2002 Ford Explorer complaints

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION OVER-REVVING BETWEEN GEARS AND THEN SHIFTING GEARS AT HIGH RPMS CAUSING VEHICLE INSTABILITY, O/D OFF LIGHT ON CONSOLE BLINKS CONSISTENTLY, "CHECK TRANSMISSION" NOTIFIED ON DISPLAY SCREEN ON CONSOLE, OCCURS EVEN AFTER ENGINE RESTART, INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER WITH A 5R55W TRANSMISSION. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS EVENT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN NATURE IN FAILURE, OCCURRED TO ME AT APPROX. 55MPH WHEN THE RPMS RAN HIGH DURING THE SLIPPAGE AND THEN THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE GEARS SUDDENLY SHIFTED EVEN AFTER TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. NO PARTS REPLACED/REPAIRED AS OF YET, BUT AGAIN RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TRANSMISSION REBUILD IS IMMINENT. *TR

WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 55K MILES, OVERDRIVE LIGHT SUDDENLY STARTED FLASHING AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR INTO THIRD GEAR. THE RPM`S REV VERY HIGH AND THEN IT CLUNKS INTO THIRD GEAR. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS IMMEDIATELY. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BEGAN TO SLIP AT 57,000 MILES. FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND IT WOULD REV HIGH AND THEN WITH A CLUNK AND A GRINDING NOISE RELUCTANTLY GO INTO SECOND GEAR. *TR

I WAS LEAVING WORK..CRANKED MY CAR AND WENT TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO REVERSE AND THE GEAR SHIFT LEAVER "BROKE" LOOSE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT WAS JUST "FLOPPING AROUND". I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK SINCE I COULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR AND DRIVE IT. I ALSO COULD NOT GET THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SINCE THE CAR COULDN'T TELL IT WAS IN PARK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IN 20 YEARS HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THIS MORNING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MY DEALERSHIP SAID "YOU SURE EXERTED A LOT OF FORCE ON THE SHIFT HANDLE BECAUSE YOU BROKE THE STEERING COLUMN". I EXERTED NO FORCE...IT WAS VERY EASY. AND MY COMMENT TO THE SERVICE COORDINATOR WAS "I'M A 60 YEAR OLD WOMAN...I COULDN'T POSSIBLE EXERT ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK THE STEERING COLUMN!". THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME IT WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $1700.00 TO FIX IT AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE BECAUSE "WE DON'T STOCK STEERING COLUMNS, AND SINCE YOU USED ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK IT, WE HAVE TO HAVE ONE SHIPPED IN. WHEN WE KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO GET THE PART, WE'LL TELL YOU WHEN YOU CAN GET YOUR CAR BACK." *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILED. O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY. HARD SHIFTING AND SLIPPING IS CONSTANT. DEALER WANTS $3,000 TO REPAIR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS / THOUSANDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS. SOMEONE CAN GET KILLED IF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE DRIVER LOSES CONTROL THE WAY I DID. I WAS LUCKY. SOMEONE ELSE MAY NOT BE. FORD IGNORES THE ISSUE ALTOGETHER. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.6 V8, APPROX. 78000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING MY SPARK PLUG (UNKNOWN NUMBER - SECOND IN ON DRIVERS SIDE), BLEW OUT. WAS ABLE TO REPLACE IT. NO MORE THEN 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING SAME PLUG WAS SPIT OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME UNABLE TO REPLACE IT. *TR

I DRIVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0 V6 . MY OVER DRIVE LIGHT BEGUN FLASHING AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. I OWN MANY FORDS AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DEFIANTLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. PERFECT MAINTENANCE. *TR

I BOUGHT AN 02 EXPLORER. WAS DRIVING AND STARTED MAKING WEIRD GRINDING NOISES. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND ITS COSTING ME 1000! DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE WHEEL HUBS AND BEARINGS. HE SAID THE WHEEL ON THE BACK WAS READY TO FALL OFF! *TR

ON 11/22/2007 MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BURNED, IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE ORIGINATED INSIDE THE CENTER CONSOLE. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WHEN SMOKE FIRST APPEARED, ENGINE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. FLAMES ERUPTED WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES FROM THE TIME SMOKE FIRST APPEARED. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD RANGER XLT PICK-UP TRUCK. IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, 2007, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. WITHIN TWO WEEKS I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REQUESTED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. I DID, AND UPON ARRIVAL I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART TO FIX/COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. I HAD A FEW CHOICE WORDS WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR A CALL CONCERNING THE PARTS ARRIVAL. I WAITED, WAITED AND WAITED, AND STILL NO CALL. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD PLACE THREE TIMES SINCE AUGUST OF 2007. I STILL, AS OF NOVEMBER 25, 2007, DO NOT HAVE A REPAIRED TRUCK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL. ALL OF THE NUMBERS ON THE RECALL SHEET POINT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING ELSE. I HAVE NO OTHER AVENUE EXCEPT THIS ONE. I JUST WANT MY TRUCK REPAIRED FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE, AS SAFETY SHOULD BE PRIORITY ONE IN ANY AUTO MAKERS MIND. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD PRODUCT AND I AM NOT PLEASED WITH THEIR CAPACITY TO HANDLE SUCH A CRISIS AS A FIRE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. I HOPE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS AND THE AVENUES THEY HAVE PROVIDED SHOW ONLY A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY WITHIN ALL FORD PRODUCTS. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH HELP IN THIS AREA. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR

OPERATOR APPROACHED THE ENTRANCE TO A PARKING LOT AND PLACED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN PARK. WHEN THE OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK, THE GEAR LEVER BROKE OFF OF STEERING COLUMN, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE IN THE ENTRANCE; BLOCKING TRAFFIC FLOW. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE FAILED PART IS A COMPONENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER TO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. THE PART IS DIE-CAST ALLOY. THE PART THAT FAILED IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY NECESSITATING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE MSRP OF THE COLUMN ASSEMBLY IS APPROXIMATELY $600.00. *TR

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE UNDERNEATH THE BACK WINDOW, RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. I HAVE A CRACK FROM THE TOP OF THE FRAME TO THE BOTTOM. I HAVE HAD THIS CRACK ON MY VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, OR WAS NOT ON RECALL. SINCE THEN I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES JUST LIKE MINE WITH THE SAME CRACK IN THE BACK UNDERNEATH THE BACK WINDOW NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. *TR

FRONT AND REAR BEARING FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER FAILS WHILE DRIVING. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL UNTIL YOUR APPROVAL, REPAIRS ARE MADE AT THE OWNERS COST....PLEASE HELP. *TR

MY WIFE WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. HE ATTEMPTED TO FIND PARTS BUT FORD HAD NO PARTS NATIONWIDE TO REPAIR DUE TO CHANGE IN MANUFACTURERS. MUST HAVE BEEN A DEFECT WITH THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER WHICH FORCED THEM TO FIND A NEW MANUFACTURER FOR THIS PART. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. TOOK OVER 1 MONTH TO GET PART AND COST OVER $900 TO REPAIR. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 45,000 MILES. HAD TO HAVE A NEW ONE INSTALLED FOR $3,000.00. *TR

I FIRST NOTICED A GRINDING WHEN I WOULD TURN SHARPLY WITH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I TOOK IT IN AND IT WAS NOTED THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT TO REPLACE TO RING AND PINION GEARS AND CLUTCH PACKS. AFTER 1 DAY OF HAVING THE VEHICLE I WAS NOTIFIED THAT A BEARING HAD FUSED TO THE AXLE ASSEMBLY AND COULD RESULT IN MY REAR AXLE SEIZING UP WHILE DRIVING. THE TOTAL REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $1500. *TR

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AT 2002. IT ALWAYS HAS A LITTLE BIT OIL ON THE PARKING LOT BUT I DID NOT PAY ATTENTION. NOW I FOUND OUT IT IS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKING. APPARENTLY IT HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR A LONG TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALARM SOUNDS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WHILE DRIVING, THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK, THE CEILING LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, AND THE DOOR AJAR BUZZER CHIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,0000.

WENT TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND GEARSHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF. $900.00 FOR NEW STEERING COLUMN. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4L 6CYL. WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR SMOOTHLY. O/D LIGHT FLASHES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING AT 80,000 MILES. OVERDRIVE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHES, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT INTO OD, HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 2-3, 3-4, SOMETIMES MISSES 3RD, CLUNKS IN REVERSE. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON TRANSMISSION. *TR

HAVE REPLACED 3 WHEEL BEARINGS AT THE COST OF $400 A PIECE. *TR

WHEEL BEARING DEFECTIVE. *TR

TRANSMISSION SEIZED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 75K ON CAR 5 YEARS OLD. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING SLOWLY ON LOCAL STREETS WHEN IT OCCURRED SO HE WAS UNINJURED. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED AT DEALER COSTING $3546.23 THIS HAPPENED TO OUR PREVIOUS FORD EXPLORER AND IF YOU LOOK ONLINE AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM SEEMS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD DOESN'T SEE A NEED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT CONVENIENTLY HAPPENS AFTER WARRANTY IS UP. *TR

MY 2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AS SHIFTING AND PUTTING IN REVERSE AND DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 76000 MILES ON IT. TOOK TO THE FORD GARAGE, ALL TEST CAME OUT OK, TECH STATED I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF 3500.00. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND READING COMPLAINTS OF OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS, I FEEL THIS EXPENSE SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. *TR

THIS IS TO ADD INFORMATION TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. ODI NUMBER 10207581. THERE WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE ENGINE THAT RESULTED IN SUDDEN LOCKUP OF THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT LOW SPEED. HOWEVER A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION WITH HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC HAD JUST BEEN NAVIGATED. IF THE FAILURE HAD HAPPENED AT THAT INTERSECTION, THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURIES OR LOSS OF LIFE. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING. BY SUDDEN, MY WIFE DESCRIBED THE NOISE AS RATTLE, CRUNCH, BANG WITH EVERYTHING LOCKING UP IN LESS THAN 5 SECONDS. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY UP TO THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE EXHAUST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE AND MY WIFE FEARED THE VEHICLE WAS CATCHING ON FIRE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, A LARGE QUANTITY (1 TO 2 QUARTS)OF ENGINE COOLANT DRAINED FROM THE MUFFLER. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT A SUDDEN FAILURE OF AN INTERNAL ENGINE SEAL, GASKET, MANIFOLD, ETC. IF A PART FAILS THIS SUDDENLY, THE PART WAS EITHER DEFECTIVE, IMPROPERLY DESIGNED, OR IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. *TR

FAX FROM RE THE PROBLEM WITH A DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT IN HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER, GEAR SHIFT LEVER HAS BROKEN OFF TWICE. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2007. *JB

REAR DIFFERENTIAL DRIVETRAIN FAILURE. VEHICLE MILEAGE 25,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE, REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHINE/HUM AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FORD HAS A TSB 05-23-3 ON REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. TOOK TO HALDELMAN FORD, HAMILTON N.J. FOR SERVICE/REPAIR. COST OF REPAIR WAS $3,600.00. *TR

SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE ENGINE THAT RESULTED IN SUDDEN LOCKUP OF THE ENGINE, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, AND CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT LOW SPEED. HOWEVER A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION WITH HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC HAD JUST BEEN NAVIGATED. IF THE FAILURE HAD HAPPENED AT THAT INTERSECTION, THE FAILURE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURIES OR LOSS OF LIFE. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY UP UNTIL THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY AFTER FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE OIL PUMP FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 11/20/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CHECK ENGINE, ODOMETER, AND TRANSMISSION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. VEHICLE HAS @ 57K MILES ON IT. WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS FACTORY SEALED AND SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACING THIS QUICKLY. NORMAL LIFETIME OF WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD BE OVER 100K? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING. THE AFFECTED GEARS WERE SECOND AND OVERDRIVE. THE GEAR WAS ABLE TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO THIRD GEAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THE SAME DAY AND THEY DIAGNOSED A MAJOR INTERNAL FAILURE. HE PURCHASED A RECONDITIONED TRANSMISSION FROM FORD AND HAD IT INSTALLED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WAS $3,100. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,835. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER "SEALED" TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. *TR

TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING HARD & THEN THE OD OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY, THE TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT. I PARKED AT A GROCERY STORE, RAN IN & WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE, IT WOULDN'T SHIFT. IT REMAINED IN PARK EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT WAS BEING MOVED THROUGH THE GEARS. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP & HAD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. IT WAS FULL OF METAL. I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED FOR THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE BUT NEVER GOT THE CHANCE. AT 72,000 MILES, IT WAS REBUILT FOR $1800 PLUS THE $180 TOWING FEE. IF I HAD MORE WARNING, I MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CATCH IT BEFORE THE WHOLE THING WENT BAD, BUT THE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE, NO OFF-ROADING, ROUGH DRIVING, OR ANYTHING. NEVER SO MUCH AS A HICCUP UNTIL THIS. *TR

I STARTED HEARING SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED SIMILAR TO A HAVING A LOW OR BAD TIRE. TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING SOUND. AFTER HEARING THAT THIS WAS THE EXPLORER'S DOWNFALL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS, I RESEARCHED THE TOPIC ONLINE TO NOW SEE THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE I WILL BE TRYING TO REPLACE ALL BEARINGS MORE THAN LIKELY. AS DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS, WHEN ONE BEARING GOES, THEY ALL SEEM TO GO. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE YESTERDAY AND HE SAID THE WHEEL POPPED, GRINDED, AND STARTED SQUEAKING; ASSUMING THE BEARING WENT OUT COMPLETED, THE VEHICLE IS PARKED TO GET FIXED. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY THAT IS SUGGESTED BY OTHER OWNERS TO FIX THIS VEHICLE. IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS AT THIS MILEAGE, WHICH SEEMS TO HAPPENS AROUND 70,000-80,000 MILES; THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING THE LIVES OF OWNERS. WHY IS THE PRODUCT NOT RECALLED? I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH MY 4 AND 6 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT, IF I DO GET THIS BEARING FIXED, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE OTHERS GO OUT. I AM JUST VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD MOTOR COMPANY. MY GRANDDAD AND DAD BOTH RETIRED FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND I HAVE ALWAYS UPHELD THEIR NAME AND VALUE; BUT THIS IS A DISGRACE AND A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. VIEW MORE OWNER COMPLAINTS AT: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WHEELS_HUBS/WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML *TR

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT IS APPARENT THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIALS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE FAILING AND FORD IS AWARE OF THIS BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR

MY GEAR SHIFT SNAPPED OFF. I'VE NOTICED MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IT APPEARS THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I'M AN OLDER DRIVER, HANDICAPPED AND I'M THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS DRIVEN MY VEHICLE. IT IS NOT THE RESULT OF ABUSE. *TR

GEAR SHIFT MECHANISMS BROKE APART AND SEPERATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN PARK POSITION. TOWED TO DEALER. PART NOT AVAILABLE FOR 1 MONTH. PREVIOUSLY HAD VEHICLE TO DEALER STATING THERE WAS A NOISE EMANATING FORM THE STEERING COLUMN. COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. AM TOLD THE PART IS $700 + AND $200+ TO INSTALL. MY CONTENTION IS THIS WAS A FAULTY PART. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIR BAG CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. EVEN THE DEALER HAS NEVER HEARD OF THE MECHANISMS BREAKING APART AS THIS ONE DID. *TR

PULLING OUT OF A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY, MY SHIFT ROD CRACKED OFF AND DANGLED, LEAVING THE TRUCK IMMOBILE. NOTHING HAD PRECEDED THIS. DUE TO TOWING FEES, I CONTACTED A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TO HIS SHOP, A MILE AWAY, VS. TO FORD, WHICH WOULD HAVE REQUIRED A $200 FLATBED TOW. THIS PROVIDER TRIED FOR 3 WEEKS TO GET A PART, # 5L2C36529A, TOLD THAT FORD HAD 1300 VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE STREET, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. SEVERAL CALLS TO FORD AND LOCAL DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN NOT ONLY UNPRODUCTIVE BUT FRUITLESS AND DEMEANING. WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OTHERS THAT HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE, WHICH FORD (WHICH I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOYAL TO PRIOR TO NOW) HAS GONE OUT OF ITS WAY TO DENY, ARE GOING TO BE ENDANGERED AND WOULD LIKE A RECALL INVESTIGATION, PLEASE! *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, GEARS SLIPPAGE, O/D LIGHT FLASHING, ALL EQUALS A NEW TRANSMISSION AT PRICE OF $3100. ONLY REACHED 80,000 MILES AN MAINTAINED PROPERLY AT ALL TIMES! *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH BROKEN GEAR SHIFT LEVER. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE WHEN THEY WERE PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE. SHE COULD TURN OFF THE IGNITION BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2007. *JB

I HEARD A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY SUV. TOOK IT TO A FRIEND WHO WORKS ON FORDS AND HE SAID IT WAS THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. HE FIXED THAT AND THE SOUND CONTINUED, SO HE REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT. THE SOUND WENT AWAY. TWO DAYS LATER SAME SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. MY SUV ONLY HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM DRIVING WITH 3 CHILDREN. I SEE THAT THIS IS WAY TOO COMMON. I AM LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING MY KIDS WHEN THE BEARINGS TOTALLY FAILED AND A TIRE FELL OFF. I STILL HAVE TO OLD PARTS, I AM CONSIDERING SENDING THEM TO FORD. THEY TOLD ME IN ORDER FOR THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM I MUST PUT THE BAD PARTS BACK ON MY CAR AND TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. RISK MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN SO I CAN TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP? NO THANKS. I WILL SEND THEM THE PARTS SO THEY CAN SEE HOW BAD THEY ARE. *JB

LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. LET OFF GAS AND IS FINE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAVE TO HAVE A NEW REAR END AND NEW HOUSING. I AM SORRY BUT A 2002 VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. IT IS THE WORST VEHICLE FORD HAS EVER DESIGNED. THEY JUST LOST ANOTHER CUSTOMER. *TR

THE REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE HAS CRACKED VERTICALLY FROM THE GLASS ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL FOR NO APPARENT REASON (I.E. HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WHILE REAR WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY CLOSED). I HAVE NOTICED THAT MOST EXPLORERS IN MY AREA WITH THE SAME LIFTGATE HAVE THE SAME VERTICAL CRACK IN THE SAME LOCATION. CONCERNED WITH POTENTIAL GLASS BREAKING DUE TO SOME STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE WINDOW LIFTGATE. *TR

CAR FIRE - 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER. HE CALLED ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ANY PARTS AS WELL. HE ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTLY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH DEACTIVATED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

WHILE PULLING INTO A GAS STATION SLOWING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. STRIKING THE BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE GAS PUMP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. THE DEALER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/06/07 *TR

THE PANEL JUST BELOW THE BACK LIFT GATE WINDOW ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM IN TWO PLACES. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE EXACT SAME CRACKS AND THERE ARE 100'S OF REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT. FORD CORPORATE SAID TO CONTACT A DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM SO THEY OFFERED NO HELP WITH THE SITUATION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HOFFMAN FORD DEALERSHIP IN EAST HARTFORD, CT AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD SPLIT THE REPAIR COST WITH ME. THEY NEVER FOLLOWED THRU WITH THE OFFER. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CALL ME WHEN THEY HAD THE PART BUT THAT NEVER HAPPENED. IT IS OBVIOUS FORD CORPORATE KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THAT THIS IS A DEFECT. THE OUTSIDE OF A CAR SHOULD NEVER CRACK FOR NO REASON. *TR