2002 Ford Explorer complaints

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 XLS STARTED TO MAKE A ROARING SOUND FROM THE REAR WHEELS AND THE GAS MILEAGE SEEMED TO BE A COUPLE MPG LESS. I THINK I HAD ABOUT 25K MILES AT THE TIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT, I THOUGHT IT COULD BE THE BEARINGS, THEY FOUND NOTHING. I WAS VERY CONCERNED SINCE I WAS GOING TO TAKE MY FAMILY ON VACATION... NOW, STILL CONCERN I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH SEEING IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WHEELS_HUBS/WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML AND NOW I AM EVEN MORE CONCERNED. I THINK I AM SITTING ON A TIME BOMB. THERE WERE SO MANY COMPLAINTS, THAT I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS TRULY A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. I HAVE HAD IDENTICAL ISSUES AND I DON'T ABUSE THE CAR. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE I END UP IN AN ACCIDENT? THANK YOU. *TR

HUGE PROBLEMS WITH REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON 02 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD SHOULD TAKE ACCOUNTABILITIES FOR THERE LACK QUALITY IN TERMS OF ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING. THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD FAMILY VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY IT IS UNSAFE AND A DRAIN ON THE FINANCES. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, REAR END CLUNKS WHEN THE TRANNY FINALLY SHIFTS TO ANOTHER GEAR, REAR END WHINE AT 60-70MPH. HASN'T BEEN FIXED BUT THE DEALERSHIP ESTIMATES $2K FOR THE REAR END AND $3K FOR THE TRANNY. *TR

I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT THE END OF 2007. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE HAD JUST UNDER 60,000 MILES. AROUND 65,000 I BEGAN TO HEAR A HIGH PITCHED HOWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE NOISE INVESTIGATED AND HAD BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AS A RESULT. THIS DID NOT, HOWEVER, SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE NOISE CONTINUED AND INTENSIFIED. RECENTLY, THE SOUND BEGAN TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY A LOW GRINDING SOUND AND A DEFINITELY PERCEPTIBLE 'DRAGGING' AFFECT. THIS HAPPENED JUST SHY OF 80,000 MILES. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, MY PROBLEM HAS BEEN RE-DIAGNOSED AS A REAR DRIVE TRAIN/AXLE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL, BUT FORD IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE/ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM AND THE POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REAR AXLE SEIZING UP DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/DRIVETRAIN/REAR_DIFFERENTIAL_PROBLEMS.SHTML REPRESENTS A LIST OF ONGOING COMPLAINTS RELATIVE TO THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BEING SERVICED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,979. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ

SAME AS ALL THE OTHERS. O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, STARTED SHIFTING HARD, THEN LOST ALL GEARS EXCEPT FIRST. TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED! CALLED FORD THEY DON'T CARE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC FOUND A CRACK IN THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY PRIOR FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000. UPDATED 6/9/08 *CN

STARTED AS MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WOULD KICK IN AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TO GET IT OUT. THEN MY TRANS STARTED SLIPPING I HIT THE BRAKE AND GOES OUT OF GEAR. NOW IT JUST TAKES ITSELF IN AND OUT WHEN EVER ONLY HAVE 95,000CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN EASY. *TR

THE FUEL SYSTEM ON MY FORD EXPLORER WENT OUT COMPLETELY AT 40,000 MILES. ALSO, THE BLACK PANELS BETWEEN THE WINDOWS ARE FADED AND PEELING. *TR

CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WENT OFF , THEN O/D LIGHT KEPT BLINKING, FAILED TO GO INTO GEAR AND LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING HOME. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND MECH SAID IT WAS A BAD TRANSMISSION AND IS NOW REBUILDING IT FOR 1,900 USD. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS, TRANSMISSION SLIPS, O/D LIGHT FLASHES, VEHICLE COASTS TO A STOP. CAUSES TRAFFIC DELAYS, INCREASES CHANCES FOR MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. *TR

TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD INTO 2ND GEAR FROM DAY ONE, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL, WHINING IN REAR END ALSO SAID NORMAL. HAD TO REPLACE 2 WHEEL BEARINGS, 2 MORE BAD NOW, REPLACED WHEEL HUB, NOW TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT. *TR

DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON AND CAUSES DOME LIGHTS TO FLASH ON AND OFF AND CHIME WHILE DRIVING. CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAVE TALK TO FORD THEY TELL ME I NEED TO BRING IT IN WHILE THIS IS ALL HAPPENING SO THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. CAR NEVER SEEMS TO DO IT AT A TIME I CAN TAKE IT IN. *TR

AT 51,894 WE WERE SURPRISED TO FIND THAT OUR REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUB ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED THIS STARTED AS A WHINE AND CLICKING NOISE TOTAL CHARGE TO FIX APPROX 750.00 -- ACCORDING TO OTHERS ON THIS SITE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME WE ALSO HAD A VERY LOOSE PARKING BRAKE, BUT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT COULDN'T BE TIGHTENED UNTIL THE GROOVES WORE OUT? *TR

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE LEFT REAR OUTER TIE ROD AND WHICH THE MECHANIC SAYS DISPLAYS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND MOVEMENT. ALSO REPLACING REAR GAS CHARGED STRUTS (DISPLAYS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND MOVEMENT), REAR COIL SPRINGS (BENT, CRACKED, AND LOOSE), AND REAR STRUT MOUNTS. $1100.00 ON A CAR WITH 61109 MILES ON IT. THIS VEHICLE IS NEVER USED TO HAUL OR TOW ANYTHING. WE HAVE TRUCKS FOR THAT. I'M SICK TO SEE ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM - IT CAN'T BE A COINCIDENCE. *TR

FAILURE OF WHEEL BEARINGS, CAUSING LACK OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE WHEEL LOSS. *TR

OVER THE PAST MONTH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED HAS BEGUN TO KNOCK VERY HARD WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE AND IT ALSO SHIFTS BADLY ONCE ROLLING FORWARD, KNOCKING AND JERKING. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ON FORD EXPLORER 2002. *TR

ENGINE TICKING AT IDLE. *TR

ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUB ASSEMBLIES(APPROX $250 EACH), WITH THE 4TH NOT FAR BEHIND. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE MODULE(APPROX $400-$500). I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR WINDOW MOTORS GOING BAD AND HAVING TO REPLACE THESE TOO. THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DUMMY LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR NO REASON. THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME OFTEN COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE BUCKLED YOUR SEAT BELT. YOU HAVE TO SLAM THE BUCKLE INTO PLACE FOR IT TO GO OFF AND SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT WORK EITHER. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW MAKING A LOVELY CLUNKING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK, IT DOES NOT WANT TO. YOU HAVE TO PUT IT UP TO PARK AS FAR AS IT WILL GO THEN GO BACK TO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK FROM THERE. WE HAVE REPLACED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOES ON BOTH SIDES BECAUSE THEY WERE COMPLETELY WORN OFF EVEN THOUGH WE DO NOT USE THE E-BRAKES. THESE PROBLEMS ARE JUST PILING UP ONE AFTER ANOTHER. I WENT TO AN INTERNET SITE THAT HAS COMPLAINTS ABOUT VEHICLES AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THEIR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS OF ALL KINDS (XL, EDDIE BAUER, SPECIAL EDITION, ETC.). WHY HASN'T FORD DONE ANY RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS? DOES IT REQUIRE MULTIPLE INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH FOR THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY??? *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER NO PRIOR WARNING O/D LIGHTS STARTS TO FLASH THEN SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON CAME ON NOW TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD UNLESS I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR ONLY 66,000 MILES AND 1 DAY OUT OF WARRANTY I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON WEB SITES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM BUT MANY MECHANICS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE AWARE OF IT FORD SAYS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A SAFETY ISSUE A TRANSMISSION WHEN MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY AND GOD FORBID THEY GET STUCK AND END UP IN AN ACCIDENT THEN WHAT IT STILL ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE!!!! *TR

O/D LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND CAR IS REVVING AND DOES NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. *TR

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SINCE BUYING OUR VEHICLE IN 2003. THE FIRST TIME WE HAD IT FIXED WAS TWO WEEKS AFTER BUYING IT. IT HAS BEEN FIXED 3 TIMES AND WE ARE ABOUT TO FIX AGAIN. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH HUNDREDS OF OWNERS OF 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER; THE MECHANIC SAID IF NOT FIXED THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE HATCH CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS OF THIS YEAR MODEL. IT'S OBVIOUS TO ALL THOSE WHO OWN ONE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECT IN MATERIAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. FORD REFUSES TO FIX IT OR EVEN MAKE PARTIAL RESTITUTION FOR HAVING IT REPAIRED. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS FAILED. THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND THEY SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THEY HAVE DEALT WITH MANY 2002 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF

2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4L V6 AUTO TRANS I HAD MY EXPLORER INTO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE LAST JANUARY AND THEY MENTIONED THAT MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL SEAL WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED BUT NOT RIGHT AWAY. I WAITED FOR THE NEXT OIL CHANGE IN APRIL AND SCHEDULED IT IN FOR A WHEEL SEAL REPLACEMENT -- $190. NO MENTION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END. NOT 90 MILES LATER I HEAR A LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND AND MANAGED TO LIMP BACK TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THE SAME RIGHT REAR HUB THEY JUST REPLACED THE SEAL ON HAS A BAD BEARING/HUB. THEY REPLACED THE HUB AND BEARING AT A COST OF $899 ($533 PARTS). GIVEN THE EXPLORERS HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL (FIRESTONE BLOWOUTS) CAUSING ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS I THINK FORD WOULD TAKE THIS PROBLEM SERIOUSLY. IF HAVING A TIRE FAIL CAN LEAD TO ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LOSE THE ENTIRE WHEEL! *TR

DROVE INTO THE CARWASH WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE GEARSHIFT GOT STUCK AND BROKE OFF IN REVERSE, HAD TO BACK CAR OUT OF CARWASH WITH MANY CARS BEHIND ME TOWED THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST $1,200.00 AFTER RESEARCH TODAY I SEE THAT ALOT OF EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AND I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE CAR THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE PAID TO HAVE FIXED AND RECALLED SO THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO OTHERS. *TR

REAR TAILGATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS RECALLED FOR THE HINGES TO BE EXPOSED SINCE THEN THE TAILGATE WOULD EXHIBIT RANDOM DOOR AJAR INDICATIONS. RECENTLY THE PLASTIC PANEL ON THE OUTSIDE UNDER THE GLASS HAS SPLIT VERTICALLY IN THE MIDDLE. *TR

CRACK APPEARED IN WINTER 2006 IN HATCH BELOW REAR WINDOW. THIS WAS A FLORIDA CAR UP TO JUNE 2006. ALL WAS FINE IN FLORIDA. I SUSPECT COLD HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THESE CRACKS. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE AS I AM HOPING FOR A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING, IT CANNOT BE SHUT OFF WITH THE OVERDRIVE SWITCH UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OR GREATER. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

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

TRANSMISSION WON'T GO INTO GEAR SOMETIMES WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP. IT ALSO SLIPS OCCASIONALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR

TRANSMISSION MAKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. OD LIGHT BLINKS AND CHECK TRANSMISSION MESSAGE COMES ON. *TR

HEARD LOUD ROARING NOISE COMING FROM BACK REAR TIRES. HAD EXPLORER CHECKED TO FIND OUT THAT RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS ALMOST READY TO COME OFF EXPLORER. HUBS/BEARINGS WEARING OUT . THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE EXPLORERS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

I WENT TO PUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER INTO PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF. I HAD TO CALL A WRECKER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE TOTAL COST WAS $1100 BECAUSE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE METAL BASED ON THE BROKEN PART AND ALSO POOR DESIGN THAT YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN FOR. *TR

BLINKING O\D LIGHT, TRANSMISSION WILL ONLY SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE UNDER NO LOAD, LATE AND HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND (OR ACCEL TO ABOUT 20 MPH THEN BACK OFF TO MINIMIZE JAR TO DRIVE LINE COMPONENTS), AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT ENGAGE. SAFETY ISSUES: (1) PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC, CAN'T ACCELERATE UNTIL SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR (HAVE TO BACK OFF IN 1ST BEFORE IT SHIFTS) (2) 4-WHEEL TRACTION LOCK DOES NOT FUNCTION. FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THIS EXPLORER NEW, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED LATER AND HARDER THAN I THOUGH APPROPRIATE. THEN AT ABOUT 80 TO 85K MILES THE OD AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE STOPPED WORKING AND SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST TO 3RD BECAME MUCH WORSE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP STILL SEEMS TO BE WORKING (CAN TELL WHEN IT'S RUNNING ROAD SPEED IN 3RD GEAR). AFTER SOME RESEARCH USING FORD SHOP MANUALS, THERE SEEMS TO BE DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND LATE/HARD SHIFTS AND THE OVERDRIVE PROBLEM BUT I CAN;T FIND AN OFFICIAL FORD POSTING OR TECH BULLETIN TO PROVIDE DETAILS. INTERNAL PRESSURES CONTROL THE SHIFTING AND THERE ARE SEVERAL VALVES, ORIFICES, SOLENOIDS, ETC THAT CAN CAUSE IMPROPER CONTROL PRESSURES. FORD MUST KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND TRUTHFULLY, I THINK THE RELIABILITY OF THE TRANNY IN THE IRS EXPLORER FALLS WELL BELOW THE PUBLICS EXPECTATIONS AND SHOULD BE EVEN FARTHER BELOW FORDS ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA. DESPITE THE PREMATURE FAILURE, I WOULD PROBABLY BE CONTENT IF FORD PROVIDED THEIR EXPLORER OWNERS A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FAILURE, DEVELOPED A LONG TERM FIX, PROVIDED FORD OWNERS S

REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. YOU MAKE TONS OF MONEY OFF YOUR LOYAL COSTUMERS, NOW DO SOMETHING FOR THEM AND FIX AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT MECHANICS, DEALERSHIPS AND OWNERS OF 2002 FORD EXPLORERS KNOW ABOUT. THANK YOU *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 130,000 MILES WITH NEAR INCIDENT OF REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FALLING OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR

WE GOT IN TO A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND WE HIT AT ABOUT 45 M.P.H. ON IMPACT AND NOTHING DEPLOY SOON AFTER THE CRASH THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED FOR SEVERAL DAYS TILL WE GOT THE REPAIR AND THEY JUST RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE TRUCK AND NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING ONLY A WEEK AFTER THEY RESET IT AND THE FORD COMPANY HERE HAS NO REASONING OR ANSWER TO WHY THIS HAPPENED AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP US ON THIS SITUATION SO WE HAVE TO TURN TO YOU AND GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM A FORD DEALER IN APRIL 2005, WITH APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON IT. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THOUGHT THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. AFTER PURCHASING ALL FOUR NEW TIRES, THE NOISE CONTINUED TO WORSEN. BY 60,000 MILES THE NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE AND I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL GARAGE THAT THE RIGHT REAR HUB SEAL WAS THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF IF I DIDN'T REPLACE IT. THE ENTIRE HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO RUST FUSING THE PARTS TOGETHER. SURPRISINGLY, THE NOISE CONTINUED (ALTHOUGH SOMEWHAT MORE MUFFLED THIS TIME), BUT I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I DO ALOT OF LOCAL ON AND OFF HIGHWAY DRIVING AND I WAS AFRAID OF LOSING A WHEEL AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I TOOK IT INTO A FORD DEALER AND BOTH REAR HUBS NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. I NOW HAVE 105,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RE-OCCURRED. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THOUGH THAT FORD HAS NOT OWNED UP TO THIS WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM BY MAKING THESE FORD-OWNERS WHOLE AFTER THEY'RE MADE TO SPEND ANYWHERE FROM $500 TO $1500 (LIKE I DID) TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT SURELY THEY MUST KNOW COULD POTENTIALLY COST THEM ANOTHER HEADLINE!

DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND ALARM ARE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY . ALSO THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM WILL GO OFF FOR NO REASON. *TR

WHEEL HUB AND BEARING BAD. *TR

THE PAINT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS PEELING OFF THE PANELS BETWEEN THE WINDOWS AFTER 3 YEARS (AND IT'S PRIMARILY PARKED IN MY GARAGE). AFTER CONTACTING FORD AND APPEALING TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR ASSISTANCE, I DECIDED I COULD LIVE WITH IT BECAUSE IT WAS COSMETIC FLAW EVEN THOUGH THE DEALERS ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL" FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. HOWEVER, ON DEC 26, 2007, I WENT OUT TO MY CAR IN THE MORNING WHILE OUT OF TOWN,AND NOTICED A THREE INCH CRACK IN THE BODY OF THE REAR HATCH, JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD LOGO. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF BEING CLOSED TOO HARD OR ANY OTHER LOGICAL CAUSE. IT JUST CRACKED ON ITS OWN. I CALLED FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR AN ESTIMATE. I COMPLIED WITH THIS REQUEST AND TOOK IT IN. THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT AT ONE TIME, THERE HAD BEEN FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THIS REPAIR, BUT NOT ANYMORE. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. SO FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT SINCE I TOOK CARE OF MY VEHICLE BY PARKING IT OUT OF THE ELEMENTS, IT DID NOT MANIFEST UNTIL THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CRACKED PLASTIC IS A BIT SHARP AND I DO NOT WISH TO CUT MY HAND WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR

O/D LIGHT BLINKING; SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND IT WAS HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER. BASICALLY WAS TOLD I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS MORE COMMON THAN I THOUGHT. THERE IS EVEN A TSB (03-25-4). *TR

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT AT APPROX. 95,000 MILES ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE SHIFTIING OF THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY CAUSING A USUALLY HIGH IDLE AT CERTAIN GEARS. ALSO THE O/D LIGHT WOULD ALSO CONSTANTLY BLINK ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CURRENTLY MY EXPLORER IS IN A REPAIR SHOP AND NEEDS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR IS $2,300. A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH LESS THAN A 100K MILES. *TR

REAR PANEL WAS CRACKED WHICH THEN LEAD TO THE REAR WINDOW HINGE FAILING AND THE WINDOW SHATTERED IN AN UNPROVOKED MANNER. *TR

PULLED IN THE DRIVE WAY WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE SHIFTER FEEL OFF CALLED ON THE PART YOU CANT JUST BY THE PART YOU HAVE TO BY THE WHOLE COLUMN AT A PRICE OF 600.00 JUST FOR THE PART NOW I AM A WELDER AND MECHANIC BY TRADE AND HAVE BEEN FOR 20 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE THE EXPLORER THEY MAKE THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OUT OF POT METAL THIS IS A VERY POOR QUALITY OF METAL DIE CAST JUNK USED TO MAKE TOYS THERE IS NO REASON WHY I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BY THIS PART OTHER THAN FORD JUST WANTS TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND FORCE THE PUBLIC INTO BUYING THE WHOLE THING THIS IS NOT RIGHT OR FAIR AND TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CAN NOT GET THE CAR BACK INTO THE PARK POSITION . *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT MADE A LOUD TINGING, SCREECHING NOISE ON A TUESDAY MORNING ,ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. IT WAS NOT A CONSISTENT SOUND. MY HUSBAND LUBRICATED THE BUSHINGS THAT NIGHT, THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. NEXT DAY, THE SOUND WAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING, I EVEN HEARD IT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT PATH, BUT THE NOISE STILL WAS NOT CONSISTENT. IT DID SEEM LOUDER WITH A CLANKING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THAT DAY ON THE HIGHWAY COMING HOME FROM WORK THE NOISE WAS INTERMITTENT UNTIL I HAD SLOWED DOWN FOR TRAFFIC AND IT BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS AT MY EXIT AND WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME. I WAS ABSOLUTELY FRIGHTENED. THERE WAS A RUBBING SOUND NOW THAT WAS AT THE REAR RT SIDE OF THE CAR. LATER, THAT EVENING WE WERE TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE BEARING. FIRST MY HUSBAND WENT OUT AND PURCHASED THE BEARING FROM A FORD DEALER. THEN HE CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THE ENTIRE KIT WAS NEEDED, AS WELL AS, A SPECIAL TOOL TO GET THE BOLT OFF WHICH TOOK HOURS TO LOOSEN AND RELEASE. TODAY HE IS STILL TRYING TO REPLACE THE RT REAR WHEEL BEARING WITH THE KIT FROM AN AUTO STORE SINCE FORD IS NOT OPEN AND THIS IS OUR ONE MEANS OF TRAVEL FOR THE FAMILY. PLEASE INCLUDE THIS COMPLAINT WITH ANY OTHERS AS A "NEAR MISS" FOR AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED ON THE BELTWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. I FEEL VERY LUCKY, BUT I WANT FORD TO KNOW ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND TO CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY RECALL FOR OTHERS. AS I HAVE DONE

CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, AND E-BRAKE. E BRAKE REPLACED AND BAD AGAIN. HAD TRANSMISSION REPAIR AT DEALERSHIP A 400 MILES BEFORE 75,000 MILE WARRANTY ENDED. TAKEN BACK 100 MILES LATER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AGAIN. PAST WARRANTY NOW AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. I WILL NOT BUY FORD AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. -PLEASE IGNORE EQUIPMENT PART OF THIS COMPLAINT, I MISUNDERSTOOD. *TR