECALL OR FIX MY EXPLORER. I WENT TO LOCAL PARTS STORE AND BOUGHT MONROE QUIK STRUT.. INSTALLED MYSELF.SAVED OLD PARTS JUST IN CASE BECAUSE FORD SAID GET RID AND SAVE MY RECEIPT FOR PARTS IN CASE OF FUTURE RECALL.VEHICLE MILEAGE AT TIME WAS ABOUT 46,000 MILES. *TR

REAR COIL SPRING. AFTER HAVING TIRE ROTATED WAS INFORMED THAT DRIVER REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN. HAD BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS REPLACED SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE AN EVENTUAL PROBLEM DOWN THE ROAD. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHEN HE WENT TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT FELL OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS AND THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY HE WAS IN A PARKING SPOT. HAD HE BACKED OUT AND THIS HAPPENED AS HE WAS TRYING TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE HER COULD HAVE IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. IT IS VERY VERY VERY UNSAFE. THE CAR IS GETTING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT THIS TIME IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT WILL BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BUILD UP HAD CAUSED THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO POP OUT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE OR REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. A PRIVATE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE HINGES FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,738. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,229. *TR

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

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED, SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL/LOSING POWER IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION! FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. *TR

GOING OUT OF TOWN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC AT 65MPH. O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF. TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY AND I FELT THAT I LOST 5TH AND 2ND GEARS. SHOP RAN DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CODES P0732, P0735 AND P0775. CODES CONFIRMED PROBLEMS WITH 2ND AND 5TH GEARS AND SOLENOID B MALFUNCTION. *TR

2002 FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AT 80,000 MILES.*TR

WHILE BACKING UP, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT WAS GOOD THAT I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET THE CAR BACK IN GEAR AND COULD HAVE GOTTEN HIT AND OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND THE PARTS WERE IN MY OPINION OVER PRICED. MY FEAR IS THAT IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE IT MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

FORD HAS INFORMED DEALERS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. IF YOU MOVE THE SEAT TOO MUCH IT DISCONNECTS WITH THE AIR BAG. ALL FORD DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT FORD IS NOT WILLING TO ISSUE RECALL. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD REQUIRE ACTION. IT WOULD BE A SIMPLE FIX OF THE PRETENSIONER LOCATED UNDER THE SEATS. *TR

I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND ITS TRANSMISSION WOES. ALERTED BY A FLASHING OD YELLOW WARNING LIGHT, AFTER A TRIP TO THE GARAGE AND RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I DISCOVER THIS IS A SIGN THAT I WILL NEED A $3000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 99K MILES THAT WAS CAREFULLY USED AND DEALER SERVICED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD AND HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY IF WITH CONSUMERS. *TR

FORD EXPLORER CRACKED REAR PANEL. *TR

OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 109,000 MILES HAS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. THE LOCAL DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP STATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST BETWEEN $2,500 AND $3,500. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION BECAUSE THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND BALL BEARINGS ALSO NEED REPLACED ACCORDING TO 2 SEPARATE MECHANICS. THERE IS A RANDOM THUMPING COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE DAILY. THE COST TO REPAIR IS BETWEEN $2,000 AND $5,000. THEY CANNOT TELL US EXACTLY UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY GET IN THERE TO DO THE REPAIR. *TR