2002 Ford Explorer complaints

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHEN HAVING BRAKES REPLACED MECHANIC INFORMED ME BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. IN CHECKING WEB THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS FORD PRODUCTS. APPROX. MILEAGE 78,000. MECHANIC SAID THE SPRINGS CAN BREAK APART WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A BLOWOUT. AGAIN, IF THIS IS A KNOWN, COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN ANY RECALL REGARDING THIS? LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT/INCIDENT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED PRIOR TO ONE OCCURRING. *TR

GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF STEERING COLUMN IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF, LEAVING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEN DRIVEN TO OUR HOME. LEARNED FORM INTERNET SEARCH OF AT LEAST 26 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2002 FORD EXPLORER AUTOMATIC. *TR

I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT, NOR ANY INCIDENCES OF PROPERTY DAMAGE. IT HAPPENS THAT ON A SATURDAY DURING THE SUMMER, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE OF MY VEHICLE. IT IS A CLEAN AND TOTALLY STRAIGHT CRACK DIRECTLY UNDER THE GLASS, MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES LONG AND 1 TO 1/12 WIDE. WHILE DRIVING AND EVERYTIME I SEE AN EXPLORER, I LOOK TO SEE IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA OF THEIR VEHICLE AND I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL, WHICH PROMPTS ME TO THINK THAT THIS IS IN FACT A DEFECT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND AM TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE OVER $1800.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED AS THEY WILL NEED TO ORDER AN ENTIRE LIFT GATE VS. REPAIRING THE ONE THAT ON THEIR CURRENTLY. HAVE YOU HAD ANY REPORTED INCIDENCES SUCH AS THIS? I NOTICED THIS IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. *TR

ONLY 83,000 MILES ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND I AM FACED WITH A BILL OF AROUND $2,500 FOR REPAIRS. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN YOU CAN HEAR NOISES LIKE A WHINING SOUND. IT SOUNDS ALMOST LIKE A PLANE IS LANDING IN MY BACK SEAT. *TR

LIKE OTHERS ON YOUR BLOG, MY 2002 EXPLORER O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING. I WAS LUCKY AND HAD A FRIEND WHO COULD REBUILD THE BROKEN PARTS FOR $950 INSTEAD OF THE $3,000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS, IT WAS STARTLING HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN LOGGED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. I AM NOT SURPRISED THAT FORD IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. AFTER ALL, THIS IS THE SAME COMPANY WHO TRIED TO COVER UP THE FACT THE PINTO WAS A FIRE BOMB. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER. RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE. VEHICLE LOCATED AND DRIVEN IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (DETROIT AREA) WHERE ROADS ARE SALTED IN WINTER. VEHICLE IN SERVICE DATE (12/12/2001). INCIDENT DATE (03/08/2006 - 69216 MILES). LEFT REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED AT A LATER DATE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER. LEFT REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE. VEHICLE LOCATED AND DRIVEN IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (DETROIT AREA) WHERE ROADS ARE SALTED IN WINTER. VEHICLE IN SERVICE DATE (12/12/2001). INCIDENT DATE (12/10/2008 - 108845 MILES). RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED AT AN EARLIER DATE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER. RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION HUB/BEARING FAILURE. VEHICLE LOCATED AND DRIVEN IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (DETROIT AREA) WHERE ROADS ARE SALTED IN WINTER. VEHICLE IN SERVICE DATE (12/12/2001). INCIDENT DATE (03/08/2006 - 69216 MILES). LEFT REAR SUSPENSION HUB/BEARING FAILURE AT A LATER DATE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER. LEFT REAR SUSPENSION HUB/BEARING FAILURE. VEHICLE LOCATED AND DRIVEN IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (DETROIT AREA) WHERE ROADS ARE SALTED IN WINTER. VEHICLE IN SERVICE DATE (12/12/2001). INCIDENT DATE (12/10/2008 - 108845 MILES). RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION HUB/BEARING FAILURE AT AN EARLIER DATE. *TR

I HAVE A '02 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 91,000 MILES AND THE 'O/D OFF' LIGHT NOW FLASHES CONSTANTLY. IN HAVING A AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND IN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION! BASED ON RESEARCH IT APPEARS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AND FORD IS APPARENTLY DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. OBVIOUSLY WITH THE POPULARITY OF THE EXPLORER IT WOULD COSTS THEM MILLIONS TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. I FIND THIS DESPICABLE THAT A COMPANY FULLY KNOWS ABOUT AN ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES YET DOES NOTHING TO BACK UP THEIR REPUTATION (AND WE WONDER WHY CAR COMPANIES ARE CRYING ABOUT BAILOUTS?!?!?). I AM IN NO POSITION TO AFFORD A $2-3K REPAIR AND THIS IS THE VEHICLE I USE TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. *TR

MY DOOR WAS FROZEN SHUT, I PULLED IT OPEN AND NOW I CANT CLOSE IT. IT "BOUNCES" OFF THE DOOR HINGES WHEN I TRY. IT HAPPENED WHEN I GOT OUT OF WORK AT MIDNIGHT AND I DROVE ALL THE WAY HOME WITH MY CAR DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING AS I WAS DRIVING. GOOD THING IT HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BECAUSE NO ONE WAS DRIVING AROUND. IF SOMEONE WAS I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HIT THEM WITH MY DOOR. I HAD TO HOLD MY DOOR SHUT WITH THE WINDOW DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO DRIVE 10 MPH THE WHOLE WAY TO MY HOUSE. TAKING TURNS WAS VERY HARD BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I WAS HOLDING THE DOOR, IT STILL WAS OPENING. WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I COULD'VE HURT MYSELF AND OTHERS. HOPEFULLY THIS IS SOMETHING TO GET FIXED QUICKLY BECAUSE I HAVE FINALS THIS WEEK AND I WONT BE ABLE TO GET THE SCHOOL WITHOUT MY CAR. *TR

I REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION IN 2005 WITH A BRAND NEW ONE. I OWN A FORD EXPLORER JEEP 2005 AND IT NOW NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. I SPOKE WITH SEVERAL PERSONS AND FORD HAS A HISTORY OF NEEDING TRANSMISSIONS, WHAT CAN I DO? *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF. I WAS GOING TO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL, AND WHEN I PULLED IT OUT OF PARK TO PUT IT IN REVERSE THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF. I FOUND 26 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/STEERING/GEAR_SHIFT_BROKE_OFF.SHTML IF THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OF VEHICLE I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. ON THIS SITE IT STATES THAT AT AN AVERAGE THIS ISSUE OCCURS AT 91,000 MILES, AND HAS A COST OF AN AVERAGE OF $950.00 TO FIX. MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO POSTED COMMENTS SAID THEY HAD TO PAY $1,300.00 TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. *TR

A CRACK APPEARED ON THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. THE CRACK JUST APPEARED ONE MORNING WITHOUT ANY DIRECT ACTION. NOW I HAVE 2 CRACKS. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO MANY 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. *TR

FIRST THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THEN THERE IS A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING, THE O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND REVS THE ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING, SOMETIMES IT LURCHES FORWARD WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT. *TR

THE REAR RESTRAINING DEVICE (SEAT BELT) ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STOPPED WORKING, IN THAT IT NO LONGER HAS THE LOCKING MECHANISM/ACTION. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE SEAT BELT BEING USED BY MY INFANT SON'S CAR SEAT BASE. *TR

I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE STRUTS LOOKED AT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS IN NEED OF REPAIR AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. I HAVE NOTICED ON OTHER CHAT ROOMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL OF VEHICLE AND I WAS REFERRED TO THIS SITE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS NEXEN HT SUV OWL TIRES (NA), SIZE 235/70R/16 (NA). THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC REBALANCED, ROTATED, AND PLACED FOUR NEW NEXEN TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE MAKING A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND ALSO HYDROPLANED DURING WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THE DEALER CALLED THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER ON HIS BEHALF. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/09/09.*LJ UPDATED 01/12/09. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND AT LESS THAN 90,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. IT TAKES 5-10 SECONDS TO ENGAGE AND THEN 'CLUNKS' AND JUMPS BADLY. ROUGH SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. AFTER SOME WEB RESEARCH I SEE THAT THIS IS IN FACT A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL. THIS IS CRAZY. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR/REPLACEMENT IS OVER $3,000. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORE 4L SIX, STARTING IN 2006 I BEGAN TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, MY INITIAL PROBLEM DEVELOPED WHEN THE EXPLORER HAD AROUND 57,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT TO DRIVE. IN NOVEMBER 2008, NOW WITH ABOUT 74,000, MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS DEVELOPED MORE PROBLEMS IT CURRENTLY JUMPS FORWARD WHEN I SHIFT TO DRIVE. AFTER CHECKING AUTOBEEF.COM, WITH OVER 500 COMPLAINTS POSTED, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. THE INITIAL REPAIR COST OVER $700.00 AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS GOING TO COST THE SECOND TIME. I BELIEVE THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SHOULD BE CHECKED BY YOUR AGENCY FOR POSSIBLE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE BURDEN IT PLACES ON CONSUMER TO KEEP REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. THIS MAY ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

1. DUE TO A RECALL (FORD RECALL NO. 04S20. ), THE LIFTGATE GLASS OPERATION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED IN 2005. SINCE EARLY 2007, THE SAME GLASS STRUTS AND HINGES ARE APPARENTLY HAVING PROBLEM -- FIRST IT TOOK EXTRA EFFORT TO RAISE THE GLASS TO THE FULLY OPENING POSITION, THEN WHILE THE GLASS IS LIFTED OPEN, IT UNEXPECTEDLY DROPPED DOWN. I GOT HIT 3 TIMES AT MY HEAD OR HANDS BY THE SUDDEN DROPPED GLASS AND FRAME; IT COURSED BLEEDING ON MY HAND ONCE. THIS IS CERTAINLY OF SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I REALLY DOUBT IF THE FORD DEALER (GAINESVILLE FORD IN GAINESVILLE, FL) CORRECTLY PERFORMED THE RECALL JOB IN 2005, AS THEY HAVE A REPUTATION OF LOW STANDARDS OF SERVICE AND TECHNIQUE . BUT, FORD, AS THE MANUFACTURER, SHOULD HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ENFORCING THE RECALL JOB MEET THE STANDARD. OTHERWISE, WHAT IS POINT OF GOING THROUGH THE RECALL? 2. SINCE JULY OF 2008, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE BACK LIFTGATE PANEL START HAVING CRACKING UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUTS OR HINGES, THE SAME SYSTEM THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. NONETHELESS, THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL, SINCE THE CRACK APPEARING REFLECTS THE LIFTGATE BEING UNSTABLE AND THE GLASS HAVING MUCH HIGHER RISK OF ACCIDENTALLY BREAKING, THEREFORE COURSING INJURY. THIS VEHICLE, WITH ONLY 60 K MILES, HAS BEEN TAKEN GOOD CARE. THROUGH SEARCHING INTERNET, I FOUND THIS APPEARS TO BE A QUITE COMMON ISSUE FOR EXPLORER 2002 MODEL. IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT ACCE

TRANSMISSION LIGHT BLINKING. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *TR

AFTER BUYING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER USED IN 2006, I HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL AUG. OF 2008 WHEN O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. AT THIS POINT, VEHICLE WAS JUST UNDER 80,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGH BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. WHEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND WOULD NEED TO SPEND $2000 FOR A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE REGARDING THE EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING I STILL HAVE 3 1/2 YEARS LEFT ON MY LOAN. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH A V8 AUTO TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES SINCE I REACHED 60,000 MILES. IT WOULD TAKE OVER 5 SECONDS TO ENGAGE INTO GEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF ON A STOPPED AND SWITCHING GEARS. THEN ONE DAY I AM DRIVING AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH. I WENT HOME AND SINCE IT WAS A SATURDAY NIGHT , I DECIDED TO DO A GOOGLE SEARCH ON 2002 OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING. OH BOY DID I WISH I KNEW THAT ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. FORD HAS PUT A SEALED TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS FLAT OUT DANGEROUS!! HOW CAN THEY PUT A TRANSMISSION INTO A VEHICLE THAT YOUR NOT EVEN ABLE TO CHECK YOUR FLUID LEVEL. YOUR TRANSMISSION COULD BE LOW CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT, AND THE OWNER WOULD NEVER KNOW. NOT ONLY ARE THERE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF EXPLORERS WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. BETWEEN 20 TO 30 MPH (GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD) THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP ALLOWING THE VEHICLE RPM'S TO SOAR TO 5000 + AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. IF YOU DO A INTERNET SEARCH THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE. SOME VEHICLES REPORT AS LOW AS 20,000 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILS. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY FAULTY. READ THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE FROM THE HARD WORKING CONSUMER, AND I THINK YOU WILL AGREE. I HOPE TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU SOON ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT CLOSED THE REAR HATCH, THE LEFT HINGE FAILED AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. NHSTA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) WAS REFERENCED. THE INSURANCE AGENCY WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 124,996.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE LIFTED THE LIFTGATE ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD ONLY HOLD FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE COMING BACK DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ONE OF WHICH INJURED THE CONTACT'S BACK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DEEMED AS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 81,000 AND TRANNY IS ALREADY ON THE WAY OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY IDLE WITHOUT ACCELERATION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

I HAVE A 2002 XLT EXPLORER WITH THE 4WD NOT WORKING. DURING MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FOR REPLACEMENT THE 4X4 CM UNIT FAILS AND THE 4WD SYSTEM BECOMES INOP. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS UPGRADED THE MOTOROLA UNIT WITH THE END RESULT COSTING THE CONSUMER $500 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE RUNS IN 4X4 AUTO ADJUSTING THE DRIVETRAIN TO WEATHER CONDITIONS OPTIMIZING THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.. THIS COMPONENT REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE QUALIFIED AS A RE-CALL BY FORD AND THE COST SHOULD NOT EFFECT THE CONSUMER. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER VEHICLES AND IS MORE SERIOUS THEN THE FIRESTONE TIRE COMPLAINT. SINCE FORD RECOGNIZES THIS DEFECTIVE MODULE THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I'M SHOCKED THAT THIS DEFECTIVE PART THAT CONTROLS THE SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF THE 2002 EXPLORES HAS NOT ALREADY REGISTERED A RECALL. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH HAS A CRACK IN IT. *TR

VEHICLE PURCHASED IN JULY OF 07 FROM DEALER WITH 75,000K. CURRENTLY HAS 86,000K, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. VEHICLE BEGAN SLIPPING A MONTH AGO, AND NOW SLAMS INTO GEAR. I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER TO HAVE THE FLUIDS CHECKED, AND THEY REFUSED UNLESS I WOULD PAY FOR THE SERVICE INSPECTION. THESE TRANNY'S ARE MADE SO AS I CANNOT CHECK THEM MYSELF DUE TO THE ENCLOSED CASING. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND OVER 300 INDIVIDUALS ON ONE WEB SITE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. CALLED DEALER ABOUT SERVICE INSPECTION AND THEY WANT $100+ TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BEFORE THEY WILL EVEN TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY DIRECTLY AND THEY INFORMED ME VIA EMAIL THAT THEY COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE NHTSA DURING INVESTIGATIONS AND I SHOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND HAVE THEM CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO SUGGESTED I SHOULD DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I DO NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH ANYONE. I WANT FORD TO BE MADE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON A PAYMENT PLAN AND ARE NOW STUCK WITH A LEMON THAT THEY CAN NEITHER AFFORD TO FIX OR REPLACE. I TOOK A LOAN ON THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER $10,000, AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP OFFERED ME $3000 TRADE-IN VALUE FOR IT LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE VEHICLE ITSELF. IF THEY KNOW IT ISN'T WORTH ANYTHING, THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. I AM

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFTGATE PANEL CRACKING BELOW GLASS. *TR

THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE AWAY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE SHIFTER ITSELF DID NOT BREAK, BUT RATHER A PIECE OF METAL ATTACHED TO THE COLUMN, REQUIRING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN BE REPLACED AT $1100. THE REQUIRED COST TO GET YOUR VEHICLE FIXED IS EXTREME AND CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW. I GOOGLED BROKEN GEAR SHIFT ON '02 EXPLORER AND FOUND AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE. FORD CLEARLY SHOULD RECALL THIS PART AND COVER EXPENSES INCURRED TO REPAIR THEIR PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY, BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL SUGGESTS SWITCHING GEARS WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD CLEARLY BE DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE DRIVER. *TR

WAS HEARING A BANGING NOISE IN THE HOOD, MY HUSBAND FOUND OUT THAT THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT AND STRIPPED THE HEAD. *TR

WHEEL BEARING ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS COMPLETELY SHOT AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL AND SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. WELL SIMPLE WEAR AND TEAR AND EXTREMELY POORLY MANUFACTURED PARTS ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE. ON MOST VEHICLES THESE PROBLEMS DON'T OCCUR UNTIL WELL AFTER 160+ THOUSAND MILES I HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM RIGHT NOW AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON ALL FORD EXPLORER BETWEEN 2002 AND 2004. I HAVE READ THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE WHEEL ON THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO THE POINT OF FALLING OFF. AS FOR REPLACEMENT AND CORRECTION YOU COULD REPLACE ALL FOUR BEARING AND BETWEEN 8 AND 24 THOUSAND MILES THEY WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. TYPICAL REPAIR COST RANGE FROM $500- $2500 WHICH REALLY ISN'T TOO AFFORDABLE WHEN IT OCCURS MORE THAN TWICE IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD. I ALSO READ THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD AND ALL FORD SAYS SOME ONE MAY CALL YOU OR THAT ITS NOT UNDER RECALL SO WE CAN'T DO NOTHING FOR YOU. *TR

INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OF BURNED TWO HOLES IN ITSELF DUE TO PLASTIC CONSTRUCTION NOT ABLE TWO WITHSTAND HEAT WITCH CAUSED A CASCADING AFFECT AND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CONVERTERS AND THE MANIFOLD TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *TR

REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION TWO TIMES IN 30,000 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. O/D BAND. *TR

FORD 2002 EXPLORER HAS LARGE CRACK ON LIFTGATE PANEL RUNNING FROM JUST OF THE LEFT OF THE FORD INSIGNIA TO THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR WINDOW. FORD WILL NOT HELP WITH REPLACEMENT DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS AND THE ADMISSION THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS. THE LIFTGATE WAS RECALLED A FEW YEARS AGO FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM WITH THE CYLINDERS. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT I WAS LIFTING MY REAR GLASS WINDOW NOT THE WHOLE LIFTGATE JUST THE GLASS I WAS ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY UP WHEN I HEARD THIS LOUD NOISE AND WAS SHOWERED BY FALLING GLASS AND THEN EVENTUALLY STRUCK BY THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. I CALLED FORD THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO FIX THIS ISSUE I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

I BOUGHT MY EXPLORER USED WITH 67000 MILES ON IT I HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BUT HE DIDN'T DO A VERY THOROUGH JOB. AFTER ABOUT 3 WEEKS I HAD A HARD TIME PUTTING INTO REVERSE BUT THEN SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND I DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR AWHILE THIS LASTED ON AND OFF FOR A YEAR AND HALF WHEN ONE DAY IT WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE AT ALL AND NO OTHER GEARS EITHER I HAD IT REPAIRED AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE THEN MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND STOPPED WORKING THAT WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL , 1ST , 2ND AND REVERSE GEARS STARTED SLIPPING I HAD THOSE REPAIRED NOW MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS DEFINITELY MY TRANSMISSION AND PROBABLY ALWAYS HAS BEEN. I KNOW SOMEONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR 02 FORD AND SPEAKING TO THE MECHANICS THEY WERE NOT SURPRISED AT ALL AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH LOTS OF 02 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ON LINE ARE HAVING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. HOW MANY VEHICLES DOES IT TAKE TO TURN INTO A RECALL??? *TR

FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DURING THE COLDEST PART OF THE WINTER, THE DOORS ON MY VEHICLE REFUSE TO LATCH. I HAVE TRIED WARMING THE CAR UP LONGER, SPRAYING THE INSIDES OF THE DOOR WITH SOLUTION THAT IS SUPPOSED TO UNFROZEN WINDSHIELDS AND LOCKS (EVEN THOUGH THERE NEVER IS ICE OR WATER SEEN) & NOTHING WORKS. LAST YEAR, IT EVEN REFUSED TO LATCH AFTER LETTING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAD LATCHED WHEN WE LEFT THE HOUSE A MILE EARLIER. WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER OUT OF THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE DOOR FLEW OPEN & ALMOST TOOK OUT A MAILBOX. I HAVE CALLED FORD REGARDING THIS CONCERN, & THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO SINCE IT HAS 119,000 MILES ON IT & THE WARRANTY IS OVER, EVEN THOUGH I BELIEVE IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN! AS IT IS GETTING COLDER HERE, I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AS MY DAUGHTER AND YOUNG GRANDSON ARE USING THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY WORKS AT THE FORD FACTORY & HE SAID THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE DOORS NOT BEING FITTED CORRECTLY & IN THE WINTER THE SEAL IS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 140,000 HIGHWAY MILES. BOUGHT BRAND NEW BY OWNER IN 2005, AT 90,000 MILES TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING LOUD CLUNKING NOISES. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED, BUT STILL CLUNKING NOISES. NOW AT 140,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND NOT GOING INTO 1ST OR SECOND GEAR. I HAVE BEEN ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES, AND HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH FORD'S ENCLOSED TRANSMISSIONS ON THEIR EXPLORERS AND OTHER VEHICLES. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A REDESIGNED TRANSMISSION AND FAILING FOR THOUSANDS OF FORD'S CUSTOMERS. I OWNED A JEEP CHEROKEE FOR TEN YEARS, AND HAD OVER 350,000 MILES ON IT, AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT I AM ONLY ONE OF THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM. OUR ECONOMY IS NERVOUS BECAUSE OUR AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE FALLING APART. THIS IS THE REASON WHY. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 69,000 MILES. FORD HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY COMPENSATION. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND WOUND UP REBUILDING MY TRANSMISSION - LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR. THIS COST ME OVER $3000. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN ANY INVESTIGATION INTO FORD AND ALL THE 2002 EXPLORERS WITH FAILED TRANSMISSIONS? *TR

ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER I HAVE A CRACK ON THE BACK PANEL UNDER THE LIFT GATE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCHING AND FIND THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON. I BELIEVE IT HAS TO DO WITH THE LIFTGATE HINGE RECALL. I AM AFRAID THAT THE PANEL BEING BROKEN MAY CAUSE IT TO COME OFF AND HIT A CAR BEHIND ME. I FEEL THAT THIS CRACK MAY CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IF I WAS IN A WRECK. I FEEL THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO REPLACE THIS PART. THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS AS I CAN SEE FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE LIFTGATE ON THE VEHICLE, THE REAR GLASS SUDDENLY SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, A PIECE OF GLASS LANDED IN THE CONTACT'S HAIR. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE RECALL REMEDY HAS NOT CORRECTED THE SAFETY DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER - REAR APPLIQUE (PLASTIC TRIM) UNDER THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED, AND A PORTION OF IT FELL OFF THE VEHICLE TRAVELING 70MPH. SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML. FORD HAS SAID IT WAS TEMP RELATED, HOWEVER, I'M IN FLORIDA, THE VEHICLE NEVER SAW ANY TEMP BELOW 40, FREEZING WASN'T CONSIDERED. TSB 0485 IF I'M READING IT CORRECTLY. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 87,000 MILES. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ROADWORTHY. *TR

CRACK DEVELOPED IN AREA BELOW LIFT GATE GLASS. NOW THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF, AS WELL AS THE BUZZER. THE GLASS DOES NOT SHUT PROPERLY AND IS INOPERABLE AND THE AREA BELOW THE GLASS HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN AWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOLDING ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.