2002 Ford Explorer complaints

HEATER FAILED CAUSING WINDOWS TO "FOG" OVER AND DECREASED ABILITY TO SEE OUT WINDSHIELD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY FLASH. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR SPORADICALLY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OVER DRIVE OR NOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACED IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO ROLL FURTHER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

TROUBLE REMOVING VEHICLE FROM PARK ON INCLINE OVER FEW WEEK PERIOD. TRANSMISSION CHANGING GEARS IN ROUGH MANNER OVER A FEW DAY PERIOD. OD LIGHT FLASHING DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING AND THEN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING ON OCTOBER 10, 2010. DIAGNOSED AS "FRIED TRANSMISSION" BY DEALER. COST TO REPLACE $3887 PLUS $125 FOR DIAGNOSIS. NOT YET REPAIRED - DECIDING OUR NEXT ACTION. VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW, ALWAYS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO DEALER RECOMMENDATIONS. VEHICLE NEVER ABUSED, ONLY TOWED VERY LIGHT UTILITY AND SNOWMOBILE TRAILERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE RPMS WOULD RISE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT. NO POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP SO THE DEALER COULD INSPECT THE BRAKES BUT THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

I WAS PICKING UP A FAMILY FRIEND, AN WHILE WAITING FOR HER TO COME TO MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, I PUT MY TRUCK INTO PARK, WHEN SHE GOT IN, I THEN ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE, AN THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND, IT BASICALLY DANGLED THERE AN I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CALL A TWO TRUCK DRIVER. I GOT AN ESTIMATE FOR OVER $600 FOR A USED COLUMN, CAUSE APPARENTLY FORD DOESN'T MAKE THE LITTLE PIECE THAT BROKE OFF. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE FOR AWHILE TO FIND ANOTHER WAY OF GETTING THIS FIXED AN I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS AN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE VERY SAME THING, WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED YET? WHAT DO I OR WE HAVE TO DO TO GET FORD ON THE BALL WITH THIS CONTINUING PROBLEM? THANK GOD IT IS STUCK IN PARK, AN UNFORTUNATELY SO ARE MY KEYS. *TR

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

2002 FORD EXPLORER LTMD...90K MILES FRONT WEAR BEARINGS COMPLETELY BLEW OUT, REAR STRUTS LEAKING MASSIVE OIL AND REAR SPRINGS FRACTURED....HAD FRONT BEARINGS REPLACED WHEN IT DISABLES BRAKE USAGE FROM TIRES BEING CROOKED IN NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS NEED TO HAVE REAR END DONE WITH STRUTS, SPRINGS AND BUSHINGS....ALL NEW PARTS NO CHOICE AND $2600.00 LATER IN ALL THE SPRINGS ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUE, THEY SHOULD NOT BREAK. *TR

CRACK IN REAR WINDOW SURROUND, NEAR CENTER AT A BOTTOM. *TR

MY WIFE AND I AND OUR 8 YEAR OLD TWIN BOYS WERE ON VACATION THIS SUMMER DRIVING THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN A RAIN STORM. IT WAS AUGUST 13TH, 2010. THERE WAS A HUGE SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC JAM BECAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY WIFE NEEDED TO GET OUT AND STRETCH. WHEN I PUT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER BACK INTO DRIVE, THE SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND LIKE IT WAS MADE OF BUTTER. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE WERE IN SHOCK AND SCARED BECAUSE WE WERE STUCK AT THE TOP OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN A RAINSTORM. THE FORD WAS STUCK IN DRIVE SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY TO OUR HOTEL IN RIFE, COLORADO. WE WERE VERY SCARED THE WHOLE WAY. WE MADE IT TO OUR HOTEL. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER COULD NOT GET A PART UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK. A LOCAL MECHANIC RIGGED IT SO WE COULD GET HOME TO CALIFORNIA IN TIME FOR JOBS AND SCHOOL. WE FELT VERY UNSAFE THE WHOLE WAY. WHEN WE GOT HOME TO CALIFORNIA, THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND SHIFT LEVER FOR $1,300. I HAVE A 2ND 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK TODAY, I PARKED MY FORD EXPLORER IN THE DRIVEWAY, PUT THE SHIFT LEVER INTO DRIVE AND IT BROKE OFF! AGAIN, LIKE IT WAS MADE OF BUTTER. THIS IS EXACTLY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE OTHER ONE BROKE. TODAY IS OCTOBER 13, 2010. I AM VERY CAREFUL WITH MY VEHICLES. MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH TEACHERS IN OUR MID 40'S. NOW, I AM LEFT WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE EXACT SAME DEFECT AND I WILL BE CALLING FORD AND ASKING THE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 5 MPH THE GEAR SHIFT CAME APART FROM THE COLUMN AND FELL IN HIS LAP WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $1,500 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 02/07/11 *BF UPDATED 04/20/11

OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING AND CHECK TRANSMISSION IS INDICATED IN MESSAGE WINDOW. DOES RESET WHEN TRUCK IS TURNED OFF BUT WARNING COMES BACK WHEN DRIVING AGAIN. AT THIS TIME VEHICLE DOES 'CLUNK' WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. IT IS STILL SHIFTING THROUGH 1ST, 2ND, 3RD ETC OK. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT BY FORD DEALER AT 50K MILES (3/24/06), CURRENTLY HAVE 75K MILES ON VEHICLE(10/11/10). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SUDDENLY BROKE OFF. SHE PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THAT THE SHIFT HAD BEEN DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,444.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE PRETENSION SET AND CLOCK SPRING REPLACED SEVEN TIMES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000.

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WE HAVE KEPT UP ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON. WE HAVE OWNED IF SINCE JUNE OF 2008 (BOUGHT IT FROM A USED CAR DEALER) AND HAVE HAD NO REALLY BIG MAJOR ISSUES UNTIL NOW. THE O/D OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING WHICH IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GET MIXED SIGNALS AS TO IF THE OVER DRIVE IS ON OR OFF. WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT HARD AND ACTUALLY TRY TO LOCK UP AT SOME TIMES. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS NOW AND IN OUR MANUAL IT SAYS TO TAKE AND HAVE IT SERVICED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WELL WE DID AND THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO FIX IT EXCEPT REBUILD/REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. ONLINE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR MODEL AND PRETTY MUCH ANYONE WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THAT HAS OWNED THESE VEHICLES PRIOR SAYS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT AROUND 175000 MILES. WE ARE AT 174789 SO WE ARE RIGHT ON COURSE. WE DO NOT DRIVE IT HARD OR CRAZY AND WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF ALL OUR VEHICLES. WE HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH AN TRANSMISSION. *TR

BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. MY FORD SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BROKEN REAR SPRINGS ON EXPLORER'S AS WELL AS OTHER FORD'S. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE DRIVER HAS LOST THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE TRUCK. MINE BROKE WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY DAUGHTER AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I THOUGHT A TIRE BLEW. $800 TO FIX, FOR JUST THE 2 REAR SPRINGS, BUT SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD RECOMMEND REPLACING THE FRONTS AS WELL. UNTIL I CAN GET TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AS THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING LANDED ON THE REAR SUSPENSION AND MAY CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AS IT RUBS. I DROVE TRUCK SLOWLY HOME AS THE TRUCK NOW LEANS TO THE RIGHT (SIDE THAT FAILED) AND I HAVE DEFINITELY LOST THE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS TO THIS TRUCK. *TR

LOUD WHINE FROM REAR. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. FLASHING O/D LIGHT. *TR

FORD EXPLORER 2002 REAR PANEL CRACKED, AND I TRAVELED AROUND THE COUNTRY AND I SAW SEVERAL CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I VISITED TOO MANY WEBSITES AND THERE'S MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ON THAT ISSUE. THE BACK DOOR PANEL IS CRACKED AND GETTING WORSE EVERYDAY, AND SOMEDAY THE GLASS IS GOING TO EXPLODE. *TR

WE BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 2 WEEKS AGO WITH 129,000 MILES WITHIN 2 DAYS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. UPON INVESTIGATION WITH TRANSMISSION REPAIR LOCATIONS, WE HAVE TO SPEND $2500.00 OR MORE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION! WHAT A RIP OFF, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE, STEP UP TO THE PLATE, AND HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS OUT WHO HAVE PUT TRUST IN THEIR VEHICLES! IF FORD WANTS TO STAY IN BUSINESS, THEY BETTER START CONSIDERING RECONCILING WITH THEIR MANY DISGRUNTLED CUSTOMERS. THANK YOU. *TR

TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR - ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGE IN THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS FRACTURED AND THE LIFTGATE WOULD NOT REMAIN IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE LIABLE FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER. REAR SPRINGS/COILS RUSTED, BROKEN, ON BOTH SIDES DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL I HAD ESTIMATE DONE FOR NOISE IN FRONT END WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE UV JOINT. I UNDERSTAND TO REPAIR BACK SPRINGS IT WILL COST ABOUT $325 EACH SIDE AND THE OTHER THINGS I NEED UV JOINT, WHEEL HUB, STRUT,ETC...ANOTHER $400 THIS IS SAD!!! *TR

EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS THE GAS GAUGE WILL GO TO "0" AND THE "CHECK GAUGE" LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE THE SENDER ASSEMBLY UNIT OF THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. THERE HAD BEEN ANOTHER 2002 EXPLORER BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT MORNING. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND IS ON BACK ORDER. THE PART COST $76.79 BUT THE LABOR WILL BE $270! THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR US TO PAY DUE TO AN FORDS ENGINEERING PROBLEM. ARE MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS? MANY TIMES, BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS CORRUPTED, IT WILL PUT TOO MUCH FUEL IN INJECTORS, WHICH HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO "BOG DOWN" ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS AND AT HWY ENTRANCE RAMPS. *TR

I DO NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE AN IN DEPTH DESCRIPTION, MYSELF AS WITH ALL THE OWNERS OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER ARE ALL HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED, AND HAVE THIS RECALLED IF ITS HAPPENING WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH VEHICLES. THE O/D LIGHT WILL FLASH RAPIDLY AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL SKIP A GEAR, HAS A HARD TIME SWITCHING INTO FIRST GEAR. BIG CLUNK! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. IF ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD! *TR

GOT A TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED ERROR AND O/D WAS OFF. LOOKS LIKE ITS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON MY EXPLORER. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4WD REAR COIL SPRING BROKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. CREATED BAD SITUATION WITH CAR SWAYING LEFT TO RIGHT. HAD TO REPLACE SPRING AND STRUT. ALSO ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO REPLACED IN 5 YEARS. *TR

NOTICED FLUID ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. UPON CLOSED INSPECTION, NOTICED FLUID COMING FROM REAR SHOCK AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. REPAIR ESTIMATES TO REPLACE BOTH REAR COIL SPRING ASSEMBLY RANGE FROM $655 TO $800. *TR

FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT V-6: OVERDRIVE OFF (O/D OFF) LIGHT BLINKING RAPIDLY. TRANSMISSION IS SUDDENLY SHIFTING VERY ERRATICALLY WHICH MAKES VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE -- PLEASE EXERT YOUR AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE FORD TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND SLIPPING GEARS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. THE LEVER IS CONNECTED TO A SOFT ALUMINUM CYLINDER THRU A U SHAPED END AND A PIN. THE CYLINDER SHEARED AT THE BASE OF THE U AS A RESULT LEAVING NO WAY TO SHIFT OR GET THE KEY OUT AFTER TURNING THE MOTOR OFF WHEN I FINALLY GOT STOPPED. REPAIR COST IS $1400 FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN PLUS LABOR. CANNOT BUY SMALL PART THAT BROKE SEPARATELY SO EXPLORER IS NOT FIXED. A PICTURE OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN AT THIS URL HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=188761&PAGE=4. *TR

2002 EXPLORER XLT 2WD (47,000 MILES) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE REVVED SO I ROLLED TO A STOP LUCKILY ON A GRASS SHOULDER WITH NO ONE HITTING MY VEHICLE. FORD REBUILT THE TRANS FOR $2500. THE DISTRICT FORD REP WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR EVENTHOUGH I KNEW OF THE PROBLEM OCCURRING IN CINCINNATI AND FORD PAID. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF TRANSMISSION. THE FIX IS A $20 SEAL BUT THEY WILL ONLY REBUILD OR REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING AND TRANSMISSION MIGHT BE GOING OUT. *TR

DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION IN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER AFTER ONLY 117K MILES. TRANSMISSION FAILS SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. SOME TIMES GETS STOCK IN PARKING. COMPLETE FAILURE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $3600 TO $4000. *TR

IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR YEARS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER YET FORD DOESN'T WISH TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BY CALLING THE VEHICLE BACK. I HAVE MY TRANSMISSION NOW GONE AFTER ONLY 150000 MILES. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR

I HAVE PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WAS IN MINT CONDITION ON THE OUTSIDE AND FAIR ON THE INSIDE, WELL AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK A FEW MONTHS ONE DAY I NOTICED A HUGE CRACK BY THE FORD EMBLEM ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TAMPERING, AND I HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, SO THIS TROUBLED ME KNOWING THAT THIS CRACK HAD JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN APPEARED ON MY TRUCK. WELL I WENT TO THE STORE LATER THAT DAY AND PASSED ANOTHER CONSUMER ON MY WAY OUT OF THE STORE AND NOTICED THEY WERE DRIVING THE SAME KIND OF TRUCK, AND LO AND BEHOLD THEY HAD THE SAME CRACK IN THE SAME PLACE. I GOT THEIR ATTENTION AND ASKED IF THERE WAS SOME KIND OF INCIDENT THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED IT, AND THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT IT TOO JUST APPEARED ON THEIR TRUCK, I HAVE NOTICED MANY FORD EXPLORERS RANGING FROM 2002- 2005 HAVING THIS SAME CRACK, KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE NICE VEHICLES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DAMAGED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE OR NOT, BY IT BEING SO CLOSE TO THE REAR WINDOW, BUT IT DOES CONCERN ME THAT I PAY MONEY FOR A NICE VEHICLE AND THERE ARE DEFECTS THAT THE COMPANY WILL NOT ADDRESS. I HAVE BEEN OUT ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME MYSTERIOUS CRACK WITH PICTURES IN THE SAME PLACE ON THE TRUCK, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PLASTIC AND REPAIR THE CRACKS. PLEASE HELP US , THE CONSUMERS IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. *TR

CHROME WHEELS DISINTEGRATING. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT WAS COSMETIC AT THE TIME. NOW THE ALUMINUM HAS BECOME POROUS AND I BELIEVE IT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I STARTED GETTING THE CRACK IN MY HATCH BY THE REAR WINDOW IN 2005. IT HAS SPREAD AND GOTTEN WORSE AND I STILL HAVE NOT FIXED IT. LAST YEAR IN 2009 OUR ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF AND WHEN I GO TO BRAKE AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THEY KICK ON AT IRREGULAR TIMES, BUT I ALSO FEEL I DO NOT HAVE THE BRAKING POWER I SHOULD. IN JUNE 2010 I WAS DRIVING THE EXPLORER AND THE O/D LIGHT STARTING BLINKING AND THE EXPLORER WAS SHIFTING OUT OF CONTROL. WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACE AND THE U-JOINTS AND THE REAR AXLE FIXED FOR AROUND $2900. WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY IN JULY 2010. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND TOLD THEM ALL OF MY ISSUES AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TO THIS POINT I WAS AGGRAVATED AND COULDN'T BELIEVE THE WAY THEY HAD TREATED ME AND LET ALONE OTHERS WHO I AM SURE MADE THE SAME CALL. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE EVEN NOW WHEN IT IS IN GEAR IN PARK THE CAR SEEMS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. *TR

1. REPEATED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. O/D LIGHT BLINKING, EXPENSIVE SERVICE, REPEATS EVERY 12 MONTHS OR SO. 2. APPROXIMATELY EVERY 12 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE REQUIRES SERVICE EACH TIME. THE SERVICE RUNS FROM $300 - $1100. 3A. 01/07/05 57,424 MILES: O/D LIGHT LITE. NO CODE WHEN SERVICED. CHANGED $88.00. 3B. 02/02/09 159,777 MILES: CODE P0796. O/D LIGHT BLINKS. REQUIRED SERVICE. REPLACE SHIFT SOLENOID BODY, FLUID AND FILTER ($1,179.85). 3C. 10/13/09 172,769 MILES: O/D LIGHT BLINKS. REQUIRED SERVICE.REPLACED SERVO. $366.40. 3D. 10/14/2010 172,779: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. REQUIRED SERVICE. O2 SENSOR WAS UNPLUGGED DURING PREVIOUS SERVICE. $00.00. *TR

REAR SPRINGS BOTH CRACKED-FRONT & REAR WHEEL BEARINGS BAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE SERIOUSLY IF NOT ALREADY HAS BEEN HURT OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

WHILE PUTTING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER INTO PARK AT A DRIVE UP ATM MACHINE, MY GEAR SHIFT JUST FEEL INTO MY HANDS. I WAS STUCK BLOCKING THE DRIVE WAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE THEY SAY THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTED ABOUT 1500.00 TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT WAS TOO MUCH FOR JUST A SMALL PART THAT WAS BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT COULD NOT REPLACE JUST THE SMALL PART THAT WAS BROKEN. MY SHOP TOLD ME THAT IT COULD NOT FIND THE SMALL PART AND THEY SEE IT THEY CAN GET CERTIFIED WELDER TO WELD THE PART AND IT WOULD COST WAY LESS THEN 1500.00. AS I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE I CAME ACROSS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS I AM HAVING; THE SAME YEAR MODEL, MAKE AND SAME PROBLEM. I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE SHOP ABOUT HOW MUCH IT WILL BE AND HOW SOON I CAN GET MY CAR REPAIRED AND BACK TO ME. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE REVED INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING, RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT WHILE PULLING OFF AN INTERSTATE RAMP. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS APPROX $4000. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 112K MILES ON IT! *TR

O/D LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK WHILE ACCELERATING. TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP. THIS A PERMANENT FAILURE. TOOK TO FORD SERVICE AND WITHOUT INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

VERY LOUD NOISE IN TIRES WHILE DRIVING AND IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER . IT IS MOST LIKELY A WHEEL BEARING ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IN THIS TRUCK SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALARM ON THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGE SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESET THE ALARM YET THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY RECUR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY COULD REPLACE ALL OF THE SENSORS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT THE REPAIR WOULD RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.UPDATED 11/19/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE DOORS, DOME LIGHTS, WINDOWS. RADIO AND POWER SEATS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WOULD THE GET PROBLEM FIXED, BUT IT WOULD SOON RETURN. UPDATED 12/01/10

1. I TOOK OUR 2002 EXPLORER IN FOR THE RECALL OF THE BACK WINDOW. WHEN THEY INSTALLED IT THEY PUT A SMALL CRACK IN PANEL IN THE BACK BELOW THE WINDOW. 2. THE CRACK GREW UNTIL FINALLY THE WHOLE PANEL CRACKED IN HALF. THE EDGE IS QUITE SHARP AND THE PANEL IS A BIT LOOSE NOW. 3. FORD REFUSED TO FIX IT. WE TRACK 2002 EXPLORERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT 1/6 HAVE IT. I SAW ANOTHER TODAY PROMPTING ME TO SEND THIS. HERE ARE RELATED ARTICLES: WWW.FORDPROBLEMS.COM/EXPLORER/CRACKED-REAR-PANEL.SHTML WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2003/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO BE FAILING AS IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AFTER BEING IN A STOPPED POSITION, FOR EXAMPLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT IN AN INTERSECTION SHOULD MY VEHICLE NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY I MAY BE HIT BY ANOTHER CAR! I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED TWICE BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS IN A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR AND HAS COST ME $1400.00. THE REPAIRS SEEM TO WORK FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME THEN THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCUR! I CAN NOT AFFORD TO INVEST ANY MORE MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. I FEEL FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD RECALL THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION, FOR THE GOOD OF THEIR NAME, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THE FAMILIES THAT RELY ON THEIR VEHICLES! *TR

PURCHASED 2002 EXPLORER XLT V6 4.0L ALREADY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING SOLENOID OR WHATEVER OUT.. I HAVE READ REPORTS AND WONDER WHY THIS TRANSMISSION IS NOT RECALLED? I HAVE IT IN SHOP NOW HAVING TO HAVE IT REBUILT AND EVERYTHING CHANGED. ALSO RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS BAD, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS BAD, SUSPENSION SHOT. AND THE RECORDS SHOW THE PREVIOUS OWNERS MAINTAINED EVERYTHING WELL. BUT ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND HAD PROBLEMS AT 99,000MILES. PLEASE DOING SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US OUT HERE. ALSO COOLANT LEAK, ENGINE LEAK, POWER SEAT FAILURE, AND ON. *TR

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH THE 4.0 V6 4X4 , THE TRANSMISSION WE BELIEVE HAS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO OCCUPANTS AND PEDESTRIANS WITH VEHICLE SERGE FROM A LONG DELAY ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION ETHER FORWARD OR REVERSE POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS AND /OR NEARBY OBJECTS/PERSONS AND OR RUNAWAY VEHICLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION NOT DISENGAGED FROM GEAR OR FROM A SUDDEN VEHICLE LAUNCH IF THE DRIVER IS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THINKING THE TRANSMISSION "IS' IN GEAR ,FORD HAS TAKEN A BLIND EYE TO THE PROBLEM IN OUR OPINION FOR FEAR OF PUBLIC BACKLASH/ PUBLIC RELATIONS AND OR DISLIKE FOR THERE TRUCKS/SUV'S. FORD IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY FROM ACCIDENTS THIS COMMON TRANSMISSION ISSUE CAN CAUSE AND I UNDERSTAND FROM RESEARCHING COMPLAINT FORUMS , FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING, WOULDN'T SHIFT, AND THE O/D LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER IN WASILLA, AK THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY KEPT IT FOR 3-4 WEEKS WHILE "REPAIRING" IT. THE FOURTH TIME IT WENT OUT (MAY 2008), IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I HAD TO PURCHASE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. IN AUGUST 2012, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN; IT SIMPLY WOULDN'T ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HAD I BEEN STRANDED (1) IN THE DEAD OF WINTER (WHICH, IN ALASKA, CAN BE 35 BELOW AND LIFE&DEATH SITUATION) OR (2) IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED THAT COOLANT GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION (WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY SEALED?) AND THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN; BUT THE WARRANTY IS VOID. I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS TRANSMISSION. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE - A RECALL?? *TR