2002 Ford Explorer complaints

I HAVE TWO OR THREE ISSUES; THE FIRST ONE IS MY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE AND CAME UP THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET COVER. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY OF IT'S 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. I AM JUST RETURNING FROM IRAQ (AIR FORCE) I HAVE JUST HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT HAS NOT BE FIXED. I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS WERE IT JUMPS INTO GEAR AND I HAVE A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. I SPOKE WITH GANLEY FORD IN BARBETON AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS HOWEVER, A LOT OF CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. IT IS A VERTICAL CRACK THE HEIGHT OF THE PANEL TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY SUCCESS IN GETTING FORD OR MY DEALERSHIP TO MAKE A REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIR IS $571.20. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CRACK MAY AFFECT THE STABILITY OF MY REAR WINDOW. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER TO GET NEW TIRES WHERE SHE OBSERVED THAT TWO OF THE RIMS WERE CRACKED, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CRACK ALMOST DISSECTED THE RIM. KMC THE SPECIFIC WHEEL SHE HAD WAS THE KING PIN 20 INCH CHROME WHEEL. SHE CALLED THE DISTRIBUTORS FOR KMC WHEELS AND THEY STATED IF SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY FAXED HER THE WARRANTY. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WOULD ONLY BE COVERED IF SHE HAD A RECEIPT. THE NAME OF THE DISTRIBUTORS WASWHEEL PROS 562-921-1237. *AK

THE UPPER REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE WAS OPENED TO ACCESS CARGO AND AS SOON AS IT WAS IN THE UP POSITION, THE GLASS EXPLODED SENDING SHARDS OF GLASS WITHIN THE VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. HUSBAND WAS SHOWERED WITH GLASS AND JUST MISSED BEING HIT BY THE ATTACHED LOWER PANEL THAT FELL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. IF PASSENGERS WERE SITTING IN THE THIRD ROW SEATS, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED IN GLASS. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE A PARENT IS HOLDING A CHILD WHILE RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE BACK, THEY COULD INCUR SERIOUS INJURIES. GLASS SHATTERING OVER YOUR HEAD FOR NO APPARENT REASON IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLE DID GO IN FOR THE RECALL SENT OUT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO TO REPLACE A BRACKET. OBVIOUSLY, THIS DID NOT DO A THING TO PREVENT THIS WINDOW FROM BREAKING, FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND TRIED TO DO THE CHEAPEST THING POSSIBLE TO FIX IT, INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE REAR LIFTGATE ASSEMBLY. FORD SHOULD BE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT AND ALBEIT MY OPINION, I BELIEVE THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SHOULD BE ON THE HORIZON. WE WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER TOMORROW AND FINDING OUT WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. WITH ALL THE INFORMATION THAT IS ON THE INTERNET ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RESOLVED BEFORE IT CAUSES A DEATH OR LIFE CHANGING INJURY. *JB

I BOUGHT A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM EVERGREEN FORD IN ISSAQUAH WASHINGTON. THE SALESMEN TOLD ME THE CAR HAD GREAT TIRES AND THEY WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR A WHILE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO GET SERVICED FOR THE FIRST TIME (ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT) I WAS TOLD THE TIRES WERE BALD AND THE CAR WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE - THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE I WAS DRIVING AROUND WITH SUCH BAD TIRES. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE ABUSIVE AND EXTREAMLY RUDE OVER THE PHONE, THEY WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY. *NM

THERE IS A PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW GATE THAT HAS A VERTICAL CRACK.. INITIALLY, THE REAR WINDOW WAS A RECALL, NOW THE PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW HAS CRACKED. THE REAR WINDOW WAS REPLACED, AT NO COST, BUT FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THE DEFECT/CRACK ON THE BACK PANEL. *JB

CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL UNDER THE REAR GLASS. 02 FORD EXPLORER. WENT TO PICK UP KIDS FROM MOTHERS HOUSE, AND WALKED AROUND TRUCK, AND SAW IT. CRACKED ALL THE WAY FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP, IN AN UPSIDE DOWN FASHION. ALL THE WAY THROUGH FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. LOTS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, AND AROUND TOWN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFRAID IT IS ALSO A REAR GLASS PROBLEM, AS THE REAR GLASS IS ATTACHED TO THE CRACKED PEICE. ALSO HEARD THERE WAS AT ONE TIME A RECALL ON THE REAR GLASS OF THE 02. *NM

RECENTLY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT WHEN THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE ONBOARD COMPUTER INDICATED A CODE OF 33 IN MEMORY. THIS INDICATED THAT THE MECHANISM UNDER BOTH FRONT SEATS WAS FAULTY. THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY UNNECESSARILY OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE FAULTY SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. THE WARNING LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST AND EVENTUALLY STAYED ON SO THERE WAS 55,000 MILES RECORDED WHEN I FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR DEALERSHIP. THE OWNER'S MANUAL REVEALED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) IS WARRANTED FOR 5YEARS/50,000 MILES, SO I REALIZE THAT IT WAS BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD. HOWEVER, THIS IS MY CONCERN AND COMPLAINT. THE SRS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT REQUIRE THESE TYPES OF REPAIRS JUST 6 MONTHS AND 5,000 MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BE CONCERNED THAT THEIR SRS SYSTEM WILL FAIL AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. I AM NOT A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, BUT THESE PARTS MUST NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED PROPERLY. IF THEY WERE, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. AS WAS STATED ABOVE, THIS EXPLORER WAS TOTALLY REDESIGNED AND SENT TO THE DEALER SHOWROOMS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE 2002 MODEL YEAR. WE

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL LOCATED BELOW TAILGATE GLASS THE CRACK IS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. THE LOCATION OF THIS CRACK IS APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM UNDER THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW.

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SINCE SHE PURCHASED IT IN FEBRUARY 2002. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS AT A FORD DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE MAY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD HER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WAS INTERNAL. *AK

THE BACK LIFTGATE OR HATCH BACK OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED HAS A LARGE VERTICAL CRACK THAT HAS JUST MAGICALLY APPEARED. THE CRACK IS ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG AND ANOTHER 1 INCH BESIDE IT. IT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER THE REAR GLASS. I WAS ON A WEBSITE THAT HAS ABOUT 65 OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FOR THIS YEAR'S MODEL OF EXPLORER. I FEEL THAT FORD HAS AN OBLIGATION TO PAY FOR THIS SINCE THEY DID HAVE A RECALL. *NM

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT I BELIEVE IT IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE. I AM (SORRY 'WAS') THE PROUD OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V8 AUTO TRANSMISSION. IT HAS SUDDENLY DEVELOPED 2 STRESS CRACKS IN THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW - ONE ACTUALLY GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE PANEL FROM END TO END!. THEY WERE MOST CERTAINLY NOT THERE THIS MORNING WHEN I PARKED MY VEHICLE OUTSIDE MY OFFICE BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD IN ATLANTA TODAY, I'VE READ NUMEROUS ARTICLES ON THE INTERNET THIS EVENING AND I AM ABSOLUTELY ALARMED TO DISCOVER THAT THE CRACKING IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS YEAR/MODEL EXPLORER IN COLD CONDITIONS - WHY IS FORD NOT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT?? *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFT GATE PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW CRACKED AT AROUND 65,000 MILES. TWO WEEKS LATER IT CRACKED AGAIN. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND A LARGE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. *JB

THE PROBLEM IS MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE, MY PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW IS CRACKING FOR NO REASON, I DO NOT USE IS PART OF THE LIFTGATE, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OVER 100 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SAFETY PROBLEM THAT WILL ALLOW THE REAR WINDOW TO FALLOUT OR EXPLODE WHEN OPERATING THE DOOR OR NORMAL DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE . FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THE PANELS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER OF 2002 AND UP FORD EXPLORER WITH THIS TAILGATE DESIGN. *NM

THE MIDDLE PANEL UNDER THE GLASS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR HAS CRACKED. I SUSPECT IT WAS DUE TO COLD WEATHER. I HAVE SINCE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NOTICE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS. IN ADDITION, THIS PAST SUMMER MY SHIFTER SNAPPED OFF THE BARREL. I HAD 4 KIDS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. FORD RESPONDED BY TELLING ME THAT I HAD 75K MILES AND NO WARRANTY AND I DIDN'T TYPICALLY GET MY CAR SERVICED THERE SO THEY WEREN'T GOING TO BE WILLING TO "WORK WITH ME" TO GET IT RESOLVED. WHEN I TOLD HIM I HAD MY 'REGULAR' MECHANIC LOOK AT IT HE SAID THAT THE LABOR RATE WAS PROBABLY CHEAPER WITH HIM THAN AT FORD. WELL - NOW TELL ME WHY I WOULD SERVICE MY CAR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP? OH YEAH...IN CASE I GET CRACKS OR SHIFTERS FALL OFF AND MAYBE THEY'LL 'WORK WITH ME' ON THE PRICE. BIG INCENTIVE. OH YEAH, MY FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK - ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM. MY PREVIOUS EXPLORER (ABOUT 10 YEARS BACK) HAD THE SAME PROBLEM . THE GUY UP THE STREET HAS AN EXPLORER (2003) AND IT DOESN'T WORK EITHER. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME THE CONTACT WAS UNLOADING GROCERIES OR BOOK BAGS FROM THE BACK OF THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUTS BECAME DISENGAGED. ONCE THE STRUTS WERE DISENGAGED THE GLASS CAME DOWN ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.*AK

TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR WINDOW HAS A CRACK NEAR THE WINDOW MOLDING. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE WINDOW TO CRACK. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED ANOTHER VEHICLE, SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 03/07/07*JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, @ 52,000, I HAD MAJOR ISSUES W/ THE TRANSMISSION, AN OVERHAUL WAS COMPLETED, AND MY TRANSMISSION WAS "REBUILT". LESS THAN 2 YEARS LATER AND A LITTLE UNDER 40,000 MILES LATER, MY O/D LIGHT GOES OFF, GEARS SLIPPING AND I AM TOLD I NOW HAVE METAL IN THE PAN AND I DO NOT HAVE 2 GEARS, HENCE, I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW THAT I AM NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I AM TOLD THIS WILL NOW COST ME $3,000 TO REPLACE. AFTER LOOKING ON-LINE FOR ONLY 10-15 MINUTES, I FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE "REBUILT" TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS A 1-YEAR WARRANTY ON IT. I CALLED FORD MOTORS, AND AGAIN, WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY IS UP, AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT. SINCE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! FORD NEEDS TO BACK THEIR PROBLEMS AND EITHER ISSUE A RECALL, OR FOOT THE BILL FOR THE THOUSANDS OF TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY A FORD, AND I WILL MAKE SURE I TELL ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THE LACK OF SUPPORT THAT THIS COMPANY GIVES TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. NO WONDER THEY ARE HAVING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES!!*JB

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS IN NOV 05 WITH 37000 MILES, IN JUNE 06 WITH 43000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. NOW, HERE IN JAN 07, WITH 52000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 02 EXPLORERS. *JB

OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON DASH OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER FLASHING ROUGH SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. *JB

I BOUGHT A USED (FLAWLESS) 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 32,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT WHICH TIME THEY REPLACED THE CILANOILD BODY. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, AND AT 44,000 MILES THE TRANSMISION IS BEING REPLACED. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2002 EXPLORER'S TRANSMISSION. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT FORD WON'T HAS NO RECALL! $3,500 LATER AND A NEW TRANSMISSION THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. FORD BLEW ME OFF AND I BELIEVE THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM!. *NM

REAR END ROAR AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND REDUCED GAS MILEAGE. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF. AS SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE ENGINE IDLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED. THE TRANSMISSION BAND FOR THIRD GEAR HAD FAILED. *AK

TSB 05-12-6 REAR-END NOISE IN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME SITUATION. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND OBVIOUSLY A FLAW ON FORD'S PART. THE COST OF THIS FIX SHOULD CLEARLY BE PLACED ON FORD. *JB

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION. IT HAS A HARD TIME GOING INTO GEAR, HAS NO PICKUP WHATSOEVER AND I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT LONG DISTANCES. I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB

WE HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WE BOUGHT IT NEW. OUR TRANSMISSION IS CURRENTLY GOING OUT ON THE VEHICLE. IT IS AT 110,000 MILES. HAD IT TO DEALERSHIP AFTER FIRST BOUGHT IT AND DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER AND THEN AT ABOUT 38000 MILES IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. WE ALSO HAVE A HUMMING COMING FROM OUR RIGHT REAR TIRE AND FRONT. NOW TOLD IT IS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THEIR 2002 EXPLORERS. *NM

TL* - THE TRANSMISSION ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 LITER SLIPS GEARS OCCASIONALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR WHEN AT A FULL STOP THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN SEVERAL SECONDS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107000. *JB

VEHICLE ALWAYS SHIFTED HARD. SUDDENLY BEGAN SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS. IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFERRED IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE SOLUTION WAS A TOTAL REBUILD AT 66,700 MILES. PARTIALLY COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT STILL COST $1300 OUT-OF-POCKET. LOVE THE TRUCK. DISLIKE THE MANUFACTURER FOR NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE. THE TRANSMISSION ON A TRUCK/SUV SHOULD BE ONE OF THE MORE DURABLE COMPONENTS NOT ONE OF THE WEAKEST (OPINION). *NM

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. IT MAKES NOISE, TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, ALSO REVERSE. IT JUMPS WHEN IT FINALLY ENGAGES. I HAVE ALMOST HAD AN CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. I HAVE TO TAKE IN TO BE REPAIRED. *JB

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WHEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THREW A CODE OF P0733 AND P0745. WE WERE TOLD THAT A BAND BROKE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND 3RD GEAR WENT OUT. THE FIX WAS TO OVERHAUL THE TRANSMISSION FOR $2700. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS AND FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL. *NM

FORD REPLACED THE LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE ON THIS EXPLORER PER YOUR RECALL NOTICE ON SEPT. 1, 2005. ON JANUARY 13, AS I CLOSED THE LIFTGATE (GENTLY, NOT SLAMMING IT) IT EXPLODED INTO SHARDS OF GLASS THAT WENT ALL OVER THE GARAGE AND CUT MY FACE. GLASS FLEW IN FRONT OF THE CAR. I HAD ONLY CLOSED THE LIFTGATE APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES FROM ITS FULL OPEN POSITION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE WAS NOTHING TO IMPEDE THE CLOSURE, AND THE LIFTGATE DID NOT STRIKE ANYTHING ON ITS WAY DOWN. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER TWO ISSUES 1/1/07 - GRINDING OF REAR WHEEL. 1/2/07 - O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, WITHIN 7 MILES SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL LETTING OFF THE GAS. 1/2/07 - CALL AAA TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALER. FORD QUOTED $5,100 FOR REPAIRS. WE DENIED REPAIR AT FORD. DUE TO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WE HAD A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP DO THE REPAIRS. WE DID NOT WANT TO GIVE FORD ANY MORE MONEY SINCE WE WERE TOLD BY SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS. THE LOCAL SHOP INDICATED THERE WERE TSBS PUBLISHED AND THEY HAD TO BUY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FROM FORD TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. IF COMPANIES ARE BUYING SPECIAL TOOLS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON, ISN'T THERE A PROBLEM? WE ALSO INVESTIGATED MANY NUMEROUS WEBSITES TO READ ABOUT MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TO REPAIR THE CAR WE PURCHASED REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOP PURCHASED AN OVERHAUL TRANSMISSION KIT. THEY REPAIRED BOTH PROBLEMS FOR LESS THAN $5,100. UNFORTUNATELY, A CO-WORKER HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH HER CAR JUST LAST WEEK. SHE CAME TO WARN ME OF THE PROBLEM WITH HER CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT I PICKED MINE UP FROM THE SHOP THE SAME DAY! *NM

MY LIFT GATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER JUST CRACKED LAST NIGHT AND UPON RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR EXPLORER. IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE REAR LIFT GATE AND FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS I HAVE THAT I FOUND WHILE DOING A QUICK SEARCH. THIS PIECE IS GOING TO NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THEN PAINTED TO MATCH THE COLOR OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS GOING TO COST $500 OR MORE WHICH SHOULD BE FORDS RESPONSIBILITY. *JB

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER NEW IN 2002 AND NOTICED SIX MONTHS LATER THAT THERE WAS OCCASIONAL SLIPPING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR AND THE OVERDRIVE IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAD MENTIONED IT TO THE FORD SERVICE GUYS BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. NOW WITH THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND 43,000 MILES ON THE CAR THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE FORD DEALER PULLS THE TRANSMISSION AND FINDS A SENSOR PLUG (PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID) HAD CRACKED THEN BROKEN, BANDS NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND SOME OTHER DAMAGE RECOMMENDED FOR REPAIR. CHOICES WERE $2800 FOR REBUILDING (CHANGING BAD PARTS) OR $3800 FOR REFURBISHING WITH 75K 3 YEAR WARRANTY. A TRANSMISSION THIS YOUNG SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND FROM RESEARCHING THE WEB (JUST TYPE IN FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION) LOTS OF FOLKS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH LOW MILES. FORD SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO ADMIT. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, AND OVERDRIVE LIGHTS WILL TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS FAILURE DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ANY PARTICULAR SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 67,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE WOULD NEED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *NM UPDATED 03/07/07*JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER - 58,000 ORIGINAL MILES. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THE 3RD GEAR IS GONE AND WILL COST $1800 TO FIX. *JB

THUMPING NOISE FROM DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END IN THE WHEEL AREA. THE NOISE IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH DURING ACCELERATION. IT ALSO BECOMES A HUMMING NOISE AS THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED AND THE CAR IS COASTING OR DECELERATING. HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON THEN NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. NOTHING FIXED THE PROBLEM. TALKED TO MY BROTHER, ANOTHER LOYAL EXPLORER OWNER, AND HE HAD SAME PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS A BEARING NEEDING REPLACING. HE ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT A LEAK ON HIS GARAGE FLOOR IN THE REAR MIDDLE OF THE CAR WHERE THE REAR AXLE IS. I TOLD HIM I HAVE SAME EXACT SPOT OF SOMETHING LEAKING ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. WE READ ABOUT ALL THE SEAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AXLE AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. HE SPENT OVER $1000 ON THE FRONT BEARINGS AND NOW IN FOR ANOTHER BIG BILL FOR THE SEAL PROBLEM. I SEE WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR EXPLORER DISAPPOINTMENTS. ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. COME ON FORD, BACK UP YOUR VEHICLE AND PAY FOR THESE DEFECTS TO YOUR SUVS. *JB

IN MAY OF 2005 THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD 34,767 MILES. IN MAY OF 2006 THE REBUILT TRANS CONVERTER FAILED WITH ABOUT 47,000 MILES. THIS WAS JUST A FEW HUNDRED MILES OUT OF THE 12 MONTH, 12,000 FORD SERVICE WARRANTY. THERE WAS AN AFTERMARKET WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE THAT COVERED IT. UPON WRITTEN NOTIFICATION TO THE DEALER AND FORD WE SET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND TEST DRIVEN AGAIN DUE TO MORE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED THEN THE SHIFT LEVER LOCKED UP BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE AND HAD TO BE SERVICED WITHIN HOURS OF PICKUP. THEN A COOLANT GASKET WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND A ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR DAMAGED AND GLUED TOGETHER AND TIE WRAPPED TO THE TRANS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED IN WRITING OF THE DISCOVERIES. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED INDEPENDENTLY. A SHOP DIAGNOSED A POOR SHIFT, SHORT SHIFT, LONG SHIFT, AND CLUNKING WITH VIBRATION CONDITION IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS CALLED TWICE WITH NO RESPONSE. ON DECEMBER 20, 2006 THE TRANS FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME AT 57,231 MILES. THE AFTER MARKET WARRANTY WAS NOTIFIED AND DIRECTED US TO THE FORD SERVICE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP DUE TO A CERTIFIED LETTER THAT WAS RECEIVED BY THE FIRST STATING THAT OUR TRANS PROBLEMS WERE "PERCEIVED" AND THAT THEY WERE ENDING OUR "BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP." THE NEXT DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE EEC CODE CHECK. A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED,CODES 733 AND 745. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US

AIR BAG DISABLED DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT IN 2002 EXPLORER. A CABLE HARNESS RUNNING UNDER THE FLOOR TO THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TOO SHORT. MOVING THE SEAT BACK CAUSES THE CABLE TO DISCONNECT AND DISABLES THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. *JB

(1) EXCELLENT CARE OF VEHICLE, NO ACCIDENTS (2) REAR PANEL ON HATCH CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH ON FIRST COLD DAY OF FALL 2006 (APPEARS TO BE STRESS FROM THERMAL EXPANSION/CONTRACTION) (3) DEALER SAID $350 TO REPLACE PANEL AND PAINT AND WAS NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY FROM FORD

THERE ARE NO IDENTIFIABLE EVENT LEADING UP TO THE DISCOVERY OF THE PROBLEM. IT WAS COLD AT NIGHT WHEN I FOUND THE PROBLEM, BUT THE CAR IS IN THE GARAGE. PROBLEM: FORD EXPLORER 2002 REAR TAILGATE CRACK. THE TAILGATE HAS A CLEAN CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM UNDER AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD OVAL. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE TAILGATE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ALL OVER NORTH AMERICA. *NM

THE TAILGATE UNDER THE GLASS THAT LIFTS UP IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM THE GLASS TO THE PART WHERE YOU CAN LIFT THE WHOLE TAILGATE RIGHT BY THE KEY HOLE. I HAVE NOTICED A FEW OTHERS CRACKED IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN. I HAVE INFORMED MITSIBISHI WHERE I BOUGHT IT USED BUT THEY SAY I HAVE TO CONTACT FORD. WHAT DO I DO? *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V6 4X4 REAR WINDOW LOWER PLASTIC PANEL COMPLETELY CRACKED THROUGHOUT. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 72,000 MILES. *NM

AT 74000 MILES OUR TRANSMISSION WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION! THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, SAID THAT "WE WERE THE ONLY ONE'S WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM" (YEAH RIGHT!) IT COST US $6000 OUT OF OUR POCKET TO FIX. AT 86000 MILES THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOW. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT. AGAIN, STAYTON FORD TOLD US THAT,"WE WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE." AT AROUND 85000, 95000 AND 105000 MILES, THE REAR SEALS LEAKED. WE WERE PROMISED EACH TIME THAT THEY WOULD LAST "FOR AT LEAST 50000 MILES." WE WERE ALWAYS A FEW MILES AWAY FROM GETTING THEM REPLACED FOR FREE SINCE THEY'RE LIMITED WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 10000 MILES. AT 111000 MILES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT "HAYWIRE." EVEN WHEN ALL OF THE DOOR AND HATCH ARE CLOSED, THE DOME LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF (MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT) BECAUSE IT SENSES THAT A "DOOR IS A JAR." SOMETIMES, THE KEY PAD THAT'S LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SETS OFF THE ALARM WHEN WE PUSH THE FIRST NUMBER ON THE KEY. TOTALLY UNRELIABLE VEHICLE THAT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE! *NM

THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW GETS VERTICAL CRACKS. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 60,000. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT REPLACED THE REAR PANEL AS PART OF THE HINGE WARRANTY RECALL. AT THE TIME, IT HAD 1 VERTICAL CRACK. I NOW HAVE 100K ON MY CAR AND THE CRACKS HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN. I NOW HAVE 3 VERTICAL CRACKS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT. MY DAUGHTER HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THERE ARE 48 PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND WILL NOT COVER REPAIR OF THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WITH THE CRACKS THE UPPER REAR PANEL HAS LOST IT'S INTEGRITY AND THE WINDOW COULD DISLODGE. *JB

FIX FOR CHATTERING AND REAR WHINE ON 02 EXPLORER. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW 25,000 THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PUMPKIN, VERY LOUD WHINE.. LAST MONTH WITH 85,000 MILES ON THE CAR, DURING A TURN THE REAR WOULD CHATTER AND SHAKE THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THE REAR NEEDED A SPECIAL LUBE FOR THE REAR TO KEEP THE REAR CLUTCHES FREE, I HAD A LOCAL SHOP REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL WITH A SPECIAL BLEND AND IT HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. *JB

REGULAR DRIVING OF A FORD EXPLORER 2002 XLT, VERY EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILURE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION JUST GIVES OUT O/D LIGHT STARTS FLASHING ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO IN TO GEAR ALL OF THIS WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED ONLINE TURNS OUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, CALLED FORD THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $4000.00 TO REPAIR. *JB

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS WITH 51,300 MILES. ON 11/23/06 TWO LONG CRACKS DEVELOPED IN MY LIFT GATE PANEL JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. ONE CRACK EXTENDS THE FULL LENGTH OF THE PANEL. THE OTHER EXTENDS FROM THE TOP OF THE PANEL AND EXTENDS TO THE TOP OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THESE CRACKS DEVELOPED COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE OR FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE PANEL. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE CARPORT. I RESEARCHED MY DAMAGE AND FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME MODEL EXPLORER WITH THE SAME DAMAGE IN THE SAME LOCATION. SEVERAL OF THEM ADVISED THAT FORD WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE OR REPAIR THE DAMAGE. THE LOCATION OF THE DAMAGE POSES A REAL DANGER IF THE PANEL COMPLETELY SEPARATES. IF SEPARATION OCCURS THE GLASS CAN POSSIBLY SHATTER CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY. I AM CONVINCED THE DAMAGE IS CAUSED BY A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE PANEL WHICH IS IN NO WAY MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR. I AM REQUESTING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLY ISSUE A RECALL ON THE PANEL FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON TO DISCUSS THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. *JB

CRACKED ON THE BACK PANEL, BETWEEN THE WINDOW GLASS AND FORD LOGO. *JB