2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A LEAK FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I HAVE HAD THE SEALS REPLACED, BUT THE LEAK PERSISTS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DIFFERENTIAL-TRANSMISSION HOUSINGS. *NM

AFTER SEEING OTHER 2002-2006 FORD EXPLORERS ON THE STREET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF HAVING A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL RIGHT BELOW THE REAR WINDOW I DECIDED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPLACE THE HINGES BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD SLAM SHUT WHICH I BELIEVE CAUSED THE CRACK. I TALKED TO FORD WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED AND THEY SAID BASED ON MY MILEAGE THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT 500. MY QUESTION TO FORD WAS WHAT DOES THE MILEAGE HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT I BELIEVE WAS A RECALL DEFECT THAT ULTIMATELY CAUSED THIS PROBLEM? I NOTICED ON THE NEW MODEL EXPLORERS THEY REDESIGNED THEM SO THE GLASS OPENS UP WITHOUT THE PANEL. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW COULD ACTUALLY FALL OUT IF THE DOOR IS SHUT AND COULD BREAK AND CAUSE AN INJURY. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND HOPEFULLY GET THIS RESOLVED SOON. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, 5R55W TRANSMISSION. 84K ON VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION NO-SHIFT/LATE SHIFT BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. OD LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY, OCCASIONALLY NO POWER, TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 1-2 AND 2-3. *NM

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS NOW HAVING ITS TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME I WAS AT 77000 MILE, JUST OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED 75000 MILE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED, WHEN THE CAR BEGAN SHIFTING WITH A HARD JERK OR SLIP WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO CHANGE FOR SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. AFTER FURTHER DRIVING THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO BE SURPRISED THAT I HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND COST ME $3600. HE SAID HE COULD TAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP THAT THEY USED SO THAT MAYBE HE COULD GET IT DONE FASTER. WELL, I DECIDED TO TAKE IT THERE MYSELF. I GOT THE SAME REPORT, BUT THEY COULD FIX IT, WITH ALL NEW PARTS, FOR $2000. SO, I LET THEM FIX IT. AFTER ONE YEAR AND 44000 MILES I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND IT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING FIXED. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT WILL COST ME THIS TIME AROUND. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW BASED ON WHAT I AM HEARING AND READING THAT THIS ALONG WITH THE REAR DIFF. PROBLEM, WHICH I ALSO HAVE, SEEMS TO BE COMMON IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IN THE LAST TEN YEARS I HAVE OWNED 5 FORDS AND THIS IS THE SECOND EXPLORER. I DO NOT THINK I WILL BE BUYING ANOTHER ONE UNLESS FORD CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THEY SEEM TO HAVE. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH PART FAILURE. CONSUMER WANTS ASSISTANCE FROM FORD TO COVER THE REPAIRS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED NUMEROUS PARTS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THOSE FAILURES INCLUDED: THE DIFFERENTIAL COMPASS, HVAC BLOWER MOTOR, ONE OF THE REAR WINDOW LIFT MOTORS AND ONE OF THE SEALS ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. *JB

THE BREAK LIGHTS ON MY CAR GET STUCK ON, I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN TO ME THREE TIMES, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHEN I WAS IN PENSACOLA AND HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED...IT SEEMS TO BE THE SENSOR ATTACHED TO THE BREAK PEDAL. *NM

1.) NO INDICATION OF IMPENDING FAILURE 2.) TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY GONE. 3.) $4000 LATER A NEW TRANSMISSION IS BEING INSTALLED. *NM

TRANSMISSION 3RD GEAR SLIPPING CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY RE BUILT. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN #03254 . HOW COME FORD HAS NOT DONE ANY THING? BECAUSE THIS IS A WELL KNOWN FACT . FORD SHOULD HAY TO PAY FOR ITS MISTAKE OR HELP THE CONSUMER IN SOME WAY. THEY NEW IN 12/13/24 THERE IS FAILURE IN THIS TRANSMISSION # 5R55W . I CHECKED ON THIS AT WWW.CAR REVIEW.COM AND THERE WAS MANY COMPLAINTS THANKS. JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY HAD TO BE REBUILT AT 85,000. THE SHOP WE TOOK THE CAR TO SAID HE SEES A LOT OF 2002 FORD EXPLORERS BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW MODEL AND FORD DID NOT BUILD THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY. THE MECHANIC SAID FORD DID NOT RECALL THE TRANSMISSION'S BUT THEY SHOULD AS IT SEEMED TO HIM TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM, AND NOT FROM ABUSE (IN OUR CASE ANYWAY). *NM

DT: 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONSUMER STATES AIRBAG LIGHT ON FLASHED ON DASHBOARD 3 TIMES AND THEN IT STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS RELATED TO THE SEAT BELTS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR 1 WEEK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HER THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. THEY STATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM.*AK THE DEALER REPALCED THE TENSIONER. *JB

DT: CONTACT'S WIFE ON STATES ON 9-17-05 WAS DRIVING THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND SHE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A HILL. SHE TOOK FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SURGED VERY HIGH AND LUNGED FORWARD, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT'S WIFE DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE DEALER DID NOT THINK THIS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS KIND. THE CONTACT REPORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. *AK.

RUBBING NOISE HEARD ON REAR WHEEL. FOUND PARKING BRAKE PADS HAD DIS-BONDED FROM BRAKE SHOE. SAFETY SYSTEM THAT FORD MOTOR DEALER, CHANTILLY, VA INDICATED IT WOULD NOT REPLACE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A DEFECT. *NM

WE RECENTLY LEARNED FROM HTTP://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/ THAT FORD COIL SPRING PROBLEMS MAY NOT BE LIMITED TO WINDSTAR MINIVANS. " FORD COIL SPRING PROBLEMS MAY NOT BE LIMITED TO WINDSTARS WASHINGTON, JAN. 31, 2001 -- THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION OF 926,000 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS AFTER REPORTS THAT A SPRING IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM CAN BREAK AND PUNCTURE A TIRE. " WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, [XXX], WHICH HAS TWO (2) BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS, BOTH OCCURRING AT THE SAME TIME. THE SPRINGS BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THE TRUCK IS SELDOM USED FOR HAULING; HAS NEVER BEEN OVERLOADED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ADMITTED HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON WINDSTAR AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES, BUT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, OTHER THAN REPAIR IT AT MY COST. THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS & REPLACEMENT COIL SPRING(S) WAS $ 535.00. THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF COMMISSION FOR THREE DAYS. THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS: IRWIN MOTORS UNION & BISSON AVENUE LACONIA, NH 03246 THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THIS INFORMATION AND FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU MAY PROVIDE IN FORCING THE MANUFACTURER TO STAND UP TO THIS ISSUE, AN ISSUE WORTHY OF A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD - THE BROKEN COILS CAN CUT THE TIRES DURING TRAVEL. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] . *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A CRACK BY THE FORD SYMBOL IN THE BACK. THERE ARE NO DENTS OR DEBRIS AROUND THE CRACK. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED.

AFTER BRINGING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED BACK BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THAT MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND ROTTED. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED THE CAR TO BECOME UNABLE TO STOP. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BRAKES (ROUTINE), BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 40,000+ MILES ON IT. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 52,000 MILES. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH FORD ESP. IN AUGUST, A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE LEFT HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER AUTHORIZED WARRANTY WORK THAT WOULD REPLACE THE HEAD ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAD THE VEHICLE BACK FOR 2 WEEKS AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE RIGHT HEAD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE FAULT. THEIR REASON IS THAT THERE WERE AUTOLITE SPARK PLUGS IN THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF MOTORCRAFT SPARK PLUGS. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID THE PREVIOUS REPAIR WITHOUT REALIZING THAT. FURTHERMORE, THEY ONLY REPLACED THE ONE PLUG ORIGINALLY THAT BLEW OUT, RE-USING THE OTHER 3 PLUGS (AUTOLITES) THAT WERE IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TALKED WITH FORD IN MICHIGAN AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT. FIRST, THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT HONORING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF SPARK PLUG BRAND IS SOMETHING I CANNOT FIND WRITTEN ANYWHERE. SECOND, IF THOSE PLUGS ARE SO BAD, THEN ARE THEY NEGLIGENT IN PUTTING THOSE PLUGS BACK IN. THIRD, THE FACT THAT THIS HAPPENED AND COULD HAVE PIERCED A FUEL LINE IS VERY HAZARDOUS. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR HALF DAY TRIP IN A DESOLATE AREA. SHOULD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAVE HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS OUT THERE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HORRIBLE. DOES FORD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DENY COVERAGE WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS REASON? IS IT NEGLIGENT ON FORD'S PART TO SIMPLY TELL ME AFTER THE FACT THAT THE PLUGS THAT ARE IN THERE ARE NON-STANDARD AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE WORK?*JB

AIRBAG LIGHT SWITCHED ON, AS A RESULT OF PRE-TENSIONER FAILURE FROM MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TWICE TO A FRIEND OF MINE WITH A 2002 EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT SENSOR FAILED. ** JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER 43K - REAR TIRES SHUDDER AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BINDING DURING TURNS. THE INSIDE TIRE SPINS/STOPS/SPINS AS IF THE REAR DIFF WERE LOCKED. REPAIR SHOP CAN NOT ISOLATE ANY PROBLEM - CHANGED FLUID, REPLACED 4X4 SWITCH, PROBLEM PERSISTS. THEY ARE CONSIDERING REPLACING THE ENTIRE UNIT. *JB

1) COULD HEAR HIGH PITCH NOISE WHILE DRIVING. 2) JACKED UP REAR OF EXPLORER AND REAR WHEEL(S) COULD WOBBLE ON THE AXLE. 3) BY 70,000 MILES, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE NOW FAILED AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER. I NOW HAVE 77000 MILES ON THE EXPLORER AND I AM BEGINNING TO HEAR THE HIGH PITCH SOUND AGAIN. *JB

2002 EXPLORER, 50,000 MILES LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR END (DIFFERENTIAL) AT SPEED ABOVE 40 MPH. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH I'VE READ WHERE MANY OTHERS ARE REPORTING SIMILAR NOISES. DEALER QUOTES $1500-1700 TO REPLACE REAR END. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BEARING WENT OUT ON 9-6-05. THE CONSUMER IS UNSURE IF IT WAS ON THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. SHE DID NOT HEAR A NOISE PRIOR TO THIS BUT REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE FELT SLUGGISH. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY AND IT WAS PULLING ALL OVER THE ROAD. SHE REPORTED THAT STEERING WAS VERY SLOPPY AND SHE COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY TOOK A COMPLAINT FROM HER AND SAID THEY WOULD EVALUATE IT WITHIN 3-5 DAYS.*AK *MR

I BROUGHT THIS SUV LAST YEAR AT BILL HEARD CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A NEW VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD PAY THIS CAR IN THREE YEARS BUT IN REALITY IT WAS FIVE YEARS. I SIGNED ALL THE PAPERWORK I HAD TO BUT THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY PAPERS WHEN I LEFT. HOWEVER WHEN I WENT TO APPLY TO BUY ANOTHER CAR THEY DIDN'T ACCEPT MY APPLICATION BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS ALREADY BEING FINANCE A CAR FOR FIVE YEARS. THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUST MAKE REALLY LOUD NOISES WHEN I DROVE THE SUV; THE TRANSMISSION WAS SIMPLY NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR 60 MPH OR MORE THE VEHICLE WOULD JUST START VIBRATING. I CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO MAKE A COMPLAINT BUT THEY SIMPLY JUST IGNORE MY COMPLAINT. *NM

HARD SHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION. ESPECIALLY GOING INTO 3RD GEAR. SOUNDS & FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO BREAK DOWN AT ANY TIME. IN TURN, LEAVING ME & MY CHILDREN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *NM

ROAR/WHINE FROM REAR END @ 40-65 MPH. STOPS WHEN FOOT REMOVED FROM ACCELERATOR. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER....REAR END NOISE. RETURNED 3 TIMES TO DEAL FOR CORRECTION. AFTER THE 3RD TIME, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE CORRECTED...10,000 MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. DEAL CLAIMED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR REPAIR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HAVING REAR AXLE PINION SEAL REPAIRED AT A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONSULTED. *AK

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND BRAKING, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SURGE IN ACCELERATION THAT THE BRAKING COULD NOT CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A CONCRETE ABUTMENT, THE PASSENGER FRONT FENDER CLIPPED THE DRIVER REAR FENDER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I QUESTIONED FORD ABOUT PROBLEM, THEY SAID THEY HAD NO RECALLS AND I SHOULD GET IT LOOKED AT. THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *NM

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON TWO TIMES IN THE PAST. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG. THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO AND I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AGAIN LAST WEEK. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN "ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM" WITH MY FORD 2002 EXPLORER THAT WAS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO STAY ON. REPAIR WAS A WHOPPING 487.00. FIRST, I AM WONDERING WHY THEY DIDN'T DISCOVER THIS PROBLEM ON THE PRIOR TWO OCCASIONS AND SECONDLY, I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT A CO-WORKER HAS ALSO HAD TO HAVE HER FORD ESCAPE SERVICED 4 TO 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME, SHE WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SENSOR. HER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS SINCE CAME ON AGAIN. IS THIS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FAMILY OF SUVS?*JB

THERE HAS BEEN A LOAD HUMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SINCE 42000 MILES. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER 4WD 4.0L; 83K MILES, FOR THE SECOND TIME ON VEHICLE HAS REAR AXLE SEAL LEAK. REAR AXLE SEALS AND PINION SEALS REPLACED AT 55K; HUMMING NOISE/WHINE FROM VEHICLE AT CRUISING SPEEDS. MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS REPORTED ONLINE, AND FORD TSB'S ISSUED, BUT NO RECALLS. SEE, FOR INSTANCE: HTTP://FORUMS.CARREVIEW.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=93 FIRST REPAIR WAS OVER $700 AND THIS ONE WILL REQUIRE REAR ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT, IN EXCESS OF $1200. FIRST REPAIR USED 'UPDATED PARTS' FROM FORD, SUPPOSEDLY DESIGNED TO PREVENT PROBLEM RECURRENCE.

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS ORIGINAL OWNER 72,000 MILES. HAVE NOTICED A WHINING HUMMING ,NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 50-70 MILES PER HOUR. BEEN DOING IT SINCE 30,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS POSSIBLE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING?

2002 FORD EXPLORER, REAR END WHINING, REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME AT 48K MILES. NOW AGAIN AT 57K. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND THEN WOULD ACCELERATE QUICKLY UP TO O 80 MPH. THE TRUCK WOULD DECELERATE AND ACCELERATE RANDOMLY. THE TRANSMISSION KNOCKED WHEN GOING INTO GEAR. THE OWNER HAD REQUESTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE CHECKED PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRING ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 25,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONSUMER WAS OUT OF TOWN AND HAD A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN THE INSTALLMENT OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WHEN REACHING HOME. CURRENTLY, THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING PROBLEMS GOING INTO GEAR. THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE GEARS WERE CHANGING. THE CONSUMER WAS CONSTANTLY DEALING WITH THE DEALERSHIP GENERAL MANAGER, WHO IN RETURN, WAS DEALING WITH THE FORD REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE DEALERSHIP TESTED THE OLD TRANSMISSION WITH DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND NOTHING. THE CONSUMER FOR DEALING WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD SIMULTANEOUSLY CONCERNING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AROUND 4 TIMES REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION. EACH TIME THEY TELL ME THEY FIXED IT AND A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS LATER IT IS HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN. IT SHIFTS ROUGH AND SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD ISSUES SHIFTING GEARS AND WHEN SHE WOULD TURN CORNERS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. OTHER TIMES, SHE HAD ISSUES SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 2008 AT A REPAIR SHOP. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK (WITH THE ENGINE ON) AND WENT INTO A STORE, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND HIT A BUILDING AND THEN MOVED BACK AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A COMPONENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO LOCK INTO GEAR. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 10/21/11*LJ

LOUD NIOSE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AFTER REPEATED COMPLAINTS OR TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT HAS COME ON PERIODICALLY AND BLINKS UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT TO LINDSAY FORD IN WHEATON, MD AND THEY CHARGED ME $180 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED TO TELL ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 63,000 MILES ON IT. I THINK IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO SPEND ALMOST $3,000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE ON MY CAR. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION TO ME. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND WHINE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. DEALER HAS TO REPLACE REAR END AT MY COST. NO WAY A DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD GO OUT AT 48,000 MILES. DO NOT KNOW IF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED AT THIS TIME. *JB

LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM READ END ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT SPEEDS OF 40+MPH...READ ALOT OF COPLAINTS, SEEMS TO BE A DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM IN THE 1200-1500 DOLLAR RANGE.

I HAD JUST LEFT WORK WITH MY MOTHER AND NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER OR WIRES. WE DROVE FOR APPROX. 4 BLOCKS STILL SMELLING THIS. WE ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS THINKING IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE. I EVEN TURNED OFF MY AIR CONDITIONING THINKING IT WAS PULLING THE ODOR IN FROM OUTSIDE. WE THEN DECIDED WE SHOULD TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT AND HAVE THE MECHANICS CHECK IT OUT. I TURNED THE CORNER AND SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE THEN PULLED OVER TO CALL OUR WRECKER. THE SMOKE GOT WORSE, SO WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND MOVED AWAY. WE THEN CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN, THERE WAS A SMALL EXPLOSION AND THERE WAS A HOLE BLOWN IN THE CENTER OF THE HOOD CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE FLAMES WERE THEN SHOOTING ABOUT 6 TO 8 FT IN THE AIR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. WE HAVE NOT YET HEARD IF IT IS A TOTAL LOSS, BUT I'M SURE IT IS. *NM

TRANSMISSION CASE WEARING TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $3000. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED 2002, FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM OCCURRING AT 26,000 MILES . IT WAS SHIFTING VERY HARD. HE WILL BE DRIVING WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEARS, IT WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL, THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD. HE HAD THE TRANSMISSION RE PROGRAMMED. IT HELPED IT TWICE; BUT THEN IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. THE THIRD TIME THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT REPROGRAM IT AGAIN. HE THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. SECOND AND THIRD GEARS GEAR WERE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. FOUND IDENTICAL PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET. THERE WAS 62,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 2003 AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.*AK

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN - MILEAGE 50,000. JUST NOTED WHILE DOING UNDERCARRIAGE INSPECTION. *JB

DIGITAL ODOMETER DISPLAY NUMBERS DO NOT LIGHT UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO VIEW CUMULATIVE MILEAGE AND USE OF TRIP COMPUTER AND COMPASS DOES NOT WORK. *NM

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE AIR CONDITIONER QUIT WORKING. I HEARD THE COOLANT AND COMPRESSOR STILL WORKING, BUT NO FAN BLOWER ON LEVELS 1,2 AND 3 LEVEL 4 STILL WORKED LUCKILY. I ALSO HAVE A HOWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION AND HARD SHIFTING WHEN ACCELERATING AND LETTING OFF OF THE GAS DURING A SHIFT. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY RESISTOR, THE REST HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. I NOTICE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE FOR THE SAME SYMPTOMS, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.*JB

I HAVE RECEIVED ONLY ONE RECALL NOTICE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER RELATING TO PROBLEMS WITH THE TAILGATE WINDOW. TONIGHT, AFTER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS THAT CAUSED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO JUMP TO A HIGHER RATE OF A MARKEDLY HIGHER RATE OF REVOLUTION, I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THESE PROBLEMS COST OVER $815 TO REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO HAD TO REPLACE A SOLENOID SWITCH ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I QUICKLY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE RECALL DATABASE TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEMS I EXPERIENCED. I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE A LARGE NUMBER OF RECALLS THAT I FAILED TO RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATION FOR. I AM FILING THIS TO REQUEST: (I) FORD TO REQUIRE DEALERSHIPS TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS PERSONALLY IN WRITING OF RECALLS...IF NHTSA OR THE MANUFACTURER DEEMS AN ISSUE IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE, SHOULDN'T THE DEALER BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER WRITTEN NOTIFICATION TO THE CONSUMER? IT IS AN UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE TO DO LESS THAN THIS, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE CONSUMER HAS FAILED TO RECEIVE THE BENEFIT OF HIS OR HER PURCHASE AND MAY BE RISKING OF DANGER TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS; AND II. NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE CAR LITERALLY "JUMPS" INTO A MUCH HIGHER RATE OF REVOLUTION AND ACCELERATION REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN CITY TRAFFIC OR IN AREAS WHERE SMALL CHILDREN ARE PLAYING. *JB

REAR HATCH WINDOW LIFT FAILED AND CAUSED REAR GLASS TO SHATTER (LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT). THE WINDOW WAS LIFTED TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE REAR AND THE LIFT ARM APPARENTLY WAS WEDGED UNDER THE GLASS AND IT EXPLODED SO LOUDLY THAT NEIGHBORS 2 HOUSES AWAY RAN OVER AND PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE STREET CAME TO MAKE SURE NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE HAD THE GLASS REPLACED BY A GLASS COMPANY--THIS TOOK 4 DAYS DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE GLASS. THEY ALSO INDICATED THEY HAD JUST (THE SAME DAY) REPLACED ANOTHER WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. THE STRUTS WERE NOT REPLACED AND WE WERE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE HATCH DOOR UNTIL THEY ARE. OUR DEALER WAS NOT RESPONSIVE ON THIS MATTER BUT I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION. THE GLASS CO SAID THAT THE WINDOW DESIGN WAS CHANGED IN OR AFTER 2002 SO THE STRUTS ARE LOWER AND SUPPORT THE GLASS CORRECTLY. *JB

BROKEN REAR SPRINGS

DT: THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDES. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 5, 2005. NOT CONTACTED FORD. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE OWNER'S CAR AND PULLED OVER TO PARK. HE SWITCHED THE CAR INTO DRIVE JUST TO PULL UP A FEW FEET AND THE CAR LEAPED FORWARD. HE HIT THE BRAKE AS HARD AS HE COULD BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR, AND HIT THE BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT. THIS HAPPENED ON 8-5-05. THE OWNER OF THE CAR NOR THE CONTACT HAD ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS SINCE 8-5-05.*AK