2002 Ford Explorer complaints

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

WHERE TO START... BROKEN CRUISE CONTROL, HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS A SHORT, DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW DOESN'T ROLL DOWN, TROUBLE GOING INTO GEAR, CAR SUDDENLY DIES AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE BAY (LIKE AN ELECTRIC KNIFE SHARPENER) THAT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY MORE FREQUENT, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, BRAKES SQUEAL AND DON'T STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY, SUPPORT FOR THE HATCH (WHICH IS CRACKED 8 INCHES OR SO IN TWO PLACES) DOESN'T LIFT HATCH COMPLETELY, AND THE FUEL ECONOMY IS DOWN TO 4-6 MPG IN THE CITY. I HATE IT! I DON'T FEEL LIKE MY GIRLFRIEND IS SAFE DRIVING IT, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE THEIR WRONGS INTO RIGHTS! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE BACK HATCH WAS PARTIALLY OPENED, AND WHEN OPENED ALL THE WAY IT SHATTERED. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL 04V442000 - STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. KG

TOOK MY 02 EXPLORER TO DEALER FOR PA STATE INSPECTION ON 2-26-08. VEHICLE LOGGED 79,000 MILES. DEALER FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN AT VERY TOP OF EACH SPRING. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS, IN TURN, REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH REAR INSULATORS AND BRACKETS. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT UTILIZED FOR TOWING OR "OFF ROAD" ACTIVITIES. *TR

O/D LIGHT WENT ON THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LOST THIRD AND FIFTH GEAR. *TR

FORD 2002 XLT EXPLORER 4WHEEL DRIVE I AM ON MY 3RD TRANSMISSION AT UNDER 100K MILES. LUCKILY I TRAVEL CLOSE TO HOME WHEN THE OCCURRENCES HAPPEN. BUT OTHERS I HAVE SPOKE TO WITH SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, LOOKED UP ALSO CAR STATS.COM AND TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION, FORD SHOULD HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND RECALLED. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 85K MILES. *TR

STARTED VEHICLE. DEPRESSED BRAKE AND RELEASED PARKING BRAKE. SHIFTED FROM PARK AND GEAR SHIFT, INCLUDING COVER, SIMPLY FELL OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. PICTURES OF DEFECT ARE AVAILABLE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND ESTIMATE IS FOR $1000 TO REPAIR GEAR SHIFT AND ASSEMBLY. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD BEEN MAKING AN ELECTRONIC DINGING SOUND THAT TYPICALLY IS TO BRING THE DRIVERS ATTENTION TO THE DISPLAY SCREEN, BUT NO MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED, FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEN ON THE MORNING OF 3/12/08 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF THIRD GEAR. WE TOOK THE CAR TO FORD FIRST AND THEY DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO AAMCO, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS THE THIRD THIS WEEK WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND THAT THE REAL ISSUE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE ALL THREE CARS HAD MILEAGE UNDER 100,000 MILES. THE COST TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION WAS QUOTED AT $2,500. *TR

THE REAR LIFTGATE APPLIQUE CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE RESULTING IN THE RIGHT SIDE COMPLETELY FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE PART THAT IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE IS LOOSE ON THE EDGES DUE TO INEFFICIENT ADHESIVE. APPARENTLY THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT DEFECT OCCURRING TO OTHER OWNERS OF 2002 EXPLORERS. THIS IS ALSO A COMPLETELY REPLACED REAR WINDOW FOLLOWING THE SHATTERING OF THE ORIGINAL ONE IN MARCH 2004 DUE TO BAD STRUTS. AFTER HAVING THE SHATTERED WINDOW REPLACED, IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF THE FOLLOWING YEAR DUE TO THE FAULTY HINGE (WHICH WAS RECALLED). I HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF OVER $700 FROM THE FORD DEALER TO FIX THIS APPLIQUE. I FEEL THAT WITH THIS MANY COMPLAINTS IT'S INEXCUSABLE FOR FORD TO NOT ISSUE A RECALL. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A FORD AGAIN AFTER THIS NOR WILL ANYONE IN MY FAMILY WITH THIS TYPE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

REAR LIFT GATE CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE. *TR

POWER WINDOW OPENER ON DRIVERS SIDE QUIT. *TR

I OWN A 2002 EXPLORER, WITH ONLY 74K MILES ON IT. I BEGAN MAKING A SEVERE HUMMING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. TOOK INTO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD AND THIS I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED RIGHT AWAY. I HAD IT IN WITHIN A DAY, WHILE THEY FIXED MY RIGHT REAR, THEY NOTICED THAT ONE OF MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING IS GOING BAD. FROM WHAT I AM HEARING FORD IS AWARE THAT ON THE 2002 EXPLORERS THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS. I AM GLAD FORD RECOGNIZES THAT.....CONSIDERING THIS SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS SCENERIO, ESPECIALLY AS I TRAVEL WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON 02 EXPLORER'S WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR

THE BODY PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW IS CRACKED FOR NO REASON WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO A FORD DEALER THEY SAID THAT IS NORMAL AND FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DUE. SO I CALLED THE FORD SERVICE NUMBER IN MY FORD HANDBOOK AND THE MANAGER CONFIRMED THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT ITS NOT A RECALL OUT BECAUSE ITS NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM AND IF I WANTED IT FIXED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. SO I ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RATE AND I WAS ALSO TOLD THEY KNEW ABOUT THAT TOO (THE TRANSMISSIONS FAIL UNDER 100,000 MILES) BUT THERE ISN'T A RECALL AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE TRANSMISSION FIXED AS WELL. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE (3 TIMES). *TR

TRANSMISSION IS/HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4X4. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, SOLENOID B GOING OUT AND REQUIRING A TRANSMISSION REBUILD OR A NEW ONE!! IF ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! FORD NEEDS TO FACE THEIR MISTAKE SO THAT LOYAL FORD CONSUMERS WILL RETURN. I HAVE OWNED 3 FORDS, AND NEVER AGAIN AFTER THIS. FORD REALLY DID THEMSELVES IN WITH THIS ONE! *TR

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 63 MPH AND VALVE SPRING BROKE. VALVE DROPPED INTO PISTON CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. CHECK ENGINE CODE CALLED FOR RANDOM ENGINE MISFIRE AND CODE WAS TRIGGERED AT AROUND 2600 RPM. PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SHUDDER WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO OVERDRIVE. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH PACK IN THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS CAUSING A SHUDDER WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT FROM A DEAD STOP. (DEALERSHIP CALLED IT THE PARKING LOT SHUDDER) I HAVE A 02 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 4.6 AND 4X4 THAT HAS BAD ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. (ENGINE REPLACED). *TR

I HAVE HAD THE REAR BEARINGS REPLACED 4 TIMES AND THE COMPLETE REAR HUB ASSEMBLIES AND BEARINGS REPLACED ONCE (TOTAL 5 TIMES) THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND SWAYS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THE SWAY LINKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE PROBLEMS KEEPS RECURRING. I HAVE ALL PARTS BILLS DATING BACK TO 11/2005 WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED AND CONTINUE TO DATE. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEARS HAD WHINING NOISE REPLACED GEARS THREE TIMES...STILL WHINING. FRONT HUB BEARINGS MAKING GRINDING NOISE AT 80,000 MILES, TOLD THEY ARE 1500 TO REPLACE, CANT AFFORD REPAIR. TOLD IF THE BEARINGS FAIL WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFTY ISSUE. BEARING SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 80K. HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE WEB AND FOUND THIS TO BE A PATTERN ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

SHIFTER BROKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MY TRUCK WAS IN PARK AND I WENT TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT SNAPPED. AFTER ONLY SIX MONTHS AND ONE WEEK IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 03-04-2008. *TR

THIS IS MY SECOND FORD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 80K MILES AND ON BOTH, ALL WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE HAD FAILURE. AND ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION FOR A SINGLE BEARING. IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTS AT APPROXIMATELY $500 PER WHEEL, AND IS AN OBVIOUS MECHANICAL AND SAFETY HAZARD. TWICE I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A CHILD IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE WHEEL HAS ALMOST CAME OFF. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTS AT THEIR EXPENSE TO HAVE THEM CONTINUALLY FAIL OVER AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD IF THEY CANNOT AGREE TO A RECALL, SINCE THERE ARE CERTAINLY WELL ENOUGH PEOPLE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE LOST ANY AND ALL INTEREST IN THIS MANUFACTURER AND WILL NOT CONSIDER AN AMERICAN MADE CAR IN THE FUTURE. *TR

THE NOISE WAS THE INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, TOOK THE CAR IN FOR NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS. WAS TOLD BY FORD GARAGE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED I WAS VERY SHOCKED. WHEN FORD MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND COMMON IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL I WAS ANGRY. NOT SOON AFTER THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODULE WENT OUT AND NEEDED REPLACED. THIS CAR IS FIVE YEARS OLD WITH AT THE TIME 82,000 MILES ON IT. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. EARLIER WE HAD TO REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER'S WINDOW POWER MOTOR WHICH WAS ALSO EXPENSIVE. HAD TO REPLACE REAR AXEL BUSHINGS TOO. *TR

REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH EITHER THE FRONT DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS OR THE WIRELESS KEY. *TR

SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE EVEN THOUGH IT SHOWS THAT IT IS ON, ON THE DASH BOARD. ONCE ENGAGED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE SPEED WILL THEN INCREASE ON ITS OWN. *TR

I HAVE AN 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND IT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE IT HIT 77,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN IN SHOP, A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED AND THE SAME PARTS KEEP WEARING DOWN. THIS IS CAUSING THE TRANNY TO SLIP AND SLAM INTO GEAR. I AM NOW TAKING IT BACK INTO THE SHOP AFTER 6 MONTHS. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IF THEY STILL WANT US TO BUY AMERICAN.

REAR COIL SPRING BROKE LAST WEEK WITH ONLY 65K MILES ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. I'M TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS ITS A COMMON FORD PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? I HAVE PIECE OF OLD SPRING SHOWING RUST. IT COST ME $500 TO REPAIR. FORD SAYS NO RECALL OR CUST SAT PROGRAM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HOWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE IGNORED THE SOUND AND DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY AND HESITATED. THE DAY AFTER THAT NONE OF THE GEARS WOULD SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL TORQUE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTING UP, IT KEPT TURNING ITSELF OFF, AND NOT KEEPING A SET SPEED. I GOT IT TO TURN BACK ON AND SET THE SPEED TO 80 MPH. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT FELT LIKE WE WERE GOING FASTER THAN WE THOUGHT , I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD SURGED FROM 80MPH TO 105MPH ON ITS OWN. THIS REALLY FRIGHTENED MY AND I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE BRAKES ON TO SLOW DOWN AND TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY TRIP. I HAD MY HUSBAND AND MY THREE YOUNG DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR AND WAS PRETTY SHAKEN UP ABOUT HOW QUICKLY THINGS COULD HAVE GONE TERRIBLY WRONG AND SOMEONE OR ALL OF US COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF WE WERE TO CRASH BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 88,000 MILES. *TR

TRANSMISSION AND BEARING FAILURE. OD LIGHT ON TRANNY FLASHING. TOOK TO DEALER FOR NOISE AND OD LIGHT. THEY REPLACED BEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED PARTS TO A COST OF 1130.00 TO FIX TRANNY PROBLEM THEY WANT TO REPLACE TRANNY AND TORQUE CONVERTER FOR A COST OF 3500. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW AND MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I'VE CHECKED FORD RECALLS AND TSB'S AND THEY ARE NUMEROUS REFERRING TO BEARING AND TRANNY FAILURE. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS WELL AS DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE ON VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 90K,CAR HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED, THIS IS ONE OF MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. AT WHAT POINT WILL YOU INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION? FORD DESIGNED THIS TRANSMISSION AS A SEALED UNIT. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO CHECK THE FLUID. FLASHING O?D LIGHT VIOLENT SHIFTING, LOSS OF POWER IN 3RD GEAR. *TR

I HAVE FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE REPLACED THREE OF FOUR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES IN 3 YEARS. EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP I WAS TOLD THE WHEEL WAS CLOSE TO COMING OFF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE POOR CONDITION OF THE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY( BEARINGS). *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WITH UNDER 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND NOW BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS DUE TO FAILURE. THE FIRST WAS A REAR HUB ASSEMBLY IN 06 THEN A FRONT IN 07 AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE REAR IN 08. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD DEALER THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A TSB ADDRESSING IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME IF NOT CAUGHT SOON ENOUGH THE TIRES COULD ACTUALLY COME OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING. WHILE THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN MY CASE THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. ALSO THIS VEHICLE HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT UNDER 70,000 MILES AND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE AS FOUND BY SEARCHING THE WEB FOR THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOT AT 80K MILES. *TR

LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM FRONT AND REAR WHEELS, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED ALONG WITH THE FRONT CARRIER BEARINGS WERE SPUN REPLACED THEM AT 82,000 MILES AND AT 86,000 MILES THE REAR DID THE SAME THING BUT THE REAR DID NOT SPIN THE CARRIER BEARINGS (NOT YET ANYWAYS) THE FRONT REPAIR COST ME AND MY WIFE OVER 600 DOLLARS (WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER 900.00 IF I DIDN'T DO THE WORK MY SELF) THE REAR WE HAD TO BUY THE PARTS FROM THE INTERNET TO SAVE MONEY AND IT COST US 350 FOR THE NEW WHEEL ASSEMBLY'S AND 62 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE NEW BEARINGS INSTALLED TO THE SPINDALS. AGAIN IF I WOULD HAVE HAD FORD DO THE WORK IT WOULD HAVE COST US AROUND A 1,000.00 THAT IS A TOTAL OF 1,025.00 TO DO IT MY SELF AND 2,000.00 TO HAVE FORD DO THE WORK. I DO STILL HAVE ONE OLD WHEEL BEARING THE REST HAVE BEEN DISCARDED FOR SCRAP TO HELP PAY FOR THE DAMAGES. ON OTHER THING MY WIFE DRIVES THIS TRUCK TO WORK EVERY DAY AND WHEN THE REAR WHEEL BEARING LET LOOSE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL NEARLY FELL OFF THE WHEEL WAS SITTING ABOUT 15DEG INWARD. *TR

AT 110,000 MILES BOTH REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. A TRIP TO THE DEALER SAID BOTH WINDOWS NEEDED NEW CABLES AND IT WOULD COST $1,000. WINDOWS WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. *TR

AT 105K MILES THE CAR JUST DIED. NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED. THEY INSTALLED/REINSTALLED THE NEW TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES BEFORE IT WORKED PROPERLY. *TR

CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE, EVEN WHEN INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS IT IS ON. INITIAL FAILURES WERE FAILURE TO ENGAGE OR UNEXPECTED DISENGAGEMENT. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, THE SPEED CONTINUALLY ACCELERATES AND DOES NOT DISENGAGE WITH BRAKE PEDAL, MUST USE OFF BUTTON ON STEERING COLUMN. ALL BUTTONS ARE FREE. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND THEY REPORT NO RECALL ON THIS VIN. SEARCH OF NHTSA SITE SHOWS 3 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

I FOUND AN ~3" LONG PIECE OF UNKNOWN STEEL IN MY GARAGE. NOTICED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 2" LOWER THAN LEFT. THE UNKNOWN STEEL WAS PART OF THE TOP OF THE COIL SPRING. ALSO, THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING WAS BROKEN AND THE SPRING HAD COME TO REST ON THE LOWER SWING ARM. TOTAL OF 3 BREAKS ON THE RIGHT SIDE SPRING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A LIFT THE RIGHT SIDE WAS FOUND TO HAVE TWO BREAKS, ALSO NEAR THE OPT OF THE SPRING. CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE REPAIRED 'A FEW OF THEM'. REPAIR GARAGE COULD NOT OBTAIN AFTERMARKET SPRINGS, THEY WERE TOLD THEY WERE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. LOCAL DEALER WAS OUT AND RECEIVED 2 TODAY, WHICH WERE INSTALLED. I HAVE PLACED ~95% OF THE ~62,000 MILES AND VEHICLE WAS NOT ABUSED IN ANY FORM. OLD PARTS AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR

BOUGHT MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER 4X4 WITH TOW PACKAGE AND V-6 NEW FROM THE DEALER IN AUGUST 2001. AT 45K HAD TO HAVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED AS THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING THE USUAL "WHINING" SOUNDS AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEIR MECHANIC WOULD INSTALL THE PART WITH "TIGHTER SPECS" AND THAT IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL. YEAH RIGHT!! AT AROUND 75K, THE REAR DIFF STARTED LEAKING. HAD THE LEAK FIXED AND AS YOU MAY SUSPECT AT AROUND 80K THE "WHINING" SOUND TYPICAL OF REAR DIFF FAILURE CAME BACK. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THIS TIME WHICH WERE ALSO WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT. I DO USE THIS VEHICLE OFF AND ON THE ROAD AND HAVE USED 4WD PROBABLY MORE THAN THE NORMAL EXPLORER OWNER. ALSO DO SOME OCCASIONAL TOWING BUT AM ALWAYS CAREFUL TO STAY WITHIN THE WEIGHT LIMITS AND TAKE IT EASY ON THE SPEED WHILE TOWING. I'VE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE FOLLOWING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE EXACTLY. IT IS JUST TERRIBLE THAT FORD KEEPS INSTALLING THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND WON'T LAST MORE THAN 40 - 80K. SOME COMPENSATION WOULD BE NICE, MAYBE THROUGH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. ONE THING FOR SURE. NO MORE FORDS FOR ME! *TR

TRANSMISSION MAKING A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISE IN BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK. FROM ALL THAT I HAVE READ THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE OVERHAULED. WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS THERE ARE ON THIS VEHICLE FORD REALLY NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS BUT CHOOSE NOT TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT FORCES THEM TO DO SOMETHING. *TR

NOISE COMING FROM REAR END OF VEHICLE. MECHANIC STATES BOTH REAR BEARINGS ARE BAD. ALSO STATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. COST ESTIMATE OF 700.00-800.00. PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL FALLING OFF VEHICLE WHILE UNDER WAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR GLASS WAS CRACKED FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS. HE NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK BEGINNING TO FORM AT THE TOP AS WELL. ONE CRACK IS IN THE CENTER AND THE OTHER IS ON THE TOP RIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ASSUME A SMALL PORTION OF THE COST TO HAVE THE GLASS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT STATE WHETHER THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,700. UPDATED 04-02-08 *BF

TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AT 86,200 MILES. REPAIRED COST A RIDICULOUS $3,936.18. FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS, WITH 86,000 MILES. O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. 4 DAYS LATER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR TOWED TO TRANNY MECHANIC. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD A YEAR. I AM PAYING A LOAN FOR IT AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT FOR 3 MONTHS. SURPRISE IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION! APPARENTLY THIS IS NOTHING NEW FOR THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU TYPE IN A SEARCH YOU WILL FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND SINCE IT WAS MY FAMILIES MAIN TRANSPORTATION IT HAS BEEN A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. MY WIFE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE SHE HAS NO WAY TO GET THERE. HOW MANY PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL OR SOMETHING? THIS IS RIDICULOUS IT IS OBVIOUSLY A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM SO WHY NOT DO SOMETHING TO HELP PEOPLE FIX IT? ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM! *TR

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER USED IN 2003 WITH APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. BEFORE I HIT 80,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO A SHIFTING/CLUNKING PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO ERRATIC SHIFTING AND MALFUNCTION. THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP BOTH SAID THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS VISITING HIS SISTER IN A DIFFERENT STATE. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO REPAIR HER VEHICLE AND RENTAL COST THEM $600.00 OUT OF POCKET. *KB PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONSUMER ASKED THE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD A LIST OF DOCUMENTATION RELATING TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO GET A JUMP SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN FIRST STARTING UP. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE ALTERNATOR AND WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FORD RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE OF 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL HAS GONE BEYOND A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR TO PERFORMED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT FLASHES AND SHIFTING STALLS. NO REPLACEMENT HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM NEEDED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SHELL OUT FOR A REBUILD. ALSO 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BALL BARING HUBS AND BEARINGS. THE TOTAL COST WAS 1,000 DOLLARS USD. WE NEED FORD TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSION. *TR