2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIFT GATE PANEL WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 154,000.

THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED SHIFTING CORRECTLY, STARTED MAKING BAD NOISES, WON'T SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR, AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS FLASHING SPASTIC. THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE, AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM FROM WHAT I HAVE READ. I AM ABOUT TO TAKE IT INTO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. *TR

I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE FRONT & REAR STRUTS REPLACED. THEY FOUND THAT ALL OF THE SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. ABOUT 1/2 TO 3/4 OF THE TOP COIL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE SPRING.

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CHANGED AND BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 80000 MILES FOR ME BUT IS SO WIDE SPREAD IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL THAT IT OCCURS OVER AND OVER. *LN

TRANSMISSION FAILURE

I WAS DRIVING MY EXPLORER YESTERDAY AND IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS AND INSTEAD SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION OR A TIRE GETTING BUSTED. THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND START FLASHING. IT WOULD RESET ITSELF EVERYTIME THE CAR WAS RESTARTED BUT IMMEDIATELY CAME BACK ON. LATER IN THE EVENING, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I'M NOT ONE TO WAIT AND LET SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPEN TO MY VEHICLES SO I TOOK IT TO AAMCO AFTER FORD TOLD US THEY WERE TOO BUSY TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT. AAMCO EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE SOLENOID PACK. UPON OPENING THE PAN UNDERNEATH, THEY EXPLAINED THAT IF THERE WERE METAL CHUNKS IT WOULD BE THE TRANSMISSION; IF NOT, THE SOLENOID PACK. SURE ENOUGH, THERE WERE BIG METAL CHUNKS. NOW, AFTER HAVING THE CAR ONLY TWO MONTHS, I'M HAVING TO COME UP WITH MONEY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN A CAR THAT APPEARED TO BE IN STELLAR CONDITION. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH TODAY, APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE FORD EXPLORER. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP THEIR QUALITY OF EQUIPMENT USED IN THEIR VEHICLES. IT IS SCARY TO KNOW I COULD HAVE BEEN IN TRAFFIC OR SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THE CAR DIE AND LEAVE ME STRANDED OR HURT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS STANDING UNDER THE REAR LIFT GATE WHEN IT CLOSED ON ITS OWN AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE SEVERE INJURIES BUT SUSTAINED A HEADACHE AND CUTS ON HER HEAD. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07E104000 (COMPONENT: VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR) ON THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VEHICLE COULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND IF THE TECHNICIANS DETERMINED THE REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY, THEY WOULD COVER THE COSTS OF THE GLASS BUT IF THEY WERE DONE CORRECTLY, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,263.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON THE REAR LIFT GATE. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, ORIGINAL PLUGS IN IT FROM DEALER. TODAY I HAD A PLUG EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE RESTING ON TOP OF THE HEAD. LUCKILY I KNOW ABOUT CARS AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. INCIDENT IS COMMON IN FORDS AND COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE INJURY, SINCE EJECTED PLUG COULD LEAD UP TO EXCESSIVE GASOLINE VAPORS WHICH COULD BE IGNITED BY LOOSE PLUG CAUSING FIRE. *TR

THE FACTORY ALARM WILL GO OFF RANDOMLY DURING THE NIGHT. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THIS ISSUE WORKED OUT WITH FORD. WE HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT RESOLVED AND EACH TIME IT IS FIXED, THE ISSUE RETURNS WITHIN A FEW WEEKS. *TR

WHILE INSPECTING THE LEFT, REAR WHEEL BEARING A BROKEN SPRING WAS FOUND. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WAS ALSO IN A STAGE OF FAILURE. A LOAD NOISE LIKE THE VEHICLE HAD "TRUCK TIRES" WAS COMING FROM THE REAR. THE SPRING WAS FRACTURED AT THE TOP IN MULTIPLE PLACES AND PARTIALLY COLLAPSED

REAR PANEL CRACKED IN HALF, VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT IT JUST HAPPENED. *TR

AT 105K MILES, OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER STARTED SHAKING AS IT SHIFTED THROUGH THE GEARS. WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER WHO CHARGED $2,000 FOR "FIXING" THE PROBLEM. DRIVING AWAY FROM THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THERE WAS ANOTHER ERROR CODE THAT COST US $30. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, AND TODAY FORD SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. AT JUST OVER 100K MILES, THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD COMPLETELY GO OUT. WE ARE NOW LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT WE CAN'T SELL AND CAN'T DRIVE. LOOKING AT SEVERAL OTHER DESCRIPTIONS ON THIS WEBSITE, IT IS APPARENT THAT FORD CONTINUES TO IGNORE THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE. *TR

VERTICAL CRACK REAR LIFE WINDOW ASSEMBLY NEAR 2002 FORD EXPLORER LOGO. VERTICAL CRACK GOES BETWEEN WINDOW GLASS AND BOTTOM OF LIFT WINDOW. I FEEL THE WHOLE REAR WINDOW GLASS WILL FAIL ON THE HIGHWAY AND SERIOUSLY EFFECT OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE HAIL OF GLASS. RECALL OF HINGES HAD BEEN COMPLETED RIGHT AFTER ORIGINAL NEW PURCHASE. *TR

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWO BALL BEARINGS IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. FIRST THE BACK LEFT AND NOW THE BACK RIGHT. WITH THE LATEST, THE BACK LEFT, THE TIRE ON THE BACK LEFT WAS ALMOST SEIZING UP FROM THE PROBLEM AND MY CAR WAS LEADING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT FROM THE GRINDING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR DETACHED FROM THE HINGE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONCE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,797 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,846. UPDATED 07/27/11*LJ

THE PLASTIC PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED. FOUND OUT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP OUT. MY REPAIR COST WILL BE ABOUT $500. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN DEFECT. FORD SHOULD REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER I BOUGHT ABOUT A YEAR AGO. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE..I HAVE MY ABS LIGHT ON..WHEN I TRY TO STOP THE CAR MY BRAKE ENGAGE BUT WHEN IT COME TO THE FINAL STOP IT GIVES AND THE PRESSURE ON THE TRUCK IS NO LONGER THERE.. I FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO CRASH IN TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO THE MECHANIC AND CHECKED EVERYTHING AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.. NO LEAKS OR ANYTHING.. BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING IT... I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES REGARDING THE BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY.. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.. THANK YOU *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING, AS MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS I AM AFRAID THIS IS A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, I WANT FORD TO BE LIABLE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM OF SUCH A BIG MAGNITUDE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT(NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO HELP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 107,000.

LEFT SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED SUDDENLY WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE OF HIS RESIDENCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT BY THE TIME HAD ARRIVED, THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE WERE DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS DEEMED AS THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE CONTACTS DRIVEWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED

THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AT 36,000 MILES AND IS NOW NEEDING TO BE REBUILT AGAIN AT 74,000 MILES. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE SOME OF THE COST ABSORBED BY PURCHASING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING ROUGH AGAIN A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THEN QUICKLY PROGRESSED TO FULLY SKIPPING 3RD GEAR. WE ARE NOW FACING REBUILDING IT AGAIN. WE HAVE READ UP ON THE PROBLEM AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT IS VERY COMMON FOR THE EARLIER BUILT 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. WE HAVE EVEN DISCOVERED A POSTING ON A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN EXPLAINING EXACTLY OUR SITUATION (HTTP://216.198.221.184/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=2595868) TSB 04-24-17. THE MOST FRUSTRATING THING IS THAT FORD IS AWARE THEY BUILT A FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT WILL NEED TO BE REBUILT EVERY 35,000-40,000 MILES AND THEY ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. UPON PURCHASING A CAR I FEEL THAT IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO LAST MORE THAN 40,000 MILES. WE ARE NOW IN THE UNUSUAL SITUATION WHERE WE NO LONGER WANT TO OWN THIS VEHICLE BUT FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE SELLING IT TO ANYONE KNOWING THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THAT THE NEW OWNER WILL ALSO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS OF REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION IN ANOTHER 40,000 MILES. *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE OVERDRIVE AND SERVICE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CONVERTER BODY WAS REBUILT. IN ADDITION, REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE OVERDRIVE PISTON, OVERDRIVE SPEED SENSOR, OVERDRIVE BAND, CARRIER PLANTER, AND REVERSE BOARD BUSHING. THE MECHANIC ALSO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,411 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,445. UPDATED 2/28/11 *CN UPDATED 06/03/11*JB

ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS HARD TO PRESS, RPM REMAINED HIGH 3000 - 4000. EVENTUALLY THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK - GO WAS GOING 70 MPH. HAD TO STRUT OF ENGINE MECHANIC REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE - NOTED CABLE WAS KINKED AND FRAYED - VERY DANGEROUS AND THAT I SHOULD REPORT IT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER AT 15000 MILES; BOUGHT TRUCK USED FROM MY BROTHER. HE NEVER DROVE IT BECAUSE HE HAD A COMPANY CAR. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IT HOME, DOOR AJAR LIGHT NEVER WENT OUT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON(SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT RIGHT BACK TO MY BROTHER).$650.00 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP, $100.00 TO FIX DOOR AJAR LIGHT(FIXED MYSELF), $600.00 TO FIX CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THAT PROBLEM WAS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHICH PLACE CHECKED THE ERROR CODES. NOW THE FUEL GAGE IS GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND VERY POOR MPG. WAS TOLD THE SENDING UNIT IS PROBABLE CAUSE. NOW THIS 2002 EXPLORER STILL UNDER 20,000 MILES. WHAT NEXT!! *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER HUB ASSEMBLY/WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THE LEFT REAR TIRE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND HAD TO BE TOWED. UPON INSPECTION THE BEARING HAD RIPPED APART SO BAD YOU COULD SEE THE METAL COMING OUT OF THE REAR SIDE OF THE TIRE, WHERE THE AXLE SHAFT CONNECTS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, RIGHT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY WAS VERY LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 2 WEEKS LATER, THE FRONT LEFT HUB IS SO BAD THAT IT'S ROARING AND THUMPING AND FEELS LIKE IT'S ALSO READY TO LOCK UP. 88K MILES ON EXPLORER, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE REAR HUB WERE REPLACED. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY EITHER A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OR JUST SUBSTANDARD DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE PARTS PRODUCED BY FORD. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS, DRIVING O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING TO SHIFT CORRECTLY, NEEDS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY O/D OFF LIGHT HAS STARTED FLASHING AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARD. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THAT IS A $2800 JOB. THIS IS AFTER A YEAR AND HALF AGO I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. WHICH WAS A $2400 JOB. I DON'T SEE EXACTLY HOW I COULD HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO TRANSMISSIONS IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER - EDDIE BAUER EDITION. TRANSMISSION O/D LIGHT TURNED ON WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL. CAR HAS LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT! READ THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORERS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/O_D_LIGHT_IS_BLINKING.SHTML PLEASE HELP. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT ON IT. I WILL TELL THE STORY FROM THE BEGINNING. OK SO I WAS ABOUT 30 MINS AWAY FROM MY HOME AND DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BACK HOME WHEN THE OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING VERY FAST. THEN I GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOP AND THE RED LIGHT THEN WHEN I STARTED TO GO THE TRANSMISSION STARTED DOING ALL SORTS OF CRAZY [XXX] IT WAS CHANGING GEARS LIKE CRAZY AND FINALLY SETTLE OUT. THEN RIGHT BEFORE I TURN IN MY DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION JUST QUITS! IT JUST STOPPED! I PUT IT IN PARK THEN DRIVE AND NOTHING...NO SOUND.. NO MOVEMENT IT WOULD JUST ROLL BACKWARDS. SO NOW IT SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I PUSHED IT TO. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED IN 30 MINS! NOTHING WAS WRONG BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.!!!! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP AND LETS GET THIS TO BE RECALLED! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ON THE AFTERNOON OF DEC. 10, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:45 PM I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON THE REAR PANEL OF MY '02 FORD EXPLORER - EDDIE BAUER ED. I HAD ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS VANDALISM AND REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. ON MONDAY I GOOGLED THE DESCRIPTION OF THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY A DEFECT IN FORD EXPLORERS - '02 - '04. I CONTACTED THE FORD COMPANY WHO TOOK MY COMPLAINT AND REFERRED ME TO MY NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. IN SPEAKING WITH THE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A "SAFETY DEFECT" AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ESTIMATED COST WOULD BE BETWEEN $450-500. I ALSO READ THAT BACK IN 2006 WHEN THIS DEFECT OCCURRED THAT FORD WAS PROVIDING A "SPECIAL ASSISTANCE OUT-OF-WARRANTY" ON EXPLORERS WHERE THEY WOULD PAY ALL BUT $100. NOW APPARENTLY SINCE JAN. 2007 THEY HAVE STOPPED THIS AND NOT THE OWNERS ARE TO PAY FOR THE FULL COST OF THE REPAIR. I DO NOT SEE THIS AS BEING FAIR DUE TO THE FACT THIS DAMAGED WAS NOT DUE TO MY OWN DOING OR ANOTHER PARTY. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR IF NOT ALL, AT LEAST HALF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SHE NOTICED A LARGE CRACK FROM THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL GOING DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,916.

I WAS DRIVING AND MY OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. A FEW MILES LATER MY CARS RPMS WENT UP AND MY CAR SLOWED DOWN, CAUSING MY TO QUICKLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED. I TRIED TO DRIVE IT TO THE STORE A FEW DAYS LATER AND I GOT ABOUT 1/4 OF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR DID THE SAME THING. I HAVE MY CAR SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY WAITING TO GET IT INTO BE LOOKED AT. SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN UNDER TWO YEARS, I KNOW THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS HAVING ISSUES AND MORE THAN LIKELY I WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN SHE NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR LIFT GATE, DIRECTLY BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000. UPDATED05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 05/09/11

WHILE PICKING UP MY PASTOR AT THE DULLES AIRPORT, I SHIFTED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER INTO PARK. BEFORE I COULD EVEN REACH PARK, THE SHIFT HANDLE DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND WAS LIMP IN HAND. THE ONLY THING LEFT ATTACHED, WAS THE WIRING CABLE. I COULDN'T GET THE KEYS IN OR OUT OF THE IGNITION, MOST LIKELY BECAUSE IT WASN'T IN PARK NOR IN REVERSE. OF NOTE, BECAUSE OF THAT, IT WAS VERY HARD TO GET A TOW TRUCK GUY TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DRAGGING IT ONTO THE FLAT BED TRUCK. THE PIECE THAT BROKE WAS JUST A SMALL ALUMINUM CAST PIN. WHEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY WITH A QUOTE FOR REPAIR, I WAS SHOCKED AT THE PRICE, $2145.00. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THE PART THAT'S BROKEN COULDN'T BE REPAIRED WITH IN THE COLUMN ITSELF. THAT'S WHEN I WENT ON LINE AND SEARCHED FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WAS AGHAST TO FIND HUNDREDS WITH SIMILAR OR EXACT SAME PROBLEMS I HAD. MY QUESTION IS, WHY ISN'T THERE A RE-CALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS SMALL PIN? IF NO RECALL, WHY CAN'T FORD HELP FINANCIALLY OR AT LEAST, PARTIALLY TO HELP OFFSET THIS HIGH EXPENSE FOR SUCH A SMALL FIX? I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND A SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR SETS US BACK SIGNIFICANTLY. DOES ANYBODY HAVE A SOLUTION? DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS TO GET FORD TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM, I'M DESPERATE. THANK YOU ALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE OF BAND(S) FOR GEARS 3-4. DEALER OFFERED REPAIR FOR ABOUT $2000, BUT NOT RECOMMENDED AS ONLY RECEIVE 12 MONTH / 12K MILE WARRANTY FOR REPLACED PARTS AND NO LABOR AND NOT TRANSFERABLE. OPTED FOR TOTAL REPLACEMENT WITH FORD AUTHORIZED REMANUFACTURED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FOR $3500 WITH 36 MONTH / UNLIMITED MILEAGE AND FULLY TRANSFERABLE. DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT A TRANSMISSION WOULD EXPERIENCE SUCH DRASTIC FAILURE WITH SO FEW MILES, NORMAL SUBURBAN DRIVING AND NO TRAILERING.

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION JUMPED WHEN PUT IN REVERSE HIT A PARKED CAR. WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND WONT GO. I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. IM SCARED THAT IT WILL FAIL AGAIN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE HURT OR EVEN KILLED. ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH INOPERATIVE (STAYS STUCK ON). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR HATCH WINDOW EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE WINDOW ACCORDING TO RECALL 01I010000 (VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR) BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

I WENT TO PERFORM BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT AND FOUND PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. WHEN I GOT AROUND TO THE DRIVERS SIDE TO NO AVAIL THAT REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN AS WELL. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING TO MT. WASHINGTON, KY. FROM LORAIN, OHIO, ( APPROX. 330 MILES). WE STOPPED AT THE REST ARE AT THE HALFWAY MARK, BETWEEN WASHINGTON CH, OH. & JEFFERSONVLLE, OH. WHEN WE CAME BACK OUT, STARTED THE CAR, & IT WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE. PUSHED IT OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT & IT WOULDN'T GO IN DRIVE EITHER. ABOUT 30 MILES BEFORE, IT MADE SOME CLUNKING NOISES & IT FELT LIKE WE HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK IT OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL & IT DROVE NORMALLY UNTIL THE REST AREA. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO WASHINGTON COURTHOUSE & THEN BACK HOME ON MONDAY, NOV., 29TH, (AT MY OWN EXPENSE). APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIR TO DATE WAS $2969. I HAD MY DAUGHTER & 6 YR. OLD GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME & I FEEL THIS COULD HAVE POSSIBLY ENDED WITH DISASTROUS RESULTS. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS PROBABLY FROM DAY 1. I'M NOT TRYING TO JUST BLAST FORD, HAPPEN TO BE AN EMPLOYEE. I FEEL THEY NEED TO MAN UP & TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT LEADS TO SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. *TR

THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FELL OFF THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK. IT IS HELD ON ONLY BY THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BACK REAR WINDOW EXPLODED THE GLASS HIT THE TOP OF MY HEAD AND CUT MY FACE AND A PIECE GOT IN MY EYE, GLASS WENT EVERY WHERE, IT WAS LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPEN TOO. I FEEL THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS ASP, AND A RECALL ON IT. WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN SOME ONE LOSE A EYE FOR ANYTHING TO BE DONE. JUST CHECK THE REPORT ON THIS, ITS NOT A ONE TIME THING.. IT HAS HAPPEN TO LOST OF THEM WHY ISN'T ANY THING BEING DONE ABOUT IT ? IS FORD PAYING SOMEONE OFF. *LN

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH ONLY 87,899 MILES ON VEHICLE , I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER 4DAYS AFTER HAVING THE ABOUT HARD SHIFTING AND GEARS BANGING .THEY MADE ADJUSTMENT TO THE PCM ,BUT A MONTH LATER IT STARTED AGAIN,3YR LATER WITHOUT PUTTING OVER 30,000 ON THE TRANNY IS BROKEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE REAR LIFTGATE, IT WOULD NOT STAY OPEN AND IT WOULD CLOSE UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL 04V442000 STRUCTURE BODY HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL AND HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, SUDDENLY MY CAR STOPPED SHIFTING CORRECTLY. THE CAR WAS NEVER DRIVEN HARD AND IS AN AUTOMATIC. AFTER TAKING IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND COSTS AROUND 3000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. *TR

MY FORD 2002 EXPLORER HAS EXCESSIVE BUBBLING AND PEELING OF PAINT ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD. REPORTED THREE TIMES TO FORD ONLY TO BE TOLD, "NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY". SEEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET. *TR