2002 Ford Explorer complaints

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 LIMITED WITH 2 BROKEN COIL SPRINGS 127,000MI. *TR

I PULLED UP TO THE GAS PUMP AND PUT THE EXPLORER INTO PARK. AS I GOT OUT, IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS..AS IT ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, I HUNG ON TO THE DOOR AND WAS ABLE TO GET BACK IN AND BRING IT TO A STOP. I SAT THERE IN SHOCK FOR A MINUTE AS SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WITNESSED THIS WERE IN HORROR..I PUT IT BACK INTO PARK.I WAS LUCKY THE EXPLORER DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR,ANY PEOPLE OR RUN ME OVER!! SINCE THAT TIME,ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO,I HAVE A HARD TIME WITH PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AT TIMES..IT SEEMS TO GET STUCK AROUND REVERSE..SO, I AM VERY CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK,IT IS IN FACT,IN PARK! *TR

OWNED 2002 EXPLORER SINCE OCT 2004- WITHIN 10 MONTHS OF OWNING CAR I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, OTHER THAN DEDUCTIBLE, THE REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED, MINUS THE FEES FOR RENTAL CAR FOR 3 DAYS. NOW, FEB 19, 2010, MY O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION IS OUT AGAIN; HIS TIME THE FULL EXPENSE PLUS RENTAL CAR WILL BE OUT OF MY POCKET AND COST WILL BE BETWEEN $1800-$2800 DEPENDING WHAT ALL NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND REPLACED ONCE IT IS OPENED UP IN REPAIR SHOP. *TR

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS, WE BEGAN EXPERIENCING DELAYED SHIFTING ON OCCASION. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSE UNTIL OCCASIONALLY, AFTER MAKING A TURN, IT WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR IMPEDING ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. IT ALSO HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR AFTER BACKING UP OUT OF PARKING SPACES. THIS ALMOST CAUSED US TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND ONE DAY WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT BEHIND US WITHOUT LOOKING. LUCKILY IT WENT INTO GEAR JUST IN TIME SO THAT I COULD MOVE THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND OUT OF THE WAY. EVENTUALLY THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO HIGH GEAR AND DOWNSHIFTS HARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IN NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH JUST OUR EXPLORER AS I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE EXACT PROBLEMS. NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *TR

FORD EXPLORE 2002 4.0L V6 SUDDEN AND TOTAL FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 122,000 MILES. OD LIGHT FLASHES AND TRANSMISSION INSPECTION BY MECHANIC REVEALS IT IS JUNK. DESPITE CAREFUL MAINTENANCE THIS SUV IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED THE LIST OF PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THIS VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLY THE MOST POORLY ENGINEERED VEHICLE SINCE THE VEGA! *TR

THE RPMS WERE SPIKING THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "OVER DRIVE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WITHOUT WARNING WITH AN INCREASE IN THE RPM'S. THE TRANSMISSION ONLY SHIFTED INTO THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED UNEXPECTEDLY INTO THIRD GEAR. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

ON MY WAY TO DO MORNING DROP OFF FOR SCHOOL, MY 2002 2WD, 6CY FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT,WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WITH VERY BUSY ONCOMING TRAFFIC HEADED TOWARDS MY SON IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THANKFULLY TRAFFIC WAS ALERT ON THIS MORNING AND SLOWED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO CROSS! NOW I AM TOLDI NEED A NEW TRANS. AND SON AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED IN THE PROCESS! PLEASE RECALL THIS ITEM AND MAKE FORD DO GOOD BY ITS CUSTOMERS AS I HAD NO LUCK WITH THEM! PS MY MILEAGE IS ONLY 105,000 FOR AN 8 YEAR OLD CAR. *TR

FORD EXPLORER 02' THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING LATER ON AFTER THE CAR RESTING IN DRIVEWAY THE TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD, TIRES WOULDN'T SPIN NOTHING! TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED AND TRANSMISSION WAS AT FAULT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM SECOND TO THIRD. EMAILED FORD, THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE TRANSMISSION EVEN AFTER HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. *TR

O/D LIGHT IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER STARTS FLASHING. DEALER TOLD ME WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER SOME RESEARCH SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS PARTICULAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR. *TR

I WAS LEAVING A FRIEND'S HOUSE... PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND; ONLY CONNECTED BY THE RUBBER AND THE WIRE INSIDE. THE METAL CONNECTION ACTUALLY JUST SNAPPED IN HALF! I WAS GLAD I WASN'T STUCK IN DRIVE OR ANYTHING I HAD MY 20 MONTH OLD NIECE IN THE CAR! THIS COULD HAVE ENDED REALLY REALLY BAD! IF FORD KNOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE!?! I GOT ONE ESTIMATE FROM THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO; $1795+7% SALES TAX! I CALLED AROUND AND FOUND A PLACE TO GET A USED STEERING COLUMN PUT IN FOR $1000+TAX BUT I HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED ANOTHER 40 MILES TO GET IT TO THAT SHOP... SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES FROM THIS PARTS FAILURE! IT'S SEEMS SENSELESS FOR FORD TO SIT BY AND DO NOTHING IF THEY CAN ACT NOW AND SAVE LIVES! *TR

MY FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS APPROXIMATELY SEPT 2008 WHEN I PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY AND FELT AN ODD BUMP UPON LEAVING THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING WHEN I STOPPED AND TOOK THE CAP OFF OF THE LUG NUTS I NOTICED THE STUDS WHERE BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR. THOUGHT WE HAD IT FIXED BY HAVING THE STUDS REPLACED. WRONG ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WAS TOLD THE HUB AND BEARING NEEDED REPLACED SO WE REPLACED THEM. UPON INSPECTION THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR HAD STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. SO WE REPLACED THAT SIDE AS WELL. THAT LASTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND WE WENT TO HAVE NEW TIRES PUT ON THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC SAID THAT OUR BEARINGS WERE BAD AGAIN AND NEEDED REPLACED. SO WE DID REPLACE THEM. ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE STUDS BREAKING OFF. IN ONE INCIDENT I LOST ALL LUG NUTS BUT ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT ONCE WITH MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR MY FAMILY BEING THAT WE DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE AND CANT AFFORD ANOTHER BUT YET CAN'T FIND WHY THIS PROBLEM ISN'T AND APPARENTLY CANT' BE FIXED. I'VE DONE EVERYTHING THE GARAGE HAS TOLD ME TO DO. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS MY PROBLEM IS THAT I'M NOT PUTTING GOOD QUALITY FORD PARTS IN THERE FROM THEM. CAN ANY ONE HELP. UPON RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT HAS DONE THIS. *TR

$4000 TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER...O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND "CHECK TRANSMISSION" MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE MESSAGE CENTER. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONGST THIS CAR... *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION,4.0 V6. OD LIGHT FLASHES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,. TRANSMISSION HESITATES THEN CLUNKS INTO GEAR. I TOOK CAR TO GARAGE, HAD THE SOLENOIDS REPLACED, FLUID AND FILTER. STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER FRONT OUT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT IN COLD TEMPERATURES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE FORD DEALER AND CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECTLY REMEDY THE SITUATION. AT ONE POINT THE DEALER TO GET RID OF ME HE INSTALLED LOW-FRICTION TEFLON TAPE ON THE D-RING BUT THAT DID NOT HELP AT ALL. THE RETURN SPRING IS TOO WEAK TO CARRY THE LOAD. THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM BECAUSE THE WEBBING IS CATCHING ON TO THE DOOR AS IT IS CLOSING CAUSING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING TO FRITTER AND EVENTUALLY TO TEAR INTO PIECES. PLEASE LOOK AND INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER IMMEDIATELY. IF THIS COMPLAINT DOES NOT REQUIRE FULL FLEDGED RECALL, I AM WILLING TO GET THE DEALER TO REPLACE FRONT SEAT BELTS AT FORD EXPENSE. *TR

I BROUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE I NOTICED A VERY LOUD RUBBING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR COILS WERE CRACKED. MY VEHICLE IS A "SOCCER MOM" CAR AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE COILS, REAR ROTORS AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE FROM THE COILS. MY VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000 MILES. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT. MY SUV HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING OR UNUSUAL FAST DRIVING. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOW RANDOMLY ALLOWS FOR UNUSUALLY HIGH RPMS BEFORE CHANGING GEARS. THIS RESULTED SEVERAL TIMES IN REAR WHEEL SLIPPING AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN MAKING A U-TURN, THE REAR END OF THE CAR SPUN OUT INTO AN UNINTENDED ADJACENT LANE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, A SIMPLE LEFT TURN ONTO A TWO LANE ROAD RESULTED IN THE REAR END OF THE CAR GOING OFF OF THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW MAKING NOISES AND CHANGING GEARS SLOWLY. FROM RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED THOUSANDS OF TIMES WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ESTIMATED COSTS TO REPAIR DESIGN FLAW RANGE FROM $2700 TO $4000. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER HOME LAST WEEK WHEN SHE WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. SHE NOTICED THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK VERY FAST AND WHEN SHE WENT TO PULL AWAY, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO 2ND BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR AND THE RPM'S WOULD GO REAL HIGH. COULD NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET FORD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MAYBE IT WILL HAVE TO FAIL TO SOMEONE ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMEONE GETS HURT. VEHICLE HAD 115K MILES. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE INSTEAD OF RECALLING CHEAP FIXES. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE ALSO HAD BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS THAT I HAD TO FIX 3-4 YEARS AGO. PLUS THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ALREADY ON THIS VEHICLE. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE SCRAPPED. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED ELECTRICAL ISSUES: 1)WHEN I PUSH THE REAR DEFROSTER BUTTON THE 'DOOR AJAR ' NOTICE COMES ON 2)WHEN THE REAR DEFROSTER IS ON THE MIRROR ADJUSTMENT SWITCH DOES NOT WORK 3)IF I LEAVE THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND LOCK IT WITH THE KEY FARB THE HORN BEEPS TWICE (INDICATING THE DOOR IS AJAR) AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON. I HAVE TO EITHER SWITCH THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO OFF OR MANUALLY TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHT OFF. 4)THE BACK UP BEEPER SWITCH SOMETIMES GOES OFF WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THANKS FOR HELPING ME OUT. *TR

ON DEC 4TH 2009, MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS DRIVING FINE ONE MINUTE AND THE NEXT THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE O/D LIGHT BLINKING WENT AWAY. THE VERY NEXT DAY AGAIN, WITH THE LIGHT ONCE AGAIN FLASHING, THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS ENGAGED; HOWEVER THE RPM REVVED UP BETWEEN 3 AND 4. THROUGHOUT THAT SAME DAY, I ATTEMPTED TO GET VEHICLE INTO DRIVE MODE...EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE JUST INCHED FORWARD AND FINALLY STOPPED MOVING ALTOGETHER. AFTER A CONSULTATION WITH MY LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP.. I WAS DISHEARTEN TO LEARN THAT IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A BAD TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS VERY COMMON WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS..I'D HAVE TO PAY $2868....SINCE THIS INCREDIBLE REVELATION, I'M DISCOVERING FORD KNOWS ALL ABOUT BUT REFUSES TO DO THE CONSCIONABLE THING AND RECALL THESE DEFECTIVE, DANGEROUS BUT COSTLY VEHICLES. I REGRETTABLE PAID THE $2868 REPAIR CHARGE FOR A REBUILT TRANNY WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ASSISTANCE FROM FORD. MY VEHICLE IS PAID OFF AND I REALLY CANT AFFORD TO JUST INVEST CLOSE TO 3K IN A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FORD CORPORATION IS FULLY AWARE BUT DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO STILL BUY AMERICAN AND WANT TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS. BUT SINCE FORD REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, IT MAY FORCE A LOYAL CUSTOMER TO GO ELSEWHERE IN THE FUTURE WHEN PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED ON

FAULTY TRANSMISSION ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. OD LIGHT FLASHES AND TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT. IF CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER V6 AND THE O/D LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING PERIODICALLY FOR THE PAST YEAR. THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AT VARIOUS TIMES. RECENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS 'ROUGH' AND AT ABNORMAL TIMES. *TR

EVENT/SITUATION: HESITATES AND CHOKES AT 40-45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, ALONG WITH A SLIGHT RUBBING SENSATION FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND GAS PEDDLE. THEY ADVISED REPLACING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THEY ALSO STATED A WEAK BATTERY WHICH WAS REPLACED. THIS DID SEEM TO FIX VARIOUS FAULTY FALSE ELECTRICAL ISSUES: INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYING ON AND FALSE LIGHT/DASHBOARD READINGS. FAULTY TRANSMISSION, EMISSIONS OR PLUGS/WIRING HAVE BEEN POSSIBILITIES. I'VE TAKEN IT TO GOODYEAR WHO RECOMMENDED CHANGING OUT THE PLUGS AND WIRES, ALONG WITH A FLUSH. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT FLUSHES CAN RUIN PARTS ON OLDER VEHICLES AND CAUSE OTHER EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS. I FOUND A FEW WEBSITES WERE THERE ARE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND AWARE OF THESE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS, COVERING UP WITH OTHER LITTLE RECALLS LIKE THE WIRING HARNESS. I, LIKE MANY, ARE BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND MAKE FORD PAY FOR RECALLS AND REPAIRS. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ITS OIL CHANGE AND A WIRING RECALL APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO, IN JANUARY 2010. HERE IS THE WEBSITE WITH MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORER OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS WHO DEMAND A RESPONSIBLE/RELIABLE RECALL FIX FROM FORD. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/O_D_LIGHT_IS_BLINKING.SHTML. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. THIS PAST MAY MY EXPLORER'S O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I NEARLY IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS WRECKED TO THE TUNE OF $2,500. AFTER MUCH INTERNET RESEARCH IS SEEMS AS THOUGH MANY THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FORD SEEMS TO BE DOING NOTHING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES THE WAY THAT TOYOTA HAS! *TR

I HAD TO GO INTO TOWN. SOME ROADS WERE SNOW AND ICE COVERED. ON A SMALL HILL MY VEHICLE STARTED SPINNING AND FISH TAILING TRYING TO GET UP. I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF TRACTION AND HANDLING PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT WAS UNEXPECTED. I MANAGED TO TURN AROUND IN TRAFFIC AND TOOK ANOTHER ROUTE. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. I REALIZED THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS NOT WORKING. I TRIED TO MANUALLY ENGAGE IT WITHOUT SUCCESS. I EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO A FORD DEALER. AFTER CHECKING THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE 4X4 MODULE WAS BAD. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET CHECKING, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY CLAIM THAT THE FAILURE HAPPENS AFTER THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FOR SOME REASON. MY VEHICLE HAD A RECALL TO REMEDY A SPEED CONTROL DEFECT ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER. THE PROBLEM ALSO SEEMS TO AFFECT 2002 EXPLORERS MORE THAN OTHER MODELS. THE LOSS OF THE AUTOMATIC 4 WHEEL DRIVE CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AFFECTING NOT ONLY THE EXPLORER BUT OTHER VEHICLES ALSO. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS UNEXPECTED AND NO PANEL LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN AUTOMATIC 4 WHEELED DRIVE. THE ONLY INDICATION IS THE LIGHT IN THE SELECTION PUSHBUTTON WHICH CAN NOT BE SEEN IN DAYTIME DRIVING WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS ON WHICH DIMS THE PANEL LIGHTS. NO FAILURE INDICATION AND THE LOSS OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN YOU EXPECT IT TO BE THERE CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

O/D OFF LIGHT SUDDENLY STARTED FLASHING IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WAS JUST DRIVING AND THE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. ALSO, THERE IS HARD SHIFTS WHEN PLACING THE SUV IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0 ENGINE. REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE. THE VEHICAL HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF-ROAD AND THE SPRINGS DO NOT HAVE SURFACE RUST BUT BOTH ARE BROKEN. CAR IN FOR RECALL ON CRUISE CONTROL AND FORD "FOUND" ISSUE. TURNS OUT IT IS VERY COMMON IN THIS MODEL AND FORD DEALERS FIND IT A GREAT WAY TO MAKE EXTRA DOLLARS. U-HAUL WILL NOT RENT TRAILERS TO OWNERS OF FORD EXPLORERS. THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY CLAIMS BUT WILL NOT REVEAL NATURE OF CLAIMS. FORD SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO COMMENT ON ISSUE. I CAN FORWARD E-MAILS FROM BOTH U-HAUL AND FORD STATING SUCH. *CN

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING AND MY TRANSMISSION NEXT TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. I'VE HEARD OF MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM 2002 EXPLORER OWNER LIKE ME. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE FOR ME IF KNOWS ABOUT THIS WHY DON'T THEY STEP TO THE PLATE AND OFFER A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. FORD IS ENJOYING A LOT OF SUCCESS AND IT'S A SHAME THEY CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS LIKE ME AND OTHERS. *TW

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ABOUT 75,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE, AND THEY PERFORMED A MULTI-POINT INSPECTION. DURING THIS INSPECTION, THEY SAID THAT BOTH OF MY REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. I FOUND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE I DON'T TOW ANYTHING AND I DRIVE CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. THROUGH INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS AS THEY COULD PUNCTURE A TIRE LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. THE COST OF THE SPRINGS SEEMS TO BE ABOUT $125 PLUS LABOR. *TW

WHEEL BEARINGS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS WHERE IDENTIFIED AS BEING WORN OUT (DANGEROUSLY) TO THE POINT WHERE THE WHEELS COULD HAVE COME OFF THE VEHICLE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THIS WAS ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH JUST UNDER 55,000. THIS INCLUDED ALL WHEEL BEARINGS AND BEARINGS LOCATED IN THE REAR END (DIFFERENTIAL) CAUSING A LOUD WHINING NOISE. *TW

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING ON THE DASH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIP INTO AND OUT OF NEUTRAL. I EXECUTED AN ONLINE SEARCH AS MOST DO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND WAS AMAZED AT THE THOUSANDS OF GOOD FOLKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MOST CONTACTED FORD AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO GO TO THE DEALER THAT RESULTED IN CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION AT THE COST OF THE OWNER. LATER THE SAME PROBLEM AROSE AFTER THESE PEOPLE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO SAY THE LEAST... A VEHICLE THAT SHIFTS GEARS ERRATICALLY, UNCONTROLLABLE RPM, AND BRAKING ISSUES VIA RECALL 09S09 (SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION) IS NOT FIXING ANYTHING BUT VEHICLE FIRE SAFETY. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS SERIOUS ATTENTION, AS A VEHICLE LIKE MY OWN SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR, MIGHT POSSIBLY HAVE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND INJURE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE/ AND OR OTHERS. I ENCOURAGE THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER TO SEARCH THE WEB FOR O/D LIGHT FLASHING ON THE WEB TO SEE THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE....... *TR

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THE "O/D OFF" STARTED BLINKING. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. *TR

I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER XLT 2002, AND AT 160 000KLM THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THROUGH P-R-N-D-1-2-3, WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A HARD "CLUNK" AFTER LOOKING AT UNIVERSAL JOINTS, BUSHINGS, CROSSMEMBERS AND DIFF SLAKE I REALIZED ITS THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER 2000 KLM THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND IT'S GETTING WORST... THIS TRUCK IS LIKE A GM , WHEN PROBLEMS START THEY ALL FOLLOW THROUGH ONE AFTER THE OTHER. WHAT A LEMON. HAD TO GO 2000 KLM FOR A CHRISTMAS GATHERING WITH ALL FAMILY AND KIDS, AND ALL CAME FROM PARTS OF THE WORLD CAUSE PARENTS ARE GETTING VERY OLD. SO I HAD TO PUT MY FAMILY THROUGH SAD TIME AND NOT GO TO THE GET TOGETHER OF THE LIFETIME. FORD DIDN'T COME THROUGH FOR US. *TR

ON 01/29/2010, I TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 TO KILL BRAKE & WHEEL TO HAVE NEW TIRES PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN/MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE LEFT REAR SPRING FOR THE VEHICLE WAS BROKE, BUT SITTING IN THE CENTER. I CALLED TIFFIN BRAKE & WHEEL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE SPRINGS REPLACED. I WAS ADVISED BY AN EMPLOYEE THAT THE BUSINESS HAS HAD "A LOT OF EXPLORERS HAVE THEIR SPRINGS REPLACED." THE EMPLOYEE ALSO MENTIONED THAT A COMPLAINT SHOULD BE FILED, BECAUSE A RECALL MAY BE IN ORDER DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF EXPLORERS WITH BROKEN SPRINGS. I AM CONCERNED WITH THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OFF ROADED AND/OR ABUSED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE ACTUAL DATE WHEN THE SPRING BROKE IS UNKNOWN. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THESE ISSUES. OUR EXPLORER ONLY HAS 108,000 MILES AND I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION WITH THAT LOW OF MILEAGE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE WHEN A BUNCH OF LIGHTS CAME ON SUCH AS THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKING FOLLOWED BY THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" LIGHT AND SERVICE LIGHT. MY TRUCK STARTED GRINDING WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT AND ENDED UP SHUTTING DOWN RIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE WITH PEOPLE GOING 65+ AROUND ME HONKING. I HAD TO HAVE 2 PEOPLE PUSH ME OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE TRUCK WOULDN'T MOVE. IT WILL START, BUT WON'T GO INTO GEAR AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS DESTROYED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED A SEVERE JERK IN THE BACK END OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ONCE I SLOWED DOWN, THE O/D INDICATOR STARTED BLINKING AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT FROM 4TH BACK INTO OVER DRIVE. I HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM MY MECHANIC THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE OVER 800 SUCH COMPLAINTS OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ON A TROUBLESHOOTING WEB SITE. *TR

NUMBER 8 CYLINDER SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE TODAY ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.6L. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER - O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT. DEALER INDICATES NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED. CHECK INTERNET SITES, SEVERAL SITES WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. *TR

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING FAILURE ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 1. GOING TO FULL ACCELERATION (PEDAL TO THE FLOOR) WHEN PASSING CAR OR ENTERING HIGHWAY FROM SIDE ROAD 2. ACCELERATOR PEDAL STAYS PRESSED ON THE FLOOR EVEN WHEN FOOT IS REMOVED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE ON THE LAST 2 TIMES THAT THE PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. 3. FAILURE IS AVOIDED BY NOT PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *TR

TOOK THE TRUCK INTO HAVE A VIBRATION AND NOISE CHECKED OUT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILURE OF PASSENGER REAR KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY AND WHEEL BEARING. WENT ON CAR COMPLAINTS.COM TO SEE IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS. THERE WERE REPORT OF THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE WITH THE WHEELS ACTUALLY COMING OFF. *TR

I BOUGHT THE USED EXPLORER FROM A FORD DEALER IN 2008. IT HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. AT 72,000 MILES WHILE GOING ON A TRIP FOR THE DAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN REVVING AT HIGH RPM'S BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. I TRAVELED APPROX. 5 MILES TO MY DESTINATION AND PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR THE DAY. I KNEW IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION, BUT DID NOT KNOW HOW EXTENSIVE IT WAS. I COULD NOT CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE THAT YEAR THEY DID AWAY WITH A TRANSMISSION DIP STICK AND THE ONLY WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS TO CRACK A BOLT LOCATED ON THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING UNDER THE VEHICLE. BOY FORD DOES NOT MAKE THINGS EASY TO CHECK EASY THINGS LIKE TRANSMISSION FLUID ANY MORE, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY LATER TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED. $2,800 , AFTER DOING RESEARCH THIS IS A REAL COMMON ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT DURING A SNOW STORM AND PROCEEDED FORWARD WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. AS I ACCELERATED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE TRANSMISSION ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. *TR

94,000 MILES; OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKING. *TR

MY OD LIGHT WAS BLINKING, MY RPMS WOULD GO UP AND MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

MY O/D OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING IN THE TRUCK. *TR

OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND CONTINUALLY HAVE THE OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND WHEN I TAKE IT IN TO DEALER THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND A NATIONAL RECALL IS IN ORDER. IF YOU SEARCH THE WEB YOU WILL FIND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THIS EXACT SAME CASE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ASAP! TW*

TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE WHEN HE OBSERVED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE EXHIBITED A CRACK NEAR THE EMBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 2/22/10 *CN UPDATED 05/10/10