2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

THE VEHICLE WAS ON ITS FOURTH REPAIR FOR REAR THE GLASS LIFT GATE, THE BRACKET DOOR FAILED TO STAY UP. *JB *JB

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. *JB

WHILE DRIVING FOR EXTENED POINT OF TIME VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON/OFF, AND THE ABS BRAKES ENGAGED PREMATURELY. ALSO, THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END WHEN BRAKING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS ONCE, AND ABS REAR SENSOR TWICE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. *AK

WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE (RIGHT) IN PARKING GARAGE MY EXPLORER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCLERATION-AT FULL THROTTLE (SNAPPING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT) (EXTREMELY LOUD REVVING, WHINING AND ANOTHER SOUND LIKE A BAD BELT SCREECH ALL AT THE SAME TIME) BEFORE THE CRASH. NO BRAKES (PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR). CRASHED INTO STEEL I-BEAM BENDING IT AND CRACKING CONCRETE PILLARS. NO AIRBAG ON IMPACT.

I PULLED UP INTO THE DRIVE AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. I EXITED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND OPENED THE BACK DOOR, UNSTRAPPED MY GRANDSON FROM HIS SAFETY SEAT. HE WENT INTO THE HOUSE TO GET A GAME BOY SO I RE-ENTERED THE FRONT SEAT TO WAIT FOR HIM. I SAT THERE A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE, I WAS EXITING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHEN I HEARD A NOISE. THE CAR ENGAGED ITSELF INTO REVERSE. I TRIED TO PLACE MY RIGHT FOOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN. I WENT UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BEGAN TO RUN OVER ME. I GRABBED THE UNDERNEATH OF THE DOOR AND TRIED TO HANG ON BUT THE TIRE WAS RUNNING OVER MY PELVIC AND MY LEFT LEG. THE CAR DRUG ME ON THE CONCRETE , THEN IT STOPPED. I WAS PINNED UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. BEFORE THIS INJURY,I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AT 26,000 MILES SENT IT FOR REPAIRS BUT THE DEALER KEPT TELLING ME IT WAS OK. THE CAR WOULD JERK DURING TAKE OFF AND HESITATE WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I TOOK IT TO OTHER DEALERS AND FINALLY ONE PUT IT ON THE TEST RACK AND TOLD ME IT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. NOT SURE WHAT FORD HAS DONE WITH THE PARTS. *TR

THE VEHICLE'S TAILGATE GLASS EXPLODED WHILE THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE IT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM BROKEN LIFTGATE GLASS AND WIPER MOTOR AND ARM WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE SQUEAKS WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. SWAY BAR BUSHINGS REPLACED. IGNITION SWITCH HARD TO INSERT KEY AT TIMES. CYLINDER AND TUMBLER REKEYED. BOTTOM DOOR MOLDING (PASSENGER SIDE) PEELING OFF. RUBBER GROMMET ON ANTENNA BASE OFF. RESECURED RUBBER GROMMET FOR ANTENNA BASE. *TT PE04045_PCO

TWO PROBLEMS. THERE IS A STRONG ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN MY EXPLORER. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THE SMELL HAS BECOME STRONGER. I HAD IT CHECKED, AND THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WOULD COST $600 TO REPAIR. THE OTHER IS A SHIMMY AT 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT JUST ROTATED AND BALANCED MY TIRES. I HAD THIS DONE A MONTH EARLIER AND IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE STILL SHIMMIES BADLY AT 40 MPH. *NLM

TRANSMISSION ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 LITER SLIPS AND OR JERKS AT TIMES. AT TIMES UPON ENTERING A INTERSECTION THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP AND THEN SEVERAL SECONDS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK INTO GEAR. ON 03/04/03 WE HAD A CLOSE CALL UPON ENTERING THE INTERSECTION WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURRED. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES IN SPITE OF TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO FORD NUMEROUS TIMES. *JB

THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE WHEN PUSHED SHARPLY TO GET AROUND A HAZARD. CAR WAS ONLY NINE MONTHS OLD. *NLM

FORD EXPLORER REAR END HAD HIGH PITCH NOISE: MECHANIC HAD TO PLACE A NEW REAR END IN THE VEHICLE: FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LOCKED INTO LOW GEAR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE: REPLACED CONTROL SWITCH BUT 4X4 HIGH LIGHT BLINKS.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW. APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE STARTED DEVELOPING A CRACK ON THE PANEL BENEATH THE REAR WINDOW. SINCE THEN, WHEN IT IS HOT, I GET A DOOR OPEN WARNING LIGHT. NO DOOR IS OPENED, BUT THE DOORS REFUSE TO LOCK, AND THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. I BELIEVE WATER ENTERS THE PANEL BENEATH THE WINDOW DUE TO THE CRACK. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY DEALERS FOR THE WARNING LIGHT-THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT.*AK

VEHICLE DEVELOPED A LOUD WHINING NOISE IN THE REAR END AT APPROX 25000 MILES. NOISE OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS. IT WENT AWAY WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED. DEALER REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL. NOISE RETURNED IMMEDIATELY, BUT ONLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 48MPH AND 68MPH. DEALER IS NOW REPLACING THE ENTIRE DRIVESHAFT. ONE SERVICE ASSISTANT INDICATED OTHER EXPLORERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ACCORDING TO DEALER, FORD HAS ISSUED SERVICE MESSAGES. SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL. *AK

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. *JB

THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

A THUMPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *NLM *TS

THE INITIAL PROBLEM WITH THE REAR-END DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS A WHINING NOISE WHICH THE FORD DEALER'S SERVICE REP. IDENTIFIED AND IMMEDIATELY SAID IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE NEW REAR-END UNIT DID NOT WHINE BUT WITHIN 3 1/2 MONTHS A VIBRATION STARTED AND WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR A TOTAL OF 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TO REPAIR OR FIX THIS PROBLEM. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR AXLES WERE ALSO REPLACED AND ANOTHER REAR END DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS INSTALLED. AT EACH SERVICE VISIT, THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANIC WERE COMPLETELY INVOLVED AND WERE VERY PERPLEXED AT THE PROBLEM. MY EXPLORER WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ABOUT 30 DAYS ON ONE SERVICE VISIT AND A TOTAL OF 42 DAYS OVER THE 6 TOTAL SERVICE VISITS FOR THIS PROBLEM. PERSISTENT FLUID LEAKS AND A RECURRING VIBRATION HAS PROMPTED ME TO SUBMIT A "LEMON" LETTER TO FORD. *LA

I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE INTO THE FORD DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST 4 TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS IT IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY AND IS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE FIRST TIME THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL EFFECT. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME, THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE IN BEING ABLE TO BRAKE SMOOTHLY. THE THIRD OCCASION OCCURRED AT THE LIGHT WHEN THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AND THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. *SCC *JB

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAS A SHUTTERING FEELING WHEN UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION BETWEEN 25-40 MILES PER HOUR. DEALER HAS BEEN TOLD ABOUT PROBLEM AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE AFTER A REPROGRAM OF TRANSMISSION. *JB

IT WAS DURING THE FAST FREEZE WHEN THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. WE WENT FROM 45 DEGREES TO 20 DEGREES WITH IN 2-3 HOURS. IT WAS RAINING AT FIRST THEN SWITCHED TO ICE & SNOW. WE PUT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN 4X4 DRIVE DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. AS WE WERE ENTERING THE EXPRESS WAY WE LOSS CONTROL OF THE TRUCK ONLY GOING 28 MILES PER HOUR. WE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL. IT WAS AS THOUGH WE HAD NO 4X4 DRIVE. WE CALLED THE POLICE TO GET A ACCIDENT REPORT FOR OUR INSURANCE. WE THEN TOOK THE TRUCK A WEEK LATER TO MARTIN BUICK TO FIX THE BODY DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUCK. THEY TOOK THE TRUCK TO LASKO FORD ACROSS THE STREET TO WORK ON THE 4X4 SYSTEM. THEY TOOK THE CLUTCHES OUT AND DRAINED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY FOUND DAMAGE TO THE CLUTCHES. THESE PARTS WERE BLACKENED AND GLAZED OVER. THEY SAID THAT THIS LOOKS LIKE WEAR AND TEAR FOR THIS TRUCK AND THAT THE TRUCK WAS NOT MAINTAINED. WE REGULARLY CHANGED FLUIDS AND THE MANUAL STATES THAT THE TRUCK DOES NOT NEED MAINTENANCE UNTIL 150,000 MILES. I ASKED HOW COULD A NEW TRUCK HAVE SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE 4X4 AND THEY SAID THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN IN 4X4 WHEEL DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME. I KNOW AND SO DO MY PASSENGERS THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. THE DASH BOARD ALWAYS INDICATED 2 WHEEL DRIVE NOT 4X4 UNLESS I PUT IT IN 4X4. THE AUTOMATIC 4X4 NEVER TURNED ON THE 4X4 DRIVE I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TO PUT IT IN 4X4 IF I NEEDED TO USE IT, WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN ONE OTHER TIME. SO FOR A TRUCK THAT IS ONE YEAR OLD AND ONLY BEEN DRIVEN IN 4X4 WHEEL DRIVE TWICE THERE SEEMS TO BE AN AWFUL LOT OF DAMAGE TO MY CLUTCHES AND MY FLUID SO BURNT. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON THIS TRUCK. I WILL HAVE THE MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE "CONTROL TRAC" 4X4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM TESTED TO SEE IF IT FAILS TO ACTIVATE OR DE-ACTIVATE THE 4X4. THEN I WOULD LIKE FORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM OUT OF THEIR OWN EXPENSE AND STOP GIVING THEIR CLIENTS THE RUN-A-ROUND AND TO REIMBURSE ME FOR MY TIME AND EXPENSES. *JB

THE ENGINE STALLED TWICE IN 3 DAYS, LAST FRIDAY I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED AND I HAD TO MOVE OVER 3 LANES TO STOP AT THE SHOULDER, CALLED THE POLICE, POLICEMAN CHECKED THE BATTERY, NO PROBLEM, THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T START, HE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK. I GOT CURIOUS, TRIED STARTING THE CAR, IT STARTED BACK UP. I THEN DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE TECHNICIAN SAID NO ERROR CODE AND THEREFORE NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. TODAY (SUNDAY), MY CAR STALLED AGAIN, THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CAR STARTED BACK UP. WHAT IS CAUSING THIS? I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN RIDING WITH ME! PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THIS! *NLM

FORD TOLD ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES. THE IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR SUCH A COSTLY PURCHASE. THEY OFFER NO ASSISTANCE OR EXCUSE FOR THIS TYPE OF DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. *NLM

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED THE REAR LEFT AXLE STARTED SMOKING AND BECAME RED HOT. THE PAINT ALSO PEELED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED THAT THE REAR LEFT BRAKE HAD LOCKED UP. THE BRAKE WAS REPLACED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEAL WAS LEAKING ALSO. THE SEAL AND FLUID WAS REPLACED. SINCE THE BRAKE FAILURE THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE IN THE REAR AXLE AT SPEEDS OFF 50-55 MPH. *JB

THE DOORS WERE NOT PROPERLY SEALED WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED FROM DEBRIS ON THE ROAD/WEATHER CORRODING THE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT HAVE A REMEDY. *JB....*AK

VEHICLE HAS A RESONANCE HUMMING/RINGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT INCREASES WITH SPEED. ALSO HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE SLIGHT DRIVETRAIN VIBRATION AS WELL. THIS PROBLEM WAS ALSO NOTED IN AN EDITORS REVIEW OF THE 2002 EXPLORER FOR EDMUNDS. REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED IN MAY 2003, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISITED. WAS TOLD BY THE REAR END TECHNICIAN AT THE FORD DEALER THAT IT WAS BEING CAUSED BY THE GEARS NOT MESHING PROPERLY. APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT.*AK

VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW, HAD A PINION NOICE IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL SINCE PURCHASED. DEALER CHANGED REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND A WEEK LATER IT DEVELOPED A LEAK DUE TO BLOWN AXLE SEAL. REAR DIFFERENTIAL THEN DEVELOPED A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING INTO A TURN FROM A STOPED POSITION. DEALER ADDED AN ADDITIVE TO REAR FOR LIMITED SLIP UNIT. NOISE IS STILL THERE ON TURNS BUT IS VERY LIGHT. ALL THIS HAS OCCURED SINCE PURCHASED NEW AND 14,000 MILES. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STAYING ON. DEALERSHIP STATES THEY DEACTIVATED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AS THEY INDICATE NO REPAIR IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. THE CONNECTOR IS GETTING MOVED AROUND AND THE PINS ARE BEING SPREAD CAUSING POOR CONTACT DRIVERS SIDE. *NLM

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION.*JB

HYDROLIC ARM ON BACK LIFTGATE BROKE 3 TIMES AND WAS "REPAIRED" AT THE DEALER. IT BROKE A FOURTH TIME, CAUSING THE LIFTGATE WINDOW TO SHATTER. THE GLASS AND FALLING DEBRIS SCRATCHED THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. PE04045.PCO

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. AT 24,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR:TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. AT 26,000 MILES, LOAD WHINING HEARD FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS TO COMPLAIN AND WAS TOLD THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE" AND "IT IS HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO SOUND". ON THE THIRD RETURN , I PRODUCED SEVEN PAGES OF DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS FOUND ON THIS WEB SITE AND OTHERS. THEY DECIDED THAT NOW THEY MIGHT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVE SHAFT. PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR THE NEXT 30,000 MILES BUT IS NOW DISPLAYING THE SAME NOISE AND IS "CLUNKING" IN TO DRIVE AND REVERSE. SEPARATE PROBLEM WITH THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS, THEY FLASH LIKE AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE TILL I TURN THE HEAD LIGHTS ON. I DID NOT NOTICE TILL I WAS PULLED OVER BY A SHERIFF AND QUESTIONED AS TO WHY I HAD EMERGENCY LIGHTS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE. ON A POSITIVE NOTE, I DO GET THROUGH TRAFFIC JAMS A LOT FASTER NOW. *NM

DIFFERENTIAL ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS BEEN REBUILT TWICE UNDER WARRANTY,AND NEEDS RECALLED AGAIN. THIRD INCIDENT HAPPENED TWO DAYS AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. FORD SAYS TOUGH. *TR

THE LIFT GATE ON THE RIGHT SIDE SHOCK BROKE. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIPPING. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT NEW/REBUILT TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. PH SCC

INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR IS DEFECTIVE. THE IMAGE IS BLURRED, MORE SO AT NIGHT WITH HEAD LIGHTS OR STREET LIGHT ON. TOOK TO FORD DEALER THREE TIMES: 1ST TIME THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG, 2ND TIME THEY SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART, 3RD TIME THEY SAID THEY REPLACED IT BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO GET THIS DISTRACTING AND POSSIBLY SAFETY DEFECT FIXED.*JB

THE ROOF RACK (WHICH WAS FACTORY EQUIPMENT) SEPARATED FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE RACK WAS LIABLE TO COME OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO MOTORIST DRIVING BEHIND HIS VEHICLE. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ABS PROBLEM REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY. THE MANUFACTURERS WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

I BOUGHT A 2002 EXPLORER ON MAY 23,2002. IN THE PAST 8 MONTHS, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED IN BECAUSE IT WOUDN'T START--ACOMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. MY A/C MADE A HIGH PITCH SQUEAL AND AFTER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES OF TRYING TO REPAIR THE EXISTING A/C CLUTCH, A NEW ONE WAS FINALLY PUT ON. MY FRONT END SUSPENSION HAS BEEN FIXED. MY MIDLIFT GATE CRACKED IN NOVEMBER AND A NEW ONE WAS PUT ON. I HAVE HAD DAILY PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT NOT FULLY GOING INTO POSITION WHEN I START MY TRUCK AND THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT I DEAL WITH NEVERS SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE PROBLEM. FUNNY HOW IT DOES IT EVERY DAY FOR ME, THOUGH. MY BLINKERS WILL SOMETIMES STICK AND STAY ON WITHOUT BLINKING--THIS ALSO HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. AT THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY,2003, ON THE WAY HOME FROM A TRIP, MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME WE SLOWED THE TRUCK DOWN, THERE WAS A BLAST OF AIR FROM THE UPPER VENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED NO MATTER WHAT SETTING WE HAD IT IN (IE. DEFROST OR FLOOR VENTS). THIS PAST THURSDAY, JAN.16, THE SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED AND SUPPOSEDLY THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS AS WELL. NOW THE AIR DOESN'T SEEM TO LEAK OUT THE TOP VENTS, BUT CONTINUOSLY COMES OUT OF THE FLOOR VENT, NO MATTER WHAT SETTING THE HEAT IS ON. I HAVE A RENTAL VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN, WHILE THEY KEEP THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT TO SEE IF THEY CAN HOPEFULLY FIX THIS PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE ARE CURRENTLY CHECKING INTO THE LEMON LAW FOR OUR STATE!!!

ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, AND THE SECOND OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN SHUT DOWN. *MR *TS *JB

CONSUMER WAS IN A ACCIDENT, AND UPON COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. TS

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX. AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE IS CONSTANTLY MAKING A TICKING NOISE. SOMETIMES WHEN MAKING A COMPLETE STOP THE TRUCK WILL STALL AND THEN JERK FORWARD WHEN I AM TRYING TO PUSH ON THE GAS TO GO. THIS HAPPENS SO MUCH AND I HAVE SENT IT IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS AND NO SOLUTION. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TWICE ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HAD TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES TO STOP QUICKLY THE TRUCK LOCKED UP FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN JERKED FORWARD. I STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION SINCE I AM IN A LEASE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I TELL THEM IT IS DANGEROUS FOR ME TO BE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. TWICE AT A STOP SIGN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO GO BUT THE TRUCK STARTING MOVING BACKWARDS. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AGAIN THEN RELEASED AND IT STILL MOVED BACKWARDS. I THEN PUT IT IN PARK AND THEN BACK IN DRIVE AND THEN IT MOVE FORWARDED. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN AGAIN THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD HIM THE SITUATION AND STILL NOTHING WAS DONE.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND STAYED ON. *JB

THE ROOF RACK (WHICH WAS FACTORY EQUIPMENT) SEPARATED FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE RACK WAS LIABLE TO COME OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO MOTORIST DRIVING BEHIND HIS VEHICLE. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON INTERMITTENTLY AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ABS PROBLEM REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY. THE MANUFACTURERS WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

PAINT ON HOOD AND ROOF BUBBLING AND CRACKING. *JB

I AM CURRENTLY INVOLVE IN A DISPUTE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPNY REGARDING REPAIRS TO MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IN BRIEF, THE TRUCK WAS DIAGOSED BY FORD WITH INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE, FORD CLAIMS THAT SENT THE TRUCK TO THEM WITH (5) FIVE QUARTS OF OIL MISSING, I HAVE DOUCUMENTATION SHOWING THAT FORD DID THE LAST OIL CHANGE WITHIN THE TIMELINE OF MAINTANENCE AS PER FORD MAINTANTIENCE MANUAL. FORD IS CLAIMING THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THEFULL AMOUNT VERBALLY ESTAMATED AT $5000.00.

MY CAR WAS SERVICED IN JAN'03 INCLUDING FRONT/REAR BRAKES. I NOTICED THE SAME DAY OF THE SERVICE A NOISE WHENVER YOU WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO HAVE THE GESTIMATE THE PROBLEM TO HAVING THEM TAKE CAR RIDES W/ME TO HEAR THE NOISE ONLY TO DATE NOT BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY OR DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IT IS NOW ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF LATER AND MY TRUCK IS STILL MAKING THE SAME NOISE.

SINCE THE VEHICLE PURCHASE, THE TRANSMISSION HAS PERFORMED ERRATICALLY, AND HAS DEGRADED OVER TIME. THERE ARE THREE MAIN ISSUES, FIRST THE VEHICLE TENDS TO FUNCTION LIKE IT DROPS INTO NEUTRAL DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION. SECONDLY, AND MORE OF A CONCERN, THE VEHICLE CREEPS MANY FEET WHEN PLACED INTO 'PARK', WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, WHEN PARKED ON A GRADE. FINALLY, IT TAKES UPWARDS OF 30 SECONDS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 'PARK' TO ANY GEAR FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY ENGAGE, IT GIVES THE FEELING OF 'SLAMMING' INTO GEAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD SINCE 5/01, AND HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES FOR THESE COMPLAINTS. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL. THE CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A STRONG POTENTIAL FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY SHOULD THIS VEHICLE CREEP DOWNWARD.

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY CONSUMER WAS BLINDED BY THE SUN. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND HIT AN ALUMINUM MERIDIAN STRIP. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. PH. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER CAN SLIP FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, CAUSING A ROLL-AWAY ACCIDENT. THE GEAR SHIFT IS LOOSE ENOUGH THAT A DRIVER CAN SHIFT THE TRUCK INTO "P" ON THE GEAR SHIFT, BUT THE TRUCK IS NOT ACTUALLY ALL THE WAY IN PARK. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT CAN SLIDE INTO REVERSE. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER. SHE PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND BACKED UP THE DRIVEWAY. SHE LEFT THE VEHICLE IN PARK ON THE LEVEL DRIVEWAY TO RUN A BAG OF GROCERIES INSIDE. SHE OPENED THE REAR GATE, WENT INSIDE, DROPPED THEM OFF, THEN HEARD A LOUD CRASH. THE TRUCK HAD SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE, CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO THE HOUSE. I CAN REPRODUCE THIS BEHAVIOR EASILY. I TOOK IT TO BOB TOMES FORD OF MCKINNEY, TX AND SPOKE WITH MAUREEN POLLACK OF FORD'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD FIND NO DEFECT (OF COURSE). I BELIEVE THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY BECAUSE ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE AMBIGUOUS GEAR SHIFTS. I URGED HER TO HAVE FORD ISSUE A RECALL OR A SERVICE BULLETIN AT THE LEAST. SHE DECLINED, SAYING THAT THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS OK.