Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. THE MECHANIC WAS ROTATING BOTH REAR TIRES AND CHANGING BRAKE PADS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS SHEARED OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,600. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED BOTH THE INVOICE AND PICTURES OF THE BROKEN COIL SPRINGS. UPDATE 4/23/07 *TR
REAR COIL SPRING ON FORD 2002 EXPLORER BROKE. TOOK CAR IN FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION AND MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. WHILE IT WAS REPLACED WITH A DEALER PART, I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN FOR THE SPRING TO PIERCE A TIRE OR BRAKE LINE WAS TO HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. WHO KNOWS HOW LONG I WAS DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IN DANGER OF A POSSIBLE FATAL INCIDENT. *JB
THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EXPLODED WHEN I OPENED IT. UNFORTUNATELY A FRIEND WAS STANDING NEAR AND RECEIVED A COUPLE MINOR CUTS. NO IDEA WHAT SO EVER WHAT CAUSED THE WINDOW TO SHATTER INTO A MILLION PIECES, THE LOCAL FORD MOTOR FOLKS SAID THIS WAS STRANGE AND HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES, SO IT WASN'T THAT COLD OUT. IT HAD BEEN CLOSED JUST MINUTES BEFORE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. *JB
EXPLORER XL, V6, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WITH 88,000 MILES. DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM. OUR MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT BROKE ON A PIECE OF METAL HOLDING THE PINION IN PLACE. WE WERE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, 70 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A NOISE. THE SOUND RESEMBLED A FLAT TIRE. WE PULLED OFF ON THE SHOULDER AND LOOKED AT ALL 4 TIRES. NO FLAT. WE THEN CALLED AAA TO TOW TO OUR FIRST MECHANIC. HE LOOKED AND DISCOVERED OUR PARKING BRAKE SHOE, YES, PARKING BRAKE SHOE, HAD FALLEN OFF. HE REPLACED IT, $130. HE DROVE IT OUT, AND STILL HEARD THE NOISE. HE SUSPECTED THE REAR END. HE COULDN'T FIX THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM. WE TOOK IT TO OUR SECOND MECHANIC. IT TOOK A WEEK TO GET THE LENGTHY REPAIR DONE, TO GET IT TO FIT INTO HIS SCHEDULE. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, ($885) THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM KICKED IN WHENEVER WE STOPPED. THE PEDAL THUMPED!SO WE TOOK IT BACK AND HE SAID WHEN THE PINION WAS DAMAGED, THAT ALSO RUINED THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE REAR END. HE FIXED IT FOR FREE, FEELING SORRY FOR US THAT WE HAD TWO EXPENSIVE CAR REPAIRS ON OUR FORD WITHIN 2 DAYS. THE MECHANIC SAID IF WE HAD DRIVEN MUCH LONGER WITH THAT PROBLEM, THE CAR COULD HAVE SEIZED (MY WORDS), AND "THROWN US THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD." (YES, WE WEAR SEAT BELTS.) *JB
ON A COLD DAY, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BODY PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE REAR GATE OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED. NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THE CRACK. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 32 DEGREE F AT THE TIME. *JB
DAUGHTER CAME OUT OF SCHOOL TO FIND CRACK BENEATH REAR WINDOW. THOUGHT TO BE RESULT OF HIT AND RUN IN PARKING LOT. TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. REPAIRED AT NO COST TO US, NO PROBLEM. GOOD DEALER! WE ARE VERY GOOD FORD CUSTOMERS, HAVING BOUGHT EXCLUSIVELY FORDS FOR 20+ YEARS. THIS WILL NOT DETER US FROM BUYING FORD AGAIN. *JB
DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION BOX ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH 43K MILES - HAS ANYONE HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SAME YEAR EXPLORER WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND/OR ANY SUCCESS WITH FORD FIXING THE PROBLEM? *JB
ENGINE DEVELOP ROUGH IDLE. SUDDEN EXPLOSION SOUND REVEALED THAT NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG WAS DISCHARGED FROM THREADS. DEALER CLAIMED ZERO RESPONSIBILITY YET ADMITTED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4.6 AND 5.4 LITER ENGINES. SELF REPAIR WITH INSERT TO REPAIR DAMAGED THREADS CAUSED BY EXPLODING SPARK PLUG. *JB
CAR STARTED MAKING HUMMING NOISE WHEN GOING 30-45 MPH, TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO REF ME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN FOR TRANSMISSION FLUSH, STILL THE SAME ISSUE, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I HAVE 4X4 WHICH REQUIRES THE SAME 4 TIRES OR THE CAR WILL JERK. THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATES, AND THE 4X4 GAUGE DOESN'T WORK, REPLACED THE COMPONENT AND STILL THE SAME ISSUE. ANY WHO TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, NOW I AM HEARING A CLINKING AND RUBBERY SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I AM NOW FORCED TO TAKE THE CAR IN... AND OF COURSE BE CHARGED A RIDICULOUS FEE, FOR THEM TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON THE TRUCK TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, AND THEN OF COURSE PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR.... MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A FOREIGN CAR.. THEY BREAK DOWN LESS, AND THE COST OF MAINTENANCE AND EQUIVALENT OR LESS THEN THE COST OF MAINTAINING A GOOD OLE' AMERICAN MADE FORD VEHICLE. (LEXUS, KIA, AND I BELIEVE EITHER MAZDA OR TOYOTA ARE OWNED BY FORD.. SO STEER CLEAR OF THOSE BRANDS). TIMELINE REFLECTS THE LATEST ISSUE, AND THE AMOUNT OF PREVIOUS PROBLEMS.. AMOUNT TO MANY. *JB
I JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE GEAR AND PINION ASSEMBLY, AXLE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR ON MY 02 EXPLORER, A VERY COSTLY REPAIR ON A 02, 47K MILES VEHICLE. BUT THE REASON WHY I'M MAKING A COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I FOUND OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET FOR THE SAME YEAR/MAKE VEHICLE. I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT TOLD ME THAT IF I DIDN'T NOTICE THE NOISE AND REPLACED THE PARTS, MY REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK WHILE DRIVING AND I COULD HAVE FOUND MYSELF IN A VERY DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. SO I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT IT, THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THE NHTSA DIDN'T FIND THIS TO BE A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM FORD DECIDED NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL. POSSIBLY LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS ON A 4X4 VEHICLE IS NOT LIFE THREATENING???? HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE? IF THERE ARE NO FATAL ACCIDENTS FROM THIS PROBLEM YET IS BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WILL SPEND THE $1100 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY RISK THEIR FAMILIES...IS IT WORTH RISKING SOMEONE DYING SO FORD CAN SAVE SOME MONEY? I'M OUTRAGED!. *JB
PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, I NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEEMED SOMEWHAT LOOSE. WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY IN THE L.A. AREA WHEN I NEEDED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. AS I DID THIS THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND THE VEHICLE SURGED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID REAR ENDING A SEMI AND AVOID OTHER VEHICLE ON THE CONGESTED FREEWAY. THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT WAS ABLE TO LEAN UNDER THE DASH AND FREE THE PEDAL. WE PULLED OVER AND FOUND OUR WAY TO A MECHANIC. HE ADVISED THAT A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE HAD BROKEN NEAR THE PEDAL. A BAR THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE SYSTEM THEN STUCK UNDER THE DASH. HE REPAIRED THIS BY BYPASSING THE MANUFACTURERS SYSTEM FOR LESS THAN $200.00. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST OVER $800.00 FOR LABOR AND PARTS. I DON'T REALLY WANT TO REPAIR IT WITH THE SAME PARTS IF IT COULD POSSIBLY RECUR. *JB
THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN MY TAILGATE THAT STARTS AT THE BACK WINDSHIELD GLASS AND RUNS HALFWAY DOWN MY TAILGATE. I GUESS THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THESE CRACKS AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IN PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS. I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX IT. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN IF THEY ARE GOING TO TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS...PLEASE HELP US GET THEM TO RECALL THIS. THANKS. *JB
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE AT 20 MPH IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER SHE STARTED FEELING A SURGE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK. SHE HAS DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 105031 MILES.*AK
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR MAJOR TRANSMISSION AND REAR END PROBLEMS APPROX. 15 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP BETWEEN 2ND-3RD AND 3RD-4TH GEAR. IN REVERSE THE CLUTCH BINDS UP. THE REAR END ROARS AND WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES (AFTER NUMEROUS FIX ATTEMPTS) AND AT 66,000 MILES REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, RING GEAR & PINION WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALMOST OVERHAULED AT 35,000, RE-PROGRAMMED APPROX 3 TIMES AND NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN NOW. THE COMPASS HAS FAILED TWICE. *JB
REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 80,000 MILES, BOTH REAR BEARINGS. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE DRIVER TO STEER TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,350. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THIRD GEAR BANG OR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,350.
WHILE CLOSING REAR TAILGATE WINDOW OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER,FIBERGLASS PORTION OF THE TAILGATE SHATTERED. NO INJURY WAS INCURRED; HOWEVER, THE POTENTIAL DOES EXIST. INQUIRED MANUFACTURE, AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PART THEREFORE, THEY FELT NO LIABILITY TO REPLACE THE PART. SINCE THE INCIDENT, I HAVE NOTICED 5 EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. *JB
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ON FEB 3RD THE LIFT GATE SPLIT IN 2 PIECES. MANF. DEFECT. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING AND HAS NEITHER OFFERED ANY KIND OF MONTEREY ASSISTANCE OR ISSUED A RECALL. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO PAY THE REPAIR OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THEY UNDERSTAND THIS IS A HAZARD BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE ONLY THING HOLDING MY LIFTGATE CLOSED IS THE 2 PUMPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE GATE. OBVIOUS HAZARD!! THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES JUST LIKE MINE WHERE THE TAIL GATES ARE FAILING. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE BEFORE FORD DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT??? *JB
I WAS ONLY ABOUT 1 MILE FROM HOME, THE VEHICLE HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND THEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY, I COULD SMELL FUEL OR SOME SORT OF ODOR, AS I ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, THERE WAS NO BRAKES OR STEERING, I ALSO COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO STARTING TO FILL WITH SMOKE INSIDE VERY QUICKLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN PARK, AND ROLLED WHILE I WAS TRYING TO EXIT. I CALLED 911, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY ENTIRELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *JB
REAR HATCH CRACKED TWO SPOTS. *JB
BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS. VEHICLE NEVER USED OFF ROAD OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN NORMAL ROADWAY DRIVING. WENT FOR NEW TIRES AND MECHANIC FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING WAS BROKEN INTO MULTIPLE PIECES. *JB
TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE SHIFT GEARS AROUND 35-40 MPH. ENGINE WOULD REV HIGH. DEALER SAID I LOST 3RD SPEED. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $2565.77 PLUS $1020 IN LABOR. DEALER ALSO REPLACED REAR AXLE SEALS ($265.48). EXPLORER HAD 89,449 MILES ON IT. FRIENDS AND WEB SAY REAR DIFF AND TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOTORIOUSLY BAD. WHEN WILL FORD RECALL THESE VEHICLES? WILL THE CONSUMER EVER GET THEIR MONEY BACK? *NM
THE SAME THING I HAVE BEEN READING HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF TIMES ONLINE FROM OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS - O/D LIGHT FLASHING, HUMMING NOISE, RPMS REVVING UP WAY TOO HIGH WHEN ACCELERATING, SKIPPING 2ND GEAR ALTOGETHER. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED, AND STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT,WITH THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. THIS IS THEFT. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD LOST THE THIRD GEAR. THE GEAR WOULD SLIP INSTEAD OF ENGAGING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY BADLY, AND FEEL AS IF IT WAS PULLING AWAY FROM HIM. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENED BETWEEN 0 -29 MPH, AND THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 30 MPH IT WOULD LEVEL OUT AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DOING THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED EVERY DAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 40000.*AK
THE FIBERGLASS PANEL ON THE BACK HATCH OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED FROM THE GLASS STRAIGHT DOWN APPARENTLY DUE TO COLD WEATHER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT FOR SOME REASON THIS HAD HAPPENED A LOT THIS WINTER. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE TAKEN CARE OF OR AT LEAST A 50/50 SPLIT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE MANAGER TOLD ME BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON MY VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I HAVE SINCE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF THE FORD EXPLORERS THAT HAVE THE 2 PIECE FIBERGLASS PANELS ARE CRACKED ALSO THAT ARE DRIVING AROUND. CAN FORD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS? I HAVE NO OTHER DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. BUT THIS IS VERY NOTICEABLE AND YOU CAN BET WHEN I GO TO TRADE IT IN FORD WILL DISCOUNT FOR THIS DEFECT. *JB
DIGITAL ODOMETER DISPLAY NUMBERS DO NOT LIGHT UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO VIEW CUMULATIVE MILEAGE AND USE OF TRIP COMPUTER AND COMPASS DOES NOT WORK. *NM
TAILGATE EXTERIOR APPLIQUE CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM
TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER HAVING BEEN SERVICED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY FORD DEALERSHIP. TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE DISABLED IN TRAVEL AREA OF THE ROADWAY. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT THERE WAS "NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION". VEHICLE NOW NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES AT COST OF $2000 +. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV'S AND IMMEDIATE FAILURES ARE DANGEROUS TO PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. *NM
IN JANUARY, 2006, MY CAR STOPPED DEAD ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE TOLD THAT A VALVE HAD BROKEN AND HAD BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. OUR ONLY ALTERNATIVE WAS TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED - WHICH WE DID FOR OVER $5000.00. THE FOLLOWING JANUARY, (2007), AFTER THE FIRST MEASURABLE SNOW FALL OF THE YEAR (SINCE OUR ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED), THE CAR WENT INTO A HUGE FISHTAIL SKID ON A SNOWY ROAD AND AFTER THE FIRST SKID, WAS CAUGHT BY THE CABLE GUARD RAIL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD - CAUSING ANOTHER $5000.00+ REPAIR. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE ELECTRONIC MONITOR HAD FAILED AND WE HAD NO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. MY CONCERN - BESIDES THE COST AND INCONVENIENCE AND SCARE OF THE ACCIDENT IS THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE CAR'S 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAD FAILED. I HAD GOTTEN INTO THE CAR ASSUMING THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS WORKING (AS THE CAR GOES INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATICALLY AND THERE ARE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS NORMALLY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS WORKING). WITH NO INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS WORKING AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT IT IS NOT WORKING, FORD PUT ME IN A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. HAD THE CABLE GUARD RAIL NOT BEEN THERE TO CATCH THE CAR, WE WOULD HAVE GONE OVER THE EMBANKMENT AND BEEN MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED. *NM
THE TAIL GATE DOOR PANEL BELOW THE GLASS HAS TO LINE CRACKS. IT BEGAN TO SEPARATE. IT ALSO HAPPEN TO MY FATHER IN-LAW. I HAVE ALSO SEEN IT IN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS. *JB
TL*- THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE APPLIQUE ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS CRACKED. THE APPLIQUE HELD THE BACK REAR GLASS ONTO THE LIFTGATE. THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED IF THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS UNWILLING TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE DUE TO THE CRACK. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP AND FORD MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAD 67200 MILES. *AK
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS STAYED LIT AND NEEDED REPAIRS ON 2 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS A YEAR AGO. AT THAT TIME, WE TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE SAFETY HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS RECENTLY COME ON AGAIN. AGAIN, WE TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME ARE TOLD THAT ANOTHER HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND A WIRE UNDER THE SEAT IS NOT WORKING AND THE REPAIRS (WHICH ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY) WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $370. I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS AS THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEIR PREVIOUS REPAIR SHOULD HOLD SOME GUARANTEE. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT THE CASE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. I FIND THIS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AS A NON-FUNCTIONING AIRBAG IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I AM NOTIFYING THE NHTSA AND THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB
LEFT PANEL BELOW TAILGATE WINDOW CRACKED WITHOUT ANY CONTACT TO VEHICLE - NOTHING HIT THE CAR AND THE CAR DID NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB
TRANSMISSION WENT AT 66K AND CAUSED ME SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. *JB
THE LIFTGATE EXTERIOR CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE WITH NO PRESSURE BEING APPLIED, MAYBE THE WEATHER MADE IT CRACK, BUT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *JB
SUBJECT: CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW (TAILGATE APPLIQUE) WHERE: 9 DEGREES TEMPERATURE IN SHILOH, ILLINOIS (15 MILES EAST OF ST. LOUIS). VEHICLE TYPE: 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4 DOOR WAGON 6 CYL 4.0 SOHC 51,101 MILES. WHAT: THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE HAS DEVELOPED ONE VERTICAL CRACK, APPROX 1/8TH" IN DIAMETER RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL (APPROX 4.5 INCHES) TO THE RIGHT OF THE "FORD" EMBLEM. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OVER 75 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, MOST IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS (COLD WEATHER). THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY (ESP). PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE LISTED BELOW FOR OTHER CUSTOMERS COMMENTS. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTM COST/COMMENTS: AUFFENBERG BODY SHOP (BELLEVILLE, IL 618-234-0330) REPAIR COST $380.00 IF REAR WINDOW BREAKS ADD AN ADDITIONAL $1100.00. FORD DEFINITELY HAS A QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THIS COSMETIC DEFECT PART. AFTER CONTACTING FORD PRIOR APPROVAL DEPARTMENT (800-321-7790 OPTION #3) AND CUSTOMER CENTER (800-392-3673), BOTH OFFICES INFORMED ME THAT THIS DEFECT IS NOT COVER UNDER THE ESP WARRANTY. ACTION: FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THE PANEL AT NO CHARGE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY AND A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. A COPY OF THIS LETTER WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF DEFEC
NOISE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB
ON A 10 DEGREE NIGHT, I WOKE UP TO FIND A NASTY CRACK IN THE REAR LIFTGATE UNDER THE GLASS. IT NOT ONLY CRACKED, BUT SEPARATED AND MADE ABOUT AN 1/8" GAP. ANOTHER CRACK BESIDE IT FORMING A TRIANGULAR SHAPE AS WELL. LOOKS LIKE IT WILL FALL OUT ANY TIME. MY INSURANCE WON'T COVER THIS BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN FORD ISSUE!!!!!!! TELL ME HOW THAT IS FAIR, THAT WE PAY THE MONEY FOR THESE VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLES, AND THERE IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN THEM, BUT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I CAN'T BLAME THE INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR DENIAL. IT IS FORDS PLACE TO PAY FOR THIS. IT IS UNETHICAL FOR FORD TO TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS AND VERY BAD FOR BUSINESS. I CAN'T USE MY BACK HATCH ANYMORE FOR FEAR THAT IT WILL CRACK AGAIN AND PIECES FALL OUT. I CARRY FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE AND DO MY PART TO TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLE, NOW I CAN'T AFFORD TO COVER SOMETHING THAT IS FORDS FAULT!!!!!! COME ON FORD, CUT US SOME SLACK. CH . *NM
2002 FORD EXPLORER - PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW (APPLIQUE) CRACKED. FORD DEALER CLAIMS IT HAPPENS WHEN WEATHER IS TO HOT OR COLD. *NM
THE BACK PANEL OF OUR FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED THE VERTICAL LENGTH OF THE TO PANEL. HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. *JB
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CRACK IN THE REAR WINDOW AS A RESULT OF A RECALL THAT OCCURRED TWO YEARS AGO. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN 5 OTHERS WITH IDENTICAL CRACKS. FORD IS AWARE OF IT BUT REFUSES TO TAKE ANY ACCOUNTABLE ACTIONS. *JB
GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF COLUMN, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO TOP OF SHIFT CABLE. WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT VEHICLE INTO OR OUT OF ANY GEAR. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR WHICH IS COSTING $1300.00, SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLACE PART THAT BROKE, BUT HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE COLUMN. *NM
I HAVE A CRACKED PANEL IN MY FORD EXPLORER 2002. THIS PANEL COULD BREAK IN HALF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *NM
I WALKED AROUND THE BACK OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TODAY TO FIND THE PANEL DIRECTLY BELOW MY REAR WINDOW WAS SEVERELY CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. I HAD A MINOR CRACK WHICH I REPAIRED ON MY OWN BEFORE. IN NEITHER INSTANCE DID I HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES TO CAUSE THE CRACKS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND CONTACTING A FEW FORD DEALERSHIPS, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE PHANTOM SPLITTING OF A BODY PANEL ON A MODERN VEHICLE IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW. MY VEHICLE'S SAFETY IS NOW IN QUESTION; I AM CONCERNED THAT THE HATCH-BACK GLASS IS NOW NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED DUE TO THE MULTIPLE CRACKS BELOW IT. PLEASE, FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL 2002 EXPLORER DRIVERS AND THE TRAVELERS BEHIND THEM ON THE ROAD, SEE TO IT THAT THIS DEFECT IS REMEDIED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY WITH A PRODUCT RECALL. *JB
I BEGAN HEARING AN ODD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC AND REQUESTED THAT HE CHECK THE BRAKES. HE SAID OUR BRAKES WERE OK, HOWEVER WE HAD A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WE WERE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING OUR WHEELS. BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THIS ISSUE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY HAD WE NOT DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM, WE REQUESTED THAT OUR MECHANIC KEEP THE OLD PARTS. *JB
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN IT STARTED TO GET VERY COLD, MY EXPLORER, THAT I JUST BOUGHT, STARTED TO NOT WANT TO GO INTO GEAR. IT WOULD GRIND AND SLIP. THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. IT WAS FROM THE COMPUTER THAT RUNS THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE 4 LOW BUTTON WOULD JUST KICK IN BY ITS SELF. THEN IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. AFTER A WHILE OF TRYING TO GET IT INTO GEAR IT WOULD GO. IT WOULD ONLY ACT UP WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD OUT (10 TO -5 DEGREES) IT DID THIS TO ME FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN IT JUST STUCK INTO 4 LOW AND NOW WON'T COME OUT. THERE WAS A SMELL THIS LAST TIME OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRE AND SMOKE. NOW MY EXPLORER WON'T DRIVE AND HAS A ELECTRICAL SMOKE SMELL STUCK IN IT. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. IT ALSO MAKES A REALLY LOUD POPPING SOUND WHEN I GO TO TURN OR HIT A BUMP. SOUND COMES FROM THE FRONT OF THE EXPLORER DRIVERS SIDE. *JB
TWO LARGE CRACKS IN BACK BODY PANEL BELOW BACK WINDOW. APPEARED SPONTANEOUSLY AND HAVE STEADILY WORSENED. TWO SEPARATE DEALERS HAVE STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $400-500 TO HAVE IT FIXED. HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORERS AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF FORD OWNING UP TO THE PROBLEM OR FIXING THESE CARS. *JB
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. A LUG NUT HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS LODGED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE NEW LUG NUT AND STEMS AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON TOW OCCASIONS.*AK
AFTER DRIVING ON A COLD WEATHER NIGHT AT SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN EVEN WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL, THE RPM WAS ABOVE 4000. FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO STILL WANT TO MOVE. *JB
THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE HAS DEVELOPED TWO VERTICAL CRACKS, APPROX 1/8TH" IN DIAMETER RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL (APPROX 5 INCHES) TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE 'FORD' EMBLEM. THESE DEVELOPED SPONTANEOUSLY OVER TIME, ONE AFTER ANOTHER. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR OTHER TRAUMA TO TRIGGER THESE CRACKS. RESEARCH REVEALS THAT _MANY_ OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT. I NOTICED THE SAME CONDITION ON SEVERAL OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORERS SIMPLY DRIVING AROUND TOWN. FORD WILL NOT REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS MOST OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *JB
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2002 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →