2002 Ford Explorer complaints

THE STEERING WHEEL LEVER BROKE OFF MY FORD EXPLORER 2002. THIS OCCURS OFTEN ON FORD EXPLORERS BECAUSE IT IS MADE OF ALUMINUM. THE REPAIR IS TO CHANGE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT COSTS BETWEEN $800-1300 DOLLARS. *TR

BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AT THE TOP. ALSO, DRIVER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT ON INSIDE SIDEWALL WITH ABOUT 50% TREAD LEFT (SUSPECT BROKEN SPRING GOUGED THE TIRE). ALSO HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING (NOISY AND WOBBLY) AND PARKING BRAKE SHOES (COMPLETELY WORN OFF FROM TILTED AXEL HUB). 110,000 MILES. ALSO BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT 95K MILES (MAKING NOISE). WHERE IS THE SAFETY RECALL? *TR

WHEEL BEARINGS ERODED AFTER ONLY 75K MILES; TIRES IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF. *TR

RIGHT REAR WHEEL MAKING NOISE AND IS LOOSE. WHEEL HUB/BEARING IS LOOSE AND WOBBLY. PARKING BRAKE PADS WORN COMPLETELY OFF FROM WHEEL BEING TILTED. FAILED WHEEL BEARING!!! 106,000 MILES. 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ALSO REPLACED BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUBS FOR SAME REASON AT ABOUT 95,000 MILES (NOISY AND ROUGH BEARING). *TR

PURCHASED 2002 EXPLORER NEW, HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE. SOMETIMES DEALERS COULD FIND THE PROBLEM AND WOULD REPAIR, OTHER TIMES THEY COULDN'T. CAR NOW NEEDS NEW TRANS AGAIN, FORD WON'T COVER SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY. PER MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION SHOPS, THE DESIGN OF THE TRANNY ITSELF IS POOR. HAS METAL PIN THAT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH AT AN ANGLE (RATHER THAN STRAIGHT), SO PIN IS PUSHED UP AGAINST ALUMINUM PLATE, CAUSING A HOLE. SHOPS SAY THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR 2001 & 2002 EXPLORERS. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A COLLISION IN 2003 IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAD IT ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND NOW THAT IT IS 5 YEARS LATER,THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON,BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A CRASH. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON, BUT THEY WERE OF NO HELP! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FAILED. AFTER BEING INFORMED OF THE DIAGNOSIS, THE CONTACT REMEMBERED HEARING CLUNKING NOISES AND ODD SUSPENSION-RELATED BEHAVIOR. HE CALLED FORD TO FIND OUT IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NONE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,552 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,500.

THE TRANSMISSION FAILS WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IN MY CASE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND ALMOST GOT MYSELF HIT! THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. I CHECKED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON SEVERAL ONLINE RESOURCES AND FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS AN EPIDEMIC! *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER - BOTH REAR SPRINGS RUSTED AND CRACKED. ONE IN 2006 AND THE OTHER IN 2007. THIS VEHICLE DRIVEN BY WIFE AND NOT OFF ROAD OR FOR TOWING. ON THE NET THERE ARE MANY, MANY OWNERS WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN BUT MANUFACTURE WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE ROUTERS FROM THE BRAKES, AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO WORRY. AS THE CONTACT LEFT THE MECHANIC, THE SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEELS WERE BEING HELD ON BY THE BRAKES AND THE BEARINGS WERE DESTROYED. AFTER HAVING THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES HAD POOR TREAD MARKS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT TWO OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DESTROYED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER .THE REAR TRANSFER CASE BEARINGS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY AND CAN SEIZE UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND IS DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

MY DASHBOARD HAS DIGITAL MILEAGE/ TEMP AND TRIP....HOWEVER, SINCE I GOT THE SUV IN DECEMBER OF 2007, THE CLUSTER THAT SHOWS THAT INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN UP. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE SUV FROM REFUSED TO HAVE IT FIXED AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO WITHOUT SPENDING ALOT OF MONEY. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. *TR

FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. SHOP SAID IF IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN MUCH FURTHER THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE COME OFF. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED LAST YEAR AND FORD WILL NOT HELP. THIS IS EVIDENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND COULD LEAD TO DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON FORD EXPLORER. SELF ENCLOSED TRANSMISSION, NO DIPSTICK FOR CHECKING FLUID LEVELS, POORLY DESIGNED CONCEPT. HERE IS WEBSITE WITH 428 COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS PARTICULAR MODEL/YEAR. ALL THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

AS I WAS SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER MY SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND!!! ON FURTHER INSPECTION I SAW THAT THE SHIFT LINKAGE WAS MADE OF CAST ALUMINUM AND HAD SHEARED OFF AT THE PIVOT POINT. I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS AS I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/STEERING/GEAR_SHIFT_BROKE_OFF.SHTML. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT COMPLETELY FELL OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS WITH MOST 2002 MODEL FORD EXPLORERS ALL TRIM LEVELS. *TR

MY WIFE'S 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD A WHINE IN THE REAR END SINCE IT WAS NEW AND IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE WITH TIME. AT ABOUT 55K MILES IT WAS SO BAD THAT WE HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT AT A COST OF OVER $1,000. AT 65K MILES THE ENGINE HAD BEGUN TO MAKE NOISE AND IT BECAME MUCH LOUDER RAPIDLY. THE ENTIRE CAM DRIVE (TIMING CHAIN, SPROCKETS, TENSIONERS) HAD BEEN GROUND UP. THE TENSIONER PADS HAD 3/8" DEEP GROOVES WORN INTO THEM AND THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS EVERYWHERE. THE BILL THIS TIME WAS ALMOST $1,300. IT IS INTERESTING THAT ALL THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE A DIFFERENT DESIGN THAN THE ORIGINALS. IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN, WHY SPEND THE MONEY TO CHANGE THEM? OF COURSE FORD WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN FOR THE CAMS. AFTER THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FIXED THERE WAS STILL A NOISE SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP THAT DID THE WORK. WITH A STETHOSCOPE THE NOISE WAS ISOLATED TO THE BELLHOUSING/TORQUE CONVERTER AREA. WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WE TRUST AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS A CRACKED FLEX PLATE BECAUSE THAT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ON THESE VEHICLES AND IT CAUSES THAT KIND OF NOISE. THE FLEX PLATE WAS FINE AS WAS THE FRONT PUMP ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THE STARTER DRIVE. THE ONLY THING LEFT IN THAT AREA WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER SO WE REPLACED THAT. THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. HE SAID THAT THE NOISE HAD TO BE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT WOULD BE A $2,000 REPAIR. I'VE HAD IT WITH FORD AND THEIR "QUALITY IS

A CRACKED REAR PANEL ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. TO DATE, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY SAFETY ISSUES, BUT I'VE CHECKED OTHER ONLINE SITES AND SEEN QUITE A FEW SUBMISSIONS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPLACED, AND ACCORDING TO OTHER OWNERS, THE PROBLEM WILL PROBABLY REOCCUR (IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN DURING COLD WEATHER). FORD HAS NOT LISTED IT ON THEIR RECALL SITE. *TR

MY HUSBAND OPENED THE LIFTGATE TO MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER TO BRING OUR HURRICANE SUPPLY KIT INTO THE HOUSE. AFTERWARDS, HE WENT TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE, JUST AS NORMAL, AND THE GLASS, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, EXPLODED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES AND THE FRAME BELOW THE GLASS CRASHED TO THE GROUND. GLASS WAS FOUND HALFWAY DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, UNDER THE CAR, INSIDE THE CAR, AND ON TOP OF THE CAR. THE HINGES WERE CLEARLY BOTH BROKEN AND WIRES WERE SEPARATED FROM THE LIFTGATE. MY HUSBAND WAS STANDING TO THE SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN HE CLOSED THE LIFTGATE AND LUCKILY ONLY HAD A MINOR CUT ON HIS TOE. THE LIFTGATE DID NOT TOUCH ANYTHING AND WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING OR FORCED TO CLOSE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO IT EXPLODING. I ESSENTIALLY HAVE A THREE-SIDED CAR RIGHT NOW. FORD ISSUED A RECALL (04S20) ON THE LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE AND BALL STUD BRACKET EARLIER AND I HAD THAT REPAIR COMPLETED ON 09/25/07. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPLOSION IS VERBATIM OF WHAT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER FORD CUSTOMER CARE DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY STATING THAT PART IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AS DOES THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY REPAIRED THE RECALLED PART. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DISASTROUS IF MY HUSBAND HAD NOT BEEN STANDING OFF TO THE SIDE OR IF ANYONE HAD BEEN INSIDE THE CAR, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ANY INCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN INVOLVING THE HINGE AND BALL BRACKET EVEN IF THE REPAIR WAS MADE AS THEY REQUESTED PER THE RECALL. DOORS DO NOT JUST 'COME OFF' FOR NO REASON. THEIR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 HAS EXCESSIVE WHEEL BEARING NOISE. I HAVE READ OF MANY WHEEL BEARING ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL WHICH SIGNIFIES A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. A RECALL SHOULD BE INSTITUTED. *TR

REAR BEARINGS ON 02 FORD EXPLORER XLS DEFECTIVE. *TR

PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, STARTING IN JUNE 08. DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING, PLUS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF (FLICKER, DANGEROUS IF DRIVING AT NIGHT), BELLS GO ON/OFF, AND THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK (NEVER SURE WHICH THEY ARE). IF NOT DRIVING, THE ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY. *TR

PARKED MY SUV IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER A SHORT TRIP AND THE HORN BEGAN TO BLOW. AS I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE I OPENED MY DOOR TO FIND SMOKE ROLLING OUT UNCONTROLLABLY. I RAN INSIDE TO CALL 911, BY THE TIME I HUNG UP THE PHONE MY ENTIRE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. THIS JUST HAPPENED TODAY, SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. BUT THIS WAS CAUSED BY SOME DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

LEFT REAR SPRING BROKEN APPROXIMATELY 3" FROM TOP OF SPRING. SPRING PROTECTIVE COATING ONLY 20% REMAINING AND ESSENTIALLY NON FUNCTIONAL. EXTREMELY HEAVY RUST IN THIS REGION OF SPRING. *TR

PAINT IS BLISTERING AND CHIPPING ON THE HOOD AND FENDER OF MY 2002 EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER O/D LIGHT GOES OFF AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. THE TRANSMISSION SHORTLY THEREAFTER, STARTS SLIPPING. THE O/D LIGHT, IS BLINKING OUT OF CONTROL. EXCESSIVE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORD CONSUMERS WHO BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER. *TR

MY WIFE DRIVES A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHICH AS ALREADY HAD EXTENSIVE REAR END REPAIR. IT MAKES A ROARING SOUND WHENEVER THE CAR IS MOVING AND IT IS LEAKING WHAT I BELIEVE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE REAR END. FORD DENIES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT PARTICULAR CAR THOUGH I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINS ON LINE ABOUT TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN FAILURES IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. A RELIABLE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN CAN SEIZE UP AN ANY TIME. IF THIS HAPPENS ON AN INTERSTATE DOESN'T THIS QUALIFY AS A SAFETY CONCERN? *TR

THE OD LIGHT ON MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER BEGAN BLINKING ACCOMPANIED BY CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT. WE TRAVELED SLOWLY HOME AMIDST WHIRRING AND CRUNCHING SOUNDS. THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND OBVIOUSLY THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. THE FORD MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WOULD CLOSE $2800 TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION AND IN RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS REGARDING POWER TRAIN, SUGGESTED THAT WE FIX THE REAR POWER TRAIN FOR $1600. JUST A WEEK AGO, ON THE WAY TO MY DAUGHTER'S WEDDING, 4 HOURS FROM HOME, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING WITH WARNING SOUNDS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND REPAIRED. WE PICKED IT UP A WEEK LATER DRIVING 4 HOURS ON BUSY THROUGH WAYS AND HIGHWAYS, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LIGHTS, AS NOTED ABOVE, STARTED BLINKING. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, WE HAD THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AS WELL AS OTHER REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND UPCOMING POWER TRAIN FAILURE MAKE THE CAR UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING WITH IT IN DRIVE. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF & IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED (IE, IGNITION/INTERLOCK SYSTEM). THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN EITHER. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN (NOT JUST SMALL BROKEN PIECE) HAD TO BE REPLACED (COST=$1372, $897 FOR PARTS). AS OF 7/2/08, 61 EXACTLY THE SAME INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED VIA COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA WEBSITE. SOME VEHICLES COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PART FAILURE TWICE. THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED UNDER THE COMPONENTS - STEERING: COLUMN, POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: COLUMN SHIFT, STEERING: GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION), STEERING: GEAR BOX: SHAFT SECTOR, STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR, OTHER OR UNKNOWN THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN AND/OR MFG/MATERIAL DEFECT & IT CORRELATES (IN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS) WITH ANOTHER DEFECT - VERY DIFFICULT SHIFTING OF GEAR LEVER TO OR FROM ?PARK? & ?REVERSE?. 61 REPORTED INCIDENTS OF THE PARTS FAILURE ARE SIGNIFICANT, BUT THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY FAR MORE THAN HAVE BEEN REPORTED VIA NHTSA COMPLAINTS. THE DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT PART POSES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. IF THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BREAKS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON A STREET OR EXPRESSWAY (BUT STOPPED MOMENTARILY BY NECESSITY), THE DRIVER WOULD B

THE GEARSHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK. NO EXCESSIVE PRESSURE WAS EXERTED AT THIS TIME OR ANY OTHER TO MY KNOWLEDGE. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY BUT I FEAR THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE HAPPENED DURING A GEAR CHANGE ON THE ROAD (FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, OR VICE VERSA IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION). MY REPAIR SHOP SAID THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS WERE BACK ORDERED, APPARENTLY DUE TO FREQUENT FAILURES. *TR

NOISE AND FLUID LEAKAGE IN REAR DIAGNOSED BY LOCAL MECHANIC AS FAILING WHEEL BEARING AND DIFFERENTIAL SEAL. REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL SEAL AND ONE REAR WHEEL BEARING AT 57,000 MILES. AT 69,000 REPLACED ONE FRONT WHEEL BEARING BECAUSE OF NOISE. AT 80,000 MECHANIC REPORTED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAD CORRODED AT THEIR UPPER ENDS AND CRACKED THROUGH. BOTH THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON ON 2002 MODELS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN THE DATA BASE. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW HATCH ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED. THIS TIME IT CRACKED AND FLEW OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. 2 VEHICLES BEHIND ME HAD TO DODGE THE DEBRIS, AND FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN JULY OF 2007 IN JAN OF THE NEXT YEAR OUR O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND WE LOST 3RD GEAR. SO WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER GETTING ONLINE AND SEEING HUNDREDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS THAT ARE ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME ITS HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHY FORD WON'T ISSUE A RECALL, THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE TO DRIVE 3 KIDS AROUND IN AND WE ARE STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON SOMETHING THAT JUST SITS BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT.

O/D LIGHT CAME ON IN CAR,,, ACORDING TO FORDS DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM,,,NOTHING IS BRING DONE ABOUT THIS,, WHICH LEAVES ON BIG PROBLEM FOR THE COSUMERS LIKE MY SELF ! AND FORD IS FULL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM !

MARCH '07: REAR GATE SPLIT UNDER WINDOW DECEMBER '07 THROUGH JAN '08: REAR DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT TWICE, REAR AXEL HUBS AND BEARINGS REPLACED; DIFFERENTIAL NOISE STILL LOUD JUNE '08: TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, 4WD, 4.6L - 84,000 MILES: REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WHINING/ROARING FOR A FEW MONTHS AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAVE MECHANICAL BACKGROUND AND LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE ON RACK WITH MECHANIC. REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS OBVIOUSLY VERY BAD AND I AM LUCKY I DID NOT TAKE MY FAMILY ON VACATION WITH THIS PROBLEM AS IF THE WHEELS WOULD HAVE LOCKED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT/INJURY. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS THESE WITH REGULAR/EASY USE AT SUCH LOW MILES AND WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE (AS I HAVE DONE). I HAVE ALSO REPLACED LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND AM SUSPICIOUS OF RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING, WHICH WILL BE EVALUATED AFTER REPAIR OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *TR

I HAVE PROBLEMS CLOSING THE BACK WINDOW. YESTERDAY I WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO CLOSE THE BACK WINDOW, THEN ABOUT 1/3 WAY DOWN OUT OF NO WHERE THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED ALL OVER ME FOR THE SECOND TIME! VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHILDREN. (GOOD THING MY CHILDREN WERE ABOUT 15FT AWAY, BUT THEY WITNESS THE WHOLE THING). THE FIRST TIME THE WINDOW SHATTERED, IT WAS MAYBE AROUND 2004-05. (I CAN VERIFY UPON REQUEST). SUPPOSEDLY DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM. (YEAH RIGHT!) VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD!! *TR

THE GEAR SHIFT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. I WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD SON & MY WIFE WHO IS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT. I PULLED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE IN REVERSE, WHEN I PROCEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. MY CAR WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON REVERSE. I HAD TO TURN OF THE ENGINE TO BE ABLE TO PUSH IT OUT OF HARMS WAY AND COULD NO LONGER TURN IT ON BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK ON THE REVERSE GEAR. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE, FIND A MECHANIC THAT COULD HELP ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN HAVE IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC HAD TO CHANGE THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE FORD DOES NOT SELL THE SINGLE PART TO FIX THE GEAR SHIFT, THEY ONLY SELL THE ENTIRE COLUMN. THE MECHANIC GOT ME A GOOD DEAL ON THE COLUMN AND THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $360 AS OPPOSED TO THE $850 THAT FORD WANTED TO CHARGE FOR THE PART. THERE IS A DATABASE ONLINE OF NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORER 2002 OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. HERE IS THE LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/STEERING/GEAR_SHIFT_BROKE_OFF.SHTML THIS IS A DEFECT THAT THREATENS THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED, RECALLED AND THE VICTIMS OF THIS DILEMMA SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY FORD FOR THEIR EXPENSES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING, CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. REAR END MAKES NOISE, ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. TRUCK SHIFTS HARD FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. SHIFTS HARD AND MAKES CLUNCKING SOUND FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND WILL NOT GO IN TO OVER-DRIVE AT ALL. *TR

REAR HUB BEARINGS SHOT AND VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. THIS IS HAPPENING ON 2002 FORD EXPLORERS IN GREAT NUMBERS AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY A RECALL. PLEASE REFER TO HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WHEELS_HUBS/WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML WHERE AMONG OTHERS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ARE POSTED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE REAR TAILGATE HATCH WINDOW WAS A QUARTER OF THE WAY DOWN, THE CONTACT'S SON RETRIEVED ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK AND THE MIDDLE PIECE OF THE REAR END WAS LITERALLY HANGING OFF. THE WINDOW GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. HIS SON WAS UNINJURED, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF NO PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE WINDOW ITSELF. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, NOR A RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,739.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 36,000 MILES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND TURNED THE CORNER AND THIS CLANKING NOISE BEGAN COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL OF MY TRUCK. I TOOK THE TIRE OFF TO CHECK THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND AND WERE SPINNING THE HUB AND GOT RESISTANCE AND CLANKING SOUNDS. I WENT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE LEFT REAR BEARINGS HAD GONE OUT. *TR

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WE PURCHASED USED WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE PURCHASE WE HAVE HAD 3 POWER WINDOW MOTORS GO BAD, BOTH REAR BEARINGS REPLACED, THE BACK DOOR PANEL IS CRACKED, THE A/C DOESN'T WORK, AND NOW IT LOOKS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. IF SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS HOW CAN THERE BE NO RECALL? *TR

SEVERE WHEEL BEARING ISSUES SINCE DAY ONE. HUB ASSEMBLY MADE LOUD NOISE AND THE WHEELS MAY HAVE FELL OFF BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN OF BEARING ASSEMBLY. MATHEWS FORD ASSURED US IT WAS NORMAL FOR 4X4 EXPLORERS TO MAKE SUCH NOISE, AND HAVE NOT REVISITED THE PROBLEM FROM 2002 UNTIL NOW. BEARINGS WERE CHECKED ON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON JUNE 17 2008 AND WERE FOUND TO BE FAILING ACCORDING TO MATHEWS FORD MECHANIC. AT 52,000 MILES THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND SPINDLE WERE REPLACED DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *TR

TRANSMISSION IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER FAILED W/O WARNING. DIRECTLY (3 DAYS) AFTER GETTING IT BACK FROM TRANSMISSION SHOP, BOTH REAR HUB ASSEMBLIES WENT. AGAIN, SEEMINGLY OVERNIGHT. MY WIFE SAID, "IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF." SERVICE SHOP SAID, "IT'S A WONDER THE WHEELS DIDN'T FALL OFF." DID THIS THING JUST SELF-DESTRUCT OR WHAT? FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE UNTIMELY FAILURES. I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN. UPDATED 06/25/08

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT 128,000 MILES. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR PROPERLY. $3500 TO REPLACE AT DEALER. *TR