2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK, BUT DID REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V171000 (TIRES: SIDEWALL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND TIRE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. MA 08/11/15

CAR HAS BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, GOT IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS ON THE COMPUTER, THE OD LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING. AT THE TIME OF THE SERVICE IT WAS WORKING CORRECTLY BUT LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. IT FINALLY WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR STRANDING MY WIFE AND INFANT SON. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITH A JASPER TRANSMISSION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE DRIVERS SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE SEAT SUPPORT BRACKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 06/19/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS, NOT EXCEEDING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CLUTCH BASKET AND REAR AXLE SEAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, I BOUGHT IT ON NOV. 29 2005. AFTER I BOUGHT IT I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE THERE WOULD BE A DELAY AND THEN A LOUD BANG OR CLUNK. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY GOT A LOT OF EXPLORERS WITH THAT SAME PROBLEM. SO I HAD IT REPAIRED AND THE TOTAL CAME TO $ 3,855.13. THE CAR HAD A WARRANTY BUT IT DIDN'T COVER EVERYTHING, SO I HAD TO PAY $ 1,800.00 FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE MASTER KIT/PISTONS, FILTER, O/D DRIVE BAND, 2ND BAND, BYPASS VALUE, SOLENOID PACK, REVERSE BAND, O/D SERVO,2ND SERVE, SONNAX UPDATES, WHOLE CASE, RECONDITION VALVE BODY, RB CONVERTER, FLUID AND FLUSH THE COOLER SYSTEM. *NM

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AT 2002. IT ALWAYS HAS A LITTLE BIT OIL ON THE PARKING LOT BUT I DID NOT PAY ATTENTION. NOW I FOUND OUT IT IS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKING. APPARENTLY IT HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR A LONG TIME. *TR

SOON AFTER WE BOUGHT IT. THE BEGAN OVER-REVVING BEFORE SHIFTING ON FLAT ROAD. AT APPROXIMATELY 80K THE OVER DRIVE BEGAN LIGHT FLASHING ERRATICALLY. WOULD RESET IF I TURNED ENGINE OFF, SAT FOR FEW MINUTES, AND RESTARTED ENGINE. BEGAN SLAM SHIFTING ON FLAT ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 100K. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE LEAVING ME STRANDED AT APPROXIMATELY 107K. * REPAIR SHOP SAID 02 EXPLORERS ARE #1 FOR NEEDING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS. GOING TO COST OVER $3000 TO FIX. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 4WD 46,000 MILES. EXPERIENCED VIBRATION IN BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS. BRAKE PADS WORN UNEVENLY. REPLACEMENT OF FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AND PADS WAS REQUIRED. ORIGINAL ROTORS ARE AVAILABLE. *JB

GRINDING NOISE SOUNDING LIKE IT IS FROM FRONT END, ESPECIALLY ON ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS, AND TURNING SLOW. TOLD TO REPLACE TIRES AND FRONT HUB. BOTH DONE AND STILL MAKING SAME NOISE. CANNOT FIGURE WHAT IS WRONG. THINK THE SOUND IS FROM TRANSMISSION OR REAR END. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRUCK DOES NOT SWITCH GEARS PROPERLY. IT TAKES TO LONG AND SOMETIMES REACHES 4 RPMS BEFORE FINALLY SWITCHING ON FLAT ROAD SURFACE. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER - 60,000 MILES - TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR NOISE IN REAR OF VEHICLE- DEALERSHIP WANT TO REBUILD REAR END FOR $1,300. NEVER CHECKED FLUID OR ASKED ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. I BELIEVE FORD HAS BIG PROBLEM - WITH EXPLORERS - I WOULD LIKE FORD TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE THREE CRACKS IN THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR ABOVE THE EMBLEM. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE (TORQUE CONVERTER?) *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR END NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 50-65 MPH (A LOUD HOWLING SOUND). WHEN I LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR THE NOISE GOES AWAY. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE BEARINGS, BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE REAR END GEAR RATIO. THIS SOUND IS TOO UNBEARABLE. THE REAR END GEAR RATIO SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER A RECALL. *NM

WHILE CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AT THE FORD DEALER FOR MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 60,000 MILES, THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM MY REAR LEFT WHEEL, THE BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, THAT BEARINGS WERE GOING BAD WITH MILEAGE THAT IS BELOW THE NORMAL NEED FOR BEARING REPLACEMENT. IF YOU HEAR FROM OTHERS ON THIS PROBLEM, IT MAY BE TIME FOR A FACTORY RECALL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SMELL OF GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, AND THE FUEL MILEAGE DECREASED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE ABOVE THE TANK. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE RUSTED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR. THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY OTHER OCCURRENCES SINCE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE'S CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000 MILES. *AK UPDATED 07/03/07. *JB

AFTER OWNING FOR A WEEK AND A HALF, HAD TO HAVE THE G EARS IN THE REAR END REPLACED. LATER INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT EVENLY WORN WHICH WAS CAUSING THE REAR END TO POP. AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK. THE 4 X 4 MODULE AND THE WIRING NEED TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $1000.00. THAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE WINDOW REGULATOR. NOW THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM COMING FROM THE DASH. UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS YET. *JB

I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM A FORD DEALER IN APRIL 2005, WITH APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON IT. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THOUGHT THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. AFTER PURCHASING ALL FOUR NEW TIRES, THE NOISE CONTINUED TO WORSEN. BY 60,000 MILES THE NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE AND I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL GARAGE THAT THE RIGHT REAR HUB SEAL WAS THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF IF I DIDN'T REPLACE IT. THE ENTIRE HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO RUST FUSING THE PARTS TOGETHER. SURPRISINGLY, THE NOISE CONTINUED (ALTHOUGH SOMEWHAT MORE MUFFLED THIS TIME), BUT I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I DO ALOT OF LOCAL ON AND OFF HIGHWAY DRIVING AND I WAS AFRAID OF LOSING A WHEEL AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I TOOK IT INTO A FORD DEALER AND BOTH REAR HUBS NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. I NOW HAVE 105,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RE-OCCURRED. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THOUGH THAT FORD HAS NOT OWNED UP TO THIS WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM BY MAKING THESE FORD-OWNERS WHOLE AFTER THEY'RE MADE TO SPEND ANYWHERE FROM $500 TO $1500 (LIKE I DID) TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT SURELY THEY MUST KNOW COULD POTENTIALLY COST THEM ANOTHER HEADLINE!

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE YARD, THE NEIGHBOR ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS SHATTERED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #01I010000 REGARDING THE VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

2002 FORD EXPLORER, WELL SERVICED, LESS THAN 54000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, FLASHED, THEN STOPPED. IT DIDN'T COME ON AGAIN UNTIL THIS WEEK. TOOK IT TO THE TORRANCE POWER FORD DEALERSHIP & THEY TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT IT WAS A FAULTY SPRING THAT WAS SLIDING & COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRE & PROBABLY SHORTED OUT. COST TO FIX, $467.00, CALLED THE FORD CO & THEY SAID AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY & THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. FUNNY THING IS, I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON WITH A FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ALSO ASKED IF NOT SERVICED WOULD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY? THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, IT WAS PULLED FORWARD AND PARKED. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO SLOWLY DRIVE ONE AND A HALF MILES TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW HOWEVER; WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC ENGAGEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING LEAKING FLUID. PROBLEM WAS FIXED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY BUT IS NOW LEAKING AGAIN. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX AGAIN SINCE IT IS 12 MONTHS PAST ORIGINAL REPAIR AND VEHICLE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER. FAILED TRANSMISSION, STARTER, REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, AIRBAG, PINION, ELECTRIC WINDOW. NOW LOUD SOUNDS FROM REAR OF CAR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE WHEEL BEARING AND HUB WAS REPLACED.

I HAVE A ROAR IN THE DIFFERENTIAL IN MY FORD EXPLORERS. IT STARTED JUST AFTER THE 36000 WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE 60000 AND THE ROAR IS VERY LOAD. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A PAVED ROAD, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FOLLOWED BY A BURNING SMELL. THE SIDE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS HOWEVER, AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT, THE SEAT BELTS STRAP TIGHTENED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE SEAT BELTS RELEASED. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. UPDATED 5/16/2006 - *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4.0L V6, THESE TRANSMISSIONS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED, YOU CANT CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL IN THEM WHICH IS NOT RIGHT ONLY TO BE DESIGNED TO BENEFIT FORD WHEN IT TEARS UP WITH HIGH REPAIR COSTS, MY EXPLORER HAD ONLY ABOUT 60000 MILES WHEN TRANS WENT OUT. I HAD IT REBUILT AT A LICENSED TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP FOR ABOUT $3000.00 IT DROVE GOOD FOR ABOUT THE SAME MILES AND STOP PULLING IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY TRAFFIC WITH CARS TAILGATING ME LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT. PLEASE HOW CAN THIS TRANS BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

TRANNY SLIPS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD MY KIDS IN CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE ALMOST GOT HIT IN AN INTERSECTION. CHANGED SOLENOID WAS GOOD FOR COUPLE MONTHS THEN STARTED SLIPPING AND MAKING CLUNKING NOISE NEW TRANNY COST ME $2400 @ YRS LATER STARTING AGAIN WITH THE BLINKING O/D LITE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT - MAY 2005 HAD LOUD ROARING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR WHEEL. REPLACED RIGHT REAR BEARING/PINION/ETC. APRIL 2006 HAD LOUD ROARING NOISE FROM LEFT SIDE. REPLACED LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR BEARING/PINION/ETC. REQUESTS TO DEALER AND DIRECTLY TO FORD CO. TO COVER 2ND & 3RD REPLACEMENTS DENIED. *JB

THREE INSTANCES OF WHINING NOISE AT 50+ MPH AND FLUID LEAKAGE FROM REAR AXLE SEAL 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE FIRST ONE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY. DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE SINCE REAR TRANSAXLE FLUID LEAKS DOWN DRIVE SHAFT TO BRAKE ASSEMBLY. I NOTICED SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF BRAKE ASSEMBLY WHERE FLUID IS RUNNING INTO THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. ONLY WHEN LEAK IS SIGNIFICANT WILL FLUID DRIP ONTO SURFACE BELOW REAR AXLE. DEALER NOTED FORD ENGINEERS ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. FIRST REPLACEMENT OF REAR AXLE SEALS AT 30000 MILES; SECOND AT 460000 MILES AND THE THIRD AT 62000 MILES. THESE SEALS SHOULD LAST LONGER. SECOND INSTANCE HAD VIBRATION WHEN ENGAGING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND LOUD WHINING NOISE/ VIBRATION FROM REAR; THEN FLUID LEAKAGE. MY DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT MANY EXPLORERS (2002-2005) HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY ENGINEERS ARE EVALUATING; AS A DEALER THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. FORD HAS NOT INDICATED A FIX OTHER THAN TO CHECK FLUID LEVEL, REPLACE REAR AXLE SEALS, AND/OR THE REAR UNIT. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD SINCE IN MOST CASES THE VEHICLE OWNER WILL NOT KNOW THERE IS A PENDING FAILURE DUE TO THE FLUID LEAKING DOWN THE REAR AXLE DRIVE SHAFT TOWARD THE BRAKE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE WHINING NOISE WILL INCREASE AS FLUID LEVEL DECREASES WITH RISK FAILURE AND LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM IS FAR MORE COMMON THAN REPORTED DUE TO THE DIFFICULT NATURE OF OBSERVATION OF LEAKAGE. ONE HAS TO CRAWL UNDER THE REAR TRANSAXLE AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE TWO AXLE SEALS TO LOOK FOR SIGNS OF CORROSION AND FLUID LEAKAGE. *NM

THE REAR WHEEL BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LOCKED UP WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM 150 MILES AWAY. LUCKY SHE HEARD A WEIRD NOISE AND SLOWED DOWN PRIOR TO IT SEIZING THE TIRE UP. *JB

THERE IS A LOUD HOWL/WHINE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE AREA OF OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THESE VEHICLES. OUR EXPLORER IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WE WOULD LIKE FOR FORD TO AT LEAST SHARE THE COST OF REPAIR WITH US. *NM

TOOK 02 FORD EXPLORER IN DUE TO CAR NOT SHIFTING WHEN IT SHOULD. ACCORDING TO FORD, I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE EXPLORER ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES. FREEDOM FORD IN HAMPTON, VA INSTALLED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $3600.00. *NM

TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AT 68,000 MILES. IT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. PREVIOUS TO THAT MAKE VERY HARD NOISES WHEN SHIFTING FROM THIRD TO SECOND. *JB

THE BACK PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW HAS CRACKED. *TR

2ND GEAR LOST IN TRANSMISSION O/D LIGHT FLASHING ERRATIC SHIFTING, HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT OVER $3000.00 COST TO ME FORD SAID WHOOPS SORRY. *JB

THE REAR END ON MY CAR WAS CAUSING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE ABOVE 40 MILES PER HOUR. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY BEGINNING IN 2005 ONLY AFTER EXTENDED TRIPS (ABOUT 60+ MILES), THEN CAME ON AND STAYED ON IN 4-2006. THE ABS SENSOR AND BRAKE SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC SAID FORD HAD A RECALL. BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS ONLY ON A CERTAIN TRUCK. *JB

WE HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A WHILE NOW. I NEVER THOUGHT MUCH OF IT UNTIL I GOT ONLINE RESEARCHING IT AND FOUND THAT NOT ONLY THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. APPARENTLY THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT EVEN WORK. FROM WHAT I FOUND THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH A CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE SEATBELT LOCKING MECHANISM TO THE SRS SYSTEM IS TO SHORT ALSO A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH A CLOCKSPRING. BY DOING SOMETHING AS LITTLE AS MOVING THE DRIVERS SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK CAN TRIGGER THE WARNING LIGHT BECAUSE THE CABLE IS TO SHORT. I LEARNED THIS MOSTLY THROUGH PEOPLE OVER THE INTERNET WHO TOOK THERE VEHICLES TO FORD DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT OR IF THEY WOULD FIX IT. NO RECALL AND WON'T PAY TO FIX. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I READ THAT FORD SENT A MEMO OUT TO IT'S DEALERSHIPS TELLING THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM HAD A MEMO NUMBER FORGOT TO WRITE IT DOWN. THIS VEHICLE IS A FAMILY VEHICLE AND THAT'S THE PRIMARY REASON WE BOUGHT IT. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS BEING SUCH A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD WOULD FIX NO PROBLEM, BUT AT THE VERY LEST SOMEBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THEM FIX THIS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUED, BUT I DO KNOW THAT IF THIS DOES NOT CALL FOR ONE THEN WHO OR WHAT IS THE NHTSA FOR. I GUESS IT TAKES A LOT OF PEOPLE GETTING HURT OR DYEING FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WAS MAKING LOUD REAR END NOISES. I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND WHO REBUILDS REAR ENDS AND HE HAD TO REPLACE MOST OF THE PARTS IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT I AM COMPLAINING AS THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE REAR WHEELS SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT SHOWN SIGNS OF EXTREME WEAR AND WOULD NEED REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT. I ENDED UP HAVING TO DRIVE AT 25 MPH AND AT 5000 RPMS IN ORDER TO GET HOME. I HAVE HEARD OF MORE THAN SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2002 EXPLORERS. FORD DID NOTHING TO HELP ME. *JB

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3-4 TIMES FOR REAR END NOISE / VIBRATION. IT HAS BEEN REPLACE, RE LUBRICATED AND ADJUSTED. THE CAR HAS 85000 MILES ON IT AND THE NOISE IS BACK AGAIN. ANY TIME YOU ARE ACCELERATING AND REACH 55-60 MPH, THERE IS LOUD WHINE THE COMES FROM THE REAR END. LET OFF THE GAS AND IT GOES AWAY.*JB

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE SUDDEN. *NM

VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY NOW AT 114K MILES. TRANSMISSION JUST REPLACED AT MY COST AND NOW THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS MAKING A BAD HOWLING NOISE. I SUPPOSE THAT WILL END UP NEEDING REPLACEMENT OUT OF WARRANTY. I'M HAVING A REAL PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING WHY THE VEHICLE IS HAVING SUCH BAD/EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS AT JUST OVER 100K MILES. ARE THEY REALLY BUILDING GARBAGE ??? *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH, CAR JERKED EXTREMELY HARD AT 65 MPH AND SUDDENLY SLOWED TO 30 MPH. O/D ON/OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD THANKS TO THE HELP OF ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO WAS BEHIND ME AND REALIZED MY CAR WAS BREAKING DOWN. HE ASSISTED IN HELPING ME CHANGE TRAFFIC LANES TO GET TO A SAFE SPOT TO STOP. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND DETERMINED THAT AT 54,000 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED. TRANSMISSION IS COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, HOWEVER FIRST AUTOMOTIVE HAS DECIDED TO PUT IN EITHER A USED OR SALVAGED TRANSMISSION. THEY REFUSE TO TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT THE CONDITION OR MILEAGE OF THE USED/SALVAGED PART. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER EXHIBITING TRANSMISSION AND REAR END PROBLEMS FORD SHOULD RECALL ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO BE VERY WIDE SPREAD. COST ESTIMATED TO BE $6000 FOR REPAIR. *NM

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, WITH 69.000 MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE EVER WHEEL BEARING ON MY CAR, THE WHEEL HAVE COME LOOSE, AND THE BEARING WERE SCRAPING. THE COST FOR THE BEARING AND THE LABOR WAS OVER $1,400 , I AM ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE MY TIRES BECAUSE OF THIS, WHEN I CONTACTED FORD ON THIS MATTER, THERE COMMIT WAS "THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THERE IS NO REASON ALL 4 WHEEL BEARING WOULD HAVE GONE BAD WITH NO MORE MILES THAN THERE IS ON THE CAR. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT KNOW IN TIME THAT THERE IS FLAW IN THE BEARINGS AND MAY HAVE A WHEEL COME OFF. THIS SHOULD BE A VERY BIG SAFETY CONCERN. THIS COULD CAUSE SOMEONE THERE LIFE. I HOPE I CAN GET SOMEONE TO LISTEN BEFORE IT IS TO LATE AND CAUSES A CHILD'S LIFE. THANK YOU. *JB