2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TRANSMISSION AND BEARING FAILURE. OD LIGHT ON TRANNY FLASHING. TOOK TO DEALER FOR NOISE AND OD LIGHT. THEY REPLACED BEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED PARTS TO A COST OF 1130.00 TO FIX TRANNY PROBLEM THEY WANT TO REPLACE TRANNY AND TORQUE CONVERTER FOR A COST OF 3500. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW AND MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I'VE CHECKED FORD RECALLS AND TSB'S AND THEY ARE NUMEROUS REFERRING TO BEARING AND TRANNY FAILURE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER USED IN 2003 WITH APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. BEFORE I HIT 80,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO A SHIFTING/CLUNKING PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO ERRATIC SHIFTING AND MALFUNCTION. THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP BOTH SAID THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. *TR

I, TOO AM APPARENTLY A FORD EXPLORER LOOSE WHEEL BEARING VICTIM. UNLIKE MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ, I ONLY HAVE 42,000 MI. ON MY TRUCK. MY MECHANIC ALSO INDICATED THAT HE'S SEEING MANY OF THESE CASES AND THAT FORD SHOULD BE STEPPING UP IN THE NAME OF SAFETY TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE ITEM BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS AND THE TSA SHOULD BE FORCING THEM TO DO SO. IT IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT A PART THAT SHOULD LAST A MINIMUM OF 100,000 MI IS GOING TO COST ME IN EXCESS OF $700! IS FORD SIMPLY USING LESS EXPENSIVE PARTS BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE DO NOT CARRY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AFTER 5 YEARS? IN ADDITION TO FILING A COMPLAINT HERE, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY ARE A MUCH LOUDER VOICE SINCE THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY OUT UNNECESSARY CLAIMS. FORD DOES NOT WANT TO ALERT THE PUBLIC TO A SAFETY ISSUE PRIOR TO SOMEONE BEING KILLED, NOR DO THEY VOLUNTARILY WISH TO ASSUME THIS EXPENSE IF THE PUBLIC SIMPLY GOES OUT AND PAYS $700 TO FIX IT. I'M SO FIRED UP, I MAY ATTEMPT TO REACH OUT TO THE MEDIA. FORD & TSA. MY INSURANCE COMPANY JUST CALLED BACK AND THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT CLAIMS ARE BEING PAID OUT ON THIS AND IT'S NEITHER THE OWNER'S NOR THE INSURANCE COMPANIES FAULT. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT HERE. *TR

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SHOCKS WERE NO LONGER HOLDING UP THE WINDOW WHEN OPEN. REPLACED BOTH SHOCKS, CLOSED THE LIFTGATE GLASS AND THE WINDOW EXPLODED, RESULTING IN THE BOTTOM TRIM PIECE FALLING AND SHATTERED GLASS FLYING EVERYWHERE. FORTUNATELY THEIR WERE NO INJURIES. *TR

AFTER NORMAL DRIVING I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD GRINDING AND HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER GOING TO MY MECHANIC HE HAD SAID MY REAR BEARING AND HUB ARE BAD WHICH ALSO MADE MY REAR TIRE UNSTABLE. HE BEGAN TO TELL ME IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE BEARINGS, HUBS, AND BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY CANNOT HANDLE THE BRAKING LOAD OF THIS VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE IT WOULD SEEM HE IS CORRECT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM IN THAT ALL THE BEARINGS AND HUBS EVENTUALLY GO BAD AND CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME MAKING THE TIRES UNSTABLE AND COULD FALL OFF DURING DRIVING. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND /OR PARTS INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EVENTS HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS. SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A VERY EXPENSE FIX FOR UNSUSPECTING OWNERS I HOPE YOU LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND MAKE FORD ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR

OVERDRIVE INDICATOR ON MY WIFE'S 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS FLASHING AND EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. REPAIR FACILITY SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WAS THIS TRANSMISSION. SOLUTION IS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT OR REPLACED WITH ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. INTERNET GOOGLE RETURNS TONS OF SUPPORTING OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A CRACKED REAL PANEL ON TAILGATE. I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT THIS IS A DANGER BECAUSE THE ACTUAL GLASS CAN DISLODGE FROM THE PANEL AND HURT SOMEONE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN. 1 STANDS AT A HEIGHT BELOW THAT GLASS LEVEL! *TR

TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD INTO 2ND GEAR FROM DAY ONE, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL, WHINING IN REAR END ALSO SAID NORMAL. HAD TO REPLACE 2 WHEEL BEARINGS, 2 MORE BAD NOW, REPLACED WHEEL HUB, NOW TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT. *TR

1. HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE, WENT TO DEALER GOT IT LOOKED AT DEALER SAID IT WAS HUB ASSEMBLY IN 3 OF FOUR WHEELS THAT NEEDED REPLACED. 2. ASKED IF I COULD DRIVE IT UNTIL I HAD THE MONEY, WAS TOLD IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED BECAUSE (IF) (WHEN) IT FAILS COMPLETELY IT COULD DAMAGE THE BRAKING SYSTEM OR THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF, SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND CAR-COMPLAINTS.COM AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS EXPLORER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING ABOUT THE WHEEL FALLING OFF. 3. WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLES WILL BE REPLACED, I COULD GET THE OLD PARTS BACK IF REQUESTED. JUST KIND OF SCARY THAT THE WHEEL COULD FALL OF WHEN THIS PART FAILS, AND IT FAILED ON 3 OUT OF 4 WHEELS. *TR

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN THE 2002 EXPLORER WITH A 4.6L V8. *TR

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING, AND IT WON'T SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. *TR

THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE SO I DO NOT DRIVE IT OFTEN. WHEN I DID I NOTICED THE LOUD ROAR AND ASKED HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN THERE. SHE SAID A COUPLE MONTHS. I REPLACED 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS. HAD I NOT DROVE IT MYSELF THE WHEELS COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF!!! SHE HAS MY TWO CHILDREN IN THERE ALSO. THANKS FORD!! THIS IS NOT AN OLD VEHICLE. LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. IF THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE BEARINGS AND SOMEONE GETS KILLED I HOPE FORD IS SUED SO BAD THEY GO UNDER. RECALL YOUR PIECE OF CRAP BEARINGS LIKE YOU SHOULD. *TR

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, RPM'S INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING LOUD NOISES AS THE GEARS SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOT ONLY A NEW ONE, BUT TO BOAR OUT THE EXISTING HOUSING AS IT WAS DEFECTIVE BY FORD. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN IT WAS SHIFTING IN TO 3RD GEAR SO A TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TWO DAYS LATER THEY CALL ME AND TELL ME THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION IT WOULD BE AROUND 3,300.00 .WELL I GO ON LINE TO RESEARCH AND TRY TO FIND A TRANSMISSION COME TO FIND OUT THERE'S HUNDRED OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO IT I KNOW THINGS DO WEAR OUT BUT IT'S A LITTLE FUNNY FOR IT DO BE THE SAME YEAR AND MODELS AND THE SAME MILEAGES I GOT IT USE AND IT HAD 90,000 MILES ON IT BUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REBUILT ALREADY. *TR

YET, ANOTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, LOST POWER AND DELAY ON SHIFTING, HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM. LUCKILY I'M UNDER A CRAPPY EXTENDED WARRANTY. OR I WOULD BE 3,400 DOLLARS WORSE IN THE HOLE ON THIS 86,000 MILE 02 EXPLORER. ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE REAR SEALS REPLACED AND CONTROL ARM SAME OLD STUFF I HERE EVERYWHERE..... *TR

I HAVE 2002 FORD XLT EXPLORER. 102K MILES NOW. I HAD ISSUE WITH THROTTLE CABLE STICKING BACK IN FEB 2008. WOULD NOT DECELERATE PROPERLY DRIVING HOME IN THE EVENING, THROTTLE STUCK OPEN. CAME CLOSE TO REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. TRACED THE PROBLEM TO WHAT WAS THAT THE INNER LINER OF THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD BACKED OUT IN THE DRIVER COMPARTMENT APPRX 2 INCHES AND NOT ALLOWING THE CABLE TO RETRACT CORRECTLY. I REMOVED THAT SECTION OF THE LINER. AFTER RESEARCH FOUND THAT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05037 MATCHED MY PROBLEM EXACTLY. PLEASE NOTE HERE THAT MY ISSUE OCCURRED AFTER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THAN WHAT AS NOTED IN PE05037, YOU MAY HAVE TO OPEN NEW INVESTIGATION USING LONGER PERIOD. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS AND THEY OFFERED NO REMEDY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND REPLACED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING IN 2004, AGAIN IN OCT. OF 2006, AND NOW IN FEB. OF 2008. THE RIGHT FRONT WAS ALSO REPLACED IN DEC. OF 2006. *TR

ERRATIC OPERATION OF CRUSE CONTROL. *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I'VE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER....IT ONLY HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THESE BEARING ARE DEFECTIVE AND IF I DON'T REPLACE THEM THE CAR WOULD BE IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE FOR THIRD TIME ALMOST FLIPPED TRUCK I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND A CRACK APPEARED OVERNIGHT IN THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING DEFECT IN FORD EXPLORERS AND FORD SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX THE DEFECT. *TR

I DRIVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER MODEL, 4 DOOR. THE ARMS (4) WHICH HOLD BOTH THE BACK DOOR UP WHEN OPEN AND THE BACK GLASS UP WHEN OPEN DO NOT RAISE UP FULLY. I FIND MYSELF CONSTANTLY BUMPING MY HEAD ON EITHER THE DOOR OR THE GLASS. LAST NIGHT AFTER A BASEBALL PRACTICE FOR MY 10-YEAR OLD SON I POPPED OPEN THE BACK GLASS TO PUT HIS BASEBALL BAG IN THE CAR. THE GLASS WENT UP PART WAY AND UNTHINKINGLY I HIT MY HEAD ON THE GLASS. I PUSHED THE GLASS UP SO I COULD PLACE THE BAG IN THE VEHICLE AND THE GLASS PANE EXPLODED. IT SHOWERED GLASS SHRAPNEL OVER THE TWO OF US. WE WERE BOTH SHOCKED THAT THE GLASS WINDOW WOULD JUST CATASTROPHICALLY EXPLODE. WE ARE VERY LUCKY WE WERE NOT INJURED. I FEEL THAT THIS ACCIDENT IS A PUBLIC HAZARD. I WILL AVOID A POOR DESIGN LIKE THIS WHEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR. WHEN I REPORTED IT TO PAYTON WRIGHT FORD IN GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, THE SERVICE ADVISER SHRUGGED IT OFF AND STATED YES I'VE SEEN THAT HAPPEN, LIKE IT WAS AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE. I WAS TOLD TO REPORT IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THAT FORD WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

POWER WINDOW OPENER ON DRIVERS SIDE QUIT. *TR

I AM VERY CONCERNED AT ALL OF THE TRANSMISSIONS COMPLAINTS THAT THE NHTSA HAS HAD ON THE FORD 2002 EXPLORER AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. I HAVE SENT IN 1 OF MANY COMPLAINTS BECAUSE OF COURSE I AM ONE OF THE UNLUCKY CITIZENS OF THE U.S. WHO BELIEVED THAT THE FORD EXPLORER WAS A VERY DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. HELLO IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE ACTUALLY GETTING KILLED FOR THIS VEHICLE TO BE RECALLED FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED AND JUST IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE GOING IN DITCHES, RUNNING OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DO YOU THINK THAT SOMEONE COULD REALLY RESEARCH THIS [XXX] ISSUE AND GET THIS [XXX] VEHICLE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT OR AT LEAST MAKE FORD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS AND REIMBURSE ANYONE WHO HAS HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED. OH THEY MIGHT AS WELL JUST GIVE EVERYONE A NEW VEHICLE BECAUSE FROM WHAT I AM READING ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE HAD TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS. WHY ISN'T ANYONE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

O/D LIGHT FLASHING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT FIRE HAZARD. FUEL LINE RETAINING CLIPS (50 CENT PART) ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM FORD IN A $200 FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY. NOT USING THESE CLIPS CAUSES TO MUCH SLACK IN THE FUEL LINE TO FILTER CONNECTION. THEIR INTENT TO ROPE THE CONSUMER INTO A $200 PURCHASE MAY CAUSE ALTERNATE, READ:UNSAFE SOLUTIONS BY THE CUSTOMER. THE FEELING IS THAT FORD IS EXTREMELY NEGLIGENT IN NOT MAKING THESE 'LOCKING R-CLIPS' AVAILABLE SEPARATELY AT THE DEALERSHIP PARTS COUNTER, OR IN THE AFTERMARKET FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ITEM. (FUEL FILTER). FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED TWICE REGARDING THIS OVERSIGHT ON THEIR PART AND REFUSE TO OFFER THE CLIPS BY THEMSELVES. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER IN 2006, THERE IS A ROARING SOUND AND FROM OTHER RESPONSES FROM THE INTERNET I SEE THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND A MECHANIC THAT WORKS FOR FORD SAID THAT IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND THE BACK WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AT ANYTIME THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO ME. PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS FOR IT VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE. THE REAR END (AXLE) IS VERY IMPORTANT. *TR

CHANGING GEARS (PARK TO DRIVE) IN ORDER TO DRIVE CAR. GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF CAR. HAVE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL ON WEB WHERE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FALLS OFF STEERING COLUMN. WHAT CAR HAS A GEAR SHIFT LEVER THAT FALLS OFF???? *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD REAR AND FRONT HOWLING NOISES SIMILAR TO A JET DURING TAKE OFF. ALSO WAS VERY UNSTABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. FORD DEALERSHIP FOUND BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS NEED REPLACING. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HAD SUCH A WOBBLE THAT IT WOULD DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. JUST THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS COST ME ALMOST $600. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY FOUND THE FRONT HUBS AND RING AND PINION NOISY AND ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE TOTAL FOR THESE REPAIRS IS NEARING $3000. NO WONDER FORD IS HEADING INTO BANKRUPTCY! THIS VEHICLE STILL HAS WELL UNDER 100,000 MILES, HAS NEVER TOWED, PLOWED OR USED OFF-ROAD, ALL HIGHWAY MILEAGE. IS THIS WHY THEY SAY FORD IS FIX OR REPAIR DAILY? MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL NOT BE FORD FOR SURE. FORD NEEDS TO HAVE THESE ISSUES RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT. *TR

ONE OF MY CUSTOMERS CAME TO ME WITH 53,000 ON HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE COMPLAINT WAS A MILE LONG. ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, ABS LIGHT IS ON, SPEED SENSOR,A/C PROBS, REAR AXLE SEALS ARE LEAKING ON THE IRS, POOR EXCUSE FOR A REAR AXLE SYSTEM IN MY OPINION. A PERSON CANT TELL IF IT IS THE DIFFERENTIAL OR THE REAR BEARINGS ARE BAD, READING ON HERE I THINK THAT THEY ARE BOTH BAD. DIFF IS FULL OF METAL SHAVINGS. I AM SORRY BUT IF FORD DON'T START STANDING BEHIND SUCH A POOR EXCUSE FOR A VEHICLE, THAT ONE ONE GENTLEMEN ON HERE IS GOING TO BE RIGHT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT FIRST. THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT INPUT ON HERE AS A MECHANIC IT MEANS A LOT. I AM GOING TO LOOSE A BIG JOB GRANTED. UNLIKE OTHER CERTAIN PLACES HMMMMMMMMM DEALERS I CARE ABOUT MY CUSTOMERS AND VALUE THEIR LIVES. YOU SHOULD DO LIKE I AM GOING TO STRONGLY ENCOURAGE MY CUSTOMER TO GET RID OF THIS PIECE OF CRAP. THIS IS WHY THE FOREIGN CAR MANUFACTURER ARE KICKEN OUR BUTTS BECAUSE WE CANT BUILD ANYTHING DECENT AND THE STAND BEHIND IT. WHAT'S THAT. THAT'S HOW WE ARE, WE ALWAYS WAIT TILL ITS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT, LIKE OUR CHILDREN. WHAT REALLY PAINS ME IS THAT FORD MOTOR CO USE TO BE AN AMERICAN ICON ALONG WITH ALL THERE COMPETITORS IN THE AMERICAN MARKET AND USE TO CARE ABOUT KEEPING A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE AND KEEP UP ON THINGS LIKE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND QUALITY, INS CO (DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED). THE WORST PART ABOUT IT IS YOU CANT TELL ME THAT YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO 100,000 MILES WITHOUT MAJOR DEFECTS OTHER THAT NORMAL MAINTENANCE. OK IM DONE. SIGNED: A GUY WORRIED THAT PEOPLE CANT FIND US HONEST MECHANICS KURT FROM GREEN BAY WI. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORE V-8 XLT THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND ALL THE SUDDEN I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WHEN I AM IN DRIVE ALL SUDDEN OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR WILL EITHER STALL OR IT WILL JOLT INTO GEAR. THEN IT WILL BE OK FOR A WHILE THEN IT STARTS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. I AM MORE MAD THAT MORE THAN 100 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN POSTED WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR THE SAME YEAR FORD VEHICLE ALL OF THEM ALMOST THE EXACT SAME AND THERE IS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ON A WEBSITE THAT LISTED THIS WEBSITE FOR VEHICLE COMPLAINTS AND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

TRANNY SLIPPAGE. O/D LIGHT/SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING. ENGINE REVVING BUT NOT COMING INTO GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES WITH FORDS. THE BANDS THAT WRAP THE 2ND & 5TH GEARS TO LOCK AGAINST THE DRUM ARE DEFECTIVE. FORD HAS UPDATED THE STYLE OF THE BAND AND ONCE REPLACED THIS ISSUE DOES NOT REPEAT. MY ESTIMATE SO FAR IS AT $2100-$2300. WE WILL NOT KNOW FULL EXTENT OF DAMAGE UNTIL HE REMOVES, DISMANTLES & INSPECTS IT ($595 TO DO THAT). AS THIS IS A KNOWN FORD ISSUE WITH THEIR DEFECTIVE PART, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND OWNERS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN WONDERFUL UNTIL MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IT WOULD RUN FINE THEN JOLT INTO GEAR OUT OF NO WHERE THEN BE RUNNING FINE AGAIN. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK THE OTHER DAY AND OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR STALLS IN DRIVE I AM PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING NO MOVEMENT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND BANG YOU NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, I DID NOT TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS SO FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, SO I THOUGHT OK MAYBE TRANSMISSION FLUID OR OIL CHANGE DID THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS THEN I LOW AND BEHOLD I AM OUT 1000'S OF DOLLARS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEN I DECIDE TO RESEARCH MY YEAR, MAKE, MODEL VEHICLE AND FIND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS TO THROW AWAY MONEY THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD BECAUSE FORD KNEW ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ALL ALONG. I HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT FORD VEHICLES BUT I THINK THAT I MIGHT HAVE TO RECONSIDER WHEN I LOOK FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE UNLESS FORD WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THIS YEAR TRANSMISSION AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO WERE OUT MONEY GETTING THEIR VEHICLES FIXED WHEN FORD KNEW THAT THEIR WAS A PROBLEM TO BEGINNING WITH. THANK GOODNESS THAT I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN MY CAR STALLED BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AND THEN I WOULD BE MORE UPSET THAN I AM. *TR

FORD EXPLORER 2002 CLUTCH PACK IN REAR DIFF WENT OUT CAUSING RACK AND PINION TO GO OUT. FORD DEALER STATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR. HAD REAR DIFF REBUILT BY DEALERSHIP WITH FORD PARTS AND 24,000 MILES LATER THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. AT $1300 TO OVER $1500 EACH TIME THIS IS CRAZY AND NEITHER FORD NOR THE DEALERSHIP WILL ASSIST IN THE COST. AFTER CALLING FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE MY AGGRAVATION INCREASED BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. NOW SAME PROBLEM ON OUR 03 EXPEDITION. IF THE DIFF LOCKS UP I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WILL HAPPEN. *TR

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, IT HAS 79,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS. THE TIRE WAS PRACTICALLY FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE BY THE TIME IT MADE ENOUGH NOISE FOR ANYONE TO NOTICE. *TR

02 FORD EXPLORER, BAD WHEEL BEARING, GO ON INTERNET AND FIND OUT VERY HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THESE BEARINGS THAT COULD CAUSE WHEEL TO COME OFF AND POTENTIALLY KILL SOMEONE. FORD WILL NOT RECALL THESE BEARINGS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT REPLACING 3RD WHEEL BEARING IN 2 YEARS. *TR

ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING TRANSMISSION BANDS FAILURE, REQUIRING A COMPLETE REBUILD $2500-3500 FOR REPAIR AT 68,000 MILES. *TR

ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACED ON MY 02' FORD EXPLORER PREMATURELY IN MY OPINION AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT ON INTERNET CHAT ROOMS AND WEB SITES. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN THEY FAIL DUE TO THE TIRE WOBBLING ON THE AXLE WITHOUT WARNING. THESE REPAIRS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE ALSO AND HARD TO DO FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON IF THEY WANT TO SAVE MONEY. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, AND I HAVE HAD IT FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS. I RECENTLY STARTED HEARING A FAMILIAR NOISE FROM MY TRUCK, ANOTHER WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACING! THIS IS THE THIRD ONE OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF! FORD HAS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THERE IS NO REASON A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BEARINGS! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING AND ROARING SOUND. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. AS OF APRIL 10, 2008, THREE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,306 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

TRANSMISSION OD LIGHT BLINKING STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO AND WE TOOK TO NEARBY DEALER AND THEY CHARGED AROUND $900 TO SERVICE TRANSMISSION AND OD LIGHT STOPPED BLINKING. FEW MONTHS AGO THE LIGHT CAME UP AGAIN AND THIS TIME DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

I LIFTED MY REAR UPPER TAILGATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, AND THE WINDSHIELD LITERALLY EXPLODED ON MY HEAD, INCLUDING DROPPING THE LOWER PART OF THE TAILGATE ON TOP OF ME. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND MY LOCAL FORD DEALER CLAIMS THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. MY LOCAL BODYSHOP HOWEVER WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS TAILGATE HAD A PREVIOUS RECALL RELATED TO THE HINGES I BELIEVE, WHICH I DID HAVE DONE, BACK IN 2005. MY CAR HAS 75,000 MILES AND IS USED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN JAN 08, IT IS NOW APRIL 08 AND I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE R FRONT WHEEL BEARING, AND BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. IT HAS COST ME AROUND $1,200.00 AND IT ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. ONCE A MONTH I AM PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I CAN COUNT MORE THAN 60 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE AND IT AMAZES ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS SO NAIVE TO SUCH A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. ARE THEY REALLY INSENSITIVE ENOUGH TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES OR GETS INJURED FROM THIS? I BELIEVE THAT WHATEVER PARTS THEY USED WHEN MANUFACTURING THESE VEHICLES WERE DEFECTIVE AND I AM TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE THEM SEE, EVEN IF IT MEANS GETTING A LAWYER. BETWEEN ALL OF US OUT THERE I BELIEVE WE WOULD HAVE A PRETTY GOOD CASE IF WE ALL GET TOGETHER. SO ANYONE WHO SEES THIS MOST RECENT COMPLAINT AND AGREES WITH ME, I CAN BE CONTACTED AT (865)-585-6874 WHICH IS MY CELL NUMBER, OR YOU CAN E-MAIL ME AT DYLLIE@VERIZON.NET AND MY NAME IS FAYANN MANNING. AWAITING EVERYONE ELSE'S CALL WHO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN SCREWED OVER!!! *TR

TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS FAILING AFTER ONLY 40,000 MILES. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE AND NOT ABUSED IT, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

1)NO PARTICULAR EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE, ONE DAY O/D LIGHT CAME ON (FLASHING) 2)TRANSMISSION FAILURE, MUST REBUILD TO THE TUNE OF $3,400 3)TRANSMISSION REBUILD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000(STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) IN MAY OF 2007. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THOUGHT TO BE FIXED BACK IN APRIL 2007, HOWEVER THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED AGAIN. TL THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRACKETS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE GLASS BROKE AND SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR 21 DAYS TO HAVE THE GLASS INSTALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY $948 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS THE BRACKETS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. SHE ALSO SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DIDN'T OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RIGHT WHEEL TURNED OUTWARDS AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED IN A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR FAILED. HE SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

BOUGHT MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER 4X4 WITH TOW PACKAGE AND V-6 NEW FROM THE DEALER IN AUGUST 2001. AT 45K HAD TO HAVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED AS THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING THE USUAL "WHINING" SOUNDS AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEIR MECHANIC WOULD INSTALL THE PART WITH "TIGHTER SPECS" AND THAT IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL. YEAH RIGHT!! AT AROUND 75K, THE REAR DIFF STARTED LEAKING. HAD THE LEAK FIXED AND AS YOU MAY SUSPECT AT AROUND 80K THE "WHINING" SOUND TYPICAL OF REAR DIFF FAILURE CAME BACK. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THIS TIME WHICH WERE ALSO WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT. I DO USE THIS VEHICLE OFF AND ON THE ROAD AND HAVE USED 4WD PROBABLY MORE THAN THE NORMAL EXPLORER OWNER. ALSO DO SOME OCCASIONAL TOWING BUT AM ALWAYS CAREFUL TO STAY WITHIN THE WEIGHT LIMITS AND TAKE IT EASY ON THE SPEED WHILE TOWING. I'VE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE FOLLOWING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE EXACTLY. IT IS JUST TERRIBLE THAT FORD KEEPS INSTALLING THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND WON'T LAST MORE THAN 40 - 80K. SOME COMPENSATION WOULD BE NICE, MAYBE THROUGH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. ONE THING FOR SURE. NO MORE FORDS FOR ME! *TR