2002 Ford Explorer complaints

IN APRIL OF 2005 MY 2002 EXPLORER WITH JUST OVER 40,000 MILES STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BOTH SAID THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HAD IT REPLACED ON 5/11/05. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING ALSO STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE, HAD IT REPLACED ON 5/25/05. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE WHO SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. IN OCTOBER, 2006, AT 80,000 MILES (MOSTLY E-WAY MILES, NO OFF-ROAD DRIVING, ONLY ONE DRIVER AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER), THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND ONE OF THE FRONT BEARINGS IS GOING AS WELL. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AGAIN TO REPORT THE FAILURES, AND THEY STILL AREN'T INTERESTED. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A KNOW DEFECT WITH 2002 EXPLORERS, WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD LAST WELL OVER 100K MILES. FORD HAS NO PLANS TO RECALL OR EVEN REDESIGN THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS, WHO HAVE HAD THE BEARINGS EXPLODE WHILE DRIVING, I SUSPECT THAT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE DEATHS FROM ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS START GETTING REPORTED. I PERSONALLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. DUE TO FORD'S LACK OF CONCERN REGARDING THIS VERY EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THEIR VEHICLES, THE NEXT NEW VEHICLE I PURCHASE WILL NOT BE A FORD. *NM

IN APRIL OF 2005 MY 2002 EXPLORER WITH JUST OVER 40,000 MILES STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BOTH SAID THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HAD IT REPLACED ON 5/11/05. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING ALSO STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE, HAD IT REPLACED ON 5/25/05. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE WHO SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. IN OCTOBER, 2006, AT 80,000 MILES (MOSTLY E-WAY MILES, NO OFF-ROAD DRIVING, ONLY ONE DRIVER AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER), THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND ONE OF THE FRONT BEARINGS IS GOING AS WELL. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AGAIN TO REPORT THE FAILURES, AND THEY STILL AREN'T INTERESTED. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A KNOW DEFECT WITH 2002 EXPLORERS, WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD LAST WELL OVER 100K MILES. FORD HAS NO PLANS TO RECALL OR EVEN REDESIGN THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS, WHO HAVE HAD THE BEARINGS EXPLODE WHILE DRIVING, I SUSPECT THAT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE DEATHS FROM ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS START GETTING REPORTED. I PERSONALLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. DUE TO FORD'S LACK OF CONCERN REGARDING THIS VERY EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THEIR VEHICLES, THE NEXT NEW VEHICLE I PURCHASE WILL NOT BE A FORD. *NM

IN APRIL OF 2005 MY 2002 EXPLORER WITH JUST OVER 40,000 MILES STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BOTH SAID THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HAD IT REPLACED ON 5/11/05. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING ALSO STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE, HAD IT REPLACED ON 5/25/05. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE WHO SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. IN OCTOBER, 2006, AT 80,000 MILES (MOSTLY E-WAY MILES, NO OFF-ROAD DRIVING, ONLY ONE DRIVER AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER), THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND ONE OF THE FRONT BEARINGS IS GOING AS WELL. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AGAIN TO REPORT THE FAILURES, AND THEY STILL AREN'T INTERESTED. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A KNOW DEFECT WITH 2002 EXPLORERS, WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD LAST WELL OVER 100K MILES. FORD HAS NO PLANS TO RECALL OR EVEN REDESIGN THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS, WHO HAVE HAD THE BEARINGS EXPLODE WHILE DRIVING, I SUSPECT THAT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE DEATHS FROM ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS START GETTING REPORTED. I PERSONALLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. DUE TO FORD'S LACK OF CONCERN REGARDING THIS VERY EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THEIR VEHICLES, THE NEXT NEW VEHICLE I PURCHASE WILL NOT BE A FORD. **NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE REAR DRIVER WHEEL FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.

EACH WINTER SINCE PURCHASING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER THERE HAVE BEEN DAYS WHEN THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT AND I WAS FORCED TO WAIT FOR THE MECHANISM TO THAW OR USE ONE HAND TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM FLYING OPEN AS I DROVE. AFTER THAWING OUT THE DOOR WOULD LATCH AND I COULD CONTINUE SAFELY. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM ISOLATED TO MY VEHICLE THOUGH AFTER HEARING OF THE RECENT RECALL I AM CERTAIN THIS IS ANOTHER IN A LONG LIST OF DEFECTS I HAVE EXPERIENCED. IN FACT ON JULY 30, 2005 WEST HERR FORD OF HAMBURG, NY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I NOW WONDER IF THE CONSTANT FREEZE / THAW CYCLE OF THE WATER THAT OBVIOUSLY LEAKS INTO THE DOOR CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER - TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 63,884 MILES - NO WARNING - JUST WENT OUT. AFTER REVIEWING SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THIS WILL DEFINITELY BE MY LAST FORD PRODUCT. *NM

MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER REVVED AT 30 MPH THEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE 3RD GEAR WAS GONE. NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED. VERY SADDENED. *JB

O/D LIGHT FLICKER. ON RESTART WENT AWAY. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS INTERNAL TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE REBUILT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE IN SHOP THEY DISCOVERED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END AS WELL. CAR HAS 72,000 MILES AND NEEDS TRANSMISSION AND NEW REAR END. I WAS SHOCKED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS SMELLED COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE REAR VENT WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNING ODOR WAS EVIDENT. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK UPDATED 10/30/2006 -*NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR WINDSHIELD FELL OFF WHILE THE DOOR WAS OPEN BREAKING GLASS OVER THE CONCRETE WHICH DEFLECTED BACK UP CAUSING INJURIES TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSED OF THE PROBLEM.

FORD EXPLORER 2002. REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHINING AND LEAKING AXLE SEALS. THE SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY AND NOW IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP TO HAVE REPLACED AGAIN. 66,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *JB

THERE IS A TWO TO THREE INCH CRACK IN MY BACK HATCH DOOR IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. IT IS IN THE BODY WORK RIGHT TO THE LEFT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. I CALLED FORD AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD RESOLVE THIS FORM ME AS I FELT NEVER SHOULD A CRACK IN THE BODY OF A VEHICLE OCCUR. THEY SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL EACH TIME I CALLED AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK BACK. THAT'S AS FAR AS THEY WOULD GO. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND SAW ANOTHER EXPLORER WITH A WORSE CRACK THAN MY OWN. I DO NOT HAVE THIS PERSON'S INFORMATION AS I HAVE MISPLACED IT. I TALKED WITH MY OWN VEHICLE PLACE (FRED BEAN'S OF WEST CHESTER) WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT HANDLE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING ME. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SUCH AN INCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO CREATE THE PROBLEM. A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD THE HINGE ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF THEN IT WASN'T TOO LONG AFTER THAT THE ISSUE AROSE. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THE IMPACT OF CLOSING THIS HATCH WITH WEAK OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED HINGES MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS CRACK. WHEN I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT THE FORD PLACE, THE PERSON OF WHOM REMAINS ANONYMOUS FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, SAID TO ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN ABOUT 10-100 OTHER VEHICLES COME IN TO THEIR PLACE ALONE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE AND NO ONE WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE CONTACT ME. *NM

I BOUGHT BY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM BOARD FORD ON 07/24/2004. IT HAD 57051 MILES ON IT. AT 77117 MILES THE TRANSMISSION GEARS WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE 91 FWY. I THEN HAD IT REPAIRED AT CERRITOS FORD. IT ONCE AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 92120 MILES. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING FOR YOUR GEARS TO GO OUT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BOTH TIMES SAFELY. *NM

MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 EXPLORER IS SLIPPING FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND MAKING A HISSING NOISE. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THESE TRUCKS. I WANT IT FIXED OR REPLACED. I HOPE THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AUTOMOBILE FROM FORD. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER 39,000 ALL 4 BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED TO THE POINT THEY COULDN'T BE CUT AND WERE LITERALLY EATEN AWAY . *JB

MY FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED, WHILE ELECTRONIC LIGHT SHOWED CAR IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. CAR SLID BACKWARDS INTO A RAVINE. ON SNOWY ROAD. LOCAL FORD DEALER DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, BUT PROBLEM WAS EVENTUALLY TRACKED TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT. THIS CAUSED THE SOLENOID THAT ENGAGES 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO FAIL/ THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS DRIVING OVER A SNOWY MOUNTAIN ROAD PREVIOUS DAY AND COULD HAVE SLIPPED OFF ROAD IF IT FAILED ONE DAY EARLIER. I SEE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY DOESN'T FORD RESPOND?

I TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN FOR SERVICE AND REQUESTED THEM TO FIX THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WAS ADVISED THERE IS A FAULTY SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER SENSOR THAT WORKS WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A SERVICE NOTICE FROM FORD, BUT NOT A RECALL. REPAIR WAS ONLY COVERED UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *NM

TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER. DEALER TELLS ME THAT 2ND GEAR IS FAILING AND WHEN IT FAILS MY TRANSMISSION WILL FREEZE AND LOCK UP CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4WD: I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION ON 5 OCCASIONS. EACH TIME THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT REALLY HARD AND THUMP. FORD FIXED IT AND A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM. ON THE LAST OCCASION, I BROUGHT IT IN BECAUSE IT WOULD STUTTER IN 2ND GEAR LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING (IT FELT LIKE A STALLING VEHICLE). FORD REBUILT THE TRANNY AND I GOT IT 2 DAYS LATER. IT IS NOW 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIX AND IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AS LONG AS I LIVE. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHINING NOISE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHINING GOES AWAY IF PRESSURE IS REDUCED FROM ACCELERATOR. THERE WAS A LOT LEAKING AROUND THE REAR AXLE SEALS, IT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME AT 17500 MILES AND WAS JUST FIXED AGAIN AT 54500 MILES ON MY DIME. HAVE UNCOVERED MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR REAR DIFFERENTIAL ISSUES. WOULD SEEM THAT SINCE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT THERE IS SOME DESIGN/MATERIALS FLAW IN THE REAR END GEARBOX CAUSING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD PROMPT A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO POTENTIAL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING UP. *NM

BEGINNING LATE JULY, 2006 MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT BEGAN EXHIBITING HALTING OR DELAYED SHIFTING. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE O/D WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE SHIFTING BECAME NOTICEABLY WORSE. A READING THE DTCS CODES BY MULTIPLE SOURCES CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT AT A COST OF $3,400. A MONTH FOLLOWING THIS COMPLETE REBUILD, I NOW HAVE A MAJOR FAILURE IN THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL AND ANOTHER ESTIMATED $1500-$2500 REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 82820 MILES. FORD IS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION, DRIVELINE AND DIFFERENTIAL COMPONENT DEFECTS ON THIS SERIES OF EXPLORER AND HAS ADDRESSED THEM IN MULTIPLE TSB'S TO THEIR DEALERS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY HAVE FAILED TO ADVISE INDIVIDUAL OWNERS OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND THE MAJOR DRIVELINE COMPONENTS ARE DESIGNED SO THAT THEY ARE NOT USER SERVICEABLE. I URGE ALL OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAD A NOISE IN THE REAR END WITHIN THE 1ST 30,000 MILES. FORD REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TIRES. WE REPLACED ALL TIRES AND THE NOISE CONTINUED. AFTER 3 REAR ENDS/DIFFERENTIAL BEING REPLACED AND PAID FOR BY MYSELF, I THINK IT IS TIME TO START A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD MOTOR COM. *NM

AT ROUGHLY 45K MILES, MY 2002 EXPLORER ALSO HAD THE WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR END AT 55-65 MPH, OIL DRIP MARKS ON THE DRIVEWAY - TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT I NEEDED A RIGHT WHEEL BEARING, REPLACED FOR $800. NEXT TIME WAS JUST THIS SUMMER (76K MILES) - AGAIN HAD THE WHINE RETURN, DRIPS ON THE DRIVEWAY AND THIS TIME IT WAS THE ENTIRE REAR END - ALL BEARINGS WERE SHOT. SPENT ANOTHER $1600. ON REPAIRS, PLUS RENTAL VEHICLE COSTS TO TRAVEL ON VACATION. FEW DAYS AGO (78K MILES), HAD "CHECK GAUGE" LAMP LIGHT WHEN OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DIPPED TO ZERO, THEN RECOVER IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAPPENED THREE OTHER TIMES BEFORE I GOT HOME, WITH NO FLUTTER IN THE ENGINE OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD INDICATE A REAL PROBLEM. NEXT EVENING WE STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT MADE A EVIL RACKET AND QUIT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, NEVER TO START AGAIN. AAA TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER LEFT MESSAGE (ON MY VOICE MAIL AT HOME - I HAD TO SAVE IT) THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR ROUGHLY $5,000. PLUS TAX. I REALLY NEED TO SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY. THIS IS WHAT I PAID $34,000 FOR 4 YEARS AGO? PERFECT CONDITION TRADE VALUE TODAY IS 9,200? *NM

TODAY THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HANG IN 1ST GEAR, THEN SLAMMED INTO THE NEXT GEAR. 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. THE CAR IS A 2002 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4X4 WITH THE 6 CYLINDER. I KNEW IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AS IT HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. HOWEVER, 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

I HAVE TAKEN IN MY 2002 FORD TWICE TO HAVE THE HATCH HINGE REPAIRED. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS BECAUSE I GOT A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. THE RECALL DESCRIPTION WAS FOR: THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK. AFTER A YEAR OF IT'S RECALL THE HINGE AGAIN POPPED OUT BUT THIS TIME THE REAR GLASS OF MY VEHICLE DID SHATTER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE AGAIN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP (WHERE I'VE TAKEN IT NOW FOR THE FOURTH TIME) AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY ALREADY "FIXED" THE RECALLED PART THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPLACE THE REAR WINDOW HATCH. TWO THINGS ARE POSSIBLE: 1. THE FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE RECALLED PART INCORRECTLY OR 2. THE RECALLED PART WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR THE RECALLED PART TO BE FIX. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT WOULD BE IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE HIGH. SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED UP AND/OR MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE HIGH ON ITS OWN. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE KICKED INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE HIGH ON ITS OWN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED BUT THE CONTACT PLANS TO CALL THEM SOON. THE 4X4 HIGH LIGHT ILLUMINATED EACH TIME.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENTLY STALLED POSSIBLY DUE TO OUTDOOR HEAT. THE VEHICLE STALLED OR WOULD NOT START ON NINE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER AFTER EACH INCIDENT WHERE THE INERTIA SWITCH, THE FUEL PUMP AND THE PCM MODULE WERE CHANGED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE STOPPED, WHILE IT WAS STARTED, AT AN INTERSECTION, AND ONCE WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AT 35 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE GAS STORAGE TANK HAD DEVELOPED A HOLE AND WAS LEAKING GAS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHUTTING THE LIFTGATE GLASS IT SHATTERED AND RAINED DOWN. THE BROKEN GLASS CUT THE ARM, LEG AND FOOT OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A REPAIR WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE WINDOW CYLINDER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE DAMAGED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 01I010000 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE SIDE AND REAR GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE SURGES (ACCELERATES). HAVE TO PLACE IN NEUTRAL AT STANDING STOPS TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILED, HAD REPLACED, ALSO THE WINDOW WHINES WHEN ROLLING UP. PASSENGER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR(CABLE) SNAPPED?? WHEN REAR WINDOWS ARE DOWN AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH+ IT SOUNDS LIKE A HELICOPTER IS IN THE BACK SEAT(ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY HURTS YOUR EARS!!!) <<<<NO FIX OR REPAIR?? ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM? 55-65 MPH STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. REPAIR ATTEMPT BALANCED AND ROTATED TIRES AND SUSPENSION WAS INSPECTED. STILL SHAKES. REAR SPARE TIRE ACCESSORIES COVER HANDLE BROKE. <<NOT ABUSED. HOW DO YOU CHANGE A FLAT WITH NO JACK OR NO TOOLS?? (SPARE TIRE CAME DOWN ALRIGHT THOUGH). EGR VALVE FAILURE @ 40,000 MILES. 4X4 INTEMITTENT SHIFTING ISSUES FROM LOW>AUTO AND AUTO>HIGH. CAN NOT PIN POINT PROBLEM. THAT ABOUT WRAPS UP MY LOVELY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM A MARRIED FATHER OF TWO AND THE ONLY ONE WORKING ON A LIMITED INCOME. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK WITH VERY LOW MILES THINKING IT WOULD BE DEPENDABLE NOT UNAFFORDABLE. *NM

THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. HIT ANOTHER CAR AT ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND THE FRONT DRIVERS AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE TWO INJURED. THE FRAME WASN'T BENT AND THE ENGINE WAS OKAY. WHAT SAVED THE PASSENGERS WAS AN ADD-ON BUMPER GUARD I HAD ON THE FRONT. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MANGER SAID THE SAME THING ABOUT THE BUMPER GUARD. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER 71,000 MILES....TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND WHINING FROM REAR END WITH SOME VIBRATION....FORD SHOULD RECALL AS I HAVE READ MANY OTHERS HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. *JB

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER IN NOV 2002. AROUND OCT 2005 MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS DUE FOR AN INSPECTION. I TOOK IT INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY "DIAGNOSED" IT AS A FAULTY SEAT BELT...THE SEAT BELT WORKED FINE, IT EVEN CONTINUED TO LOCK-UP DURING MODERATE BRAKING. THIS COST ME OVER $300. NOT A MONTH WENT BY AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER, EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IF IT WAS DETERMINED IT WAS A "NEW" PROBLEM I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THAT EXPENSE AS WELL. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AFTER BEING "FIXED" SO SOON. *JB

THERE IS A SLIGHT LEEK OF DIFFERENTIAL FLUID FROM THE LEFT AXLE SEAL. I NOW HAVE NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEED FROM REAR END. FLUID LEVEL HAS REMAINED GOOD. *NM

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH 60,000 THOUSAND MILES ON IT AND NOW I AM FINDING OUT THAT IT MAY BE JUNK. IT IS EXPERIENCING MANY OF THE PROBLEMS YOU READ ABOUT THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT SHIFTS REALLY HARD INTO 3RD AND THE REAR END MAKES A WHINING NOISE/GRINDING TYPE NOISE. *NM

ON THE BACK LIFTGATE, THE MIDDLE BODY PIECE HAS CRACKED AGAIN AFTER BEING REPLACED AROUND THE FORD SYMBOL. DEALER HAS REPLACED ONCE AND WILL NOT REPLACE AGAIN. THE AXLE HOUSING IS LEAKING NEXT TO THE DIFFERENTIAL. *NM

I PURCHASED MY 02 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 IN OCT 2005. THIS VEHICLE HAS A CLEAN TITLE AND 71K MILES. IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND NOTICED THAT MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I NOTICED AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY EXPLORER WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS. WHEN TRAFFIC WOULD COME TO A STOP, IT WOULD SHIFT INTO 3RD, THEN 1ST, THEN 4TH AND BACK TO 2ND. NEVER BEFORE HAD I EXPERIENCED SUCH A BIZARRE ACT WITH ANY PREVIOUS VEHICLE. MY EXPLORER WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE NEXT 45 DAYS AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT NOT EVEN A LOCAL AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. FINALLY THE PRIVATE SHOP THAT I TOOK IT TO FIXED IT AFTER REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES. VERY DISAPPOINTING, SINCE IN THE PAST I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL VEHICLES PAST 200K MILES AND OIL CHANGES AND TIRES WERE REQUIRED. ONCE I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK AFTER 2 TRANSMISSION REBUILDS, NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND NEW EGR VALUE, THE EXPLORER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ONLY 1 DAY OR NORMAL DRIVING. RIDICULOUS. COME TO FIND OUT AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF FORD HAD ANY RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION, I DISCOVER THAT NOT ONLY DOES FORD NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND HAVE YET TO ISSUE A RECALL. I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL WEBSITES THAT HAD 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VERY SAME THING GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. APPARENTLY, FORD IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY 3RD GEAR SHIFT FAILURE AND HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL. MY H

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AT VARIABLE SPEEDS, SOMETIMES NOT ENGAGING THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR OR AT TIMES THE ENGINE WOULD RACE, THEN SLAM INTO GEAR WITH A BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE 5TH GEAR IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REBUILT, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED ON 7 OCCASIONS. THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW HINGE WAS REPLACED, BUT CONTINUED TO FALL OUT OF THE HINGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE ENGINE WAS WHINING AND RUNNING BETWEEN 3K TO 5K RPM. THE TRANSMISSION BAND BROKE AND CAUSED A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND SLIPPED BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE THE CONTACT ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE, AT 53000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. UPDATED 9/15/2006 - *NM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, I BOUGHT IT ON NOV. 29 2005. AFTER I BOUGHT IT I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE THERE WOULD BE A DELAY AND THEN A LOUD BANG OR CLUNK. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY GOT A LOT OF EXPLORERS WITH THAT SAME PROBLEM. SO I HAD IT REPAIRED AND THE TOTAL CAME TO $ 3,855.13. THE CAR HAD A WARRANTY BUT IT DIDN'T COVER EVERYTHING, SO I HAD TO PAY $ 1,800.00 FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE MASTER KIT/PISTONS, FILTER, O/D DRIVE BAND, 2ND BAND, BYPASS VALUE, SOLENOID PACK, REVERSE BAND, O/D SERVO,2ND SERVE, SONNAX UPDATES, WHOLE CASE, RECONDITION VALVE BODY, RB CONVERTER, FLUID AND FLUSH THE COOLER SYSTEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS A SENSATION OF RUNNING OVER SOMETHING. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT DUE TO THE ENGINE LOCKING UP, THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE LIFTGATE LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SCREW THAT HOLDS THE LIFTGATE HAD LOOSENED, AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE HINGES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HINGE, BUT THAT RECALL WAS CLOSED. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE SCRAPING THE REAR WINDOW. *KB THE LIFTGATE HINGE SNAPPED OFF AS THE CONSUMER OPENED THE REAR GLASS WINDOW. THE BROKEN HINGE ALSO CAUSED THE REAR CLASS TO SCRAPE THE PAINT ON THE UPPER REAR PORTION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GLASS BROKE OFF THE HINGE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HE DEALER. THEY ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE TECHNICIAN CHECK THE VEHICLE VIN AGAINST THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V442000. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE HINGE REPLACED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING COLUMN HANDLE FRACTURED AND DETACHED. BEFORE IT FRACTURED, THE STEERING HANDLE SEEMED TO HAVE A CLICKING SOUND IN IT. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY PARKED THEREFORE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENTS. THE STEERING HANDLE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB

BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER NEW. AT 90000 MILES, THE MILEAGE GAUGE WENT OUT AND FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $600 TO REPAIR. MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS OF THE SAME YEAR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT JUMPED GEARS, ACCELERATED FORWARD AND HIT A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE STILL IN PARK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD USE THE PARKING BRAKE IN THE FUTURE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS PEDAL STUCK CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BY HITTING A VAN AND BARELY MISSING A HOUSE. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE, HOWEVER, THE POLICE HAVE NOT FINALIZED THE POLICE REPORT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED. THE REAR END WAS OBSERVED TO BE RIDING LOW. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE REAR SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED AND THEY WERE REPLACED.

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHINING NOISE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHINING GOES AWAY IF PRESSURE IS REDUCED FROM ACCELERATOR. THERE WAS SOME LEAKING OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AROUND DRIVESHAFT PINION SEAL, IT WAS FIXED (FORD REPAIR SAID IT WOULD ALSO FIX THE NOISE, IT DIDN'T!) I HAVE UNCOVERED MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR REAR DIFFERENTIAL ISSUES. WOULD SEEM THAT SINCE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT THERE IS SOME DESIGN/MATERIALS FLAW IN THE REAR END GEARBOX CAUSING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD PROMPT A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO POTENTIAL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING UP. *NM