2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

REAR END HUM AND LEAK BACK TIRE WAS LOOSE DUE TO REAR WHEEL BEARINGS DETERIORATING, TOOK IT APART AND BEARINGS FELL APART. THERE WAS NO GREASE ON THEM. THIS '02 EXPLORER HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

THERE IS A SLIGHT LEEK OF DIFFERENTIAL FLUID FROM THE LEFT AXLE SEAL. I NOW HAVE NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEED FROM REAR END. FLUID LEVEL HAS REMAINED GOOD. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. HE NOTICED DEEP WORN AREAS ON THE TIRE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 104,000. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE TIRE DETAILS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. *AK

MAJOR NOISE FROM REAR END ESCALATED QUICKLY REQUIRING SERVICE. INDEPENDENT SERVICE GARAGE DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY AND LEFT REAR TIE ROD. THIS WAS THE THIRD OF THE FOUR WHEEL HUBS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE BETWEEN 70,000 AND 86,000 ACTUAL ODOMETER MILES. THE OTHER TWO WERE BOTH THE FRONTS. VERY HONEST MECHANIC SHOWED ME FAILED PARTS AND THREE OTHER EXPLORERS IN THE SHOP THAT SAME DAY WITH THE SAME WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENT. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE DESIGN ON THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS A HIGHWAY DRIVEN CAR ONLY, NOT OFF ROAD. *NM

NO START NO SPARK FORD COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT, 1200.00 IT WAS A FAULTY MAIN WIRING HARNESS ALSO LOUD NOISE IN REAR END NO HELP FROM FORD, BROKEN WHEEL BEARING. SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN. *NM

FORD EXPLORER XLT 2002 WITH 61,000 MILES O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING RAPIDLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND NEEDED REPLACING. REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING RAPIDLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. HAD THE CODES READ AND NEEDED TO REPLACE PRESSURE SENSOR VALVE. WORKED FINE UNTIL LATELY AND NOW VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. IT WAS BOUGHT ON 8/14/04 AS IS NO WARRANTY FROM A DEALER (DEMO) UNIT IT HAD 38547 MILES ON IT, 10/13/04 THE TRANSMISSION BLEW WITH 41675 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER WOULDN'T GIVE ME NO HELP AS WELL AS FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, I PAID 2181.03 TO HAVE IT REBUILT INCLUDING THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED, AND THE SOLENOID PAK (WHICH WAS REPLACED 2 MORE TIMES SHORTLY AFTER BEING INSTALLED EACH TIME) IT NEEDED A LS KIT, BAS HING KIT, 5 FORWARD STEELS, FILTER AND FLUIDS. MARCH 8TH 2006 I FIND MYSELF SPENDING ANOTHER 1412.56 TO HAVE IT REBUILT YET AGAIN NOW ONLY HAVING 64460 MILES ON IT, IT NEEDED AN OVERHAUL KIT, FILTER AND TRANS FLUIDS, INTERMEDIATE BAND, OD SERVO PISTON, INT SERVO PISTON AND ANOTHER SOLENOID PAK AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION CASE REPAIRED. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS IN MY LIFE TIME AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION ESPECIALLY TWICE IN LESS THEN TWO YEARS, THIS IS MY FIRST FORD AND WILL BE THE LAST FORD I OWN! I CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY EVERY TWO YEARS AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO THE WAY I SEE IT!*JB

FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION RATTLED AND DEALER INVESTIGATED AND INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS COMMON ON THE EXPLORER ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. I HAD TWO SALES REPRESENTATIVES, WHOSE FLEET EXPLORED, AND THEY BOTH HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I BELIEVED THAT IF THE NHTSA WOULD INVESTIGATE FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION REPAIRS WITH FLEET COMPANIES YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORES XLT FROM 2002 TO 2005. MOST FLEET CAR DRIVER'S DIDN'T COMPLAIN BECAUSE THE REPAIRS DID NOT COME OUT OF THEIR PERSONAL FUNDS. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER. RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION HUB/BEARING FAILURE. VEHICLE LOCATED AND DRIVEN IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (DETROIT AREA) WHERE ROADS ARE SALTED IN WINTER. VEHICLE IN SERVICE DATE (12/12/2001). INCIDENT DATE (03/08/2006 - 69216 MILES). LEFT REAR SUSPENSION HUB/BEARING FAILURE AT A LATER DATE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15MPH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WOBBLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE BROKEN WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOOSE REAR WHEEL. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BROKEN LUG NUTS.

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER. RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE. VEHICLE LOCATED AND DRIVEN IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (DETROIT AREA) WHERE ROADS ARE SALTED IN WINTER. VEHICLE IN SERVICE DATE (12/12/2001). INCIDENT DATE (03/08/2006 - 69216 MILES). LEFT REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED AT A LATER DATE. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN HAVING SHIFTING DIFFICULTIES SHIFTING UP AND DOWN BETWEEN GEARS. THE OCCASION THAT PROMPTED THIS OCCURRED AS I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT DID NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ALMOST BROADSIDED BY AN APPROACHING VEHICLE BEFORE REVERSE ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION. IT SEEMS IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY UP TO 1 MINUTE FOR REVERSE TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED BACKWARDS ONCE ENGAGED. *NM

OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES LEADING TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORE XLT. *NM

2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION IS BAD AFTER ONLY 33,000 MILES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE SHIFTER INTO THE DRIVE POSITION HOWEVER, THE STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY FELL APART. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

2002 EXPLORER REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AT 76,000 MILES. *TS THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. *JB

FUNNY THING, MY EXPLORER ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE, THERE WAS NO EVENT, ONE DAY IT WAS FINE THE NEXT DAY COME THE WHINE AND GRIND. *JB

LAST YEAR I HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE FORD DEALER SAID IT WAS THE REAR AXEL AND TRANNY AND FIXED THE ISSUE. THIS YEAR THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED PLUS THE OD LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING SIGNALING TRANNY PROBLEMS. OF COURSE I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY NOW AND I KNOW THAT THE TRANNY ON THIS MODEL FORD IS "SEALED" MEANING I CANNOT CHECK TRANNY FLUIDS AND ONLY THE DEALER CAN SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION. I HEAR MANY HORROR STORIES OF THE TRANNY GOING OUT PREMATURELY AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT WITH SO MANY ISSUES AND THE IRREPARABLE DESIGN, THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. I FEEL CHEATED AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS FIX CAN BE OVER $2000. PLEASE HELP. *NM

YET MORE LEAKING READ DIFFERENTIAL SEALS. REAR END HOWLING ALSO, HAS BEEN FOR ABOUT 15,000 MILES NOW. 79,000 MILES CURRENTLY. I WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THE REAR SEALS AGAIN, AND WILL INSPECT FOR THE HOWLING NOISE AGAIN. MAY HAVE TO CHANGE PINION BEARINGS!? AS A MECHANIC, IT IS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT WE WOULD BE HAVING SEAL AND BEARING FAILURES AT SUCH LOW MILEAGES. BAD ALUMINUM HOUSING CASTINGS MAYBE? BAD MACHINING? TOO MUCH SLOP AT THE REAR HALF SHAFT, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR ON THE SEAL FACES? WHAT EVER THE REASON, FORD IS NOT MAKING MUCH EFFORT TO REPAIR. AND THEY SEEM SURPRISED THAT FOLKS ARE BUYING FOREIGN TRUCKS. (TOYOTA TRUCKS) *TR

EXPLORER GAS WILL NOT PUMP. CLICKS EVERY FEW SECONDS . *TR

I BROUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER INTO MOSSY FORD BECAUSE THE AC WAS NOT WORKING AND THERE WAS A WHINING COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AC PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND AND THAT THE WHINING WAS DUE TO THE TIRES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT ANOTHER SOUND WAS NOTICED BY THE TECHNICIAN COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I WAS CHARGED $200 TO DIAGNOSE IT AND WAS TOLD THAT A NEW DIFFERENTIAL PACKAGE WAS NEEDED WHICH WOULD COST $1200. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THIS WOULD GO OUT AFTER 78,000 MILES. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FORD IS AWARE OF. THEY SHOULD REPLACE THESE THINGS FOR FREE. I AM IN THE MARKET FOR ANOTHER CAR AND NOW WILL NOT BUY A FORD IF THEY DON'T ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *NM

PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED UPON CLOSING REAR DOOR OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION, NOR WAS IT PARKED NEAR ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC, COMPUTER CODE INDICATED VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER INITIALLY DECLINED REPAIR VIA CONVERSATION WITH MECHANIC, AFTER I PURSUED CLAIM, WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED AND I WOULD HAVE AN EXPENSE TO DO SO OF $300. I CONTACTED SVC MANAGER FOR EXPLANATION OF $300, TOLD CONSUMER ALWAYS SHARES IN EXPENSE OF REPAIR FOR OUT OF WARRANTY ITEMS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AGAIN, ASKED FOR REVIEW AS NHTSA WEBSITE STATES SAFETY ISSUES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AT NO EXPENSE TO VEHICLE OWNER. YET TO BE RESOLVED. *NM

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (5R55W) HAS FAILED AT 30,300 MILES 10 MONTHS PAST LOUSY 3YR/36K BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY EXPIRATION! 1 MONTH PRIOR TO FAILING THERE WAS A SECOND OR SO DELAY SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR A HARSH BUMP UPON ENGAGEMENT. ON 2/26/06 AFTER A 30 MINUTE DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THEN DOING AN IN-TOWN ERRAND, THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. AFTER PARKING IT IN OUR GARAGE THERE WAS A BURNED FLUID SMELL. DUE FOR THE 30K TRANSMISSION SERVICE, I ALSO ASKED FOR A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT AN INDEPENDENT TRANS. SPECIALIST. THE MECHANIC CAME TO ME WITH THE PAN ASKING DO YOU POSSIBLY HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. (NO! I SHOULDN'T NEED ONE FOR A MAJOR COMPONENT SUCH AS A TRANSMISSION.) THE FLUID WAS COMPLETELY BLACK WITH NO HINT OF RED. ADDITIONALLY THE MAGNET WAS COVERED WITH A 1/2" THICK LAYER OF METAL SHAVINGS! THE COMPUTER CODE (P1783) REVEALED THAT THE FLUID HAD HEATED TO GREATER THAN 270 DEGREES F. THE TRANSMISSION IS FRIED AND HIS BEST ESTIMATE TO REBUILD IT WAS AROUND $3,000! LET ME STATE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER DRIVEN UNDER ANY HARSH CONDITIONS, EVEN THOSE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO ACCORDING TO FORD ADVERTISEMENTS SUCH AS TOWING, OFF-ROAD OR USING THE 4 X 2 LOW GEAR. AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH AND READING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPEATED FAILURES WITH THE REBUILT AND/OR NEW 5R55W'S INSTALLED, WHAT IS THE CONSUMER SUPPOSED TO DO? WE HAVE TO PAY FOR FORD'S MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR POOR ENGINEERING ON THEIR VEHICLES. AS MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN PAID FOR SO THIS IS A HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR OUR FAMILY. I RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE EXACTLY, BUT IT SURE IS HURTING THE POCKETBOOK OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE NO PROTECTION FROM CONSUMER LAWS ONCE IT'S PAST THE 1 YR FOR LEMON LAW OR THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. HOW DO WE GET SUPPORT AS A GROUP TO GET A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT STARTED? NOT BUILT FORD TOUGH!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED BUT HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

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

LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALER SAID SEALS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A LOW FLUID SITUATION THAT CAUSED ABNORMAL WEAR. REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *JB

TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AND NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY WHILE ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH 63000 MILES ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT COMPLETE OVERHAUL NEEDED ON TRANSMISSION APPROX COST $2600.00 TO REPAIR. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH A V6 ENGINE, PURCHASED NEW, MAINTAINED, HAS 77,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT BECAME ERRATIC, AS IF WATER IN TANK, DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE WHEN IT DIED. NOW THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED: ACCORDING TO WARRANTY INSPECTOR THE "CASSETTE FAILED DUE TO THE HYDRAULIC TENSIONER AND IT IS CLOGGED WITH SLUDGE, SLUDGE IS GETTING THICKER AND IT HAS CLOGGED A PIN HOLE IN THE TENSIONER AND CAUSED A LOSS OF PRESSURE". GEICO WILL NOT COVER THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT WAS CAUSED BY LACK OF MAINTENANCE; HOWEVER, I PROVIDED THEM WITH RECORDS OF THE MILEAGE AND DATE OF OIL CHANGES AT INTERVALS BETWEEN 3K AND 5K MILES, PROBLEM I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR ONLY 75% OF THOSE CHANGES. THE HIGHEST GAP BETWEEN A RECEIPT BACKED CHANGE AND NON RECEIPT CHANGE IS 7000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS AWFULLY SIMILAR TO THE 1996 - 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES. I THINK FORD HAS A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO. PREVIOUSLY, THIS SUV HAD TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 50K MILES AND A REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT 65K MILES, THANK GOODNESS THEY WERE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. *NM

AFTER 60,000 MILES TWO WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *NM

THE REAR END HAS GONE OUT TWICE NOW IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CAR HAS 85,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 55,000 MILES ON IT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE I WOULD GET A LOUD THUG WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MPH. THE SERVICE PLACES WERE NEVER ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. LAST WEEK, I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR JUST WOULD NOT SHIFT - THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE OD LIGHT STARTED RAPIDLY FLASHING. MY CAR IS OF COURSE OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP IS QUOTING ME $3120 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION THAT THEY SAY I NEED. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER 2002. THERE IS EVEN THE FOLLOWING TSB ISSUED FOR IT THAT I FOUND ONLINE 03-25-4 DEC 03 A/T - 5R55W NO 3RD GEAR/SLIPPING 2-3 SHIFT/DTC'S SET. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS TRUE. *JB

REAR LIFT HATCH ,THE PIECE OF BODY UNDER THE GLASS, STARTED OUT AS A SMALL CRACK. NOW HAS SPLIT AND SEPARATED ALL THE WAY DOWN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP HOPING TO BE TREATED WITH A LITTLE FAIRNESS. WRONG..IT CAN BE FIXED, BUT AT MY EXPENSE.. DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT. IT HAPPENED ON IT'S OWN AND I'M FINDING OUT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE IT'S HAPPENED TO. THE NUMBERS SHOULD SHOW THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY THE FORD COMPANY.*JB

IN FEB OF 2006 WITH 65,995 MILES ON MY CAR I HEARD A WHIRRING/GRINDING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE DRIVING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY MECHANIC FOR LATER IN THE WEEK (~4 DAYS) TO HAVE THE NOISE LOOKED INTO. 1 DAY PRIOR TO TAKING MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC THE NOISE GOT MUCH WORSE AND I TOOK IT IN IMMEDIATELY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING EXPLODED AND DAMAGED THE BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAD THIS REPAIRED AND CHALKED IT UP TO BAD MICHIGAN ROADS. IN MAY OF 2006 THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING ALSO ERODED/WORE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (ONLY 68,368 MILES AT THE TIME). THE WAREHOUSE/RETAIL OUTLET WHERE MY MECHANICS PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT WHEEL BEARINGS TOLD ME THE PERSON WORKING THE COUNTER COMMENTED ON HOW MANY REQUESTS FORD HAS HAD FOR WHEEL BEARINGS AS OF RECENT. MY MECHANICS (AS WELL AS FRIENDS AND FAMILY) TOLD ME I SHOULD CONTACT FORD AS WELL AS NHTSA WITH THIS INFORMATION SINCE THE COMPONENT FAILURE EFFECTED THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. I AM FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THAT REQUEST AND HAVE PLACED A LETTER IN THE MAIL TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND AM AWAITING THEIR REPLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN INDEPENDENT 3RD PARTY'S EVALUATION OF THIS SITUATION SINCE I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC AS WELL AS OTHERS THE AUTO REPAIR AND INDUSTRY THAT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD LAST THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE AUTOMOBILE (OR AT LEAST TO 100,000 MILES. *JB

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND TRUCK WILL NOT GO INTO OVERDRIVE. I PAID $1500 6 MONTHS AGO TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT IS DOING THE SAME THING. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL. I PAID ANOTHER $400 TO FIX IT AND 4 DAYS LATER IT IS DOING THE SAME THING. *JB

BACKED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER OUT OF THE GARAGE AND PUT IT IN PARK FOR A MOMENT AND WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF. THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE DISMANTLED TO ALLOW FOR TOWING AND MECHANIC HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE PARTS TO FIX IT. *NM

STEERING COLUMN JAMMED TWICE. FIRST TIME UNDER THE WARRANTY, THEN 1 YEAR LATER NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. FATHER HAS SAME VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL YEAR, HE HAD TWO PUT IN HIS ALSO. REAR END WENT. HAD TO REPLACE TWO AXLES ALREADY. *JB

FIRST OF ALL I HAVE A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE I NOTICE IT MOST WHEN WE ARE TRAVELING ON THE HWY AT AT LEAST 55 MPH OR MORE. IN OCT. MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND NOW IN FEB. MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM

THE TRANSMISSION ON THE CAR HAS PROBLEMS AND THE 4X4 DOESN'T WORK WITH ONLY 80000 MILES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S LIFT GATE STRUT DISENGAGED, IT FRACTURED THE GLASS AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN #04V442000, CONCERNING THE LIFT GATE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE RECALL WORK WAS PREFORMED; ALTHOUGH, THE REMEDY DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR.

I WALKED AROUND THE BACK OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TODAY TO FIND THE PANEL DIRECTLY BELOW MY REAR WINDOW WAS SEVERELY CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. I HAD A MINOR CRACK WHICH I REPAIRED ON MY OWN BEFORE. IN NEITHER INSTANCE DID I HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES TO CAUSE THE CRACKS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND CONTACTING A FEW FORD DEALERSHIPS, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE PHANTOM SPLITTING OF A BODY PANEL ON A MODERN VEHICLE IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW. MY VEHICLE'S SAFETY IS NOW IN QUESTION; I AM CONCERNED THAT THE HATCH-BACK GLASS IS NOW NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED DUE TO THE MULTIPLE CRACKS BELOW IT. PLEASE, FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL 2002 EXPLORER DRIVERS AND THE TRAVELERS BEHIND THEM ON THE ROAD, SEE TO IT THAT THIS DEFECT IS REMEDIED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY WITH A PRODUCT RECALL. *JB

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. WENT TO PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS STILL IN PARK, BUT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS IF THE CAR HAD GONE INTO REVERSE. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, BUT COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT. HAD TO LOCK THE CAR AND LEAVE IT UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING WHEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP OPENED. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $961. I ASKED THEM TO CONTACT FORD AS IT WAS OBVIOUSLY A VEHICLE DEFECT. THEY RESPONDED THAT I WOULD NEED TO CALL FORD MYSELF. SPOKE WITH A REP. OF FORD, AND THEY CALLED THE LOCAL SERVICE MANAGER, THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE PROBLEM WAS OURS TO FIX AT OUR COST. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR REAR HATCH GLASS EXPLODED AS IT WAS BEING CLOSED. INCIDENT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AFTER RECALL 04S20 WAS PERFORMED. *NM

TRANSMISSION - GEAR BAND. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20MPH OR MORE THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THE TIRES NEEDED REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE NOISE COULD POSSIBLY BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15MPH IN SNOW THE VEHICLES FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO ACTIVATE THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE WITH NO SUCCESS. THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR STATE INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE CORRODED AND FLAKED OFF WHEN TOUCHED. THERE IS CORROSION ON THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS SUBMERGED IN SALTWATER. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

EACH WINTER SINCE PURCHASING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER THERE HAVE BEEN DAYS WHEN THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT AND I WAS FORCED TO WAIT FOR THE MECHANISM TO THAW OR USE ONE HAND TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM FLYING OPEN AS I DROVE. AFTER THAWING OUT THE DOOR WOULD LATCH AND I COULD CONTINUE SAFELY. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM ISOLATED TO MY VEHICLE THOUGH AFTER HEARING OF THE RECENT RECALL I AM CERTAIN THIS IS ANOTHER IN A LONG LIST OF DEFECTS I HAVE EXPERIENCED. IN FACT ON JULY 30, 2005 WEST HERR FORD OF HAMBURG, NY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I NOW WONDER IF THE CONSTANT FREEZE / THAW CYCLE OF THE WATER THAT OBVIOUSLY LEAKS INTO THE DOOR CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH BROKEN GEAR SHIFT LEVER. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE WHEN THEY WERE PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE. SHE COULD TURN OFF THE IGNITION BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2007. *JB

FAX FROM RE THE PROBLEM WITH A DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT IN HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER, GEAR SHIFT LEVER HAS BROKEN OFF TWICE. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2007. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT 50,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR RANDOMLY, ALMOST CAUSING COLLISION. *AK