2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES WHERE A TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. REPAIRED BRAKES AND REAR SPRINGS. WAS INFORMED BY SHOP THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. ADDED NOTE, THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED TO TOW OR CARRY HEAVY LOADS, ONLY USED AS PERSONAL TRANSPORT. *TR

GOT INTO MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TODAY AND MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND WHEN I DROVE OFF, IT REVVED UP IN THE 300-400 RPM AND SHIFTED VERY HARD. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN OFFROAD OR VERY HARD AT ALL. TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC MONDAY, BUT WE HAVE DEALT WITH ENOUGH CARS TO KNOW THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO BLOW UP SOON. *TR

WHEN DRIVING THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING ERRATICALLY, THEN I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE ONLY WAY I CAN SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR IS IF I LET THE RPM'S GO UP ABOVE 3,000 AND 4,000. THEN I CAN TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND IT WILL SWITCH INTO 3RD GEAR. I HAVE NOT DROVE THE TRUCK SINCE IT STARTED DOING THIS, THE ONLY TIME I HAVE DROVE IT WAS TO GO TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC SAYS IT IS WHAT MAKES THE GEARS SHIFT THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO PUT A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION INTO MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE MECHANIC IT STARTED SLAMMING INTO GEARS.

WATER AND MELTING SNOW LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE ONTO THE DOME LIGHTS, GARAGE DOOR OPENER, AND SUNROOF SWITCH AND MOTOR DUE TO THE SUNROOF DRAIN HOSES BECOMING CLOGGED OR DEVELOPING HOLES IN THEM. WATER COMING IN CONTACT WITH THESE ITEMS CAN SHORT THEM OUT OR START A FIRE. *LN

I AM SO DISGUSTED AFTER READING ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I TOO HAVE THE AIRBAG PROBLEM, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE AIRBAG PRETENTIONER AND IT IS $650.00, NOW MY AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE THE EXTENDED DELUXE WARRANTY THAT WONT COVER IT. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR TEMP AND MODE ACTUATORS THAT FAILED AND BINDING AGAIN NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY THAT IS $510.00 TO REPAIR. I TRULY THINK FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

VERTICAL CRACK IN HATCH OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I LOOK AT OTHER EXPLORERS IN THE SAME TIME PEREIOD AND THEY ALL HAVE THE EXACT SAME CRACK!! *TR

WHILE RAISING THE GLASS SECTION OF THE LIFTGATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, THE LEFT STRUT BECAME DISENGAGED, AND THE BACK GLASS EXPLODED. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS HURT, AS MY BROTHER LITERALLY HAD THE GLASS IN HIS HANDS WHEN IT EXPLODED, AND MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO HIM. PLEASE NOTE, THE GLASS DID NOT MERELY SHATTER. IT EXPLODED. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM CARMAX LAST YEAR, AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE THAT HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF, ONE OF WHICH INCLUDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STRUT BRACKETS AND HINGES ON THE LIFTGATE. UPON REVIEWING MY SERVICE INVOICE, I FOUND THAT ONLY THE LIFTGATE HINGES WERE REPLACED; THE STRUT BRACKETS WERE NOT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHO PERFORMED THE RECALL SERVICE ORIGINALLY, AND THEY NOTIFIED FORD. FORD CLAIMED THAT THE STRUTS HAD BEEN REPLACED IN 2002 ~ WHICH WAS TWO YEARS BEFORE THE RECALL EVEN OCCURRED. THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE REPAIR. HOW DO I KNOW THAT FAULTY STRUTS WERE NOT INSTALLED IN 2002, SINCE THE RECALL DIDN'T EVEN OCCUR UNTIL 2 YEARS LATER? I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS, AND IT IS AMAZING THAT FORD GETS AWAY WITH THIS! THIS IS MY LAST FORD, THAT'S FOR SURE! THIS IS MY SECOND EXPLORER, AND I HAVE BEEN A VERY LOYAL CUSTOMER, BUT NO MORE! FORD DOES NOT STAND BEHIND IT'S PRODUCT AND THEY APPARENTLY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

TRANSMISSION IS FAILING IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP CONFIRMED THAT MY FEAR THAT THE GEARS WERE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. IT WILL COST $2400 TO $2800 TO REPAIR. BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED IT WILL COST EXTRA. ONLY THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR OF 2002 WERE THE EXPLORERS MADE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND MINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN MAY 2001. *TR

FORD EXPLORER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 4.0 L V-6, AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TOOK IN TO MY MECHANIC AND HE ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP SINCE THE READOUT FAULT CODES INDICATED MAJOR FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 80,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF SINCE IT WAS NEW. *TR

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT IN 2005. WE'VE ONLY AVERAGED ABOUT 10,000 MILES PER YEAR SINCE THE REBUILD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A RECALL FOR THE POWER TRAIN TRANSMISSION. DUE TO THE VIN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL TO MORE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS SINCE THIS WAS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THERE WAS NO DOWN HILL ENGINE BRAKING. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS OFF AND REMAINED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS. IT IS NOW BACK ON AGAIN. I FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND NOT PROVIDING BRAKING WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

I WAS PICKING UP A FAMILY FRIEND, AN WHILE WAITING FOR HER TO COME TO MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, I PUT MY TRUCK INTO PARK, WHEN SHE GOT IN, I THEN ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE, AN THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND, IT BASICALLY DANGLED THERE AN I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CALL A TWO TRUCK DRIVER. I GOT AN ESTIMATE FOR OVER $600 FOR A USED COLUMN, CAUSE APPARENTLY FORD DOESN'T MAKE THE LITTLE PIECE THAT BROKE OFF. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE FOR AWHILE TO FIND ANOTHER WAY OF GETTING THIS FIXED AN I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS AN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE VERY SAME THING, WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED YET? WHAT DO I OR WE HAVE TO DO TO GET FORD ON THE BALL WITH THIS CONTINUING PROBLEM? THANK GOD IT IS STUCK IN PARK, AN UNFORTUNATELY SO ARE MY KEYS. *TR

I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT MY GAS GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY WHEN I KNEW I HAD GAS, THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE ENGINE MY GAS GAUGE WORKED. FROM THAT DAY IT WORKS SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL GIVE OUT COMPLETELY ONE DAY AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WONDER WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL AS I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY HERE AS IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER LTMD...90K MILES FRONT WEAR BEARINGS COMPLETELY BLEW OUT, REAR STRUTS LEAKING MASSIVE OIL AND REAR SPRINGS FRACTURED....HAD FRONT BEARINGS REPLACED WHEN IT DISABLES BRAKE USAGE FROM TIRES BEING CROOKED IN NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS NEED TO HAVE REAR END DONE WITH STRUTS, SPRINGS AND BUSHINGS....ALL NEW PARTS NO CHOICE AND $2600.00 LATER IN ALL THE SPRINGS ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUE, THEY SHOULD NOT BREAK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 5 MPH THE GEAR SHIFT CAME APART FROM THE COLUMN AND FELL IN HIS LAP WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $1,500 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 02/07/11 *BF UPDATED 04/20/11

OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING AND CHECK TRANSMISSION IS INDICATED IN MESSAGE WINDOW. DOES RESET WHEN TRUCK IS TURNED OFF BUT WARNING COMES BACK WHEN DRIVING AGAIN. AT THIS TIME VEHICLE DOES 'CLUNK' WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. IT IS STILL SHIFTING THROUGH 1ST, 2ND, 3RD ETC OK. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT BY FORD DEALER AT 50K MILES (3/24/06), CURRENTLY HAVE 75K MILES ON VEHICLE(10/11/10). *TR

TROUBLE REMOVING VEHICLE FROM PARK ON INCLINE OVER FEW WEEK PERIOD. TRANSMISSION CHANGING GEARS IN ROUGH MANNER OVER A FEW DAY PERIOD. OD LIGHT FLASHING DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING AND THEN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING ON OCTOBER 10, 2010. DIAGNOSED AS "FRIED TRANSMISSION" BY DEALER. COST TO REPLACE $3887 PLUS $125 FOR DIAGNOSIS. NOT YET REPAIRED - DECIDING OUR NEXT ACTION. VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW, ALWAYS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO DEALER RECOMMENDATIONS. VEHICLE NEVER ABUSED, ONLY TOWED VERY LIGHT UTILITY AND SNOWMOBILE TRAILERS. *TR

HEATER FAILED CAUSING WINDOWS TO "FOG" OVER AND DECREASED ABILITY TO SEE OUT WINDSHIELD. *TR

O/D LIGHT FLASHES FOR A FEW DAYS THEN AT AROUND 25 MPH THE GEAR SWITCHES INTO NEUTRAL AND RUNS VERY ROUGH THEN THE CAR IS THROWN FORWARD. HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION (WE WERE TOLD WE WERE GETTING A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AND PAID EXTRA FOR IT!) AT 83K MILES ON OCT 15, 2010 THEN FEB 5, 2011 THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS. THE DEALER CANNOT TAKE THE TRUCK FOR ANOTHER 5 DAYS AND REFUSED TO GIVE ME A LONER CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY. PLEASE NOTE: BELOW I PUT IN THE FIRST INCIDENT DATE, FEB 2011 IS THE SECOND INCIDENT DATE. IN MAY OF 2009 I WAS TOLD MY ENGINE FAILED AT ABOUT 76,000 MILES. WE DID BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WE WERE COVERED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD US WE WERE NOT COVERED. THEY HAD OUR TRUCK FOR 3 WEEKS UNTIL THE WARRANTY PEOPLE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND LET THEM KNOW IT SHOULD BE FIXED. WE ALSO HAD A RENTAL CAR OR A LONER CAR UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR AND SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE A LOANER CAR AVAILABLE. IT TOOK 4 MORE WEEKS (IN TOTAL 7 WEEKS) TO GET THE TRUCK BACK AND NEVER PAID FOR THE RENTAL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SUDDENLY BROKE OFF. SHE PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THAT THE SHIFT HAD BEEN DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,444.

2002 FORD EXPLORER, 274K MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING GRINDING NOISE; HAD IT REBUILT BY A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION SHOP. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IF BRAKING HARD, THE ENGINE JUST STOPS AND ALL POWER IS LOST. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, YET IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION KEY. MECHANIC CANNOT GET ANY CODES TO SHOW UP. SIX MONTHS LATER, OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT FLICKERS OR FLASHES FAIRLY REGULARLY, SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS IS ROUGH AND IT WON'T STAY IN OVERDRIVE. ONCE REACHING OVERDRIVE, IT BECOMES 'MUSHY' AND SLIPS BACK AND FORTH, LOSING SPEED WHILE RPMS BOUNCE BETWEEN 1,500 AND 3,000. TRANSMISSION SHOP HAS CHECKED IT AGAIN, SAYS IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE RECALL OUT ON THIS CAR AND IT IS FOR THE SPEED (CRUISE) CONTROL AND THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THE TRANSMISSION. 4X4 HIGH LIGHT FLASHES WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE GOING INTO OVERDRIVE, BUT THAT EVENTUALLY STOPS. I'VE HAD TO RESORT TO DRIVING WITH OVERDRIVE TURNED OFF, WHICH IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET THE TRANSMISSION TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY WITHOUT ALL OF THE LIGHTS. THIS CAUSES ME TO HAVE TO RUN THE CAR AT HIGHER RPMS AND DECREASED FUEL EFFICIENCY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW FOR THE RECALL AND I'M HOPING THAT MAYBE THERE IS SOMEONE THERE WHO IS HONEST ENOUGH TO HELP. WENT TO ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A VERY WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM, THAT THEY REBUILD THESE TRANMISSIONS REGULARLY AND THAT FORD HASN'T ACKNOWLEDGED ANY FORM OF RESPONSIBILITY OR EVEN A REPAIR SOLUTION FOR THIS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY FLASH. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR SPORADICALLY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OVER DRIVE OR NOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACED IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO ROLL FURTHER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SQUEALING NOISE AND BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FROZEN AND THAT HE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON THEM UNTIL THEY FRACTURED, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE FROZEN TO THE AXLE, AND THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

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

BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. MY FORD SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BROKEN REAR SPRINGS ON EXPLORER'S AS WELL AS OTHER FORD'S. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE DRIVER HAS LOST THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE TRUCK. MINE BROKE WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY DAUGHTER AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I THOUGHT A TIRE BLEW. $800 TO FIX, FOR JUST THE 2 REAR SPRINGS, BUT SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD RECOMMEND REPLACING THE FRONTS AS WELL. UNTIL I CAN GET TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AS THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING LANDED ON THE REAR SUSPENSION AND MAY CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AS IT RUBS. I DROVE TRUCK SLOWLY HOME AS THE TRUCK NOW LEANS TO THE RIGHT (SIDE THAT FAILED) AND I HAVE DEFINITELY LOST THE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS TO THIS TRUCK. *TR

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WE HAVE KEPT UP ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON. WE HAVE OWNED IF SINCE JUNE OF 2008 (BOUGHT IT FROM A USED CAR DEALER) AND HAVE HAD NO REALLY BIG MAJOR ISSUES UNTIL NOW. THE O/D OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING WHICH IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GET MIXED SIGNALS AS TO IF THE OVER DRIVE IS ON OR OFF. WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT HARD AND ACTUALLY TRY TO LOCK UP AT SOME TIMES. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS NOW AND IN OUR MANUAL IT SAYS TO TAKE AND HAVE IT SERVICED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WELL WE DID AND THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO FIX IT EXCEPT REBUILD/REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. ONLINE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR MODEL AND PRETTY MUCH ANYONE WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THAT HAS OWNED THESE VEHICLES PRIOR SAYS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT AROUND 175000 MILES. WE ARE AT 174789 SO WE ARE RIGHT ON COURSE. WE DO NOT DRIVE IT HARD OR CRAZY AND WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF ALL OUR VEHICLES. WE HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH AN TRANSMISSION. *TR

TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN PUT IN DRIVE UNTIL 3000 RPMS. I WAS PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE MINE WAS NOT ENGAGING TO MOVE THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

MERGING INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC ON US23 N. IN OHIO, TRIED TO ACCELERATE JUST AS I ALWAYS DO AND THE TRANSMISSION DECIDES IT DOESNT WANT TO SHIFT, THEN WHEN IT FINALLY DID (APPROX 5000 RPM) IT SLAMED INTO GEAR. NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING REAR-ENDED. TURNED VEHICLE AROUND, TRIED FLUID/FILTER CHANGE WITH NO SUCCESS. DID A SEARCH ON THE NET AND FOUND THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECKED FOR RECALL AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NONE. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILED. I WAS TRAVELING ON AN ON RAMP. WHEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN POWERFUL JERK. IT WAS SIMILAR TO GETTING REAR ENDED. THE FAILURE OCCURS ABOVE 35 MPH. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE SUDDEN UNCONTROLLABLE JERKS. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REBUILT FOR A VEHICLE UNDER 80,000 MILES. *TR

VEHICLE RECALLED FOR A PART CAUSING ENGINE FIRES. TRANSMISSION FAILURE, MAKES THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO SHIFT COST OF REPAIR I CANNOT AFFORD AT THIS TIME ( NEW IS $ 3000 ). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AT TIMES, STALL, AND SHIFTING WOULD BE DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER NOR BEEN WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER THAT THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

CRACK IN REAR WINDOW SURROUND, NEAR CENTER AT A BOTTOM. *TR

GOT A TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED ERROR AND O/D WAS OFF. LOOKS LIKE ITS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON MY EXPLORER. *TR

WE BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 2 WEEKS AGO WITH 129,000 MILES WITHIN 2 DAYS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. UPON INVESTIGATION WITH TRANSMISSION REPAIR LOCATIONS, WE HAVE TO SPEND $2500.00 OR MORE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION! WHAT A RIP OFF, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE, STEP UP TO THE PLATE, AND HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS OUT WHO HAVE PUT TRUST IN THEIR VEHICLES! IF FORD WANTS TO STAY IN BUSINESS, THEY BETTER START CONSIDERING RECONCILING WITH THEIR MANY DISGRUNTLED CUSTOMERS. THANK YOU. *TR

I DO NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE AN IN DEPTH DESCRIPTION, MYSELF AS WITH ALL THE OWNERS OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER ARE ALL HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED, AND HAVE THIS RECALLED IF ITS HAPPENING WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH VEHICLES. THE O/D LIGHT WILL FLASH RAPIDLY AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL SKIP A GEAR, HAS A HARD TIME SWITCHING INTO FIRST GEAR. BIG CLUNK! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. IF ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD! *TR

TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR - ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT V-6: OVERDRIVE OFF (O/D OFF) LIGHT BLINKING RAPIDLY. TRANSMISSION IS SUDDENLY SHIFTING VERY ERRATICALLY WHICH MAKES VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE -- PLEASE EXERT YOUR AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE FORD TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4WD REAR COIL SPRING BROKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. CREATED BAD SITUATION WITH CAR SWAYING LEFT TO RIGHT. HAD TO REPLACE SPRING AND STRUT. ALSO ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO REPLACED IN 5 YEARS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER. REAR SPRINGS/COILS RUSTED, BROKEN, ON BOTH SIDES DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL I HAD ESTIMATE DONE FOR NOISE IN FRONT END WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE UV JOINT. I UNDERSTAND TO REPAIR BACK SPRINGS IT WILL COST ABOUT $325 EACH SIDE AND THE OTHER THINGS I NEED UV JOINT, WHEEL HUB, STRUT,ETC...ANOTHER $400 THIS IS SAD!!! *TR

O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND SLIPPING GEARS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. THE LEVER IS CONNECTED TO A SOFT ALUMINUM CYLINDER THRU A U SHAPED END AND A PIN. THE CYLINDER SHEARED AT THE BASE OF THE U AS A RESULT LEAVING NO WAY TO SHIFT OR GET THE KEY OUT AFTER TURNING THE MOTOR OFF WHEN I FINALLY GOT STOPPED. REPAIR COST IS $1400 FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN PLUS LABOR. CANNOT BUY SMALL PART THAT BROKE SEPARATELY SO EXPLORER IS NOT FIXED. A PICTURE OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN AT THIS URL HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=188761&PAGE=4. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON,PULLED PLUG APART UNDER DRIVERS ,SEAT SPRAYED CLEANER ON IT PUT IT BACK TOGETHER, TOOK CARE OF THAT PROBLEM. GEAR SHIFT LEVER SHEARED OFF. FORD SAYS YOU NEED TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN. WENT ONLINE FOUND A MAN IN SWEDEN THAT MADE A REPLACEMENT PART,ORDERED IT ,PUT IT ON ,WORKS GREAT. (WHY COULDN'T FORD SUPPLY ONE?) THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO ACT UP, YOU SHIFT IN TO DRIVE IT HESITATES AND LEAPS FORWARD, QUITE HARD, SAME IN REVERSE. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2010, ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY; WAS REBUILT IN MARCH 2011, BUT TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGAIN AND IT IS NOW AUGUST 2011. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING SEVERAL DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND I RECEIVED 1 RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL BUT HAPPENED TO NOTICE THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL. IF ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE CONTINUING TO HAPPEN, WHY IS A RECALL ON THE ENTIRE TRUCK NOT DONE? IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN, ONE WITH A MEDICAL ISSUE THAT HAS TO TRAVEL FOR HER DOCTOR VISITS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT HAS GONE THIS LONG AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. THERE IS ALSO THE ISSUE WITH THE NON WORKING AIR COMPRESSOR AND THE BAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE ROARING IN THE BACK TIRES. AS MUCH AS I TRAVEL WITH MY CHILDREN AND GET FROM POINT A TO B, IM SURPRISED THIS THING HAS NOT FALLEN APART. I WAS A SUCKER FOR A PRETTY TRUCK!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL UNDER THE HATCH FRACTURED AND ALLOWED WATER TO PENETRATE THE VEHICLE. THE WATER THEN MADE CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS THE GAS GAUGE WILL GO TO "0" AND THE "CHECK GAUGE" LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE THE SENDER ASSEMBLY UNIT OF THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. THERE HAD BEEN ANOTHER 2002 EXPLORER BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT MORNING. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND IS ON BACK ORDER. THE PART COST $76.79 BUT THE LABOR WILL BE $270! THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR US TO PAY DUE TO AN FORDS ENGINEERING PROBLEM. ARE MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS? MANY TIMES, BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS CORRUPTED, IT WILL PUT TOO MUCH FUEL IN INJECTORS, WHICH HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO "BOG DOWN" ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS AND AT HWY ENTRANCE RAMPS. *TR

NOTICED FLUID ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. UPON CLOSED INSPECTION, NOTICED FLUID COMING FROM REAR SHOCK AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. REPAIR ESTIMATES TO REPLACE BOTH REAR COIL SPRING ASSEMBLY RANGE FROM $655 TO $800. *TR

WHILE PUTTING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER INTO PARK AT A DRIVE UP ATM MACHINE, MY GEAR SHIFT JUST FEEL INTO MY HANDS. I WAS STUCK BLOCKING THE DRIVE WAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE THEY SAY THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTED ABOUT 1500.00 TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT WAS TOO MUCH FOR JUST A SMALL PART THAT WAS BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT COULD NOT REPLACE JUST THE SMALL PART THAT WAS BROKEN. MY SHOP TOLD ME THAT IT COULD NOT FIND THE SMALL PART AND THEY SEE IT THEY CAN GET CERTIFIED WELDER TO WELD THE PART AND IT WOULD COST WAY LESS THEN 1500.00. AS I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE I CAME ACROSS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS I AM HAVING; THE SAME YEAR MODEL, MAKE AND SAME PROBLEM. I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE SHOP ABOUT HOW MUCH IT WILL BE AND HOW SOON I CAN GET MY CAR REPAIRED AND BACK TO ME. *TR

REAR SPRINGS BOTH CRACKED-FRONT & REAR WHEEL BEARINGS BAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE SERIOUSLY IF NOT ALREADY HAS BEEN HURT OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR YEARS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER YET FORD DOESN'T WISH TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BY CALLING THE VEHICLE BACK. I HAVE MY TRANSMISSION NOW GONE AFTER ONLY 150000 MILES. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR