2002 Ford Explorer complaints

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD INSTEAD OF A TAP KIT TO AVOID METAL SHAVINGS RUINING THE ENGINE. *NM

I HAVE 68K MILES ON MY 2002 EXPLORER AND FELT I WAS IN NEED OF NEW BRAKES AND DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE AT MIDAS. I WAS CONTACTED BY THE MECHANIC THAT AFTERNOON AND WAS ADVISED: "SIR I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT YOUR BRAKES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION; HOWEVER, I'M SORRY TO BE THE BEARER OF VERY BAD NEWS. YOUR REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS ARE BAD AND LEAKING AND THE DIFFERENTIAL IS CLOSE TO 'FALLING OFF' OF YOUR VEHICLE! HE FURTHER STATES, "HE HAS BEEN AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC FOR 25 YEARS AND FEELS THIS IS AN INHERENT FLAW FROM FORD AS THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ONE HE HAS SEEN AND THAT I PROCEED TO THE NEAREST FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEM TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS "SAFETY ISSUE." THE MECHANIC ALSO GAVE ME A COPY OF THE TSB FROM FORD. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE SAME DAY IN A STATE OF PANIC! A SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE MECHANIC WHO ALERTED ME OF THIS "FLAW" NOT AUTHORIZED BY FORD, BUT HE WAS ONLY OVER-REACTING! I TOOK MY EXPLORER IN TODAY WITH THE NOTICE PRINTED BY MIDAS AND IT WAS ONLY DISCOUNTED AS BEING A "SERVICE BULLETIN FOR TECHNICIANS." I PAID $55 FOR THEM TO RUN THE SAME TESTS AS MIDAS HAD DONE, WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER; "THE RIGHT REAR BEARING NEEDS REPLACING, THE SEALS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS ARE BAD AND LEAKING AND NEED REPLACING, THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, YOU'RE OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE $700+ AND SERVICE SHOULD BE DONE VERY SOON AS THE DAMAGE WILL WORSEN. NO ONE AT THE DEALER WOULD ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ABOUT 57,000 MILES. I RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT A PLACE CALLED THE OIL WELL AND THEY NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND ADVISED I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AS IT APPEARED THAT THE SEALS WERE LEAKING. THE OIL WELL ADVISED THAT I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET THE SEAL REPLACED BUT THE LEAK DID NOT APPEAR TO BE BAD. I JUST TOOK MY EXPLORER TO THE DEALER ON AUG 4, 2006 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS LEAKING BADLY AND THEY REPLACED THE SEALS. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL HOURS , I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS READY BUT THE IS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHICH THEY ADVISED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS ARE BAD AND THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT $1400.00 TO REPAIR. IT APPEARS I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM WHICH I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER IF IT IS NOT FIXED THAT THE REAR COULD LOCK UP AND THEN I COULD HAVE EVEN WORST PROBLEMS. IT APPEARS THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD A REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT JUDGING BY THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *NM

CLASSIC REAR DIFFERENTIAL. HUMMING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 TO 65 MPH UNDER LOAD AND LEAKING SEALS AND MY VEHICLE HAS 57K MILES ON IT. IT IS A FORD DEFECT.*JB

ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC "THE CAGED NUT BROKE FROM 8 AN INCH BOLT WITH WASHERS ON THE REAR END" HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE'S REAR AXLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING AND THERE WERE ALSO METAL FLAKES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL.

REAR END NOISE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *NM

EXPLORER MAKES WHINING NOISE IN REAR END AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 AND 70 MPH. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS LIT CONTINUOUSLY EVEN AFTER HAVING THE BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICES. HAVE ALSO HAD FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ALL THIS SINCE THE VEHICLE REACHED 60,000 MILES IT NOW HAS 86,000 AND MECHANIC SAYS IT NEED A NEW REAR END. *JB

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 40,000 ORIGINAL MILES WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN IT WAS GOING UP A HILL OR DURING ACCELERATION. SINCE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. IT NEEDED THE TRANSFER CASE TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST ME OVER $1600. *JB

WE HAVE 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV WITH ONLY 68K MILES AND WE HAD TO HAVE AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN IT,JUST A YEAR AND A HALF EARLIER WITH LESS THAN 59K MILES WE HAD A NEW SHIFT SOLENOID REPLACED. A YEAR AND A HALF LATER THE TRANSMISSION STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN WHICH PROMPTED THE NEW TRANSMISSION .AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WE WERE INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE DONE NUMEROUS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULS ON THESE EXPLORERS AND JAGS, WITH VERY LOW MILES, JUST IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THIS EXPLORER HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT DRIVEN THAT MUCH THAT IT WOULD HAVE NEEDED SUCH A MAJOR UNDERTAKING WITH SUCH LOW MILES. WE HAVE BEEN CHECKING AROUND AND TRANSMISSION SHOPS HAVE TOLD US THEY HAVE SEEN ALOT OF THE EXPLORERS LIKE OURS WITH LOW MILEAGE NEEDING COMPLETE REPLACEMENTS DON'T KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO GET A RECALL INTO EFFECT BUT I AM HOPING THIS MIGHT BE A STEP THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN BY INDIVIDUALS. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $3500 IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF ON OUR EDDIE BAUER AND REGRET THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT. OUR 1986 CHEVY WAGON WITH 133K NEVER HAS GIVEN US ANY PROBLEM THIS BIG. *NM

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THE MILES ON IT ARE 69,013. THE TRANSMISSION WENT. I HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT FOR 2129.60. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. COULD SOMEONE CHECK INTO THIS. I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE FOR A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILES TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *JB

AROUND MARCH 2005 ON A SPRING BREAK, TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN ABOUT 15 MILES OUT MY TOWN, ONE OF THE TIRES, THE RUBBER JUST SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE , CAUSING THE TRUCK TO MOVE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, BUT THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD SINCE I JUST STARTED TO SPEED UP THE VEHICLE IT DID NOT FLIP THE TRUCK,BUT CAUSED DAMAGED INSIDE THE TRUCK WHERE THE WHEEL IS LOCATED, ALL BECAUSE A PIECE OF THE RUBBER SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE EXPENSE WAS LESS THAN $200.00 BUT THE DRAMA WAS PRICELESS, AND THE KIDS ALL WERE CRYING .I NEED INFORMATION ON THE RECALL TIRES OF MY TRUCK. THANK YOU. *JB

BOUGHT 2002 EXPLORER IN 2003 WITH 12,000 MILES. SERVICNG DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER UNDER WARRANTY @ 32,000 MILES AFTER O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. NOW NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION @ 54,000 MILES. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED, DRIVEN LIGHTLY, NEVER TOWED, NEVER ABUSED. DEALER WILL NOT PAY OR HELP OUT ONE BIT. FORD KNOWS 2002 EXPLORERS HAVE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AND REAR ENDS, IS IGNORING PROBLEM, LEAVING CONSUMER TO ABSORB COST! HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY, AIR CONDITIONING UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACING- OUT OF WARRANTY. REAR END IS MAKING CLASSIC "HUMMING" SOUND THAT FORD IS ALSO IGNORING-PINION GEARS. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4WD REAR END TROUBLES, THIRD TIME HAVING WORK DONE ON THE REAR AXLE AND ASSEMBLY, TROUBLED STARTED AT ABOUT 40000 AND NOW AT 72000 MILES. SEALS, BEARINGS, REAR AXLE. HUMMING AND WHINING NOISE FROM REAR END AT BOTH HIGHWAY SPEED AND CITY DRIVING. DEALER QUOTED OVER THE PHONE COULD RUN IN EXCESS OF $2000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR, TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE SPENT $1032 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS. REPLACED WITH DEALER ONLY PARTS, NO SAVINGS THERE. FORD CLAIMS NO PROBLEMS WITH REAR END. ALL INDICATIONS IS THE PROBLEM WILL RETURN. I'M NOT CONVINCED THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. *NM

PERSISTENT QUALITY PROBLEMS: ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, POWER STEERING, AIR COMPRESSOR, AND RELATED SAFETY HAZARDS SUCH AS DEFECTIVE REAR HINGE. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER W ABOUT 65000 MILES. JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, THE NEXT DAY OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS..DRIVE IT HOME, CALL FORD DEALER TAKE IT IN.. HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION @ $3500. SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE 2002'S

BEARINGS. NOTICED A CLUNKING COMING FROM THE FRONT. WAS TOLD I NEED NEW BEARINGS AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1200. ONLY 55K MILES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HUB BEARINGS ARE WEARING OUT LOCKING THE WHEEL UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE ROAD. THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BOTH WEARING OUT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS NO WAY OF CHECKING THE HUB BEARINGS. BECAUSE HUB BEARINGS ARE SEALED, THEY CAN'T BE GREASED, OR SERVICED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE SERVICE FOR THE HUB BEARINGS, THEREFORE THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN, AND CREATE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW, THE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND THE SMELL OF SMOKE APPEARED. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CONSOLE AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE SMOKE SUBSIDED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING, WHINING NOISE FROM REAR END AS WELL. OVER DRIVE LIGHT ON, THEN FINALLY VEHICLE STOPPED ENGAGING GEARS. 2002 EXPLORER HAS BEEN SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR ONE YEAR DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FORD NOT WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS 58000 MILES. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT REAR HATCH WINDOW BLEW OUT TWO TIMES WITH THE SECOND TIME GLASS BLEW OFF SO VIOLENTLY IT DAMAGED PAINT ON NEW VEHICLE (DEALER AND FORD MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR AND INSTRUCTED ME TO FILE INSURANCE CLAIM) DAMAGE TO OTHER CAR WAS CLEARLY DUE TO DEFECT IN WINDOW HATCH MECHANISM AND THEY SHOULD PAY. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 25-35 MPH, THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE AN EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THE GARAGE DETERMINED A SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE THIS HAPPENS, IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE COIL WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE SPAR PLUG FAILED. UPDATED 08/08/06. *JB

TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. DEALER-TED BRITT, FAIRFAX, VA REFUSES TO COVER UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. *JB

STEERING COLUMN JAMMED TWICE. FIRST TIME UNDER THE WARRANTY, THEN 1 YEAR LATER NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. FATHER HAS SAME VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL YEAR, HE HAD TWO PUT IN HIS ALSO. REAR END WENT. HAD TO REPLACE TWO AXLES ALREADY. *JB

I JUST BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 74,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD IT FOR JUST LONG ENOUGH TO DISCOVER A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT, AND HAVE DONE ENOUGH RESEARCH TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE BY FAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING, I JUST KNOW THAT LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS A LEAK IN MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THAT NOW - HOWEVER, THE SHOP MGR REFUSES TO FIX THE LEAK UNTIL THE REAR END BREAKS.... WHICH WILL COST MORE AND CAUSE MORE REPAIRS THAN NECESSARY AT THE CURRENT TIME. MY SECOND PROBLEM - WHICH THE SERVICE MGR AGAIN REFUSES TO FIX UNTIL IT BREAKS IS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER - WHICH LEADS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH ARE ALSO VERY COSTLY. I HAVE DONE MY HOMEWORK ON THIS SITUATION, SINCE I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO, AND I AM SEEING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, REPLACED THE REAR END ON MY 2002 EXPLORER (MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME VEHICLE), AND I AM SEEING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, NEW TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 EXPLORER (AGAIN, MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME VEHICLE). I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE KNOWS ABOUT THIS SITE, OR I'M SURE THAT HUNDREDS OF THE SAME KIND OF COMPLAINTS WOULD BE FILED WITH YOU.... SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK IN TO THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE FORD IS AWFUL PROUD OF THEIR VEHICLES AND I AM PAYING A HEFTY CHUNK OF MONEY FOR MINE, AS ARE THE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WHO JUST MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO

2002 FORD EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY BEGINNING IN 2005 ONLY AFTER EXTENDED TRIPS (ABOUT 60+ MILES), THEN CAME ON AND STAYED ON IN 4-2006. THE ABS SENSOR AND BRAKE SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC SAID FORD HAD A RECALL. BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS ONLY ON A CERTAIN TRUCK. *JB

2002 EXPLORER HAS PROBLEMS PICKING UP SPEED AND OVER USE OF GAS. *TS THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, GEAR ADJUSTMENT, DIFFICULT HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVING EVEN AFTER GEAR CHANGE, AIR SUCTION INTO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR AND SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM UPDATED 07/06/06. *JB

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. *JB

OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, THEN SHIFTING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT BECOMING INCREASINGLY WORSE TO THE POINT OF NOT SHIFTING AT ALL. NOTICEABLY JERKS WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. LOTS OF WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. ALSO REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKES LOUD WHINE/ROAR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 AND AT ACCELERATION. I UNDERSTAND THESE ARE VERY COMMON COMPLAINTS AMONG EXPLORER OWNERS AND CAN BE VERY COSTLY. MOST TRANSMISSION REPAIR PEOPLE TELL ME THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THAT FORD SHOULD FIX IT. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 56,000 MILES. WHINING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. WHINING GOES AWAY IF PRESSURE IS REDUCED FROM ACCELERATOR OR IF SPEED IS GREATER THAN 60 MPH. SOME LEAKING OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AROUND DRIVESHAFT PINION SEAL. ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 54,000 MILES DUE TO ROUGH SHIFTING FROM 3 TO 4. TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COVERED UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE UNCOVERED MANY OTHER 2002/2003 EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR WHINING 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. I WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE REAR END IN ADDITION TO THE TRANSMISSION IF THERE IS NO REMEDY FROM FORD. *JB

TRANSMISSION WENT BAD WHEN ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, FORD TOLD ME THAT IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM. *JB

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4WD EDDIE BAUER AT 85450 MILES - 3RD GEAR CLUTCH OUT AND REQUIRES REBUILD. *JB

CRACKING IN PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I FEAR THE NATURE OF THE CRACK HAS INCREASED THE POSSIBILITY FOR THE REAR WINDOW TO FALL OUT DURING DRIVING. CRACK HAS JUST APPEARED DUE TO NO CONSEQUENCE OR MISUSE. THIS APPARENTLY IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, SUDDENLY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE VEHICLE'S TIRE BLEW OUT, BECAUSE BOTH REAR TIRES BEGAN WOBBLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A NORMAL FLAT SURFACE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 20 MILES TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LOW GRADE DEEP DRUM NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH REAR BEARINGS WERE WEARING OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT BOTH BEARINGS WERE SHOT AND THE REAR DRIVER SPRING WAS BROKEN. BOTH REAR BEARINGS AND THE REAR DRIVER SPRING ARE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED.

REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON 2002 EXPLORER STARTED HUMMING AT ~45K MILES AND BEGAN ROARING ~60K MILES. REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED LEAKING AROUND THE TIME THE NOISE WAS FIRST HEARD. DIFFERENTIAL NOW LEAKS BAD AND ROARING IS GETTING SEVERE AT 68K MILES. ODD THING IS, ALL THIS LEAKING AND THE LUBE LEVEL HAS NEVER BEEN LOW. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD PROMPT A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO POTENTIAL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING UP ON PEOPLE THAT ARE OBLIVIOUS TO THEIR VEHICLE MAKING ODD NOISES. *JB

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD, THUS DISABLING AIRBAGS IN VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALER SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED THE SENSOR. LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER, THE SAME ISSUE RECURRED, WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSTIC CODE, AND THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE REPAIR WARRANTY. AIR BAGS ARE NOW DISABLED. *JB

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 65,000 MILES. NOW ITS COSTING ME $3500 PLUS TAX TO HAVE A REFURBISHED ONE INSTALLED. TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THIS AND I HAVE SEEN A HUGE NUMBER OF FORD TRANSMISSION FAILURES FOR THIS VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS A RECALL AND TO REIMBURSE US THAT HAVE ALREADY PAID. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WAS MAKING LOUD REAR END NOISES. I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND WHO REBUILDS REAR ENDS AND HE HAD TO REPLACE MOST OF THE PARTS IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT I AM COMPLAINING AS THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFT DETACHED FROM THE COLUMN WHILE TRYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED OF THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED THE KEY WOULD NOT FIT IN THE IGNITION PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION TODAY.

THE BACK GLASS LIFT GATE WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE DUE TO A RECALL BROKE. THE GLASS DOOR OPENED WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB, AND AS I REACHED INTO THE CAR TO PUT A STROLLER IN THE DOOR, IT SLAMMED DOWN AND HIT THE BACK OF MY HEAD FORCING MY CHIN TO ALSO SLAM INTO THE FRAME OF THE DOOR. *JB

ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 3, 2005, I PURCHASED A BREAK MODEL USED FORD EXPLORER XLT 2002 FROM NORM REEVES HONDA CAR DEALER IN CERRITOS, CA. THE CAR HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I SIGNED THE PAPERS AND TOOK THE POSSESSION OF THE CAR. IT HAS NOT BEEN MORE THAN 2 MONTHS THAT THE CAR STARTED GIVING ME TROUBLE ON THE PICK UP OF THE SPEED, TRANSMISSION, GEAR ADJUSTMENT, OVER USE OF THE GAS, DIFFICULT HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVING EVEN AFTER CHANGE OF GEARS, AIR SUCTION INTO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR AND SIGNS LIKE SERVICE ENGINE SOON ON THE FRONT PANEL, ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN GETTING REGULAR LUBE AND TUNE ON THE CAR AFTER EVERY 3000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE, OCCASIONALLY, THE CAR GIVES A THUNDERING NOISE ON THE TIRES AS IF IT IS DRAGGING ITSELF AND RUNNING ON THE ROAD. THIS MAKES ME FEAR THAT MY CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE! THE NORM REEVES HONDA SUPER STORE CAR DEALER KNEW THAT THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY SIMPLY WANTED TO GET RID OF A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT VEHICLE FROM THE FLEET AS THEY PRIMARILY SELL HONDA CARS AND SIMILAR VEHICLES. DESPITE REPEATED REQUESTS, THE NORM REEVES HONDA SUPER STORE AND THEIR SISTER COMPANY FORD OF CERRITOS REFUSED TO PROVIDE SERVICE ON THE CAR SINCE I STOPPED PAYMENTS ON THE CAR LOAN. OTHER FORD CAR DEALERS HAVE TEST DRIVEN THIS CAR AND OBSERVED THE SAME DEFECTS AS I HAVE MENTIONED. MY PURPOSE OF WRITING THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA IS TO REQUEST THE INTERVENTION OF NHTSA IMMEDIATELY AS THE QUESTIONED VEHICLE IS LIKELY TO

THE REAR WHEEL BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LOCKED UP WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM 150 MILES AWAY. LUCKY SHE HEARD A WEIRD NOISE AND SLOWED DOWN PRIOR TO IT SEIZING THE TIRE UP. *JB

O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON DASH, FOLLOWED BY SERVICE ENGINE SOON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO FORD WHERE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT. KNOWN DEFECT ACCORDING TO FORD TSB. *NM

MY 2002 EXPLORER IS ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY NOTED BY OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS. THE WHINING WHEN REACHING 50-60 KM/HR, WHICH GOES AWAY WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS, THE SLIPPING AND SHUDDERING OF GEARS AND SOMETIMES PASSING GEAR NEVER KICKS IN, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON (USUALLY AFTER THE TRUCK HAS WARMED UP AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS REALLY COLD), THE ABS IS NOW STARTING TO ACT UP, WHEREIN IT RANDOMLY ACTIVATES ITSELF EVEN WHILE ON DRY PAVEMENT AND THE BRAKES FEEL MUSHY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. NOW THE LOCKS ARE RANDOMLY NOT WORKING. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ONE INSTANCE ABOUT THE PASSING, SHUDDERING, SLIPPING WAS WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS, I PULLED OUT TO PASS, AND WHEN I STEPPED ON IT THE TRUCK SHUDDERED SO HARD, THAT MY DAUGHTER, WHO WAS COLORING A MOTHER' DAY CARD, ACTUALLY SCRIBBLED WHEN IT SHUDDERED, IF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE. SHE WAS PO'D AT ME ASKING ME WHY DID I DO THAT AND NOW HER CARD WAS RUINED. WE HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION IN FOR SERVICE AND WERE TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND THE TRUCK WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND THEN BACK TO THE SAME OLD PROBLEMS. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TRADING THIS PIECE OF CRAP VEHICLE OFF AND WE HAVE DECIDED THAT IT WILL ONLY BE IMPORTS FROM NOW ON. FORD NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND START FIXING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS OR THEY WILL BE FINDING THEMSELVES BANKRUPT IN NO TIME. I WAS BROUGHT UP AS A KID IN FORDS; 67 T-BIRD, FOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE COLUMN SHIFT FRACTURED INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE GEAR SHIFT WAS REPLACED.

CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 DATE: 2004-SEP-13 COMPONENT: STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS THE FORD EXPLORER HAD THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED FALL OF OCT 11,2005. ON JUNE 3,2006, ABOUT 8 MONTHS, THE EPOXY/TAR USED TO "SECURE" THE STRUT BRACKET ON THE GLASS FAILED IN 90+DEGREE WEATHER (MODERATE SUNNY DAY, IT WILL GET HOTTER). FROM OBSERVATION, USING ADHESIVE TO PREVENT THE BALL JOINT FROM PIVOTING WAS A BAD DESIGN. I OPENED THE GLASS LIFTGATE AND STARTED TO REACH IN AND THE GLASS LIFT GATE SLAMMED DOWN ON MY HEAD. DUE TO LOCAL TEMPERATURE AND REGULAR VIBRATION FROM DRIVING AND THE LOAD FROM THE STRUT, THE ADHESIVE YIELDED AND THE BALL JOINT ROTATED CAUSING THE STRUT TO POP OFF CAUSING THE GLASS LIFTGATE TO COME DOWN ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. HAD THIS HAPPEN TO MY WIFE, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BEING PETITE. I NOTIFIED THE FORD COMPANY AND THE DEALER, BOTH DECLINE TO REPAIR THE REPAIR PERFORMED UNDER RECALL AS IT WAS PASS THEIR WARRANTY OF 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILES. IT WAS OVER THE 12,000 MILES. SO I GUESS AFTER 12 MONTH OR 12000 MILES, FORD IS NO LONGER LIABLE IF THE RECALL REPAIR INJURES OR KILLS SOMEONE AS IT WAS A REPAIR UNDER A RECALL. *JB

AT 43000 MILES ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD WHIRRING WHINING NOISE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REAR END NEEDED REBUILT. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALER AND LEARNED VIA INTERNET BULLETIN BOARDS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AT VERY LOW MILES, AS THE LOCAL DEALER HAS HAD TO REBUILD QUITE A FEW. *JB

REPEATED REAR AXLE AND SEAL FAILURE, TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *JB

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS TO ACTIVATE UNTIL MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL FOOT PRESSURE IS APPLIED; RESULTING IN DELAYED/INADEQUATE BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION AND DIFFICULTY DISENGAGING GEAR SELECTOR FROM PARK. ALSO, SPEED CONTROL WILL NOT TURN OFF UNTIL PRESSING HARD ENOUGH TO ENGAGE SECONDARY/BACKUP DISCONNECT ON SPEED CONTROL. INITIAL APPLICATION OF BRAKE WILL RESULT IN VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN SPEED, INCURRING INCREASED THROTTLE APPLICATION AND AUTO TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING. REMOVAL AND OBSERVATION OF THE SWITCH ACTION APPEARS TO SHOW THE MECHANICAL INTERFACE BETWEEN PLUNGER AND CONTACTS RESULTS IN CONTACTS OPENING WIDER IN THE INITIAL TRAVEL OF THE SWITCH BEFORE ACTUALLY CLOSING, RESULTING IN DELAYED CLOSING OF THE SWITCH. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, SPUN AROUND AND FLIPPED SIDE TO SIDE SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AND FRONTAL AIR BAGS. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE HOWEVER MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM

1.) MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4WD TENDS TO SURGE IN 1ST,2ND, AND 3RD GEAR. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE SOME SLIPPAGE ISSUES. 2.) NO "FAILURE", YET. 3.) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE YET. *JB