2002 Ford Explorer complaints

THE TRANSMISSION ON THE CAR HAS PROBLEMS AND THE 4X4 DOESN'T WORK WITH ONLY 80000 MILES. *JB

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN MAKING SOFT SHIFTS AND SOUNDS AS IT SHIFTS. DEALER HAS "REPROGRAMMED" THE TRANSMISSION. NOW TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. DEALER CLAIMS THE 3 GEAR IN THIS HEAVY DUTY TRANSMISSION IS BROKEN AND TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20MPH OR MORE THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THE TIRES NEEDED REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE NOISE COULD POSSIBLY BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS (45K MILES) THAT WAS RECALLED IN SEPTEMBER 2004 FOR THE BACK LIFTGATE. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE IN AUGUST IN 2005 AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. IN JANUARY OF 2006, THE LIFTGATE SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A CRACK (3-4 INCHES IN LENGTH)RIGHT BELOW THE BACK WINDOW, JUST TO THE RIGHT OF CENTER. AFTER TAKING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT SINCE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS OF REPAIR (ABOUT $300). THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT BECAUSE FORD DOES NOT CONSIDER IT A "SAFETY ISSUE". I BELIEVE IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CRACK IS DIRECTLY UNDER THE REAR WINDOW AND WILL PROBABLY GROW IN SIZE THE LONGER IT GOES UNREPAIRED. A NOTICEABLE CRACK THAT SUDDENLY DEVELOPS UNDER THE BACK WINDOW WOULD SEEM TO BE AN OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. FURTHERMORE, IT IS A "CUSTOMER SERVICE" ISSUE WHICH FORD SHOULD ADDRESS. ALSO, I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING IN THE LIFTGATE UNTIL AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. THESE APPEAR TO BE DIRECTLY RELATED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND WOULD SEEM TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND I AM NOT THE ONLY FORD CUSTOMER HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER. I AM EXPECTING FORD TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT IN THE 2002 EXPLORER. *NM

TRANSMISSION - GEAR BAND. *JB

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. WENT TO PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS STILL IN PARK, BUT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS IF THE CAR HAD GONE INTO REVERSE. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, BUT COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT. HAD TO LOCK THE CAR AND LEAVE IT UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING WHEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP OPENED. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $961. I ASKED THEM TO CONTACT FORD AS IT WAS OBVIOUSLY A VEHICLE DEFECT. THEY RESPONDED THAT I WOULD NEED TO CALL FORD MYSELF. SPOKE WITH A REP. OF FORD, AND THEY CALLED THE LOCAL SERVICE MANAGER, THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE PROBLEM WAS OURS TO FIX AT OUR COST. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR REAR HATCH GLASS EXPLODED AS IT WAS BEING CLOSED. INCIDENT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AFTER RECALL 04S20 WAS PERFORMED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A CRACK BY THE FORD SYMBOL IN THE BACK. THERE ARE NO DENTS OR DEBRIS AROUND THE CRACK. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED.

LTR FM CONSUMER (KY) RE THE PROBLEMS SHE'S HAD W/THE REAR END OF HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER, WANT FORD TO BUY BACK HER VEHICLE. *TS IN THE SUMMER OF 2003 THE CONSUMER HEARD A WHINNING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR END AND REPLACED THE SEAL. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED THE SEAL WAS REPLACED AGAIN. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED AGAIN. THE ENTIRE REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FOR FORD TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR STATE INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE CORRODED AND FLAKED OFF WHEN TOUCHED. THERE IS CORROSION ON THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS SUBMERGED IN SALTWATER. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

ON JANUARY 16, 2006 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED A SHAKING FEELING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. THERE WAS ALSO LOUD NOISE. I SLOWED DOWN AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2006 I BROUGHT FORD EXPLORER 2002 TO A FORD DEALER FOR THEM TO DRIVE AND TAKE A LOOK. THE RESULT WAS VEHICLE ALL OVER THE ROAD, WAS UNSTABLE AND NEEDED ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS, UPPER REAR BALL JOINTS. REPLACED. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE FOR VERY LONG, MUST GO SLOW AND A $3,000 APPROXIMATE COST TO REPAIR. I CONTACTED FORD TO COMPLAIN AND TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP OUT BY REDUCING THE COST OF FIXING IT FOR FREE. THEIR RESPONSE WAS SORRY BUT THEY COULD NOT HELP. I CANNOT SEE HOW FORD CAN TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO WHEN EVERY MECHANIC I HAVE SPOKEN TO SAID IT WAS UNHEARD FOR ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS TO GO AT THE SAME TIME, ESPECIALLY WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. I DRIVE MY 6 YEAR OLD SUN TO SCHOOL, LEFT TO FORD I'M SUPPOSED TO TAKE MY CHANCES WITH HIS SAFETY WHILE DRIVING ONE OF THEIR POORLY MADE VEHICLES. ALL THIS AFTER I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN OCTOBER WHEN THAN WENT WHILE I WAS ON VACATION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.*AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER, WHEN THE CAR IS AT 30-40 MPH AND SHIFTING GEARS IT LURCHERS FORWARD. I SPENT $1000.00 FOR REPAIR 2 MONTHS AGO WITH FORD DEALER. I AM BACK AGAIN NOW THEY SAY I NEED A FULL TRANMISSION.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG/SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED ACCORDINGLY BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT LATER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE SEAT BELTS AGAIN. UPDATED 3/3/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR WASHER MOTOR, ODOMETER AND HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. *NM

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT 50,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR RANDOMLY, ALMOST CAUSING COLLISION. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER....REAR END NOISE. RETURNED 3 TIMES TO DEAL FOR CORRECTION. AFTER THE 3RD TIME, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE CORRECTED...10,000 MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. DEAL CLAIMED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR REPAIR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. *NM

RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. EVERY NOW AN THEN, THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT BLINKS, OCCASIONALLY CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. 14854 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED BY THE DEALER. FROM ABOUT 50,000 MILES THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD OCCASIONAL FLASH BUT AS LONG AS I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT, THE PROBLEM WOULDN'T POP UP FOR A FEW MONTHS. THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY CONSISTENT REASON FOR IT TO FLASH. THE DEALER SAID THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO IS TO TEST IT WHEN THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS SO INTERMITTENT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET TO A DEALER AT THE PARTICULAR TIME THE LIGHT WOULD FLASH. THE TRUCK SEEMED TO BE OPERATING AS IT ALWAYS DID. EVENTUALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS A RESULT OF THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEING ON AND AT 63,329 THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOLENOID BODY AND SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION. THE LIGHT STILL CAME ON OCCASIONAL, BUT ONLY ON LONG TRIPS, MORE THAN 75 MILES ONE WAY. AT 66,274 MILES THE DEALER TOOK THE TRUCK AND TRIED TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO. AT ABOUT 73299 MILES, LIKE BEFORE, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY KICKED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE O/D PISTON AND ROD. AT 73,564 MILES THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED. NOW AT 80,800 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING AND THE DEALER WILL BE LOOKING AT IT AGAIN ON MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2006. FOR NUMBER OF FAILURES I'M GUESSING THAT 20 OR MORE TIMES THE O/D LIG

THE TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES SLIPPED WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. WE WERE TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE NOW WILL NOT LOCK INTO SECOND GEAR, TOLD WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 58,000 MILES; TOO SOON FOR THIS KIND OF EXPENSE FOR A WELL CARED FOR CAR. WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, A TRUCK IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE STARTED LOOSING DEBRIS ALL OVER THE ROAD WAY. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWERVE; THIS IN TURN CAUSED A FOUR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. *JB

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OR LATCHES POORLY DURING COLD WEATHER AFTER OPENED. DOOR HAS SWUNG OPEN WHILE BEING DRIVEN. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES WITH NO REMEDY. DEALER HAS "ADJUSTED DOOR AND LUBED LOCK". DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE LATCH AND CABLE BUT DID NOT THINK THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM

DRIVETRAIN PROBLEMS (REAR DIFFERENTIAL, FRONT DRIVESHAFT, TRANSFER CASE). 1. REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKING WHINING NOISE. THIS WAS WORKED ON TWICE WITH THE PINION BEARINGS REPLACED. DIFFERENTIAL STILL MAKING WHINING NOISE AT FIRST BETWEEN 55-60 MPH AND NOW IS MAKING THIS NOISE ANYWHERE FROM 45 - 70 MPH. VEHICLE WAS REFERRED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT THE PINION RING GEAR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HAVE FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR POWERTRAIN, BUT FORD WILL NOT REPLACE PARTS UNTIL THEY COMPLETELY FAIL. THEY ALSO CONSIDER THIS A UPDATE WHICH THEY WILL NOT FIX UNDER A RECALL. 2. FRONT DRIVESHAFT CAUSING VIBRATION IN FRONT AT SPEEDS AROUND 65-70 MPH. FORD CONSIDERS THIS AN UPDATE AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY UNTIL IT COMPLETELY FAILS. 3. TRANSFER CASE. FORD MECHANIC NOTED THAT HE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE. FORD HAS A TSB ON THIS, TO UPDATE THE FLANGE ON THE REAR OF THE TRANSFER CASE. FORD CONSIDERS THIS AN UPDATE AND WILL NOT FIX IT UNTIL IT COMPLETELY FAILS. THE TRANSFER CASE WOULD NEED TO BE DRAINED, REFILLED, AND THEN REPROGRAMMED AGAIN. ALL THESE THINGS ARE LISTED AS COVERED ITEMS IN MY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY (POWERTRAIN), BUT FORD WILL NOT COVER THEM SINCE THEY CONSIDER THEM UPDATES. THEY WANT ME TO FIT THE BILL OF THE AMOUNT OF $2400 THIS IS HOW FORD IS GETTING BY FROM ISSUING A RECALL. I HAVE NOTIFIED MY WV ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE, WHO TRIED WORKING OUT SOMETHING. THAT IS HOW I RECEIVED THE FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY.

WHILE DRIVING THE SUV TO WORK ON 11 JAN 2006 @0800 ON THE INTERSTATE, EVERYTHING WAS OPERATING NORMALLY THEN SUDDENLY THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHT TO THIS DAY OR MALFUNCTIONS. @ 0900 I TOOK THE SUV TO A LOCAL NEAR BY TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY DEEMED AFTER DRIVING AND RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT,THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER TEARING THE TRANSMISSION APART FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT IT WAS IN NEED OF A TOTAL OVERHAUL COSTING $2079.00. THE SUV IS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER WITH 64,000 MILES . *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 4.0L ENGINE, 2WD: AFTER 100,000 MILES, THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. TRANSMISSION SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICED CHUNKS OF BRASS AND STEEL IN THE TRAN PAN (THIS HAD BEEN CHECKED 6 MONTHS EARLIER AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF METAL IN THE PAN). TECHNICIAN DROPPED THE VALVE BODY, THINKING THAT THE VALVE BODY GASKET WAS BLOWN. HOWEVER, THE GASKET WAS FINE, BUT THERE WAS MORE METAL FOUND IN THE VALVE BODY. AT THIS POINT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FAIL TO SHIFT INTO UPPER GEARS. AFTER CHECKING A COUPLE OF WEB-SITES, IT APPEARS THERE IS A FAIRLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS USED IN THE 2002 EXPLORERS. FORD RELAYED TO ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION. *JB

FORD EXPLORER 2002 2 WHEEL DRIVE WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON FREEWAY. A CAR CUT OFF THE FORD AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE APPLIED. BRAKES LOCKED AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF SUV. SUV ROLLED OVER AND OFF THE FREEWAY. SIDE AIR BAGS AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN TO FORD FOR TRANSMISSIONS AND DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON A CROSS COUNTRY MOVE. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE RIGHT BEFORE THE TRIP STATING THE TRUCK WAS NOT RIGHT. THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. *NM

IN NOVEMBER 2005, THE REAR LIFTGATE APPLIQUE OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED OVERNIGHT. THE CRACK IS DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS CAUSED BY COLD TEMPERATURES AND WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID GETTING INTO THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE AND FORCING A CRACK. THE NIGHT THIS OCCURRED THE TEMPERATURE REACHED 10 DEGREES ABOVE ZERO. BECAUSE OF THIS CRACK, I NO LONGER CAN USE THIS PORTION OF THE LIFTGATE FOR FEAR THAT IT WILL CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE WHERE THE REPRESENTATIVE DID AN INVESTIGATION INTO MY CLAIM AND NO WARRANTY OR RECALL WILL COVER THIS DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE COST OF THE REPAIR IS $300.00. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT FORD'S EXPENSE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO A VEHICLE THAT IS MADE FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER. *JB

THE BACK PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW DEVELOPED A 1/4 INCH CRACK FROM RUNNING FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER EMERGANCY BRAKE FAILURE. 1) PA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AT FORD DEALER. 2) DRUM BRAKE LININGS WERE FOUND IN TOTAL SEPERATION FROM METAL SHOES. CONDITION IS LIKELY DUE TO A COMBINATION OF COROSION AND LACK OF ADHESIVE BETWEEN LINING AND METAL SHOE. 3) PER THE FORD DEALER'S DISCCOVERY AND SUGESTED REPAIR... THE EMERGANCY BRAKE AND DRUM/ROTORS WERE REPLACED. FORD DID NOT TAKE LIABIITY OR COVER THE EXPENSE. (OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST). *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER 43K - REAR TIRES SHUDDER AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BINDING DURING TURNS. THE INSIDE TIRE SPINS/STOPS/SPINS AS IF THE REAR DIFF WERE LOCKED. REPAIR SHOP CAN NOT ISOLATE ANY PROBLEM - CHANGED FLUID, REPLACED 4X4 SWITCH, PROBLEM PERSISTS. THEY ARE CONSIDERING REPLACING THE ENTIRE UNIT. *JB

REAR END WHINING NOISE. SUSPECT DIFFERENTIAL AND/OR PINION GEA/BEARING. *NM

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE OFF WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE BRAKE PAD WAS DEPRESSED DURING THE ATTEMPTED SHIFT. MY MECHANIC AND I NEVER SAW THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. *NM

REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKES A HOWLING NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOISE GOES AWAY WHEN LETTING OFF ACCELERATOR. IT'S BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER MANY TIMES. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON TO EXPLORERS OF THE SAME YEAR AS EVIDENCED BY NUMEROUS INTERNET FORUMS. TRANSMISSION ALSO SHUDDERS IN 3RD GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. *JB

REAR END STARTED WHINING WHILE ON ROAD TRIP FROM NASHVILLE TO HOME. LEFT REAR WHEEL STARTED TO WOBBLE AND THEN SEIZED. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS A LOUD HUMMING/WHINING SOUND FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT SPEEDS 50-70 MPH AND NOW HAS STARTED LEAKING GEAR OIL FROM ONE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL AXLE BEARING/SEAL. I HAVE READ MANY MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2002 EXPLORERS AND BELIEVE THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED/FIXED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY BEFORE ACCIDENTS OCCUR. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS REQUIRED 5 SEPARATE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS IN LAST 2 YEARS. INCLUDING 1 TOTAL REBUILD AT 50,000 MILES. FORD DEALER AND FORD CORPORATE WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *JB

THE NOW FAMOUS WHINING IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND THE OTHER FAMOUS 4X4 MODULE FAILURE. THE REAR DIFF HAS BEEN WHINING FOR APPROX. 18 MOS. NOW. I'M JUST WAITING FOR THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. *JB

UPSIDE DOWN "Y" CRACK FOUND IN LIFTGATE/HATCH FROM BOTTOM OF REAR WINDOW TO BOTTOM OF HATCH DOOR, TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT 3 YRS AGO, BUT WAS TOLD IT WASN'T COVERED - OUT OF WARRANTY. AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STABILITY OF THE REAR WINDOW AND LIFTGATE. THIS PRODUCT DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD AND REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, AT 30,000 MILES I COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END, THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE TIRES CUPPING BECAUSE I DIDN'T ROTATE THEM. AT 43,000 MILES I REPLACE THE TIRES BEFORE THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE NOISE WAS LOUDER. NOW AT 87,000 MILES THE NOISE IS EVEN LOUDER AND THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID FOR A NEW DIFFERENTIAL WAS $1,500. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THE BAD DIFFERENTIALS THAT THEY PUT IN THE 2002 EXPLORERS. *NM

MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE TRANSFER CASE SELECTION MODULE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE SELECTION MODULE IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT STILL WANT TO CHARGE FULL PRICE FOR A NEW SELECTION MODULE WHEN IT'S JUST A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE INSIDE THE MODULE THAT FAILS. *JB

TWO LARGE CRACKS BELOW LIFTGATE WINDOW . I TOOK TRUCK IN FOR RECALL 04S20 AND DEALERSHIP SAID CRACKS WERE NOT FORDS PROBLEM BULL ----- SHAME ON FORD I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM . I THINK THEY SHOULD FIX IT CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. *JB

WHINE IN THE REAR END. MECHANIC REBUILT THE REAR END AND THE BEARING ALL SHOW SIGNS OF FAILURE ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC FORD HAD USED CHEAP BEARINGS IN THE REAR END. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAS PROBLEMS SHIFTING. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE SHIFTS, IT SHUTTERS AND JERKS. I AM AFRAID THAT FORD USED THE SAME TYPE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION AS THEY DID IN THE REAR END AND THEY ARE FAILING AS WELL. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED EXTENSIVELY, ESPECIALLY IN FRONT AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY CURRENTLY HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

AT 60,000 MILES THE DIFFERENTIAL ON MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER. *JB

O/D LIGHT FLASHING SO I TOOK CAR INTO DEALER. TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND NEEDS NEW SOLENOIDS AT 45,000 MILES. *NM

WHINING NOISE FROM REAR END OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. SMALL DRIPS IN GARAGE FROM REAR END. DEALER SAID REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING BUT NO BIG DEAL. NOW MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS FLASHING WHICH PER THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS GET TO A REPAIR SHOP RIGHT AWAY AS MY TRANSMISSION IN TROUBLE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN COMPLETELY DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALER ON ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY TEST DRIVEN. NO DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.*AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

THERE IS A WHINING/ LIGHT ROAR COMING FROM THE REAR END OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE COME TO CONCLUSION THAT THERE IS A MASSIVE MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL USED IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES HAS GONE OUT. I STARTED TO NOTICE PROBLEMS WHEN IT HARD SHIFTED BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. ON NOVEMBER 24, 2005, THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE NO LONGER SHIFTED INTO 3RD GEAR. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FINALLY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH AN ALUMINUM CASE AROUND A STEEL MOVING PART. THE PART IS WEARING AWAY THE ALUMINUM CASE. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AT ONLY 45,000 MILES. THIS WILL COST ME APPROXIMATE $2000 TO FIX. ABSOLUTELY ABSURD! I'VE TALKED TO FORD AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MULTIPLE POSTS ON CARREVIEW.COM HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *JB

2002 TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSING ME TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION AT ONLY 45,000 MILES..2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 2WD 4.0L V6. IT HAS BEEN REBUILT 2 TIMES SINCE I WAS MADE TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AT THIS SITE. WE SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO PAY $4000.00 TO FIX A PROBLEM ON A VEHICLE THAT IS NOWHERE NEAR THE EXPECTED TIMEFRAME FOR THIS SORT OF MALFUNCTION (I.E. 150K TO 200K MILES). HTTP://FORUMS.CARREVIEW.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=93&PAGE=2&PP=25. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE PLASTIC ON THE HATCHBACK UNDER THE WINDOW CRACKED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK