THE REAR SEAL ON THE AXLE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED 5 TIMES ON THE CONSUMERS 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
2002 Ford Explorer complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
HATCH FELL OF HITTING MY WIFE ON BACK AND NECK
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ON 6-4-2005 WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. SRS LIGHT WAS ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND FIXED ONCE BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON, AND A WEEK LATER IT WAS REPLACED, AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN. POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK
DT: CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LIFTGATE STRUT, AND REPAIRS WERE DONE. BUT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE PART POPPED OFF, ON THE FOURTH OCCASION THE PART BROKE AGAIN. FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. *AK
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT AROUND MID JULY/EARLY AUGUST 2002. IN AUGUST OF 2003 I NOTICE THAT MY CAR WAS EXPERIENCING SOME CLUNKING IN THE TRANSMISSION. I DON'T KNOW THE FULL DETAIL OF THAT PROBLEM BUT THEY GAVE ME AN EXTRA 5 YEAR WARRENTY ON MY VEHICLE. LAST YEAR MY FAMILY AND I TOOK A TRIP TO FLORIDA AND MY CAR WOULD GET THIS LOUD ROARING SOUND AT 45 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN WE RETURNED FROM MY TRIP I CALLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IT TO THEM BUT THEY SAID THAT IT WAS MY TIRES. MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE TIRES HOPING THAT THIS WOULD RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. (EVEN BEFORE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY REQUESTED US TOO). A WEEK LATER MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO TEXAS AND THE SOUND GOT WORSE. UPON RETURNING FROM OUR TRIP I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY AXEL. MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THEIR MISTAKE. I 'VE HAD MY FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, AXEL, AXEL BOOT, HUBS BEARINGS, EMERGENCY BRAKE (WHICH THEY SAY WAS SPLIT) REPLACED. I STILL HEAR A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT MY CAR IS SAFE TO RIDE IN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. I'VE GONE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, FILED A COMPLAINT FOR ABITRATION. MY (PREPAID) ATTORNEY HAS EVEN SENT THEM TWO LETTERS ADVICING THEM TO TAKE THIS SITUATION SERIOUSLY. THEY NEVER REPLIED BACK TO ME OR MY ATTORNEY. I'M FORD PLAN AND I REALLY THOUGHT THAT I WOULD BE TREATED WITH A LITTLE MORE RESPECT. I WANT THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND SEE THAT THEY SOLD ME A "LEMON". I REALLY
FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *BF THE CONSUMER HAS A REPORT WHICH STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A GAS LEAK. *JB *NM
THE "O/D" LIGHT OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIT UP WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS TURNING. ENGINE "REVVED" BUT DIDN'T ACCELERATE. ONCOMING CARS SWERVED TO AVOID ME. THIS WAS AN UNSAFE SITUATION, AS I EXPECTED THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE TOTALLY REBUILT, FOR $2,400, SINCE I WAS 4000 MI OUT OF WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH <3 YEARS. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF FORD WOULD COVER IT. THE ZONE PERSON, ADVISED NO. I PHONED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE DEALER/FIELD DISCRETIONARY FUNDS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY, BUT ONLY FOR "LOYAL" CUSTOMERS. I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND HAD MY MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALER. I ASKED WHAT MAINTENANCE SHOULD BEEN DONE ON THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NONE. I SPOKE WITH A GENTLEMAN IN THE QUALITY DEPARTMENT AT A LOCAL TRANSMISSION PLANT, WHO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE, BUT THAT FORD WOULDN'T OFFER ANY HELP BECAUSE "MONEY IS TIGHT". HE SAID THAT THE BANDS IN MY TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SUPERCEDED TWICE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, AND A TECH BULLETIN EXISTED, EXPLAINING THIS TO DEALERSHIPS. I READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE! I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHY FORD HONORS A SECRET WARRANTY FOR "LOYAL" CUSTOMERS YET OFFERS NO RECOURSE FOR CUSTOMERS WHO WERE PUT IN THE SAME UNSAFE SITUATION, JUST BECAUSE THEY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. FORD ADVISES THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY F
DT: PROBLEM WITH BACK END, TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER,AND DEALER SAID THEY FIXED AXLE, THEN, TOOK BACK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FIXED HUB, AND REPLACED THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. IN LAST 3 MONTHS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP 3 TIMES. CURRENTLY, IN THE SHOP. WENT TO GET OIL CHANGE LAST FRIDAY, AND MECHANIC NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE AXLE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IN SHOP TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE. THEY GAVE CONSUMER AN EXTRA 5 YR WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND THIS WAS 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP KEPT SAYING VEHICLE WAS SAFE EVEN THOUGH DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. *AK
THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE SHIFTER COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF THE ASSEMBLY RENDERING THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. MILEAGE WAS ONLY 56,000 MILES AND BEEN DRIVEN FOR ONLY 4 YEARS. THE CAR HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER'S LOCATION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY (PART # FMC4L2Z 3C 529 DA) AT A COST OF $706.20 TO THE VEHICLE OWNER.
DT: GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF. CONSUMER SAID SHIFTER BROKE OFF AND LANDED IN HIS LAP. CONSUMER WAS SHIFTING INTO GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY. CONSUMER HAD HIGHTECH AUTO CENTER FIX PROBLEM, THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE COLUMN. FORD REFUSED TO DO REPAIRS, SAID WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ALSO CALLED BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH.I KNOW THAT THEY DO HAVE A RECALL ON 97-02 FORD EXPEDITION NAVIGATOR AND F-150,SAME SWITCH ON 97-02 FORD EXPLORER.
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT TRANSMISSION WENT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. WHILE SHE WAS AT HER DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE AND THE CAR JUMPED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. SHE HAD SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ANYTHING FROM FORD ABOUT ANY TYPE OF PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PRINTED OUT A TSB FOR HER, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS; TRANSMISSION: 03-25-4 DATED 12-22-03, AND GEAR SELECTOR:04-22-12 DATED 11-15-04. THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED.*AK
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A CLUNKING NOISE WHICH THE DEALER REPORTED ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVESHAFT. SOME OF THE DRIVE SHAFT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE MISSING AND SOME WERE LOOSE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE MOUTNING BOLTS. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THE DRIVESHAFT HAVING MISSING BOLTS. *AK *TT THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ORIGINAL BOLTS THAT HAD COME LOOSE. THE CONSUMER ALSO FELT THAT FORD SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS. *SC *JB
I NOTICED SOME VIBRATION/SHUTTERING WHEN ACCELERATING IN THE REAR END OF MY 2002 EXPLORER IN APRIL, 2005. THE LOCAL DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS NEEDING TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH PACK FOR THE REAR AXLE (WHICH THEY SAID WOULD CAUSE SHUTTERING WHEN TURNING) AND TO REPLACE THE TIRES. I PUT NEW TIRES ON THE REAR WHICH DID NOTHING FOR THE SHUTTERING AND IN ADDITION I COULD NOW HEAR A LOUD HUMMING UPON DECELARATION FROM SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH APPROXIMATELY. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. RECHECKED IT AND TOLD ME IN ADDITION TO THE CLUTCH PACK, I ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE RING AND PINION AT A TOTAL COST OF OVER $1,500.00. THE ODOMETER READING ON THE INITIAL SERVICE DATE WAS 43893 MILES (WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36000). I SUBSEQUENTLY HAD A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP LOOK AT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AS I DON'T WANT TO HAVE MY WIFE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT IS A POTENTIAL DANGER, BUT I DON'T WANT TO UNNECESSARILY SPEND $1500.00.
LOUD THUMPING NOISES COMING FROM FRONT END OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER. FORD SAYS THEY ARE NORMAL. IT DIDN'T DO THIS WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. ALSO THERE IS A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. REAR END HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCED. PROBLEM DISAPPEARED FOR ABOUT 10K MILES AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AS WE HAVE THREE NEWBORN BABIES.
WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. HAVING NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. MANY OTHER THINGS HAVE FAILED TOO. THREE WEEKS PRIOR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HANDS WHEN I SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. HAVE CHANGED RIGHT REAR BEARING WHICH "BLEW OUT". THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE QUIT WHILE THE TRUCK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN I FIRST GOT THE TRUCK AND COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION WORKED HE GAVE ME A PRINTOUT FROM FORD STATING THE TRANSMISSION WAS PROGRAMMED TO ADJUST TO THE DRVERS STYLE OF DRIVING.
2002 FORD EXPLORER SAFETY BAR TO THE TAIL GATE CRACKED. *MR THE SAFETY BAR CRACKED AND CAUSED THE BACK WINDOW TO FLEX. THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM MAY OCCUR ON HIS 2003 MODEL AS WELL. *SC *JB
REAR END NOISE (GRINDING) IN OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER DURING DE-ACCELERATION. FIRST TIME TO DEALER 8/25/03 MILEAGE 30,901, NOTHING DONE, 2ND TIME TO DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM 11/03/03, MILEAGE 36,930 COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO AWAY, CAME BACK AROUND 75,000 MILES. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND COMPLETE REAR END WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $2600.00. NOT SURE WHY IT WAS NOT DETECTED WITH THE FIRST TIME TO THE DEALER?
THERE IS A WHINING NOISE IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I OCCURS BETWEEN 40-65 MPH. IT QUITS WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS. I AM WORRIED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL (THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE) WILL SOON LOCKUP WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES. I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT SUPERIOR FORD IN PLYMOUTH, MINNEASOTA IN MAY OF 2005. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE BEING REPLACED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE PADS ON THE PARKING BRAKES HAD "FALLEN APART". THE ADHESIVE HAD FAILED AND THE ASPHAULT PADS HAD FALLEN OFF THE METAL BACKING AND WERE LOOSE IN THE DRUM. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I HAD RARELY USED THE PARKING BRAKE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS FREQUENTLY HAPPENED ON EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE BRAKES HAVEN'T BEEN USED MUCH. IT CONCERNS ME THAT A SAFETY FEATURE LIKE AN EMERGENCY BRAKE COULD FAIL AFTER THREE YEARS WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT USE. I WOULD HAVE HAD NO IDEA THAT THE PADS HAD FALLEN OFF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IF I HADN'T BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR BRAKE SERVICE. THE MECHANICS AND FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE DIDN'T SEEM TO BOTHERED BY THIS. THE SUPERVISOR TOLD ME THAT PARTS ARE ONLY MADE TO LAST 36,000 MILES (THE WARRANTY PERIOD). THE FORD PEOPLE SAID THAT THEY DON'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR BRAKES AFTER 12,000 MILES.
TRANSMISSION FAILED. HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONLY 50,300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THIS IS THE 5TH FORD EXPLORER HE'S HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS MONTH ALONE. HE SAID THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE EXPLORERS ARE FAILING BETWEEN 50K AND 60K MILES.
4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT ENGAGE. HAS BEEN USED ONE OTHER TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2002
DT: TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE, AND THERE IS NO NEUTRAL. THERE IS ONLY 57,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND CHECKUPS. TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING CLANKING NOISE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE SINCE 2002. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND IT WAS CHECKED. DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE, AND IT STARTED JUMPING. THEN IT WENT AND STOPPED IN REVERSE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK AND T SWITCHED TO REVERSE. THERE WAS NO REVERSE. IT WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL, AND IT WENT FORWARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO DRIVE, IT WOULD GO FORWARD.*AK
2002 FORD EXPLORER GEAR SHIFT FELL INTO THE CONSUMER'S LAP WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. *MR *SC *JB
DT: CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. *AK
2002 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE 4WD, THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE IS GIVING OFF A ROTTEN EGG SMELL. *MR THERE WERE FRONT END PROBLEMS. THE 4WD MODULE WASN'T WORKING. THE DRIVESHAFT AND BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT. THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON TWO OCCASIONS AND POSSIBLY A THIRD TIME. A LARGE PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS NOISY. THE ACCELERATION PEDAL WOULD PULL BACK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATED, IT WOULD WHINE. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS GONE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AXLE, BRAKES AND THE TIRE WAS BARELY HOLDING ON. THE ERROR CODE FOR THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE SOLENOID WHICH HAD BEEN CHANGED BEFORE. THE A/C WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB
PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE MICHELIN TIRES ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR ON TWO OCCASIONS, NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE GOING SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH. THE BRAKES FELT HEAVY AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. ON ONE OCCASION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE TIRE TREADS AND WIRE WERE SEPARATED AS IF THEY WERE CUT. RECALL CAMPAIGN #01V171000. *SC *JB
2002 FORD EXPLORER CONCERNS REGARDING CRUISE CONTROL FIRES. *MR *SC *JB
DT: THE COMPLAINED STARTED IN 10/04. RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. CALLED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES TO CHECK ON THE PARTS. THE LIFTGATE BUSTED ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO NOT HAVING THE PARTS INSTALLED. DEALER DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS ON 12-30-2004. DECEMBER 31, 2004 CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER WOULDN'T GET THE CONSUMER A RENTAL CAR .SO THEY STAPLED PLASTIC OVER THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO FORD ASKING FOR A RENTAL CAR. THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ONE TO CONSUMER. THE GLASS WAS REPLACED IN MARCH, BUT STILL WAS NOT FIXED CORRECTLY. A LIGHT APPEARED INDICATING A DOOR WAS AJAR, AND IT WAS ALWAYS THE LIFTGATE. AND COULDN'T OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE DEALER TO HELP FIX THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY BECAUSE IT COST THE DEALER TOO MUCH TO FIX THE VEHICLE THE FIRST TIME.*AK
LOUD WHINING NOISE IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL .. THE BEARINGS ARE BAD AND THE SEALS ARE LEAKING
I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE SIDE WHILE DRIVING AND WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS GOING BAD AND HAD ALMOST A.5 INCH OF PLAY. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. WE CALLED OUR FORD DEALER TO ARRANGE TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE TIRE COULD COME OFF AND AND THAT THEY KEEP THREE OF THE REPLACEMENT PART IN STOCK BECAUSE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND CALLED AROUND TO OTHER DEALERS TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND EVERY DEALER KNEW EXACTLY WHICH WHEEL WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM BEFORE MY HUSBAND EVEN TOLD THEM. THEY SAID IT COULD DEFINITELY COME OFF AND THAT I SHOULDN'T DRIVE OVER 20 -25 MPH ON IT. WE ARE HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED TODAY.
GAS GUAGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY AND THE DIGITAL READOUT WILL SAY THAT THERE ARE 0 MILES TO EMPTY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A QUARTER OF A TANK LEFT. IF I WAIT A LITTLE NIT IT WILL SLOWLY GO BACK UP TO WHERE IT BELONGS. I CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW NOTHING OF THIS DEFAULT AND DON;T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.
VEHICLE HAS 78,000 MILES, REAR AXLE HALF SHAFT SEAL LEAKS AT DIFFERENTIAL AND THERE IS A LOUD "WHINE' OR "HUM" WHILE ACCELERATING, NOISE STOPS WHEN YOU LET OFF GAS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTERS DEFECT.
DRIVER NOTICED WHILE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION FORWARD OR BACKWARD THE GEARS ARE HARD AND A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN REVERSE GEAR UNLESS IT WAS PULLED FIRMLY TOWARDS THE DRIVER. *BF *NM
TRANSMISSION AND REAR-END. SEALED TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP AT 29,000 MILES. SINCE THEN TRANSMISSION HAS A WHIRR AND THEN A CLUNK WHILE DECELERATING BACK INTO FIRST GEAR. WHINING NOISE FROM REAR-END SINCE 12,000 MILES. FORD REPLACED FAULTY REAR-END SEAL 6 MONTHS AGO, WHINING STILL THERE. I FEEL THAT FORD IS STRINGING ME ALONG UNTIL WARRANTY EXPIRES. FORD KNOWS THERE ARE PROBLEMS BUT WONT FIX UNTIL PART FAILS COMPLETELY.
APRIL 04, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING 3 TIMES (3 BLINKS EACH TIME) AND THEN WOULD REMAIN ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP HERE AT FREEPORT JET WASH WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE WARRANTY WAS FINISHING IN JUNE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN THEY HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER THEN SIMPLY SAID WE HAVE RESETTED THE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE CAR AND IF THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON TO BRING IT BACK!~~~ WELL, DIDN'T LAST TOO LONG AND IT CAME BACK ON BUT THIS IS A COUPLE WEEKS LATER AND NOW THEY TELL ME MY WARRANTY IS UP BUT I TOLD THEM THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED - LONG STORY SHORT THEY CHANGED IT AT NO COST TO ME AND SAID FORD APPROVED IT TO BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT, THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE AIRBAG CAME ON AGAIN A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WHEN THEY HOOKED IT UP AGAIN THEY SAID IT WAS THE SAME CODE AND RESET THE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE CAR AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IF IT TURNS ON...WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED...IT CAME BACK ON...SO THEY SAID THEY WILL CHANGE IT AGAIN BUT THIS TIME NOT ONLY DID IT TAKE 4 MONTHS TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM (ONLY BECAUSE I FINALLY GOT TIRED OF WAITING AND CALLED THEM BACK) ABOUT THE PART BUT NOW THEY TELL ME THAT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE GUY WHO DID IT SHOULDN'T OF (HE IS NO LONGER WITH THE DEALERSHIP) AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE 3RD PRETENSIONER TO BE PUT IN MY CAR AFTER I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED A YEAR AND A HALF!
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS GETTING THE DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM RECALL LIFTGATE REPAIRS ON VEHICLE.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL WORK BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED THERE. *NM
THERE IS A LOUD DRONING SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND VIBRATIONS IN THE FLOORBOARDS.
CAR WAS PARKED. WHEN MY WIFE WAS WALKING TO THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED A LARGE CRACK DOWN THE BACK DOOR (HATCH AREA) OF VEHICLE WHICH IS DIRECTLY BELOW THE GLASS. TAKE NOTE THAT IF THIS PANEL FALLS OFF (AND COULD WITH THE CRACK), IT COULD FALL ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING HARM OR TRAGEDY. IF THE PANEL ALSO FALLS OFF, THE GLASS IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED WHICH ALSO CAN RESULT IN IT FALLING OFF ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR ONTO THE HIGHWAY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE VEHICLE ACCELARATED AND CRASHED THROUGH WALL OF A DOCTORS OFFICE. VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK AND FRONT END WAS INSIDE BUILDING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. FOUND THROTTLE BODY STICKING WHICH MADE GAS PEDAL STICK CAUSING ENGINE TO ACCELARATE OUT OF CONTROL. DEALER FILED CLAIM WITH FORD. STILL WAITING FOR FORD TO RESPOND.
NHTSA RECALL ID 01I010000 FORD EXPLORER 2002 LIFTGATE DEAR SIR/MADAM, I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP (JOE MYERS FORD IN HOUSTON, TEXAS) AS WELL AS FORD AS LESS THAN HELPFUL IN GETTING THIS RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. I AM BEING TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE THERE FOR AN ENTIRE DAY, YET I DO NOT HAVE ANY RIGHT TO A LOANER CAR. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE VEHICLE ON A SATURDAY ALTHOUGH THEY ARE OPEN UNTIL 3 PM. I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING A RENTAL CAR OR HAVING TO TAKE A VACATION DAY SO THAT FORD CAN REPAIR A DEFECT THAT IS DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING. RGDS, CHRIS ROM
THE TRANSIMIISON BEGAN TO SLIP AAT 30 MPH, 37, 000 MILES. ON 10/02/03- WAS SERVICED, BUT PROBLEM RETURNED FROM TIME TO TIME. IN 2005 PROBLEM WORSENED AT 48, 000 MILES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION SERVICE. $DEALER REPORTED NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED @ COST OF 3,222. THE REPAIR WAS DONE ON 4/22/05.*AK
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.6L V8. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH 3 SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEADS. EACH TIME ITS A DIFFERENT CYLINDER. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS DENIED OUR CLAIM TO REPAIR THE STRIPPED OUT THREADS IN THE CYLINDERS, WITH A 75,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY.
2002 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BAD ROTORS. *MR THE BRAKES MADE A POPPING NOISE. THE ABS HAD COME ON AND GONE OFF. *SC
BOUGHT THE CAR IN JULY 2004 AT AROUND 50,000 MILES. HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF THE TRUCK. CURRENTLY, THE NOISE HAS PROCEEDED TO THE FRONT. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANYTHING BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A RECALL ON THIS TRUCK. *AK
1.TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING, BANGING IN REVERSE, PROBLEMS GETTING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. . VEHICLE BECAME UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF 2ND, TRANS LIGHT AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON AND FLICKERING. . TAKEN TO MILLER FORD, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING NO 3RD GEAR AT ALL, BOTH BANDS, SERVOS AND SOLENOID NEED REPLACE. 4.SPENT 2 DAYS IN SERVICE, RENTED A VEHICLE AT A COST OF $50. WORK WAS COMPLETED AT A COST OF $1523.28. *AK
1. REAR END HOWLING NOISE (3/18/2005) - HEAR NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 40 AND 65 MPH. WHEN LETTING OFF OF ACCELERATOR, NOISE GOES AWAY, COMES BACK AGAIN WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED AGAIN. DEALER SERVICE DEPT REPLACED REAR CARRIER BEARINGS, CUP, SEALS, AND SPACER IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL. NOISE NOW OCCURS BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH. WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT ON 4/11/2005. WAS INFORMED 4/20/2005 THAT REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS ADJUSTED WITH NEW SPACER, BUT NOISE IS STILL THERE. SERVICE MANAGER HAS ANOTHER FORD EXPLORER ON LOT AND TEST DROVE IT. THIS EXPLORER HAS SAME NOISE BETWEEN 40 AND 65 MPH. ONE OF THE TECHS (WHO USED TO WORK AT A FORD DEALERSHIP) TOLD SERVICE MANAGER THAT ALOT OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM. FORD HAS NO SOLUTION OR CURE. 2. NOISE IN TIMING CHAIN AREA. FORD HAS A TSB ON THIS. I CAN HEAR THIS RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THIS AREA AND TOLD DEALERSHIP TO LOOK INTO IT. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE, ALTHOUGH WHEN TEST DRIVING IT WITH ASSIST. SERVICE MANAGER, I COULD STILL HEAR THE NOISE, BUT HE COULD NOT. I HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC CHECK THIS OUT, AND THEY CAN HEAR THE NOISE THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED. 3. VIBRATION COMING FROM FRONT END ON INTERSTATE THAT STARTS AT AROUND 70+ MPH. WHEN CLIMBING A STEEP HILL ON INTERSTATE AND TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS, CAN FEEL A GRINDING NOISE IN POWERTRAIN. DEALER BELIEVES THAT THE FLUID IN THE TRANSFER CASE MIGHT NEED TO BE CHANGED,CAUSING CLUTCHES INSIDE TO STICK. W
CONCERNING 2002, FORD, EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER: WE WERE DRIVING ON 09/19/2004 WHEN A CAR DROVE UP NEXT TO US AND DRIVER STATED THAT REAR BRAKES WERE SMOKING. NO BRAKES WERE ON. WE PULLED OVER, AND SAW THAT THEY WERE SMOKING AND SMELLED BADLY. CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANT TO TOW US TO LANDMARK FORD, IN TIGARD, OREGON. UPON INSPECTION ON 09/20/04, PARTS WERE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER ON OCTOBER 3,2004, WE WERE AGAIN DRIVING AND WHEN WE GOT HOME, AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR LEFT BRAKES WERE SMOKING AND SMELLED BADLY. WE CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ,AND HAD THE CAR TOWED AGAIN TO LANDMARK FORD. UPON INSPECTION ON 10/4/04 WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS. WE SPOKE WITH SERVICE MANAGER LARRY BAKER CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. HE ASKED US TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO CALL AND BRING THE CAR DOWN. ON FRIDAY APRIL 15,2005 WE WERE DRIVING WITH OUR TWO NIECES WHEN WE NOTICED THE LEFT REAR BRAKES STARTED SMOKING AND SMELLING BADLY. WE WERE CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOME AND MADE IT. THE ENTIRE WHEEL ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH, THE RUBBER ON THE TIRE WAS ALSO VERY HOT. WE CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AGAIN TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED DOWN TO LANDMARK FORD. WE RECEIVED A CALL ON TUESDAY 04/19,2005 FROM SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. WE WERE ASKED AGAIN TO PICK UP THE CAR, AND CALL IF ANY PROBLEMS AROSE. THREE TIMES THE SAME EXACT THING HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. SMOKING AND SMELLING
I TOOK MY 2002 EXPLORER IN FOR RECALL ON REAR DOOR. THEY TOLD ME THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 44,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS THE TOW PACKAGE ALTHOUGH NOTHING WAS EVER TOWED. THE SPRINGS THAT BROKE ARE AT THE VERY TOP AND HARD TO FIND. MECHANIC WOULD HAVE HAD TO KNOW TO LOOK THERE TO FIND IT. THIS LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE. WOULDN'T MOVE IN DRIVE BUT IN SECOND GEAR. ENDED UP REPLACING WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. 4 MONTHS LATER REAR END WENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILEAGE AT TIME OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS 100,000 MILES, AND REAR END FAILURE 114,000. *AK
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2002 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →