2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

AT A STOP LIGHT, IN SLOW MOVING, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES (SPEED AT THE TIME I APPLIED BRAKES WAS UNDER 5 MILES PER HOUR). THE THROTTLE WAS OBVIOUSLY ENGAGED, A LOUD WHINING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO GET IT TO STOP MOVING. THIS VEHICLE VIRTUALLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO THE FLOOR! I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WHO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. ALL THREE CARS WERE DAMAGED AND ALL THREE DRIVERS HAVE BEEN TREATED FOR INJURIES. THE EXPLORER IS IN THE DEALERSHIP NOW BEING REPAIRED. I AM CONCERNED THAT A MECHANIC MAY NOT KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THIS TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE SHIFTING INTO THIRD GEAR VEHICLE SLIPPED AND IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL. TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SHAFT SENSOR. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. *TC

THE DRIVER SEAT WAS TO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH MADE IF DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE *JB

FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED AT 23,000(FRONT) AND 37,000(REAR) MILES . *AK

THE RIGHT SIDE PISTON ASSEMBLY ON THE REAR TAILGATE FAILED. AS I WAS GOING TO CLOSE THE TAILGATE, THE WHOLE WINDOW SHATTERED ON TOP OF ME, RESULTING IN GLASS IN MY FACE AND THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEEN THAT THERE IS A "SAFETY CAMPAIGN" CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HAVE GOTTEN NO RESPONSE. *JB

GEAR SHIFT FELL OFF. *BF THE METAL PIECE ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. *JB

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN PUTTING IT IN REVERSE NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN FOR 5 - 10 SECONDS. THEN IT WOULD LURCH INTO GEAR AND REV UP AND SHOOT BACKWARDS. SINCE NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN YOU WOULD THINK IT NEEDED GAS AND THEN WHEN IT ENGAGED AFTER 5 - 10 SECONDS IT WOULD LUNGE FASTER BACKWARDS CREATING A SERIOUS RISK OF BACKING INTO SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. FORD FIXED THE PROBLEM AT MY EXPENSE (OVER $1000) SAYING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER. OTHERS THAT I HAVE SPOKE TO HAVE SAID THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A SAFETY RECALL. *JB

DRIVERS SIDE LIFT ARM ON REAR HATCH FAILED TO RETRACT, CAUSING HATCH TO CLOSE WITH ARM EXTENDED RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO LEFT HINGE ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR HATCH. LIFT ARM WAS DEFECTIVE IN THAT IT WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF DRIVERS SIDE LIFT ARM AND DRIVERS SIDE HINGE. REAR HATCH NOW DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY. *AK

THE PANEL THAT HOLDS THE BACK GLASS UP IS IN THE LIFTGATE CRACKED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE GLASS TO FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING . DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE GEAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BAND DID NOT CONNECT. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE) AND 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN IT WAS OPENED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

TODAY, 9-2-04, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY STOPPED AND LOST POWER. THE RADIO REMAINED ON. THE ENGINE STARTED AGAIN, BUT ONE MINUTE LATER, STALLED AGAIN. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER, STARTED, AND STALLED YET AGAIN. THIS OCCURRED ONE MORE TIME, AND I DROVE IT HOME TO DROP OFF MY WIFE AND CHILDREN, AND TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER, FORD GALPIN IN NORTH HILLS, CALIFORNIA. THIS IS THE 3RD SEPERATE OCCASSION THIS HAS HAPPENED, AND ITS 2ND TRIP TO THE DEALER. IT IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER THE THROTTLE STUCK. HE HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN A WORK ZONE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE EXTREMELY HARD AND PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO ROAR. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. THIS OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER 2, 2004, AND HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE. HE READ AN ARTICLE IN THE JULY 13, 2005 WASHINGTON POST STATING THAT OTHER CONSUMERS WERE HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHEN HE STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN THE ROAR STOPPED, AND HE PUSHED ON THE THROTTLE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO OPERATE AGAIN. CONSUMER HAD LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR.*AK

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NUMBER 04V442000/REAR LIFTGATE GLASS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIR MADE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING SINCE SEPTEMBER 2004; THE PARTS HAVE NOT COME IN AS OF YET. THE DEALER INFORMATION IS 3400 14TH W, BRADENTON FL. 34205, 941-747-4411. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB RECALL CAMPAIGN: # 04S20 ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM JOB #1 2002 THROUGH MARCH 10, 2002 AT ST. LOUIS ASSEMBLY PLANT (SLAP) OR THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002 AT LOUISVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT ( LAP). *TC

REAR LIFT GLASS ASSEMBLY. SHATTERED UPON OPENING, LIFT GLASS SUPPORT BRACKET TWISTED OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING THE FAILURE. 2 INJURED, AN ADULT AND A CHILD. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BAD ROTORS. *MR THE BRAKES MADE A POPPING NOISE. THE ABS HAD COME ON AND GONE OFF. *SC

MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN SERVICED, THEY SAID A SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OF COURSE THIS OCCURERED ONE WEEK FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY. TALKING WITH OTHERS, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN OFTEN OCCURANCE, AND SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT. SOME POEPLE HAVE HAD THEIR'S REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN A YEAR.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD WHEN CHANGING GEARS,AND SLOW IN REVERSE. CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE GEAR WENT INTO OVERDRIVE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

THERE WOULD BE A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ABS WHEN IN USE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CURB AND VEHICLE FLIPPED MORE THAN ONCE. BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO WARNING LIGHT APPEARED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

OCTOBER 2001, I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM DON REID FORD MAITLAND, FLORIDA. I EXPERIENCED ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER WITH MY WINDOWS AND DOORS. FIRST, THE BACK HALF DOOR CAME OPEN AND REFUSED TO CLOSE. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT. NEXT, THE REPLACEMENT REFUSED TO WORK; THE DEALER ORDERED THE PART AND REPAIRED IT. NEXT, THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW, CRASHED TO THE GROUND. I PLACED THE DRAGGING PART IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK AND STOPPED AT GREENWAY FORD. GREENWAY REFUSED THE REPAIR AND SENT ME WHERE I PURCHASED IT. DON REID KEPT THE TRUCK A FEW DAYS AND REPAIRED IT. NEXT, SCREWS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAME OUT, THAT DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. FED UP WITH REPEATED TRIPS TO DON REID I HAD MY HUSBAND FIX IT, THE DOOR CAME LOOSE AGAIN. I'M AT THE LIMIT ON WHAT I'LL ENDURE FROM A VEHICLE I'M PAYING NEARLY $500.00/MO FOR. IT'S NOT WORTH THE PAIN I AM EXPERIENCING. I ALMOST DIED ON AUGUST 26, 5:30 TO 6:00 PM, WHEN THE LOCKED DRIVER'S DOOR SUDDENLY SWUNG OPEN AND CLOSED ON MY ARM. I WAS LEANING ON THE ARMREST. THE SEAT BELT KEPT ME FROM BEING THROWN. I NEARLY RAN OFF THE ROAD. MY ARM HURT AND STARTED TO SWELL. THE DOOR REFUSED TO LATCH. I HELD THE HEAVY DOOR SHUT WITH MY SWOLLEN ARM AND CONTROLED THE TRUCK WITH THE OTHER. I CRAWLED 35 MINUTES TO ORLANDO. MY HAND WAS NUMB AND I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. I PULLED OVER TO REST MY NUMB ARM. I PULLED INTO WINN DIXIE'S PARKING LOT AND A CUSTOMER, REVERSED INTO THE BACK OF MY TRUCK, ADDING TO IT'S DAMAGES. STILL HOLDING THE DOOR, I MADE IT HOME. DON REID, WHOM I HAD PREVIOUSLY CALLED, HAD CLOSED. MY ARM HURTS MORE THAN IT DID YESTERDAY. FORTUNATELY, SOME OF THE SWELLING WENT DOWN. MY ADJUSTER ASKED ME TO KEEP THE TRUCK. HE'S MAKING TOWING ARRANGEMENTS. I'M SEEING MY DOCTOR TOMORROW FOR STRONGER MEDS. AS A GRADUATE I CANNOT AFFORD TIME OFF. THE DOOR CANNOT CLOSE OR LOCK. MY HUSBAND HAS TO LEAVE WORK EARLY TO COLLECT OUR DAUGHTERS FROM SCHOOL. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!*AK

WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED UP IT REGISTERED EMPTY TWELVE HOURS LATER. HOWEVER, FUEL TANK READ FULL. VEHICLE HAS RAN OUT OF GAS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

1) I OPENED THE TOP PART OF THE LIFT GATE, AND LEFT IT OPEN 2) I HEARD A LOUD CRASH, WHILE NOBODY WAS WITHIN 15 FEET OF THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW HAD CATASHROPHIC FAILURE, AND LAID ON THE GROUND IN PIECES. IT APPEARS THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE LIFT GATE WAS TOO INTENSE FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE GLASS. 3)IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY, AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET.*JB

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD A HOWLING SOUND IN THE REAR END WHICH WAS IDENTIFIED AS WORN OUT PINION BEARINGS. THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE REAR END BUT WERE ADVISED BY FORD NOT TO REPLACE IT WITH THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PART NUMBER. IN FACT WE WERE CONSIDERING A USED PART AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE REAR END WITH A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PART NUMBER.*AK

MY 2002 EXPLORER HAS BEEN THROUGH TWO TRANSMISSION OVERHAULS IN ONLY 53,000 MI. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL WAS PERFORMED AT 35,000MI BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER! I WAS GIVEN AN EXTRA 12,000MI WARRANTY ON THAT TRANSMISSION. WELL IT LASTED 12,000MI BUT AT 50,000MI THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN!!! FORD INSISTS THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WANTS TO CHARGE ME $3000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AGAIN! I OPTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. I PAID THEM $2000 TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION YET AGAIN. APPARENTLY, ON THIS MODEL YEAR THE CASINGS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT HE HAS ALREADY SEEN 4 OF THESE EXPLORERS ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DONE ON THE 2002 EXPLORERS ALONG WITH THE 2004. *AK

THE HINGES ON THE REAR DOOR POPPED OFF AND SHATTERED THE GLASS. THE GLASS FELL ONTO THE TODDLER STANDING BY THE DOOR. THE REAR DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD NOT BE CLOSED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30-35 MPH, THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE HOME. THIS SAME INCIDENT HAD OCCURED TO MY WIFE THE DAY BEFORE, SO I DROPPED OFF MY TWO SONS AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE CAR ALSO LOST ALL ENGINE POWER ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER. AFTER HAVING THE CAR AT THE DEALER FOR 5 DAYS DURING WHICH THEY PUT 50 MILES ON MY CAR, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE DID NOT FIX ANYTHING.*AK

THE REAR WINDOW GATE ON OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS SHATTERED TWICE FROM THE SIMPLE ACT OF CLOSING THE WINDOW.1.) MY WIFE ON BOTH OCCASIONS WAS LOADING THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE GLASS IN THE WINDOW SHATTERS AND SPRAY BITS OF GLASS TO A 5 -8 FT RAIDUS. 2) THIS LAST INCIDENT SHE WAS IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT. SHE WAS CLOSING THE WINDOW GATE WHEN THE GLASS SHATTERED AT ABOUT THE HALF CLOSED POSITION. THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW GATE FELL TO THE GROUND, GLASS HIT THE CARS ON BOTH SIDES OUR CAR. GLASS HIT HER IN THE FACE AND ALL OVER HER UPPER BODY. LUCKILY SHE HAD HER SUN GLASSES ON, SO NO GLASS WAS THROWN INTO HER EYES. IT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE HAD MY 7 YEAR OLD SON BEEN HELPING HER LIKE HE NORMALLY DOES. 3.) FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO AKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM CAUSING US TO INCURR OVER $1500 IN REPAIR COSTS OR AN INSURANCE CLAIM. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WE USE SAYS THAT IT IS A COMMON OCCURANCE AND THEY HAVE NUMEROUS REPAIRS OF THIS TYPE ON 2002 EXPLORERS. PARTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE BUT IT INVOLVES BODY WORK SO IT TAKES UP TO A WEEK TO GET IT FIXED. *AK PE04045.PCO

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. SHE TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE RPM READING DROPPED TO ZERO, AND THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAS ABOUT TO CALL ME, AND TRIED TO TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON. IT RESTARTED AND SHE DROVE HOME. MY THREE YOUNG CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH HER.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY INDICATING THE AIR BAGS ARE INOPERABLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED 5 TIMES. FORD CANNOT REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE DISTRICT AND FORD CORPORATE ARE NON-COMMITTAL. *JB

ABS LIGHT WAS ON. ALSO, BACK AXLE WAS REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. *AK THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. *TC

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE REAR HATCH . THE CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE. DEALER HAD NO PARTS FOR THE RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH,THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF INTO THE STREET FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

THE HINGE BROKE ON THE LIFTGATE OF THE VEHICLE.*AK PE04045.PCO

MY 2002 EXPLORER HAS A REAR END PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAVE 76,000 MILES ON IT, I HAVE PUT A WINDOW SWITCH IN IT ALREADY , WINDOW REGULATOR, 2 SPEED SENSORS, AND SOME KIND OF AN EMMISIONS PART. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS ALREADY.*AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR HATCH WINDOW EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. NO INJURIES REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB PE04045.PCO

CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED RECALL LETTER/RECALL NUMBER 04V442000. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR ALMOST 4 MONTHS NOW. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

THE GEAR IS DEFECTIVE, IT COMES OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN AND IT IS HARD TO GET IT INTO PARK.

THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGE BECAME LOOSE AND THE LIFT GATE ARM SNAPPED OUT, I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR SIX MONTHS, I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER THE PERSON AT THE PARTS DEPT HAD EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE WITH EXACTLY THE SAME VEHICLE EXCEPT HIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY MY HAS 54K, HE RECOMMENDED CONTACT THEIR BODY SHOP WHICH IT WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUE THEY CHECKED ANY RECALLS REGARDING THIS ISSUE THEIR COMPUTER REPORTED A SOMEHOW FAMILIAR ISSUE WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER, THEY ALSO MENTION THAT AS OF 2004 THEY HAD REDESIGNED THE LOCATION OF THE LIFT GATE ARM PLACEMENT. THEY SUGGESTED NEW PARTS FROM FORD FOR $21.77 + LABOR. I'M LOOKING THIS AS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE HAS BEEN A LITTLE USE TO THIS VEHICLE AND THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM AT THE LOCAL DEALER OR DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLINE. PE04045.PCO. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TOT HE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

DRIVE TRAIN AND REAR AXLE HAVE PERSISTENT SHUDDER AND BINDING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS 2-3 AND UPON ACCELERATION DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND WILL NOT RESOLVE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN ID'D W/ SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THE 5355-RW ASSEMBLY AND THE REAR-GEAR LUBRICANT RATIO MIX-UP INTHE SEALED REAR HOUSING EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE REC'D PROTOCAL FROM MFG. ON THE PROCEDURE AND/OR REPLACEMENT PARTSAS BEING AVAILABLE SINCE MAR 2001 THIS HAS BEEN NOTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE DAMAGE DONE TO THE REAR AXLE AND WHEEL COMPONENTS BUT THEY DO NOT SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM WHEN IN FACT IT CAN RESULT IN VEHICLE FAILURETHAT MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR EVEM DEATH. I PERSONALLY SEE THIS AS BLATANT NEGLIGENCE ON THE DEALERAND MFG. PART OF RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. MY EXPLORER EXHIBITED TROUBLE SINCE JULY'04 AND WAS MFGD. IN THE TIME FRAME THAT A DEFECT WAS BROUGHT TO FORD'S ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. WHAT DO THEY WANT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DEATHS OR INJURIES?

I BOUGHT A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER (USED) ON 2/8/03, WITH @43,000 MILES, AND AT TIMES, I EXPERIENCED A LURCHING IN MY CAR, WITH BANGING BETWEEN SHIFTS MOST OFTEN WHEN SWITCHING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN STRICTLY IN DRIVE, EVEN AT COMPLETE STOPS, SUCH AS RED LIGHTS. AS IT WAS BECOMING REPETITIVE, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE WITH THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM - LARSON FORD IN LAKEWOOD, NJ. THE FIRST SERVICE WAS ON 5/24/04, IN WHICH THEY SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AND REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT AND YOLK, WITH A COST OF $879.75 TO ME. AS THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED, I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK ON 8/2/04, AT WHICH TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SOLENOID WAS NOT RESPONDING, THEY REPLACED IT, AND TRIED TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $900.00, WHICH I REFUTED, BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THIS TO BE "FIXED". UNFORTUNATELY, THE LURCHING WHEN SWITCHING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE (WITH BRAKE ON)STILL OCCURS, ALTHOUGH NOT AS VIOLENTLY; HOWEVER, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN RISES IN RPM FOR NO APPARENT REASON, EVEN AT COMPLETE STOPS WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED AS RECENTLY AS LAST WEEK, BUT SINCE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME I AM STOPPED, I AM HESITANT TO BRING IT FOR SERVICE, BECAUSE IT WILL PROBABLY NOT BE APPARENT DURING A TEST DRIVE SINCE IT IS A SPORADIC OCCURRENCE. THE CAR IS A 2002 FORD EXLPORER, 4.0 LITER, V6 ENGINE, AUTOMATIC WITH O/D.

WE PURCHASED A 2002 EXPLORER IN AUG.2002. FROM DAY ONE IT HAD A NOISE IN THE REAR END THAT WAS AUDIBLE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, BUT WOULD STOP WHEN RELEASED. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF THE PURCHASE AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS ROAD NOISE AND NORMAL. SINCE THEN THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND WE TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP TODAY. WE WERE TOLD OUR DIFFERENTIAL IS GOINGN BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT $970 AND WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEM TO ORDER THE PART. WE TOLD HIM IT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE BOUGHT IT AND HE SAID PROBABLY SO THERE IS A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT IT. HE ALSO SAID IT WILL CONTINUE TO GET LOUDER UNTIL IF FAILS AND IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE REAR END LOCKS UP. UNFORTUNATLY WE ARE NO LONGER COVERED BY THE WARANTEE AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES. I HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A FORD TREND TO TELL PEOPLE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEIR CARS UNTIL IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARANTEE AND THEN ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS WELL AND WAS TOLD THAT IF THEY GET ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT BECOMING A RECALL ISSUE WHERE I "MIGHT" GET A REFUND.*AK

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SPEED SENSOR FOUND DEFECTIVE. THIS OCCURRED TWICE, FIRST ON 9OCT03 @ 29607 MILES, SECOND ON 3AUG04@44202 MILES.*AK

BEGINNING LATE JULY, 2006 MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT BEGAN EXHIBITING HALTING OR DELAYED SHIFTING. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE O/D WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE SHIFTING BECAME NOTICEABLY WORSE. A READING THE DTCS CODES BY MULTIPLE SOURCES CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT AT A COST OF $3,400. A MONTH FOLLOWING THIS COMPLETE REBUILD, I NOW HAVE A MAJOR FAILURE IN THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL AND ANOTHER ESTIMATED $1500-$2500 REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 82820 MILES. FORD IS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION, DRIVELINE AND DIFFERENTIAL COMPONENT DEFECTS ON THIS SERIES OF EXPLORER AND HAS ADDRESSED THEM IN MULTIPLE TSB'S TO THEIR DEALERS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY HAVE FAILED TO ADVISE INDIVIDUAL OWNERS OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND THE MAJOR DRIVELINE COMPONENTS ARE DESIGNED SO THAT THEY ARE NOT USER SERVICEABLE. I URGE ALL OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER - REAR DIFFERENTIAL AXLE SEAL BEGAN LEAKING AT 23,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY; STARTED LEAKING AGAIN AT 30,000 MILES AND THE REAR AXLE AND SEALS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY; STARTED LEAKING A THIRD TIME APPROX. EIGHT MONTHS LATER AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH AXLE SEALS; NOW 5000 MILES LATER THE SEALS ARE LEAKING AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING US THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THE SEALS CONTINUE TO FAIL; IN ADDITION TO THE REAL SEALS LEAKING WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ABS SENSORS REPLACED TWICE, THE OXYGEN SENSOR ONCE AND A SEAT BELT SENSOR ONCE. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR DIFFERENTIAL NOISY AND LEAKING. I HAVE HAD MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES IN 2 YEARS FOR NOISY (ROARING) REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT SPEEDS OF 55-65MPH IT ONLY MAKES THE NOISE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED. COASTING NO NOISE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ALSO LEAKING OIL. INION SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, GEARS. HE NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER EACH REPAIR BUT COMES BACK AFTER 5-10K MILES. CURRENTLY HAVE 108K000 MILES. I SEE VIA INTERNET SEARCHES FORD IS HAVING LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL 2002-2004 FOR THE SAME EXPACT PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V442000 REAR CONCERNING TAILGATE GLASS. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE IN LATE NOVEMBER. CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE IN. CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR FOUR MONTHS. *AK CONSUMER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DECEMBER 15, 2004 TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT COMPONENT. *NM

REAR-END WHINES EXCESSIVELY WHEN DRIVING AT 45-65 MPH. VERY LOAD. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE AS I RESEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET IT IS APPARENT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING FROM THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *NM