2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT, NOR ANY INCIDENCES OF PROPERTY DAMAGE. IT HAPPENS THAT ON A SATURDAY DURING THE SUMMER, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE OF MY VEHICLE. IT IS A CLEAN AND TOTALLY STRAIGHT CRACK DIRECTLY UNDER THE GLASS, MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES LONG AND 1 TO 1/12 WIDE. WHILE DRIVING AND EVERYTIME I SEE AN EXPLORER, I LOOK TO SEE IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA OF THEIR VEHICLE AND I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL, WHICH PROMPTS ME TO THINK THAT THIS IS IN FACT A DEFECT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND AM TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE OVER $1800.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED AS THEY WILL NEED TO ORDER AN ENTIRE LIFT GATE VS. REPAIRING THE ONE THAT ON THEIR CURRENTLY. HAVE YOU HAD ANY REPORTED INCIDENCES SUCH AS THIS? I NOTICED THIS IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. *TR

RIGHT REAR WHEEL MAKING NOISE AND IS LOOSE. WHEEL HUB/BEARING IS LOOSE AND WOBBLY. PARKING BRAKE PADS WORN COMPLETELY OFF FROM WHEEL BEING TILTED. FAILED WHEEL BEARING!!! 106,000 MILES. 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ALSO REPLACED BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUBS FOR SAME REASON AT ABOUT 95,000 MILES (NOISY AND ROUGH BEARING). *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 02 FORD EXPLORER XLT I NOTICED THE O/D LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO SHIFT. THE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM TRANSFER CASE WHICH HAD A BROWNISH FLUID LEAKING FROM IT. WENT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413 VALVE STEMS. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HIS FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. A REPLACEMENT BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT TIRE WAS PURCHASED AND THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVE STEM BECAUSE IT WAS SPLIT AT THE POINT WHERE IT MEETS THE RIM. THE SERIAL AND PART NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,500. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB

PURCHASED 2002 EXPLORER NEW, HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE. SOMETIMES DEALERS COULD FIND THE PROBLEM AND WOULD REPAIR, OTHER TIMES THEY COULDN'T. CAR NOW NEEDS NEW TRANS AGAIN, FORD WON'T COVER SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY. PER MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION SHOPS, THE DESIGN OF THE TRANNY ITSELF IS POOR. HAS METAL PIN THAT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH AT AN ANGLE (RATHER THAN STRAIGHT), SO PIN IS PUSHED UP AGAINST ALUMINUM PLATE, CAUSING A HOLE. SHOPS SAY THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR 2001 & 2002 EXPLORERS. *TR

WHEEL BEARINGS ERODED AFTER ONLY 75K MILES; TIRES IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE ROUTERS FROM THE BRAKES, AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO WORRY. AS THE CONTACT LEFT THE MECHANIC, THE SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEELS WERE BEING HELD ON BY THE BRAKES AND THE BEARINGS WERE DESTROYED. AFTER HAVING THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES HAD POOR TREAD MARKS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT TWO OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DESTROYED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

THE TRANSMISSION FAILS WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IN MY CASE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND ALMOST GOT MYSELF HIT! THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. I CHECKED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON SEVERAL ONLINE RESOURCES AND FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS AN EPIDEMIC! *TR

FORD DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL MECHANIC HAVE WITNESSED DOZEN OF CASES WITH FORD IN WHICH THE VEHICLE IS VIBRATING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WE HAVE TRIED REPLACING TIRES, BALANCING, AND WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ONLINE, BUT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO EDUCATE THEIR STAFF OR PUBLIC ABOUT THIS ISSUE. MOST COMMON IDENTIFIED ISSUE HAS BEEN THE REAR DIFFERENTIALS, BUT THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED HAS HAD THE VIBRATION COME BACK AFTER TIME. *TR

FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. SHOP SAID IF IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN MUCH FURTHER THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE COME OFF. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED LAST YEAR AND FORD WILL NOT HELP. THIS IS EVIDENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND COULD LEAD TO DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT. *TR

MY OD LIGHT STARTING BLINKING. THEN I STARTED HEARING A CLICKING NOISE. CAR SHUTTERED NUMEROUS DAYS, THEN WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THEN 25 MPH. HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REBUILT. HAD 92,000 MILE ON IT. EVIDENTLY FORD IA AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FAILED. AFTER BEING INFORMED OF THE DIAGNOSIS, THE CONTACT REMEMBERED HEARING CLUNKING NOISES AND ODD SUSPENSION-RELATED BEHAVIOR. HE CALLED FORD TO FIND OUT IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NONE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,552 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BELT TENSIONER FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SOUND LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE NOISE HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OVER FOUR YEARS, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

MY WIFE'S 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD A WHINE IN THE REAR END SINCE IT WAS NEW AND IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE WITH TIME. AT ABOUT 55K MILES IT WAS SO BAD THAT WE HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT AT A COST OF OVER $1,000. AT 65K MILES THE ENGINE HAD BEGUN TO MAKE NOISE AND IT BECAME MUCH LOUDER RAPIDLY. THE ENTIRE CAM DRIVE (TIMING CHAIN, SPROCKETS, TENSIONERS) HAD BEEN GROUND UP. THE TENSIONER PADS HAD 3/8" DEEP GROOVES WORN INTO THEM AND THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS EVERYWHERE. THE BILL THIS TIME WAS ALMOST $1,300. IT IS INTERESTING THAT ALL THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE A DIFFERENT DESIGN THAN THE ORIGINALS. IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN, WHY SPEND THE MONEY TO CHANGE THEM? OF COURSE FORD WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN FOR THE CAMS. AFTER THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FIXED THERE WAS STILL A NOISE SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP THAT DID THE WORK. WITH A STETHOSCOPE THE NOISE WAS ISOLATED TO THE BELLHOUSING/TORQUE CONVERTER AREA. WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WE TRUST AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS A CRACKED FLEX PLATE BECAUSE THAT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ON THESE VEHICLES AND IT CAUSES THAT KIND OF NOISE. THE FLEX PLATE WAS FINE AS WAS THE FRONT PUMP ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THE STARTER DRIVE. THE ONLY THING LEFT IN THAT AREA WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER SO WE REPLACED THAT. THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. HE SAID THAT THE NOISE HAD TO BE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT WOULD BE A $2,000 REPAIR. I'VE HAD IT WITH FORD AND THEIR "QUALITY IS JOB ONE" OR WHATEVER THEIR CURRENT ADVERTISING LIE IS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND THEY WON'T ADMIT TO A SINGLE THING BEING WRONG WITH IT. EVERY DRIVELINE COMPONENT HAS HAD TO BE FIXED AND IT ONLY HAS 67K MILES ON IT. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THE WAY THEY HANG THEIR CUSTOMERS OUT TO DRY. EVEN THOUGH I HAD TO IDENTIFY A PARTICULAR DATE BELOW, THIS CAR HAS HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS NEW IN 2002. *TR

AS I WAS SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER MY SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND!!! ON FURTHER INSPECTION I SAW THAT THE SHIFT LINKAGE WAS MADE OF CAST ALUMINUM AND HAD SHEARED OFF AT THE PIVOT POINT. I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS AS I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/STEERING/GEAR_SHIFT_BROKE_OFF.SHTML. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT COMPLETELY FELL OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. *TR

HEARD GRINDING NOISE WHICH MECHANIC DIAGNOSES AS RUSTED AND BROKEN REAR COIL SPRING. SHORTLY AFTER, THE OTHER REAR COIL SPRING BROKE INTO SEVERAL PIECES. METAL USED IN COIL SPRINGS SEEM TO BE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER 5 YEARS. NO OFF ROAD DRIVING. NORMAL USE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER - REAR APPLIQUE (PLASTIC TRIM) UNDER THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED, AND A PORTION OF IT FELL OFF THE VEHICLE TRAVELING 70MPH. SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML. FORD HAS SAID IT WAS TEMP RELATED, HOWEVER, I'M IN FLORIDA, THE VEHICLE NEVER SAW ANY TEMP BELOW 40, FREEZING WASN'T CONSIDERED. TSB 0485 IF I'M READING IT CORRECTLY. *TR

MY HUSBAND OPENED THE LIFTGATE TO MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER TO BRING OUR HURRICANE SUPPLY KIT INTO THE HOUSE. AFTERWARDS, HE WENT TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE, JUST AS NORMAL, AND THE GLASS, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, EXPLODED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES AND THE FRAME BELOW THE GLASS CRASHED TO THE GROUND. GLASS WAS FOUND HALFWAY DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, UNDER THE CAR, INSIDE THE CAR, AND ON TOP OF THE CAR. THE HINGES WERE CLEARLY BOTH BROKEN AND WIRES WERE SEPARATED FROM THE LIFTGATE. MY HUSBAND WAS STANDING TO THE SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN HE CLOSED THE LIFTGATE AND LUCKILY ONLY HAD A MINOR CUT ON HIS TOE. THE LIFTGATE DID NOT TOUCH ANYTHING AND WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING OR FORCED TO CLOSE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO IT EXPLODING. I ESSENTIALLY HAVE A THREE-SIDED CAR RIGHT NOW. FORD ISSUED A RECALL (04S20) ON THE LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE AND BALL STUD BRACKET EARLIER AND I HAD THAT REPAIR COMPLETED ON 09/25/07. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPLOSION IS VERBATIM OF WHAT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER FORD CUSTOMER CARE DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY STATING THAT PART IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AS DOES THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY REPAIRED THE RECALLED PART. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DISASTROUS IF MY HUSBAND HAD NOT BEEN STANDING OFF TO THE SIDE OR IF ANYONE HAD BEEN INSIDE THE CAR, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ANY INCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN INVOLVING THE HINGE AND BALL BRACKET EVEN IF THE REPAIR WAS MADE AS THEY REQUESTED PER THE RECALL. DOORS DO NOT JUST 'COME OFF' FOR NO REASON. THEIR METHOD OF 'REPAIRING' THE RECALL IS NOT SUFFICIENT AS THERE ARE BLOGS ONLINE WITH MANY OTHER EXACT COMPLAINTS. *TR

PARKED MY SUV IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER A SHORT TRIP AND THE HORN BEGAN TO BLOW. AS I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE I OPENED MY DOOR TO FIND SMOKE ROLLING OUT UNCONTROLLABLY. I RAN INSIDE TO CALL 911, BY THE TIME I HUNG UP THE PHONE MY ENTIRE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. THIS JUST HAPPENED TODAY, SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. BUT THIS WAS CAUSED BY SOME DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

FIRST THE BACK (BOTH) WHEEL BEARINGS WENT. SOUNDED LIKE A NASTY GRINDING NOISE, VERY LOUD. I HAD THEM REPLACED AT 750.00 TO REPLACE THEM AND THAT WAS NOT INCLUDING THE FACT THAT THEY DESTROYED MY BRAKES AND THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO..VERY EXPENSIVE.. NO WARRANTY..THAN REPLACED THE DRIVERS FRONT BEARING AND NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE BEARING IS GOING..WILL REPLACE VERY SOON. *TR

MY WIFE DRIVES A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHICH AS ALREADY HAD EXTENSIVE REAR END REPAIR. IT MAKES A ROARING SOUND WHENEVER THE CAR IS MOVING AND IT IS LEAKING WHAT I BELIEVE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE REAR END. FORD DENIES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT PARTICULAR CAR THOUGH I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINS ON LINE ABOUT TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN FAILURES IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. A RELIABLE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN CAN SEIZE UP AN ANY TIME. IF THIS HAPPENS ON AN INTERSTATE DOESN'T THIS QUALIFY AS A SAFETY CONCERN? *TR

REAR BEARINGS ON 02 FORD EXPLORER XLS DEFECTIVE. *TR

PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXP EDDIE BAUER ED USED WITH 35,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPAIRED WITHIN 3 WEEKS DUE TO 4WD MALFUNCTION COVERED BY WARRANTY. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND IS IN NEED OF A SECOND REPLACEMENT. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD WINDOW WAS NOT MEANT TO BE LOWERED HALFWAY. THE REAR HATCH HAS ALSO CRACKED COMPLETELY DOWN FROM WINDOW TO LOWER PANEL. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUES WITH THIS OCCURRING, BUT UPON FURTHER RESEARCH HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL. OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY AND DEALERSHIP REPORTS IT TO BE A MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRICAL SWITCH REPAIR COST AT AROUND $400. HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE, BUT WILL NO LONGER DRIVE VEHICLE AFTER DISCOVERING THAT THIS IS A PRECURSOR TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MAY POSSIBLY TRADE-IN THIS VEHICLE AND LOSE MONETARY VALUE FOR PRIVATE SALE. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING THIS VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE PARTY AND RISK INJURY TO NEXT OWNER. SHAME ON FORD FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

THE OD LIGHT ON MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER BEGAN BLINKING ACCOMPANIED BY CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT. WE TRAVELED SLOWLY HOME AMIDST WHIRRING AND CRUNCHING SOUNDS. THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND OBVIOUSLY THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. THE FORD MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WOULD CLOSE $2800 TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION AND IN RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS REGARDING POWER TRAIN, SUGGESTED THAT WE FIX THE REAR POWER TRAIN FOR $1600. JUST A WEEK AGO, ON THE WAY TO MY DAUGHTER'S WEDDING, 4 HOURS FROM HOME, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING WITH WARNING SOUNDS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND REPAIRED. WE PICKED IT UP A WEEK LATER DRIVING 4 HOURS ON BUSY THROUGH WAYS AND HIGHWAYS, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LIGHTS, AS NOTED ABOVE, STARTED BLINKING. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, WE HAD THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AS WELL AS OTHER REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND UPCOMING POWER TRAIN FAILURE MAKE THE CAR UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW HATCH ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED. THIS TIME IT CRACKED AND FLEW OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. 2 VEHICLES BEHIND ME HAD TO DODGE THE DEBRIS, AND FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. *TR

1.NOTHING LEADING UP TO. 2. 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILED ON HIGHWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE HORRIBLY CAUSING US TO GO OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. 3.TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED ON VEHICLE ESTIMATE OF $2800 ON A 2002 MODEL YEAR. I COME TO FIND OUT THIS HAS HAPPEN TO MANY I.E. THOUSANDS 2002 FORD EXPLORERS OWNERS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE? FORD MOTOR COMPANY BASICALLY TOLD ME TOO BAD AND THEY WONDER WHY THEY ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY. A FORD SERVICE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT FORD KNOWS THIS TRANSMISSION WAS NOT BUILT PROPERLY AND SOLD IT TO THIS PUBLIC ANYWAY. IF THERE HAS EVER NEEDED TO BE A RECALL THIS IS IT AFTER READING ABOUT ALL THE SEE INCIDENTS HAPPENING TO OTHERS WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR

O/D LIGHT CAME ON IN CAR,,, ACORDING TO FORDS DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM,,,NOTHING IS BRING DONE ABOUT THIS,, WHICH LEAVES ON BIG PROBLEM FOR THE COSUMERS LIKE MY SELF ! AND FORD IS FULL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM !

2002 FORD EXPLORER O/D LIGHT GOES OFF AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. THE TRANSMISSION SHORTLY THEREAFTER, STARTS SLIPPING. THE O/D LIGHT, IS BLINKING OUT OF CONTROL. EXCESSIVE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORD CONSUMERS WHO BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER. *TR

MARCH '07: REAR GATE SPLIT UNDER WINDOW DECEMBER '07 THROUGH JAN '08: REAR DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT TWICE, REAR AXEL HUBS AND BEARINGS REPLACED; DIFFERENTIAL NOISE STILL LOUD JUNE '08: TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE PROBLEMS CLOSING THE BACK WINDOW. YESTERDAY I WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO CLOSE THE BACK WINDOW, THEN ABOUT 1/3 WAY DOWN OUT OF NO WHERE THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED ALL OVER ME FOR THE SECOND TIME! VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHILDREN. (GOOD THING MY CHILDREN WERE ABOUT 15FT AWAY, BUT THEY WITNESS THE WHOLE THING). THE FIRST TIME THE WINDOW SHATTERED, IT WAS MAYBE AROUND 2004-05. (I CAN VERIFY UPON REQUEST). SUPPOSEDLY DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM. (YEAH RIGHT!) VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE REAR TAILGATE HATCH WINDOW WAS A QUARTER OF THE WAY DOWN, THE CONTACT'S SON RETRIEVED ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK AND THE MIDDLE PIECE OF THE REAR END WAS LITERALLY HANGING OFF. THE WINDOW GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. HIS SON WAS UNINJURED, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF NO PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE WINDOW ITSELF. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, NOR A RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,739.

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING WITH IT IN DRIVE. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF & IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED (IE, IGNITION/INTERLOCK SYSTEM). THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN EITHER. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN (NOT JUST SMALL BROKEN PIECE) HAD TO BE REPLACED (COST=$1372, $897 FOR PARTS). AS OF 7/2/08, 61 EXACTLY THE SAME INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED VIA COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA WEBSITE. SOME VEHICLES COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PART FAILURE TWICE. THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED UNDER THE COMPONENTS - STEERING: COLUMN, POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: COLUMN SHIFT, STEERING: GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION), STEERING: GEAR BOX: SHAFT SECTOR, STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR, OTHER OR UNKNOWN THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN AND/OR MFG/MATERIAL DEFECT & IT CORRELATES (IN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS) WITH ANOTHER DEFECT - VERY DIFFICULT SHIFTING OF GEAR LEVER TO OR FROM ?PARK? & ?REVERSE?. 61 REPORTED INCIDENTS OF THE PARTS FAILURE ARE SIGNIFICANT, BUT THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY FAR MORE THAN HAVE BEEN REPORTED VIA NHTSA COMPLAINTS. THE DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT PART POSES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. IF THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BREAKS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON A STREET OR EXPRESSWAY (BUT STOPPED MOMENTARILY BY NECESSITY), THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS OR PUSH AND/OR STEER IT TO SAFETY, THEREBY CREATING A DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATION WITH A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR BODILY INJURY. NHTSA HAS MORE THAN ADEQUATE DATA TO INITIATE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION & SHOULD IMMEDIATELY REQUIRE FORD TO PROVIDE A FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE NUMBER OF STEERING COLUMNS THAT IT HAS SOLD AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. I HAVE THE OLD STEERING COLUMN (AND THE BROKEN PIECE) AS WELL AS SEVERAL PICTURES OF THEM. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING, CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. REAR END MAKES NOISE, ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. TRUCK SHIFTS HARD FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. SHIFTS HARD AND MAKES CLUNCKING SOUND FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND WILL NOT GO IN TO OVER-DRIVE AT ALL. *TR

THE GEAR SHIFT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. I WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD SON & MY WIFE WHO IS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT. I PULLED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE IN REVERSE, WHEN I PROCEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. MY CAR WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON REVERSE. I HAD TO TURN OF THE ENGINE TO BE ABLE TO PUSH IT OUT OF HARMS WAY AND COULD NO LONGER TURN IT ON BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK ON THE REVERSE GEAR. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE, FIND A MECHANIC THAT COULD HELP ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN HAVE IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC HAD TO CHANGE THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE FORD DOES NOT SELL THE SINGLE PART TO FIX THE GEAR SHIFT, THEY ONLY SELL THE ENTIRE COLUMN. THE MECHANIC GOT ME A GOOD DEAL ON THE COLUMN AND THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $360 AS OPPOSED TO THE $850 THAT FORD WANTED TO CHARGE FOR THE PART. THERE IS A DATABASE ONLINE OF NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORER 2002 OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. HERE IS THE LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/STEERING/GEAR_SHIFT_BROKE_OFF.SHTML THIS IS A DEFECT THAT THREATENS THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED, RECALLED AND THE VICTIMS OF THIS DILEMMA SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY FORD FOR THEIR EXPENSES. *TR

O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT OVER 60 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM . *TR

REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WORN OUT ON FORD EXPLORER. LOOKS TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THEM. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM TO BE FIXED. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT/OR INJURIES!!! *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH APPROXIMATELY 98,700 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE IS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER IN MCCONNELLSBURG PA I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR END WAS FAILING, AS WELL AS THE FRONT BEARINGS OF THE SUV WERE FAILING. THE BEARINGS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO. I WAS ALSO ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT FORD MOTOR CO, KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DRIVE TRAIN AND ALL ITS COMPONENTS, AS THEY HAVE PUBLISHED SEVERAL SERVICE ADVISORY ON IT. FORD MOTOR CO, HOWEVER WILL NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE(S) TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH CAN COST THE CONSUMER OUT OF POCKET ANYWHERE FORM $1,200 TO $1,800. FORD MOTOR CO, DOES NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE AND REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT AS SUCH. I GUESS THEY WILL WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE START DYING FROM ACCIDENTS THAT THEY KNOW CAN HAPPEN. *TR

AS MY WIFE WAS SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE IN OUR 2002 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER THE GEAR SHIFT PRNDL JUST FELL OFF IN HER HAND. FORD DEALERSHIP IN ASHEVILLE NC TELLS ME THERE IS A SIX(6) MONTH BACK ORDER FOR THIS PART. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 80,000 MILES AND REPLACING BOTH REAR CLUTCH PACKS AT 72,000 I WAS LIVID. SIX MONTHS TO GET A PART????? ARE YOU KIDDING ME. FORD IS LUCKY THIS THING DIDN'T FALL OFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. FORD SAYS "WE'RE SORRY" AND "WE UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION" HOGWASH. WHERE THIS GOES FROM HERE I DON'T REALLY KNOW. THEY BEAT ME DOWN WITH THEIR INACTION AND STALLING AND TURNED ME AGAINST THEM ALL TOGETHER. I FINALLY FOUND A PART IN TEXAS FROM A JUNKED EXPLORER (NO HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER) AND HAD IT FIXED FOR AROUND $1500. THE TRANSMISSION BILL CAME IN AT $2000 AND THE CLUTCH PACKS CAME IN AT $800. ALL ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. *TR

I PULLED UP TO THE GAS PUMP AND PUT THE EXPLORER INTO PARK. AS I GOT OUT, IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS..AS IT ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, I HUNG ON TO THE DOOR AND WAS ABLE TO GET BACK IN AND BRING IT TO A STOP. I SAT THERE IN SHOCK FOR A MINUTE AS SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WITNESSED THIS WERE IN HORROR..I PUT IT BACK INTO PARK.I WAS LUCKY THE EXPLORER DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR,ANY PEOPLE OR RUN ME OVER!! SINCE THAT TIME,ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO,I HAVE A HARD TIME WITH PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AT TIMES..IT SEEMS TO GET STUCK AROUND REVERSE..SO, I AM VERY CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK,IT IS IN FACT,IN PARK! *TR

SEVERE WHEEL BEARING ISSUES SINCE DAY ONE. HUB ASSEMBLY MADE LOUD NOISE AND THE WHEELS MAY HAVE FELL OFF BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN OF BEARING ASSEMBLY. MATHEWS FORD ASSURED US IT WAS NORMAL FOR 4X4 EXPLORERS TO MAKE SUCH NOISE, AND HAVE NOT REVISITED THE PROBLEM FROM 2002 UNTIL NOW. BEARINGS WERE CHECKED ON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON JUNE 17 2008 AND WERE FOUND TO BE FAILING ACCORDING TO MATHEWS FORD MECHANIC. AT 52,000 MILES THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND SPINDLE WERE REPLACED DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT 128,000 MILES. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR PROPERLY. $3500 TO REPLACE AT DEALER. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND TURNED THE CORNER AND THIS CLANKING NOISE BEGAN COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL OF MY TRUCK. I TOOK THE TIRE OFF TO CHECK THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND AND WERE SPINNING THE HUB AND GOT RESISTANCE AND CLANKING SOUNDS. I WENT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE LEFT REAR BEARINGS HAD GONE OUT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, 4WD, 4.6L - 84,000 MILES: REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WHINING/ROARING FOR A FEW MONTHS AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAVE MECHANICAL BACKGROUND AND LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE ON RACK WITH MECHANIC. REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS OBVIOUSLY VERY BAD AND I AM LUCKY I DID NOT TAKE MY FAMILY ON VACATION WITH THIS PROBLEM AS IF THE WHEELS WOULD HAVE LOCKED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT/INJURY. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS THESE WITH REGULAR/EASY USE AT SUCH LOW MILES AND WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE (AS I HAVE DONE). I HAVE ALSO REPLACED LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND AM SUSPICIOUS OF RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING, WHICH WILL BE EVALUATED AFTER REPAIR OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. AT NEXT LIGHT, WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD UNTIL I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT LEFT THE GROUND AS IT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. NOTICED OD/OFF LIGHT FLASHING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED NEW TRANNY FOR 3,814.18, REAR BRAKES, REAR END NOISE, EGR SYSTEM CODE A 5,000.00 REPAIR AND THE SUV IS ONLY WORTH 7 GRAND. *TR

INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF ,TRANSMISSION RATTLING NOISE AND FAILURE AT 99,000 MILES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER- A NIGHTMARE OF PROBLEMS THAT KEEP GETTING WORSE. IT HAS 56K MILES ON IT AND I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. FUEL PUMP , 2 REAR SPRINGS, 2 WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. NEITHER OF THE 2 REAR WINDOWS ROLL DOWN AND THE BACK HATCH LIFT REPLACE ON RECALL IS BROKEN YET AGAIN. THIS IS THE BIGGEST HUNK OF JUNK ON 4 WHEELS. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING. THANK GOD I DIDN'T BUY IT NEW BECAUSE THAT REALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A RIP OFF. *TR

DRIVING WHEN THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO 3RD GEAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO REV REAL HIGH AND SLOW DOWN. TOTAL REPAIR FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION $2,500.00. *TR