2002 Ford Explorer complaints

WHILE DRIVING O/D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 59K MILES. DEALER STATES I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION ONLINE. NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS TYPE OF CLOSED SYSTEM TRANSMISSION DESIGN. LOSS OF DRIVE POWER DURING ENTRY TO HIGHWAY OR LANE CHANGES COULD RESULT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING EXHIBITED A CRACK. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. THE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT CURRENTLY HAS 79,000 MILES. LOUD GRINDING NOISES COULD BE HEARD AND A GRABBING SENSATION COULD BE FELT FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT THE TIRES WERE CUPPED SO I PURCHASED NEW TIRES AND HAD THE VEHICLE ALIGNED. THE NOISE WAS STILL EVIDENT. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED TO ME THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND THEY NEED TO BE REPAIRED. ALONG WITH THAT, HE STATED MY DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. LASTLY, BOTH REAR COIL SHOCKS WERE BROKE INTO PIECES. I HAD THEM REPLACED AT 78,500. *TR

THE O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING FAST AND NOW IT IS BEGINNING TO SHIFT GEARS VERY ROUGH. ALL THE WEBSITES I HAVE SEEN MAKES THIS A COMMON ATTRIBUTE WITH THIS YEAR OF CAR. NOTHING REALLY LEAD UP TO THIS, IT JUST STARTED BLINKING ON MY WAY TO WORK. *TR

NOTICED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SMALL SCRATCH JUST BELOW THE GLASS ON THE PLASTIC PORTION OF 200 EXPLORER LIFTGATE. ON FRIDAY FEB 6, 2009 THERE WAS A SPLIT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO POSSIBLY BE RELATED TO THE LIFTGATE HINGE RECALL ALREADY ISSUED BY THE NHTSA. *TR

ACCELERATING FROM 0, FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, ENGINE REVS TO 4000 RPM AND FAILS TO ACCELERATE OR SHIFT. *TR

FOUND PART OF MY REAR SPRING FOR MY 2002 EXPLORER LYING ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION I SEE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING AND THE TOP THAT HOLDS THE SPRING ARE BROKEN AND CRUMBLING. THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING AND TOP HAS SEVERAL CRACKS. THIS IS AT 101,000 MI, NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD AND ONLY LIGHT TOWING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD VERY WELL FAIL WITH A FULLY LOADED VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN 2004 AND THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. THE OD OFF LIGHT IS BLINKING AND THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 95000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM, THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACE. THE COST IS BETWEEN $2400 - $3700. I HAD THE CAR FOR 4 YEARS AND STILL OWE ON THE CAR. I GOOGLED FOR OD OFF LIGHT AND FOUND THAT MANY FORD OWNERS WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, EVERYONE CAN'T BE WRONG. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE HATCH BELOW THE WINDOW IS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES..... AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS NOT GOING TO LAST MUCH LONGER. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY OF THE SAME MAKES AND SOME IN THE SAME YEAR AND NEW YEARS. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND THINK THAT THIS ISSUED NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED AND RECALLED ASAP. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OTHER STEPS I MIGHT TAKE TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I AM EMBARRASSED OF IT AND THINK THAT FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.0L V6. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT 10 DAYS AGO. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP NOW FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 10 DAYS DUE TO PROBLEMS THAT THE SHOP SAYS ARE CHRONIC WITH, AND KNOWN BY, FORD. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS INHERENT WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS YEAR MODEL. CONSUMERS ARE CONTINUING TO SHOULDER THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF A PROBLEM OF WHICH FORD AND THE NHTSA ARE BOTH AWARE AND ABOUT WHICH NEITHER ARE ADDRESSING. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR THE NHTSA TO SUPPORT CONSUMERS ON THIS ESTABLISHED AND KNOWN ISSUE? *TR

GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF. WHILE PARKING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER SHEARED OFF IN THE STEERING COLUMN, LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK IN REVERSE GEAR. A QUICK SEARCH WITH GOOGLE REVEALS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF IDENTICAL FAILURES, INDICATING A COMMON MANUFACTURING DEFECT. FORD HAVE NOT ISSUED ANY FORM OF RECALL OR OTHER ASSISTANCE FOR THIS PROBLEM. HAD THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING (PERHAPS WHILE SHIFTING UP OR DOWN ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD) IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. GIVEN THE AGE OF THE AFFECTED 2002 MODEL VEHICLES, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THIS DOES OCCUR. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED; THE BROKEN PART IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2004 AND SHORTLY AFTER THE O/D LIGHT WAS BLINKING SETTING OFF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO FORD, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS A SOLENOID THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY. AFTER A HIGH PRICED REPAIR, THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH'S TIME. I RETURNED TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT AGAIN ON THE REPAIR WARRANTY FROM THE PRIOR FIX AND THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON STILL AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN A MAJOR DRAIN ON MY FINANCES AND NOW I HAVE SEEN THAT THE O/D LIGHT IS THE SECOND-HIGHEST COMPLAINT ON THIS MODEL AND MAKE OF VEHICLE. FORD CONTINUES TO CLAIM THAT IT IS AN ODDITY AND UNRELATED TO THE MAKE AND MODEL. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE THAT WILL GET FORD TO MAKE GOOD ON EITHER REPAIRING OR OFFERING RECOMPENSE IN SOME WAY TO CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THIS NONSENSE? R. FRANCIS *TR

WHEN I SAW A CRACK ON THE FORD APPLIQUE, I WENT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SEE WHO I SHOULD CONTACT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY EXPLORER; TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF IT; NO DENTS, DINGS, ACCIDENTS. THE DEALER TOLD ME I MUST HAVE SLAMMED THE TRUNK TOO HARD IN COLD WEATHER. IF THAT WERE THE CASE, I SHOULD HAVE CRACKS IN ALL FOUR DOORS (AND THE HOOD). THEY WANTED TO GIVE ME THE NAME OF A BODY SHOP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I SAID, NO, THIS SHOULD BE FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY. I CONTACTED FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICE, THEY REPLIED THAT THERE'S NO RECALL NOR IS IT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I WILL NOT! THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT I DID! THIS IS POOR WORKMANSHIP! I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FORD TAURUS STATION WAGONS BEFORE THIS EXPLORER, AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM... I PLACED THIS COMPLAINT ON "AUTO BEEF". MY COMPLAINT WAS #304, THERE ARE NOW 315 COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID THIS COULD FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

WHEN I SAW A CRACK ON THE FORD APPLIQUE, I WENT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SEE WHO I SHOULD CONTACT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY EXPLORER; TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF IT; NO DENTS, DINGS, ACCIDENTS. THE DEALER TOLD ME I MUST HAVE SLAMMED THE TRUNK TOO HARD IN COLD WEATHER. IF THAT WERE THE CASE, I SHOULD HAVE CRACKS IN ALL FOUR DOORS (AND THE HOOD). THEY WANTED TO GIVE ME THE NAME OF A BODY SHOP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I SAID, NO, THIS SHOULD BE FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY. I CONTACTED FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICE, THEY REPLIED THAT THERE'S NO RECALL NOR IS IT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I WILL NOT! THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT I DID! THIS IS POOR WORKMANSHIP! I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FORD TAURUS STATION WAGONS BEFORE THIS EXPLORER, AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM... I PLACED THIS COMPLAINT ON "AUTO BEEF". MY COMPLAINT WAS #304, THERE ARE NOW 315 COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID THIS COULD FALL OF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS 2 CRACKS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM IN THE BACK REAR PANEL. I NOTICED THE FIRST ON AROUND JANUARY 2007 AND THE SECOND ONE JANUARY 2009. *TR

HAD TO HAVE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. *TR

MY EXPLORER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS EVERYONE ELSE. 82,000 MILES AND THE TRUCK WONT SHIFT INTO WHAT SEEM LIKE 3RD GEAR I REALLY WISH FORD WOULD HELP US OUT. THIS IS WHY THE ARE FAILING. I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE TO PURCHASE AMERICAN MADE BUT HOW CAN I KNOWING THIS IS THE SERVICE YOU GET. *TR

DURING A SERVICE THE REAR SPRING WAS FOIND TO BE BROKEN IN TWO PLACES. THE FIRST TWO COILS OF THE RIGH REAR COIL SPRING WERE BROKEN. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4.6 HAS A LOUD WHINING/HOWLING NOISE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THIS IS A KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM/DEFECT WITH THESE VEHICLES. FORD HAS MANY TSB'S ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT WILL ONLY REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $1100.00. *TR

THIS 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS ONLY 62,153 MILES AND THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY HUBS HAVE FAILED. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE DESIGN OF THIS PART BECAUSE IT HAS NO AXLE AND IS ASSEMBLE TO THE FRAME BY THREE BOLTS. IF THIS PART GOES BAD ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE WHEEL WILL COME OFF , GOD HELP THE DRIVER AND THE PEOPLE ON THE SAME PATH. THIS SUV NEEDS TO BE RECALL! *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLES EXPERIENCES AND THIS HAS LED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS AND NOW THAT I REALIZE THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WELL I HOPE YOU CAN HELP I WAS EXPECTING FOR THIS VEHICLE TO LAST LONGER THAN MY 1994 DODGE RAM. AND ANOTHER THING THE SIDE OF THE WINDOWS STARTED PEALING OFF MY BACK DOOR IS CRACKED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT CLOSE RIGHT AND NONE OF MY THREE OF MY WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AT ONE TIME. THIS CAR IS FULL OF MALFUNCTIONS AND I THING THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND PAID 25,000 FOR THIS PIECE OF JUNK. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND FOR THE SECOND TIME 5 MONTHS THE SAME SPARK PLUG THAT WAS REPAIRED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE. THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND VERY LOUD REPETITIVE ENGINE NOISE. THERE WAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE, AND LOSS OF POWER. FORD SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!!!! *TR

ON 1/18/09 I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER ON A 50 MPH ROAD AND NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE - LIKE I HAD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. 10 MINUTES LATER MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY O/D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND I COULD NOT GET OVER 25 MPH. I MANAGED TO GET SAFELY TO A RELATIVES HOUSE BUT HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY - TO BE LOOKED AT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND AFTER GOING ON LINE HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND ONE MINUTE WAS DOING 45 MPH AND THE NEXT I WAS BARELY AT 25 MPH ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. *TR

APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO THE TOP PANEL OF THE BACK TAILGATE BEGAN CRACKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE "FORD" SYMBOL. YESTERDAY MORNING I CAME OUT TO FIND ANOTHER CRACK IN THE PANEL IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT EXCEPT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE "FORD" SYMBOL. THE FIRST CRACK IS ABOUT 1/8" WIDE AND SPLIT APPROXIMATELY HALFWAY DOWN THE BACK PANEL. THE SECOND CRACK SPANS FROM THE TOP OF THE PANEL TO THE BOTTOM AND IS APPROXIMATELY 1/4-1/2" WIDE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND THERE IS NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR OTHERWISE. THE PANEL HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED OR FIXED YET. *TR

HAVE ENGINE PROBLEM WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER BECAUSE DEALER PUT BACK ODOMETER. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAVE AT LEAST 66,000 MILEAGE ON THIS CAR . I HAVE A VERY WEIRD ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 24,2008. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPEN. I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE VA MEDICAL CENTER IN EAST ORANGE NJ. AT AROUND 5:45 PM I CAME TO MY CAR AND FOUND MY CAR HAVE DEAD BATTERY SO VA POLICE GAVE A JUMP START AND THE CAR START. SO AFTER 2 MINUTES THE CAR RUNNING I STARTED TO CHANGE THE GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AS SOON AS I CHANGE THE GEAR THE CAR WENT OFF BY ITSELF WITH A VERY HIGH SPEED HITTING A PARK VEHICLE AND ENDED UP INSIDE ONE STORY BUILDING. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE CAR STOP. I HURT MYSELF RESULTING TO A BIG SURGERY. I HAVE A CERVICAL FRACTURE FROM THAT ACCIDENT. MY CAR WAS STILL PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY STILL UNTOUCHED BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHO TO SEND THE CAR FRO INVESTIGATION. I FILED A CLAIM TO FORD MOTOR BUT I DID NOT HEAR FROM THEM YET. I CONTACTED THE LAWYER AND ADVISED ME TO CONTACT THIS FACILITY AND SINCE MY LAWYER CANNOT REPRESENT ME FROM THIS ACCIDENT. I WAS ADVISED THAT I DON'T NEED A LAWYER TO FILE A CLAIM. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW HATCH HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I CONTACTED FORD AND FORD SAID THAT BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THEY WON'T COVER THE REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE COMMON ANSWER THAT FORD IS GIVING TO EVERYONE THAT IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM TOO. *TR

THE BACK PLASTIC PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW OF MY FORD EXPLORER 2002 CRACKED FOR NO REASON. I NOTICED THAT MANY FORD AND MERCURY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM - THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR

UNEXPLAINED CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH LID. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FLEW INTO 4X4 LOW AUTOMATIC WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. THE 4X4 MODULE PART HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY,AND IS THE CULPRIT OF THROWING IT INTO AN UNSAFE POSITION. THE ISSUE KEEPS COMING UP, AND THE DEALER HAS HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACING THE "KNOWN FORD PROBLEM" IN OVER 7 YEARS. THIS ISSUE IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGERS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO FIRST SLOW DOWN BY THE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS OF THE TRANSFER CASE, AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE OUT OF CONTROL AND FLIP. IT'S SO PRESENT ON THE INTERNET NOW, I WONDER WHY NO ONE HAS GOTTEN FORD TO FACE THE ISSUE, EVEN THE DEALERS KNOW, BUT GET NO RESPONSE BACK FROM PARENT FORD. THE VEHICLE MENTIONED IS WELL CARED FOR, AS WELL AS ONLY IN THE LOW 80,000 MILE AREA PRESENTLY. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 38,000, 43,000, 58,000, 63,000, AND NOW AT 84,000. EVEN THE DEALER AGREES THAT THE 4 WHEEL AUTO FEATURE, (WHICH IS THE IDLE STATE OF THE TRANSAXLE) CANNOT BE STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRED UP. THIS CAUSES NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH OTHER COMPONENTS RELIABLE TO THE MODULE. THE MODULE, IS BUILT BY MOTOROLA AND I'VE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE ANY NEW OWNER OF AN EXPLORER IN THE DATE RANGE SHOULD HAVE IT REPLACED OR INSPECTED DUE TO IT NOT BEING ABLE TO HANDLE TYPICAL SURGE SPIKES FROM THE VEHICLES POWER SYSTEMS. THE REPLACEMENTS SHOULD HAVE IT. BUT THAT DOESN'T HELP WITH THE ADVISE IF IT ALREADY OCCURS. WHICH IT HAS BEEN. NOW I'VE GOT A $45,000

BROKEN COIL SPRINGS-CAR IS NOT USED FOR TOWING OR OTHER ACTIVITIES. MANY SUCH REPORTS OF PREMATURE COIL BREAKAGE. MY CAR HAS 66K MILES ON IT--NO THIRD SEAT. BOTH COILS BROKEN. *TR

HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS. LUCKY MY WIFE HAS GOOD HEARING SO SHE NOTICED THE NOISE AS SOON AS IT STARTED OR ELSE MAY HAVE WENT FAR ENOUGH TO LOOSE WHEEL. HAD REAR SPRINGS AND WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1100.00 . AFTER READING COMPLAINTS AND TALKING WITH OTHER EXPLORER OWNER I FEEL IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR FACTORY TO FIX. ALSO HAVE RECURRING PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. HAVE TO JIGGLE WIRES UNDER PASSENGER SEAT TO MAKE LIGHT GO OUT. *TR

THE LIFTGATE CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. IT STARTED A YEAR AGO WITH ONE CRACK, THEN ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED 6 MONTHS LATER. A FEW WEEKS AGO A 3 CRACK APPEARED. THE FORD DEALER REFUSED TO HELP AND A CALL TO FORD WAS NOT RETURNED. *TR

HAD BOUGHT 2002 EXPLORER USED, NOTICED NOISE FROM REAR END. TOLD REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, COST FOR USED $1500. BUT POSSIBILITY THAT USED COULD HAVE SAME ISSUES AS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 02-04 EXPLORERS. MY MECHANIC DOES SEVERAL A MONTH. AFTER VISITING NUMEROUS WEB SITES AND FORUMS ON THE SUBJECT, I HAVE SEEN THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS A VERY REAL SAFETY CONCERN AS THE REAR END COULD SEIZE WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE DEPT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY IS WRONG IN NOT CONSIDERING THIS PROBLEM TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BASED ON THE VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. AND FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE RELEASED SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE SUBJECT THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS, BUT THEY DO NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY WANT THE OWNERS TO PAY THE EXTRAVAGANT COSTS OF THE REPAIRS. *TR

PLACED AN ITEM INTO THE REAR STORAGE AREA OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WINDOW DIDN'T STAY UP, SO I GAVE IT ANOTHER PUSH WITH MY HAND. I DIDN'T PUSH HARD. THE WINDOW EXPLODED IN MY HAND. GLASS FLEW EVERYWHERE. FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS WHICH I HAD FIXED EARLY ON IN MY OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. I ENDED UP WITH GLASS SLIVERS IN MY HAND AND NOW I HAVE A VEHICLE WITH NO REAR WINDOW. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, OD LIGHT FLICKERS, TRANNY SLIPPING. MY WIFE WAS PUT IN GRAVE DANGER TRAVELING AT A REASONABLE SPEED IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. SEARCHING THE WEB FOR OTHER ISSUES I FOUND A HOST OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR. HERE IS A LINK TO THE SITE I VISITED...HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/O_D_LIGHT_IS_BLINKING.SHTML THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD! WITH SUCH A OVERWHELMING RESPONSE ON THIS SITE ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE NOT FOUND THE SITE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIFT GATE CLIP ON APPLICATOR IS AND HAS BEEN SPLITTING FROM TOP TO BOTTOM EVERY TIME SOME ONE CLOSED THE LIFT GATE I SAW THIS ON MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND IT COST {US -S 300 DOLLARS TO INSTALL A NEW ONE AT THE DEALERS SHOPS TO REPAIR. SOME THING NEED TO BE DONE FORD MANUFACTURE NEED TO REIMBURSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEMS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX MY EXPLORER SO I AM WAITING TO SEE IF FORD CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR ME AND OTHERS LIKE ME WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM I BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. PLEASE FOR A REPLY AT MY EMAIL THANK YOU SINCERELY E J. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE. I FOUND 27 COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/STEERING/GEAR_SHIFT_BROKE_OFF.SHTML WHEN WE BOUGHT THE EXPLORER WE TOLD THE SALESMAN THAT IT WAS HARD TO GET OUT OF PARK AND HE SAID HE FIXED IT. *TR

CRACKED PANEL ON BELOW WINDOW ON 2002 EXPLORER. *TR

FORD EXPLORER O/D FLASHING AND CHECK TRANSMISSION COMING ON IT WAS AT THE FORD DEALER FOR 3 WEEKS THEY SAID IT WAS MY PCM AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT A WIRING PROBLEM BUT MY CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING IT WAS BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THEM. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM FLORIDA IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. I WAS TOWING A TRAILER AND PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SEE IF IT NEEDED COOLED OFF. THE O/D LIGHT CONTINUED TO FLASH, MEANWHILE WHILE I WAS TOWING THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING LIKE A HUGE HAMMER WAS HITTING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

CRACKED TAILGATE APPLIQUE (UNDER REAR GLASS). DEALER WON'T REPLACE, CAR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. WAS NEVER HIT OR ABUSED. *TR

OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, TOOK IT INTO A TRANSMISSION SHOP JUST IN CASE. THE OD UNIT WENT BAD CAUSING AN INTERNAL LOCK IN THE TRANNY. IT COST $3000 TO FIX, AND FROM WHAT I AM READING THIS IS HAPPENING QUITE A BIT TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT BOUGHT THIS YEAR OF EXPLORER. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE FORD PAY FOR THIS PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *TR

THE O/D LIGHT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER STARTED FLICKERING ABOUT A MONTH AGO. FOUR DAYS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY TRUCK WOULDN'T GO FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I WILL GET UP TO 25 MPH AND THE TRUCK WOULD REV UP TO 3500 RPMS AND NOT CHANGE GEARS. I HAVE TO EASE UP OFF THE GAS AND LET THE RPMS DROP AND THEN ACCELERATE AGAIN AND THAT'S HOW IT CHANGES GEARS. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW HATCH HAS CRACKED FOR SEEMINGLY NO REASON. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2002-2004 BLOCK OF FORD EXPLORERS. I HAVE JUST OVER 100K MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND FORD SAID THAT BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THEY WON'T COVER THE REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE COMMON ANSWER THAT FORD IS GIVING TO EVERYONE THAT IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM TOO. *TR

AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FELL OFF INTO MY HANDS WHILE TRYING TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR; THEREFORE, IT NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE FOR THIS JOB WAS $1200. THE TECHNICIAN LOCATED A USED PART AND WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE COLUMN FOR A FEW DOLLARS CHEAPER. I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR NINE DAYS. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS INDICATIONS THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR. THE CAR (WHICH IS 6 YEARS OLD) ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 2WD, SIX CYLINDER. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000 MILES AND I JUST SPENT $2,000 REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE REAR END CHECKED DUE TO A ROAR THAT IS SO LOUD IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HEAR THE RADIO. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND DRIVEN IN A VERY CONSERVATIVE MANNER. I UNDERSTAND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE WITH SERVICE. WE ARE ON OUR OWN. *TR

AS MY WIFE WAS SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE IN OUR 2002 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER THE GEAR SHIFT PRNDL JUST FELL OFF IN HER HAND. FORD DEALERSHIP IN ASHEVILLE NC TELLS ME THERE IS A SIX(6) MONTH BACK ORDER FOR THIS PART. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 80,000 MILES AND REPLACING BOTH REAR CLUTCH PACKS AT 72,000 I WAS LIVID. SIX MONTHS TO GET A PART????? ARE YOU KIDDING ME. FORD IS LUCKY THIS THING DIDN'T FALL OFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. FORD SAYS "WE'RE SORRY" AND "WE UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION" HOGWASH. WHERE THIS GOES FROM HERE I DON'T REALLY KNOW. THEY BEAT ME DOWN WITH THEIR INACTION AND STALLING AND TURNED ME AGAINST THEM ALL TOGETHER. I FINALLY FOUND A PART IN TEXAS FROM A JUNKED EXPLORER (NO HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER) AND HAD IT FIXED FOR AROUND $1500. THE TRANSMISSION BILL CAME IN AT $2000 AND THE CLUTCH PACKS CAME IN AT $800. ALL ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH BROKEN COIL SPRING, CRACK UNDER REAR WINDOW, AND TRANSMISSION SLIP, BROKEN PARKING BRAKE SHOES IN ASSEMBLY. SAME COMPLAINTS THAT SEEM TO BE COMMON. AND SAME WITH EVERYONE ELSE, NO HELP FROM FORD. *TR

IT STARTED VERY EARLY AFTER BUYING THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER...ELECTRICAL PROB..COULDN'T GET VEH STARTED...100 MILES AWAY FROM HOME DEALERSHIP....TOWED TO CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP...FIXED; OR SO WE THOUGHT. SAME THING HAPPENED A WEEK LATER. HOME DEALERSHIP ADVISED US THAT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE WRONG PART AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEMS....WE CONTACTED THE OTHER DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED THEM WHAT OUR HOME DEALERSHIP SAID...OF COURSE THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THIS...ANYWAY...HOME DEALERSHIP INSTALLED NEW PART...VEH OK....THEN WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FRONT 1ST LEFT SIDE-THEN RIGHT. (THIS WAS AFTER THE REAR END WAS REPLACED) BOY, WAS THAT A MAJOR FIGHT WITH THE HOME DEALERSHIP! NOW! THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE!!!!! ISN'T THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO? FORD HAS BEEN USING DEFECTIVE PARTS!!!!AND NOW ASKING FOR GOVERNMENT MONEY???!!!!FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS! *TR