2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

AFTER DRIVING OFF THE LOT WITH MY CAR THE O/D LIGHTS START BLINKING AND CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT COME ON SO I TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CHECK AND SAY OH ITS PROBABLY JUST THE TRANS FLUID NEEDS REFILLED...SO THIS WAS ONE MARCH SECOND HERE IT IS MARCH 13TH AND I'M WITHOUT A CAR BECAUSE ON THE FIFTH THE CAR WOULD DRIVE SO WEIRD NOW GUESS WHAT LIKE ALL FORD OWNERS OF THIS YR ITS TRANSMISSION IS GONE. *TR

STUCK THROTTLE ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH DIFFERENT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS! FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODEL. AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE WHEN RELEASE GAS PEDAL THROTTLE WILL STICK AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE ONLY WAY TO STOP IS TO PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL (AUTOMATIC). *TR

WHEN I TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER V8 INTO THE SHOP TO GET NEW TIRES I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD WITH MY VEHICLE AND ONLY DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR MY VEHICLE AND I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT. I HAD NO IDEA IT BROKE OR HOW IT DID BUT MY CAR STARTED LEANING TO ONE SIDE. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE IN A SAFE AND DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A REALL DONE FOR THIS ISSUE BEFORE THERE IS SERIOUS INJURIES. MY VEHICLE HAS 115K MILES.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS HAD "SO-SO" PERFORMANCE. HARD SHIFTING INTO GEARS. NOW IS GOING TO COST ME $3500 TO REPAIR. *TR

NO EVENT LED TO THE FAILURE THE COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, OCCURRED ONCE CAR CANNOT BE OPERATED WITHOUT SHIFT LEVER. NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE PART THAT BROKE IS EASILY SERVICEABLE AND COULD BE REPLACE IF SOLD SEPARATELY FROM THE COLUMN ASSEMBLY COLUMN ASSEMBLY IS $1400 FOR PART ONLY. *TR

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SLIPPING IN-AND-OUT OF GEAR, FAILURE TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS, UNABLE TO STAY AT IDLE WITHOUT SHIFTING TO PARK. ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION WHEN GEAR SLIP OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR INTERSECTION. *TT

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT ON FORD EXPLORER XLT 2002 MODEL YEAR WITH 4.6L ENGINE. HAS 145,000 AND ORIGINAL PLUGS (PLATINUM). CAR STARTED TO MAKE A TICKING SOUND AND THEN THE PLUG POPPED OFF. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN JAN OF O4 WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 50,000 IT STARTED SHIFTING FUNNY, LIKE MISSING A SHIFT AND BANGING INTO GEAR. WENT TO DEALER AND HAD SYSTEM FLUSHED. HAD COMPUTER REFLASHED AROUND 80,000 MILES AND REVERSE SOLENOID REPLACED ALONG WITH FLUSHING AGAIN, WOW WHAT A SHOCK ON THE RACKS WAS 2 OTHER EXPLORER GETTING NEW TRANSMISSIONS. SHORTLY AFTER THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING THEN WENT OUT. NOW IT CAME ON AGAIN. WENT TO DEALER THEY SAID WITHOUT THE LIGHT ON THEY COULDN'T SAY WHAT IS WRONG FOR SURE. MIGHT BE A ACCUMULATOR OR BAND. SUGGESTED IT WOULD BE BETTER TO GET A FORD REMANUFACTURED TRANS THAT HAS ALL THE PROBLEMS CORRECTED. THIS WOULD COST OVER 3,000. HE TOLD BE TO KEEP DRIVING IT TILL THE LIGHT STARTS COMING ON REGULARY THEN COME IN. IF MY TRANS IS SEALED FROM THE FACTORY WITH NO WAY TO CHECK OR ADD FLUID, WHICH BY THE WAY IS JUST STUPID. AND THERE HAVE BEEN ARTICLES THAT HAVE SAID THAT FORD MIGHT HAVE SHIPPED THE TRANSMISSIONS WITH THE INCORRECT FLUID. THEY NEED TO MAN UP AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN A FORD OWNER FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND CANT BELIEVE WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVEN'T BEEN FORCED TO RECALL THIS TRANS BEFORE IT FAILS AND KILLS SOMEONE. OR MAYBE THAT'S WHAT IT WILL TAKE. *TR

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THREADS AND SPARK PLUG BOTH BLOWN OUT OF TOP OF CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHILE I WAS COMING HOME THE OD LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CHECK TRANS. CAME ON. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM LEADING UP TO THIS IT JUST HAPPENED. SO TAKE IT TO THE FORD PLACE AND THEY SAY NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. I STILL OWE 3,000 ON IT THAT IS ALSO THE PRICE OF THE NEW TRANS. THE TRANS. HAS NEVER USED ANY FLUID . I NEED HELP! *TR

VEHICLE WAS WESTBOUND ON OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY, STRUCK A SIGN AND CAME TO A REST IN THE GORE*CW LETTER UPDATED 03/18/10 *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0076-89. *JB

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2002 FORD EXPLORER [XXX] - GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF OF STEERING COLUMN WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY TRUCK IN PARK THE GEAR SHIFT ARM BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN REVERSE AND I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. MY CAR IS COMPLETELY UN-DRIVABLE. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY ARE CHARGING ME $550 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN WITH A USED STEERING COLUMN. *TR

THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE RPM'S WENT UP LIKE CRAZY THE CAR WAS HARD TO SHIFT. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I BOUGHT TI USED WITH 64,000 MILES ON IT. REPLACED BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED ALL STRUTS AND COILS SPRINGS. I HAVE AN ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR A INTAKE GASKET PROBLEM. THEN ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK TODAY MY O/D LIGHT CAME ON. MY TRUCK HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT. BEFORE I PURCHASED EXPLORER I FOUND OUT IT WAS IN A REAR END ACCIDENT. *TR

BROKEN REAR SPRINGS CAUSING STRUTS TO FAIL

THE RPMS WERE SPIKING THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. *TR

FORD EXPLORE 2002 4.0L V6 SUDDEN AND TOTAL FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 122,000 MILES. OD LIGHT FLASHES AND TRANSMISSION INSPECTION BY MECHANIC REVEALS IT IS JUNK. DESPITE CAREFUL MAINTENANCE THIS SUV IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED THE LIST OF PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THIS VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLY THE MOST POORLY ENGINEERED VEHICLE SINCE THE VEGA! *TR

THE BROKEN REAR SPRINGS (BOTH) ON OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT ON VETERANS PARKWAY IN BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS. THE SPRINGS COMPLETELY SHATTERED AND WERE BROKEN ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR MAKING THE SUV MUCH LESS STABLE IN LANE CHANGES. WHEN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY SLOWED, WE ALMOST LOSS CONTROL WHEN WE TRIED TO CHANGE LANES. IT WAS A MIRACLE THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE BAD STEEL IN THESE SPRINGS FOR YEARS AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2002 TO 2005 FORD EXPLORERS. WE ARE HAVING TO PAY OUT OF OUR POCKETS ABOUT $700 FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BOWER THAT I BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE 88000 MILES ON IT AND ROUGHLY 3WEEKS AGO THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" WARNING COMES UP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION COSTING BETWEEN $2,200-$3,500. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER.

FORD EXPLORER 02' THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING LATER ON AFTER THE CAR RESTING IN DRIVEWAY THE TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD, TIRES WOULDN'T SPIN NOTHING! TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED AND TRANSMISSION WAS AT FAULT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

OWNED 2002 EXPLORER SINCE OCT 2004- WITHIN 10 MONTHS OF OWNING CAR I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, OTHER THAN DEDUCTIBLE, THE REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED, MINUS THE FEES FOR RENTAL CAR FOR 3 DAYS. NOW, FEB 19, 2010, MY O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION IS OUT AGAIN; HIS TIME THE FULL EXPENSE PLUS RENTAL CAR WILL BE OUT OF MY POCKET AND COST WILL BE BETWEEN $1800-$2800 DEPENDING WHAT ALL NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND REPLACED ONCE IT IS OPENED UP IN REPAIR SHOP. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 LIMITED WITH 2 BROKEN COIL SPRINGS 127,000MI. *TR

O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND THEN TRANSMISSION WARNING CAME ON IN 2002 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER. FORD DEALER QUOTED $4500 TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER HAS HAD THE OD LIGHT COME ON DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE RPM'S INCREASE AND SHIFTS FROM GEAR TO GEAR HARD. PULLED OVER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. LIGHT HAS CONTINUED TO COME ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES AND NOISE CONTINUES AS THE LIGHT IS ON. THE PROBLEM OCCURS OF AND ON. PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN IN AUG 2009. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCUR THIS PAST WEEK. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A OVER HAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION TO FIX CURRENT PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC. TRANSMISSION BROKEN IN 3RD FEAR. OD LIGHT STARTING FLASHING WITH NO WARNING AND THEN TRANSMISSION BROKE. THE CAR HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AT AROUND 75,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER. IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AGAIN. 2,400. - 3,000 TO FIX.

O/D LIGHT IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER STARTS FLASHING. DEALER TOLD ME WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER SOME RESEARCH SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS PARTICULAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR. *TR

$4000 TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER...O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND "CHECK TRANSMISSION" MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE MESSAGE CENTER. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONGST THIS CAR... *TR

ON MY WAY TO DO MORNING DROP OFF FOR SCHOOL, MY 2002 2WD, 6CY FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT,WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WITH VERY BUSY ONCOMING TRAFFIC HEADED TOWARDS MY SON IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THANKFULLY TRAFFIC WAS ALERT ON THIS MORNING AND SLOWED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO CROSS! NOW I AM TOLDI NEED A NEW TRANS. AND SON AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED IN THE PROCESS! PLEASE RECALL THIS ITEM AND MAKE FORD DO GOOD BY ITS CUSTOMERS AS I HAD NO LUCK WITH THEM! PS MY MILEAGE IS ONLY 105,000 FOR AN 8 YEAR OLD CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO A FAILURE WITHIN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH WAS CRACKED AND CORRODED. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS ALSO FAULTY DUE TO THE GASKET PROBLEM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,225.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED CRACK ON THE LIFTGATE EXTERIOR PANEL. THE DEFECT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I WAS LEAVING A FRIEND'S HOUSE... PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND; ONLY CONNECTED BY THE RUBBER AND THE WIRE INSIDE. THE METAL CONNECTION ACTUALLY JUST SNAPPED IN HALF! I WAS GLAD I WASN'T STUCK IN DRIVE OR ANYTHING I HAD MY 20 MONTH OLD NIECE IN THE CAR! THIS COULD HAVE ENDED REALLY REALLY BAD! IF FORD KNOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE!?! I GOT ONE ESTIMATE FROM THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO; $1795+7% SALES TAX! I CALLED AROUND AND FOUND A PLACE TO GET A USED STEERING COLUMN PUT IN FOR $1000+TAX BUT I HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED ANOTHER 40 MILES TO GET IT TO THAT SHOP... SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES FROM THIS PARTS FAILURE! IT'S SEEMS SENSELESS FOR FORD TO SIT BY AND DO NOTHING IF THEY CAN ACT NOW AND SAVE LIVES! *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION IN JUST UNDER 2 YEARS. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE PROPERLY MAINTENANCED AND ALL THE NECESSARY UPKEEP. THIS IS AWFUL. *TR

MY SON OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. LAST YEAR HIS TRANSMISSION BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WHERE THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, IT WAS SHIFTING VERY HARD AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD EVEN JUST GO INTO NEUTRAL OUT OF THE BLUE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEIR TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN TOLD ME IT WAS EASY TO DIAGNOSE BECAUSE IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, SO I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN THE FALL OF 2009 WITH A USED ONE THAT I FOUND AT A RECYCLING CENTER. LAST MONTH MY SON WAS LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY OF A FRIENDS HOUSE AND THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION BEGIN DOING THE SAME THING AS THE FIRST ONE BUT ONLY THIS TIME IT MADE A LOUD BANG AND STOPPED MOVING. MY SON GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK TO FIND THAT THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED AND ALL THE FLUID LEAKED ONTO HIS FRIENDS DRIVEWAY. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM, SO MY QUESTIONS IS, WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE FORD ADMIT THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE? MY SONS TRUCK ONLY HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT AND IT WILL BE ON ITS THIRD TRANSMISSION! THIS IS BECOMING WAY TO OBVIOUS, HE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILLED IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE NOT TO MENTION THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT. MY SUV HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING OR UNUSUAL FAST DRIVING. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOW RANDOMLY ALLOWS FOR UNUSUALLY HIGH RPMS BEFORE CHANGING GEARS. THIS RESULTED SEVERAL TIMES IN REAR WHEEL SLIPPING AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN MAKING A U-TURN, THE REAR END OF THE CAR SPUN OUT INTO AN UNINTENDED ADJACENT LANE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, A SIMPLE LEFT TURN ONTO A TWO LANE ROAD RESULTED IN THE REAR END OF THE CAR GOING OFF OF THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW MAKING NOISES AND CHANGING GEARS SLOWLY. FROM RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED THOUSANDS OF TIMES WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ESTIMATED COSTS TO REPAIR DESIGN FLAW RANGE FROM $2700 TO $4000. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED ELECTRICAL ISSUES: 1)WHEN I PUSH THE REAR DEFROSTER BUTTON THE 'DOOR AJAR ' NOTICE COMES ON 2)WHEN THE REAR DEFROSTER IS ON THE MIRROR ADJUSTMENT SWITCH DOES NOT WORK 3)IF I LEAVE THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND LOCK IT WITH THE KEY FARB THE HORN BEEPS TWICE (INDICATING THE DOOR IS AJAR) AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON. I HAVE TO EITHER SWITCH THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO OFF OR MANUALLY TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHT OFF. 4)THE BACK UP BEEPER SWITCH SOMETIMES GOES OFF WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THANKS FOR HELPING ME OUT. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER HOME LAST WEEK WHEN SHE WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. SHE NOTICED THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK VERY FAST AND WHEN SHE WENT TO PULL AWAY, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO 2ND BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR AND THE RPM'S WOULD GO REAL HIGH. COULD NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET FORD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MAYBE IT WILL HAVE TO FAIL TO SOMEONE ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMEONE GETS HURT. VEHICLE HAD 115K MILES. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE INSTEAD OF RECALLING CHEAP FIXES. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE ALSO HAD BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS THAT I HAD TO FIX 3-4 YEARS AGO. PLUS THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ALREADY ON THIS VEHICLE. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE SCRAPPED. *TR

FAULTY TRANSMISSION ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. OD LIGHT FLASHES AND TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT. IF CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR

O/D LIGHT FLICKERING AND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR WITHOUT A VIOLENT JERK AND SOMETIMES WONT GO INTO GEAR AT ALL. CAR HAS TO COMPLETELY IDLE BEFORE YOU CAN PRESS THE GAS WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WILL SOMETIMES BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR CROSSING OVER TRAFFIC TO THE LEFT AFTER A STOP AT A LIGHT. *TR

THE O/D LIGHT ON MY DASH OF MY 02 EXPLORER STARTED BLINKING . IT TAKES A WHILE AND STRUGGLES TO GET TO 30MPH, WHEN IT FINALLY REACHES 30 IT SLAMS INTO GEAR AND ACTS FAIRLY NORMAL. THE NEXT DAY, IT WOULDN'T GET ABOVE 20MPH. WE PAID FOR A NEW TRANNY ($1732) AND PAID A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO PUT IT IN ($225, WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF THE FLUID). THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. WE THEN BOUGHT A $75 ELECTRONIC RANGE SENSOR, MECHANIC PUT IT ON, AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT IS NOW STILL IN THE SHOP (3 WEEKS, NOW) AND WE HAVE SPENT ABOUT $2100 AND MY CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED! WE ARE A ONE INCOME FAMILY AND CANNOT AFFORD THE CONTINUED NEGLIGENCE OF FORD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,930.

I HAD TO GO INTO TOWN. SOME ROADS WERE SNOW AND ICE COVERED. ON A SMALL HILL MY VEHICLE STARTED SPINNING AND FISH TAILING TRYING TO GET UP. I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF TRACTION AND HANDLING PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT WAS UNEXPECTED. I MANAGED TO TURN AROUND IN TRAFFIC AND TOOK ANOTHER ROUTE. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. I REALIZED THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS NOT WORKING. I TRIED TO MANUALLY ENGAGE IT WITHOUT SUCCESS. I EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO A FORD DEALER. AFTER CHECKING THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE 4X4 MODULE WAS BAD. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET CHECKING, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY CLAIM THAT THE FAILURE HAPPENS AFTER THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FOR SOME REASON. MY VEHICLE HAD A RECALL TO REMEDY A SPEED CONTROL DEFECT ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER. THE PROBLEM ALSO SEEMS TO AFFECT 2002 EXPLORERS MORE THAN OTHER MODELS. THE LOSS OF THE AUTOMATIC 4 WHEEL DRIVE CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AFFECTING NOT ONLY THE EXPLORER BUT OTHER VEHICLES ALSO. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS UNEXPECTED AND NO PANEL LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN AUTOMATIC 4 WHEELED DRIVE. THE ONLY INDICATION IS THE LIGHT IN THE SELECTION PUSHBUTTON WHICH CAN NOT BE SEEN IN DAYTIME DRIVING WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS ON WHICH DIMS THE PANEL LIGHTS. NO FAILURE INDICATION AND THE LOSS OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN YOU EXPECT IT TO BE THERE CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

DOORS WILL NOT SHUT IN THE FREEZING COLD WEATHER. WENT OUT TO THE EXPLORER TONIGHT, GOT IN, SHUT THE DOOR AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. I TAKE THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP AND MY DRIVERS DOOR FLEW OPEN. I STOPPED AND TRIED TO SHUT IT AND IT JUST BOUNCED OPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN BECAUSE THE LATCH WAS FROZEN. I FINALLY GET IT TO STAY CLOSED, DROP MY PASSENGER OFF AND THEN THE PASSENGER'S DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE EITHER. I DROVE ALL THE WAY HOME HOLDING MY PASSENGER'S DOOR CLOSED. THIS TRUCK IS THE ABSOLUTE BIGGEST PIECE OF GARBAGE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN IN MY LIFE. IF YOU ARE READING THIS COMPLAINT AND HAVE NOT YET PURCHASED AN EXPLORER I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ABOUT 75,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE, AND THEY PERFORMED A MULTI-POINT INSPECTION. DURING THIS INSPECTION, THEY SAID THAT BOTH OF MY REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. I FOUND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE I DON'T TOW ANYTHING AND I DRIVE CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. THROUGH INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS AS THEY COULD PUNCTURE A TIRE LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. THE COST OF THE SPRINGS SEEMS TO BE ABOUT $125 PLUS LABOR. *TW

O/D OFF LIGHT SUDDENLY STARTED FLASHING IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WAS JUST DRIVING AND THE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. ALSO, THERE IS HARD SHIFTS WHEN PLACING THE SUV IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEELS NEARLY FELL OFF DUE TO FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS. NEEDED REPLACED AT ONLY 70,000 MILES. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING ON THE DASH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIP INTO AND OUT OF NEUTRAL. I EXECUTED AN ONLINE SEARCH AS MOST DO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND WAS AMAZED AT THE THOUSANDS OF GOOD FOLKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MOST CONTACTED FORD AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO GO TO THE DEALER THAT RESULTED IN CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION AT THE COST OF THE OWNER. LATER THE SAME PROBLEM AROSE AFTER THESE PEOPLE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO SAY THE LEAST... A VEHICLE THAT SHIFTS GEARS ERRATICALLY, UNCONTROLLABLE RPM, AND BRAKING ISSUES VIA RECALL 09S09 (SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION) IS NOT FIXING ANYTHING BUT VEHICLE FIRE SAFETY. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS SERIOUS ATTENTION, AS A VEHICLE LIKE MY OWN SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR, MIGHT POSSIBLY HAVE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND INJURE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE/ AND OR OTHERS. I ENCOURAGE THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER TO SEARCH THE WEB FOR O/D LIGHT FLASHING ON THE WEB TO SEE THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE....... *TR

NUMBER 8 CYLINDER SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE TODAY ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.6L. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THESE ISSUES. OUR EXPLORER ONLY HAS 108,000 MILES AND I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION WITH THAT LOW OF MILEAGE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE WHEN A BUNCH OF LIGHTS CAME ON SUCH AS THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKING FOLLOWED BY THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" LIGHT AND SERVICE LIGHT. MY TRUCK STARTED GRINDING WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT AND ENDED UP SHUTTING DOWN RIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE WITH PEOPLE GOING 65+ AROUND ME HONKING. I HAD TO HAVE 2 PEOPLE PUSH ME OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE TRUCK WOULDN'T MOVE. IT WILL START, BUT WON'T GO INTO GEAR AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS DESTROYED. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER - O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT. DEALER INDICATES NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED. CHECK INTERNET SITES, SEVERAL SITES WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. *TR