2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER FOUND THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FAILING. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ACCORDINGLY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE BACK HATCH WAS PARTIALLY OPENED, AND WHEN OPENED ALL THE WAY IT SHATTERED. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL 04V442000 - STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. KG

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND REMAIND ILLUMINATED WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. MIDAS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,330.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE 96,000 MILES. NO APPARENT WARNING. *TR

FAILED REAR WHEEL BEARING. CAR SWAYING SIDE TO SIDE, POSSIBLE ROLLOVER IF AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING SNAPPED IN 4 PLACES. MECHANIC AT MIDAS TOLD ME THEY ARE SEEING ALOT OF THESE ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WONDERING IF FORD IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I CALLED THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DIDN'T GET ANYWHERE WITH THEM. *TR

ENGINE TICKING AT IDLE. *TR

DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON AND CAUSES DOME LIGHTS TO FLASH ON AND OFF AND CHIME WHILE DRIVING. CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAVE TALK TO FORD THEY TELL ME I NEED TO BRING IT IN WHILE THIS IS ALL HAPPENING SO THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. CAR NEVER SEEMS TO DO IT AT A TIME I CAN TAKE IT IN. *TR

WHEN I TRIED TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENTIRE IGNITION CYLINDER CAME OUT!! MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND HAVE A NEW CYLINDER INSTALLED! A YEAR LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN!!! SO I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FORD IGNITION CYLINDER TWICE AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT NOW---SO PROBABLY HAD ONLY ABOUT 40,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND 50,000 THE SECOND TIME. ALSO-- NOW MY FUEL GAUGE SAYS EMPTY ALL THE TIME, EVEN AFTER I JUST FILLED IT WITH GAS! AND IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX! I DID GET THE DRIVER SEATBELT FIXED, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T TIGHTEN, BUT NOW IT'S TOO HARD TO PULL OUT AND USE! LASTLY, BOTH INSIDE MIRROR COVERS HAVE JUST CRACKED OFF WHEN LIFTING OPEN, AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE ENTIRE VISORS! WE HAVE 3 FORDS AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT'S EVER HAD PROBLEMS. DATES ARE SPREAD OUT SO IT'S TOO HARD TO COMPLETE THAT PART OF THE FORM BELOW. *TR

WE GOT IN TO A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND WE HIT AT ABOUT 45 M.P.H. ON IMPACT AND NOTHING DEPLOY SOON AFTER THE CRASH THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED FOR SEVERAL DAYS TILL WE GOT THE REPAIR AND THEY JUST RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE TRUCK AND NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING ONLY A WEEK AFTER THEY RESET IT AND THE FORD COMPANY HERE HAS NO REASONING OR ANSWER TO WHY THIS HAPPENED AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP US ON THIS SITUATION SO WE HAVE TO TURN TO YOU AND GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD BEEN MAKING AN ELECTRONIC DINGING SOUND THAT TYPICALLY IS TO BRING THE DRIVERS ATTENTION TO THE DISPLAY SCREEN, BUT NO MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED, FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEN ON THE MORNING OF 3/12/08 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF THIRD GEAR. WE TOOK THE CAR TO FORD FIRST AND THEY DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO AAMCO, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS THE THIRD THIS WEEK WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND THAT THE REAL ISSUE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE ALL THREE CARS HAD MILEAGE UNDER 100,000 MILES. THE COST TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION WAS QUOTED AT $2,500. *TR

STARTED VEHICLE. DEPRESSED BRAKE AND RELEASED PARKING BRAKE. SHIFTED FROM PARK AND GEAR SHIFT, INCLUDING COVER, SIMPLY FELL OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. PICTURES OF DEFECT ARE AVAILABLE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND ESTIMATE IS FOR $1000 TO REPAIR GEAR SHIFT AND ASSEMBLY. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 85K MILES. *TR

FRONT DRIVER WHEEL BEARING REPLACED TWICE IN 1.5 YEARS. RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ONCE ALREADY NEED TO REPLACE AGAIN. *TR

PULLED IN THE DRIVE WAY WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE SHIFTER FEEL OFF CALLED ON THE PART YOU CANT JUST BY THE PART YOU HAVE TO BY THE WHOLE COLUMN AT A PRICE OF 600.00 JUST FOR THE PART NOW I AM A WELDER AND MECHANIC BY TRADE AND HAVE BEEN FOR 20 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE THE EXPLORER THEY MAKE THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OUT OF POT METAL THIS IS A VERY POOR QUALITY OF METAL DIE CAST JUNK USED TO MAKE TOYS THERE IS NO REASON WHY I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BY THIS PART OTHER THAN FORD JUST WANTS TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND FORCE THE PUBLIC INTO BUYING THE WHOLE THING THIS IS NOT RIGHT OR FAIR AND TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CAN NOT GET THE CAR BACK INTO THE PARK POSITION . *TR

PANEL ON THE REAR UPPER HATCH CRACKED WITH A VERY LOUD POP STARTLING ME THE PANEL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET FORD WANTS $500 FOR THE MINOR FIX. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER 4.6L V8 WHEN I HEARD A LARGE EXPLOSION SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED FOR HELP. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. APPARENTLY THE COIL WHERE IT THREADS INTO WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY SO IT NEVER SAT ALL THE WAY ON LIKE IT SHOULD. OVER TIME THIS IS THE RESULT. I NOW NEED A NEW CYLINDER HEAD COSTING $1800, AND MAYBE A 2ND ONE DOWN THE ROAD. THAT'S $4,000 FOR FORD'S MISTAKE! FORD SAID THEY CAN'T HELP. THERE IS NO RECALL. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY ROAD IN TRAFFIC RISKING MY SAFETY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT! THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY! (LITERALLY). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE, BUT THE NOISE DID NOT STOP. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BECAUSE HE BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE AND RETHREAD THE SPARK PLUG, IT WOULD NOT GRIP AND TIGHTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED A QUICK REPAIR BY FORD, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. FORD STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,214.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING, IT CANNOT BE SHUT OFF WITH THE OVERDRIVE SWITCH UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OR GREATER. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I OWN A 2002 EXPLORER, WITH ONLY 74K MILES ON IT. I BEGAN MAKING A SEVERE HUMMING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. TOOK INTO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD AND THIS I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED RIGHT AWAY. I HAD IT IN WITHIN A DAY, WHILE THEY FIXED MY RIGHT REAR, THEY NOTICED THAT ONE OF MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING IS GOING BAD. FROM WHAT I AM HEARING FORD IS AWARE THAT ON THE 2002 EXPLORERS THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS. I AM GLAD FORD RECOGNIZES THAT.....CONSIDERING THIS SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS SCENERIO, ESPECIALLY AS I TRAVEL WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON 02 EXPLORER'S WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR

THE REAR LIFTGATE APPLIQUE CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE RESULTING IN THE RIGHT SIDE COMPLETELY FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE PART THAT IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE IS LOOSE ON THE EDGES DUE TO INEFFICIENT ADHESIVE. APPARENTLY THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT DEFECT OCCURRING TO OTHER OWNERS OF 2002 EXPLORERS. THIS IS ALSO A COMPLETELY REPLACED REAR WINDOW FOLLOWING THE SHATTERING OF THE ORIGINAL ONE IN MARCH 2004 DUE TO BAD STRUTS. AFTER HAVING THE SHATTERED WINDOW REPLACED, IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF THE FOLLOWING YEAR DUE TO THE FAULTY HINGE (WHICH WAS RECALLED). I HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF OVER $700 FROM THE FORD DEALER TO FIX THIS APPLIQUE. I FEEL THAT WITH THIS MANY COMPLAINTS IT'S INEXCUSABLE FOR FORD TO NOT ISSUE A RECALL. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A FORD AGAIN AFTER THIS NOR WILL ANYONE IN MY FAMILY WITH THIS TYPE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

WHERE TO START... BROKEN CRUISE CONTROL, HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS A SHORT, DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW DOESN'T ROLL DOWN, TROUBLE GOING INTO GEAR, CAR SUDDENLY DIES AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE BAY (LIKE AN ELECTRIC KNIFE SHARPENER) THAT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY MORE FREQUENT, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, BRAKES SQUEAL AND DON'T STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY, SUPPORT FOR THE HATCH (WHICH IS CRACKED 8 INCHES OR SO IN TWO PLACES) DOESN'T LIFT HATCH COMPLETELY, AND THE FUEL ECONOMY IS DOWN TO 4-6 MPG IN THE CITY. I HATE IT! I DON'T FEEL LIKE MY GIRLFRIEND IS SAFE DRIVING IT, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE THEIR WRONGS INTO RIGHTS! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE OD SENSOR BEGAN BLINKING AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND READ THE MANUAL, WHICH STATED TO IMMEDIATELY HAVE THE VEHICLE ASSESSED FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SPECIALIST AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF UPDATED *JB

TRANSMISSION IS/HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4X4. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, SOLENOID B GOING OUT AND REQUIRING A TRANSMISSION REBUILD OR A NEW ONE!! IF ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! FORD NEEDS TO FACE THEIR MISTAKE SO THAT LOYAL FORD CONSUMERS WILL RETURN. I HAVE OWNED 3 FORDS, AND NEVER AGAIN AFTER THIS. FORD REALLY DID THEMSELVES IN WITH THIS ONE! *TR

FELT A WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING, FOUND OUT THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING IS OUT. HAD TO ORDER A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY. IF BEARING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, THE WHEEL WILL COME OFF. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE DEATH. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT DECLINES TO TAKE ACTION.114 OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED AT CARCAMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WHEELS_HUBS/WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE (3 TIMES). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HOWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE IGNORED THE SOUND AND DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY AND HESITATED. THE DAY AFTER THAT NONE OF THE GEARS WOULD SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL TORQUE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

MY REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BEARING IS GOING OUT... THIS HAD HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER EXPLORERS DRIVERS AND I DO NOT THINK IT IS SAFE..... WHEEL COULD FALL OFF TO UNKNOWN DRIVER. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WITH UNDER 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND NOW BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS DUE TO FAILURE. THE FIRST WAS A REAR HUB ASSEMBLY IN 06 THEN A FRONT IN 07 AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE REAR IN 08. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD DEALER THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A TSB ADDRESSING IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME IF NOT CAUGHT SOON ENOUGH THE TIRES COULD ACTUALLY COME OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING. WHILE THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN MY CASE THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. ALSO THIS VEHICLE HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT UNDER 70,000 MILES AND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE AS FOUND BY SEARCHING THE WEB FOR THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

I HAVE FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE REPLACED THREE OF FOUR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES IN 3 YEARS. EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP I WAS TOLD THE WHEEL WAS CLOSE TO COMING OFF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE POOR CONDITION OF THE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY( BEARINGS). *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 88,000 MILES. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTING UP, IT KEPT TURNING ITSELF OFF, AND NOT KEEPING A SET SPEED. I GOT IT TO TURN BACK ON AND SET THE SPEED TO 80 MPH. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT FELT LIKE WE WERE GOING FASTER THAN WE THOUGHT , I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD SURGED FROM 80MPH TO 105MPH ON ITS OWN. THIS REALLY FRIGHTENED MY AND I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE BRAKES ON TO SLOW DOWN AND TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY TRIP. I HAD MY HUSBAND AND MY THREE YOUNG DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR AND WAS PRETTY SHAKEN UP ABOUT HOW QUICKLY THINGS COULD HAVE GONE TERRIBLY WRONG AND SOMEONE OR ALL OF US COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF WE WERE TO CRASH BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. *TR

O/D LIGHT WENT ON THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LOST THIRD AND FIFTH GEAR. *TR

I TOOK A TRIP FROM HOME IN OK TO CANTON, TX ON RETURN HEARD LOUD NOISE WHEN I STOPPED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED I FOUND OUT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS COMING OUT. IN MARCH OF 2008 I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE EXPLORER. WHEN I HAD IT INSPECTED I WAS TOLD THE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST ME OVER $2000.00. MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW SLIPPING AND AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I FEAR THE WORSE IF I HAVE MY TRANSMISSION CHECKED. WHO DO WE CONTACT TO HAVE A LAWSUIT STARTED? MY TRUCK NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, REAR END ASSEMBLY. MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW HAS CRACKED. I HAVE ALL THE COMPLAINTS LISTED EXCEPT FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER BREAKING OFF IN MY HAND. *TR

I WAS DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WHEN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORERS TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO BANG AND CLUNK INTO GEAR...APPARENTLY THIS IS A POPULAR PROBLEM AMONG THE EXPLORERS AND REALLY SHOULD BE RECALLED. A NEW TRANSMISSION AND $3,000 LATER.... *TR

SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE EVEN THOUGH IT SHOWS THAT IT IS ON, ON THE DASH BOARD. ONCE ENGAGED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE SPEED WILL THEN INCREASE ON ITS OWN. *TR

REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH EITHER THE FRONT DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS OR THE WIRELESS KEY. *TR

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOT AT 80K MILES. *TR

REAR COIL SPRING BROKE LAST WEEK WITH ONLY 65K MILES ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. I'M TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS ITS A COMMON FORD PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? I HAVE PIECE OF OLD SPRING SHOWING RUST. IT COST ME $500 TO REPAIR. FORD SAYS NO RECALL OR CUST SAT PROGRAM. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER START SHAKING AND VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD. THIS WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO THIRD 3RD GEAR WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE RPMS RUN AT ABOUT 5000 THEN THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL AND BEGAN TO GET REALLY HOT DOWN TOWARD THE FLOOR BOARD. AFTER THIS THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY. I THEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE PROBLEM WHILE PULLED THERE I PUT MY TRUCK INTO REVERSE SO THAT I COULD BACK UP INTO A PARKING LOT. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND PUSHED THE GAS AND MY TRUCK ROLLED INTO THE ROAD. THE REVERSE WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE. I HAD MY WHOLE FAMILY IN THE CAR, LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS COMING AT THAT EXACT TIME. I HAVE FOUND A WEBSITE WHERE OVER 200 PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM ON GOOGLE SEARCH, BUT STILL NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RECALL THIS ISSUE. JUST BECAUSE WE FOUND ALL OF OURSELVES IN A LUCKY SITUATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED, DOES NOT MAKE THIS ANY LESS OF A CONCERN. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

TRANSMISSION MAKING A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISE IN BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK. FROM ALL THAT I HAVE READ THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE OVERHAULED. WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS THERE ARE ON THIS VEHICLE FORD REALLY NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS BUT CHOOSE NOT TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT FORCES THEM TO DO SOMETHING. *TR

THIS IS MY SECOND FORD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 80K MILES AND ON BOTH, ALL WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE HAD FAILURE. AND ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION FOR A SINGLE BEARING. IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTS AT APPROXIMATELY $500 PER WHEEL, AND IS AN OBVIOUS MECHANICAL AND SAFETY HAZARD. TWICE I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A CHILD IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE WHEEL HAS ALMOST CAME OFF. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTS AT THEIR EXPENSE TO HAVE THEM CONTINUALLY FAIL OVER AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD IF THEY CANNOT AGREE TO A RECALL, SINCE THERE ARE CERTAINLY WELL ENOUGH PEOPLE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE LOST ANY AND ALL INTEREST IN THIS MANUFACTURER AND WILL NOT CONSIDER AN AMERICAN MADE CAR IN THE FUTURE. *TR

TOOK MY 02 EXPLORER TO DEALER FOR PA STATE INSPECTION ON 2-26-08. VEHICLE LOGGED 79,000 MILES. DEALER FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN AT VERY TOP OF EACH SPRING. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS, IN TURN, REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH REAR INSULATORS AND BRACKETS. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT UTILIZED FOR TOWING OR "OFF ROAD" ACTIVITIES. *TR

NOISE COMING FROM REAR END OF VEHICLE. MECHANIC STATES BOTH REAR BEARINGS ARE BAD. ALSO STATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. COST ESTIMATE OF 700.00-800.00. PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL FALLING OFF VEHICLE WHILE UNDER WAY. *TR

I FOUND AN ~3" LONG PIECE OF UNKNOWN STEEL IN MY GARAGE. NOTICED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 2" LOWER THAN LEFT. THE UNKNOWN STEEL WAS PART OF THE TOP OF THE COIL SPRING. ALSO, THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING WAS BROKEN AND THE SPRING HAD COME TO REST ON THE LOWER SWING ARM. TOTAL OF 3 BREAKS ON THE RIGHT SIDE SPRING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A LIFT THE RIGHT SIDE WAS FOUND TO HAVE TWO BREAKS, ALSO NEAR THE OPT OF THE SPRING. CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE REPAIRED 'A FEW OF THEM'. REPAIR GARAGE COULD NOT OBTAIN AFTERMARKET SPRINGS, THEY WERE TOLD THEY WERE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. LOCAL DEALER WAS OUT AND RECEIVED 2 TODAY, WHICH WERE INSTALLED. I HAVE PLACED ~95% OF THE ~62,000 MILES AND VEHICLE WAS NOT ABUSED IN ANY FORM. OLD PARTS AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR

ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER I HAVE A CRACK ON THE BACK PANEL UNDER THE LIFT GATE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCHING AND FIND THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON. I BELIEVE IT HAS TO DO WITH THE LIFTGATE HINGE RECALL. I AM AFRAID THAT THE PANEL BEING BROKEN MAY CAUSE IT TO COME OFF AND HIT A CAR BEHIND ME. I FEEL THAT THIS CRACK MAY CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IF I WAS IN A WRECK. I FEEL THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO REPLACE THIS PART. THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS AS I CAN SEE FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS, WITH 86,000 MILES. O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. 4 DAYS LATER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR TOWED TO TRANNY MECHANIC. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT FLASHES AND SHIFTING STALLS. NO REPLACEMENT HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM NEEDED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SHELL OUT FOR A REBUILD. ALSO 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BALL BARING HUBS AND BEARINGS. THE TOTAL COST WAS 1,000 DOLLARS USD. WE NEED FORD TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AT 86,200 MILES. REPAIRED COST A RIDICULOUS $3,936.18. FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR