2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 40,000 ORIGINAL MILES WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN IT WAS GOING UP A HILL OR DURING ACCELERATION. SINCE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. IT NEEDED THE TRANSFER CASE TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST ME OVER $1600. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER W ABOUT 65000 MILES. JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, THE NEXT DAY OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS..DRIVE IT HOME, CALL FORD DEALER TAKE IT IN.. HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION @ $3500. SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE 2002'S

ENGINE DEVELOP ROUGH IDLE. SUDDEN EXPLOSION SOUND REVEALED THAT NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG WAS DISCHARGED FROM THREADS. DEALER CLAIMED ZERO RESPONSIBILITY YET ADMITTED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4.6 AND 5.4 LITER ENGINES. SELF REPAIR WITH INSERT TO REPAIR DAMAGED THREADS CAUSED BY EXPLODING SPARK PLUG. *JB

REAR END NOISE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *NM

TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. DEALER-TED BRITT, FAIRFAX, VA REFUSES TO COVER UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE SCRAPING THE REAR WINDOW. *KB THE LIFTGATE HINGE SNAPPED OFF AS THE CONSUMER OPENED THE REAR GLASS WINDOW. THE BROKEN HINGE ALSO CAUSED THE REAR CLASS TO SCRAPE THE PAINT ON THE UPPER REAR PORTION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GLASS BROKE OFF THE HINGE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HE DEALER. THEY ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE TECHNICIAN CHECK THE VEHICLE VIN AGAINST THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V442000. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE HINGE REPLACED. *NM

I JUST BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 74,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD IT FOR JUST LONG ENOUGH TO DISCOVER A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT, AND HAVE DONE ENOUGH RESEARCH TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE BY FAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING, I JUST KNOW THAT LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS A LEAK IN MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THAT NOW - HOWEVER, THE SHOP MGR REFUSES TO FIX THE LEAK UNTIL THE REAR END BREAKS.... WHICH WILL COST MORE AND CAUSE MORE REPAIRS THAN NECESSARY AT THE CURRENT TIME. MY SECOND PROBLEM - WHICH THE SERVICE MGR AGAIN REFUSES TO FIX UNTIL IT BREAKS IS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER - WHICH LEADS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH ARE ALSO VERY COSTLY. I HAVE DONE MY HOMEWORK ON THIS SITUATION, SINCE I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO, AND I AM SEEING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, REPLACED THE REAR END ON MY 2002 EXPLORER (MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME VEHICLE), AND I AM SEEING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, NEW TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 EXPLORER (AGAIN, MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME VEHICLE). I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE KNOWS ABOUT THIS SITE, OR I'M SURE THAT HUNDREDS OF THE SAME KIND OF COMPLAINTS WOULD BE FILED WITH YOU.... SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK IN TO THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE FORD IS AWFUL PROUD OF THEIR VEHICLES AND I AM PAYING A HEFTY CHUNK OF MONEY FOR MINE, AS ARE THE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WHO JUST MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING SOMETHING DONE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM... I'M SPEAKING NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF, BUT, FOR LOADS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM, I BEG YOU!! I DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY BABIES (4 & 5 YRS OLD) PRAYING THAT THE RIGHT PERSON STOPS TO HELP ME AND NOT THE ONE WITH BAD INTENTIONS!! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS - FORD HAS GOT OBVIOUS DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEMS!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER! *JB

2002 EXPLORER HAS PROBLEMS PICKING UP SPEED AND OVER USE OF GAS. *TS THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, GEAR ADJUSTMENT, DIFFICULT HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVING EVEN AFTER GEAR CHANGE, AIR SUCTION INTO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR AND SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM UPDATED 07/06/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HUB BEARINGS ARE WEARING OUT LOCKING THE WHEEL UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE ROAD. THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BOTH WEARING OUT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS NO WAY OF CHECKING THE HUB BEARINGS. BECAUSE HUB BEARINGS ARE SEALED, THEY CAN'T BE GREASED, OR SERVICED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE SERVICE FOR THE HUB BEARINGS, THEREFORE THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN, AND CREATE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT.*AK

EXPLORER MAKES WHINING NOISE IN REAR END AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 AND 70 MPH. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS LIT CONTINUOUSLY EVEN AFTER HAVING THE BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICES. HAVE ALSO HAD FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ALL THIS SINCE THE VEHICLE REACHED 60,000 MILES IT NOW HAS 86,000 AND MECHANIC SAYS IT NEED A NEW REAR END. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURES, REPORTED WELL BEFORE 100,000 WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND IGNORED BY FORD! *JB

I PURCHASED MY 02 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 IN OCT 2005. THIS VEHICLE HAS A CLEAN TITLE AND 71K MILES. IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND NOTICED THAT MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I NOTICED AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY EXPLORER WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS. WHEN TRAFFIC WOULD COME TO A STOP, IT WOULD SHIFT INTO 3RD, THEN 1ST, THEN 4TH AND BACK TO 2ND. NEVER BEFORE HAD I EXPERIENCED SUCH A BIZARRE ACT WITH ANY PREVIOUS VEHICLE. MY EXPLORER WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE NEXT 45 DAYS AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT NOT EVEN A LOCAL AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. FINALLY THE PRIVATE SHOP THAT I TOOK IT TO FIXED IT AFTER REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES. VERY DISAPPOINTING, SINCE IN THE PAST I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL VEHICLES PAST 200K MILES AND OIL CHANGES AND TIRES WERE REQUIRED. ONCE I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK AFTER 2 TRANSMISSION REBUILDS, NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND NEW EGR VALUE, THE EXPLORER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ONLY 1 DAY OR NORMAL DRIVING. RIDICULOUS. COME TO FIND OUT AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF FORD HAD ANY RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION, I DISCOVER THAT NOT ONLY DOES FORD NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND HAVE YET TO ISSUE A RECALL. I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL WEBSITES THAT HAD 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VERY SAME THING GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. APPARENTLY, FORD IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY 3RD GEAR SHIFT FAILURE AND HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL. MY HUSBAND FOUND A CEO'S NUMBER TO FORD, LEFT HER A MESSAGE AND HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE. NOW AFTER $3K IN TOTAL REPAIRS, WE ARE FACED WITH THE DECISION TO TRY AND TRADE THE VEHICLE AND EAT OUR LOSSES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NOT BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD BUILT VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP ALL OF US IN FINDING OUT WHY FORD IS IGNORING THIS COSTLY AND DISAPPOINTING ISSUE. PLEASE HELP OTHERS OUT AND GET FORD TO FACE THE FACT AND ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU FOR READING AND YOUR TIME. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 56,000 MILES. WHINING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. WHINING GOES AWAY IF PRESSURE IS REDUCED FROM ACCELERATOR OR IF SPEED IS GREATER THAN 60 MPH. SOME LEAKING OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AROUND DRIVESHAFT PINION SEAL. ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 54,000 MILES DUE TO ROUGH SHIFTING FROM 3 TO 4. TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COVERED UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE UNCOVERED MANY OTHER 2002/2003 EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR WHINING REAR DIFFERENTIAL ISSUES. WOULD SEEM THAT SINCE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT THERE IS SOME DESIGN/MATERIALS FLAW IN THE REAR END GEARBOX CAUSING THIS ISSUE. I WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE REAR END IN ADDITION TO THE TRANSMISSION IF THERE IS NO REMEDY FROM FORD. *JB

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS IN NOV 05 WITH 37000 MILES, IN JUNE 06 WITH 43000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. NOW, HERE IN JAN 07, WITH 52000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 02 EXPLORERS. *JB

I JUST SPENT $492.01 REPAIRING THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE BOLT HOLDING THE RIGHT SIDE CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET SHEARED OFF. IT SCORED THE INSIDE RIM WHICH RESULTED IN A BREACH TO THE TIRE, CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED 5:15 AM IN THE MORNING WITH NO ONE ON THE ROAD. AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE,THE TIRE LOCKED UP AND THE CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT. HAD THIS HAPPENED DURING THE DAYTIME OR WHEN THERE WERE OTHER CARS AROUND, MUCH DAMAGED COULD HAVE OCCURRED TO MYSELF AND OTHER VEHICLES IN THE AREA. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. I FEEL FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF REPAIR. AND BY THE WAY, I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

I HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN JUNE 2006 UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, $4000 (BRAND NEW FORD BUILT TRANSMISSION), MY COST $100. MY EXPLORER HAD 59,900 MILES. I WAS SOMEWHAT SURPRISED! HERE IT IS AGAIN, OCTOBER 2011, AT 109,000 AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN! NO MORE EXTENDED WARRANTY! A BRAND NEW FORD BUILT TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED AFTER 50,000 MILES? I WOULD'VE NEVER THOUGHT IN A MILLION YEARS! I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON OCT. 28TH, 2011. I WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND FORD HAS NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR WARRANTIES AVAILABLE. I'M A SINGLE PARENT W/A KID IN COLLEGE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OR PURCHASE A NEW CAR. I'M BARELY MAKING MY ENDS MEET. FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY REFUSE TO CONDUCT A RECALL! FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATION TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HARD WORKING CONSUMERS! BUYER BEWARE! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. YOU COULD NOT GIVE ME ONE FOR FREE! WHAT SHALL I DO...? FORD NEEDS TO BE A SHAME OF THEMSELVES! BUILD FORD TOUGH? LET'S A BIG FAT LIE! *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE RODE LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BOTH FRACTURED. THE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FRACTURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/12/2006 - *NM

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD, THUS DISABLING AIRBAGS IN VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALER SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED THE SENSOR. LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER, THE SAME ISSUE RECURRED, WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSTIC CODE, AND THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE REPAIR WARRANTY. AIR BAGS ARE NOW DISABLED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, SUDDENLY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE VEHICLE'S TIRE BLEW OUT, BECAUSE BOTH REAR TIRES BEGAN WOBBLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A NORMAL FLAT SURFACE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 20 MILES TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LOW GRADE DEEP DRUM NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH REAR BEARINGS WERE WEARING OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT BOTH BEARINGS WERE SHOT AND THE REAR DRIVER SPRING WAS BROKEN. BOTH REAR BEARINGS AND THE REAR DRIVER SPRING ARE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED.

APPARENT MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAUSES A SIMULTANEOUS BREAKAGE OF ONE OR BOTH REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS. IN MY CASE, BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE DISCOVERED BROKEN ON A ROUTINE SERVICE VISIT. *JB

WINDING AND ROARING NOISE FROM REAR END. *JB

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 65,000 MILES. NOW ITS COSTING ME $3500 PLUS TAX TO HAVE A REFURBISHED ONE INSTALLED. TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THIS AND I HAVE SEEN A HUGE NUMBER OF FORD TRANSMISSION FAILURES FOR THIS VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS A RECALL AND TO REIMBURSE US THAT HAVE ALREADY PAID. *NM

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4WD EDDIE BAUER AT 85450 MILES - 3RD GEAR CLUTCH OUT AND REQUIRES REBUILD. *JB

OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, THEN SHIFTING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT BECOMING INCREASINGLY WORSE TO THE POINT OF NOT SHIFTING AT ALL. NOTICEABLY JERKS WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. LOTS OF WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. ALSO REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKES LOUD WHINE/ROAR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 AND AT ACCELERATION. I UNDERSTAND THESE ARE VERY COMMON COMPLAINTS AMONG EXPLORER OWNERS AND CAN BE VERY COSTLY. MOST TRANSMISSION REPAIR PEOPLE TELL ME THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THAT FORD SHOULD FIX IT. *JB

THE BACK GLASS LIFT GATE WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE DUE TO A RECALL BROKE. THE GLASS DOOR OPENED WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB, AND AS I REACHED INTO THE CAR TO PUT A STROLLER IN THE DOOR, IT SLAMMED DOWN AND HIT THE BACK OF MY HEAD FORCING MY CHIN TO ALSO SLAM INTO THE FRAME OF THE DOOR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE MANUAL STATED TO BYPASS THE SHIFT INTERLOCK WITH A SCREWDRIVER, BUT THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 3, 2005, I PURCHASED A BREAK MODEL USED FORD EXPLORER XLT 2002 FROM NORM REEVES HONDA CAR DEALER IN CERRITOS, CA. THE CAR HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I SIGNED THE PAPERS AND TOOK THE POSSESSION OF THE CAR. IT HAS NOT BEEN MORE THAN 2 MONTHS THAT THE CAR STARTED GIVING ME TROUBLE ON THE PICK UP OF THE SPEED, TRANSMISSION, GEAR ADJUSTMENT, OVER USE OF THE GAS, DIFFICULT HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVING EVEN AFTER CHANGE OF GEARS, AIR SUCTION INTO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR AND SIGNS LIKE SERVICE ENGINE SOON ON THE FRONT PANEL, ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN GETTING REGULAR LUBE AND TUNE ON THE CAR AFTER EVERY 3000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE, OCCASIONALLY, THE CAR GIVES A THUNDERING NOISE ON THE TIRES AS IF IT IS DRAGGING ITSELF AND RUNNING ON THE ROAD. THIS MAKES ME FEAR THAT MY CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE! THE NORM REEVES HONDA SUPER STORE CAR DEALER KNEW THAT THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY SIMPLY WANTED TO GET RID OF A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT VEHICLE FROM THE FLEET AS THEY PRIMARILY SELL HONDA CARS AND SIMILAR VEHICLES. DESPITE REPEATED REQUESTS, THE NORM REEVES HONDA SUPER STORE AND THEIR SISTER COMPANY FORD OF CERRITOS REFUSED TO PROVIDE SERVICE ON THE CAR SINCE I STOPPED PAYMENTS ON THE CAR LOAN. OTHER FORD CAR DEALERS HAVE TEST DRIVEN THIS CAR AND OBSERVED THE SAME DEFECTS AS I HAVE MENTIONED. MY PURPOSE OF WRITING THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA IS TO REQUEST THE INTERVENTION OF NHTSA IMMEDIATELY AS THE QUESTIONED VEHICLE IS LIKELY TO ENDANGER MY LIFE ON THE LOCAL ROADS AND/OR ON HIGHWAY/FREEWAYS. DUE TO MAJOR DEFECTS IN THE CAR, I CAN MEET WITH A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND CAN BE CRIPPLED OR SUFFER SUCH PECUNIARY LOSSES THAT ARE IRREPLACEABLE AND/OR I CAN DIE ALSO WITH OUT ANY FAULT OF MINE. PLEASE RECALL FIRESTONE TIRES V. FORD MOTOR COMPANY CASE LAW. CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST NORM REEVES HONDA, FORD OF CERRITOS AND THEIR CEOS TO FOLLOW. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND THE DEALERS ASAP. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, AMARDEEP SINGH GILL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE COLUMN SHIFT FRACTURED INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE GEAR SHIFT WAS REPLACED.

CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 DATE: 2004-SEP-13 COMPONENT: STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS THE FORD EXPLORER HAD THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED FALL OF OCT 11,2005. ON JUNE 3,2006, ABOUT 8 MONTHS, THE EPOXY/TAR USED TO "SECURE" THE STRUT BRACKET ON THE GLASS FAILED IN 90+DEGREE WEATHER (MODERATE SUNNY DAY, IT WILL GET HOTTER). FROM OBSERVATION, USING ADHESIVE TO PREVENT THE BALL JOINT FROM PIVOTING WAS A BAD DESIGN. I OPENED THE GLASS LIFTGATE AND STARTED TO REACH IN AND THE GLASS LIFT GATE SLAMMED DOWN ON MY HEAD. DUE TO LOCAL TEMPERATURE AND REGULAR VIBRATION FROM DRIVING AND THE LOAD FROM THE STRUT, THE ADHESIVE YIELDED AND THE BALL JOINT ROTATED CAUSING THE STRUT TO POP OFF CAUSING THE GLASS LIFTGATE TO COME DOWN ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. HAD THIS HAPPEN TO MY WIFE, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BEING PETITE. I NOTIFIED THE FORD COMPANY AND THE DEALER, BOTH DECLINE TO REPAIR THE REPAIR PERFORMED UNDER RECALL AS IT WAS PASS THEIR WARRANTY OF 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILES. IT WAS OVER THE 12,000 MILES. SO I GUESS AFTER 12 MONTH OR 12000 MILES, FORD IS NO LONGER LIABLE IF THE RECALL REPAIR INJURES OR KILLS SOMEONE AS IT WAS A REPAIR UNDER A RECALL. *JB

O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON DASH, FOLLOWED BY SERVICE ENGINE SOON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO FORD WHERE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT. KNOWN DEFECT ACCORDING TO FORD TSB. *NM

CRACKING IN PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I FEAR THE NATURE OF THE CRACK HAS INCREASED THE POSSIBILITY FOR THE REAR WINDOW TO FALL OUT DURING DRIVING. CRACK HAS JUST APPEARED DUE TO NO CONSEQUENCE OR MISUSE. THIS APPARENTLY IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, SPUN AROUND AND FLIPPED SIDE TO SIDE SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AND FRONTAL AIR BAGS. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE HOWEVER MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM

1.) MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4WD TENDS TO SURGE IN 1ST,2ND, AND 3RD GEAR. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE SOME SLIPPAGE ISSUES. 2.) NO "FAILURE", YET. 3.) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE YET. *JB

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS TO ACTIVATE UNTIL MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL FOOT PRESSURE IS APPLIED; RESULTING IN DELAYED/INADEQUATE BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION AND DIFFICULTY DISENGAGING GEAR SELECTOR FROM PARK. ALSO, SPEED CONTROL WILL NOT TURN OFF UNTIL PRESSING HARD ENOUGH TO ENGAGE SECONDARY/BACKUP DISCONNECT ON SPEED CONTROL. INITIAL APPLICATION OF BRAKE WILL RESULT IN VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN SPEED, INCURRING INCREASED THROTTLE APPLICATION AND AUTO TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING. REMOVAL AND OBSERVATION OF THE SWITCH ACTION APPEARS TO SHOW THE MECHANICAL INTERFACE BETWEEN PLUNGER AND CONTACTS RESULTS IN CONTACTS OPENING WIDER IN THE INITIAL TRAVEL OF THE SWITCH BEFORE ACTUALLY CLOSING, RESULTING IN DELAYED CLOSING OF THE SWITCH. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING AT 80,000 MILES. OVERDRIVE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHES, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT INTO OD, HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 2-3, 3-4, SOMETIMES MISSES 3RD, CLUNKS IN REVERSE. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON TRANSMISSION. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD CAUSING A MINOR CRASH. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. AFTER INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ON DECEMBER 15, 2005. WHEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED THE DEALER REPLACED A DIFFERENT UNKNOWN SENSOR.

BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR A 60,000 MILE CHECKUP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THAT THE RING AND PINION GEAR-RERA KIT/SEALS WERE NEEDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT A COST OF $1131.83 PLUS TAX. THE ADVISOR SAID THAT THE SEALS ROTTED AND THEN THE LEAKAGE BEGAN AND IT WENT DOWN HILL FROM THERE. THIS SAME CAR HAD BEEN IN EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH WHAT WE THOUGHT MAYBE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT WAS CHECKED AND WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BUT THERE WASN'T ANY INDICATION OF AXLE LEAKAGE PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE ABOUT 4-5 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND WANT TO KNOW WHY FORD MOTOR COMPANY HASN'T ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM WITH A RECALL. THEE ARE A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM EXPRESSING IT OUT ON FORDFORUM.COM. WE HAVE OWNED 4 EXPLORERS AND FEEL VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT WE NEED TO SPEND THIS KIND OF MONEY WITH A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD INITIAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 101,000 MILES. CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY, RUNNING FINE UNTIL O/D INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND NOW HAS FAILED AT 151,000 MILES. RESEARCH CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM SHOWS THAT MANY CONSUMERS OF FORD 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

ON NEW YEARS EVE 2005-2006 THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE DRIVER'S REAR BROKE WHILE I HAD MY FAMILY WITH ME. THE WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 WITH 80000 MI. ON IT. NO WARRANTY. ON 5/21/06 WHILE DRIVING INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL BEARING BROKE AND STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND GET OFF THE INTERSTATE. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AND FOUND ALL BUT ONE STUD HAD BEEN SHEARED OFF. THE WHEEL NEARLY FELL OFF A 65 MPH. I HAD HEARD A NOISE EARLIER AND STOPPED TO CHECK, BUT FOUND NOTHING. I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD FALLEN FROM THE ROOF. MY FAMILY WAS AGAIN WITH ME. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING EXCEPT ENTER IT INTO THE FILE. I MADE A COMPLAINT AND REQUESTED A SUPERVISOR CALL ME BACK EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD REPEATEDLY THAT NOTHING MORE COULD BE DONE AND THE OPERATOR COULDN'T EVEN GIVE ME ANOTHER PERSON WHOM I COULD TALK WITH CONCERNING THE MATTER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND OBVIOUSLY A FORD PROBLEM. I PAID $150 FOR A TOW AND I'M WAITING FOR THE WHEEL TO BE FIXED. *NM

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4...5-18-06 OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES...5-19-06 IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE GEAR...WILL ONLY DRIVE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. MECHANIC SAYS THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND NEEDS TO BE REBUILT FOR $2200.00. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER AND SHOULD BE RECALLED...PERIOD. *NM

TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE FROM PARK AND THE COLUMN SHIFTER BROKE OFF. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION BUSINESS. COST TO REPAIR IS $1300. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2004 USED. I'VE HAD THE REAR TRANSMISSION SEALS, SHOCKS, TIRES, FRONT WINDOW AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. *JB

HORRIBLE WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION. REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND NOW IT'S WHINING LOUDER AND LOUDER EVERYDAY. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE SAME REPAIR A 3RD TIME. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. OTHER POPULAR DEFECTS FOR THE NEW FORD EXPLORER ARE CRACKED REAR COIL OVER SPRINGS, ALONG WITH TRANSMISSION AND A/C PROBLEMS, ETC, ETC. HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE FORD STANDS UP TO THEIR DESIGN FLAWS...???? *NM

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITHIN THE CITY, I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WHEN I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE CAR'S RIGHT REAR TIRE DEFLATED. I MOVED OUT OF TRAFFIC, CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN OFF AND PUNCTURED THE REAR TIRE (WHICH BY THE WAY WAS BRAND NEW). IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT SPRING, BUT SAW NO NEED TO REPLACE THE LEFT. SOUNDS LIKE DEFECTIVE HEAT TREATING TO ME. *NM

I POPPED THE LIFTGATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE (GARAGE DOOR WAS CLOSED AND IT WAS EARLY EVENING -- SO TEMPERATURES WERE MILD AND NO SUNLIGHT WAS HITTING THE TRUCK). AS I PULLED ON THE LIFTGATE TO FULLY OPEN IT, I HEARD A LOUD "BANG!" AND THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW EXPLODED. BALLS OF GLASS WERE THROWN WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THEY EMBEDDED IN THE WALLS OF MY GARAGE. SEVERAL TINY SHARDS OF GLASS (EVEN THOUGH IT'S SAFETY GLASS, EDGES ARE STILL PRETTY SHARP) LODGED IN MY FEET. TODAY, I'M HAVING THE BACK GLASS REPLACED, BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM RECURRING. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO MY REAR WINDOW, AND I HAD THE "LIFTGATE HINGE" RECALL WORK PERFORMED PROMPTLY. IT APPEARS THAT NUMEROUS OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BACK WINDOWS CRACKING OR EXPLODING: HTTP://WWW.AUTOBYTEL.COM/CONTENT/RESEARCH/FORUMS/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/POSTS/FID/200. *JB

AT 43000 MILES ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD WHIRRING WHINING NOISE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REAR END NEEDED REBUILT. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALER AND LEARNED VIA INTERNET BULLETIN BOARDS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AT VERY LOW MILES, AS THE LOCAL DEALER HAS HAD TO REBUILD QUITE A FEW. *JB

MY 2002 EXPLORER IS ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY NOTED BY OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS. THE WHINING WHEN REACHING 50-60 KM/HR, WHICH GOES AWAY WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS, THE SLIPPING AND SHUDDERING OF GEARS AND SOMETIMES PASSING GEAR NEVER KICKS IN, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON (USUALLY AFTER THE TRUCK HAS WARMED UP AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS REALLY COLD), THE ABS IS NOW STARTING TO ACT UP, WHEREIN IT RANDOMLY ACTIVATES ITSELF EVEN WHILE ON DRY PAVEMENT AND THE BRAKES FEEL MUSHY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. NOW THE LOCKS ARE RANDOMLY NOT WORKING. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ONE INSTANCE ABOUT THE PASSING, SHUDDERING, SLIPPING WAS WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS, I PULLED OUT TO PASS, AND WHEN I STEPPED ON IT THE TRUCK SHUDDERED SO HARD, THAT MY DAUGHTER, WHO WAS COLORING A MOTHER' DAY CARD, ACTUALLY SCRIBBLED WHEN IT SHUDDERED, IF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE. SHE WAS PO'D AT ME ASKING ME WHY DID I DO THAT AND NOW HER CARD WAS RUINED. WE HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION IN FOR SERVICE AND WERE TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND THE TRUCK WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND THEN BACK TO THE SAME OLD PROBLEMS. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TRADING THIS PIECE OF CRAP VEHICLE OFF AND WE HAVE DECIDED THAT IT WILL ONLY BE IMPORTS FROM NOW ON. FORD NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND START FIXING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS OR THEY WILL BE FINDING THEMSELVES BANKRUPT IN NO TIME. I WAS BROUGHT UP AS A KID IN FORDS; 67 T-BIRD, FORD LTD, 1/2 TON TRUCK, 3/4 TON TRUCK, 78 FORD T-BIRD, FORD TAURUS, MY FIRST CAR BEING A MERCURY LYNX, THEN A 93 FORD FESTIVA, HUBBY OWNED A 93 FORD RANGER 4X4, 98 WINDSTAR, MY MOM OWNS A 96 EXPLORER AND SO ON. MY FRIEND JUST GOT RID OF HER 2000 EXPLORER WHICH SHE LOVINGLY NAMED HER 'FORD EXPLODER'. THANKS FOR LISTENING TO MY RANT AND I REALLY HOPE THAT WITH EVERYONE'S INPUT THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 65,000. TRANSMISSION HAS GONE BAD. THIRD GEAR BAND IS BROKEN. ALWAYS DRIVEN IN LIGHT CITY AND HIGHWAY MILES. NEVER TOWED A TRAILER. FORD DEALER SAYS THAT TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

2002 EXPLORER WITH 95K MILES: POWER WINDOWS, AIRBAG AND FRONT/REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. DEALER WAS NOT SURPRISED BY THESE PROBLEMS AT ALL. $3K ESTIMATED REPAIR COST. *NM

BROUGHT IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE - 60K SERVICE. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING SERVICE, TECH FOUND A BAD INJECTOR, REPLACED INJECTOR BUT FOUND THERE WAS A BAD CYLINDER. ADVISED ME OF THIS . I GAVE GO AHEAD TO FIX. WHEN THEY WENT TO PULL HEAD TO SEND VALVES OFF FOR FIX, DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ON BOTH SIDES HAD HOLES WORN IN THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THEM. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ON A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE W/ 60,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE BEARINGS IN THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL ARE GOING OUT. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING IN A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, MANY FORD EXPLORERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM FORD SHOULD TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY, BUT STILL THIS IS TOO COMMON OF A DEFECT IN THE FORD EXPLORERS FOR IT TO NOT BE A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. *JB