2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

ABS LIGHT ON. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW IS ON AGAIN. THE LIGHT CAME ON AT 43,000 MILES.*AK

DT: PROBLEM WITH BACK END, TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER,AND DEALER SAID THEY FIXED AXLE, THEN, TOOK BACK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FIXED HUB, AND REPLACED THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. IN LAST 3 MONTHS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP 3 TIMES. CURRENTLY, IN THE SHOP. WENT TO GET OIL CHANGE LAST FRIDAY, AND MECHANIC NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE AXLE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IN SHOP TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE. THEY GAVE CONSUMER AN EXTRA 5 YR WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND THIS WAS 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP KEPT SAYING VEHICLE WAS SAFE EVEN THOUGH DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH REAR WINDOW HATCH.*MR THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR GLASS LIFT STICKS WERE REPLACED. THE REAR WINDOW FELL OUT WHEN IT WAS OPENED.*TS *JB PE04045.PCO PURCHASED 03/02. DOB 02/02, OLD STYLE DESIGN (THROUGH GLASS) STRUTS FELL/DETACHED (MOUNT ROTATED AND STRUT DETACHED) AND THEN FELL ON HER HEAD (BRUISE, HEADACHE). RECEIVED EMER. MED ATTANTION. DATE WAS 7/24/2003. FINALLY REPLACED ENTIRE GLASS ASSEMBLY (GLASS, WIPER MOTOR, TRIM, STRUT)

THE REAR LIFTGATE CYLINDER BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK PE04045_PCO DOB=12/01. OLD STYLE MOUNT. GLASS OPENED AND WHEN CLOSING, HEARD "POP" NOISE AND GLASS ASSEMBLY CAME DOWN. NO INJURY. 06/14/2004. WILL TAKE PICS OF "ROTATED MOUNTS" AND EMAIL TO ME.

CONSUMER STATED AFTER HER HUSBAND HAD DRIVEN FORD EXPLORER FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR, PARKED/ WENT IN THE HOUSE AND ATE, THEN DECIDED TO GO BACK OUT AND UNLOAD THE STUFF HE HAD IN THE TRUCK. WINDOW IN THE BACK EXPLODED. WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE HE WAS CLOSING IT. ALSO, FRAME WAS ALSO BLOWN OUT. SHE STATED THAT HER HUSBAND FORTUNATELY WAS NOT HURT ALTHOUGH HE DID GET GLASS INTO HIS FACE AND HAIR. *AK THE LIFT GATE GLASS EXPLODED WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND DAMAGED THE LIFT GATE AND BUMPER COVER. *SCC PE04045.PCO

2002 FORD EXPLORER PURCHASED FEB. 2002 NEW. VEHICLE NOW HAS 17,000 MILES. SEVERAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE THE SHIFT LEVER POPS AS IF IT NEVER ENGAGED. THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD OR BACKWARD 1-2 FEET AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, ENGAGING EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND GETTING OUT OF CAR. VEHICLE DRIFTS BACKWARD SEVERAL FEET WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. AT 17,000 MILES, AND ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER A NORMAL SCHEDULED SERVICE, STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A LOUD WHINING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND ONLY ON ACCELERATION (NOT WHEN COASTING). THE WHINING WOULD COME AND GO. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER AND THEN WHEN OUT. THE NEXT DAY, TRANSMISSION STARTED SEVERE SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. IMMEDIATLELY TOOK IT TO FORD GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A TOTAL TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. THEY ALSO EXPLAINED THAT FORD WILL NOT REPLACE WITH NEW TRANSMISSION IF IT CAN BE OVERHAULED FOR UNDER $2100. ALSO, THERE IS NO PLACE TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID. MANUAL STATES THAT IT SHOULD BE CHECKED PERIODICALLY BY FORD DEALER AND ESPECIALLY IF SLIPPING OR OTHER PROBLEMS ARE NOTICED.*AK

SUDDEN LOSS OF FLUID FROM LEFT REAR SHOCK, DETECTED BY POOL OF FLUID ON GARAGE FLOOR.2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 37500 MILES OF NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND PREMATURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN VEHICLE INSTABILITY IF NOT DETECTED BY CAREFUL INSPECTION. DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO HOLD PART FOR FORD FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS? WITH SUV HISTORY OF SUSPENSION CONCERNS, THIS DEALER RESPONSE SEEMS INAPPROPRIATE? I SAVED THE SHOCK THEY REPLACED.*AK

VEHICLE RUNS AT IDLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 WITH AC ON EITHER AUTO OR RECYCLED AIR. THE EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE STARTS TO COUNT DOWN TO 50 DEGREES AND STAYS THERE UNTIL VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AGAIN. THIS CAUSES THE AUTO TEMP TO ADJUST.

WHILE TURNING AROUND CORNERS VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DRIVER HAD CONTACTED DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM WAS STILL RECURRING.*AK

THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES. *AK CONSUMER REACHED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW AND IT MOVED APPROX. SIX INCHES WHEN IT SHATTERED. *PH *JB PE04045.PCO GLASS SHATTERED WHEN CLOSING. WILL CK. DOB AND DESIGN VERSION.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND YOU LOSE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHES TO FLOOR WAS REPAIRED 4 TIMES ALREADY. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAG IS NOT OPERATING, 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. *LA

PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN 2003 WITH 30,000 MILES ON IT. ALMOST INSTANTLY A HUMMING NOISE CAME FROM WHAT I THINK IS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, MAY BE MORE AREAS, AND WAS UNSURE WHAT TO DO WITH IT. REPLACED BRAKES A FEW YEARS LATER AND MECHANIC TOLD ME BEARINGS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED THE MECHANIC WHAT THE CONSEQUENCE WOULD BE IF NO REPAIRS WERE MADE AND HE STATED NONE. I READ A MESSAGE BOARD ABOUT THE 2002 EXPLORER AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR MANY OWNERS. I ALSO RESEARCHED THE CONSEQUENCE OF A BEARING NOT BEING REPLACED AND THE CONSEQUENCES CAN RESULT IN DEATH. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. *TR

CONSUMER STATES THAT ON 07/03/03 HIS WIFE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR TO THE VEHICLE AND REAR WINDOW EXPLODED IN HER FACE. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE SUFFERED MINOR SCRATCHES, AND A HAND LACERATION.*AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW EXPLOSION. UPON SLOWLY CLOSING THE REAR GATE WINDOW, THE GLASS EXPLODED IN MY WIFE'S FACE WITH THE BRACKETS AND FRAME FALLING DOWN CAUSING REAR GATE BODY DAMAGE. PERSONAL INJURY RESULTED (CUT ON WIFE'S HAND). BRACKET PARTS WERE FOUND AS FAR 8 TO 10 YARDS FROM THE ORIGINAL LOCATION AND BROKEN GLASS THROUGHOUT VEHICLE. FORD HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH AND APPEARS TO BE POSTURING DEFENSIVELY. CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN VERY BAD. FORD REPLACED THE WINDOW BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR BODY DAMAGE WITHOUT SIGNING A GENERAL RELEASE OF LIABILITY. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IN THEIR CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM OR "SOFT RECALL". DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY SAW A FEW MORE VEHICLES JUST RECENTLY WITH SAME PROBLEM UPON FURTHER DISCUSSION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND ENCOURAGE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES. IF FORD DOES'NT PUT CONSUMER SAFETY FIRST, I ENCOURAGE THE NHTSA'S INTERVENTION. ALL 2003 FORD EXPLORER CUSTOMERS NEED TO BE EDUCATED ON THIS ISSUE .*AK PE04045.PCO

DT: THE COMPLAINED STARTED IN 10/04. RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. CALLED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES TO CHECK ON THE PARTS. THE LIFTGATE BUSTED ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO NOT HAVING THE PARTS INSTALLED. DEALER DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS ON 12-30-2004. DECEMBER 31, 2004 CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER WOULDN'T GET THE CONSUMER A RENTAL CAR .SO THEY STAPLED PLASTIC OVER THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO FORD ASKING FOR A RENTAL CAR. THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ONE TO CONSUMER. THE GLASS WAS REPLACED IN MARCH, BUT STILL WAS NOT FIXED CORRECTLY. A LIGHT APPEARED INDICATING A DOOR WAS AJAR, AND IT WAS ALWAYS THE LIFTGATE. AND COULDN'T OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE DEALER TO HELP FIX THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY BECAUSE IT COST THE DEALER TOO MUCH TO FIX THE VEHICLE THE FIRST TIME.*AK

ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKES SEEM TO STICK AND SMELL LIKE THEY ARE BURNING. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THE PROBLEM HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, SO 2 OF THE 3 DEALERSHIPS SAID THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. MY BRAKE PADS ARE NOW PRE-MATURELY WORN AND THE LATEST DEALERSHIP HAS CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED A SENSOR ON THE DIFFERENTIAL THAT WILL "FIX" THE PROBLEM. AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T A PROBLEM, NEXT THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE WORN OUT, AND THEN THAT THE SENSOR WAS BAD. MY VEHICLE HAS 25,000 MILES ON IT AND ABOUT 30% LEFT ON THE REAR BRAKES AND 40% ON THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. I HAVE MADE 4 ROUND TRIPS FROM CHICAGO TO NEW ORLEANS, AND 1 ROUND TRIP FROM CHICAGO TO LAS ANGELES TOTALING ABOUT 13,000 OF THE 25,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT NEEDED BRAKE PADS REPLACED AFTER 25,000 LET ALONE A VEHICLE WITH OVER HALF OF ITS MILES FROM INTERSTATE DRIVING. FORD REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRE-MATURE WEAR OF MY BRAKES. AFTER READING SEVERAL OF THE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE, I DOUBT THAT FORD DEALERS HAVE A CLUE ABOUT WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS AND HOW TO FIX IT. *JB

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS AND THE BACK LIFT GATE HATCH HAS BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF FALLS ON EITHER ME, MY DAUGHTER, OR ANYONE ELSE WHO OPENS THE GLASS HATCH. WITH THE SIDE THAT IS NOW BROKEN IT IS PUTTING A LOT OF STRAIN ON MY HINGES WHERE CONNECTS TO THE CAR AND IS PULLING MY GLASS OFF AND HAS DENTED MY CAR. *NLM PE04045_PCO

4 FAILURES OF THE TRANSMISSION. COMMON PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN MISS SHIFTS FROM 2-3 AND 3-4, DELAYED SHIFTS FROM 2-3 AND 3-4, AND SEVERELY HARD SHIFTS IN ALL GEARS. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT TWICE AND REPLACED ONCE. FORD HAS BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK AFTER ARBITRATION UNDER THE LEMON LAW. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND RIGHT HALF SHAFT. I HAVE HAD 6 TOTAL FAILURES OF THE REAR END. WARNING SIGNS HAVE BEEN A WHINE FROM THE RIGHT REAR THE GROWS LOUDER OVER TIME AND THEN A VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT REAR. FORD KNOWS OF THESE PROBLEMS AS THEY HAVE ISSUED MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SERVICING DEALERS OF THE ORDER OF REPAIR ATTEMPTS TO BE MADE. A RECALL MAY IN ORDER. *NLM

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK AND HE TRIED BRAKING AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. HE EVEN TRIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. IT FINALLY POPPED UP AND STOPPED. HE WAS VERY FRIGHTENED BY THE INCIDENT. WE HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND HE REFUSED TO LET THEM RIDE IN IT AGAIN. THEN NEXT DAY WE TRADED IT IN ON A NEW CAR AT A HUGE LOSS TO US. I NOW FIND OUT THAT FORD HAS THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE RUG DID NOT CATCH IT WAS NOWHERE CLOSE TO IT. THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL MANY PEOPLE DIE AND THEY GET SUED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BEFORE OTHERS ARE HURT. *NLM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR END. THE REAR END MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD ROARING SOUND. TOOK THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS. ONE SAID IT WAS THE TIRES, AND THE OTHER TWO MAINTAINED THAT IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE REAR END PROBLEM. SHE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THEY ALL HAD THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, HAD A RING AND PINION REPLACED IN THE REAR END NOT LONG AFTER SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THEY TOLD HER THAT THIS WHAT WAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH OTHER PARTS , INCLUDING THE REAR AXLE. THIS NOISE ORIGINALLY STARTED AT 55-65 MPH, AND NOW IT WAS MAKING NOISE AT 40-70 MPH. AFTER GOING OVER 70 MPH COULD NOT HEAR IT AS BADLY. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE RING AND PINION. A STRANGE SOUND THAT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, LIKE A BUZZING SOUND THAT SOUNDS LIKE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE HATCHBACK GLASS FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD. IT JUST POPPED OUT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. THEY DO NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE GLASS IN THE HATCH. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCAHSED HER VEHICLE STILL HAS RECORDS OF WHAT WAS REPLACED ON VEHICLE.*AK

REPEATED FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ABS HAS BEEN REPAIRED 5 TIMES SINCE JANUARY 2002. LATEST FAILURE INCLUDED WATER IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL WITH NO KNOW REASON. FAILURE OF ABS HAS BEEN REAR SENSOR CABLE AND ONCE A COMPUTER MODULE. LATEST DATE SHOWN. *NLM

CONSUMER STATES WHILE PARKED VEHICLE JUMPED INTO GEAR AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL.*AK

FRONT END OF MY 2002 EXPLORER MADE A "CLICKING" SOUND WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING. ON JUNE 16 2003, FORD INSPECTED AND FOUND BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT AXLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED THEM. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 THE SAME PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING, FORD AGAIN INSPECTED AND FOUND THE AXLES PUT ON THE VEHICLE IN JUNE WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. ONE YEAR LATER I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT AXLES. THERE HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF ISSUE WITH THIS PART. THE POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THIS PART WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. MY FAMILY RIDES IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. *JB

HIGH PITCH WHINNING NOISE IN REAR END OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER. DEALER SAYS REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEARS HAVE DEFECT AND I HAVE TO PAY $1200. BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED! *NLM

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL THERE WAS A LOUD THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN THE VEHICLE HEATED UP THERE WAS A STRONG SULFUR ODOR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AND AND DEALER INDICATED ROTORS WERE WARPED. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, SO HE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 18,000 MILES. *AK

THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING FROM THE DASHBOARD. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 18,000 MILES. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHEN IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES. *TR

THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT WAS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE BRACKETS CONNECTING THE LEFT CYLINDERS TO EACH SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS COULD ROTATE OUT OF POSITION IF EITHER THE URETHANE BOND OR TORQUE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB PE04045.PCO

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK IN THE IDLE POSITION. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS SLOWLY MERGING WHEN THE GAS PEDAL HAD GOTTEN STUCK AND THE SPEED INCREASED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVING FORWARD. THE CONSUMER SHIFTED TO REVERSE BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. LATER I LIFTED THE GAS PEDAL UP WITH MY FOOT.

ON JUNE 1ST, 2003 I HAD THE REAR GLASS HATCH OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER OPEN BRIEFLY TO REMOVE GROCERIES. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN REAR 3RD SEAT. I STEPPED BACK FROM VEHICLE TO ASSIST DAUGHTER IN GETTING OUT AND GLASS IN REAR HATCH EXPLODED (WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED OR MOVED). I WAS HIT BY GLASS SHARDS AND IF I HAD NOT JUST STEPPED BACK, THE 4 X 6 METAL ATTACHMENT WOULD HAVE HIT ME IN THE HEAD AS IT IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE ONLY BY THE GLASS AND DEFROST CABLES. MY DAUGHTER WAS SHAKEN BUT FORTUNATELY NOT HIT BY THE EXPLODING GLASS. A NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET HEARD THE EXPLOSION AND THOUGHT IT WAS A GUN SHOT. GLASS SHARDS/PIECES WERE STREWN THROUGHOUT OUR 3 CAR GARAGE, SOME LANDING ON THE TOP OF OUR OTHER VEHICLE PARKED NEXT THE EXPLORER. THE LOCAL DEALER TOLD US IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT BUT AS THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR AREA, THEY WOULD NOT BE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT AS WE WERE 2,000 MILES OUT OF OUR WARRANTY. FORD COMPANY IN DEERBORNE, MI THREATENED TO REVOKE ANY ASSISTANCE AS WE "DID NOT SEEM APPRECIATIVE" OF THE 80% THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP OFFERED. WE STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE (NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE) THAT FORD SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR. THIS TYPE OF GLASS EXPLOSION COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE. *NLM PE04045.PCO

PROBLEMS WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW HATCH.*MR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES FOR THE BROKEN REAR WINDOW HATCH AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET. PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB THE REAR WINDOW HATCH FAILED WHEN THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE HATCH LITERALLY FLEW OFF WHEN THE HATCH WAS OPENED. ONE OCCASION WHEN THE CYLINDER FLEW OFF, THE CYLINDER FLEW OFF AND HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD NECK, SHOULDER AND SPINE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR HIS INJURIES. *JB MULTI-INCIDENTS PE04045.PCO

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENTLY STALLED POSSIBLY DUE TO OUTDOOR HEAT. THE VEHICLE STALLED OR WOULD NOT START ON NINE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER AFTER EACH INCIDENT WHERE THE INERTIA SWITCH, THE FUEL PUMP AND THE PCM MODULE WERE CHANGED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE STOPPED, WHILE IT WAS STARTED, AT AN INTERSECTION, AND ONCE WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AT 35 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE GAS STORAGE TANK HAD DEVELOPED A HOLE AND WAS LEAKING GAS.

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER CARPORT. THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS EXPLODED, WHEN THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS FAILED AS WELL AS THE LOWER HALF OF BODY OF GATE. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE "NORMAL," AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PARKED IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME THAT DAY. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD US HE "HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE".*AK PE04045.PCO *SC *JB

1. ENGINE STALLS ERRATICALLY WHEN UNDER ACCELERATION IE: WHEN ENTERING FREEWAY, ETC. FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM, STATES DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. 2. BRAKE FAILURE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. VEHICLES CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THEM. BOTH HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. *NLM

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR END STARTED WHINING AROUND 45000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF $2000. I DECIDED NOT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE AT THAT TIME. THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD GET LOUDER AS TIME GOES BY. IT NOW HAS 65920 MILES AND THE WHINE IS A LITTLE LOUDER. I HAVE OWNED A LOT OF AUTOMOBILES , MOSTLY FORDS AND THIS IS THE 1ST ONE THAT HAD THE REAR END WEARING OUT WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. IN READING 2002 EXPLORER COMPLAINTS THERE ARE MANY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY NEXT CAR MAY NOT BE A FORD.*JB

HATCH WINDOW EXPLODED AND SHATTERED UPON ROUTINE CLOSING. HAD CAR INTO DEALER 3 PREVIOUS TIMES TO REPAIR HATCH, THE STRUT HAD BROKE OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE EACH TIME. EACH TIME THEY REPAIRED OR REPLACED THE STRUT AND SAID IT WOULD BE FINE. THIS TIME THE STRUT DID NOT JUST BREAK OFF THE WHOLE WINDOW EXPLODED AND LEFT CUTS ON THE CONSUMERS HANDS AS WELL AS GLASS IN HER MOUTH AND ON HER HEAD. *NLM PE04045.PCO DOB IS 06/02_061704_JF

I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE SIDE WHILE DRIVING AND WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS GOING BAD AND HAD ALMOST A.5 INCH OF PLAY. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. WE CALLED OUR FORD DEALER TO ARRANGE TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE TIRE COULD COME OFF AND AND THAT THEY KEEP THREE OF THE REPLACEMENT PART IN STOCK BECAUSE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND CALLED AROUND TO OTHER DEALERS TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND EVERY DEALER KNEW EXACTLY WHICH WHEEL WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM BEFORE MY HUSBAND EVEN TOLD THEM. THEY SAID IT COULD DEFINITELY COME OFF AND THAT I SHOULDN'T DRIVE OVER 20 -25 MPH ON IT. WE ARE HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED TODAY.

WHEN I AM TRYING TO PUT THE EXPLORER INTO PARK I HAVE A HARD TIME. IT TAKES ME SEVERAL MINUTES AND MUCH FRUSTRATION TO GET IT INTO PARK. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE, HARDER TO GET INTO PARK. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

ON MAY 8, I WAS PLACING SOME ITEMS IN THE REAR OF MY 2002 EXPLORER THROUGH THE HATCHBACK (THE GLASS PART, NOT THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR). I HEARD A POP WHEN THE GLASS RAISED UP. SINCE IT WAS DARK AND I WASN'T SURE WHAT THAT NOISE WAS, I SLOWLY STARTED TO CLOSE THE GLASS WHEN IT EXPLODED. AS IT TURNS OUT, THE RIGHT PNEUMATIC SHOCK MOUNT HAD BROKEN OFF THE GLASS AS IT LIFTED. THE GLASS MUST HAVE BEEN BROKEN BY A PORTION OF THAT SHOCK MOUNT IN THE PATH DURING CLOSING. LUCKILY, I ONLY RECEIVED A CUT ON MY HAND AS GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE; IN MY SHOES, HAIR, PURSE, ETC. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MY THREE-YEAR-OLD WAS NOT WITH ME, AS SHE NORMALLY WOULD BE STANDING BY MY SIDE IN THAT SITUATION. I CAN ONLY IMAGING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, ANTICIPATING THE WORST, BUT THEY FIXED THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THEY CLAIMED THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING, BUT THEY WERE VERY QUICK TO GIVE HIM A LOANER AND GET HIM OUT OF THERE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2002. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 14,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I HOPE THIS INFO HELPS. PE04045_PCO

ABS LIGHT CAME ON AT 19,518 MILES, 22,071 MILES, AND 27,078 MILES. MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOWEVER, ARE MY ISSUES WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER REAR END. 10/1/03: 27,078 MILES ABS LIGHT CAME ON, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY. REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING, DEALER REPLACED THE SEALS. 7/28/04: 40,541 MILES REAR END LEAKING AGAIN. HALF SHAFTS WERE WORN. REAR LOCKING DIFF WAS SLIPPING. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HALFSHAFTS, SEALS, AND CLUTCH PACKS. 9/22/04: 43,203 MILES REAR AXLE CHATTERING. REPLACED WHOLE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. 2/25/05: 54,960 MILES REAR DIFF MAKING MORE NOISE. LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING WAS NOISY. REPLACED LEFT REAR AXLE HUB AND ASSEMBLY. ON TEST DRIVE, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE BEARING THEY JUST INSTALLED WAS BAD, SO THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. 8/11/05: 68,000 MILES LEAKING FLUID FROM REAR END. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING MAINTENANCE: REPLACED DIFF SEALS, REPLACED TIMING CHAIN, REPLACED RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY, REPLACED RING AND PINION, REPLACED FRONT END TIE RODS, REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS, PERFORMED FRONT END ALIGNMENT. ALL TOLD, I HAVE HAD MY EXPLORER IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 10 TIMES. MY WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE (7,000 MORE MILES) AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET FORD TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, THIS IS NOT AN EASY PROCESS AND APPARENTLY DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN WITH SUCH 'HIGH MILEAGE' VEHICLES. IF THEY DON'T BUY IT BACK I WILL BE FORCED TO TAKE A HUGE LOSS ON THE VEHICLE. I WILL THEN PURCHASE ANYTHING BUT A FORD. *JB

WITHIN FOUR MONTHS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4WD START HAVING PROBLEMS. THEY ARE: 1. VIBRATION INSIDE INCLUDING PHYSICAL MOVEMENT INSIDE WHEN DRIVING WITH REAR WINDOW CRACK OVER 30 MPH. THE FASTER YOU DRIVE THE GRATER THE VIBRATION. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO SEVERAL DEALERS, THEY INFORM ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND IT'S REFER TO AS HELICOPTER EFFECT. 2. THE DIGITAL KEYPAD STOP WORKING. 2. THE KEYS DON'T OPEN THE DOOR 3. THE TRANSMISSION SLIP, KICK AND DELAYS WHEN PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. 4.TRANSMISSION DELAYS GOING INTO OVERDRIVE. 5.THE PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANEL GLASS SHATTER TWICE, AT FIRST I TAUGHT SOMEONE HAD BROKE IT AND MY SON REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY REPLACE IT AND FEW MONTHS LATER IN MY GARAGE IT SHATTER AGAIN AND THAT'S WHEN IT ALL CAME TOGETHER. THIS TIME MY SON FIX IT FOR ME. 6.THERES ALSO A WINDING SOME COMING FROM UNDER THE SUV AND MY SON THINKS IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE DIFF, KEEPING THE VIBRATION IN MIND. 6. THE LATCH THAT SECURE THE REAR WHERE THE JACK HANDLE IS LOCATED BROKE. *TR

THE SMELL OF MOLD IS COMING OUT OF THE A/C. ALL THE DEALERSHIP DID WAS DEODORIZE THE VENTS. THE MUSTY ODOR PERSISTS. I HAVE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. *LA

HARSH SHIFTING OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.*AK

RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. EVERY NOW AN THEN, THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT BLINKS, OCCASIONALLY CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. 14854 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED BY THE DEALER. FROM ABOUT 50,000 MILES THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD OCCASIONAL FLASH BUT AS LONG AS I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT, THE PROBLEM WOULDN'T POP UP FOR A FEW MONTHS. THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY CONSISTENT REASON FOR IT TO FLASH. THE DEALER SAID THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO IS TO TEST IT WHEN THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS SO INTERMITTENT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET TO A DEALER AT THE PARTICULAR TIME THE LIGHT WOULD FLASH. THE TRUCK SEEMED TO BE OPERATING AS IT ALWAYS DID. EVENTUALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS A RESULT OF THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEING ON AND AT 63,329 THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOLENOID BODY AND SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION. THE LIGHT STILL CAME ON OCCASIONAL, BUT ONLY ON LONG TRIPS, MORE THAN 75 MILES ONE WAY. AT 66,274 MILES THE DEALER TOOK THE TRUCK AND TRIED TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO. AT ABOUT 73299 MILES, LIKE BEFORE, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY KICKED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE O/D PISTON AND ROD. AT 73,564 MILES THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED. NOW AT 80,800 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING AND THE DEALER WILL BE LOOKING AT IT AGAIN ON MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2006. FOR NUMBER OF FAILURES I'M GUESSING THAT 20 OR MORE TIMES THE O/D LIGHT HAS COME ON. 5 TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED AND THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MONDAY WILL BE THE 6TH ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM

REAR WINDOW/HATCH, INCLUDING HYDRAULICS AND STEEL FRAME EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. GLASS AND DEBRIS FLEW ABOUT 15' BEHIND MY CAR AND WAS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE FRONT SEATS. THANKFULLY I WAS ALONE IN THE VEHICLE. SOMEONE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OR BACK SEATS WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT. A BABY IN A REAR-FACING CAR SEAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BLINDED, OR WORSE.

TIRE BLOW OUT ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *MR FORD REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR THE TIRE BLOW OUT ALONG WITH THE BODY DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED DUE TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SCC *JB

DRIVER REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE.*MR THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF THE LUG NUT BREAKING. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A DENT HUB CAP, AND LIGHT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR BUMPER AND PANEL. *PH *JB

NOTED "CLICKING" NOISE WHEN WHEEL TURNED AT SLOW SPEED, ASSUMED CV JOINTS WERE GOING BAD. HOWEVER, DEALER SAID THAT LUG NUTS WERE LOOSE, AND WHEN TIGHTENED THE NOISE STOPPED. WHAT IS NOTABLE IS THAT THE WHEELS HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF, SO THIS CONDITION ORIGINATED AT THE FACTORY. DEALER SAYS OWNER AT FAULT AND CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS. OWNER SAYS THIS A FACTORY DEFECT AND A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ITEM AND INSIST IT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AT IMPASS.*AK