NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. YOU MAKE TONS OF MONEY OFF YOUR LOYAL COSTUMERS, NOW DO SOMETHING FOR THEM AND FIX AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT MECHANICS, DEALERSHIPS AND OWNERS OF 2002 FORD EXPLORERS KNOW ABOUT. THANK YOU *TR
TRANSMISSION MAKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. OD LIGHT BLINKS AND CHECK TRANSMISSION MESSAGE COMES ON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FORD MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE AIR BAGS FOR FREE DUE TO THE FAILURE BEING TECHNICAL IN NATURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,544 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,400.
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS FAILED. THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND THEY SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THEY HAVE DEALT WITH MANY 2002 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME FOR THE GLASS ON THE REAR WINDOW WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NO LONGER PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY FOR THE VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #01I010000). AS OF MAY 23, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000.
REAR TAILGATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS RECALLED FOR THE HINGES TO BE EXPOSED SINCE THEN THE TAILGATE WOULD EXHIBIT RANDOM DOOR AJAR INDICATIONS. RECENTLY THE PLASTIC PANEL ON THE OUTSIDE UNDER THE GLASS HAS SPLIT VERTICALLY IN THE MIDDLE. *TR
IT STARTED AROUND 78,000 MILES. MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AS I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL. THE TRANNY WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP - HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION ($3400). TRANSMISSION AGAIN AT 137,000 MILES SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AGAIN - WARRANTY EXPIRED - FORD COULD ONLY GIVE ME A WARRANT FOR 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS - I'M UNDER MY 3 YRS BUT NOT MILEAGE. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, NOW ITS MY TRANSMISSION BAND ($2100) BUT WITH ALL THE WEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THE COST. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. DURING THIS TIME THAT MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I ALSO HAD THE RIGHT (I BELIEVE IT WAS THE RIGHT) REAR AXLE WENT OUT TWICE MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON. I THINK THERE IS A CORRELATION WITH THE OVERDRIVE SYSTEM AND THE TRANNY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING EXHIBITED A CRACK. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. THE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
WHEEL HUB AND BEARING BAD. *TR
O/D LIGHT BLINKING; SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND IT WAS HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER. BASICALLY WAS TOLD I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS MORE COMMON THAN I THOUGHT. THERE IS EVEN A TSB (03-25-4). *TR
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS BROKEN REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS. MY VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS MAY BE DUE TO BAD STEEL OR HEAT TREATMENT OF THE PARTS. I AM REQUESTING ACTION ON THIS ITEM. I DO NOT DO ANY HAULING OR TOWING TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM. *TR
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT AT APPROX. 95,000 MILES ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE SHIFTIING OF THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY CAUSING A USUALLY HIGH IDLE AT CERTAIN GEARS. ALSO THE O/D LIGHT WOULD ALSO CONSTANTLY BLINK ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CURRENTLY MY EXPLORER IS IN A REPAIR SHOP AND NEEDS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR IS $2,300. A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH LESS THAN A 100K MILES. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 130,000 MILES WITH NEAR INCIDENT OF REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FALLING OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
I WENT TO PUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER INTO PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF. I HAD TO CALL A WRECKER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE TOTAL COST WAS $1100 BECAUSE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE METAL BASED ON THE BROKEN PART AND ALSO POOR DESIGN THAT YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN FOR. *TR
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT MADE A LOUD TINGING, SCREECHING NOISE ON A TUESDAY MORNING ,ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. IT WAS NOT A CONSISTENT SOUND. MY HUSBAND LUBRICATED THE BUSHINGS THAT NIGHT, THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. NEXT DAY, THE SOUND WAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING, I EVEN HEARD IT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT PATH, BUT THE NOISE STILL WAS NOT CONSISTENT. IT DID SEEM LOUDER WITH A CLANKING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THAT DAY ON THE HIGHWAY COMING HOME FROM WORK THE NOISE WAS INTERMITTENT UNTIL I HAD SLOWED DOWN FOR TRAFFIC AND IT BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS AT MY EXIT AND WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME. I WAS ABSOLUTELY FRIGHTENED. THERE WAS A RUBBING SOUND NOW THAT WAS AT THE REAR RT SIDE OF THE CAR. LATER, THAT EVENING WE WERE TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE BEARING. FIRST MY HUSBAND WENT OUT AND PURCHASED THE BEARING FROM A FORD DEALER. THEN HE CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THE ENTIRE KIT WAS NEEDED, AS WELL AS, A SPECIAL TOOL TO GET THE BOLT OFF WHICH TOOK HOURS TO LOOSEN AND RELEASE. TODAY HE IS STILL TRYING TO REPLACE THE RT REAR WHEEL BEARING WITH THE KIT FROM AN AUTO STORE SINCE FORD IS NOT OPEN AND THIS IS OUR ONE MEANS OF TRAVEL FOR THE FAMILY. PLEASE INCLUDE THIS COMPLAINT WITH ANY OTHERS AS A "NEAR MISS" FOR AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED ON THE BELTWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. I FEEL VERY LUCKY, BUT I WANT FORD TO KNOW ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND TO CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY RECALL FOR OTHERS. AS I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS HAPPENING FAR TOO OFTEN AND IS A SERIOUS HAZARD TO OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS AND THE PUBLIC. THE CAR WHEEL COULD HAVE COME OFF AS WELL AS THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD HAVE BROKEN. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD OCCUR ON A 2002 VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THE LEFT SIDE HAVING PROBLEMS NOT TOO LONG AFTER THE RT OR VICE VERSA. PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF ANY UPDATES ON THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR
PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AHEAD OF MY WIFE'S CAR. STARTED THE FORD EXPLORER AND PUT IT IN REVERSE, NOTHING HAPPENED, IT DID NOT ENGAGE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT ENGAGED AND LEAPED BACKWARDS INTO MY WIFE'S CAR. SINCE THIS IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. I HOPE THAT A PERSON ISN'T STANDING BEHIND ME WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TR
ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE FIBERGLASS PIECE OF THE REAR HATCH LID OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL TODAY WHEN I GOT TO LOOKING FOR THE PRICE OF A REAR WINDOW. WHILE SEARCHING I SEEN THAT THERE WAS ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THAT SOME HAD EVEN HAD THE WINDOW SHATTER ON THEM. WELL I AM NOW ONE OF THEM. TODAY AS I OPENED MY REAR HATCH THE PASSENGER SIDE PIECE THAT SECURES THE WINDOW TO THE BODY OF THE EXPLORER JUST FELL OFF CAUSING THE WINDOW TO SHATTER AND GLASS TO CUT MY ARMS, AND FACE, AND ALSO SENT PIECES OF GLASS INTO MY EYE. *TR
NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
REAR PANEL WAS CRACKED WHICH THEN LEAD TO THE REAR WINDOW HINGE FAILING AND THE WINDOW SHATTERED IN AN UNPROVOKED MANNER. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, I LOVE THIS CAR AND HAS BEEN PERFECT EXCEPT FOR 1 MAJOR THING THE PIECE OF '!@#$% TRANSMISSION, WHAT A JOKE HAVE HAD 2 REPLACED AT 48,000 MILES AND 115,000 MILES,THERE NEEDS TO A BE A RECALL ON THESE JUNK TRANSMISSIONS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS. I HAVE OTHER FORDS AND THEY ARE AWESOME THIS 2002 EXPLORER IS A COMPLETE LEMON. ITS A HAZARD WHEN YOUR GOING 68 MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY AND YOUR TRANSMISSION BLOWS OUT, GOING ON A ROADTRIP TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NH. *TR
I BOUGHT MY EXPLORER USED WITH 67000 MILES ON IT I HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BUT HE DIDN'T DO A VERY THOROUGH JOB. AFTER ABOUT 3 WEEKS I HAD A HARD TIME PUTTING INTO REVERSE BUT THEN SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND I DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR AWHILE THIS LASTED ON AND OFF FOR A YEAR AND HALF WHEN ONE DAY IT WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE AT ALL AND NO OTHER GEARS EITHER I HAD IT REPAIRED AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE THEN MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND STOPPED WORKING THAT WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL , 1ST , 2ND AND REVERSE GEARS STARTED SLIPPING I HAD THOSE REPAIRED NOW MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS DEFINITELY MY TRANSMISSION AND PROBABLY ALWAYS HAS BEEN. I KNOW SOMEONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR 02 FORD AND SPEAKING TO THE MECHANICS THEY WERE NOT SURPRISED AT ALL AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH LOTS OF 02 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ON LINE ARE HAVING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. HOW MANY VEHICLES DOES IT TAKE TO TURN INTO A RECALL??? *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 73K STARTED WITH O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION MESSAGE. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY MY WIFE TO CART MY DAUGHTER AROUND, NEVER ABUSED, NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. *TR
RIGHT BELOW THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED FROM WINDOW DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF DOOR. (TOP HALF) I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT SOMEONE MUST HAVE TRIED TO BREAK IN USING A PRY BAR. WENT THROUGH THE CAR WASH AND WHEN I CAME OUT I NOTICED THE CRACK. PISSED ME RIGHT OFF..I HATE DRIVING DAMAGED CARS.. THIS WAS NOT CALLED FOR..WHY DID IT CRACK? *TR
TRANSMISSION WOULD REV BEFORE SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, HAD IT REPLACED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP WITH FORD PARTS, 17 MONTHS LATER SAME THING AND FORD WILL NOT BACK IT UP, A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 17 MONTHS, THIS HAS COST ME A TOTAL OF $4,000.00 DOLLARS, AND DUE TO THIS DEFECT THE CARS BOOK VALUE IS $4,500.00 BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT THE FACTORY PARTS AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NO GOOD. 12 MONTH, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHEN THE STANDARD IS 36 MONTH, 36,000 MILES. THIS TRUCK SUCKS!!!!!!!!! FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!! *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR
WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SINCE BUYING OUR VEHICLE IN 2003. THE FIRST TIME WE HAD IT FIXED WAS TWO WEEKS AFTER BUYING IT. IT HAS BEEN FIXED 3 TIMES AND WE ARE ABOUT TO FIX AGAIN. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH HUNDREDS OF OWNERS OF 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER; THE MECHANIC SAID IF NOT FIXED THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. *TR
O/D LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND CAR IS REVVING AND DOES NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. *TR
FAILURE OF BOTH REAR SPRINGS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. 95,000 MILES, NORMAL DUTY (NEVER OVERLOADED). SPRINGS LITERALLY BREAKING APART STARTING AT TOP. SUSPECT DESIGN OR MATERIAL FLAW. INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS NOT ISOLATED INCIDENT. SUSPECT FURTHER SPRING FAILURE COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL/ROLL OVER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE -- IN MY OPINION THIS SHOULD BE SERIOUS SAFETY RECALL ITEM. *TR
TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES, OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLICKERS SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW HATCH HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I CONTACTED FORD AND FORD SAID THAT BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THEY WON'T COVER THE REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE COMMON ANSWER THAT FORD IS GIVING TO EVERYONE THAT IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM TOO. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSON SLIPPING GEARS, HARD TO SHIFT, AND NOT ACCELERATING IN APRIL 2008 AT 100K MILES. REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN AFTER ONLY 40K MORE MILES AND ONLY 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT. *TT
PROBLEMS WITH THIS EXPLORER OVER MY OWNERSHIP INCLUDE: -REAR GLASS REPLACED -FRONT BRAKES REPLACED -REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, -PARKING BRAKE ISSUES, -NEW TIRES, ETC. *TR
LEAKING REAR AXLE SEAL. *TR
OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND CAR ENGINE REVVED WHEN GIVING GAS WHILE DRIVING. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER 3300. DOLLARS LATER A NEW TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEN DRIVING IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU KNEW YOUR TRANSMISSION COULD CUT OUT ON YOU WHILE DRIVING SAY ON THE HIGHWAY WOULD YOU DO IT?WOULD YOU PUT YOUR FAMILY IN IT? *TR
OVER THE PAST MONTH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED HAS BEGUN TO KNOCK VERY HARD WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE AND IT ALSO SHIFTS BADLY ONCE ROLLING FORWARD, KNOCKING AND JERKING. *TR
WHEN I START MY EXPLORER FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, THE 4 WHEEL LOW AND 4 WHEEL HIGH LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND THE EXPLORER WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT'S LIKE THE CAR IS NEUTRAL AND WHEN I GO TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE GRINDING GEARS. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I WENT TO OPEN THE BACK LIFT GLASS, AND THE WINDOW FELL, AND COMBUSTION IN THOUSANDS OF LITTLE PIECES, RIGHT IN MY FACE! I HAVE PICTURES, ANYWAY I PROCEEDED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN HORSEHEADS, NY, THEY REPLACED THE WINDOW DUE TO THE EXPLOSION, AND I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK BACK THERE 4 TIMES BECAUSE THEY WIRED IT WRONG, AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, IF MY WIRING FROM THE BACK WINDSHIELD TO THE DASH OF MY TRUCK DOES NOT GET FIXED I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT I WILL BE FORCED TO OBTAIN AN ATTORNEY FOR FORD! PLEASE HELP!!!!!! *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER, STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT ON 3/25/08 AND OD LIGHT FLASHED AND ENGINE REVVED UP. WOULD NOT GO WHEN GAS PRESSED, FINALLY GOT IT TO LIMP THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT AND PUT IT IN PARK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS RIPPING APART UNDERNEATH. DOESN'T WANT TO GO INTO GEAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE STRUTS REPLACED AND THE FRONT HEADLIGHT REPLACED TWICE DUE TO ENGINEERING PROBLEMS ON THE REDESIGN. SPOKE WITH FORD THIS MORNING AND THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE REDESIGNED TRANSMISSIONS ARE KNOWN TO FAIL IN THIS MODEL. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILING CATASTROPHICALLY, SENDING BITS OF BRASS AND METAL SHAVINGS EVERYWHERE INSIDE AND DESTROYING THE ASSEMBLY. THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS FAILURE WERE AS FOLLOWS: SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHING VERY RAPIDLY AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVE TIME. UPON AN EXTREMELY SIMPLE INVESTIGATION (GOOGLE SEARCH), I FIND THAT THIS IS A SUSPICIOUSLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS, EVEN THOUGH MY OWN DEALER SAYS HE'S NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE NOW, WHICH WAS ALSO A COMMON THREAD IN THESE COMPLAINTS I FOUND ONLINE. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER IS THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE I'VE FOUND: NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY SAY IT IS TOTALLY DESTROYED INSIDE, THE PIECES OF TORQUE CONVERTER HAVE RUINED VIRTUALLY EVERY PART OF THE TRANNY. *TR
I DROVE MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TO WORK ABOUT 445 PM AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE ON THE WAY THERE. I LEFT WORK AT 7 PM TO GO GET DINNER FOR ME AND THE OTHER GUYS WORKING THAT NIGHT AND I GO OUT START IT UP... SHIFT IT INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE. I THEN SHIFT I IT INTO DRIVE AND THE IT STILL DOESN'T MOVE. GO TO CHECK THE TRANNY FLUID AND GUESS WHAT... NO DIPSTICK. THIS VEHICLE IS HORRIBLE. *TR
AT 85K MILES, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING USE/CONDITION, THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAVE FAILED ON MY 2002 EXPLORER. THERE ARE FORD TSBS THAT IDENTIFY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THESE PROBLEMS AS EVIDENT IN MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES, YET REFUSE TO ABSORB ANY COST OF THE $3200 IT WILL TAKE TO REPAIR THEM. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ALSO CONTINUALLY FAIL AT A COST OF $500 EACH, AND HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST 3 TIMES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND BUSHINGS NEED REPLACED, AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS WORN. MY MECHANIC EXPLAINED THESE SHOULD NOT WEAR AS QUICKLY AS 85K MILES, AND FROM THE CURRENT STATE OF ITS CONDITION, RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD/REPLACE, ALONG WITH A NEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEAR SET. I HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH HUNDREDS OF FORD OWNERS, OF NEW AND USED VEHICLES ALIKE, WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND AM SEEKING ALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO INITIATE A SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR ITS EVIDENT MANUFACTURE DEFECTS. *TR
I JUST HAD TO PURCHASE MY THIRD FORD TRANSMISSION FOR MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT A COST OF $3600 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION I ALSO HAD INSTALLED BY FORD AT A COST OF $3400 38,500 MILES PREVIOUSLY. *TR
REAR END IS MAKING A HORRIBLE RUBBING NOISE....THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE TIRES BUT I JUST REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH THE SAME EXACT TIRES THEY COME FROM FACTORY WITH AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE CRACKED/FRACTURED COMPLETELY THROUGH. SPRING COILS ARE COLLAPSED ONTO EACH OTHER AT THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE. THIS IS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. SPRINGS/STRUTS SHOULD LOSE TENSION OVER TIME BUT SHOULD NOT COMPLETELY FAIL TO THE POINT THEY COMPLETELY CRACK INTO TWO PIECES. SOME QUICK RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
THE BACK COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVE BROKEN. MY SISTER'S, NEPHEW'S AND A FRIENDS HAS ALSO BROKEN ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS MINE. I WOULD THINK THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG FOR ALL OF US TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BACK COIL SPRINGS. I AM NOT FOR SURE IF ANY ONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM OR NOT? WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THESE SPRINGS? WE HAVE ALL HAD TO HAVE THESE SPRINGS REPLACED AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CHEAP. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR RECALL NUMBER 05S28 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. AS OF MARCH 26, 2008, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR IS STILL UNAVAILABLE. SHE FEELS THAT THIS LENGTH OF TIME IS UNLAWFUL. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS DENIED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 04/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR
MY WIFE CALLED ME TO TELL THE O/D LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I THINK IT WAS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR WEB SITE, AND OTHER SITES, THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL THAT HAS A SERIOUS RUBBING NOISE WITH A SERIOUS VIBRATION AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD WHEEL BEARING. THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE EXPLORER THAT IS POSTED NUMEROUS TIMES ON YOUR SITE. BOTH OF THE ISSUES SHOULD BE HONORED BY FORD DUE TO THE EXPENSE AND POSSIBLE CHANCE OF INJURY. *TR
DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND ALARM ARE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY . ALSO THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM WILL GO OFF FOR NO REASON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HAVE THE REAR END REPLACED FOR FREE. SHE ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT IT WAS FINE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE STALLS AND LOSES POWER BEFORE 30 MPH, BUT AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER ABOUT THE FAILURE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THIRD GEAR BAND IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED; THEREFORE, A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH CRACKED REAR TAILGATE APPLIQUE. HAVE SEEN MANY MORE ON THE ROAD. FORD SAYS THERE IS NO DEFECT. THEY WANT $350 TO FIX. *TR