2002 Ford Explorer complaints

REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS TO BE REPLACED AT 63000 MILES. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE EVERY 3000 MILES! ALREADY REPLACED TRANSFER CASE. ALSO IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO 4WD HIGH.

2002 FORD EXPLORER- SPOUSE ALMOST SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE GAS PEDAL THROTTLE WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. CAR LUNGED OUT OF CONTROL. SLAMMING BRAKES ONLY SLOWED IT BUT DID NOT STOP IT. *NM

HUMMING/WHINNING SOUND COMING FROM REAR-END ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. BROUGHT IN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES, REPAIRED 2 TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. REAR-END COMPLETELY CHANGED 2ND TIME. MAKING THE WHINNING SOUND AGAIN NOW EVEN LOUDER, DROWNS OUT RADIO. NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE BUT OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE 2002 MODEL, CONSIDERING ALL THE COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM I HAVE READ UPON RESEARCH. WILL A RECALL BE ISSUED TO PREVENT ANY ACCIDENTS THAT COULD OCCUR FROM A REAR-END GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING? MY EXPLORER IS A FAMILY HAULER, HATE TO PUT MY BABIES AT RISK... *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT STATES THAT ON JANUARY OF 2005 HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD A DEFECTIVE APPLIQUE LOCATED BELOW TAILGATE GLASS HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. THE LOCATION OF THIS CRACK IS APPROXIMATELY INCHES TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS A STRESS CRACK, PROBABLY DUE TO TEMPERATURE EXPAND. ON OCTOBER OF 2006 CONTACT EXPERIENCE THE SAME CRACK THIS TIME IT CRACKED INTO TWO PIECES. CONTACT STATES THAT SHE CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED.

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHICH HAS WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE BOARDS ONLINE ARE FILLED WITH COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, IF THERE IS ANY RELIEF AVAILABLE BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM, I WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE AWARE. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 102,000 MILE ON IT. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS, ONCE A YEAR, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR END WORKED ON. THIS LAST WEEK IT STARTED MAKING A WHINING NOISE AGAIN. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND THEY STATED THAT THE RING AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BEARINGS. I JUST HAD ALL THAT DONE 11 MONTHS AGO. THEY SAY THE WARRANTY IS OUT ON IT BY 4K MILES. AGAIN, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM. EVERY YEAR IT SEEMS I HAVE TO SPEND $1500+ ON THE SAME ISSUES. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. *NM

02 FORD EXPLORER, REAR DIFFERENTIAL CHATTERS AT LOW RPM/ LOW SPEEDS, HOWLS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. OUT OF WARRANTY, ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. FORD SAID IT WAS HARMONIC VIBRATION, WOULD BE FINE. *NM

AFTER NOTICING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION, IT WAS DISCOVERED BY MY DEALER THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE CRACKED, AND ALSO THE SHOCKS WERE FROZEN IN PLACE. I ASKED FOR THE OLD PARTS AND IT IS OBVIOUS FROM SEEING THE SPRINGS THAT THE BREAKAGE RESULTED FROM BAD STEEL. DEALER ADVISED ME IT IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL. *NM

CRACK APPEARED UNDER BACK GLASS ON DRIVERS SIDE ALL THE WAY THROUGH PANEL DOWN PAST FORD EMBLEM, ANOTHER CRACK IS ON PASSENGER SIDE BACK ALL THE WAY THREW , BUT NOT DOWN QUITE AS FAR. *NM

CRACKED PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW (FORD CALLS THIS AN APPLIQUE). *NM

VERTICAL CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH REAR-PANEL BELOW REAR GLASS ABOUT 2 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. HAVE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS AROUND WITH THE SAME CRACK.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, THE REAR HATCH WAS LIFTED UP, AND THE HYDRAULIC SUPPORT DEVICE FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE REAR HATCH TO CLOSE FORCEFULLY ON THE ARM OF THE CONTACT. THE LEFT ARM OF THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HUGE BRUISE, AND WAS WEARING 3 LAYERS OF CLOTHING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THE SUPPORT DEVICE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT A CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IF THE REAR HATCH FAILED WITH A CHILD PRESENT.

REAR LIFTGATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER HAS A CRACK IN IT. I WORKED FOR FORD FOR 2 1/2 YEARS AND CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO OTHER PEOPLE. WITH FORD HURTING FOR BUSINESS YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THESE TO KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS. I PERSONALLY OWN TWO FORD PRODUCTS AND UNLESS THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM THEN I WILL PURCHASE MY NEXT VEHICLES FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BEING WASHED BY HAND, THE LIFTGATE GLASS BECAME UNFASTENED AND FRACTURED WHEN THE GATE WAS OPENED. THIS MALFUNCTION CAUSED PERSONAL INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITHIN THE CITY, I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WHEN I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE CAR'S RIGHT REAR TIRE DEFLATED. I MOVED OUT OF TRAFFIC, CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN OFF AND PUNCTURED THE REAR TIRE (WHICH BY THE WAY WAS BRAND NEW). IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT SPRING, BUT SAW NO NEED TO REPLACE THE LEFT. SOUNDS LIKE DEFECTIVE HEAT TREATING TO ME. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. MY COMPLAINT IS HAVING THIS CAR FOR ONLY 2 YEARS AFTER BUYING IT FROM THE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA FORD DEALER, NOW THE CAR HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAVE LOOKED UP A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MINE.. AND WE GET STUCK WITH $4K FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE.. CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T BE PAYING $4K FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS HAVING THE VEHICLE..SOME PEOPLE COMPLAINTS EVEN HAPPENS AFTER 2 YEARS BUYING THE VEHICLE. I THINK YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE SURE FORD COMPANY IS NOT MAKING MONEY FROM CONSUMERS THROUGH REPAIRS OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES FAILED, WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED ABOUT ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, AND THE PADS AND BRAKES WERE DID NOT DISPLAY ANY PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.

PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM CROSSROADS FORD , RALEIGH NC JUNE 24,06 WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC NOV 22,06 CHECK TRANSMISSION APPEARED ON MESSAGE CENTER, ODO LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT INCREASE SPEED WHILE ENGINE RPM WERE INCREASING. VEHICLE GAVE NO PRIOR WARNING OF IMPENDING PROBLEM FROM JUN TO NOV AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN LOCALLY FOR THE PERIOD OF OWNERSHIP. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER CLOSE TO MY HOME I WAS INFORMED THAT AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REFERRING TO FORD TSB THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME AND TO CALL THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. CALLED CROSSROADS FORD AND LEFT A MESSAGE FOR MIKE BEVAN (SERVICE ADVISOR) HE FAILED TO RETURN MY CALLS. MY HUSBAND CALLED MIKE BEVAN AND WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH HIM, MIKE INFORMED MY HUSBAND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND IF WE WOULD BRING THE VEHICLE TO HIM THEY WOULD LET US KNOW THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND WAS SURPRISED AT THE LARGE NUMBER OF OWNERS LISTED ON CARREVIEW.COM WITH THE SAME SITUATION. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE COULD HAVE REAR ENDED MY VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE AND INJURY. *NM

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. I BOUGHT IT NOVEMBER OF 2004 WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND SLIPS WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR AND I ALSO HEAR A WHINING NOISE IN THE REAR END. IT JERKS AND SLIPS CONSISTENTLY. THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE CAR SAYS "CHECK TRANSMISSION" ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I CALLED 4 FORD DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS LOW MILEAGE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS, AND FORD DOESN'T CARE. I AM STUCK WITH THE CAR THAT CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN NOW. OWNERS OF THESE CARS NEED HELP TO GET FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL. *JB

THERE WERE NO EVENTS TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE, OTHER THAN FORD'S OWN RECALL FOR THE REAR LIFT HATCH. ONCE THE HATCH WAS REPAIRED, THE WINDOW TOOK MORE FORCE TO SHUT AND EVENTUALLY DEVELOPED STRESS CRACKS. I HAVE A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE WITH A 1/4 INCH GAP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PANEL. *NM

WITH VEHICLE STOPPED, WHILE SHIFTING GEAR LEVER UNDER STEERING WHEEL FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE GEAR LEVER BROKE RENDERING THE GEAR LEVER HANDLE USELESS WITH TRANSMISSION BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE AS INDICATED BY THE INDICATOR. A CAST CYLINDRICAL PART LINKED TO GEAR LEVER BROKE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. *NM

TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING IN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, 81,000 MILES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE RODE LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BOTH FRACTURED. THE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FRACTURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/12/2006 - *NM

APPARENT MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAUSES A SIMULTANEOUS BREAKAGE OF ONE OR BOTH REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS. IN MY CASE, BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE DISCOVERED BROKEN ON A ROUTINE SERVICE VISIT. *JB

UPON INSPECTION OF THE WIRING JUST ABOVE THE OIL FILTER DRAIN SHROUD DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THERE WAS A WIRE HARNESS FOUND WITH EXPOSED WIRES. THE THREE WIRES WERE ENCASED IN ONE BUNDLE BUT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ISOLATED. IT APPEARS THAT THE HARNESS HAS BEEN RUBBING AGAINST THE UPPER EDGE OF THE OIL DRAIN SHROUD SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. THIS BUNDLE OF WIRES SHOULD BE CHECKED AND REPAIRED ON ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE. *NM

WELL....HERE IS THE 2ND COMPLAINT THAT I'M FILING ON MY VEHICLE. I PURCHASED MY EXPLORER BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 10 MILES. I THOUGHT I WOULD GET THE BRAKES CHECKED SINCE I HAD 68,000 MILES ONLY TO FIND OUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BAD AND NEEDING REPAIR. FORD DROPPED THE BALL ON THAT!!! NOW I DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PANEL HAS CRACKED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN!!! THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THEM!!! *JB

11/7/03 AT 20,272 MILES UNIT IN FOR REAR AXLE WHINE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT BUT REAR AXLE WHINE NOT FIXED. 11/13/04 AT 34269 MILES VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REAR END HOWL AGAIN REPLACED REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. NEXT MORNING WIFE WENT TO TAKE CHILD TO DAY CARE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPH WITHOUT RESISTANCE. HAD TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE WAS TOLD A FAULTY DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. PUT THE OLD ONE BACK IN AND REORDERED ANOTHER REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT AND PUT THE NEW UNIT IN ON 11//17/04 AT 34,291 MILES. WHEN THE SERVICE RECORDS STATE FOUND BAD BEARING IN THE UNIT. 6/12/06 REAR END AXLE SEAL LEAKING REPLACED THE REAR END WHINE WAS STILL EVIDENT. 6/12/06 AT 62,31 MILES REAR AXLE SEAL LEAK REPAIRED. 11/09/06 AT APPROX 68,000 MILES TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. REFERENCE TSB#16898 REAR AXLE WHINE AND TSB#03254. HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON LINE FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER'S. LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE REAR END WHINING IS BINDING THE TRANSMISSIONS AND CAUSING THEM TO FAIL. ALSO SEE TSB#06216, TSB#18466, TSB#18423. *JB

LIFT GATE CAUSES THE BODY FRAME TO SPLIT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, THE SHIFTER DETACHED FROM THE COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS REPLACED.

A WHINING SOUND COMES FROM THE FRONT END END OF THE VEHICLE, UPON FIRST INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC A BAD TIRE WAS FOUND AND BLAMED ON THE NOISE. AS IT WAS BEARABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WE IGNORED IT TRUSTING THE DIAGNOSIS. WE PLANNED ON PURCHASING TIRES SOON AND BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED. NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE AND THE SAME SOUND CAME FROM THE FRONT END MOST NOTICEABLY 45-65 MPH. NOW WE ARE TOLD IT IS A WHEEL BEARING AND THE COST FOR THE PARTS ALONE IS $350.00 NOT TO MENTION THE $55/HR. LABOR. WE ALREADY HAD THE REAR END REPLACED FOR NOISE AND NOW WE ARE TOLD THAT A DANGEROUS SITUATION INVOLVING ANOTHER PART OF THE DRIVETRAIN IS LOOMING. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I WOULD HOPE THAT FORD WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM THAT THE VEHICLES HAVE AND REMEDY IT. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO VEHICLES WITH FAR LESS THAN MY 65,000 MILES AND THESE PARTS WERE BUILD TO LAST A WHOLE LOT LONGER AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SEALED AND MAINTENANCE-FREE, INSTEAD THEY FAIL TOO OFTEN AND COST A FORTUNE. I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE MY LAST FORD PRODUCT IF I DO NOT RECEIVE SOME SORT OF SATISFACTORY RESPONSE FROM FORD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CONVERTER WAS REPLACED TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE OIL IT WAS NOTICED A WIRE FROM THE BATTERY WAS BARE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AND DURING ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE STILL VIBRATES. UPON INSPECTION THE 02 SENSOR WAS FOUND DAMAGED. THE SENSOR WAS COVERED IN GLUE AND WRAPPED AROUND TO THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRACKET CONNECTING THE RIGHT STRUT TO THE LIFTGATE ROTATED OUT OF POSITION, CAUSING THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO FALL AND SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 01I010000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE SIDE AND REAR GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SMELL OF GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, AND THE FUEL MILEAGE DECREASED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE ABOVE THE TANK. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB

TRANSMISSION OUT. *NM

ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMES STUCK AT TIME CAUSING HIGH IDLE SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO CAL WORTHINGTONS 4 TIMES IN THE PAST COMPLAINING OF STUCK ACCELERATOR OR EXCESSIVE IDLE. THE DATES WERE 6/20/02, 12/04/03, 5/23/05, 10/17/05 AND NOW THE ACCELERATOR IS STUCK COMPLETELY AT 4000 RPM. *NM

ONGOING SHIFTING AND SLIPPING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO A LOUD SHRILL AT THE END OF THE ACCELERATION. THE TRANSMISSION CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED OUT FLUID AT HIGHWAY SPEED. AFTER THE REPAIR OF A STRIPPED TRANSMISSION LINE CONNECTOR AND A PILE OF GLUE TO FIX A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY. THE CONVERTERS ARE "REMANUFACTURED" WHICH HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL. THE GLOB OF GLUE ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE STATE AS TO THE PROPER REPAIR PROCEDURE. A LAW SUIT MAY FOLLOW DUE TO SEPARATE REPAIRS INCLUDING A TIRE WITH A NAIL, WHERE A NEW TIRE WAS PURCHASED AND A USED ON WAS INSTALLED (BF GOODRICH). THE TIRE WAS ALSO NOT BALANCED AND WAS OFF BY 1.5 OZ. THERE WAS ALSO A GASKET REMOVED FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM THAT CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO SPILL OUT ONTO THE ENGINE. THE COOLING SYSTEM HAD BEEN SERVICED TWO MONTHS PRIOR AND WAS NEVER LEAKING UNTIL THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED. THERE WAS ALSO THE DISCOVERY OF THE POSITIVE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE STARTER HAVING EXPOSED WIRES DUE TO THE OIL FILTER DRAIN HOUSING MADE OF PLASTIC RUBBING AGAINST THE WIRES. THERE ARE THREE WIRES EXPOSED AND THERE MAY BE THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE. *NM

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS, 85,000 MILES, STARTED WITHOUT WARNING TO FLASH THE O/D LIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 52,000 MILES ON IT AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS STARTING TO WHINE VERY LOUD. THE WHINING STARTED AT ABOUT 30K MILES. IT HAS THE 3.73 LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THIS SITE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM

REAR WHEEL ALMOST FELL OFF ON MY WIFE'S 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THERE WAS NO LEADING SUSPICION TO THIS PROBLEM UNTIL IT HAPPENED. VERY DANGEROUS AND WITH MY WIFE BEING PREGNANT IT MAKES IT THAT MUCH MORE FRUSTRATING. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER - OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING, TRANSMISSION HAS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING. WINDS UP TO EXCESSIVE RPM'S BEFORE SHIFTING. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 57,000 MILES. *NM

VEHICLE MAKES A WHINNING SOUND FROM THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT WHEN ACCELLARATING OVER 35 MPG.

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BOTH IN/OUT OF PARK AS WELL AS BETWEEN GEARS. CYLANOID REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 2 YEARS. LOUD WHINE IN REAR ASSEMBLY/AXLE FLUID LEAK. NHTSA RELECTS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS/SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS ISSUE.

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT, FLASHES SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN STAYS ILLUMINATED

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

I NOTICED A FLUID LEAK FROM THE REAR AXLE OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. IT TURNED OUT THAT BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR AXLE SEALS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 75K MILES ON IT WHEN THE LEAK BEGAN. I DOUBLE CHECKED THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE SCHEDULE TO SEE IF I HAD MISSED SOMETHING BUT THEY DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT THE REAR AXLE FLUID BE CHANGED UNTIL 150K MILES. SO THIS IS NOT A CASE OF OWNER NEGLECT. AFTER SOME DISCUSSION AT THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS REPAIR IS FAIRLY COMMON ON EXPLORERS, MOUNTAINEERS AND AVIATORS AND THAT THE REPAIR KIT HAS A NEWLY DESIGNED SEAL. IF THERE IS A NEWLY DESIGNED SEAL AVAILABLE, THIS STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT THE ORIGINAL SEALS ARE INSUFFICIENT. THIS IS ALSO PROVEN BY THE FACT THAT BOTH SEALS FAILED, NOT JUST ONE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS QUOTED AT $490 ($380 OF WHICH WAS LABOR COST). THIS IS TOO MUCH TO ASK A CONSUMER TO PAY FOR A PART THAT WAS UNDER DESIGNED AND NOT PROPERLY TESTED PRIOR TO BEING PUT INTO PRODUCTION. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THESE REAR AXLE SEAL PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE OEM SHOULD BE FORCED TO REIMBURSE VEHICLE OWNERS FOR REPAIR COSTS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE ARE TSB'S REGARDING EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER, AND AVIATOR VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH THE WRONG REAR AXLE FLUID AT TIME OF PRODUCTION BUT HAVE NO WAY TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ANY INFORMATION NHTSA MAY HAVE. *NM

VEHICLE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. STOPPED VEHICLE AND TRIED TO GET IT TO GO OFF - WON'T GO OFF. STARTED HOME AND VEHICLE SHIFTED "VERY HARD" INTO 3 OR 4TH GEAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THE NEXT AVAILABLE DAY - TRANS MISSION NEEDS PRESSURE SOLENOID, VALVE BODY AND OTHER PARTS - $2000 WORTH OF REPAIRS. VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 75,000. NOW TAKING TO ANOTHER DEALER TO GET RESOLVED. CALLED FORD - WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. ADVISED THEM OF THE MULTIPLE NTSB COMPLAINTS, SAID WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE.

EXPERTS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SEAT SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FAULT, RESULTING IN A FIRE WHICH TOTALED THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR CABIN FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, PRESERVING THE REMAINDER OF THE SEAT AND ADJACENT CENTER CONSOLE BURN AREA. OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE AND AVOID PERSONAL INJURY. A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, FORD STILL REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MALFUNCTION, AND THE CASE IS IN LITIGATION. *NM

OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES LEADING TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORE XLT. *NM