2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER STOPPED WORKING AT APROX. 95000 MILES ,JUST LIKE THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER EXPLORERS IN 2002 HAVE AND FORD REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLE. *TR

BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE BRAKE REPLACEMENT. TRUCK HAD BEEN HANDLING POORLY, WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKES & SHOCKS. SERVICE ADVISOR ADVISED OF DISCOVERY OF CRACKED SPRINGS, HAD TO KEEP VEHICLE OVERNIGHT FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. *TR

DRIVING FROM PARKING LOT, HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM THE REAR. UPON INSPECTING, THE REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES. *TR

OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. WE HAD SOME TROUBLE WITH THE LOCKOUT IN THE PAST, BUT THIS LEFT US STRANDED AND REQUIRED A TOW. *TR

I DRIVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 86,000 MILES. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. *TR

I WAS HAVING TROUBLE PLACING MY CAR IN PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT WORK UNLESS I FORCED IT. MANY OF TIMES I WOULD PLACE IN PARK AND IT WOULD ROLL. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT. ON JUNE 10, 2009 I PLACED MY CAR IN PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE. I WAS TOLD THAT "IT HAPPENS"WITH THIS TRUCK AND THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $700-1200 DOLLARS TO GET THIS REPLACED. IT IS A DISGRACE THAT FORD DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR TRUCKS. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR

I GOT A FORD EXPLORER 2002 AND THE HATCHBACK DOOR IS CRACKED, I HAD A FORD EXPLORER 2003 BEFORE AND IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I HAD SEEN OTHER FORDS EXPLORERS FROM YEAR 2000 TO 2004 WITH THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE FORD HEADQUARTERS COMPANY AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T FIX THE CRACK BECAUSE I HAD TO CONTACT YOU TO COMPLAIN SO THIS WILL BECOME A RECALL AND THEY WILL FIX IT FOR ME OTHERWISE THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT. I ONLY BUY FORD CARS BECAUSE I LIKE AMERICAN CARS AND ALSO I FEEL I AM HELPING THE ECONOMY KEEPING JOBS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BUT I COULD BUY ANY OTHER BRAND! I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY COMPLAIN AND MAYBE FIND A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN IN HALF NEAR TOP PORTION. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OF EXPLORER, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED YET. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER - 4.6 V8 HAS THE POPULAR BLOWN SPARK PLUG ISSUE WHICH HAS CAUSED ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS ON PRETTY MUCH THE WORST WEEKEND OF MY LIFE THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED IN. THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY POPULAR COMPLAINT ABOUT FORDS W/ THIS ENGINE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. IT IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW W/ THE ALUMINUM AND METAL HEATING ISSUES CAUSING THE SPARK PLUGS TO BREAK OFF OR JUST SHOOT OUT OF THE ENGINE. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE UNDER MY HOOD FOR A SHORT TIME AS WELL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. IN MY CASE, I DID HEAR THE INFAMOUS "CLICKING" NOISE THAT HAPPENS JUST BEFORE THE PLUG BLOWS AND THEN RIGHT AFTER, IT BLEW, SOUNDING LIKE SOMEBODY WAS STARTING A HARLEY UNDER MY TRUCK. I WAS UNDER MY HOOD LOOKING AND HEARING FOR THE NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A BELT ISSUE WHEN THIS BLEW. THIS THING SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BLOW MY HEAD OFF WHILE I WAS UNDER THE HOOD AND LUCKILY I WAS NOT HURT, OR FORD WOULD HAVE A LAW SUIT ON THEIR HANDS. WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE BROKEN PLUG AND GET A NEW ONE TO THREAD MAYBE ONE THREAD DEEP TO GET ME HOME SAFELY. THERE IS ONLY ONE THREAD GRABBING AND I WILL MORE THAN LIKELY HAVE TO HAVE THE $1500 - $2000 JOB DONE OR TRADE THIS PILE IN BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO THE OTHER PLUGS, WHICH I HEAR IS INEVITABLE, DUE TO FORD NEVER ADDRESSING OR REMEDYING THIS ISSUE. THIS BEING MY SECOND EXPLORER W/ SEVERE ISSUES THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF, THIS WILL BE MY LAST. THANKS. *TR

ON MONDAY JUNE 1ST WE WERE LOADING ITEMS INTO MY EXPLORER FOR A GARAGE SALE AND MY HUSBAND WENT TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND WHEN HE WENT TO CLOSE IT JUST EXPLODED EVERYWHERE. LUCKILY BY THE GRACE OF GOD MY GRANDSON WAS NOT AROUND THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. I JUST FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHENEVER THE RECALL WAS POSTED, THEY SHOULD STILL HONOR IT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT PARKED NOSE DOWN ON AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY. NO KEYS IN IGNITION BUT VEHICLE SLIPPED AWAY AND HIT A LIGHTPOST 50 METERS DOWN THE STREET. *TR

TRANSMISSIONS OF THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER SEEMS TO HAVE NUMEROUS ISSUES. I HAVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION FIXED TWICE, BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ON-LINE WITH THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE ADDRESSED WITH FORD, BUT THEY DO NOT SEE IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN A VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AS YOU PULL INTO A ROADWAY, IT IS VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD JUST LIKE YOUR OFFICE TO REVIEW THESE ISSUES AS A SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE READ THE ON-LINE POSTINGS OF PEOPLE THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. *TR

WHILE TRYING TO FILL THE GAS TANK AT THE FUEL PUMPS, IT TAKES SOMETIMES UP TO 20 MINUTES TO COMPLETELY FILL THE TANK. I CAN ONLY SQUEEZE THE HANDLE ON THE GAS PUMP HOSE LINE SLIGHTLY YET IT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL. I KNOW THAT IT TAKES NEARLY 20 GALLONS TO FILL MY TANK YET THE NOZZLE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF EVERY 10 - 12 SECONDS. *TR

I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT MY EXPLORER INTO PARK THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF AND THE CAR WAS NOT IN PARK. THANKFULLY I WAS HOME AND IT IS NOW SITTING WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION AND EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. TRIED TO BUY THE GEAR SHIFT PLUNGER ON STEERING COLUMN AND THE FORD DEALER SAID I CAN ONLY BUY THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. $1200.00 THEY SHOWED ME THE COLUMN IT HAS A DIFFERENT PLUNGER THAT REINFORCED THIS SUGGEST THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V8 HAS REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION AT 35K & 85K MILES. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN WHEN THE CAR FAILS WITHOUT WARNING!!!! I'M NOT ALONE IN DEALING WITH THIS INCREDIBLY COSTLY & DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT. PLEASE TAKE ACTION! I'M READING THAT THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION IS APPARENTLY BAD. QUOTING ANOTHER'S DESCRIPTION: "AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH IT APPEARS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE IS WORN CASE BORE, WHERE THE PIN FOR THE 2ND GEAR & OVERDRIVE BAND SERVO ACTUATOR PASSES THROUGH THE CASE. IF THE PEOPLE DESIGNING THESE MACHINES SPENT EVEN A BIT OF TIME IN THEIR LIVES WORKING WITH THEIR HANDS ON REAL PARTS THEY WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO PASS A HARD STEEL PIN IN A WEAR POINT FASHION THROUGH A SOFTER ALUMINUM CASTING. IT IS NO WONDER SO MANY TRANSMISSIONS EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM." YOU WOULD THINK WHEN MY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE 1ST TIME THAT FORD WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY PUTTING BRASS CASINGS ON THE PINS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. NOW, I'M HAVING TO GET A 2ND TRANSMISSION, & SINCE I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO FORD, THEY ARE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION WITH THIS FIX IMPLEMENTED. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BEAR THE $3500 NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. FORD SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS, BUT SINCE THEY WON'T, I HOPE THAT YOU CAN REQUIRE THEM TO DO SO! THANKS! I IDENTIFIED THIS AS AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE TO REQUIRE A NEW ONE AT 35K MILES. MY CAR IS DEAD AT A SHOP SO I CAN'T LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE YOU ANY PRODUCT INFORMATION. THE DATE I PROVIDED FOR EQUIPMENT IS THE DATE THE 1ST TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER & PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. I AM ASSUMING THAT THE 1ST TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO THE PINS. THERE'S NO WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE IT'S A CLOSED SYSTEM, WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM. THE SITE DETAILING THESE PROBLEMS IS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/. *TR

WHEN I TRIED TO PUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER INTO REVERSE THE GEAR SHIFTER SNAPPED OFF IN MY HANDS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE BUT HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS TO BE A REAL ISSUE WITH THE FORD EXPLORER DESIGN OF THE SHIFTER MECHANISM. MY VEHICLE HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENT AS TO WHEN MOST BREAK. *TR

JUST LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS BOTH OF MY REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AT THE TOP OF THE SPRING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT (POOR QUALITY) I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. OBVIOUSLY THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAS REAR END ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. I JUST CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO COIL SPRING RECALL? FORD MUST KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THEM, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SEARCH THE WEB TO SEE THAT SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END. THIS SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BECAUSE IT'S CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE HELP GET THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOME FAMILY WHO ISN'T AWARE OF THE ISSUE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHING, FIND OUT SOLENOID PACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO NEEDS ALL 4 BALL JOINTS REPLACED. FOUND OUT THESE ARE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS TO 02 EXPLORERS. NOT SURE IF WE WILL REPAIR BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL END UP DOING IT AGAIN OR THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT. WE'VE ALREADY REPLACED REAR END, WINDOW MOTOR AND HAVE FADED WINDOW PANELS AND A CRACKED BACK PANEL ON LIFT GATE. WHY IS THE GOV'T NOT ADDRESSING THESE PROBLEMS. THIS WAS NOT A CHEAP CAR - WHY IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLE? *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. THIS PAST MAY MY EXPLORER'S O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I NEARLY IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS WRECKED TO THE TUNE OF $2,500. AFTER MUCH INTERNET RESEARCH IS SEEMS AS THOUGH MANY THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FORD SEEMS TO BE DOING NOTHING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES THE WAY THAT TOYOTA HAS! *TR

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

SATURDAY I TRIED TO PUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT IN PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFT SNAPPED OFF. I WASN'T TRYING TO JAM IT IN PARK, JUST SIMPLY TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARK. IT IS RIGHT NOW STUCK IN REVERSE WITH THE KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME AND NO CLUE THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS A BIT. AFTER, DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF FORD HAD ANY RECALLS FOR THIS I FOUND THAT MANY MORE PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. THE PICTURES THAT THE OTHERS HAVE UPLOADED OF THE METAL/ALUMINUM PIECE IS THE SAME EXACT PIECE THAT IS BROKEN ON MINE. PLEASE BELIEVE ME I AM NOT AN EXTRA STRONG PERSON AS TO WHERE I COULD HAVE DONE THIS MYSELF (BROKE THE PIECE OF METAL). PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD. *TR

FLAT TIRE; AFTER TAKING TIRE OFF I NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN IN HALF AND THE WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO WOBBLE. THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE PART FAILURES. AFTER CONSULTING OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE TYPE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS - WHEEL BEARINGS AND COIL SPRING FAILURE. FORD MAY WANT TO RECALL THESE BEFORE IT CAUSES ACCIDENTS. *TR

MY WIFE WAS PICKING UP HER MOTHER AND SHE WENT TO PUT THE EXPLORER INTO REVERSE AND THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN HER HAND. SHE COULD NOT GET THE CAR INTO GEAR SO WE HAD IT TOWED HOME. I FOUND THE PIECE HOLDING THE SHIFTER WAS BROKEN OFF. FORD WANTED $1,000 FOR THE PIECE TO FIX IT. *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE ENTIRE SHIFT LEVEL FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CAST POT METAL PLUNGER ASSEMBLY THAT ENGAGED THE SHIFTING LEVER HAD A UNIFORM CRACK AND THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN OFF. A REVIEW OF THE INTERNET, SPECIFICALLY WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM SHOWED THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER SERIES. FORD HAS ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT, HAS ISSUED NO RECALL, AND WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE FAULTY OR DEFECTIVE WORKMANSHIP AND/OR CASTING. WHAT IS PROBABLY A $40 TO $50 SUB-ASSEMBLY PART CANNOT BE REPLACED EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT COULD. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1700.00. PLEASE REVIEW THE WEBSITE I HAVE LISTED AND YOU'LL SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE AND THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT AN OVERALL SYMPTOM OF AN ISSUE THAT EXISTS IN VARIOUS YEAR MODELS OF THE FORD EXPLORER. A COMPONENT OF A STEERING SYSTEM THAT CAN EXPERIENCE SUCH FATIGUE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS AND WHICH WILL COMPLETELY BREAK OFF IN ONES HANDS IS SIMPLY A TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP US THE CONSUMER OUT --- INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND HOLD FORD MOTOR COMPANY RESPONSIBLE. WE AVERAGE CITIZENS CANNOT FIGHT AND WIN AGAINST A MAJOR CORPORATION BUT IF YOU FAIL TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM ON OUR BEHALF THEN YOUR CONCERNS FOR DRIVER SAFETY ARE NO MORE VALID THAN FORD'S CLAIM THAT "QUALITY GOES IN BEFORE THE NAME GOES ON". THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT HAS MY CAR SAID THAT HE "HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS", BUT AT THE SAME TIME ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE HAD HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HELP ---- THIS IS NOT RIGHT !!!!! *TR

WHEN I GO TO OR FROM PARK THE CAR JERKS AND HAS ALMOST CAUSE ME TO GET INTO SEVERAL CRASHES. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK. *TR

GEAR SHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF IN THE HAND OF MY 110 LB GIRLFRIEND. SHE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WENT TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE PART THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SHIFT TO THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE OFF. THE CAR WAS ON AND LUCKILY DID NOT MAKE IT ALL THE WAY INTO REVERSE OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN REVERSE!! SHE QUICKLY TURNED THE CAR OFF, BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK EITHER, SO THE KEY WON'T COME OUT! I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND MY NEIGHBORS HAVE LITTLE ONES AS WELL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR IS NOT COMPLETELY IN ANY GEAR AND THE KEY IS IN IT. IT CAN'T BE DRIVEN SO I HAD IT TOWED, AND LIKE MANY, MANY OTHERS HAVE FOUND OUT, THIS SMALL, CHEAPLY MADE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPLACE. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE PURCHASED THROUGH FORD AND REPLACED. I WAS GIVEN A "DISCOUNTED" QUOTE OF $1900 FROM BERGE FORD IN AZ. HOW HAS THIS SMALL, WEAK, CHEAPLY MADE PART NOT BEEN RECALLED YET? ARE WE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE RUN OVER AND POSSIBLY KILLED BY A VEHICLE STUCK IN GEAR?! *TR

BACK TAILGATE WINDOW IS CROOKED, AIR PRESSURE THING FELL OFF ON RIGHT SIDE CAUSING A LACK OF SUPPORT ON THAT SIDE AND HINGES ARE STARTING TO BEND TO THE LEFT ALSO. WHO KNOWS WHEN THIS WINDOW WILL FALL OFF OR HOW MUCH LONGER IT WILL BE SUPPORTED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT ON THE RIGHT. IT'S JUST SCARY, WE DON'T USE THIS TAILGATE WINDOW AT ALL SO IT MAY BE FINE? IT IS LIKE THIS WHILE STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY, TURNING ETC.

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4X4. YESTERDAY WHILE TRYING TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION,ALL OF A SUDDEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO. THEIR WAS AN 18 WHEELER COMING IN WHICH HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES NEARLY HITTING ME AND MY CHILDREN, I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS MODEL AND THE TROUBLE WITH THE 5R55W TRANSMISSIONS. THEIR IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THESE,BUT NO RECALL I FEEL THAT THEIR IS AN SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED THIS IS DEFINITELY AN LEMON TRANSMISSION AND FORD NEEDS HELD RELIABLE. *TR

I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THAT OWN A 2002 EXPLORER. O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHING, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON, CAR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR IF YOU HAVE TO STOP SUDDENLY, HARD TO PUT INTO PARK, ERRATIC SHIFTING. PLEASE MAKE FORD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT BUT SOLD THE VEHICLES ANYWAY. DO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE HAS TO DIE IN A WRECK BECAUSE THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE HAD EXPERIENCED BETWEEN 5-6 MAJOR COLLISIONS/CRASHES WITH THE VEHICLE AND SUSPECTS THAT THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAGS WERE DUE TO THE INCIDENCES. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT SPECULATE THAT THE PREVIOUS CRASHES CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE, AND REPAIRS COST OVER $3,000.00. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 11/23/09. *LJ THE REAR PINION SEAL WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 11/24/09

REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH A 4.6 LITER V8 WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND THE ENGINE EJECTED A FACTORY INSTALLED SPARK PLUG I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERS THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACE TRUCK IN GEAR. I HAVE HEARD THROUGH BLOGS THAT THIS IS NOW BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM. MY TRUCK WAS PLACED IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON PRIOR TO SHIFTING THE LEVER INTO PARK, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE THE LEVER SNAPPED AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE TRUCK NOR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME HOW TO PLACE THE TRUCK IN DRIVE MANUALLY UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT SAFE CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT ONE IS UNDERNEATH A RUNNING VEHICLE AND THE PROBABLITY OF BEING RAN OVER IS HIGH. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD IS BEING PRESSURED IN RECALLING THIS PART CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THE PIECE THAT BREAKS IS NOT SOLD INDIVIDUAL, THE CUSTOMER IS OBLIGATED TO BUY A COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN JUST TO OBTAIN THE PIECE THAT BREAKS. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A TRANSMISSION GOING BAD. AT THE END OF MY 36,000 MILE WARRANTY I TOOK IT IN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHO SAID SINCE THE VEHICLE JUST WENT OVER THE WARRANTY BY LESS THAN A 1,000 MILES THAT THEY WOULD SHARE IN THE COST OF DOING THE WORK. IT COST ME APPROX. $700. FOR WHAT I HAVE SINCE LEARNED WAS A SOLENOID. NOW, (70,000 MILES LATER) I'M BEING TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, HAD BRAKES CHANGED, NOISE CONTINUED. FOUND OUT IT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BOTH GOING BAD. REPAIRS NOT DONE TOO EXPENSIVE. *TR

I WENT TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INSIDE STEERING COLUMN. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN FOR 1 LITTLE PIECE OF CAST WHITE METAL WHICH I FOUND OUT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. AFTER REPAIR WAS COMPLETE ,OD OFF LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. CODE PO755 ON ENGINE SCANNER WHICH ACCORDING TO CARCOMPLAINT WEB SITE AND MY MECHANIC IS ALSO A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. WHEN IT WAS REPLACED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK THE VERY NEXT MORNING DUE TO IT LEAKING. WHEN I GOT IT BACK I WAS NEVER SATISFIED SO I EVENTUALLY TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. NOW MY O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING LIKE SO MANY OTHER OWNERS BUT I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYWHERE WITH FORD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE BELOW THE WINDOW WAS CRACKED. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW PANEL WOULD FAIL AND CAUSE THE GLASS TO SLIDE OUT AND SHATTER. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

REAR COIL SPRING BROKE AFTER ONLY 76,000 MILES. LIGHT DRIVING MOST TIMES. *TR

ROLLING DOWN PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE WINDOW SLID DOWN AND WILL NO LONGER GO UP OR DOWN. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. *TR

WHILE PARKING MY 2002 EXPLORER, I WENT TO SHIFT IT INTO PARK AND FELT A 'POP'. THE GEAR SHIFTER COMPLETELY BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT. HOWEVER THIS HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY, SO THERE WAS NO WAY TO GET IT FIXED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. I'M VERY UPSET THAT A PART SO CRITICAL IS MADE SO POORLY. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME ALOT OF MONEY TO FIX....MONEY THAT I DON'T HAVE. THE QUOTE FROM MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS $1600 BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE COLUMN! SO IN THE MEANTIME I'M STUCK AT HOME WITHOUT A RIDE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, PURCHASED NEW IN 2001. FIRST A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, MY O/D LIGHT STATED FLASHING. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED AND HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM. IN 2008 I HAD ROUTINE BRAKE REPLACEMENT DONE ON MY VEHICLE AT A LOCAL GARAGE AND WHEN THIS WAS DONE THE TECHNICIAN WORKING ON THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT MY REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND NEARLY FELL OUT. I HAD THIS PROBLEM REPLACED WITH NEW SHOCKS AND SPRINGS AND DID NOT THINK SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD LOW MILEAGE. NOW JUST RECENTLY WITH 61000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AGAIN, I HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THEIR WAS A DEFINITE SLIP, AND ALSO NOTICED A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE LIGHT CAME ON THAT THEIR WAS A SHUDDER WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM 4TH TO 5TH GEAR. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. DUE TO THE COST OF THIS BEING OVER $4000.00, I DECIDED TO BRING IT TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITY. I DID GET A LOWER QUOTE AND AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR. I SPOKE TO THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS AND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REMANUFACTURED AND THEY ALSO FOUND WATER OR COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE OWNER ALSO ADVISED ME OF THE FACT THAT THEIR IS A VENT FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS PLUGGED WITH SOME SORT OF PLUG WHICH SHOULD NOT BE THEIR. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE WE WERE MOVING, IN IT WERE SOME BELONGINGS. *TR

2002 EXPLORER, 1ST INCIDENT, HAD OD LIGHT FLASHING W/VERY HARD SHIFT. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, SLIPPING AT 30 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR, HAD TRANSFER CASE REBUILT. 6 WEEKS LATER TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AGAIN AT 30 TO 40 MPH WITH LOUD WHINE WHEN STOPPING. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH SEVENTY THOUSAND MILES AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. HAVING DRIVEN ONLY A FEW BLOCKS WHEN THIS OCCURRED, I RETURNED HOME AND AT THAT TIME THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE FROM OTHER OWNERS THE EXPLORER SEEMS TO BE A POORLY DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED VEHICLE. I HAVE NO EXPECTATIONS OF YOU OR ANYONE AT FORD DOING ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

I POPPED OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, AND AS IT DID NOT OPEN FULLY, I PUSHED IT UPWARD SLIGHTLY OUT THE WAY. THE GATE WINDOW ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED, SHATTERED, AND FELL ON MY HEAD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT IT WAS UNNERVING TO SAY THE LEAST. INVESTIGATING FURTHER, I SEE THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WINDOWS_WINDSHIELD/REAR_LIFT_GATE_WINDOW_EXPLODED.SHTML SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND SOON, OUR SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET BLINDED OR WORSE. *TR

I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THAT OWN A 2002 EXPLORER. O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHING, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON, SLIPPING 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, SHUTTERING IN 5TH GEAR, TOLD BY ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. PLEASE MAKE FORD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT BUT SOLD THE VEHICLES ANYWAY. DO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE HAS TO DIE IN A WRECK BECAUSE THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE! *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 74,000 MILES. HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FORM MOTOR. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP - STATED TO ME THAT THIS IS A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND WILL COST $1500.00 - $2000.00. DEALER SAID THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. (SEE CAR COMPLAINTS.COM). THEY SAID TO CALL FORD AND SEE IF THEY WILL RECTIFY. TO NO AVAIL FORD SAID NO. THE DEALER STATED THAT FORD USED CHEAP PARTS FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND WILL NOT BACK UP THEIR WORK. WHAT A CROCK. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AS IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. *TR