2002 Ford Explorer complaints

TRANSMISSION WOULD REV BEFORE SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, HAD IT REPLACED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP WITH FORD PARTS, 17 MONTHS LATER SAME THING AND FORD WILL NOT BACK IT UP, A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 17 MONTHS, THIS HAS COST ME A TOTAL OF $4,000.00 DOLLARS, AND DUE TO THIS DEFECT THE CARS BOOK VALUE IS $4,500.00 BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT THE FACTORY PARTS AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NO GOOD. 12 MONTH, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHEN THE STANDARD IS 36 MONTH, 36,000 MILES. THIS TRUCK SUCKS!!!!!!!!! FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!! *TR

PLACING VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN PLACING BACK INTO PARK IT IS HESITANT. THIS REALLY SCARES ME, I HAVE TO PARK A BIT FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , TO MAKE SURE I DON'T HIT IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BADLY IN TRAFFIC AND THE CONTACT WOULD LOSE CONTROL. HE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $5,000 BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. FORD ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST TO HAVE IT REBUILT FOR $3,100. THE SPECIALIST STATED THAT IMPERIAL PARTS DID NOT MANUFACTURE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING AND ROARING SOUND. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. AS OF APRIL 10, 2008, THREE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,306 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

A CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, ON THE FIBERGLASS PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 2WD, 4.0 FI. I TOOK THE CAR IN AT ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF OLD, WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS "TAKEN CARE OF" AT FORD'S COST. ABOUT 3-6 MONTHS AFTER THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY EXPIRED I NOTICED THE SAME CRACK START TO REAPPEAR AND WITH IT BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, THE FORD DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AT THEIR COST. AS OF 4/10/08 I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTICES FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR

ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE FIBERGLASS PIECE OF THE REAR HATCH LID OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL TODAY WHEN I GOT TO LOOKING FOR THE PRICE OF A REAR WINDOW. WHILE SEARCHING I SEEN THAT THERE WAS ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THAT SOME HAD EVEN HAD THE WINDOW SHATTER ON THEM. WELL I AM NOW ONE OF THEM. TODAY AS I OPENED MY REAR HATCH THE PASSENGER SIDE PIECE THAT SECURES THE WINDOW TO THE BODY OF THE EXPLORER JUST FELL OFF CAUSING THE WINDOW TO SHATTER AND GLASS TO CUT MY ARMS, AND FACE, AND ALSO SENT PIECES OF GLASS INTO MY EYE. *TR

2002 CRACK ON HATCHBACK PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW. ON DECEMBER 26, 2007 I WENT INTO MY GARAGE AND NOTICED 2 CRACKS, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM, EACH ABOUT 3 TO 4 INCHES LONG. I KNOW FOR SURE THEY WERE NOT THERE THE NIGHT BEFORE BECAUSE WE HAD TAKEN SOME PACKAGES OUT OF THE HATCHBACK, AND THERE WERE NO CRACKS. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A FAULTY MANUFACTURED HATCHBACK. WHEN I SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB, IT WAS SURPRISING TO FIND OUT THAT IT HAD THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS THAN ANY OTHER EXTERIOR COMPLAIN. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. ONCE THE CRACKS RUN DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL THERE IS BIG POTENTIAL THAT THE WINDOW WILL FALL OUT. THIS LEAVES THE WINDOW AT RISK TO FALL OUT AND INJURE SOMEONE. *TR

OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND CAR ENGINE REVVED WHEN GIVING GAS WHILE DRIVING. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER 3300. DOLLARS LATER A NEW TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEN DRIVING IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU KNEW YOUR TRANSMISSION COULD CUT OUT ON YOU WHILE DRIVING SAY ON THE HIGHWAY WOULD YOU DO IT?WOULD YOU PUT YOUR FAMILY IN IT? *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 73K STARTED WITH O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION MESSAGE. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY MY WIFE TO CART MY DAUGHTER AROUND, NEVER ABUSED, NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING SNAPPED IN 4 PLACES. MECHANIC AT MIDAS TOLD ME THEY ARE SEEING ALOT OF THESE ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WONDERING IF FORD IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I CALLED THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DIDN'T GET ANYWHERE WITH THEM. *TR

CRACKED LIFT GATE/ UPPER HALF. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN JAN 08, IT IS NOW APRIL 08 AND I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE R FRONT WHEEL BEARING, AND BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. IT HAS COST ME AROUND $1,200.00 AND IT ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. ONCE A MONTH I AM PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I CAN COUNT MORE THAN 60 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE AND IT AMAZES ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS SO NAIVE TO SUCH A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. ARE THEY REALLY INSENSITIVE ENOUGH TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES OR GETS INJURED FROM THIS? I BELIEVE THAT WHATEVER PARTS THEY USED WHEN MANUFACTURING THESE VEHICLES WERE DEFECTIVE AND I AM TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE THEM SEE, EVEN IF IT MEANS GETTING A LAWYER. BETWEEN ALL OF US OUT THERE I BELIEVE WE WOULD HAVE A PRETTY GOOD CASE IF WE ALL GET TOGETHER. SO ANYONE WHO SEES THIS MOST RECENT COMPLAINT AND AGREES WITH ME, I CAN BE CONTACTED AT (865)-585-6874 WHICH IS MY CELL NUMBER, OR YOU CAN E-MAIL ME AT [email protected] AND MY NAME IS FAYANN MANNING. AWAITING EVERYONE ELSE'S CALL WHO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN SCREWED OVER!!! *TR

NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER - TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 65,000 MILES, IT WAS REBUILD AND FAILED AGAIN. MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS GRINDING. *TR

LEAKING REAR AXLE SEAL. *TR

TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES, OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLICKERS SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. *TR

AFTER SEEING OTHER 2002-2006 FORD EXPLORERS ON THE STREET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF HAVING A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL RIGHT BELOW THE REAR WINDOW I DECIDED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPLACE THE HINGES BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD SLAM SHUT WHICH I BELIEVE CAUSED THE CRACK. I TALKED TO FORD WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED AND THEY SAID BASED ON MY MILEAGE THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT 500. MY QUESTION TO FORD WAS WHAT DOES THE MILEAGE HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT I BELIEVE WAS A RECALL DEFECT THAT ULTIMATELY CAUSED THIS PROBLEM? I NOTICED ON THE NEW MODEL EXPLORERS THEY REDESIGNED THEM SO THE GLASS OPENS UP WITHOUT THE PANEL. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW COULD ACTUALLY FALL OUT IF THE DOOR IS SHUT AND COULD BREAK AND CAUSE AN INJURY. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND HOPEFULLY GET THIS RESOLVED SOON. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH 34,000 MILES ON IT IN 2003 AND STILL HAVE IT. BEFORE THE FACTORY WARRANTY WAS UP AT 36,000 MILES AND HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANS AND THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT. WITHIN A YEAR LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY FIRST SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I COULDN'T DO WITHOUT A VEHICLE SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE IT BACK. ONCE AGAIN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AND I TOOK IT BACK. THIS TIME THEY DID A COMPLETE REHAUL OF THE TRANS AND SAID EVERYTHING SHOULD BE FINE. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME ABOUT 900 DOLLARS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MORE WARRANTY ON IT AND THE YEAR WARRANTY THEY GAVE ME ON THE FIRST JOB HAD EXPIRED. LUCKILY THEY WORKED WITH ME AND ONLY CHARGED ME A DEDUCTIBLE OF 100. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAT THERE WAS A REASON A 1 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 34K MILES ON IT WAS TRADED IN AND AFTER THIS INCIDENT I FOUND OUT. CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS 107,000 MILES ON IT AND THE SAME PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT IN TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE LABOR ALONE JUST TO LOOK AT IT WILL COST OVER 100 DOLLARS. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD AND I JUST FOUND ABOUT THIS SITE BECAUSE I WAS ONLINE LOOKING UP A PANEL FOR THIS SAME VEHICLE AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER. PULLING OUT ONTO MAJOR HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF 2ND GEAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND SERVICED UP TO FACTORY SUGGESTED STANDARDS. TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOTHING EXCEPT SUGGEST A REBUILT FORD TRANSMISSION. *TR

WHEN I START MY EXPLORER FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, THE 4 WHEEL LOW AND 4 WHEEL HIGH LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND THE EXPLORER WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT'S LIKE THE CAR IS NEUTRAL AND WHEN I GO TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE GRINDING GEARS. *TR

FAILURE OF BOTH REAR SPRINGS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. 95,000 MILES, NORMAL DUTY (NEVER OVERLOADED). SPRINGS LITERALLY BREAKING APART STARTING AT TOP. SUSPECT DESIGN OR MATERIAL FLAW. INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS NOT ISOLATED INCIDENT. SUSPECT FURTHER SPRING FAILURE COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL/ROLL OVER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE -- IN MY OPINION THIS SHOULD BE SERIOUS SAFETY RECALL ITEM. *TR

THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE SO I DO NOT DRIVE IT OFTEN. WHEN I DID I NOTICED THE LOUD ROAR AND ASKED HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN THERE. SHE SAID A COUPLE MONTHS. I REPLACED 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS. HAD I NOT DROVE IT MYSELF THE WHEELS COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF!!! SHE HAS MY TWO CHILDREN IN THERE ALSO. THANKS FORD!! THIS IS NOT AN OLD VEHICLE. LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. IF THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE BEARINGS AND SOMEONE GETS KILLED I HOPE FORD IS SUED SO BAD THEY GO UNDER. RECALL YOUR PIECE OF CRAP BEARINGS LIKE YOU SHOULD. *TR

PROBLEMS WITH THIS EXPLORER OVER MY OWNERSHIP INCLUDE: -REAR GLASS REPLACED -FRONT BRAKES REPLACED -REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, -PARKING BRAKE ISSUES, -NEW TIRES, ETC. *TR

MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILING CATASTROPHICALLY, SENDING BITS OF BRASS AND METAL SHAVINGS EVERYWHERE INSIDE AND DESTROYING THE ASSEMBLY. THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS FAILURE WERE AS FOLLOWS: SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHING VERY RAPIDLY AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVE TIME. UPON AN EXTREMELY SIMPLE INVESTIGATION (GOOGLE SEARCH), I FIND THAT THIS IS A SUSPICIOUSLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS, EVEN THOUGH MY OWN DEALER SAYS HE'S NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE NOW, WHICH WAS ALSO A COMMON THREAD IN THESE COMPLAINTS I FOUND ONLINE. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER IS THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE I'VE FOUND: NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY SAY IT IS TOTALLY DESTROYED INSIDE, THE PIECES OF TORQUE CONVERTER HAVE RUINED VIRTUALLY EVERY PART OF THE TRANNY. *TR

FAILED REAR WHEEL BEARING. CAR SWAYING SIDE TO SIDE, POSSIBLE ROLLOVER IF AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

I HEARD LIKE A AIRPLANE RIGHT OVER THE HEAD OF MY TRUCK AND IT ENDED UP BEING MY HUB BEARINGS, THE FORD DEALER SAID WE HAVE ALOT OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002 FORD XLT EXPLORER. HE TOLD ME AS MANY AS THESE THAT HE GETS IN IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. HE PROCEEDS TO TELL ME YOUR TIRE CAN FALL OFF AND THERE CAN BE SERIOUS ACCIDENT SOMEONE CAN GET KILLED OR HURT REALLY BAD. NOW I HAD TO SHELL OUT 1,0000. AT A LOCAL DEALER TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIX. I FINALLY GOT DONE PAYING FOR THE [XXX] CAR AND NOW I HAVE TO THROW MONEY IN CONSTANTLY FIRST IT WAS MY REAR END 10 DAYS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED NOW ITS HUB BEARING WHAT'S NEXT MAYBE FORD WOULD BE # 1 IF THEY MADE A BETTER TRUCK. THAT IS WHY THE AMERICAN CONSUMER ARE BUYING FOREIGN CARS AND TRUCKS BECAUSE AT LEAST THEY DO RECALLS AND THE CARS AND TRUCKS LAST. MAYBE OUR ECONOMY WOULD BE BETTER IF PEOPLE BOUGHT AMERICAN STUFF BUT AS YOU SEE WHY WHEN YOU HAVE TO SHELL OUT MONEY ALL THE TIME TO FIX IT! PLUS WARRANTY'S ON FOREIGN CARS ARE BETTER TOO 10 YRS OR 100,000MILES .SEE AMERICAN COMPANIES LIKE FORD DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY LIKE THAT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THERE CRAP WILL BREAK BEFORE 10 YRS. I FEEL BAD TO COMPLAIN BUT I SUPPORTED FORD FOR ALONG TIME AND ANYTHING I BUY USUALLY HAS SOME KIND OF PROBLEM AND THE SAD THING I ALWAYS BUY NEW. THIS IS MY 3RD NEW FORD I BOUGHT JUST TO KEEP THE MONEY IN UNITED STATES. THERE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE A DEATH OR CRASH FOR A RECALL! *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.

2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD INITIAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 101,000 MILES. CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY, RUNNING FINE UNTIL O/D INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND NOW HAS FAILED AT 151,000 MILES. RESEARCH CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM SHOWS THAT MANY CONSUMERS OF FORD 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

MY REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BEARING IS GOING OUT... THIS HAD HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER EXPLORERS DRIVERS AND I DO NOT THINK IT IS SAFE..... WHEEL COULD FALL OFF TO UNKNOWN DRIVER. *TR

OUTSIDE COVER ON HATCH LID CRACKED JUST BELOW THE GLASS. HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TALKED TO THE OWNERS AND THEY ALSO HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIPS IN OUR AREA. I HAVE TALKED TO 15 OTHER OWNERS AND HAVE SEEN MANY MORE CARS WITH THIS CRACK. *TR

I JUST HAD TO PURCHASE MY THIRD FORD TRANSMISSION FOR MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT A COST OF $3600 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION I ALSO HAD INSTALLED BY FORD AT A COST OF $3400 38,500 MILES PREVIOUSLY. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER IN 2006, THERE IS A ROARING SOUND AND FROM OTHER RESPONSES FROM THE INTERNET I SEE THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND A MECHANIC THAT WORKS FOR FORD SAID THAT IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND THE BACK WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AT ANYTIME THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO ME. PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS FOR IT VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE. THE REAR END (AXLE) IS VERY IMPORTANT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT ON 3/25/08 AND OD LIGHT FLASHED AND ENGINE REVVED UP. WOULD NOT GO WHEN GAS PRESSED, FINALLY GOT IT TO LIMP THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT AND PUT IT IN PARK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS RIPPING APART UNDERNEATH. DOESN'T WANT TO GO INTO GEAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE STRUTS REPLACED AND THE FRONT HEADLIGHT REPLACED TWICE DUE TO ENGINEERING PROBLEMS ON THE REDESIGN. SPOKE WITH FORD THIS MORNING AND THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE REDESIGNED TRANSMISSIONS ARE KNOWN TO FAIL IN THIS MODEL. *TR

REPLACE REAR END IN 2002 EXPLORER 2 TIMES. FORD VENTED THE DIFFERENTIAL WITH A TUBE THAT EXITS AROUND THE REAR WHEEL WELL. THIS DESIGN ALLOWS A LOT OF WATER TO GET INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND RUINS ALL THE WORKINGS. I HAD IT FIXED AND IN LESS THAN A YEAR LATER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM - I NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE TUBE REWORKED AS WELL AS FIX THE BEARINGS AGAIN. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE OD SENSOR BEGAN BLINKING AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND READ THE MANUAL, WHICH STATED TO IMMEDIATELY HAVE THE VEHICLE ASSESSED FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SPECIALIST AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF UPDATED *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR RECALL NUMBER 05S28 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. AS OF MARCH 26, 2008, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR IS STILL UNAVAILABLE. SHE FEELS THAT THIS LENGTH OF TIME IS UNLAWFUL. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS DENIED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 04/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE CRACKED/FRACTURED COMPLETELY THROUGH. SPRING COILS ARE COLLAPSED ONTO EACH OTHER AT THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE. THIS IS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. SPRINGS/STRUTS SHOULD LOSE TENSION OVER TIME BUT SHOULD NOT COMPLETELY FAIL TO THE POINT THEY COMPLETELY CRACK INTO TWO PIECES. SOME QUICK RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

I DROVE MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TO WORK ABOUT 445 PM AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE ON THE WAY THERE. I LEFT WORK AT 7 PM TO GO GET DINNER FOR ME AND THE OTHER GUYS WORKING THAT NIGHT AND I GO OUT START IT UP... SHIFT IT INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE. I THEN SHIFT I IT INTO DRIVE AND THE IT STILL DOESN'T MOVE. GO TO CHECK THE TRANNY FLUID AND GUESS WHAT... NO DIPSTICK. THIS VEHICLE IS HORRIBLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE, BUT THE NOISE DID NOT STOP. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BECAUSE HE BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE AND RETHREAD THE SPARK PLUG, IT WOULD NOT GRIP AND TIGHTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED A QUICK REPAIR BY FORD, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. FORD STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,214.

AT 85K MILES, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING USE/CONDITION, THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAVE FAILED ON MY 2002 EXPLORER. THERE ARE FORD TSBS THAT IDENTIFY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THESE PROBLEMS AS EVIDENT IN MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES, YET REFUSE TO ABSORB ANY COST OF THE $3200 IT WILL TAKE TO REPAIR THEM. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ALSO CONTINUALLY FAIL AT A COST OF $500 EACH, AND HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST 3 TIMES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND BUSHINGS NEED REPLACED, AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS WORN. MY MECHANIC EXPLAINED THESE SHOULD NOT WEAR AS QUICKLY AS 85K MILES, AND FROM THE CURRENT STATE OF ITS CONDITION, RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD/REPLACE, ALONG WITH A NEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEAR SET. I HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH HUNDREDS OF FORD OWNERS, OF NEW AND USED VEHICLES ALIKE, WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND AM SEEKING ALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO INITIATE A SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR ITS EVIDENT MANUFACTURE DEFECTS. *TR

THE BACK COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVE BROKEN. MY SISTER'S, NEPHEW'S AND A FRIENDS HAS ALSO BROKEN ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS MINE. I WOULD THINK THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG FOR ALL OF US TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BACK COIL SPRINGS. I AM NOT FOR SURE IF ANY ONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM OR NOT? WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THESE SPRINGS? WE HAVE ALL HAD TO HAVE THESE SPRINGS REPLACED AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CHEAP. *TR

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO (SEPT 07), STARTING HEARING A WHINING OR TINNING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. AS THE WEEKS/MONTHS WENT BY, IT STARTING GETTING LOUDER AND IT STARTED SOUNDING LIKE AN AIRPLANE FLYING OVERHEAD. I TOOK IT INTO THE REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. ABOUT $575 TO REPAIR. HAD THE REPAIR DONE IN DECEMBER 07/JANUARY 08. I DON'T DO ANY TOWING, THE CAR IS MAINLY USED ON THE WEEKENDS. I HAVE 62K MI. ON THE CAR, BARELY EVEN 10K A YEAR. NOW, HERE IT IS, 2 MONTHS LATER, AND THE SAME THING STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. NOW, IT'S THE LEFT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY THAT WENT BAD. ANOTHER $575 !! THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC SAID THE WHEELS COULD COME OFF AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE A 7 YEAR OLD (JUST TURNED 7 TODAY), AND ONE ON THE WAY !! THIS CAR IS OUR MAIN MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR TRIPS AND VACATIONS AND I CANNOT RISK THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY OR THE LIVES OF OTHERS, IF THIS CAR FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LABELED AS A RECALL AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR WINDOW LIFT PANEL CRACKED (DEALER REPLACED ONCE DUE TO SMALL STRESS FRACTURES WAS THE EXPLANATION GIVEN ME) REPLACEMENT PANEL CRACKED WITHIN 6 MONTHS, SAME PLACE AS FIRST CRACK, BUT EXTENDING ALL THE WAY THROUGH PANEL. DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REPLACE. THIS POSSES A DANGER IF THE PANEL FLIES OFF DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER FORDS WITH THE SAME DEFECT AND FORD SHOULD OFFER A RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

MY WIFE CALLED ME TO TELL THE O/D LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I THINK IT WAS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR WEB SITE, AND OTHER SITES, THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL THAT HAS A SERIOUS RUBBING NOISE WITH A SERIOUS VIBRATION AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD WHEEL BEARING. THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE EXPLORER THAT IS POSTED NUMEROUS TIMES ON YOUR SITE. BOTH OF THE ISSUES SHOULD BE HONORED BY FORD DUE TO THE EXPENSE AND POSSIBLE CHANCE OF INJURY. *TR

REAR END IS MAKING A HORRIBLE RUBBING NOISE....THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE TIRES BUT I JUST REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH THE SAME EXACT TIRES THEY COME FROM FACTORY WITH AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT- ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARING HAVE GONE BAD WITHIN 1 YEAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH OWNERS AND DEALERS. THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF FORD EXPLORER HAS BAD BEARINGS AND HUB ASSEMBLIES. FORD IS HAPPY TO COLLECT THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IT COST OWNERS TO REPLACE THESE FAULTY PARTS BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. ONE BEARING ACTUALLY BROKE ON MY VEHICLE AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE. I HAVE A FRONT AND REAR BEARING OUT AGAIN. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE 96,000 MILES. NO APPARENT WARNING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER 4.6L V8 WHEN I HEARD A LARGE EXPLOSION SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED FOR HELP. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. APPARENTLY THE COIL WHERE IT THREADS INTO WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY SO IT NEVER SAT ALL THE WAY ON LIKE IT SHOULD. OVER TIME THIS IS THE RESULT. I NOW NEED A NEW CYLINDER HEAD COSTING $1800, AND MAYBE A 2ND ONE DOWN THE ROAD. THAT'S $4,000 FOR FORD'S MISTAKE! FORD SAID THEY CAN'T HELP. THERE IS NO RECALL. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY ROAD IN TRAFFIC RISKING MY SAFETY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT! THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY! (LITERALLY). *TR

FRONT DRIVER WHEEL BEARING REPLACED TWICE IN 1.5 YEARS. RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ONCE ALREADY NEED TO REPLACE AGAIN. *TR

I HAVE A CRACKED REAL PANEL ON TAILGATE. I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT THIS IS A DANGER BECAUSE THE ACTUAL GLASS CAN DISLODGE FROM THE PANEL AND HURT SOMEONE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN. 1 STANDS AT A HEIGHT BELOW THAT GLASS LEVEL! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND REMAIND ILLUMINATED WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. MIDAS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,330.