2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

MY FORD EXPLORER REAR AXKE TO DIFF. SEALS ARE LEAKING OIL, AND THE REAR END IS VERY NOISY. FORD PUT NEW SEALS IN AT THE COST OF $340.64 . THE DAY I PICKEDED UP THE VEHICLE THEY WERE STILL LEAKING 30 MILES LATER WITH THE NEW DESIGNED SEALS IN. I PUT THE 2002 EXPLORER BACK IN THE GARAGE TO GET THE SEALS CHANGED 6 DAYS LATER. STHE REAR END IS STILL VERY NOISY, BUT THE SEALS ARE NOT LEAKING FOR THE TIME BEING. I CALLED THE FORD 800 NUMBER TO COMPLAIN AND TRY TO GET MY MONEY BACK WITH NO AVAIL.

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE CAUSES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE O/D LIGHT BEGIN TO FLASH AND AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGED TO DRIVE. FINALLY AFTER TURNING OF THE VEHICLE AND RE STARTING IT AND PROCEEDED TO GO. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE PAN AND IF THERE WAS METAL IN IT I WOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY CALLED ME A FEW HOURS LATER TO INFORM ME THAT THE TECHNICIAN SAW LOTS OF METAL AND THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD BE 3400.00 DOLLARS. I SAID ARE YOU SURE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED PROPERLY WITH A TRANSMISSION WITH 50,000 MILES AND HE SAID THE TESTS DON'T LIE. WELL, I SAID I WOULD BE UP TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE THIS METAL AND 2 MINUTES LATER HE CALLED SAYING THAT THE TECH. DIDN'T ACTUALLY PULL THE PAN DOWN. I PICKED UP MY EXPLORER AND THEY WERE SO VERY NICE TO GIVE ME THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT TOO; THINK THAT WAS A MISTAKE. TOOK IT TO COTTMANS TRANSMISSION RIGHT DOWN FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HOOKED IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND CODES P0733 AND P0745 WERE FLASHING: PROBLEM A BROKEN INTERMEDIATE BAND AND O/D BAND. THEY SAID THAT IT COULD HAVE MORE DAMAGE BUT WOULD SEE WHEN TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN. THEY WEREN'T SURPRISED BY THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM; IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY TO THEM. AFTER 2 DAYS THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE 2 BANDS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, A TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION REBUILD KIT AND A LITTLE THING CALLED A PLANET GEAR WAS CAUSING THE WHOLE PROBLEM IT SEEMS. THE BEARING IN THE GEAR WAS DESTROYED. THEY ORDERED THE PLANET GEAR FROM THE KENTUCKY PLANT AND LOW AND BEHOLD THAT BEARING IN THE GEAR WAS DESTROYED AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING IS COMING FROM THE DEFECT. THE COST OF THIS LITTLE REPAIR WAS 1500.00 DOLLARS MORE THAN HALF OF WHAT THEY SAID AND THEY HAVE THE SAME TSB REPORT ON THE PROBLEM. CROWN FORD IS THE DEALER. *JB

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE O/D LIGHT BEGIN TO FLASH AND AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGED TO DRIVE. FINALLY AFTER TURNING OF THE VEHICLE AND RE STARTING IT AND PROCEEDED TO GO. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE PAN AND IF THERE WAS METAL IN IT I WOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY CALLED ME A FEW HOURS LATER TO INFORM ME THAT THE TECHNICIAN SAW LOTS OF METAL AND THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD BE 3400.00 DOLLARS. I SAID ARE YOU SURE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED PROPERLY WITH A TRANSMISSION WITH 50,000 MILES AND HE SAID THE TESTS DON'T LIE. WELL, I SAID I WOULD BE UP TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE THIS METAL AND 2 MINUTES LATER HE CALLED SAYING THAT THE TECH. DIDN'T ACTUALLY PULL THE PAN DOWN. PICK UP MY EXPLORER AND THEY WERE SO VERY NICE TO GIVE ME THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT TOO; THINK THAT WAS A MISTAKE. TOOK IT TO COTTMANS TRANSMISSION RIGHT DOWN FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HOOKED IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND CODES P0733 AND P0745 WERE FLASHING: PROBLEM A BROKEN INTERMEDIATE BAND AND O/D BAND. THEY SAID THAT COULD HAVE MORE DAMAGE BUT WOULD SEE WHEN TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN. THEY WEREN'T SURPRISED BY THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM; IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY TO THEM. AFTER 2 DAYS THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE 2 BANDS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, A TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION REBUILD KIT AND A LITTLE THING CALLED A PLANET GEAR WAS CAUSING THE WHOLE PROBLEM IT SEEMS. THE BEARING IN THE GEAR WAS DESTROYED. THEY ORDERED THE PLANET GEAR FROM THE KENTUCKY PLANT AND LOW AND BEHOLD THAT BEARING IN THE GEAR WAS DESTROYED AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING IS COMING FROM THE DEFECT. THE COST OF THIS LITTLE REPAIR WAS 1500.00 DOLLARS MORE THAN HALF OF WHAT THEY SAID AND THEY HAVE THE SAME TSB REPORT ON THE PROBLEM.CROWN FORD IS THE DEALER. *JB

MY WIFE WAS UNLOADING TWO GRANDSONS FROM OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER. SHE HAD REMOVED THE YOUNGEST ONE WHEN THE FOUR YEAR OLD GOT INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON HIS KNEES AND PRETENDED TO DRIVE. THE IGINITION WAS OFF AND TRANSMISSION IN PARK. HE PULLED ON THE SHIFT LEVER, THE AUTOMOBILE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. MY WIFE OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS FASTER AND THE OPEN DOOR STRUCK HER KNOCKING HER TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE STRUCK TWO TREES SHHORTLY AFTER THAT CAUSING $5675.77 IN DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY 0N AUGUST 5, 2005AND SPOKE TO TIFFANY EXPLAINING THAT THE "BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK' HAD FAILED CAUSING THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE. HER QUESTION TO ME WAS, "WHAT DO YOU WANT FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO DO ABOUT THIS." I REPLIED THAT I WANTED COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES AND THE DEFECT CORRECTED. SHE SAID THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THIS DEFECT, NOR MAKE ANY COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES AND THAT I SHOULD HANDLE EVERYTHING THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I CALLED AGAIN ON AUGUST,09,05 AND SPOKE TO DAMIAN WHO GAVE ME THE SAME REPLY AS YIFFANY.*JB

I BOUGHT MY EXPLORER BRAND NEW IN MAY 2002. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL TWICE, REAR END SENSOR, AND MY LATEST PROBLEM IS THE REAR END SEALER (PINION). ALL WITHIN 3 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO SHIFT PROPERLY INTO REVERSE AND BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS AFTER NORMAL USAGE FOR 38 MONTHS AND 66,00 MILES. REPAIR FACILITY STATES THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR BETWEEN 60 AND 80K MILES. TRANSMISSION REBUILD AND REMILLING OF TRANSMISSION CASE IS REQUIRED. *NM

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT MAKES A HUMMING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED BETWEEN 30 AND 55 MPH; ADDITIONALLY THE DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS AS WELL. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME IT COSTS AROUND $1,500 TO REPLACE. I HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS ON THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM, YET FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE PART. I THINK IT IS TIME FOR A RECALL. *JB

TRANSMISSION WENT BAD WHEN ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, FORD TOLD ME THAT IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND SLIPPED BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE THE CONTACT ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE, AT 53000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. UPDATED 9/15/2006 - *NM

1) BEGAN WITH WHIRLING NOISE COMING FROM REAR END, ENDED WITH A LEAKING REAR END COMPONENT. BOTH REAR END PINION SEALS REPLACED,NEW SYNTHETIC OIL ADDED AND RE-PACKED WITH ALL NEW GASKETS.(NEW SEALS WERE ORDERED DIRECTLY FROM FORD) I WAS TOLD THAT THESE PARTICULAR PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE IN AFTERMARKET. *NM

THE ACCELLERATOR ON OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT STICKS INTERMITTENTLY.

DIFFERENTIAL FAILED; REPAIRED UNDER ORIGINAL FACTORY NEW VEHICLE WARRANRTY. DIFFERENTIAL FAILED AGAIN, 9000 MILES LATER, WHEN VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY. DEALER WANTS $825.00 TO REPLACE THE EXACT SAME PARTS AGAIN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

VEHICLE MADE INCREASINGLY LOUD NOISE AT RIGHT REAR WHEEL AREA. SOUNDED LIKE AIRPLANE TAKE-OFF OR TUNNEL SOUND AT REAR WHILE DRIVING. NOISE INCREASED ON WIDE TURNING ROADS AS IF SOME KIND OF PRESSURE EXERTED ON RIGHT REAR WHEEL. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEM. BEFORE HAVING TIRE CHECKED THE VEHICLE BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE ON A STRAIGHT-AWAY AT 25 MPH WITH SERIOUS NOISE IN THE REAR THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WOULD FALL APART SOON. FORTUNATELY I WAS VERY CLOSE TO A AUTO SERVICE CENTER IN A 25 MPH AREA. CAR COULD NO LONGER BE USED. THE RIGHT REAR HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE OTHER 3 WERE CHECKED AND WERE FINE. I DO NOT HAVE ANY OF THE PARTS.

AFTER A SHORT DRIVE TO AND FROM THE GAS STATION I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER. NOTICED WET SPOT ON THE DIVEWAY THE FOLLOWING DAY. A SHORT 6 DRIVE CONSUMED NEARLY A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AS OF YET. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE. ARE ANY OTHER REPORTS OF SUCH FAILURES? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR?

1) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 2) DPFE SENSOR WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE 3) DPFE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT MY COST EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR VEHICLES WITH SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL

NOTICED HARSH SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEARS ON 02 FORD EXPLORER 2WD WITH 48,000 MILES. REQUIRED REBUILT TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $2124.00. *TR

DT: CONTACT STATES WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF OF THE THROTTLE IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME WAS LESS THAN 30 DAYS AGO. IT HAS ONLY BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS. IT HAS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT A LOW SPEEDS; BUT AT OTHER SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. ROAD CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN PERFECT AT EVERY INCIDENT.*AK

I HAVE DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE BENEATH THE LIFTGATE WINDOW. IT APPEARED AS A SCRATCH AND HAS MORPHED INTO A FULL BLOWN CRACK ABOUT SIX INCHES LONG. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER'S FATHER WAS IN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY, JULY 12, 2005 AT ABOUT 10:00 AM. CONSUMER SAYS THAT VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S REAR CORNER PANEL BREAKING OFF THE REAR WHEEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

REAR AXLE HAS HAD RECURRENT LEAKS. THESE WERE REPAIRED 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY. ON THE FOURTH OCCASSION THE DEALER REPLACED THE AXLE. THIS WAS ALSO DONE UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM WAS FIRSTED NOTED AT JUST UNDER 30,000 MILES. AXLE REPLACEMENT WAS AT 58,OOO MILES

DT: THE VAN WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAD 32,000 MILES ON IT AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAS ALREADY FAILED. IT WAS MAKING A ROARING NOISE EVERY SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR. TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THEY TOLD HER THE BEARING WAS BAD. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 CONTROL MODULE GOES OUT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTS TALKING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN FORUMS. THEY REMADE THE PART 3 TIMES BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM. I GOT STUCK 2 MILES ON A BEACH WITH MY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN BECAUSE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WOULDN'T KICK IN. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT IT IS BROKE UNTIL YOU TRY TO USE IT. *JB

1. INSPECTION OF VEHICLE 2. REAR COILS SPRINGS BROKEN 3. REPALCEMENT

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHINING NOISE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHINING GOES AWAY IF PRESSURE IS REDUCED FROM ACCELERATOR. THERE WAS SOME LEAKING OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AROUND DRIVESHAFT PINION SEAL, IT WAS FIXED (FORD REPAIR SAID IT WOULD ALSO FIX THE NOISE, IT DIDN'T!) I HAVE UNCOVERED MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR 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. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD PROMPT A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO POTENTIAL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING UP. *NM

AIRBAG LIGHT LIGHTS UP OFF AND ON WITH NO REASON. DEALERSHIP WAS NO HELP.

TWO INSTANCES OF WHINING NOISE AT 50+ MPH AND FLUID LEAKAGE FROM REAR AXLE SEAL 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. THE FIRST ONE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY; RESULTING IN COMING TO REST WITHIN INCHES OF CONCRETE BARRIER AFTER JERKING ACROSS SEVERAL LANES. DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE SINCE REAR TRANSAXLE FLUID LEAKS DOWN DRIVE SHAFT TO BRAKE ASSEMBLY. I ONLY NOTICE BECAUSE I PERFORM A MONTHLY INSPECTION OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. 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 39000 MILES; SECOND AT 50000 MILES. THESE SEALS SHOULD LAST LONGER. SECOND INSTANCE HAD VIBRATION WHEN ENGAGING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND OUD WHINING NOISE/ VIBRATION FROM REAR; THEN FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE FORD EXPLORER. SEVERAL WORK COLLEAGUES HAD THE REAR AXLE SIEZE DUE TO LUBRICANT LOSS WITH SIMILIAR SYMPTOMS, ALMOST CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MY DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES (BILL ESTES, BROWNSBURG, IN) 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.

DT: CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL 04520 IN 10-04. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY PUT HIM ON A LIST AND INDICATED THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK. IN 2-05 HE RECEIVED A CARD FROM FORD STATING DEALER COULD NOW ORDER PARTS FOR HIS VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS, AND THEY WILL ORDER THEM. THE DEALER SAID AGAIN HE WOULD BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST. THE RECALL WAS ON LIFTGATE BACK WINDOW BRACKETS. THAT WAS SIX MONTHS AGO AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T CALLED CONSUMER. *AK *NM

WHILE STARTING TO MOVE FORWARD, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK TWICE IN THE LAST MONTH. ONCE I NEARLY WENT THROUGH A CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. UNTIL NOW I THOUGHT SOMETING GOT IN THE WAY OF THE ACCELERATOR. HEARD THAT THIS WAS AN EQUIPMENT PROBLEM. NOW I WILL SEEK TO HAVE THE DEFECT REPAIRED.

DT: CONSUMER STATES HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD THE THROTTLE STICK LAST WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE UNTIL FORD ORDERED THEM TO OR THEY HEARD FROM THE NHTSA. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON IT S OWN AND SHE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND TAKE THE KEY OUT. *JB

I AM PRESENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR AND/OR WINDOW TRACK SYSTEM. AT PRESENT, I AM NOT ABLE TO OPERATE NEITHER OF THE WINDOWS. IN FACT, WHEN AND IF I ATTEMPT TO DO SO, ALL THAT IS HEARD IS THE MOTOR ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER THE WINDOW. NEITHER ONE OF THE WINDOWS COME DOWN WHEN I ATTEMPT TO DO SO OPERATIONALLY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY COME DOWN ON THERE OWN (SLIDES DOWN EVERYDAY). UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE TO WEDGE AN OBJECT ON THE SIDE OF THE WINDOW, SO THAT ONE OF THE WINDOWS COULD STAY IN PLACE (TO NO AVAIL, IT CONTINUES TO COME DOWN). I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REACH OUT TO WINNER FORD IN CHERRY HILL, N.J., (WHERE I PURCHASED THE SUV, NEVERTHELESS, THEY CLAIM THAT THERE ARE NO KNOWN RECALLS, AND INSTRUCTED ME TO CALL THE FORD MANUFACTURING COMPANY ). IN TAKING THEIR ADVICE, I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CALL FORDS COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT, JUST TO BE TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DO ANYTHING. IT IS APPARENT THAT THEY ARE JUST TOSSING THE PROBLEM BACK ON THE CONSUMER. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROBLEM AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME, IF NOT, SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS. HENCE, AS A RESULT OF AN INCIDENT WITH WINNER FORD A LITTLE OVER A YEAR OR TWO AGO, I AM NOT WILLING TO INVEST MONEY INTO A PROBLEM THAT IS OBVIOUSLY MANUFACTURER RELATED. I HAD PURCHASED A WINDOW CONTROL (DRIVER'S SIDE) THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I PURCHASED THE CONTROL PRIOR TO THE RECALL, I WAS NOT ENTITLED TO A REFUND. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. AN UNHAPPY CONSUMER, ARMANDO ANDUJAR P.S. THE INCIDENT DATE IS A ESTIMATE. *TR

I BROUGHT TRUCK ON 02/27/2004. THE SALESMAN AT BILL HEARD CHEVROLET MADE ME SIGN SOME PAPERS. IN TWO WEEKS I HAD TO GO BACK TO SIGN SOME MORE PAPERS BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY HAD MADE A MISTAKE. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD FINISH PAYING FOR THE CAR IN THREE YEARS THE COST WAS SUPPOSEDLY $24,000. IN TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIXED THE PROBLEM SO I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY OWN MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THAT THEY PUT AN INSURANCE ON THE TRUCK WHICH BROUGHT MY PAYMENT TO $518.00. MY AIR CONDITIONER DIDN'T FUNCTION SINCE I BROUGHT IT. MY CAR HAS NO DIRECTION AT ALL. ALSO, WHEN I RUN THE TRUCK MORE THAN 65 MPH IT JUST STARTS SHAKING. IN THREE MONTHS AFTER I BROUGHT THE CAR I READ THE PAPERS AND REALIZE THAT THE TRUCK DID NOT COST 24,000 LIKE THEY HAD TOLD ME IT ACTUALLY COST 37,000. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 60K MILES ON IT. IT RECENTLY BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND ALARMING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT DOES AFFECT SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE WITH FORD V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY ADDRESSED BY FORD. ESTIMATES TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT IN THE CYLINDER HEAD THREADS RANGE FROM 2500 TO 3500.

RIGHT, REAR ELECTRIC WINDOW FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER OWNING VEHICLE FOR 42 MONTHS AND 37,000 MILES. WINDOW WILL NOT RISE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIR.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES 2002 FORD EXPLORER QUIT WHILE GOING 60 MPH. STARTEDS BACK UP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 2, 2005. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE ALTHOUGH CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK AFTER HE PURCHASED IT TO HAVE THE IDLE LOOKED AT. HE NEVER THOUGHT IT RAN QUITE RIGHT. DEALERSHIP STATED THE PMC, MAIN COMPUTER, WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS REPLACED BUT, THE MANUFACTURER HAD TO BE CALLED TO GET IT PROGRAMMED CORRECTLY. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD TO TRY TWO DIFFERENT COMPUTERS IN THE VEHICLE, AND FORD HAD TO BE CALLED 3 TIMES.*AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER [XXX] TRANSMISSSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. REAR END NOISY AT 40 MPH. NOT REPAIRED. *JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THE SERVICE DEALER DID NOT STATE WHY THE PANEL WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED, SUCH AS THE RADIO, BLOWERS, WINDOWS, AIRBAGS, AND ALL OF THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITHIN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE PART TO REPAIR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER TO FIND AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.*AK

ON JUNE 29, 2005, DURING ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION MY 2002 EXPLORER HAD TO HAVE NEW REAR BRAKE ROTORS INSTALLED FOR THE 2ND TIME DUE TO RUST. MILEAGE WAS 24,713 MILES. PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW ON MARCH 29, 2002. AUGUST 14, 2003, APPROXIMATELY 10,250 MILES, HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR ROTORS DUE TO RUSTING. FORD DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE BRAKE LININGS BE REPLACED AS WELL. FORD COVERED THIS COMPLETE COST. IN THIS 2ND INSTANCE, FORD WILL COVER NOTHING SINCE VEHICLE IS BEYOND ITS 36 MONTH WARRANTY, & BRAKES ARE CONSIDERED WEAR ITEMS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE RUSTING OF THE REAR ROTORS PREVENTED MY VEHICLE FROM PASSING THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. ADDITIONALLY, THIS IS MY 3RD EXPLORER, ALL PURCHASED NEW, & THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. INITIAL 1991 EXPLORER DRIVEN 9 YEARS & OVER 70,000 MILES; 2ND EXPLORER A 2000 MODEL STILL DRIVING, OVER 54,000 MILES, HAD THE REAR ROTORS & BRAKE PADS REPLACED AFTER 44 MONTHS, 33,692 MILES. HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME AREA & DRIVEN THE SAME ROADS WITH ALL 3 VEHICLES. HAVE HAD ESSENTIALLY ALL SERVICE WORK DONE BY THE SELLING FORD DEALER IN ALL 3 INSTANCES. IF THE BRAKE PADS WERE WEARING OUT, & THE ROTORS WERE BEING DAMAGED DUE TO THE WORN PADS, I COULD UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CONDITION WAS DUE TO MY NEGLIGENCE IN NOT ATTENDING TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PADS HAVE NOT BEEN WORN OUT IN EITHER REPLACEMENT SITUATION. THE SERVICE ADVISER & SERVICE MANAGER BOTH CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, AS THE ROTORS CANNOT BE TURNED, RUST IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS, AND FORD REGARDS BRAKE ROTORS AS WEAR COMPONENTS. CORRESPONDENCE THRU FORD'S INTERNET SITE REPEATED ROTORS ARE CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM & CANNOT BE COVERED, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON FOR REPLACEMENT. NO ONE WILL PROVIDE ANY FORD REGIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION FOR DISCUSSION. IT APPEARS TO BE A NO WIN SITUATION WHERE THE MANUFACTURER CAN CLASSIFY A COMPONENT AS A WEAR ITEM & HAVE NO CONSEQUENCES WHEN THE COMPONENT FAILS FOR OTHER NON-WEAR REASONS. *NM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEAR LEFT REAR WHEELWELL BEGAN CLICKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER 42 MONTHS AND ABOUT 37,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP. CONSTANT LOUD CLICK MAKES IT IMPRACTICAL TO DRIVE VEHICLE OR RIDE IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED IT IS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

REAR HATCH HINGES POPPED OFF OF BOLTS, KNOWN PROBLEM, RECALLED SOME VEHICLES, DID NOT NOTIFY EVERY OWNER. WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS.

HATCH FELL OF HITTING MY WIFE ON BACK AND NECK

REAR END ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS ROARING AND LEAKING FLUID.

DRIVING AND HEARD ENGINE NOISE ENGINE STALLED WOULDN'T START IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC...I WAS GOING DOWNHILL AND ABLE TO ROLL TO THE SIDE OUT OF TRAFFIC AND TO SAFETY. ENGINE FROZE WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING, NO SIGNS...IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ENDANGERING MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER. MY CAR SAT 2 WEEKS AT THE FORD DEALER AS THEY RECEIVED 5 CARS WITH ENGINES FROZEN AND COULDN'T GET TO MY CAR UNTIL 7/8/05 CAUSE THEY HAD TO REPLACE ENGINES. WHEN ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN I WAS ADVISED A VALVE SPRING BROKE AND DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER TEARING UP THE ENGINE AND NOW I NEED A NEW ENGINE. FORD MOTOR WILL NOT BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT.

DT: CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS, MAINLY IN THE REAR, BUT HE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ONE ON THE FRONT. THE VEHICLES WHEELS STARTED GRINDING AND THEY BECAME LOOSE ON THE AXLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL WERE GOING BAD. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY WERE UNRESPONSIVE.*AK *JB

ON ROUTINE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT REAR SPRING ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS BROKEN. THIS VEHICLE HAS 55,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS PROBABLY NOT BROKEN LONG SINCE I INSPECT MY VEHICLES REGULARLY. WHEN I WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY INITIALLY WANTED ME TO PAY THE FULL REPAIR BILL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRING; HOWEVER, AFTER NEGOTIATION, THEY OFFERED REPLACEMENT IF I PAID HALF OF THE BILL, OR $78.00. I AGREED TO THIS OFFER, AND HAD THE SPRING REPLACED. I FEEL, AND EXPRESSED THIS OPINION TO THE FORD AGENCY, THAT THIS SPRING SHOULD NOT BREAK AFTER ONLY 55,000 MILES. IN ADDITION, I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER REAR SPRING, AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT BROKE. *JB

DT: THE CALLER SAW AN NEW REPORT ON 48 HOURS ABOUT FORDS BURNING UP AND HAS CONCERNS ABOUT HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE PART BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE HAPPENS. *AK THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND IT'S POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FIRE. *SC *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LIFTGATE STRUT, AND REPAIRS WERE DONE. BUT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE PART POPPED OFF, ON THE FOURTH OCCASION THE PART BROKE AGAIN. FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATES THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD, THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN, AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN RIGHT AWAY. THE WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK

TAILGATE EXTERIOR APPLIQUE CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM