2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

THE LIFTGATE BRACKET CRACKED AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED DRIVER WAS STANDING AGAINST THE LIFTGATE, AND SUSTAINED CUTS FROM THE PIECES OF GLASS. RECALL 01I01000 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS COMPONENT, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK PE04045.PCO

ON 7-26-04 REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE CHANGED ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 8,742 MILES. DEALER SAID THIS WAS DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY WHERE I LIVE. ROTORS WERE BADLY SCORED. *NM

REAR TAILGATE HAD A FRACTURE ABOUT 10 INCHES LONG AND THE MOLD WAS TOUCHED UP WITH PAINT PRIOR TO SHIPPING OR SELLING. IT WAS CRACKED. DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

I OPENED THE TOP PART OF THE TAILGATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LAST NIGHT AND THE RIGHT HINGE BROKE AND FELL ON MY HEAD. LUCKILY THE GLASS DIDN'T BREAK AND I WASN'T INJURED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST CASE OF THIS HAPPENING, I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT. ONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THIS HAPPENED TO (SAME YEAR AND MODEL) WAS TRAPPED UNDERNEATH THE HATCH MOMENTARILY. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM THIS PERSON OF THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURED TO HIM. THIS SEEMS TO BE EITHER A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT OR SOMETHING AND LUCKILY MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO LIKES TO CLIMB IN THE BACK WHILE I'M LOADNG THE TRUCK, WASN'T THERE OR IT WOULD HAVE HIT HER IN THE HEAD. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS OTHER THAN PAY AN ARM AND A LEG TO GET IT FIXED AND HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN! *AK PE04045.PCO

THE REAR HATCHBACK HINGES FAILED, CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK PE04045.PCO

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, SLIPPAGE ON 2ND TO 3RD ENGINE REVS UP TO 6000 RPM, TAKEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES ALREADY THEY CAN'T FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

13JAN03-REAR WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPERATIVE REINSTALL REAR WASHER HOSES. 5NOV03-CLICKING NOISE FROM REAR A/C; REPLACE MOTOR ASSEMBLY TEMPERATURE BLEND. 5NOV03&13NOV03-L/R POWER MIRRORS INOP; FUSE BLOWS; REPLACED MIRROR REAR VIEW OUTSIDE SAIL MOUNT 13NOV03-FUEL GUAGE INOP READ 1/2 TANK BUT TANK WAS FULL; 20NOV03-INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FUEL GAUGE INOP; 24NOV03-REMOVED AND REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; 18MAR04-FUEL GUAGE INOP & L/R POWER MIRRORS INOP, FUSE BLOWS; COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME ABOUT FUEL GUAGE; TESTED BCE FOR SHORT, TRACED TO MIRROR SWITCH, REPLACED SWITCH AND BLOWN FUSE; 20 JULY 04-L/R POWER MIRRORS INOP; REPLACED FUSE; 20 JULY 04 - REAR WINSHIELD WASHER INOP; ACCESS WASHER HOSE AND RECONNECT; 20 JULY 04- AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING PROPERLY; REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR FOR POOR OPERATION; MOTOR ASSEMBLY-HEATER-A/C BLOWER REPLACED. 20 JULY 04 - MECHANICS BROKE THE DRIVERS DOOR SWITCH COVER- 23 JULY 04 -REORDERED DOOR PANEL AND REPLACED DRIVERS DOOR SWITCH COVER.*AK

WHEN CLOSING THE REAR HATCH GLASS WINDOW SHATTERED. *AK PE04045.PCO *TS

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE LIFT WINDOW ON THE LIFTGATE THE GLASS SHATTERED INTO VERY SMALL SHARP PIECES. THE DRIVER CUT HIS FINGER IN A PIECE OF GLASS. THE GLASS ALSO SCRATCHED THE TAILGATE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE GLASS. *AK *NM PE04045.PCO

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE. WOULDN'T MOVE IN DRIVE BUT IN SECOND GEAR. ENDED UP REPLACING WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. 4 MONTHS LATER REAR END WENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILEAGE AT TIME OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS 100,000 MILES, AND REAR END FAILURE 114,000. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR IT'S 60000 MILE SERVICE AND AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. FOUR DAYS LATER THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION AND O/D LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN HAD TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER IT'S WARRANTY THE CONSUMER FEELS THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. *NM

WHEN PULLING LIGHT OR HEAVY LOAD, VEHICLE JERKS AND THEN STALLS OUT WHEN VEHICLE APPARENTLY TRIES TO SHIFT DOWN OR IS AT SPEED WHERE VEHICLE MAY BE NEAR SHIFTING DOWN. VEHICLE ACTUALLY DIES AND MUST BE RESTARTED BY TURNING OFF KEY AND THEN IT QUICKLY STARTS. *AK

I BOUGHT A USED (FLAWLESS) 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 32,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT WHICH TIME THEY REPLACED THE CILANOILD BODY. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, AND AT 44,000 MILES THE TRANSMISION IS BEING REPLACED. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2002 EXPLORER'S TRANSMISSION. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT FORD WON'T HAS NO RECALL! $3,500 LATER AND A NEW TRANSMISSION THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. FORD BLEW ME OFF AND I BELIEVE THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM!. *NM

ON 9/27/03 IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE A FAULTY SENSOR ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT CAUSED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT TO ACTIVATE. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME WAS 15.851. ON 02/14/04 AT 22966 MILES THIS SAME SENSOR HAD TO REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. ON 07/07/04 AT 30479 MILES THIS SAME SENSOR WAS REPLACED A THIRD TIME. HAVING THE SAME ITEM REPLACED THREE TIMES IN 10 MONTHS SEEMS TO BE MORE A PATTERN OF FAULTY DESIGN AS OPPOSED TO COINCIDENCE.*AK

WHILE CLOSING THE REAR WINDOW REAR GLASS UNEXPECTEDLY SHATTERED. NO INJURIES REPORTED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. *AK PE04045.PCO

MY FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION IT WAS AT 36000 MILES, MY CAR WAS TUNED AND SERVICED AS SHUDULE, AND IT COST A TOTAL OF $1700.00 TO FIX. WHICH THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEAR OLD. THE AIR CONDITION STOP WORKING IN DECEMBER OF 2003 AND AT THE TIME MY CAR WAS BARELY 1 YEAR OLD THIER HAS BEEN MANY OTHER CONCERN WITH MY EXPLORER THAT I AM MAKING $500.00 PAYMENT ON. I BELIVED I HAVE PURCHASE A DEFECTED CAR. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT THAT HAS 68000 MILES ON IT. SINCE WE HAVE HAD IT THE TRANSMISSION HAS DONE NOTHING BUT SHIFT HARD AND WASHBOARD FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND 3RD TO OVERDRIVE. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN 2 TIMES, AND BOTH TIMES WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL. I HAVE HAD ISSUE GOING UP HILL IN MINE BECAUSE OF THE SHIFTING, AFRAID TO PASS BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT. I FINALLY TOOK IN MY EXPLORER LAST WEEK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER SAID THAT THE BEARINGS WERE BAD IN MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT I HAD TO PAY $3000 TO REPLACE IT. THIS SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I FIRST COMPLAINED ABOUT IT AT 16000 MILES. *NM

1. I NOTICED A HUMMING TYPE SOUND THAT WOULD INCREASE AS I SPED UP. I THOUGHT I HAD A WHEEL OUT OF ALIGNMENT, OR TIRE OFF BALANCE. I WAS DUE FOR MY 36,000 MILE MAINTENANCE CHECK, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. THEY PERFORMED A $400.00 MAINTENANCE PACKAGE TO MY VEHICLE ON MAY 4, 2004, OF WHICH I THOUGHT INCLUDED INSPECTING TIRES, WHEELS, ETC. THEY RETURNED MY VEHICLE TO ME AND AS I DROVE HOME, NOTICED THE HUMMING SOUND WAS STILL OCCURRING, BUT I JUST HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED, AND THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A NOISE THAT WAS NORMAL. 2. THE NOISE CONTINUED ON, GETTING WORSE (LOUDER) AND WAS BOTHERSOME, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. UPON REVIEW OF MY VEHICLE, HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS. 3. ON JULY 3, 2004 THE RR HUB ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $360.52. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. I DON'T BELIEVE THE OLD PART IS STILL AVAILABLE. BUT, AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER MECHANICS, I HAVE HEARD THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE AND WANTED TO LET SOMEONE KNOW I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS TOO.

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A LIFTGATE PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY APPLIED GLUE ON THE LIFTGATE CABLE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THEY DID NOT ADMINISTER ANY MORE ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN WHAT WAS DONE. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR OTHER REPAIRS. *AK THE LIFTGATE BRAKE CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE SHOCK TO COME OFF AND RESULTED IN A DENT IN THE VEHICLE . THE GLUE TO DEALER PUT ON THE CABLE LASTED 4-5 HOURS . *NM

FORD 2002 EXPLORER. I HAD MY ONE YEAR OLD IN A GROCERY CART, POPPED OPEN THE HATCH, OPENED IT AND THE GLASS SHATTERED ALL OVER THE CART WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH SWINGING OUT TOWARD THE CART. THANKFULLY MY CHILD WAS NOT HARMED. I WENT TO FORD, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL AND THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND THAT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX. *NM PE04045.PCO

I OPENED ONLY THE WINDOW PORTION OF MY BACK HATCH AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE HYDRAULIC ARMS WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE GLASS SO I BEGAN LOWERING IT AND THE GLASS SHATTERED IN MY HANDS. CONSEQUENT REPAIRS ARE GOING TO COST OVER $700 BEING AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THOUGH JUST OVER 2 YEARS OLD. *AK PE04045.PCO

2002 FORD EXPLORER 1. ABS SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON IN MARCH 2003. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED IT. ABS LIGHT WENT OUT FOR A SHORT TIME. THEN, AUG, 2003, ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK INTO A DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR. ABS LIGHT WENT OUT. BUT IT CAME BACK ON AGAIN SOON AFTERWARD. IN THE MEANTIME, MY WARRANTY EXPIRES. 2. FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE HAS LEAD TO A BAD REAR HUB ASSEMBLY. NOW I HAVE A REPAIR OUTSIDE MY WARRANTY THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IN THE FIRST PLACE. 3. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY PROBLEM. THEY REQUIRE THAT I PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. BEING THAT THIS IS RELATED TO SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE A HISTORY ON DURING MY WARRANTY PERIOD, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AND COSTS. *AK

CONSUMER STATED REAR AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

LEASED NEW '02 EXPLORER IN MAR 02. HAVE HAD A WARPED DRIVESHAFT REPLACED, CLUNKING NOISE IN REAR END AREA WAS "NORMAL', AND NOW AT 65K MILES HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. FMC OF COURSE CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY- VEHICLE ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND I SHOULD TAKE IT UP WITH DEALER. DEALER SAYS 3000 DOLLARS TO FIX. ALSO HAD THE STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH SPEEDOMETER READING BETWEEN 5 AND 95 MPH APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG.*AK

AFTER I PARKED THE EXPLORER AT THE MALL, I OPENED THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS TO TAKE OUT THE STROLLER. AFTER I SET THE STROLLER UP, I REACHED UP TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE GLASS. AT THIS POINT, WHILE MY HAND IS STILL ON THE LIFTGATE, THE GLASS SHATTERED AND EXPLODED WITH GLASSES FLEW EVERYWHERE. THE BABY STROLLER IS COVERED WITH GLASSES. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAD NOT PUT MY 8 MONTHS OLD BABY IS THE STROLLER OR ELSE HIS FACE WOULD BE COVERED WITH GLASSES. AT THIS POINT, I FELT A SHARP PAIN ON MY RIGHT HAND AND SAW THAT THERE WERE TWO CUTS AND I WAS BLEEDING EVERYWHERE. AFTER DROPPING THE EXPLORER AT A DEALER NEARBY, I WENT TO THE URGENT CARE AND GOT 12 STITCHES FOR THE CUTS. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER ON MONDAY TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR 2 BUSINESS DAYS FOR THE FORD CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO CALL ME BACK. AFTER TWO DAYS OF WAITING, I CALLED BACK AND THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT IT MIGHT TAKE UP TO 7 DAYS BEFORE THEY CAN CALL ME BACK. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION BY ODI (OPENED ON 06/02/2004). APPARENTLY, SHORTLY AFTER THE INTRODUCING THE 2002 EXPLORER FOR SALE, FORD ISSUED A SPECIAL SERVICE INSTRUCTION (SSI 01I-010) IN APRIL OF 2001 TO CORRECT A LIFTGATE LIFT CYLINDER MOUNT ISSUED IN 56,000 VEHICLES BUILT FROM 2/5/2001 TO 3/30/2001. ALL VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT PERIOD WERE TO HAVE AN IMPROVED LIFT CYLINDER MOUNTING DESIGN. MY EXPLORER WAS BUILT ON 04/20/2001. HOWEVER, I AM VERY SUSPICIOUS THAT THIS BUILD DATE MIGHT BE WRONG SINCE I KEPT THE WINDOW STICKER AND THE DEALER'S INVOICE WHEN I BOUGHT THE EXPLORER AND THE DATES ON THOSE IS 04/09/2001. WHY IS THIS DATE (04/09/2001) BEFORE MY EXPLORER'S PRODUCTION DATE (04/20/2001)? MY EXPLORER MIGHT HAVE BEEN BUILT DURING THIS 2/5/2001 - 3/20/2001 PERIOD SINCE THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM WITH KNOWN BUILD DATES AFTER APRIL 2001 PERIOD. *AK PE04045.PCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED EXCESSIVELY HIGH. THERE WAS A NO POWER RESPONSE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,299. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. UPDATED 2/17/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 02/22/10.*JB

1. NORMAL USE OF VEHICLE 2. REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS ARE NOT WEARING EVENLY. THE RUST ALONG THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR IS SLOWLY MIGRATING TOWARDS TO CENTER. THE AREA USED FRO BRAKING ON THE ROTOR IS BECOMING LESS AND LESS. THE RUST BAND ON THE OUTER DIAMETER IS 1/2 IN WIDE. 3. MACHINE ROTORS AND REPLACED PADS

1. NORMAL USE OF VEHICLE (IE NO OFF ROADING, ABUSE, ETC) 2. RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE 3. REPAIRS IN PROCESS. NO TSB OR RECALLS AVAILABLE FROM FORD

I HAD THE OIL CHANGED ON THE EXPLORER AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NEED TO GET THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED VERY SOON. I INTENDED TO GET A COUPLE QUOTES FOR THIS JOB BUT WE HAD A DEATH IN THE FAMILY SO I TOOK THE EXPLORER BACK TO LAPEER FORD TO HAVE THE BRAKES SERVICED. THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT THE ROTORS HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THEY COULD NOT TURN THEM DOWN. I ASK HOW THEY DETERIORATED AND THEY SAID THE ROTORS HAD RUSTED. I GAVE PERMISSION TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AT A PRICE OF $400. I ALSO INDICATED I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO TALK TO FORD ABOUT THE DETERIORATION. I ALSO CALLED FORD. FORD GAVE ME AN ANSWER THAT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS WAS NORMAL MAINTENANCES AND LAPEER FORD GAVE ME AN ANSWER THAT FORD SAID THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS WAS NORMAL MAINTENANCES. THE EXPLORER HAD 41000 MILES AND I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS. THE ROTORS HAD RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT I HAD ONLY ABOUT 50% OF THE SURFACE CONTACTING THE BRAKE PADS. THIS ROUGH SURFACE ALSO CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO DETERIORATE FASTER. I ASK FOR THE ROTORS TO BE REPLACE FREE AND WAS REFUSED. I ALSO ASK THE A RECEIVE A PARTIAL REBATE FOR THE PADS BECAUSE THEY HAD DETERIORATED FASTER BECAUSE OF THE RUST ON THE ROTORS. THEY REFUSED AS NORMAL MAINTENANCES. I FEEL THE ROTORS SHOULD NOT RUST TO THIS POINT AND ALSO CAUSED A SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE ONLY 50% OF THE BRAKING SURFACE REMAINED. I HAVE THE ROTORS AND PADS THAT WERE REPLACED. *NM

WHILE OPENING MY REAR HATCH WINDOW OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, THE DRIVER-SIDE HINGE (STRUT.PCO) WHICH LIFTS THE WINDOW CAME OFF, DECOMPRESSING HARD ENOUGH TO COMPLETELY SHATTER THE WINDOW ABOVE ME. I HAD SEVERAL CUTS TO MY NECK, ARMS AND HEAD BUT NOTHING LIFE THREATENING. I WENT TO FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF SUCH A PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE I AM BEYOND THE 36K FACTORY WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT DO THE REPAIRS FOR ME. I ASKED ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I PAID $2000 FOR AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS. I HAD TO PAY MY $500 INSURANCE DEDUCTABLE TO COVER THE REPAIRS AT MY LOSS. SINCE JUNE, I HAVE SEARCHED ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND FIND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WHICH NOT ONLY HAD THE SAME OUTCOME, BUT THE SAME SORT OF FREAK ACCIDENT. WHY DOES FORD NOT VALUE SAFETY? IF MY 2 YEAR OLD CHILD WERE STANDING NEXT TO ME AS HE ALWAYS DOES, HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED.*AK

CRACKED PANEL ON BELOW WINDOW ON 2002 EXPLORER. *TR

RETURNING HOME ONE SUNDAY EVENING FROM GROCERY SHOPPING WITH MY GRAND-DAUGHTERS(AGES 4 AND 5),I REMOVED THEM FROM THE VEHICLE AND SENT THEM IN THE HOUSE, WHILE MY TEENAGE SON AND I UNLOADED THE GROCERIES. AFTER THE LAST OF THE GROCERIES WERE REMOVED, MY SON STARTED TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE GLASS. AS I STOOD NEXT TO HIM, THE LIFTGATE GLASS HAD ONLY MADE IT HALFWAY DOWN ,WHEN THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION .THE LIFTGATE GLASS HAD DISINTEGRATED AS IF SHOT WITH A GUN. AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, I HAD THE EXPLORER BACKED INTO THE GARAGE. SO WHEN THE GLASS EXPLODED,IT FLEW OUTWARD TOWARDS US ,AS WELL AS INWARD INTO THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY, I DROVE THE EXPLORER BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE LIFTGATE GLASS MISSING. I WAS FORTUNATE TO STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WHEN I ASKED THE FORD SERVICE ADVISOR TO CONFIRM THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, HE WAS NOT REASSURING. NOT HAVING THAT CONFIRMATION THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS GOING TO COVER THIS UPSET ME GREATLY. I WAS CALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP LATER THAT DAY (MONDAY), ONLY TO TRY TO PERSUADE ME TO AGREE TO $500 DOLLARS WORTH OF MAINTENANCE, UNRELATED TO THE LIFTGATE PROBLEM. IN THIS SAME CALL, THE SERVICE ADVISOR DID CONFIRM THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.TWO DAYS HAVE GONE BY, AND I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE DEALERSHIP SO I CALLED AND FOUND OUT THEY HAD ORDERED A NEW LIFTGATE GLASS AND WOULD REPLACE IT. HOWEVER, BY THE END OF THE WEEK (FRIDAY), I CALLED THEM AGAIN,SINCE NO ONE WAS CALLING ME WITH UPDATES AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE DOOR. AND BECAUSE OF THIS THEY WILL HAVE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MORE DAYS, SINCE THEY NOW WILL HAVE TO PAINT THE NEW LIFTGATE DOOR TO MATCH THE COLOR OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS WRITING,THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK NOW. I DON'T HAVE AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF WHAT WAS SPECIFICALLY CHANGED (I.E. PARTS), BUT I WILL INSIST ON A DETAILED LIST OF WHAT WAS DONE AND WHY. PE04045. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED ON HIS VEHICLE. THE COMPONENT WAS REPLACED IN JULY OF 2004. THE GEARS IN THE DIFFERENTIAL WERE WEARING OUT QUICKLY AND THE DIFFERENTIAL BEGAN TO LEAK FLUIDS OUT OF THE PINION SEAL. THE CONTACT HEARD A HOWLING AND GROANING SOUND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 55 MPH. HE STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER LOCKED UP ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE ALSO LOCKED UP IN APRIL OF 2007 WHILE MAKING A U-TURN. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,200. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED REPAIR INVOICES PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

ABS SENSOR REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ALSO CALLED BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH.I KNOW THAT THEY DO HAVE A RECALL ON 97-02 FORD EXPEDITION NAVIGATOR AND F-150,SAME SWITCH ON 97-02 FORD EXPLORER.

WHEN UNLOADING THE VEHICLE LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED. *AK PE04045.PCO

THE LIFTGATE LATCH APPEARED TO BE FAULTY. IT BROKE WHILE MY WIFE WAS CLOSING THE LIFTGATE AND THE LIFTGATE CAME CRASHING DOWN, SHATTERING GLASS EVERYWHERE. DEALER WOULDN'T WARRANTY, SUGGESTED THAT TRY TO USE MY CAR INSURANCE TO COVER THE COSTS. *AK PE04045.PCO

HINGE ON LIFTGATE GLASS BROKE AND PARTIALLY FELL OFF, CAUSING MINOR BRUISES FINGER & HEAD INJURIES. PE04045.PCO. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PUBLIC LOT WHILE VISITING LOCAL STORE. ORIGINAL DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO APPARENT LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL. ORIGINAL DRIVER NOTICED SOME SMOKE AND/OR SMELL OF SMOKE FROM BEHIND CONSOLE. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY TURNED KEY TO OFF POSITION AND CALLED SPOUSE TO REPORT FAILURE. SPOUSE INSPECTED BATTERY CABLES AND BATTERY VIEWING EYE WITH NO FINDINGS OF FAILURE OR LOOSE CABLES. SPOUSE ENTERED VEHICLE INSPECTING POSITION OF GEAR SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION INDICATOR FOR PROPER PARK POSITION WITH NO UNUSUAL FINDINGS. SPOUSE TURNED KEY TO START POSITION WHICH PRODUCED WHAT APPEARED WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER CENTER CONSOLE DIRECTLY UNDER BEVERAGE AND MISC HOLDER. SPOUSE TURNED KEY BACK TO OFF POSITION IMMEDIATELY THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THAT AREA OF CENTER CONSOLE. SPOUSE REMOVED RUBBER LINER WITH SCREWDRIVER WHICH EXPOSED PIN HOLE WITH SPARKS SHOOTING OUTWARD WHICH IN TURN PRODUCED A FIRE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. SPOUSE ATTEMPTED TO STOP FIRE WITH NO SUCCESS THEN EXITED VEHICLE TO BREAK OFF RED CABLE AT BATTERY TERMINATION IN ATTEMPT TO STOP FIRE. ORIGINAL DRIVER CALLED ON HELP AT UPS STORE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF VEHICLE PARKED LOCATION. EMPLOYEE FROM UPS REACHED VEHICLE WITH FIRE EXTINGIUSHER AND STOPPED FIRE FROM SPREADING TO OTHER AREAS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHAMPION FORD DEALERSHIP WITHIN 1 1/2 HOURS AFTER INCIDENT. DEALER REPORTED FINDINGS ON JUNE 10TH TO VEHICLE OWNERS. DEALER INVESTIGATION CLAIMS UNSUCCESSFUL IN IDENTIFING CAUSE OF FIRE. ESTIMATED COST IS 1,500 $. VEHICLE OWNERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT FORD MANAGEMENT TO COVER FULL COST OF DAMGED DUE TO DEFECTIVE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE CRACKED. I NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THIS ITEM. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THIS WAS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT, AND THAT I DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THE PLASTIC TO CRACK. THEY WERE VERY UNSYMPATHETIC TO MY NEEDS. THIS IS A TWO YEAR-OLD CAR, AND I FEEL THAT IF THEY DO NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM, BY BACK WINDOW WILL NOT BE SECURE, THEREFORE CAUSING YET ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR ME. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF EXPLORER'S COME IN WITH THE EXACT SAME DEFECT. THIS CRACK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE OR ABUSE TO THE CAR. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD REPLACE AND REPAIR THIS DEFECT AT NO CHARGE TO ME, AND ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL.*AK

ABS WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON PERIODICALLY, THUS LOSING ABS. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, THE LIGHT WAS OFF, BUT MY ABS KICKED IN ON DRY PAVEMENT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. CAR ONLY HAD 38,000 MILES. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY SENSOR ON ONE OF THE TIRES...SINCE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS WAS AN ITEM WHICH TAKES "WEAR AND TEAR" , FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE PAYMENT AT ALL. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER, IF IT WAS AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION I DO NOT FEEL THAT I COULD HAVE STOPPED IN TIME. *JB

I AM THE OWNER OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, I TOOK ITEMS OUT OF THE BACK HATCH AND LEFT THE VEHICLE AREA. WITHIN A 5 TO 10 MINUTE PERIOD OF TIME, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND BEGAN ROLLING, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, FLIPPED OVER ON IT'S ROOF THEN LANDED ON ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED DOWN IN THE YARD. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE TOTALLED. I AM THANKFUL THAT NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THIS MALFUNCTION BECAUSE THEY SURELY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION MAY OCCUR TO OTHERS WHO MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE AND INJURIES MAY OCCUR.

REAR HATCH BACK WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN OPENED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK DUP OF 10079152.PCO

MY FORD TRUCK BEGAN MAKING A WHINING NOISE AND DIDN'T SHIFT OUT CORRECTLY. THE FORD TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THEY DIDN'T SUGGEST THAT I FIX IT, AND THAT "IT WAS ONLY A GAS SAVER, AND THE TRUCK WOULD BE OKAY WITHOUT IT." AFTER 2 WEEKS THE TRUCK GOT WORST. AFTER RETURNING IT TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COST $2700.00. THE TRUCK IS OFF OF WARRANTY AND FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY TYPE OF HELP DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS TRUCK SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SO SOON.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR A PINGING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. AFTER THE VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED THE PINGING SOUND WENT AWAY. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD TOO MUCH PLAY IN IT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE IS AN IMPROVED PART BUT, IT COST NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS. *LA

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND SHIFTING ROUGH BETWEEN GEARS. HAD IT OVERHAULED AT 38,000 MILES. SAME PROBLEMS NOW OCCURRING AT 120,000. *TR

REAR WINDOW WAS IN THE UP/OPEN POSITION FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND SHATTERED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT. IT SEEMED TO BOW SLIGHTLY PRIOR TO EXPLODING. UPON INSPECTION, THE HYDRAULIC STRUTS SEEM TO HAVE LOCKED IN PLACE, WITH THE RESULTING PRESSURE ON THE GLASS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE RIGHT HINGE ALSO SHEARED OFF. SHATTERED GLASS SPREAD OVER A FEW FEET TO THE INTERIOR AND SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. WAITING FOR DEALERSHIP TO REOPEN AFTER HOLIDAY WEEKEND TO DISCUSS THE MATTER.*AK PE04045_PCO

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOR DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLESURGED FORWARD. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE ACCEERATOR PEDAL IS BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

THE RECLINING BOLT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS BROKE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PART, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM