2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR COIL SPRINGS . I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MANY EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY REPORT THAT THEIR REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BREAKING AND CRACKING PREMATURELY! AS OF NOW, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND AS I CHECKED UNDER THE REAR END OF MY EXPLORER TODAY, BOTH REAR COILS ARE BROKEN AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT. AS I UNDERSTAND, THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT ONLY EXIST IN 2002 MODELS, BUT OTHERS ALSO. *TR

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE ON 2002 EXPLORER. THIS WAS NOTICED DURING INSPECTION WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED. IT APPEARS TO BE BAD STEEL AS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS ON THE INTERNET. FORD SHOULD RECALL AND PAY FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THESE REPLACED. MY TAKE ON THIS IS IT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTN.(IN THE FORM OF A RECALL FROM FORD) TO SAVE LIVES. *TR

SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION LOST 2ND GEAR AND STARTED SLIPPING, JERKING CAUSING US TO OBSTRUCT AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY. CAUSED A NEAR MISS THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATALITY. THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER (V8) IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAVE SCHEDULED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WITH A LOCAL SHOP. FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING EXCEPT CHARGE ME FULL PRICE TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION. KNOWING OF INHERENT EXISTING ISSUES WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS, THEY SOLD THIS USED VEHICLE TO MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER 4 MONTHS AGO. COME ALREADY! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH SHE LOST VEHICLE CONTROL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS WERE NORMAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 174,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. HER REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRING HAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 47,600.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE READING BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED SUGAR WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP,CLEANED THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FUEL GAUGE CONTINUED TO READ EMPTY CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 09/20/2011 *LN *TR

FOLLOWING THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN #04V442000 RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE HINGE ON THE REAR HATCHBACK OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, CRACKS IN THE BODY HAVE APPEARED IN THE PANELING AROUND THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW. THESE CRACKS APPEAR TO BE STRESSED INDUCED AND MAY POSE A HAZARD TO THE REAR WINDOW IF THE FRAMING AROUND THE WINDOW CONTINUES TO DEGRADE AND CRACK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODULE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MODULES WERE ON BACK ORDER AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR 30 DAYS. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND RAINY DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,277. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF UPDATED 02/19/10

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4 WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT ACTUATE ANYMORE. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A DEFECTIVE 4X4 CONTROL MODULE. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD. SAFETY ISSUE WHEN EXPECTING TRACTION IN WINTER AND NOT HAVING IT. *TR

WILL HESITATE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL. WILL MAKE A BIG CLUNK AND HESITATE WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE AND MAY NOT MOVE AFTER GAS PEDAL APPLIED. OD LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY AND SERVICE LIGHT REMAINS ON 95% OF TIME. TRANSMISSION WILL TUG HARD WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE GAS PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION WILL CONSTANTLY SLIP AND GAS PEDAL NEEDS TO BE RELEASED AND REAPPLIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO STOP AUTO FROM JOLTING/TUGGING. MUST PULL OFF ROAD AND TURN OFF ENGINE TO RESET OD LIGHT WHICH FLASHES ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER THE AUTO HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD. UNABLE TO USE CRUISE CONTROL DUE TO THE CONSTANT TUGGING AND JOLTING. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/POWER TRAIN. PURCHASED 2 YEARS AGO FROM A USED DEALERSHIP. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. THE OD LIGHTS STARTED TO APPEAR REGULARLY 9 MONTHS AGO. SERVICE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON ABOUT 2 MONTHS NOW. *TR

RECENTLY PURCHASED 2002 FORD EXPLORER. SHORTLY AFTER, WITHIN ONE TO TWO DAYS I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO PARK AND OPENING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ALTHOUGH VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN I EXITED IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS CAUSING ME TO FALL BESIDE ALONGSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE WITH LOWER RIGHT EXTREMITIES STILL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATE ASSISTANT WAS AVAILABLE SO MINIMAL DAMAGE WAS DONE. CURRENTLY REQUIRES CAUTION WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK DO TO ADDITIONAL MANEUVERING TO SHIFT INTO PARK. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER BALL CRANK BROKE*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BALL CRANK BROKE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE CONSUMER'S MECHANIC MADE NUMEROUS CALLS IN SEARCH OF THE PART NEEDED, ONLY TO DISCOVER THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE PURCHASED AT A COST OF $1,395.00. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER. SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT MY EXPLORER AFTER ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE SLIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. THE SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE AT SPEEDS UNDER 50 MPH. WHAT IS DANGEROUS ABOUT THIS IS WHEN IT HAPPENS AT A TIME THAT I WANT TO GET INTO TRAFFIC WHILE CROSSING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE AND THE TRANSMISSION WON'T GO BACK INTO GEAR TO ALLOW ME TO COMPLETE THE ROAD CROSSING WHILE CARS HAVE TO APPLY THEIR BRAKES TO STOP FOR ME. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY GOES INTO GEAR, IT DOES SO WITH A BIG CLANK. I HAVE PERSONALLY MET A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE AND EVERY SINGLE ON COMPLAINS OF THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND HAVE HAD CLOSE CALLS IN TRAFFIC DUE TO THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION WORKED ON AND HAVE PAID ANYWHERE FROM $1700.00 TO OVER $2500.00 FOR REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEMS RETURN. I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ON THE WEB REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND IN EVERY SITE THAT HAS BLOGS DEDICATED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF THIS PROBLEM, THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD THIS WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL TRANSMISSION THAT WAS BOUGHT BY FORD FROM AN OUTSIDE MANUFACTURER, IN ORDER FOR FORD TO SAVE MONEY AND NOW WE, THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT IT IS NEGLIGENT AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF FORD TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES WITH THIS TYPE OF DANGEROUS TRANSMISSIONS. PEOPLE CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND INJURE PASSENGERS OR CAUSE PEDESTRIANS TO BE HURT OR KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND CONSIDER DECLARING A RECALL OF THIS TRANSMISSION. PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO GET HURT BEFORE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THAT IT WILL NOT MOVE INTO 2ND/3RD GEAR. THE CAR DROVE OK THE PREVIOUS DAY, THEN ON MY WAY TO WORK -- IT GAVE A LURCH AND AFTER THAT WOULD NOT POWER PAST 30-35MPH. FORD SERVICE SHOP HAS QUOTED ALMOST $4K TO OPEN UP THE TRANSMISSION AND FIX A VALVE IN THE VALVE BODY.. 2ND OPINION FROM AAMCO -- MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAS FIXED NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION ALTOGETHER, AS OPPOSED TO TRYING TO FIX CURRENT TRANSMISSION.. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FOR CLASS ACTION RECALL/DEFECT. *TR

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING FAILURE ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

I AM 100% CERTAIN YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE. MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS LOCKED UP AND FAILED TO GO INTO THE REVERSE GEAR. THE NUMBER OF OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD ENDLESS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS KEEPS GROWING. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON INTERSTATE 64. THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE, RIDICULOUS!! *TR

UPON INSPECTING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR STATE INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING TO BE BROKEN. THIS IS ONE OF TWO BROKEN ON THIS VEHICLE TO DATE, THE FIRST WAS THE LEFT REAR DISCOVERED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHEN IN FOR A ROUTINE CHECK, THEY REPLACED THAT SPRING, I REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE & STILL HAVE THE PIECES (3 TO BE EXACT) IN MY POSSESSION. WE HAVE ALSO HAD ALL FOUR AXLE BEARINGS REPLACED. ONE OF WHICH BECAME SO HOT, THE LEFT SIDE REAR HUB CAP MELTED & FELL OFF THE WHEEL. ALL FOUR BEARINGS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. NONE OF THE BEARINGS OR HUB CAP WERE UNDER WARRANTY SO WE WERE STUCK WITH THOSE & THE RR SPRING EXPENSE. KNOWING THE TYPE OF PART FAILURES ON OUR EXPLORER IT BRINGS UP A MORE CRUCIAL QUESTION OF, COULD ANY OF THEM HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. ROLLOVER,SWERVING OFF OF THE ROAD TO POSSIBLY HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE,ETC. WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AROUND THE SAME TIME? I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED FORD PRODUCTS, REPAIRED MANY,HOPE THEY WILL TAKE THIS AND APPLY IT TO TOUGHER TEST STANDARDS. VEHICLES' CURRENT MILEAGE IS OVER 120,000 I UNDERSTAND OTHER FORD MODELS HAVE HAD OTHER COIL SPRING CONCERNS ALSO, SUCH AS A NOTICE WE RECEIVED WHEN WE OWNED OUR '95 WINDSTAR. *TR

MY FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS APPROXIMATELY SEPT 2008 WHEN I PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY AND FELT AN ODD BUMP UPON LEAVING THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING WHEN I STOPPED AND TOOK THE CAP OFF OF THE LUG NUTS I NOTICED THE STUDS WHERE BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR. THOUGHT WE HAD IT FIXED BY HAVING THE STUDS REPLACED. WRONG ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WAS TOLD THE HUB AND BEARING NEEDED REPLACED SO WE REPLACED THEM. UPON INSPECTION THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR HAD STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. SO WE REPLACED THAT SIDE AS WELL. THAT LASTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND WE WENT TO HAVE NEW TIRES PUT ON THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC SAID THAT OUR BEARINGS WERE BAD AGAIN AND NEEDED REPLACED. SO WE DID REPLACE THEM. ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE STUDS BREAKING OFF. IN ONE INCIDENT I LOST ALL LUG NUTS BUT ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT ONCE WITH MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR MY FAMILY BEING THAT WE DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE AND CANT AFFORD ANOTHER BUT YET CAN'T FIND WHY THIS PROBLEM ISN'T AND APPARENTLY CANT' BE FIXED. I'VE DONE EVERYTHING THE GARAGE HAS TOLD ME TO DO. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS MY PROBLEM IS THAT I'M NOT PUTTING GOOD QUALITY FORD PARTS IN THERE FROM THEM. CAN ANY ONE HELP. UPON RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT HAS DONE THIS. *TR

REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FORD WOULD NOT WARRENTY. *TT

I BOUGHT THE USED EXPLORER FROM A FORD DEALER IN 2008. IT HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. AT 72,000 MILES WHILE GOING ON A TRIP FOR THE DAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN REVVING AT HIGH RPM'S BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. I TRAVELED APPROX. 5 MILES TO MY DESTINATION AND PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR THE DAY. I KNEW IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION, BUT DID NOT KNOW HOW EXTENSIVE IT WAS. I COULD NOT CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE THAT YEAR THEY DID AWAY WITH A TRANSMISSION DIP STICK AND THE ONLY WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS TO CRACK A BOLT LOCATED ON THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING UNDER THE VEHICLE. BOY FORD DOES NOT MAKE THINGS EASY TO CHECK EASY THINGS LIKE TRANSMISSION FLUID ANY MORE, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY LATER TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED. $2,800 , AFTER DOING RESEARCH THIS IS A REAL COMMON ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

THERE IS A COMMON THREAD WITH GEARSHIFT SELECTOR BREAKAGE ON FORD EXPLORERS WHICH INDICATES THAT RECALL IS URGENTLY NEEDED. IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE, WITH CAR IN PARK, I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT. THE GEARSHIFT SELECTOR ON THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE OFF AND JUST DANGLED. I REMOVED THE RUBBER COVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN TO HAVE A LOOK, AND I COULD SEE ROUGH METAL WHERE END OF GEARSHIFT SELECTOR ROD MEETS WITH JOINT INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN, INDICATING THAT THE METAL SIMPLY BROKE THERE. CALLED SERVICE AT FORD DEALER IN HENDERSON NV, WAS TOLD THAT ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT PARTS + LABOR COST OF $1920. HAD I BEEN PARKED ON A HILLY STREET IN SAN FRANCISCO, E.G., A SERIOUS ACCIDENT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. RECALL IS URGENTLY NEEDED BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED DUE TO THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE WHEELS LOCKED; WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59000.

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE ODLIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP, AND WOULD NOT MOVE! I HAD TO CUT THE CAR ON AND OFF MANY TIMES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY BEGAN TO MOVE AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE BECAUSE I AM SIX MONTHS PREGNANT, AND THAT CAN BE SCARY DRIVING AND YOUR CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR . *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 83,000 MILES ON IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION FROM FORD. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN AUGUST 2002. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE GEAR PROBLEMS SINCE 2003. WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER MY TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND JUST IMMEDIATELY STOP ACCELERATING AND OFTEN COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SINCE 2003 AND HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK INTO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES. TWO TIMES THEY SAID NOTHING WAS FOUND. IN MARCH 2004 THEY FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, DID A QUICK FLUSH TO THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE TORQUE AND SENT ME BACK OUT WITH THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. ON 10/16/09 NOW THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND ONCE AGAIN I BROUGHT IT BACK IN AND NOW THEY SAY I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES AND THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A SAFETY OR MANUFACTURES DEFECT!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD, AND WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, HOW COULD THIS NOT BE A DEFECT. I HAVE LUCKILY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLIPS GEARS, STOPS ACCELERATING AND I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY THROW ON MY HAZARDS, AND TRY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY!! I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT NEARLY 800 OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME SORT OF TRANSMISSION RELATED PROBLEMS AND HAVE POSTED THEM ON AUTO BEEF. I REALLY NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME AND LOOK OUT FOR THE HONEST, AMERICANS WHO HAVE BROUGHT AN AMERCIAN CAR AND ARE BEING LIED TO AND TREATED WITH NO CUSTOMER SERVICE OR RESPECT. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY AMERICANS ARE BUYING FOREIGN MADE CARS!! PLEASE HELP US AND RECALL THE TRANSMISSION, AND HAVE THE CORRECT PEOPLE HELD ACCOUNTABLE...THE MAKER, NOT THE BUYER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLICKERED ON AND OFF WHICH ALSO INCLUDED A BEEPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND HAD BEEN ON GOING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 114,376. UPDATED 03/29/11*LJ UPDATED 09/16/11*JB

1. REPEATED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. O/D LIGHT BLINKING, EXPENSIVE SERVICE, REPEATS EVERY 12 MONTHS OR SO. 2. APPROXIMATELY EVERY 12 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE REQUIRES SERVICE EACH TIME. THE SERVICE RUNS FROM $300 - $1100. 3A. 01/07/05 57,424 MILES: O/D LIGHT LITE. NO CODE WHEN SERVICED. CHANGED $88.00. 3B. 02/02/09 159,777 MILES: CODE P0796. O/D LIGHT BLINKS. REQUIRED SERVICE. REPLACE SHIFT SOLENOID BODY, FLUID AND FILTER ($1,179.85). 3C. 10/13/09 172,769 MILES: O/D LIGHT BLINKS. REQUIRED SERVICE.REPLACED SERVO. $366.40. 3D. 10/14/2010 172,779: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. REQUIRED SERVICE. O2 SENSOR WAS UNPLUGGED DURING PREVIOUS SERVICE. $00.00. *TR

WE HAVE OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW. ON OCTOBER 13, 2009 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, THANKFULLY AT A SLOW SPEED, HE TURNED A CORNER AND REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE CAR, THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. SO HE SLOWED DOWN AND STARTED TO PULL OVER, HE THEN LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW TO SEE THE TIRE ROLLING OFF THE CAR AND DOWN THE STREET. THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE TIRE FELL OFF THE CAR. IT HAD SHEARED ALL THE LUG NUTS OFF. IF THE TIRE WERE TO FALL OFF AT HIGH SPEEDS THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH TO THE PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AND POSE A THREAT TO OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED EITHER. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF OF THE SAME WHEEL, WE THOUGHT THE FIRST TIME WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS - SLOW SPEED, TURNED AT A STOPLIGHT, THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG, THEN PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE TIRE FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE, ALL LUG NUTS WERE SHEARED OFF. WE HAD NO RECENT WORK ON THE TIRES OR THE VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY LOOSEN THE LUG NUTS FOR EITHER OCCURRENCE. TO FIX THIS FAILURE WE ARE HAVING THE CAR TOWED AND THE LUG NUTS REPLACED, AGAIN, ALONG WITH A PANEL THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE TIRE COMING OFF. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ESPECIALLY WITH OUR CHILDREN AS THE TIRE CAN JUST COME OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, AS I SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE THERE ARE EIGHT OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 2002 MODEL EXPLORERS AND SEVEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2003 EXPLORER YEAR AND TWO FOR THE 2004 YEAR AS WELL. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED! I ALSO FOUND ON THE WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM WEBSITE OTHER PEOPLES EXPERIENCES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN FORD EXPLORERS FOR THE YEARS 2002, 2003, AND 2004. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, IT IS A SERIOUS DEFECT! - *TR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEAVER AND LINKAGE PULLED OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD TO CHECK TRAILER GOT BACK IN WENT TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE LEAVER FELL OFF NOW I'M PART WAY ON HIGHWAY HAD TO BE TOWED LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT SOME IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED COST 1200.00. *TR

TRUCK SLOWS DOWN WHEN I HIT 20 TO 30, AND LEADS WITH A VIOLENT JERK. TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY SAID ITS MY TRANSMISSION. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILED, WAS LEFT STRANDED IN SNOW OUTSIDE JACKSON, WY. NO WARNING OF FAILURE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING MY OD OFF LIGHT STARTED FLICKING AND MY CAR FELT AS IF IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. I COULD NOT KEEP UP TO SPEED AND MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND COULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE, THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE GEARS WORKED AS SHOULD. AROUND 40 MILES LATER, I WAS OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY AND AT A STOP LIGHT, AS I ACCELERATED, THE OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN AND SHIFTING WAS HARD, THEN AGAIN ONCE I WAS UP TO SPEED IT FELT AS IF THE GEARS SLIPPED, I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SLOWED. WHAT SAVED ME THIS TIME WAS I WAS OFF THE MAJOR HIGHWAY AND ON A SIDE COUNTRY ROAD WITH VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENED OCTOBER 10, 2009. THE CAR HAS NOT YET BEEN SERVICED AS IT WAS OVER THE WEEKEND THIS HAPPENED AND TODAY BEING A HOLIDAY, MY KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL, AND I WILL NOT PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. LIKE I SAID THERE WAS NO WARNING TO THESE EVENTS. I FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED. SECONDLY, THE REAR LIFT-GATES PANEL SPLIT IN HALF. THIRDLY, THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. NONE OF THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. HE PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THIS SUV HAS A THIRD SEAT, THAT'S SELDOM USED. HAS A TOWING PACKAGE THAT'S BEEN RARELY USED. REAR COIL SPRINGS THAT TELL ME NONE OF THESE EXTRA OPTIONS CAN BE USED. WITHOUT ENDANGERING EVERYBODY IN THE CAR, AS WELL AS EVERYBODY ON THE ROAD. THIS CAR WAS DRIVEN DAILY, TO AND FROM WORK, AND SELDOM USED ON THE WEEKENDS. PARKED ON PAVEMENT, NOT GRAVEL, OR GRASS, AND NEVER OFF ROAD. WHY ARE THEY BREAKING? DOES THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAVE TO BE WARNED TO AVOID DRIVING PAST ONE OF THESE SUV'S BECAUSE THEY MAY RANDOMLY VEER OFF THE ROAD WITH A TIRE BLOWOUT? THIS IS TYPICAL OF FORD TO SEND OUT RECALLS ON THE HATCH, BUT NOT THE MUCH MORE SERIOUS (LIFE SAFETY) PROBLEM WITH IT'S REAR COIL SPRINGS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER V6 4X4, HAD SHIFTING ISSUES OCCURRED RANDOMLY AT FIRST WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AT LIGHTS OR PULLING INTO INTERSECTION. THE FIRST DAY OR SO IT HAPPENED SPORADICALLY SO WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS BOTH STATED DO NOT NEED REPAIRED AND SHOWS NO CODES. THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN DEC. 2001 AND HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE WITH ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EVEN MORE WORRISOME DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AFTER SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS AND ALMOST ACCIDENTS, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. NEW MECHANIC LOOKED IT OVER, DROVE IT AND SUGGESTED I TAKE TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE. AS I DROVE IT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. MECHANIC STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT/REPLACED-THIRD GEAR BAND IS BROKEN. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT MANY FORD 2002 EXPLORERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. EACH TIME IT OCCURRED THERE WAS HESITATION WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS, RPM'S INCREASE BUT SLOW OR NO ACCELERATION. FROM ALL INFO I HAVE SEEN IN MY RESEARCH AND BASED ON EXPERIENCED MECHANICS I SPOKE TO THERE WERE DESIGN FLAWS IN THESE 2002 VEHICLE TRANSMISSIONS (ONLY USED BY FORD FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS). THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE PROBLEM JUST STARTED HAPPENING. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER COSTLY REPAIR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE--THIS BEING THE MOST DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE. I AM A SINGLE MOM-GRANDMOM AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS $2500-$3000 PROBLEM. WHAT DO I DO NOW?! *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER V8 LIMITED EVENT LEADING TO FAILURE: LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN TRANS. AND LURCHING, SLIPPAGE OF GEARS. FAILURE: TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. PERMANENT FAILURE. COULD POTENTIAL KILL SOMEONE IF LURCHES AND HITS CAR OR PEDESTRIAN. NO ACTION DONE YET TO COSTLY. *TR

IM ANOTHER SAD STORY OF A 2002 EXPLORER. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING,CLUNKING AND THE O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING. JUST PAID THIS PIECE OF JUNK OFF AND NOW WAITING TO HERE FROM THE DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT IT FOR THAT OH FAMILIAR QUOTE OF 3000 TO 4000 TO FIX. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, O/D SIGNAL STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. NOW TRANSMISSION IS SLOW AND HARD SHIFTING. WE REPLACED THE PRESSURE SWITCH SOLENOID AND CHANGED TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID. WE HAD IT PUT ON A COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THAT IT WHAT IT SAID, PRESSURE SENSOR SOLENOID. SPENT ALMOST $400. AND IT DIDN'T WORK. IT HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIP WHEN ACCELERATING MOSTLY WHEN POWER IS NEEDED(PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE)FORCED TO BRAKE HARSHLY TWO TIMES WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ON OCCASION,TRUCK FEELS LIKE IN NEUTRAL AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT FOR ABOUT 4-5 SECONDS. ON OCCASION TRUCK STALLS WHEN PUTTING INTO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION HAS A LEAK BUT ALWAYS CHECKED LEVEL AND TOP UP IF NEEDED. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 82K MILES OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING. TRUCK TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS NUMEROUS OTHER PARTIES WITH SAME ISSUE. FORD MOTOR HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND FAILS TO RECALL. *TR

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 65 AS POSTED, I STARTED TO FEEL SHAKING FROM THE TIRES AND IT GOT TO THE POINT I COULDN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE, LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND CALL AAA FOR A TOW, A STATE POLICE OFFICER PULLED BEHIND ME AND SAID LET ME GUESS HUB BEARING. THE POLICE DEPT ALSO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS MY 8TH REPAIR I AM DOING AND NEXT WEEK I AM DOING THE OPPOSITE SIDE. IT IS COSTING ME 600.00 DOLLARS FOR EVERY SIDE I AM DOING. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO FORD COMPANY AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL. THEN WHY IS MY MECHANIC TELLING ME HE GETS NUMEROUS REPAIR JOBS ON THE SAME VEHICLES. PLUS I SPOKE TO A CO WORKER THAT HAS THE SAME YEAR AND VEHICLE DOING THE SAME THING. WHEN IS SOMETHING GOING TO GET DONE. OR IS THE COMPANY GOING TO WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS KILLED. BBB AND BLUMINTHAU WAS TOLD ABOUT AND STILL NO RESPONSE FROM NO BODY. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT IS GOING BAD. ON MY WAY BACK FROM A VACATION TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 5, I NOTICE THAT I'D BURN A HALF A TANK ON GAS FROM LA TO SAN DIEGO (75MILES). I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED BLINKING & THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT SOON FOLLOWED. THE RPM AND SPEED DOES NOT MATCH UP AND THERE IS ALWAYS A JERK WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I FEEL THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND AM NOT SURE WHAT I AM GOING TO DO....EXCEPT I KNOW I CANNOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE. I HAVE A WIFE AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN THAT ARE IN THIS TRUCK ALL THE TIME. NOW IT'S GOING TO COST ME OVER $3,000 TO REPAIR, WHICH IS ALMOST WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH AT THIS POINT. THE SAD PART ABOUT ALL THIS IS FORD KNOWS THAT THIS PROBLEM EXSIST AND IS WILLING TO LET ITS CUSTOMERS TAKE THE RISK OF INJURY IF THE TRANSMISSION GIVES OUT ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. LORD KNOWS WHAT'LL HAPPEN IF SOMEONE DIES IN THAT ACCIDENT. *TR

HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS, BUT WHILE I WAS OUT DRIVING TODAY MY CAR BEGAN TO POP AS I TURNED THE WHEEL. I HAVE GOTTEN MY TIE RODS REPLACED AND THERE SEEMS TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR HOME FOR ME SLOWLY BUT WILL NOT DRIVE FOR FEAR THAT THE WHEEL MAY POP OFF. CONTACTED FORD AND AM WAITING ON A RESPONSE, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED ON THE INTERNET BY SEVERAL OWNERS OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR. THIS IS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE THIS FURTHER INVESTIGATED SO THAT NOONE IS RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN VEHICLE AND THE WHEEL POP OFF. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT MY CHILD WAS NOT IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AT THE TIME THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HAD DO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 102,000 MILES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, O/D LIGHT ON, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, ENGINE LIGHT ON. CAR HAS 67,000, ONLY DRIVEN TO WORK. ONE OWNER, BROUGHT NEW FORD FROM DEALER. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE HAVING MY TIRES ROTATED THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. I AM WAITING FOR THE DEALER TO ORDER NEW SPRINGS AS IT APPEARS BOTH NEED TO BE CHANGED. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS ON 9-9-09. SO I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT BROKE. I DID NOT HEAR ANY NOISE OR NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE IN HANDLING. *TR

DEFECTIVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER . *TR