TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SHARP LEFT TURN AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL. HE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS SHREDDED WHICH CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TWO REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED WHICH SHREDDED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE MECHANIC ALSO REPLACED THE TWO REAR TIRES, SPRING SET WITH STANDARD SUSPENSION, PINION SHAFT SEAL, TWO REAR RIMS AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS. ALL REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,898. UPDATED 06/29/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/21/10
2002 Ford Explorer complaints
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 →
DISCOVERED THE REAR HUB BEARINGS ON MY FORD 2002 EXPLORER WERE TOTALLY GONE, IN JANUARY 2010, STARTED WITH A LOUD ROAR IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE AUTO MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND WAS ABOUT TO COME OFF THIS CAR. I HAD THE REPAIR WORK DONE IMMEDIATELY, THEN TODAY, MAY 3 2010 NOTICED THE SAME ROAR, THE AUTO SHOP DEEMED IT THE SAME ISSUE, THE REAR HUB BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AGAIN ON MAY 3. THIS HAS TO BE STOPPED, THIS PROBLEM COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. FMC NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. I WAS LUCKY TODAY, THE JAN 2010 REPAIR WAS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT I MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY THE NEXT TIME. I JUST PRAY IT'S A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. *TR
I HAVE 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 6CYL FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. I LIKE THE VEHICLE BUT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT HAD BEEN FLASHING ON IT FOR AWHILE AND THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $2000 TO GET A REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN WHICH FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND DOESN'T LAST VERY LONG ANYWAYS AND 5000 FOR A NEW ONE THAT WONT LAST A WHOLE LOT LONGER. I THINK FORD DID A VERY POOR JOB OF STANDING BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES. THEY HAVEN'T EVEN OFFERED A REDESIGNED TRANSMISSION OR ANYTHING SO IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU MITE AS WELL SCRAP THE VEHICLE CUZ IT WILL COST TOO MUCH TO FIX AND ITS NOT GOING TO LAST ANY WAYS. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GRIND , SLIP, THEN JUST STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR
O/D LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK. THE BLINKING AS OCCURRED BEFORE AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I ALREADY SPEND A COUPLE THOUSANDS DOLLARS TO FIXED THE TRANSMISSION B/C TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,930.
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT EJECTED A SPARK PLUG. THE SPARK PLUG WAS ORIGINAL (IT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAD NEVER BEEN CHANGED). MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO CHURCH WHEN THE SPARK PLUG WAS COMPLETELY EJECTED AND BROKE THE COIL MOUNT. THIS ALLOWS FUEL VAPOR TO ESCAPE FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD AND COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. LUCKILY, MY WIFE DIDN'T EXPERIENCE AN ENGINE FIRE SINCE SHE WAS PULLING INTO HER DESTINATION WHEN IT HAPPENED AND SHUT OFF THE MOTOR. THE SPARK PLUG EJECTION STRIPPED THE THREADS FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW FELL OFF TRACK. HE ATTEMPTED TO KEEP THE WINDOW IN PLACE BY USING DUCT TAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000, STRUCTURE BODY, HATCHBACK/LIFT GATE, HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS WHICH WAS RELATED TO HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.
FORD 2002 EXPLORER XLT LIMITED. I HAVE HAD A MYRIAD OF ISSUES, WHICH UPON RESEARCH APPEAR COMMON TO THE EXTREME. FRONT & REAR BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. SPRINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING -- O/D LIGHT BLINKS, SES LIGHT ACTIVATES, AND VEHICLES OVER-REVS, SLIPS, AND WILL NOT OPERATE IN OVERDRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION DESIGN IS COMPLETELY SEALED, SO I CANNOT EVEN CHECK FOR FLUID LEVELS, NOR DO ANY PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WHATSOEVER. THERE IS NO WARNING, JUST FAILURE. ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL YEAR ARE SO PREVALENT THAT LOCAL MECHANICS NEED ONLY ASK THE MODEL AND YEAR AND CAN ITEMIZE THE PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED, AND PUBLIC FORUMS ARE FULL OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT SUDDENLY BROKE OFF IN THE CONTACTS HAND AND THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER REPLACEMENT KIT WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE OR THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE DEALER'S DISCOVERY OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 11/9/10 *CN UPDATED 11/16/10*JB
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER TO CHURCH SUNDAY MORNING 4-18-10 WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING !! BITS OF A PISTON AND ROD CAME RIGHT THRU THE BLOCK, LEAVING A HOLE BIG ENOUGH TO PUT YOUR FIST IN ! THIS EXPLORER ONLY HAS 63,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT FROM A FORD DEALER. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS YEAR AND MODEL HAVE HAD, WHY HAS FORD NOT HAD A RECALL??? IT IS ABSOLUTELY A LEMON - AND I FEEL LIKE SUING THEM !! CAN YOU HELP ME?? *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER. ONLY OWNER 115,000 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY, WELL MAINTAINED. O/D LIGHT FLASHES, WARNING MESSAGE TO CHECK TRANSMISSION. IMMEDIATELY TAKEN INTO FORD SERVICE SHOP. CHARGED $90 FOR DIAGNOSIS: SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THEY WILL REQUIRE APPROVAL OF $720 TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. WHEN ASKED FURTHER QUESTIONS, I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD RANGE FROM THE $720 - $3,000 + . I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP TODAY. WAS TOLD BY THE MAN AT THE SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. HE ACTUALLY WAS ASKING ME IF IT DID THIS OR THAT....YES. HIS PRICE FOR REPAIR WAS THOUSANDS LESS THAN FORD'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND I AM NOT BEING ASKED TO PRE-PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS HIGHLY COMMON ON THE 02 EXPLORER. I HAD JUST LEFT THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I HAD GONE FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND MULTI-POINT INSPECTION. THEY TOLD MY THAT THEY VEHICLE WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. LITERALLY 5 MINUTES AFTER I LEFT THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME. *TR
DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND BEEPING SENSOR IS ALWAYS GOING OFF. CAUSING THE DOORS TO UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO CAUSING THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT TO TURN ON AND OFF. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND ALOT OF FORD EXPLORERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS STARTING SLIPPING AND FAILING TO GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT WASN'T ON THEN COMES ON AND GOES OUT - DEPENDING ON WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IT APPEARS TO NEED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION NOW. IN LOOKING UP INFORMATION ON THIS I NOTICED A RATHER LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. I REGARDED FORD AS A SUPERIOR BRAND AND DIDN'T THINK I'D HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND DOES NOT HAVE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MILES. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY MACHINING OF PISTON PATHWAYS IN THE TRANSMISSION CASING. MY EXPLORER WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE OUT ON THE INTERNET AND YET FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECALL. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING, HARD SHIFTING. OUR 2002 EXPLORER (91,000 MILES) HAS THE ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I'M VERY SURPRISED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME PROBLEM. FROM ALL THAT I'VE READ, THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT FORD HAS IGNORED. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, YOU WILL FIND THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I'M REPORTING THIS TO YOU IN THE HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO FORCE FORD TO DEAL WITH IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE DRIVERS REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS WERE BREAKING OFF IN PIECES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATOR. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SHIFTING HARD FOR MONTHS BUT IT IS CONSIDERED BY FORD TO BE A "SEALED" UNIT AND IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT THE CUSTOMER MAINTAIN THE FLUID LEVEL, SO THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. IN JAN 2010 THE ACCELERATOR STUCK WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND WE WERE OUT OF CONTROL, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE AND HAD TO TURN OF THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO SHOULDER AFTER BRUSHING THE GUARD RAIL AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REAR ENDED. THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING THAT DAY AND IT WAS TOUGH TO REACH 60MPH. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I SHOPPED AROUND FOR DIAGNOSTIC. INDEPENDENT TRANS. GUY SAID IT NEEDS COMPLETE REBUILD, FORD DLR AGREES BUT FOR TWICE THE COST. NEW PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. IT MAKES NO SENSE WHY THIS CAR JUST STARTED TO FAIL ON ME LIKE THIS, I'M THE FIRST OWNER AND NOW ITS JUST DECIDED TO DIE AND FORD HAS BEEN NO HELP WHAT SO EVER. NOW I'M LOOKING AT A REPAIR THAT IS 80% OF THE BLUEBOOK VALUE. EACH MECHANIC I'VE BROUGHT IT TO SAYS THIS PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC TO THIS MODEL/YEAR AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. WHY WOULD THEY PUT IN A TRANS. THAT CANNOT BE REASONABLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED AND DIES JUST AFTER 100K MI. I HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BELIEVING THIS WAS NOT PLANNED BY FORD AND I WILL NEVER BUY THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN! MY CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE ENOUGH TO DRIVE TO THE GROCERY STORE LET ALONE THE FREEWAY. THIS IS A CLEAR CASE OF IRRESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURING PRACTICES ON FORDS PART A
WHILE IN TRAFFIC TODAY, MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY LOST DRIVE POWER. FORTUNATELY, THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS NOT TAILGATING AND NOTICED MY VEHICLE SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY. I NOW FIND THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD 2002 EXPLORER. IN FACT ON ONE WEB SITE ALONE, WWW.AUTOBEEF.COM I SEE OVER 861 COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ALONE ALL WITH 2002 EXPLORERS. TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND AT HIGHER SPEED COULD CERTAINLY BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO LAST YEAR REPLACED BOTH REAR SPRINGS THAT HAD FAILED AND BROKE COMPLETELY AFFECTING BRAKING. *TR
2002 EXPLORER SHIFTED FUNNY FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED IT NEW. I FIGURED NATURE OF THE BEAST AS A 4X4. LITTLE DID I KNOW, THESE TRANSMISSIONS WERE JUNK FROM THE BEGINNING, AND NOW THEY ARE ALL FALLING APART. MINE SELF DESTRUCTED AT 61,000 MILES. AFTER THE REPAIR, IT STILL SHIFTED AS CRAPPY AS IT DID THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. NOW ONLY 10,000 MILES LATER, IT IS SHOWING SIGNS THAT FAILURE IS NEAR AGAIN. IF THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT RECALLED, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ON THE VEHICLE BROKE WHICH THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF DURING A BRAKE INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS WERE THE SAME USED ON THE FORD TAURUS MODEL AND THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURES WITH THE SPRINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 250,000.
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED BLINKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO;THEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO STICK WHEN ACCELERATING. AFTER I DRIVE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE TRUCK SEEMS TO JERK AGAIN BEFORE GETTING IN GEAR. I WILL TAKE TO AUTO SHOP AGAIN THIS WEEK. *TR
SEALED TRANSMISSION IN 02 FORD EXPLORER. TANNY SHIFTS HARD THEN OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHES, STARTS SHIFTING INTO OD HARD THEN NOT AT ALL, THEN HARD THEN BACK AND FORTH ALOT. NO WAY TO CHECK FLUID. ALL FORD OFFERS IS A REBUILT AT 3000.00 DOLLARS. *TR
THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING O HAPPEN. MY PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW IN 2002 EXPLORER MAY SOON FLY AND HIT ANOTHER CAR ON THE FREEWAY AND CAUSE A BIG ACCIDENT. THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM HUNDREDS OF OTHER FORD EXPLORERS. A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE MAJOR ACCIDENTS HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
1. O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, CAR WAS JERKING WHEN SLOWING AND ACCELERATING. 2. ALMOST EVERY TIME STARTING AND STOPPING VEHICLE JERKS. 3. REMOVE AND REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, FM68 TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL KIT, OVERDRIVE BAND ASSEMBLY, INTER BAND ASSEMBLY, SERVO BUSHING KIT, BUSHING KIT. AS OF APRIL 5TH 2010 O/D LIGHT FLASHING AGAIN AND VEHICLE JERKS WHEN SLOWING AND ACCELERATING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER SRA TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY FORD EXPLORER WENT OUT AFTER THE OD LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING... FORD THE TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS EXPLORER IT IS REALLY A PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE WE WERE MOVING, IN IT WERE SOME BELONGINGS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN IT SHIFTED GEARS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND THE RPMS WENT UP TO 4000 - 5000. AFTER A MINUTE THE CAR SHIFTED INTO THE NEXT GEAR AND IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE. THEN THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE DASH. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY. I HAVE SEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THE PROBLEM LISTED ON THE INTERNET FOR MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE INTERMITTENT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 5/24/10 *CN UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT (4.0L 5R55W) TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT AS UNABLE TO PASS THROUGH INTERSECTION IN A TIMELY MANNER. WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, TRANSMISSION WOULD WIND BEFORE VIOLENTLY ENGAGING. REMEDY WAS TO TAKE FOOT OF ACCELERATOR AND ALLOW RPMS TO DECREASE. INCREASED ACCELERATION TIME IN LOWER GEARS A DANGER WHEN TRYING TO CROSS LANES OF TRAFFIC. *TR
FORD 2002 6 CYLINDER EXPLORER XLT O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHING ON DASHBOARD. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED WITH 100,800 MILE. HAD REBUILT TRANSMISSION DONE AT 100,800 MILES. NOW VEHICLE HAS 109,900 MILES AND OD/OFF LIGHT FLASHING AGAIN. WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION IS FALLING APART. BACK IN TRANSMISSION SHOP AGAIN. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SAME COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD WILL NOT HELP AT ALL! FORD NEEDS TO RECALL TRANSMISSION. *TR
O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND ENGINE REVVING LIKE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *TR
SHIFTER HANGS-UP WHEN TRYING TO PUT CAR IN PARK. WHEN CAR WAS NEW THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE TRANS. APART TO FIX IT BUT IN A FEW MONTHS THE BURR WOULD WEAR AND IT WOULD WORK FINE.(ANOTHER DEALER LIE). I THINK IT IS GETTING WORSE. THE CAR NOW HAS ONLY 28,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER -- A CRACK APPEARS IN THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW GLASS. *TR
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE FORD WINDOW REGULATOR. I KNOW THAT THE F150 I BELIEVE HAS HAD THE SAME COMPLAINTS. HOWEVER, I CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. BOTH WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BROKE ON MY VEHICLE A WEEK APART. I BELIEVE THAT SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORD VEHICLE WINDOW REGULATORS THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I KNOW THAT AFTER A CERTAIN YEAR FORD HAD CHANGED THE WAY POWER WINDOWS WORKED. WELL, NOW THE WINDOW CABLE ON BOTH BACK WINDOWS HAS SNAPED. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT FORD TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AND TO SUGGEST A RECALL FOR THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. THANK YOU.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND THE O/D LIGHT IS STARTING TO BLINK AND BY READING UP ON THIS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ARE BEING MADE AND FORD SHOULD ADDRESS THIS.
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS COMING ON AND OFF. FINALLY I TOOK IT FOR INSPECTION AND IT DIDN'T PASS BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE CONCERN. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND BECAUSE THERE IS NO A RECALL THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, DESPIDE OF ALL HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. PROBABLY WAITING TILL SOMEONE DIE...TOYOTA IS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF IGNORING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS...
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC. TRANSMISSION BROKEN IN 3RD FEAR. OD LIGHT STARTING FLASHING WITH NO WARNING AND THEN TRANSMISSION BROKE. THE CAR HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AT AROUND 75,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER. IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AGAIN. 2,400. - 3,000 TO FIX.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE REAR TIRES WERE SMOKING AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL SHE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE COMPLETLY RUSTED AND BROKE IN SEVERAL PLACES..I REALIZE THAT MY VECHILE IS NOW 8 YEARS OLD AND HAS 100,000 MILES BUT I'VE READ ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE SPRINGS BREAKING AND BLOWING TIRES. NOW IM PAYING CLOSE TO 400 DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS REPLACED. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AND STOP NEGLECTING THEM BUYING CHEAP MATERIAL AND PLAYING WITH PEOPLE LIVES AND SAFETY. THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND FIX ALL VECHILES OF THIS YEAR...
2002 FORD EXPLORER. O/D LIGHT FLASHING WITH SERVICE ENGINE SOON FLASHING. CAR JERKING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. FORD SAYS TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION BUT AFTER READING SO MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS INCIDENT.
2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. WHILE SHIFTING THE CAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE SHIFTING LEVER SIMPLY SNAPPED OFF, LEAVING THE CAR STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. THE PIECE OF ALUMINUM WHERE THIS SHEARING OCCURRED IS UNBELIEVABLY WEAK MATERIAL. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE FOR THIS EXACT YEAR OF EXPLORER. THE ESTIMATE THAT I RECEIVED FOR REPAIRS EXCEEDED $2,000, AS THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO CORRECT THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS, HOWEVER, THE FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM, THE RANGE OF MILEAGE THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR IN (95-106K), AND THE EXTREMELY HIGH COST TO FIX, IN MY OPINION, SHOULD REQUIRE MANUFACTURER ASSISTANCE
BLEND DOOR IN ALL FORD EXPLORERS CAUSES NO HEAT, ICY FOGGY WINDSHIELDS!!!!
BROKEN REAR SPRINGS CAUSING STRUTS TO FAIL
ENGINE KNOCK IN ALL 4.6 FORD EXPLORER ENGINES-KNOW BY FORD, DUE TO FAULTY CYLINDER HEADS
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BOWER THAT I BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE 88000 MILES ON IT AND ROUGHLY 3WEEKS AGO THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" WARNING COMES UP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION COSTING BETWEEN $2,200-$3,500. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER.
WAS DRIVING ON FLAT ROAD CAR STARTED TO SHIFT FUNNY CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR SHIFTS SECOND GEAR TO THIRD GEAR VEHICLE NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION
BACK GLASS BREAKING UPON SHUTTING DOOR , DRVIERS DOOR
Reading these
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.
Full record for the 2002 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →