2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

2002 FORD EXPLORER - 58,000 ORIGINAL MILES. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THE 3RD GEAR IS GONE AND WILL COST $1800 TO FIX. *JB

THE FIBERGLASS PANEL ON THE BACK HATCH OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED FROM THE GLASS STRAIGHT DOWN APPARENTLY DUE TO COLD WEATHER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT FOR SOME REASON THIS HAD HAPPENED A LOT THIS WINTER. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE TAKEN CARE OF OR AT LEAST A 50/50 SPLIT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE MANAGER TOLD ME BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON MY VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I HAVE SINCE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF THE FORD EXPLORERS THAT HAVE THE 2 PIECE FIBERGLASS PANELS ARE CRACKED ALSO THAT ARE DRIVING AROUND. CAN FORD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS? I HAVE NO OTHER DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. BUT THIS IS VERY NOTICEABLE AND YOU CAN BET WHEN I GO TO TRADE IT IN FORD WILL DISCOUNT FOR THIS DEFECT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC PORTION ON THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR LIFTGATE CRACKED VERTICALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.*AK

WHILE CLOSING REAR TAILGATE WINDOW OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER,FIBERGLASS PORTION OF THE TAILGATE SHATTERED. NO INJURY WAS INCURRED; HOWEVER, THE POTENTIAL DOES EXIST. INQUIRED MANUFACTURE, AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PART THEREFORE, THEY FELT NO LIABILITY TO REPLACE THE PART. SINCE THE INCIDENT, I HAVE NOTICED 5 EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. *JB

NOTICED CRACKED PANEL (APPLIQUE) BELOW REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT (SUV) 1ST THOUGHT WAS SOMEONE HIT ME WHILE I WAS PARKED. THEN REALIZED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT TEMP WAS 19 DEGREES OUTSIDE. AFTER GOING ONLINE TO CAR COMPLAINTS FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. CONTACTED FORD CO. THEY TOLD ME TO GET AN ESTIMATE. METRO FORD GAVE ME ESTIMATE OF $302.89, CALLED FORD CO. BACK THEY SAID THEY WON'T PAY. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS FIX, EVEN IF I DID, BET IT WILL CRACK AGAIN WHEN TEMP IS BELOW FREEZING AGAIN. IT HAS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE PART. ONLINE COMPLAINTS SAY FORD KNOWS IT'S A FLAW BUT THEY ARE NOT HELPING US CONSUMERS. *TR

AT 65,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE BOTH CLUTCH PACKS IN THE DRIVE TRAIN REPLACED AT A COST OF $300. AT 72,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE COST WAS $1,750. JUST RECENTLY AT 91,000 MILES THE GEAR SHIFT (PRNDL) FELL OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT A DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR A "BACK ORDERED" PART. *TR

UNEXPLAINED CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH LID. *TR

HAVE REPLACED 3 WHEEL BEARINGS AT THE COST OF $400 A PIECE. *TR

AIR BAG DISABLED DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT IN 2002 EXPLORER. A CABLE HARNESS RUNNING UNDER THE FLOOR TO THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TOO SHORT. MOVING THE SEAT BACK CAUSES THE CABLE TO DISCONNECT AND DISABLES THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. *JB

VEHICLE ALWAYS SHIFTED HARD. SUDDENLY BEGAN SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS. IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFERRED IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE SOLUTION WAS A TOTAL REBUILD AT 66,700 MILES. PARTIALLY COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT STILL COST $1300 OUT-OF-POCKET. LOVE THE TRUCK. DISLIKE THE MANUFACTURER FOR NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE. THE TRANSMISSION ON A TRUCK/SUV SHOULD BE ONE OF THE MORE DURABLE COMPONENTS NOT ONE OF THE WEAKEST (OPINION). *NM

MY DASHBOARD HAS DIGITAL MILEAGE/ TEMP AND TRIP....HOWEVER, SINCE I GOT THE SUV IN DECEMBER OF 2007, THE CLUSTER THAT SHOWS THAT INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN UP. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE SUV FROM REFUSED TO HAVE IT FIXED AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO WITHOUT SPENDING ALOT OF MONEY. *TR

REGULAR DRIVING OF A FORD EXPLORER 2002 XLT, VERY EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILURE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION JUST GIVES OUT O/D LIGHT STARTS FLASHING ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO IN TO GEAR ALL OF THIS WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED ONLINE TURNS OUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, CALLED FORD THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $4000.00 TO REPAIR. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER TWO ISSUES 1/1/07 - GRINDING OF REAR WHEEL. 1/2/07 - O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, WITHIN 7 MILES SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL LETTING OFF THE GAS. 1/2/07 - CALL AAA TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALER. FORD QUOTED $5,100 FOR REPAIRS. WE DENIED REPAIR AT FORD. DUE TO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WE HAD A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP DO THE REPAIRS. WE DID NOT WANT TO GIVE FORD ANY MORE MONEY SINCE WE WERE TOLD BY SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS. THE LOCAL SHOP INDICATED THERE WERE TSBS PUBLISHED AND THEY HAD TO BUY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FROM FORD TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. IF COMPANIES ARE BUYING SPECIAL TOOLS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON, ISN'T THERE A PROBLEM? WE ALSO INVESTIGATED MANY NUMEROUS WEBSITES TO READ ABOUT MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TO REPAIR THE CAR WE PURCHASED REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOP PURCHASED AN OVERHAUL TRANSMISSION KIT. THEY REPAIRED BOTH PROBLEMS FOR LESS THAN $5,100. UNFORTUNATELY, A CO-WORKER HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH HER CAR JUST LAST WEEK. SHE CAME TO WARN ME OF THE PROBLEM WITH HER CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT I PICKED MINE UP FROM THE SHOP THE SAME DAY! *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF. AS SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE ENGINE IDLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED. THE TRANSMISSION BAND FOR THIRD GEAR HAD FAILED. *AK

NOISE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB

"O/D OFF" LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING RAPIDLY. APPARENTLY TRIPPED BY A FAILED SOLENOID B VALVE BODY. THE VALVE BODY OF SOLENOID B (THE ONE CONTROLLING 1ST AND OD, WHICH TOGETHER CONSTITUTE 3RD GEAR) IS A KNOWN FAULTY PART. THIS CAN ALSO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A FAILED EPC VALVE, WHICH IS USUALLY REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE SOLENOID. ACCORDING TO AUTO PROFESSIONALS, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD LIGHT TRUCK AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AVERAGE COST OF RESOLUTION IS APPROXIMATELY $1200. *CN

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 72,000 MILES. *NM

DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEMS, HOLING NOISE FROM UNDER VEHICLE, REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEMS AND TRANSFER CASE NOISES, ROUGH SHIFTING FROM 2WD TO 4WD. HAVE CHECKED ON LINE FOR A LONG TIME AND HEARD NOTHING BUT THE SAME PROBLEMS, WHY WASN'T ANYTHING DONE TO FORD TO GET THESE THINGS PUT ON A RECALL. WE BUY THEIR PRODUCT AND NOW THEY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF OUR PROBLEMS. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE.*AK

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 96,000 MILES ON IT AND AROUND 60,000 THE NOISE STARTED. FIRST THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THEN THE HUB WENT. WHILE DRIVING MY FRONT TIRE JUST COLLAPSED. 2ND ISSUE THE REAR END STARTED TO MAKE NOISE IS MORE LIKE VIBRAING. AND AFTER SEARCHING ON GOOGLE, I FIND THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ISSUE $1200. JUST TO START THE FORD COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. THIS IS NOT A JOKE, THIS IS SERIOUS, SOMEONE CAN GET HURT. MAYBE THAT'S WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR THE FORD COMPANY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, THE ISSUE THAT FORD IS AWARE OF. PLEASE HELP! *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND LIKE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE, I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE O/D LIGHT BLINKS OFF AND ON AND IT DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IF YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON, IT USUALLY SHIFTS OK FOR A WHILE BEFORE IT STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE LARGE MAJORITY OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN RESTART BEFORE IT SHIFTS PROPERLY AGAIN! THIS IS DANGEROUS! *TR

ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUB ASSEMBLIES(APPROX $250 EACH), WITH THE 4TH NOT FAR BEHIND. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE MODULE(APPROX $400-$500). I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR WINDOW MOTORS GOING BAD AND HAVING TO REPLACE THESE TOO. THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DUMMY LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR NO REASON. THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME OFTEN COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE BUCKLED YOUR SEAT BELT. YOU HAVE TO SLAM THE BUCKLE INTO PLACE FOR IT TO GO OFF AND SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT WORK EITHER. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW MAKING A LOVELY CLUNKING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK, IT DOES NOT WANT TO. YOU HAVE TO PUT IT UP TO PARK AS FAR AS IT WILL GO THEN GO BACK TO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK FROM THERE. WE HAVE REPLACED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOES ON BOTH SIDES BECAUSE THEY WERE COMPLETELY WORN OFF EVEN THOUGH WE DO NOT USE THE E-BRAKES. THESE PROBLEMS ARE JUST PILING UP ONE AFTER ANOTHER. I WENT TO AN INTERNET SITE THAT HAS COMPLAINTS ABOUT VEHICLES AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THEIR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS OF ALL KINDS (XL, EDDIE BAUER, SPECIAL EDITION, ETC.). WHY HASN'T FORD DONE ANY RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS? DOES IT REQUIRE MULTIPLE INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH FOR THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY??? *TR

A CRACKED REAR PANEL ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. TO DATE, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY SAFETY ISSUES, BUT I'VE CHECKED OTHER ONLINE SITES AND SEEN QUITE A FEW SUBMISSIONS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPLACED, AND ACCORDING TO OTHER OWNERS, THE PROBLEM WILL PROBABLY REOCCUR (IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN DURING COLD WEATHER). FORD HAS NOT LISTED IT ON THEIR RECALL SITE. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS 2 CRACKS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM IN THE BACK REAR PANEL. I NOTICED THE FIRST ON AROUND JANUARY 2007 AND THE SECOND ONE JANUARY 2009. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION STUTTERS AND SHIFTS HARD. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND PAID FOR NOTHING AS NOTHING HAS CHANGED - THE SITUATION HAS BEEN WORSENING OVER TIME. THEY HAVE CHANGED FLUIDS, REPROGRAMMED A CHIP AND TEST DRIVEN IT MANY TIMES - SAYS THEY DON'T FEEL ANYTHING WRONG. IT IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY NOW. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER- SPOUSE ALMOST SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE GAS PEDAL THROTTLE WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. CAR LUNGED OUT OF CONTROL. SLAMMING BRAKES ONLY SLOWED IT BUT DID NOT STOP IT. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 102,000 MILE ON IT. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS, ONCE A YEAR, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR END WORKED ON. THIS LAST WEEK IT STARTED MAKING A WHINING NOISE AGAIN. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND THEY STATED THAT THE RING AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BEARINGS. I JUST HAD ALL THAT DONE 11 MONTHS AGO. THEY SAY THE WARRANTY IS OUT ON IT BY 4K MILES. AGAIN, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM. EVERY YEAR IT SEEMS I HAVE TO SPEND $1500+ ON THE SAME ISSUES. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, AND OVERDRIVE LIGHTS WILL TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS FAILURE DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ANY PARTICULAR SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 67,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE WOULD NEED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *NM UPDATED 03/07/07*JB

THE TAILGATE UNDER THE GLASS THAT LIFTS UP IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM THE GLASS TO THE PART WHERE YOU CAN LIFT THE WHOLE TAILGATE RIGHT BY THE KEY HOLE. I HAVE NOTICED A FEW OTHERS CRACKED IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN. I HAVE INFORMED MITSIBISHI WHERE I BOUGHT IT USED BUT THEY SAY I HAVE TO CONTACT FORD. WHAT DO I DO? *NM

THERE ARE NO IDENTIFIABLE EVENT LEADING UP TO THE DISCOVERY OF THE PROBLEM. IT WAS COLD AT NIGHT WHEN I FOUND THE PROBLEM, BUT THE CAR IS IN THE GARAGE. PROBLEM: FORD EXPLORER 2002 REAR TAILGATE CRACK. THE TAILGATE HAS A CLEAN CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM UNDER AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD OVAL. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE TAILGATE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ALL OVER NORTH AMERICA. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFT GATE PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW CRACKED AT AROUND 65,000 MILES. TWO WEEKS LATER IT CRACKED AGAIN. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND A LARGE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. *JB

IN DECEMBER, 2006, FOUND CRACK IN HATCHACK DOOR JUST BELOW THE WINDOW. CALLED MY DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY TO EXPLAIN WHAT I SAW AND WHAT THEY WOULD DO TO TAKE CARE OF THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ONLY COSMETIC AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT PAY TO REPLACE, THAT WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBLILITY

TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A WHEEL BEARING REPAIR WHEN THE ODOMETER REACHED 10,300 MILES, AND WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH THE REAR SPRING AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WERE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO GET A RESOLUTION FOR REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM WENTWORTH MOTORS , AND THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT HE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,600.*AK THE REAR SPRINGS FAILED. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

THERE IS FORD TSB 02M01 AND NTSB 10007207 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE EGR SENSOR ON 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. THE EXPLORER NEEDED THAT SENSOR REPLACED, BUT THE WARRANTY CLAIM WAS DENIED ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE FELL WITHIN AGE AND MILEAGE GUIDLINES. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR.*AK

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHICH HAS WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE BOARDS ONLINE ARE FILLED WITH COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, IF THERE IS ANY RELIEF AVAILABLE BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM, I WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE AWARE. *NM

VERTICAL CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH REAR-PANEL BELOW REAR GLASS ABOUT 2 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. HAVE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS AROUND WITH THE SAME CRACK.

CRACK APPEARED UNDER BACK GLASS ON DRIVERS SIDE ALL THE WAY THROUGH PANEL DOWN PAST FORD EMBLEM, ANOTHER CRACK IS ON PASSENGER SIDE BACK ALL THE WAY THREW , BUT NOT DOWN QUITE AS FAR. *NM

THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW GETS VERTICAL CRACKS. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 60,000. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT REPLACED THE REAR PANEL AS PART OF THE HINGE WARRANTY RECALL. AT THE TIME, IT HAD 1 VERTICAL CRACK. I NOW HAVE 100K ON MY CAR AND THE CRACKS HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN. I NOW HAVE 3 VERTICAL CRACKS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT. MY DAUGHTER HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THERE ARE 48 PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND WILL NOT COVER REPAIR OF THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WITH THE CRACKS THE UPPER REAR PANEL HAS LOST IT'S INTEGRITY AND THE WINDOW COULD DISLODGE. *JB

CRACKED PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW (FORD CALLS THIS AN APPLIQUE). *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING. THE AFFECTED GEARS WERE SECOND AND OVERDRIVE. THE GEAR WAS ABLE TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO THIRD GEAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THE SAME DAY AND THEY DIAGNOSED A MAJOR INTERNAL FAILURE. HE PURCHASED A RECONDITIONED TRANSMISSION FROM FORD AND HAD IT INSTALLED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WAS $3,100. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,835. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, THE REAR HATCH WAS LIFTED UP, AND THE HYDRAULIC SUPPORT DEVICE FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE REAR HATCH TO CLOSE FORCEFULLY ON THE ARM OF THE CONTACT. THE LEFT ARM OF THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HUGE BRUISE, AND WAS WEARING 3 LAYERS OF CLOTHING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THE SUPPORT DEVICE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT A CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IF THE REAR HATCH FAILED WITH A CHILD PRESENT.

CRACK APPEARED IN WINTER 2006 IN HATCH BELOW REAR WINDOW. THIS WAS A FLORIDA CAR UP TO JUNE 2006. ALL WAS FINE IN FLORIDA. I SUSPECT COLD HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THESE CRACKS. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE AS I AM HOPING FOR A RECALL. *TR

FIX FOR CHATTERING AND REAR WHINE ON 02 EXPLORER. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW 25,000 THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PUMPKIN, VERY LOUD WHINE.. LAST MONTH WITH 85,000 MILES ON THE CAR, DURING A TURN THE REAR WOULD CHATTER AND SHAKE THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THE REAR NEEDED A SPECIAL LUBE FOR THE REAR TO KEEP THE REAR CLUTCHES FREE, I HAD A LOCAL SHOP REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL WITH A SPECIAL BLEND AND IT HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. *JB

RECENTLY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT WHEN THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE ONBOARD COMPUTER INDICATED A CODE OF 33 IN MEMORY. THIS INDICATED THAT THE MECHANISM UNDER BOTH FRONT SEATS WAS FAULTY. THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY UNNECESSARILY OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE FAULTY SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. THE WARNING LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST AND EVENTUALLY STAYED ON SO THERE WAS 55,000 MILES RECORDED WHEN I FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR DEALERSHIP. THE OWNER'S MANUAL REVEALED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) IS WARRANTED FOR 5YEARS/50,000 MILES, SO I REALIZE THAT IT WAS BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD. HOWEVER, THIS IS MY CONCERN AND COMPLAINT. THE SRS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT REQUIRE THESE TYPES OF REPAIRS JUST 6 MONTHS AND 5,000 MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BE CONCERNED THAT THEIR SRS SYSTEM WILL FAIL AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. I AM NOT A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, BUT THESE PARTS MUST NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED PROPERLY. IF THEY WERE, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. AS WAS STATED ABOVE, THIS EXPLORER WAS TOTALLY REDESIGNED AND SENT TO THE DEALER SHOWROOMS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE 2002 MODEL YEAR. WERE THINGS OVERLOOKED OR NOT DONE PROPERLY JUST TO RUSH THIS TOTALLY REDESIGNED EXPLORER TO THE DEALER SHOWROOMS? IF THIS WAS THE CASE, SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEAR IN ORDER TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM AND ENSURE THERE ARE NO SAFETY CONCERNS? THE COST OF THESE REPAIRS IS THE MINOR ISSUE OF MY COMPLAINT. THE MAJOR ISSUE IS THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLE WILL CAUSE SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS FOR THE COMPANY.

2 CRACKS IN THE HATCHBACK ABOVE THE LOGO. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES FAILED, WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED ABOUT ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, AND THE PADS AND BRAKES WERE DID NOT DISPLAY ANY PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.

CRACKED ON THE BACK PANEL, BETWEEN THE WINDOW GLASS AND FORD LOGO. *JB

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. I BOUGHT IT NOVEMBER OF 2004 WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND SLIPS WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR AND I ALSO HEAR A WHINING NOISE IN THE REAR END. IT JERKS AND SLIPS CONSISTENTLY. THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE CAR SAYS "CHECK TRANSMISSION" ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I CALLED 4 FORD DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS LOW MILEAGE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS, AND FORD DOESN'T CARE. I AM STUCK WITH THE CAR THAT CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN NOW. OWNERS OF THESE CARS NEED HELP TO GET FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL. *JB

THERE WERE NO EVENTS TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE, OTHER THAN FORD'S OWN RECALL FOR THE REAR LIFT HATCH. ONCE THE HATCH WAS REPAIRED, THE WINDOW TOOK MORE FORCE TO SHUT AND EVENTUALLY DEVELOPED STRESS CRACKS. I HAVE A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE WITH A 1/4 INCH GAP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PANEL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BEING WASHED BY HAND, THE LIFTGATE GLASS BECAME UNFASTENED AND FRACTURED WHEN THE GATE WAS OPENED. THIS MALFUNCTION CAUSED PERSONAL INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP.

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS WITH 51,300 MILES. ON 11/23/06 TWO LONG CRACKS DEVELOPED IN MY LIFT GATE PANEL JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. ONE CRACK EXTENDS THE FULL LENGTH OF THE PANEL. THE OTHER EXTENDS FROM THE TOP OF THE PANEL AND EXTENDS TO THE TOP OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THESE CRACKS DEVELOPED COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE OR FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE PANEL. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE CARPORT. I RESEARCHED MY DAMAGE AND FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME MODEL EXPLORER WITH THE SAME DAMAGE IN THE SAME LOCATION. SEVERAL OF THEM ADVISED THAT FORD WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE OR REPAIR THE DAMAGE. THE LOCATION OF THE DAMAGE POSES A REAL DANGER IF THE PANEL COMPLETELY SEPARATES. IF SEPARATION OCCURS THE GLASS CAN POSSIBLY SHATTER CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY. I AM CONVINCED THE DAMAGE IS CAUSED BY A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE PANEL WHICH IS IN NO WAY MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR. I AM REQUESTING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLY ISSUE A RECALL ON THE PANEL FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON TO DISCUSS THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. *JB