Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. I WAS SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND THE SHIFTER BROKE IN MY HAND. NOT A GOOD THING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS DUE TO THE CAST ALUMINUM THAT IS USED IN THE PART. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS, SEEING AS HOW IT HAPPENS DUE TO THE WAY IT WAS MADE NOT DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE IGNITION WAS STARTED AND THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FRACTURED INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF LOCATING THE PART FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.
DOOR AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON ALTHOUGH ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY CLOSED AND LOCKED. DRIVERS SIDE LOCKS ARE INOPERABLE. *TR
OD OFF LIGHT FLASHING, CAUSING THE 02 FORD EXPLORER NOT TO SHIFT PROPERLY, REPLACED TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES AND THE LIGHT IS STILL FLASHING. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS JUNK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER SUDDENLY FRACTURED INTO THE CONTACTS HAND. THERE WHERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO ENGAGE IN THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,250 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,300.
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 120,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP 3RD GEAR. STALLING IN TRAFFIC. FORD DEALER COULD NOT LOOK AT IT FOR 2 DAYS SO WENT TO INDEPENDENT SHOP WHO KNEW THE PROBLEM WELL. NOT ONLY HAD TO REPLACE SOLENOID VALVES, BUT ALSO TORQUE CONVERTER AND REBUILD. HAD TO DRILL OUT ONE PORT AND INSTALL STRONGER LINKAGE PART FORD OFFERED SINCE 2006. *TR
HELLO, I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 FOR EXPLORER. ME AND MY FAMILY WERE DRIVING AND GETTING READY TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR JERKED AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. THEN THE RPM'S WENT UP TO ABOUT 5000. I THEN HAD TO RUN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A SEMI RUNNING US OVER. I HAVE 5 CHILDREN AND WE WERE LUCKY. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO OTHER FAMILIES. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! THANK YOU *TR
LEFT REAR "PERMANENTLY SEALED" WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LXT, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE DOME LIGHT WILL STAY ON. EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE THE ALARM WILL SOUND FOR NO REASON. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN CAUSE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND HAVING THE DOME LIGHT TURN ON HINDERS YOUR VISION AND COULD CAUSE A TRAFFIC CRASH. HAVING THE LIGHT STAY ON AFTER YOU GET OUT ALSO DRAINS THE BATTERY AND CAUSES PROBLEMS WHEN YOU GO TO START IT UP. *TR
2002 EXPLORER'S PANEL ON THE BACK GATE BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE GATE IS CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT SPOTS. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL COME OFF AND CAUSE A TRAFFIC CRASH OR WORSE. *TR
MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT 106K MILES ON MY FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0L. THIS WAS NOT DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE OR UP KEEP! SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL GOING 75 MILES AN HR DOWN THE FREEWAY, SHIFTING OUT OF PLACE, ROUGH, SCARY SHIFTS, SHIMMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION JUMPING ALLOVER THE PLACE IS JUST THE BEGINNING. AFTER 5 TRIPS TO THE MECHANIC, FIRST I DID WIRES, THEN PLUGS, THEN UPDATED COMPUTER, FULL TRANNY FLUSH AND FINALLY HAD TO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE SOLENOIDS IN THE TRANSMISSION BEING DEFECTIVE AND FAULTY PER A FORD SERVICE MANAGER IN OWATONNA, MN. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT FORD WAS LOOKING AT MAKING IT A RECALL, BUT IT WASN'T THE TOP OF THEIR PRIORITY LIST AND MAYBE THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY GET TO IT! HE HAS SEEN MANY OF THESE TRUCKS IN THE SHOP WITH THEIR "BUSY" TRANSMISSIONS, AND THE SAME ISSUES! THIS WAS THE ISSUE ALL ALONG..AFTER ALL OF THE SERVICE APPTS, AND MONEY SPENT NOTHING WAS RESOLVED, UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT! $4K LATER JUST FOR THE TRANNY REPAIR! FOR THEIR FAULTY DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION SOLENOIDS! AS IF THE TRUCK DIDN'T ALREADY COST ENOUGH! AND THE TROUBLESHOOTING "BANDAIDS" (WHICH BETWEEN THE TRANNY, DIAGNOSTICS, LABOR ETC TOTAL WELL OVER $5500!!) I CONTACTED FORD AFTER DIRECTED TO DUE SO MY (THEIR) TECHNICIAN AND EMPLOYEE OF 25 YRS. I READ ALL THE POSTS OF DUPLICATE COMPLAINTS (I SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS IN MY SITUATION!), TO INFORM THEM OF THE MONEY I'VE LOST, TIME INCURRED INTO THIS HEADACHE, AND ALL THE DAYS I WENT WI
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THIS MORNING I WAS GOING AT WORK WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT ARM BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD TO CALL MY WIFE FOR GO AT WORK AND I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. MY CAR IS COMPLETELY UN-DRIVABLE. *TR
ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. O/D LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY BLINKING ON THE DASHBOARD. NEVER TOWED ANYTHING AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED. VERY DISAPPOINTING COMING FROM A LOYAL FORD FAN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL REPEATED PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THAT PEDAL. A POP NOISE WAS ALSO HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FIREWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A WIRE MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING A NEW BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION TOTAL FAIL WHILE DRIVING. *TR
LONG LIST OF REPAIRS MADE THIS SUMMER INCLUDING COMPUTER, AIRBAG SENSORS, A/C WHOLE SYSTEM, MAIN WINDOW CONTROLS AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HINGES ON THE REAR LIFT GATE FRACTURED IN HALF AND THE WINDOW GLASS FELL AND WAS HANGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TIED DOWN THE GLASS TO PREVENT IT FROM FALLING AND SHATTERING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFT GATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
NOISE FROM REAR WHEEL HUB BEARINGS. FORD TSB 05-25-8. I HAVE ONLY 35,000 ON THIS VEHICLE AND AM CONCERNED THAT IF THERE IS A BEARING FAILURE ON A REAR WHEEL HUB YOU COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, CLUNKING AND SEEMS LIKE IT WON'T LAST MUCH LONGER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS ROTATING HIS TIRES WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRINGS HAD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE COIL SPRING. ONE YEAR LATER WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE COIL SPRINGS WERE ALSO FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,994.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE OVER 80 MPH. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL YET THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN RESTARTING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS FROM 5,000 TO 6,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL COMPONENTS OF THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,200.
DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TURNS ON, FOLLOWED BY "O/D OFF" LIGHT FLASHING, FOLLOWED BY ERRATIC SHIFTING BY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK, RESETS AFTER ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. *TR
2ND GEAR OUT OF TRANSMISSION. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU DRIVE IT. THE OD LIGHT BLINKS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AS A RESULT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE OLD TRANSMISSION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME, BUT WON'T BE FOR LONG. *TR
I HAVE A 02 FORD EXPLORER DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN THE OD LIGHT FLASHING LOST POWER IT HARD TO SHIFT IN GEAR AM NOT THE ONLY 1 WIT THIS PROBLEM THERE THOUSAND OF FORD OWNER WIT THIS SAME PROBLEM WHY CANT U GUYS MAKE FORD RECALL THIS PROBLEM TOYOTA MAKE THEY RECALL THEY MANUP TO THEIR PROBLEM WHY CANT FORD DO THAT. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING. THEN THE PASSENGER ASKED ME IF I COULD SMELL TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I HAD SAID YES. THIS ENDED UP COSTING ME $2800 AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS FAILING AND SENSE HE HAD IT APART HE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND REBUILD IT. *TR
LAST NIGHT, THE O/D OFF LIGHT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER STARTED BLINKING. TODAY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE IN NORMAL DRIVE MODE OR REVERSE. IN DOING SOME INVESTIGATING, APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD EXPLORERS. PARTICULARLY THE 2002 MODELS. THIS IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS, BUT UNFAIR THAT FORD HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS VERY COMMON ISSUE. I'M AWAITING AN ANSWER ON WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG WITH MY EXPLORER. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, THE MOST COMMON CAUSE IS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I HOPE FORD DOES THE RIGHT THING AND INSTITUTES A RECALL TO THE MANY DRIVERS OF 2002 EXPLORERS THAT HAVE SUFFERED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILS. *TR
TIMING BELT PLASTIC GEARS WAS SLUNG OFF AND CRACKED A REAR VALVE. HAD TO REPLACE VALVE AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC GEARS. COST APPROXIMATELY $2000-3500, MOSTLY IN PART BECAUSE ENGINE REMOVAL IS NECESSARY TO ACCESS THE TIMING CHAIN. MANY DEALERSHIPS SUGGEST BUYING A NEW ENGINE. IF NOT FIXED, COULD POTENTIALLY HARM SHAFTS, AND/OR OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE TIMING BELT/CHAIN COMPARTMENT AND FURTHER REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL NEED TO BE PURCHASED. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BEEN ERRATIC! THE FRONT ONES WILL COME ON WHENEVER THEY WANT AND ALOT WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED. AS OF LATE THEY COME ON VERY OFTEN AND IS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. TODAY THEY WERE SO UNPREDICTABLE THAT THEY ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH ME AND MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR
O/D AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY SUV EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT AS SOON AS THE LIGHTS GO ON THE SUV TANS STARTS ACTING UP AND SLIP CALLED FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT, HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED SO IT WILL COST 2,300.00 PLUS LABOR. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4 . WHY IS IT THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS YEAR FORD BUT, YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT ! I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEB OF THIS YEAR AND NOW I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM ! I PULLED OUT FROM A GREEN LIGHT THE OTHER DAY AND ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TRANS SLIPPED HAD ALL 4 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME ! MAYBE I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THIS BUT,THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I NEED TO DRIVE ! AND I SURE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS PROBLEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING BESIDES ME ! FORD NEEDS TO FIX THERE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT OR ENDS UP WORSE DEAD !! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR DURING ANY TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITION. THE WIPERS ALSO FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO FRICTION CAUSED BY THE DRY WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED HER CHILD WAS SEATED AND PROPERLY SEATED IN A CHILD RESTRAINT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE CHILD RESTRAINT BEGAN TIPPING FORWARD. SHE FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. THE CONTACT THEN INSPECTED THE REMAINING SEAT BELTS AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, FOLLOWED BY A CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT. THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY IN TRAFFIC AND HAD TO PULL THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT REMAINS UNTIL IT CAN BE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THIS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 4 X 4 V-8. FROM READING ABOUT THIS YEAR OF FORD EXPLORER'S, I SEE THAT IT THE MOST COMMON CAR COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. I HOPE YOU WILL FORCE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THANK FOR YOU HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
I BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER, V-6 4X4 AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT HOME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FRACTURED IN HER HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,000.
WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES ON IT TO DATE. WE TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION AND WERE TOLD THAT 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD BEEN HEARING A LOUD, ALMOST GRINDING NOISE, WHILE DRIVING. THESE ASSEMBLIES, BEING OF POOR QUALITY, MEAN 3 OF THE 4 WHEELS ON OUR VEHICLE WERE LOOSE. I SEE A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER OD LIGHT BLINKING TRANSMISSION SLIPS. *TR
1. WAS DRIVING IN TOWN EXPLORER SHIFTED INTO 2ND HARD AND THEN 3RD GEAR SLOWED THE CAR DOWN THEN SHIFTED LIKE A HARD JERK 2.WAS OCCURRING SEEMS WHEN CAR GET WARMED UP THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND THE OD LIGHT BLINKS AND NOW EVEN COLD THE OD LIGHT BLINKS ALL THE TIME NOW TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION JUST BOUGHT IT 4 MONTHS AGO 3 CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME TO THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL THIS IS HOW I WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY COMPLAINT SO WE CAN ALL GET FIX BY FORD. *TR
VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE TERRIBLE GRINDING/RUBBING NOISE WHILE 50 MILES FROM HOME. ON EXIT RAMP TO MY CITY, IT SWAYED... THE NEXT MORNING MY COUSIN EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FINDING THE RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKEN, AND THE LEFT IN TERRIBLE CONDITION AS WELL. I AM JUST THANKFUL NOTHING BAD HAPPENED ON MY WAY HOME. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS VEHICLE OFF ROAD NOR USED IT TO PULL ANYTHING. AFTER VIEWING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THE "CAR COMPLAINTS" WEB SITE, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN B/F FORD IS FORCED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM????? I HAD TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED, AND I DO HAVE THE OLD SPRINGS! GOOD THING I DID NOT HIT A HUGE BUMP OR POT HOLE ON MY WAY HOME OR HAVE TO SWERVE QUICKLY, I HATE TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT HER OWN EXPENSE AND TO FILE A CLAIM. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10
2002 FORD EXPLORER - THE O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT; IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR HATCH UPPER GLASS PLASTIC TRIM CRACKED NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THIS ALLOWED WATER INTO THE TRIM THAT CAUSED THE BOLTS HOLDING THE LATCH TO RUST THROUGH AND COMPLETELY FAIL. I REPLACED THE ENTIRE GLASS LAST SPRING (2009). THE REPLACEMENT PART ALSO CRACKED IN TWO PLACES AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF MICHIGAN WINTER. THE LATCH BOLTS IN THIS UNIT ARE NOW RUSTING AS WELL. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PLASTIC TRIM EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS AT A DIFFERENT RATE THAN THE GLASS. SINCE THEY ARE BONDED TOGETHER, THE WEAKER PLASTIC FAILS. THE CRACKS CONTRACT AND EXPAND DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON CONTINUED TO BLINK AND FLASH. THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON DOES NOT TURN THE LIGHT OUT AS IT'S DESIGNED TO. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.
O/D DRIVE FLASHING AND CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS ON, VERY NOISE ON THE BACK OF VEHICLE,THE TRUCK ONLY 58,000 ON IT. *TR
O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND IRREGULAR SHIFTING DURING ACCELERATION. 2002 FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. EVERYTIME I LEAVE A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE RPM'S BECOME VERY HIGH (OVER 5,000) AND WILL NOT SHIFT. TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM RACING, I HAVE TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO SHIFT. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY AND WITH A LINE OF CARS BEHIND ME THAT DO NOT ANTICIPATE ME SLOWING DOWN JUST AS I AM ACCELERATING, THIS FORCES THEM TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY UNEXPECTEDLY SO THEY DO NOT RUN INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. THIS IS DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR BOARD. THE ELECTRICAL GAUGES AND COMPONENTS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS HAD FAILED. NEITHER THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
DRIVERS SEAT IS DETACHED FROM FLOOR, MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE SAFELY. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, LOCKS DON'T WORK, DANGEROUS. *TR
JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK RECENTLY THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT LOOKS JUST LIKE NEW EVEN THE ENGINE AND INSIDE PARTS LOOK LIKE NEW. BUT RECENTLY THE TRUCK WOULDN'T REVERSE WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE ESTIMATE SCARED US IT WAS RIDICULOUS. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE JUST CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER BUT HE TOLD US THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD SOME DAMAGED ALREADY. AFTER WE BROUGHT IT BACK FROM THE MECHANIC IT WORKED FINE FOR TWO DAYS THEN THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE YELLOW LIGHT KEEPS ON BLINKING. WE HAVEN'S USED IT SINCE THE PROBLEM DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT WE'RE AFRAID OF IT HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING IT OR IN A PARKING LOT OR SOMETHING. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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