2002 Ford Explorer complaints

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT - TRANSMISSION FAILURE - PURCHASED NEW IN 9-02 WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AND REPLACED AT 65K MILES BY DEALERSHIP UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AT 130K MILES. AT 136K MILES, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AT RANDOM, WILL NOT ENGAGE FROM STOP. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN AUGUST 2002. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE GEAR PROBLEMS SINCE 2003. WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER MY TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND JUST IMMEDIATELY STOP ACCELERATING AND OFTEN COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SINCE 2003 AND HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK INTO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES. TWO TIMES THEY SAID NOTHING WAS FOUND. IN MARCH 2004 THEY FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, DID A QUICK FLUSH TO THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE TORQUE AND SENT ME BACK OUT WITH THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. ON 10/16/09 NOW THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND ONCE AGAIN I BROUGHT IT BACK IN AND NOW THEY SAY I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES AND THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A SAFETY OR MANUFACTURES DEFECT!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD, AND WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, HOW COULD THIS NOT BE A DEFECT. I HAVE LUCKILY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLIPS GEARS, STOPS ACCELERATING AND I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY THROW ON MY HAZARDS, AND TRY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY!! I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT NEARLY 800 OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME SORT OF TRANSMISSION RELATED PROBLEMS AND HAVE POSTED THEM ON AUTO BEEF. I REALLY NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME AND LOOK OUT FOR THE HONEST, AMERICANS WHO HAVE BROUGHT AN AMERCIAN CAR AND ARE BEING LIED TO AND TREATED WITH NO CUSTOMER SERVICE OR RESPECT. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY AMERICANS ARE BUYI

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 83,000 MILES ON IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION FROM FORD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE ODLIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP, AND WOULD NOT MOVE! I HAD TO CUT THE CAR ON AND OFF MANY TIMES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY BEGAN TO MOVE AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE BECAUSE I AM SIX MONTHS PREGNANT, AND THAT CAN BE SCARY DRIVING AND YOUR CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR . *TR

WE HAVE OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW. ON OCTOBER 13, 2009 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, THANKFULLY AT A SLOW SPEED, HE TURNED A CORNER AND REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE CAR, THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. SO HE SLOWED DOWN AND STARTED TO PULL OVER, HE THEN LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW TO SEE THE TIRE ROLLING OFF THE CAR AND DOWN THE STREET. THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE TIRE FELL OFF THE CAR. IT HAD SHEARED ALL THE LUG NUTS OFF. IF THE TIRE WERE TO FALL OFF AT HIGH SPEEDS THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH TO THE PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AND POSE A THREAT TO OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED EITHER. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF OF THE SAME WHEEL, WE THOUGHT THE FIRST TIME WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS - SLOW SPEED, TURNED AT A STOPLIGHT, THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG, THEN PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE TIRE FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE, ALL LUG NUTS WERE SHEARED OFF. WE HAD NO RECENT WORK ON THE TIRES OR THE VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY LOOSEN THE LUG NUTS FOR EITHER OCCURRENCE. TO FIX THIS FAILURE WE ARE HAVING THE CAR TOWED AND THE LUG NUTS REPLACED, AGAIN, ALONG WITH A PANEL THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE TIRE COMING OFF. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ESPECIALLY WITH OUR CHILDREN AS THE TIRE CAN JUST COME OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, AS I SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE THERE ARE EIGHT OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THE SAME PR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE HAD EXPERIENCED BETWEEN 5-6 MAJOR COLLISIONS/CRASHES WITH THE VEHICLE AND SUSPECTS THAT THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAGS WERE DUE TO THE INCIDENCES. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT SPECULATE THAT THE PREVIOUS CRASHES CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE, AND REPAIRS COST OVER $3,000.00. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 11/23/09. *LJ THE REAR PINION SEAL WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 11/24/09

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION STUTTERS AND SHIFTS HARD. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND PAID FOR NOTHING AS NOTHING HAS CHANGED - THE SITUATION HAS BEEN WORSENING OVER TIME. THEY HAVE CHANGED FLUIDS, REPROGRAMMED A CHIP AND TEST DRIVEN IT MANY TIMES - SAYS THEY DON'T FEEL ANYTHING WRONG. IT IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY NOW. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER V6 4X4, HAD SHIFTING ISSUES OCCURRED RANDOMLY AT FIRST WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AT LIGHTS OR PULLING INTO INTERSECTION. THE FIRST DAY OR SO IT HAPPENED SPORADICALLY SO WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS BOTH STATED DO NOT NEED REPAIRED AND SHOWS NO CODES. THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN DEC. 2001 AND HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE WITH ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EVEN MORE WORRISOME DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AFTER SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS AND ALMOST ACCIDENTS, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. NEW MECHANIC LOOKED IT OVER, DROVE IT AND SUGGESTED I TAKE TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE. AS I DROVE IT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. MECHANIC STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT/REPLACED-THIRD GEAR BAND IS BROKEN. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT MANY FORD 2002 EXPLORERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. EACH TIME IT OCCURRED THERE WAS HESITATION WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS, RPM'S INCREASE BUT SLOW OR NO ACCELERATION. FROM ALL INFO I HAVE SEEN IN MY RESEARCH AND BASED ON EXPERIENCED MECHANICS I SPOKE TO THERE WERE DESIGN FLAWS IN THESE 2002 VEHICLE TRANSMISSIONS (ONLY USED BY FORD FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS). THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE PROBLEM JUST STARTED HAPPENING. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER COSTLY REPAIR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE--THIS BEING THE MOST DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE. I AM A SINGLE MOM-GRANDMOM AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS $2500-$3000 PROBLEM. WHAT DO I DO NOW?! *TR

TRUCK SLOWS DOWN WHEN I HIT 20 TO 30, AND LEADS WITH A VIOLENT JERK. TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY SAID ITS MY TRANSMISSION. *TR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEAVER AND LINKAGE PULLED OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD TO CHECK TRAILER GOT BACK IN WENT TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE LEAVER FELL OFF NOW I'M PART WAY ON HIGHWAY HAD TO BE TOWED LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT SOME IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED COST 1200.00. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, O/D SIGNAL STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. NOW TRANSMISSION IS SLOW AND HARD SHIFTING. WE REPLACED THE PRESSURE SWITCH SOLENOID AND CHANGED TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID. WE HAD IT PUT ON A COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THAT IT WHAT IT SAID, PRESSURE SENSOR SOLENOID. SPENT ALMOST $400. AND IT DIDN'T WORK. IT HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING MY OD OFF LIGHT STARTED FLICKING AND MY CAR FELT AS IF IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. I COULD NOT KEEP UP TO SPEED AND MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND COULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE, THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE GEARS WORKED AS SHOULD. AROUND 40 MILES LATER, I WAS OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY AND AT A STOP LIGHT, AS I ACCELERATED, THE OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN AND SHIFTING WAS HARD, THEN AGAIN ONCE I WAS UP TO SPEED IT FELT AS IF THE GEARS SLIPPED, I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SLOWED. WHAT SAVED ME THIS TIME WAS I WAS OFF THE MAJOR HIGHWAY AND ON A SIDE COUNTRY ROAD WITH VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENED OCTOBER 10, 2009. THE CAR HAS NOT YET BEEN SERVICED AS IT WAS OVER THE WEEKEND THIS HAPPENED AND TODAY BEING A HOLIDAY, MY KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL, AND I WILL NOT PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. LIKE I SAID THERE WAS NO WARNING TO THESE EVENTS. I FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AFTER DAYS OF NOT SHIFTING RIGHT,,IT FINALLY, STOPPED COMPLETELY,,,THIS HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIP WHEN ACCELERATING MOSTLY WHEN POWER IS NEEDED(PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE)FORCED TO BRAKE HARSHLY TWO TIMES WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ON OCCASION,TRUCK FEELS LIKE IN NEUTRAL AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT FOR ABOUT 4-5 SECONDS. ON OCCASION TRUCK STALLS WHEN PUTTING INTO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION HAS A LEAK BUT ALWAYS CHECKED LEVEL AND TOP UP IF NEEDED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER . WHILE CHANGING THE BRAKE PADS, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER, AND THE AXLES BEARINGS,THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $2140.56. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED. SECONDLY, THE REAR LIFT-GATES PANEL SPLIT IN HALF. THIRDLY, THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. NONE OF THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. HE PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

2002 EXPLORER FIRST REAR END WENT AND WAS REPLACE ONLY TO FIND ITS GONE AGAIN AFTER 20,000 MILES, THEN 4.6 V8 ENGINE HAS A KNOCK IN IT, FORD IS AWARE OF IT BUT WONT REPLACE OR FIX IT, NOW BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKE WHICH FORD ALSO KNOWS AND WONT REPLACE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THIS SUV HAS A THIRD SEAT, THAT'S SELDOM USED. HAS A TOWING PACKAGE THAT'S BEEN RARELY USED. REAR COIL SPRINGS THAT TELL ME NONE OF THESE EXTRA OPTIONS CAN BE USED. WITHOUT ENDANGERING EVERYBODY IN THE CAR, AS WELL AS EVERYBODY ON THE ROAD. THIS CAR WAS DRIVEN DAILY, TO AND FROM WORK, AND SELDOM USED ON THE WEEKENDS. PARKED ON PAVEMENT, NOT GRAVEL, OR GRASS, AND NEVER OFF ROAD. WHY ARE THEY BREAKING? DOES THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAVE TO BE WARNED TO AVOID DRIVING PAST ONE OF THESE SUV'S BECAUSE THEY MAY RANDOMLY VEER OFF THE ROAD WITH A TIRE BLOWOUT? THIS IS TYPICAL OF FORD TO SEND OUT RECALLS ON THE HATCH, BUT NOT THE MUCH MORE SERIOUS (LIFE SAFETY) PROBLEM WITH IT'S REAR COIL SPRINGS. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. REAR END HUMS AND VIBRATES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARD FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND MADE A JERKING MOTION AROUND 40-45 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION NOW HAS THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHING AND IS STUCK IN GEAR. IT WILL NOT SHIFT. LOOKING ONLINE FOR A REMEDY, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AMONG THOUSANDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS. JUST TRY IT OUT YOURSELVES, GOOGLE 2002 FORD EXPLORER... VERY 1ST HIT IS PAGE AFTER PAGE OF HOW TERRIBLE THIS VEHICLE AND ITS TRANSMISSION IS. NOW I AM MAKING PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND IS INOPERABLE DUE TO FORDS LACK OF CONCERN ABOUT ITS PRODUCT. THEY WERE QUICK TO SELL THIS VEHICLE! QUICK TO TAKE A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR BAIL OUT! TAKE SOME OF THE BAIL OUT MONEY AND FIX THEIR PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 82K MILES OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING. TRUCK TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS NUMEROUS OTHER PARTIES WITH SAME ISSUE. FORD MOTOR HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND FAILS TO RECALL. *TR

AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, NO IMPACT. KEY WAS TURNED ON TO LISTEN TO RADIO WHILE DRIVER WAS CLEANING THE CARGO AREA. VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TWICE BEFORE WITH AIR BAG LIGHT AND STEERING COLUMN SPRING TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, FORD IS NOT WANTING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH' IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE FIRST AIR BAG LIGHT ISSUE CAME ABOUT. WE ARE NOW WITHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS, IT IS NOT REPAIRED AND FORD WANTS TO REPLACE ALL THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED OR CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT AT ABOUT 80MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER HIT HER HEAD AGAINST THE DASH BROKE HER JAW AND RUPTURED THREE VESSELS IN HER BRAIN WHICH LEAD TO HER HAVING A STROKE AND LOST USE OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY. *TR

I HAVE HAD TROUBLES WITH THE WHEEL ENDS ON MY FORD SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2005. I DIDN'T REALIZE THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING ARE COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE. I STARTED NOTICING MORE BRAKE DUST ON SOME OF THE WHEELS THAN OTHERS. THEN ON MY REAR/PASSENGERS TIRE I HEAR A SQUEAKING, GRINDING NOISE WITH A LITTLE WABBLE IN THE WHEEL. TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER -SAID THEY GRINDED SOMETHING DOWN. DIDN'T HEAR THE NOISE ANYMORE. MY ABS LIGHT KICKS ON WON'T GO OFF HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH DEFECT IN WHEEL END ASSEMBLY APPARENTLY. PAID $150 TO GET IT OFF COMES RIGHT BACK ON WEEKS LATER!! MY ENTIRE WHEEL END ALMOST FALLS OFF WHILE ON THE HWY. PULL OVER ALL 4 STUDS HAD COME COMPLETELY OFF OF THE WHEEL EXCEPT 1, THE WHEEL WAS LITERALLY HANGIN. HAD TO HAVE ALL STUDS REPLACED. HAVE HAD TO HAVE WHEEL STUDS REPLACED FREQUENTLY AT SOME POINT ON ALL FOUR TIRES. PAID TO HAVE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED FINALLY $300+. FRONT, DRIVERS WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING 70-80 MPH ON HWY, LOSS CONTROL, BARELY MADE IT OFF HWY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! 1-2MONTHS LATER FRONT PASSENGERS WHEEL BEARINGS GO BAD HAVE TO BE REPLACED-$300+ EACH TIME. HAD FRONT BRAKES & ROTORS REPLACED MARCH '07, REAR BRAKES & ROTORS JAN '08. THIS MONTH SEPT '09 HAD TO HAVE REAR BRAKES & ROTORS REPLACED. COULD ONLY AFFORD TO HAVE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. ONLY PUT 30,000MILES ON IT SINCE HAD B/R CHANGED IN '08. WHY AM I HAVING TO HAVE THEM BOTH CHANGED A YEAR LATER. SOMETHING IN THE WHEEL END ASSEMBLY IS CAUSING INCREASED WEAR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT IS GOING BAD. ON MY WAY BACK FROM A VACATION TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 5, I NOTICE THAT I'D BURN A HALF A TANK ON GAS FROM LA TO SAN DIEGO (75MILES). I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED BLINKING & THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT SOON FOLLOWED. THE RPM AND SPEED DOES NOT MATCH UP AND THERE IS ALWAYS A JERK WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I FEEL THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND AM NOT SURE WHAT I AM GOING TO DO....EXCEPT I KNOW I CANNOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE. I HAVE A WIFE AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN THAT ARE IN THIS TRUCK ALL THE TIME. NOW IT'S GOING TO COST ME OVER $3,000 TO REPAIR, WHICH IS ALMOST WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH AT THIS POINT. THE SAD PART ABOUT ALL THIS IS FORD KNOWS THAT THIS PROBLEM EXSIST AND IS WILLING TO LET ITS CUSTOMERS TAKE THE RISK OF INJURY IF THE TRANSMISSION GIVES OUT ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. LORD KNOWS WHAT'LL HAPPEN IF SOMEONE DIES IN THAT ACCIDENT. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE HAVING MY TIRES ROTATED THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. I AM WAITING FOR THE DEALER TO ORDER NEW SPRINGS AS IT APPEARS BOTH NEED TO BE CHANGED. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS ON 9-9-09. SO I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT BROKE. I DID NOT HEAR ANY NOISE OR NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE IN HANDLING. *TR

I HEARD A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES HUMMING BECAUSE I HAD A BRAKE JOB AND TIRES ROTATED AND I NOTICED THE HUMMING SOME TIME AFTER THAT. NOW I FIND OUT IT WASN'T TIRES BUT THE WHEEL HUB BEARINGS WENT BAD IN THE FRONT. IT IS AT THE DEALER NOW BEING REPAIRED. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4.0L V-6 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES, VEHICLE STARTED TO SLIP WHILE CHANGING GEARS. PROBLEM WORSENED AND NOW SHUTTERS DURING UP SHIFTING. VEHICLE ALSO JUMPS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL UNDER HARD BRAKING. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES DURING SHIFTING. TRANSMISSION WILL ONLY SHIFT AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR. *TR

HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS, BUT WHILE I WAS OUT DRIVING TODAY MY CAR BEGAN TO POP AS I TURNED THE WHEEL. I HAVE GOTTEN MY TIE RODS REPLACED AND THERE SEEMS TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR HOME FOR ME SLOWLY BUT WILL NOT DRIVE FOR FEAR THAT THE WHEEL MAY POP OFF. CONTACTED FORD AND AM WAITING ON A RESPONSE, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED ON THE INTERNET BY SEVERAL OWNERS OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR. THIS IS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE THIS FURTHER INVESTIGATED SO THAT NOONE IS RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN VEHICLE AND THE WHEEL POP OFF. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT MY CHILD WAS NOT IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AT THE TIME THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, O/D LIGHT ON, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, ENGINE LIGHT ON. CAR HAS 67,000, ONLY DRIVEN TO WORK. ONE OWNER, BROUGHT NEW FORD FROM DEALER. *TR

FORD EXPLORER REAR END DIFFERENTIAL CONSTANTLY NEEDS REPLACING. FORD DEALER CHARGER ME $1800 AND USED SALVAGE PARTS EVENTHOUGH I TOLD THEM NOT TOO. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. WHEN IT WAS REPLACED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK THE VERY NEXT MORNING DUE TO IT LEAKING. WHEN I GOT IT BACK I WAS NEVER SATISFIED SO I EVENTUALLY TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. NOW MY O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING LIKE SO MANY OTHER OWNERS BUT I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYWHERE WITH FORD. *TR

MY WIFE AND I OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 4WD. AND A 4.0L ENGINE. ON THE NIGHT OF 1-15-2009 ,I PICKED MY WIFE UP FROM WORK AT 11:35PM WE WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE AND AFTERWARDS PROCEEDED TO OUR HOME , THIS WHOLE TRIP TOOK A TOTAL OF TWENTY TO TWENTY FIVE MINUTES AND A DISTANCE OF ABOUT ONE MILE OF DRIVING ROUND TRIP TO MY WIFE'S WORK THE GROCERY STORE AND THEN TO OUR HOUSE.WE ARRIVED HOME ,PARKED THE VEHICLE BEHIND OUR RESIDENCE AND PREPARED TO GO TO BED . AROUND 2:00AM I GOT UP FROM MY SLEEP TO GET A GLASS OF WATER IN OUR KITCHEN, WHICH FACES THE AREA THAT WE PARK IN , AS I WAS FILLING MY GLASS I NOTICED AN ORANGISH RED GLOW IN THE BACK YARD , UPON LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW , I SAW THAT THE FRONT END OF OUR VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE . MY WIFE CAME DOWN FROM OUR BEDROOM CRYING AS I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT . I WENT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO SEE IF I COULD PUT THE FIRE OUT MYSELF BUT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING TOO MUCH FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING .THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT AND MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED . THERE WAS HARDLY ANYTHING LEFT OF THE FRONT END, JUST THE FRAME,MOTOR,RIMS AND SOME OTHER PARTS . THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD A FIRE INVESTIGATOR OF THEIRS DO AN INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE HAD STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AROUND THE MASTER CYLINDER , PROBABLY AS A RESULT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LOCATED ON IT . DO TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE AND THE FACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCA

MY WIFE AND I OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 4WD. AND A 4.0L ENGINE. ON THE NIGHT OF 1-15-2009 ,I PICKED MY WIFE UP FROM WORK AT 11:35PM WE WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE AND AFTERWARDS PROCEEDED TO OUR HOME , THIS WHOLE TRIP TOOK A TOTAL OF TWENTY TO TWENTY FIVE MINUTES AND A DISTANCE OF ABOUT ONE MILE OF DRIVING ROUND TRIP TO MY WIFE'S WORK THE GROCERY STORE AND THEN TO OUR HOUSE.WE ARRIVED HOME ,PARKED THE VEHICLE BEHIND OUR RESIDENCE AND PREPARED TO GO TO BED . AROUND 2:00AM I GOT UP FROM MY SLEEP TO GET A GLASS OF WATER IN OUR KITCHEN, WHICH FACES THE AREA THAT WE PARK IN , AS I WAS FILLING MY GLASS I NOTICED AN ORANGISH RED GLOW IN THE BACK YARD , UPON LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW , I SAW THAT THE FRONT END OF OUR VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE . MY WIFE CAME DOWN FROM OUR BEDROOM CRYING AS I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT . I WENT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO SEE IF I COULD PUT THE FIRE OUT MYSELF BUT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING TOO MUCH FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING .THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT AND MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED . THERE WAS HARDLY ANYTHING LEFT OF THE FRONT END, JUST THE FRAME,MOTOR,RIMS AND SOME OTHER PARTS . THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD A FIRE INVESTIGATOR OF THEIRS DO AN INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE HAD STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AROUND THE MASTER CYLINDER , PROBABLY AS A RESULT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LOCATED ON IT . DO TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE AND THE FACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCA

NEW TIRE BLOWS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5,000 TO 7,000 MILES. *TR

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE AND INSPECTION AND THEY NOTICED 2 REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN AND BAD REAR RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR/RECALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF BEFORE SOMEONE SERIOUSLY GETS INJURED OR DIES. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK LOCALLY WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6. I'M GLAD WE DIDN'T GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH THIS HAPPENING. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED TO FAIL ON, AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

I AM SORRY I AM NOT A GOOD SPELLER I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE GAS STATION PULLED UP A LITTLE SO I COULD SEE THEN A LITTLE MORE AND SEEN A CAR SO I WENT TO PUT IT IN REVERSE BUT THE GEAR SHIFT STICK BROKE RIGHT IN MY HAND I ALMOST GOT HIT BUT THANK GOD THERE WAS SOMEONE WITH ME THAT PUT HIS LIFE ON THE LINE GOT UNDER THE CAR AND CHANGED IT MANUALLY THE USED PART I HAVE TO GET IS 250.00 DOLLARS AND LABOR IS LIKE 300.00 I HAVE TO HAVE A HOLE NEW STEERING COLUMN PUT IN THE CLIP THAT MAKES IT CHANGE BROKE I JUST DON'T THINK IT IS RIGHT TO HAVE SOMETHING AS WEEK AS THAT PART ON THERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND WHEN I LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THIS SAME THING HAS HAPPENED. *TR

THE GEAR SHIFT IS HARD TO GET INTO PARK. SOMETIMES AFTER IN PARK THE SUV STILLS MOVES. NO DAMAGE OR CRASH YET. BUT I MAKE SURE TO PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

NOTICED A NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. SPRINGS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW. OLD PARTS HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BUT DO HAVE PHOTOS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHIFT WITH RESISTANCE AND THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHED CONTINUALLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79300.

TIRE STEM FAILURE ON 3 OF 4 STAMPEDE RADIAL SUV TIRES. I GOT 2 FLAT TIRES IN THE SPAN OF 5 DAYS AND CAUGHT THE 3RD STEM BEFORE A FLAT TIRE OCCURRED (IT WAS CRACKED AT THE BASE). *TR

IN MAY 2005, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE O/D LIGHT HAD BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS. TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4500. CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 60000 MILES. IN JANUARY OF 2008, THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BECAUSE THE TIMING BELT WENT AT A COST OF $3000. CAR HAD 75000 MILES. IN AUGUST 2009, BOTH REAR SPRING WERE DISCOVERED TO BE BROKEN WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR A WHINING IN THE REAR, WHICH WAS THE REAR AXLE BEARING. THE CAR HAD 94000 MILES, COST OF REPAIR WAS $1200. *TR

LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, I AM THE UNFORTUNATE OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AND LIKE THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, I AM HAVING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - FLASHING OVERDRIVE LIGHT - HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS - AT TIMES DIFFICULTY GOING INTO FIRST GEAR. FORD IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY IT. I THINK THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE. THE ONLINE COMPLAINTS ARE OVERWHELMING. THEY NEED TO FIX THEIR PROBLEMS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE! *TR

LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, I AM THE UNFORTUNATE OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AND LIKE THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, I AM HAVING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - FLASHING OVERDRIVE LIGHT - HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS - AT TIMES DIFFICULTY GOING INTO FIRST GEAR. FORD IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY IT. I THINK THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE. THE ONLINE COMPLAINTS ARE OVERWHELMING. THEY NEED TO FIX THEIR PROBLEMS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE! *TR

I WAS HAVING TROUBLE PLACING MY CAR IN PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT WORK UNLESS I FORCED IT. MANY OF TIMES I WOULD PLACE IN PARK AND IT WOULD ROLL. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT. ON JUNE 10, 2009 I PLACED MY CAR IN PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE. I WAS TOLD THAT "IT HAPPENS"WITH THIS TRUCK AND THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $700-1200 DOLLARS TO GET THIS REPLACED. IT IS A DISGRACE THAT FORD DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR TRUCKS. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR

I PULLED UP INTO THE DRIVE AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. I EXITED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND OPENED THE BACK DOOR, UNSTRAPPED MY GRANDSON FROM HIS SAFETY SEAT. HE WENT INTO THE HOUSE TO GET A GAME BOY SO I RE-ENTERED THE FRONT SEAT TO WAIT FOR HIM. I SAT THERE A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE, I WAS EXITING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHEN I HEARD A NOISE. THE CAR ENGAGED ITSELF INTO REVERSE. I TRIED TO PLACE MY RIGHT FOOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN. I WENT UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BEGAN TO RUN OVER ME. I GRABBED THE UNDERNEATH OF THE DOOR AND TRIED TO HANG ON BUT THE TIRE WAS RUNNING OVER MY PELVIC AND MY LEFT LEG. THE CAR DRUG ME ON THE CONCRETE , THEN IT STOPPED. I WAS PINNED UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. BEFORE THIS INJURY,I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AT 26,000 MILES SENT IT FOR REPAIRS BUT THE DEALER KEPT TELLING ME IT WAS OK. THE CAR WOULD JERK DURING TAKE OFF AND HESITATE WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I TOOK IT TO OTHER DEALERS AND FINALLY ONE PUT IT ON THE TEST RACK AND TOLD ME IT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. NOT SURE WHAT FORD HAS DONE WITH THE PARTS. *TR

AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN PUT IN PARK, IT WILL ROLL ABOUT A HALF FOOT OR SO WHEN DOOR OR HATCH IS SHUT. VEHICLE IS NOT GOING ALL THE WAY IN PARK AND YOU DON'T KNOW IT. IT HAS ROLLED TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS BUMPED ME BUT THAN STOPS. *TR

APRIL 2007 1. JUST BRINGING THE CAR UP TO FREEWAY SPEED. 2. A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE, PASSENGER SIDE. UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AS IT WAS DARK, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. 3. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE 3RD PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE AND ALSO DESTROYED THE COIL ATTACHED TO IT. A NEW THREADED INSERT WAS INSTALLED IN THE SPARK PLUG HOLE. A NEW SPARK PLUG AND NEW COIL WERE INSTALLED. *TR

MAINTAINING A STEADY FREEWAY SPEED. A LOUD POP EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE FOLLOWED BY A SUCCESSION OF SMALL POPS IN RELATION TO THE ENGINE SPEED. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE NUMBER 4 SPARK PLUG (PASSENGER SIDED) HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE GARAGE. A NEW THREADED INSERT WAS INSTALLED IN THE SPARK PLUG HOLE ALONG WITH A NEW SPARK PLUG AND COIL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE ENTERING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, THE SMOKE BECAME DARKER. THE FIRE APPEARED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.