2002 Ford Explorer complaints

TRANSMISSION DIED FORD WOULD NOT WARRENTY. *TR

WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK THE SHIFT LINKAGE COUPLER SNAPPED AND THE SHIFTER CAME OFF IN MY HAND. UPON INSPECTION THE COUPLER IS A CHEAP RESIN AND SHOULD NOT SNAP WITH NORMAL WEAR USAGE. THIS IS A LINK TO A FORUM WITH 129 COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/GEAR_SHIFT_LEVER_PRNDL_FELL_OFF.SHTML. *TR

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TODAY AND ON WAY HOME THE TRANSMISSION "OD OFF" LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A MAJOR COMMON PROBLEM WITH A FAILED TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL. I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND CANNOT AFFORD THE $3,000 PLUS TO FIX. *TR

WHILE SHIFTING FROM DRIVE INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF IN MY HAND AND WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED AS WE COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO GO INTO PARK. *KB

FOR THE SIXTH TIME SINCE 2009, I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A POP. MY BOYFRIEND NOTICED MY RIGHT REAR TIRE WOBBLING. I KNEW IMMEDIATELY A STUD OR STUDS HAD BROKEN. WHEN HE POPPED OFF THE CAP, TWO STUDS WERE LITERALLY SNAPPED AT THE BOLT, CLEAN BREAK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX OTHER TIMES, ONE IN WHICH MY TIRE WAS HANGING ON BY ONE STUD AND NEARLY CAUSED ME TO WRECK INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY MECHANIC MAKING ERROR AFTER ERROR BUT COULD NEVER FIND AN ISSUE. NOW, AFTER DOING SOME EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I SEE IT IS FORDS ERROR. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS GETTING NEW ROTORS, NEW TIRES, ETC. THINKING THIS WAS IT. CLEARLY IT'S NOT. FORD NEEDS TO EITHER REIMBURSE OR RECALL THE VEHICLES. I'M DONE. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED ABNORMAL NOISES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND PERFORMED THE REPAIRS IN NOVEMBER 2008 HOWEVER, IN OCTOBER 2011 THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER COMPLETELY DISENGAGED FROM THE HOUSING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY WIFE WAS PICKING UP HER MOTHER AND SHE WENT TO PUT THE EXPLORER INTO REVERSE AND THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN HER HAND. SHE COULD NOT GET THE CAR INTO GEAR SO WE HAD IT TOWED HOME. I FOUND THE PIECE HOLDING THE SHIFTER WAS BROKEN OFF. FORD WANTED $1,000 FOR THE PIECE TO FIX IT. *TR

[XXX] GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER, INTENDING TO PICK UP HER SON FROM SCHOOL. WHEN SHE TRIED TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, SHE SAYS THE ENTIRE GEAR SELECTOR BROKE OFF AND FELL IN HER LAP. IT TURNS OUT SHE'S NOT ALONE. TEAM 4 INVESTIGATOR JIM PARSONS REPORTED THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AROUND THE COUNTRY -- SOME OF WHICH INVOLVED VEHICLES SLIPPING INTO GEAR AND CRASHING -- FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. NHTSA'S OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION SAYS IT HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVED THEY HAD SHIFTED THE SUVS INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES. EARLIER THIS YEAR, NHTSA UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS FOR 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORERS AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS. [XXX] SAYS FORD TOLD HER SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE HER ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO FIX THE BROKEN GEAR SELECTOR AT A COST OF MORE THAN $1,500. INSTEAD, SHE WORKED WITH HER LOCAL MECHANIC TO FIND AN AFTER-MARKET REPLACEMENT PART THAT RETAILS FOR $30. SO FAR, FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE GEAR SELECTOR. MORE INFORMATION: NHTSA WEBSITE DETAILS ON EXPLORER INVESTIGATION (TYPE IN ACTION NUMBER EA09013) READ MORE: HTTP://WWW.WTAE.COM/NEWS/29353127/DETAIL.HTML#IXZZ1ZYUBPJEG INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I RECENTLY HAD THE DEALER INSTALL 2 NEW REAR WHEEL BEARINGS (2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS) AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BROKEN PIECES CAN COME OUT WHILE DRIVING AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME BROKEN SPRINGS ON OTHER EXPLORERS. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION HAS A 5 SECOND DELAY WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE CAR TRANSMISSION JERKS FORWARD SUDDENLY AND RANDOMLY SHIFTS INTO A HIGHER OR LOWER GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND WHILE THE GEARS ARE SHIFTING. *TT

GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF IN MY HANDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE SHIFTER SO THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,957. UPDATED 11/03/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE THE SHIFTER ATTACHED AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CAME APART. THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/08/12

#3 CYCLINDER PLUB BLEW. HAD TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAID THEY COULD FIX EASILY BY INSTALLING A HELIX COIL ADAPTER & COULD HAVE CAR READY NEXT DAY. DEALER CALLS BACK AND SAYS THEY FIXED IT BUT IT WAS REALLY RUNNING BAD AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND DRIVING IT. I ASKED WHAT THE SOLUTION WAS AND THEY SAID THEY COULD PULL THE HEAD AND REFINISH IT BUT THAT THEY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND DOING SUCH. I ASKED ABOUT A JASPER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND AS JASPER HAS A POOR WARRANTY (12 MONTHS+LIMITED MILEAGE & NO LABOR) WHILE A NEW FORD ENGINE WOULD HAVE 3 YEARS, NO MILEAGE LIMIT & BE WARRANTED FOR BOTH LABOR AND PARTS. AS I NEEDED THE VEHICLE - AS IT IS I HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK AND TALKING WITH SEVERAL OTHER FORD DEALERS - IT WOULD SEEM THAT THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT THE FORD DEALER INSTALLING THE HELIX COIL MAY HAVE DROPPED DEBRIS INTO THE ENGINE - AS NONE OF THE OTHER DEALERS SAID THEY HAVE EVER HAD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE FOR A BLOWN SPARK PLUG. PS: THE PLUGS WERE THE ORIGINALS FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH THE DEALER TO GET SOME SORT OF REDUCTION IN WHAT I HAD TO PAY BUT THEY HAVE BEEN LESS THAN INTERESTED IN TALKING WITH ME. SO AM TRYING FIGURE OUT WHAT MY NEXT STEP SHOULD BE. ALL ADVISE WOULD BE APPRECIATED AS APPARENTLY THE PLUG BLOWING PROBLEM IS COMMON! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD - THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE. *KB

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FAILED AT ABOUT 86,000 MILES AND REQUIRED $3000.00 TO REPAIR. FORD ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW BUT WOULD DO NOTHING TO COVER ANY OF THE REPAIR COSTS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE AND TALKING TO MECHANICS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS THAT HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A TEXTBOOK CASE OF THE NEED FOR A RECALL REQUIRING FORD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES AROUND THE RADIO CONSOLE AND THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAILURE WITHIN THE RADIO CONSOLE WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, MY TRANSMISSION JUST RECENTLY WENT OUT. IT HAS ABOUT 142,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, TO GET IT FIXED, THEY TOOK IT APART, AND TOLD ME IT WAS COSTING $3,786.60 TO GET IT FIXED/REBUILT! AS OF RIGHT NOW MY TRUCK IS STILL IN THE SHOP, IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 2 WEEKS NOW. THERE IS NO WAY CAN AFFORD TO PAY THAT, I"M JUST A STUDENT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM; TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT AND THE MAJORITY ON THE 2002 MODEL. THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, ONLY FOR IT TO GO OUT AGAIN. SOME PEOPLE HAVE REPLACED/REBUILT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS 4 OR 5 TIMES. I ALSO READ THAT THESE TRUCKS CAN STOP AT ANY MOMENT; ANYWHERE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF ON THE FREEWAY. I DON'T SEE WHY FORD, DIDN'T RECALL THIS TRUCK OR THIS TRANSMISSION. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NO IDEA, WHAT I AM GOING TO DO TO GET MY TRUCK FIXED.. OR MAYBE EVEN REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT A POSSIBLE BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ALSO FRACTURED SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN 2005. AT ABOUT 85000 MILES I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND OFTEN JERKS REAL HARD WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER IN MY AREA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE ARE NO METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FLUID, HOWEVER, THEY DID TELL ME THAT THE 2002 FORDS ARE WELL KNOWS FOR HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME IN THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER, READING ALL THE PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED, I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

IN THE EVENING, I WAS ABOUT HALF AN HOUR FROM HOME WHEN I PULLED UP TO A GAS PUMP AT A STATION AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. I DID NOT DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN NORMAL. THE STEERING GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND. IT WAS ATTACHED BY A WIRE. I COULD NOT TELL WHAT HAPPENED EXCEPT THAT IT WAS BROKEN OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED BUT THE RECEPTIONIST SAID THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE LEFT AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOT OVERNIGHT AND THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT THE NEXT DAY. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP HOLDING THE PIECE IN MY RIGHT HAND AS I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT BECAME UNATTACHED FROM THAT WIRE. I FELT SCARED THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN SUCH AS A FIRE, TURN COMPLETELY OFF IN TRAFFIC, ETC. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP, SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE THERE WITH KEY IN THE IGNITION. I EMPTIED AS MUCH OF MY STUFF FROM THE CAR AS I COULD AS I WAS WORRIED THAT THERE COULD BE SOME TYPE OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OVERNIGHT. THANKFULLY, IT WAS THERE THE NEXT MORNING BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE COST OF REPAIR IS OVER $1,500. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS ALL OUT OF POCKET COSTS. I AM THANKFUL THAT THE DEALERSHIP DOES PROVIDE FREE LOANERS AND THAT THIS HAPPENED IN A PLACE WHERE I COULD EXIT THE LOCATION AND MA

2002 FORD EXPLORER AT 15000 MILES; BOUGHT TRUCK USED FROM MY BROTHER. HE NEVER DROVE IT BECAUSE HE HAD A COMPANY CAR. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IT HOME, DOOR AJAR LIGHT NEVER WENT OUT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON(SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT RIGHT BACK TO MY BROTHER).$650.00 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP, $100.00 TO FIX DOOR AJAR LIGHT(FIXED MYSELF), $600.00 TO FIX CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THAT PROBLEM WAS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHICH PLACE CHECKED THE ERROR CODES. NOW THE FUEL GAGE IS GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND VERY POOR MPG. WAS TOLD THE SENDING UNIT IS PROBABLE CAUSE. NOW THIS 2002 EXPLORER STILL UNDER 20,000 MILES. WHAT NEXT!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING THE VEHICLE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE GLASS ON ALL FOUR DOORS EXHIBITED PERMANENT STREAKS WHICH DISTORTED HIS VISIBILITY. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE SIMILAR STREAKS ON THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZED IN AUTO GLASS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO ACID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3. ALL GLASS HAS A FOG TYPE FILM AND STREAKS WHICH OBSCURES VISION DURING NIGHT TIME AND INCLEMENT WEATHER DRIVING. UPDATED 09/29/2011 *LN *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING BACK HOME FROM A TRIP IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA TO SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. TWO DAYS AFTER HAVING MY CAR FULLY SERVICED AND MY OVER DRIVE LIGHT CAME ON AND AS SOON AS THAT HAPPENED MY CAR STARTED TELLING ME I NEED TO GET MY TRANSMISSION CHECKED. I SAT THERE THINKING TO MYSELF HOW CAN THIS BE HAPPENING I JUST SPENT 800 DOLLARS TO HAVE ALL OF MY FLUIDS FLUSHED, BRAKES CHECKED, EVERYTHING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE AUTO REPAIR STORE AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND AFTER LABOR IT WOULD BE AROUND 5000 (I THINK I WAS QUOTED THAT PRICE BECAUSE I'M A YOUNG FEMALE, I WAS LOOKING ONLINE AND MOST PEOPLE WERE QUOTED AROUND 3000). I'M A FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT PAYING FOR MY CLASSES WITH STUDENT LOANS AND GRANTS. I DON'T HAVE A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS SITTING AROUND AT MY DISPOSAL TO FIX MY CAR. I ALSO CAN'T HAVE MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO THE FACT IF I MISS MORE THAN 3 CLASSES MOST OF MY PROFESSORS WILL DROP ME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND MANY OTHER CONSUMERS NOT JUST MYSELF HAVE HAD THIS INCIDENT HAPPEN TO THEM, I BELIEVE FORD IS IN THE WRONG FOR HAVING FAULTY MANUFACTURING, THEY HAVE MADE IT SO ANY TRANSMISSION WORK HAS TO BE DONE BY THE DEALER, YOU CAN'T EVEN CHECK YOUR OWN TRANSMISSION FLUID. I FEEL AS IF FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THEIR TRANSMISSIONS OR OFFER SOME KIND OF HELP TO PAY FOR THESE UNACCEPTABLE INCIDENTS. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORE WITH 47,000 MILES. WAS TOLD BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKE DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION. DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY BROKE. DAILY DRIVER ONLY, NO TOWING. SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT 47,000 MILES SHOULD HAVE A RECALL WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS WITH SPRINGS. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2010, ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY; WAS REBUILT IN MARCH 2011, BUT TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGAIN AND IT IS NOW AUGUST 2011. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING SEVERAL DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND I RECEIVED 1 RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL BUT HAPPENED TO NOTICE THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL. IF ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE CONTINUING TO HAPPEN, WHY IS A RECALL ON THE ENTIRE TRUCK NOT DONE? IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN, ONE WITH A MEDICAL ISSUE THAT HAS TO TRAVEL FOR HER DOCTOR VISITS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT HAS GONE THIS LONG AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. THERE IS ALSO THE ISSUE WITH THE NON WORKING AIR COMPRESSOR AND THE BAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE ROARING IN THE BACK TIRES. AS MUCH AS I TRAVEL WITH MY CHILDREN AND GET FROM POINT A TO B, IM SURPRISED THIS THING HAS NOT FALLEN APART. I WAS A SUCKER FOR A PRETTY TRUCK!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR LIFT GATE AND WINDOW WOULD NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AND IT WOULD ALSO WOBBLE. THE ELECTRONIC POWER DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK BECAUSE THEY WOULD DETECT THE LIFT GATE WAS NOT CLOSED ENGAGING AND A WARNING SOUND ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH SHE NOTICED SMOKING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS A MINOR DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE DEFECT AND WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HER HOME AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD SINCE THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT STATED IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTER FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE READING BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED SUGAR WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP,CLEANED THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FUEL GAUGE CONTINUED TO READ EMPTY CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 09/20/2011 *LN *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD ALL COIL SPRINGS BROKEN AND SOME MAY HAVE BEEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND I HEARD SOMETHING CLUNK IN THE BACK AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED. TOOK IT INTO GET REPAIRED ALONG WITH STRUTS AND BALL BEARING PLATE. TOTAL COST FOR THE FAILURE OF THESE SPRINGS = $1750! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UP WITH HER FOOT BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A FEW SMALL TREES IN A WOODED AREA. THE DRIVER PREVIOUSLY SUFFERED FROM SPINAL INJURIES AND EXPERIENCED BACK AND HIP PAIN. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED BY A DOCTOR FOR THE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ UPDATED 10/05/11

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS (STRUT ASSEMBILES) BROKEN ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. BREAKS IN STEEL COIL SPRINGS DISCOVERED DURING DEALER INSPECTION IN 2010. VEHICLE IS USED FOR STANDARD DAILY DRIVING ON PAVED ROADS. RESULTED IN SAGGING REAR OF VEHICLE AND DEGRADED VEHICLE CONTROL IN BUMPY TERRAIN. PARTS LIKELY BROKEN FOR SOME TIME BEFORE DETECTION. REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. PHOTOS OF BROKEN PARTS AVAILABLE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER LF SEATBELT BUCKLE PRETENSIONER BAD. AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AFTER TWO REPLACEMENTS OF OVER 300.00 EA. SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER/MERCURY MOUNTAINEER MODELS (4 DOORS). I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR XLS WITH 150,000 MILES. RECENTLY MY VEHICLE BECAME VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHEN I ACCELERATE AND THEN RELEASE THE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD "PUSH" TO ONE SIDE OR ANOTHER. ALSO GOING AROUND CURVES I WOULD GET A "DEATH WOBBLE" WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD "PUSH" FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN ALMOST A SWINGING MOTION AND WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO CORRECT IT, IT CONTINUES TO SWING EXCESSIVELY BACK AND FORTH. TONIGHT I WENT TO CHECK MY WHEEL BEARINGS THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM, AND I FOUND 3 OUT OF THE 4 COIL SPRINGS ON THE STRUTS WERE BROKEN. BOTH REAR COILS WERE SHATTERED (EASIEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT) AT THE TOP OF THE SPRING. I COULD LITERALLY PULL PIECES OF COIL SPRING OUT OF THE COIL. THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING WAS ALSO CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH, NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE COIL. I HAVE SPENT ALOT OF TIME WORKING ON CARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEE 3 COIL SPRINGS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY ARE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD!!! I ALSO DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND READ WHERE OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD SPRING FAILURES AS LOW AS 75,000 MILES!! PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE THERE ARE SO MANY OF THESE ON THE ROAD. I WORK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THIS I FEEL IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AFTER EXPERIENCING THE LOSS OF CONTROL YOU HAVE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE ILLINOIS WINTER WITH ICE ON THE ROADS IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. I WILL BE R

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM GETTING GROCERIES AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WAS AT A INTERSECTION SO IT WAS A UNPLEASANT SITUATION AS THEIR WAS ONCOMING CARS. PULLED THE CAR OVER AND SHUT OFF.. CHECKED FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID.. THERE WAS NONE. STARTED CAR AND IT WOULD ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 15 MPH THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. THE OVERDRIVE CONTROL ON THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. 2200 REPAIR.. CHECKED THE RECALLS AND THERE CURRENTLY IS NOT ONE EVEN THOUGH THIS SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION HAS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINS (NOT OVER EXAGGERATING) THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATIONS CONSIDERING I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR A ON RAMP. THIS VEHICLE IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE AWAITING A RECALL OF WHEN MY FAMILY GETS THE FINANCIAL STABILITY TO REPAIR IT IN A NON FORD DEALERSHIP/REPAIR SHOP. THIS SUV GETS REGULAR FLUID FILLS/CHANGES AT THE CORRECT INTERVALS WITH DOCUMENTATION.. THIS TRANSMISSION IS "SEALED" WHICH MEANS IT CANNOT BE CHECKED FOR FLUID LOSS OR BAD FLUID. "BAD ENGINEERING" WHICH SHOULD REQUIRE A REPAIR AT FORDS EXPENSE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER , HAD REAR END REPAIRED AT 75000.0 MILES BY FORD DEALER AND AGAIN IT'S MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AT 101000.0...LIKE ALL OTHERS, THEY STATE OUT OF WARRANTY AND WANT CUSTOMER TO PAY. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 177,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND BOTH TURN SIGNALS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE LIGHTS AND STATED THAT THE WIRES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AT 85,300 MILES, MUST HAVE IT REBUILT. *KB

2002 FORD EXPLORER-TRANSMISSION FAILURE-130,000 MILES-JULY 12, 2011 TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 119,000 MILES ON JAN. 13, 2010 BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER- BOTH FAILURES CONSISTED OF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR DURING NORMAL DRIVING. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES SPEED AND PASSENGERS ARE SUBJECT TO REAR END IMPACT OR SUDDEN SURGES OF SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS BACK INTO GEAR, CAUSING A POSSIBLE REAR END IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION STICKS IN ONE GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION SINCE 2002. MY LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT FMC FIGURES REVEALED THAT 30% OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THIS TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF SOME TYPE. HOWEVER FMC OFFERED VERY LITTLE RELIEF TO ITS CUSTOMERS. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS TIME FOR AN IMMEDIATE FORCED RECALL OF THIS TRANSMISSION. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTER SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 183,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSTRUCTION BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSON SLIPPING GEARS, HARD TO SHIFT, AND NOT ACCELERATING IN APRIL 2008 AT 100K MILES. REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN AFTER ONLY 40K MORE MILES AND ONLY 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 20 MPH, AND THE OVER DRIVE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE TYPE OF WARNING LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES, AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

I OWN A 2002 XPLORER, RECENTLY THE O.D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND THE TRUCK STARTED JERKING VIOLENTLY. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.I HAVE AN EIGHT YEAR OLD WHO WAS IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AT THE TIME.THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD AND SHOULD DEFINATELY BE LOOKED INTO. *TT