Page 56 of 66 · complaints 2,751–2,800 of 3,295

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 →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 2, 200437,091 milesWI

VEHICLE WAS RUNNING LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Dec 1, 200416,824 milesFL

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V442000 CONCERNING REAR LIFTGATE GLASS. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK.....*AK

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Nov 28, 200430,000 milesNJ

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR DIFFERENTIAL NOISY AND LEAKING. I HAVE HAD MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES IN 2 YEARS FOR NOISY (ROARING) REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT SPEEDS OF 55-65MPH IT ONLY MAKES THE NOISE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED. COASTING NO NOISE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ALSO LEAKING OIL. INION SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, GEARS. HE NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER EACH REPAIR BUT COMES BACK AFTER 5-10K MILES. CURRENTLY HAVE 108K000 MILES. I SEE VIA INTERNET SEARCHES FORD IS HAVING LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL 2002-2004 FOR THE SAME EXPACT PROBLEM.*AK

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Nov 25, 200448,000 milesNY

MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTER HARD A FEW TIMES ( LOUD "CLUNK") FOR SOME TIME NOW. I THEN LOST 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I AM UNABLE TO SELECT HIGH FOUR OR EVEN LOW. THE LOW BUTTON NO LONGER ELUMINATES AND SHIFTS TO LOW. I DISCOVERED I LOST 4X4 MODE WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP IN THE RAIN AND MY REAR WHEELS SPUN WILDLY. I AM OUT OF WARRANTY..WHAT DO I DO. FORD DEFINATELY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE ABOUT 48.000 MILES ON VEHICLE. IT WAS PURCHASED USED 3 MONTHS AGO.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 25, 200446,000 milesMI

COMPLETE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WITHOUT ANY WARNING AT LOW MILEAGE.*AK

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Nov 25, 200437,000 milesFL

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER (EDDIE BAUER). AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-70 THERE IS SIGNIFICANT NOISE (ROARING) FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS, THE NOISE GOES AWAY. CURRENTLY HAVE 60K MILES, BUT NOISE STARTED SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF WARRANTY (36K). THINKING THAT IT MIGHT BE THE TIRES, I REPLACED ALL AT 40K. TIRES MADE NO DIFFERENCE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE RING AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. TO INCUR THIS COST GIVEN THE MILAGE IS REDICULOUS.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 24, 200471,156 milesNY

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, TIMING CHAIN GUIDE FAILURE (4.0L PREVIOUS FORD RECALL) FORD REPLACED TRANS. NOW THAT TRANS IS FAILING. REPLACED TIMING CHAIN AND GEAR SET. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Differential Proportional Valve
Filed Nov 23, 200440,000 milesGA

WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED THE REAR LEFT AXLE STARTED SMOKING AND BECAME RED HOT. THE PAINT ALSO PEELED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED THAT THE REAR LEFT BRAKE HAD LOCKED UP. THE BRAKE WAS REPLACED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEAL WAS LEAKING ALSO. THE SEAL AND FLUID WAS REPLACED. SINCE THE BRAKE FAILURE THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE IN THE REAR AXLE AT SPEEDS OFF 50-55 MPH. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Nov 23, 200440,000 milesGA

I HAVE HAD THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS AND HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES. WE BEGAN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ABOUT 4 MONTHS. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS A WHINE IN THE REAR END THAT STARTED AT 20MPH AND GOT LOUDER UNTIL ABOUT 60MPH. NEXT THE SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS STARTED TO GET ROUGH AND THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER THEY SAID THE FOLLOWING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED: THE SOLENOID AND RELATED PARTS (TO FIX THE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS) AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL (TO FIX THE WHINING NOISE). TOTAL COST IS ABOUT $2,750. I EXPECT A TRANSMISSION TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 23, 2004VA

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 23, 200435,000 milesTX

MY 2002 EXPLORER HAS BEEN THROUGH TWO TRANSMISSION OVERHAULS IN ONLY 53,000 MI. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL WAS PERFORMED AT 35,000MI BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER! I WAS GIVEN AN EXTRA 12,000MI WARRANTY ON THAT TRANSMISSION. WELL IT LASTED 12,000MI BUT AT 50,000MI THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN!!! FORD INSISTS THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WANTS TO CHARGE ME $3000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AGAIN! I OPTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. I PAID THEM $2000 TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION YET AGAIN. APPARENTLY, ON THIS MODEL YEAR THE CASINGS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT HE HAS ALREADY SEEN 4 OF THESE EXPLORERS ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DONE ON THE 2002 EXPLORERS ALONG WITH THE 2004. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 22, 200429,000 milesPA

THERE WOULD BE A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ABS WHEN IN USE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 21, 200430,000 milesCT

CONSTANT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE OF CAR FROM FORD DEALER W/29,000 MILES ON IT. ROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHUTTERING, BANGING IN GEAR, BANGING INTO REVERSE(ALWAYS) AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES THE BANGING INTO GEAR FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS HIT YOU FROM BEHIND. CAR ALWAYS BANGS INTO REVERSE. SERVICE TO AUTOMATIC AS RECOMMENDED BY FORD MANUAL AND FORD DEALER: WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED, WE HAD THE TRANS. COMPUTER RESET TWICE, AND WE HAD TO FIX THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE THAT BROKE AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES. SINCE NONE OF THESE SERVICES FIXED THE TRANSMISSION, THE FORD DEALER RECOMMENDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT $3000. WHICH IS RIDICULOUS WHEN THE CAR IS SO NEW AND SO EXPENSIVE.*AK THE CARS TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY, AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS THE 2004 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION HAVE. THE INVESTIGATION IN THE EXPOLORER'S BAD TRANSMISSIONS GOES BACK BEYOND THE 2004 MODELS, BECAUSE OURS IS A 2002 AND HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY.

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Nov 16, 2004MO

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH THE SPORT BUCKET SEATS. THESE SEATS HAVE NO HEAD RESTS AND OFFER NO PROTECTION TO THE BACK OF MY HEAD. A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE FORD OFFERED A 2002 AND 1/2 THAT HAS HEAD RESTS IN THE BUCKET SEATS. FORD WOULD NOT SWITCH SEATS TO INSURE MY SAFETY AGAINST WHIPLASH.I FEEL THE SPORT BUCKET SEATS I HAVE ARE NOT SAFE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED.*AK

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Nov 15, 200487,000 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING 30 TO 40 MPH A CRUNCHING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE DEALER STATED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THIS IS THE SECOND FRONT WHEEL BARING FAILURE. *TC

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock
Filed Nov 15, 2004HI

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THIS YEAR. I HAD NOT OWNED IT FOR VERY LONG WHEN IN AUGUST 2004 THE LIFTGATE MALFUNFUNCTIONED. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT INJURED. I REPORTED THE MALFUCNTION BOTH TO NHTSA AND TO FORD. FORD STILL HAS NOT REDESIGNED THE PARTS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THE UPPER LIFTGATE OF MY VEHICLE IS NOW CRACKED IN TWO. THE DELAY IN REDESIGNING THE PARTS AND ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE HAS EXACERBATED THE STRESS THE LIFTGATE OF MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER AND ALLOWED THE UPPER LIFTGATE TO CRACK IN TWO. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT YES THERE IS A RECALL ON SPECIFIC PARTS BUT EXPRESSED THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CRACKED LIFTGATE. I AM FURIOUS AT THIS SIDE STEPPING OF THE ISSUE BY FORD. I AM AN ATTORNEY AND WILL SEEK ALL LEGAL RECOURSE AVAILABLE TO ME REGARDING THIS.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Nov 15, 2004TN

WINDOW MAY DROP UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN VEHICLE IS OPERATING. DEALER REFUSES SERVICE.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 15, 200434,900 milesMD

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER V-8 EDDIE BAUER EDITION. IT'S 2 WEEKS OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT HAS ABOUT 35000 MILES ON IT, SO IT'S UNDER THE 36000 MILEAGE. FORD WON'T COVER THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.*AK

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft
Filed Nov 14, 200436,000 milesNE

FRONT END OF MY 2002 EXPLORER MADE A "CLICKING" SOUND WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING. ON JUNE 16 2003, FORD INSPECTED AND FOUND BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT AXLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED THEM. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 THE SAME PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING, FORD AGAIN INSPECTED AND FOUND THE AXLES PUT ON THE VEHICLE IN JUNE WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. ONE YEAR LATER I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT AXLES. THERE HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF ISSUE WITH THIS PART. THE POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THIS PART WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. MY FAMILY RIDES IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. *JB

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Nov 12, 200430,000 milesLA

ABS LIGHT WAS ON. ALSO, BACK AXLE WAS REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. *AK THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. *TC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 10, 200432,000 milesVA

I HAVE OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR 27 MONTHS. DURING THAT TIME I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE AUTO TRANSMISSION DELAYING BEFORE ENGAGING INTO REVERSE AND NOT SMOOTHLY GOING INTO FORWARD GEARS WHEN TRAVELLING. THE DEALER HAS TUNED THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES AND NOW AT 109,000 HWY MILES I NEED A NEW TRANMISSION FOR $3,000 USD. THIS TRANMISSION HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT ANOTHER CAR WHEN REVERSE ENGAGED AFTER 3 SECONDS. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT IN EXCESS OF $500 ON THIS TRANSMISSION AND THE FIRST MAINTENANCE OCCURRED AT 32,000 MILES. IN ADDITION, THE AXLE SEALS CONTINUE TO LEAK AFTER BEING REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND PER MY DEALER SOURCES ARE A DESIGN FLAW. NHTSA NEEDS TO GET THIS PUBLIC BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED WITH THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND HAVE FORD CORRECT THEIR DESIGN FLAW ON THE AXLE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 9, 200480,000 milesRI

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, OVERDRIVE BAND CAUSED DAMAGE INSIDE TRANSMISSION. THEN HAIRLINE CRACKS WERE FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION CASING. FORD ENGINEERS TOLD THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALARSHIP THAT THEY HAVE SEEN CRACKS IN EXPLORER TRANSMISSION CASINGS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 4, 200459,120 milesCT

TRUCK WELL MAINTAINED AT 59,000 MILES TRUCK BROKE AN ENGINE ROD NEED NEW ENGINE, COST $4800.00, REPLACING ENGINE. I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS.*AK

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Nov 3, 200450,700 milesIN

WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *SC

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Nov 3, 200473,000 milesIN

VEHICLE STALLED AT LOW SPEED OF 5 MPH OR LESS WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED # 41 FUSE UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE PROBLEM RECURRED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 2, 200437,000 milesAL

WHILE DRIVING THE ODD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE MANUAL SHIFT TO GET IT TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Nov 2, 2004CA

MY CHILDREN AND I WENT TO THE BOWLING ALLEY AND MY SON WENT TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO GET HIS BOWLING BALL BAG AND WHEN HE WENT TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE IT SHIFTED TO THE LEFT AND EXPLODED AROUND HIM. I TOOK VEHICLE TO FRITTS FORD SATURDAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE GLUE HOLDING THE HINGE WAS STILL THERE AND THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE ON THE PANEL AND IT HAD BROKEN THE GLASS INSIDE THE PANEL WHERE WE COULD NOT SEE IT. THE DAMAGE HE "SAW" WAS 2 SUPERFICIAL SCRAPES ON THE PAINT, THERE WAS NOT ANY DENTS, CREASES OR BOWING OF ANY KIND TO THE PANEL. EVEN THOUGH I HAD DONE MY RESEARCH ON THIS SITE AND KNEW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STRUTS, I COULD TELL THAT THIS MAN WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ME AND I WOULD NOT GET IT REPAIRED THERE. I HAVE SINCE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO RACEWAY FORD AND AM WAITING FOR THE ADVISOR TO CALL ME BACK. AT RACEWAY THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A RECALL AND SEEM WILLING TO HELP ME. *AK

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Nov 1, 200427,560 milesPA

THE VEHICLE WENT INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS OWN. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 27, 20046,849 milesIN

WHILE SHIFTING INTO THIRD GEAR VEHICLE SLIPPED AND IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL. TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SHAFT SENSOR. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. *TC

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 26, 2004TX

WHILE TRAVELING AT 20-25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.*AK

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Oct 22, 2004NC

MY 2002 EXPLORER HAS A REAR END PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAVE 76,000 MILES ON IT, I HAVE PUT A WINDOW SWITCH IN IT ALREADY , WINDOW REGULATOR, 2 SPEED SENSORS, AND SOME KIND OF AN EMMISIONS PART. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS ALREADY.*AK

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Oct 21, 2004CA

I HAD 1 WHEEL STUD BREAK AND ORDERED A REPLACEMENT FROM DEALER. WHEEL STUDS ONLY COME IN PACKS OF 5. WHEEL STUD REPLACED AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER 2 MORE BROKE SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 21, 200441,000 milesOH

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE GEAR IN PARK, IT BECAME STUCK IN REVERSE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE DRIFTED BACKWARDS. NO IMPACT REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 20, 200431,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THIS HAS ACCURED 5 TIMES. FORD CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *EH

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 18, 2004OK

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Oct 14, 2004CO

GEAR SHIFT FELL OFF. *BF THE METAL PIECE ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. *JB

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Oct 12, 200478,342 milesWA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN COUNTY ROAD BRANCH, IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD (WHAT IT FEELS LIKE WHEN YOUR TIRE GOES FLAT) I TURNED ON LATERAL B SOUTH, THEN IT GOT WORSE, SO I STOPPED AND CHECKED ALL TIRES, THEY WERE ALL OKAY, THEN I START DRIVING 20 FEET FURTHER THEN I STOPPED AGAIN, MY OLDEST SON TOOK OF THE HUB AND DISCOVERED 3 OUT OF 5 BOLTS WITH LUG NUTS WERE BROKE OFF IN THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER HUB. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Oct 10, 2004NY

ON 7-26-04 REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE CHANGED ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 8,742 MILES. DEALER SAID THIS WAS DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY WHERE I LIVE. ROTORS WERE BADLY SCORED. *NM

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Oct 5, 200459,000 milesNE

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD A HOWLING SOUND IN THE REAR END WHICH WAS IDENTIFIED AS WORN OUT PINION BEARINGS. THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE REAR END BUT WERE ADVISED BY FORD NOT TO REPLACE IT WITH THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PART NUMBER. IN FACT WE WERE CONSIDERING A USED PART AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE REAR END WITH A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PART NUMBER.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 27, 2004OH

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR UPPER WINDOW LOCKING AND UNLOCKING FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS FOUR CHILDREN AND WAS SCARE D SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO THE CHILDREN. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 24, 200427,500 milesFL

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN IT WAS OPENED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 23, 200434,000 milesMA

ABS WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON PERIODICALLY, THUS LOSING ABS. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, THE LIGHT WAS OFF, BUT MY ABS KICKED IN ON DRY PAVEMENT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. CAR ONLY HAD 38,000 MILES. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY SENSOR ON ONE OF THE TIRES...SINCE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS WAS AN ITEM WHICH TAKES "WEAR AND TEAR" , FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE PAYMENT AT ALL. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER, IF IT WAS AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION I DO NOT FEEL THAT I COULD HAVE STOPPED IN TIME. *JB

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 22, 200438,500 milesCA

THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW ASSEMBLY CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE FRAME. VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILE AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER. VEHICLE WAS 2000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash3 injured
Filed Sep 22, 200432,000 milesMI

AT A STOP LIGHT, IN SLOW MOVING, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES (SPEED AT THE TIME I APPLIED BRAKES WAS UNDER 5 MILES PER HOUR). THE THROTTLE WAS OBVIOUSLY ENGAGED, A LOUD WHINING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO GET IT TO STOP MOVING. THIS VEHICLE VIRTUALLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO THE FLOOR! I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WHO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. ALL THREE CARS WERE DAMAGED AND ALL THREE DRIVERS HAVE BEEN TREATED FOR INJURIES. THE EXPLORER IS IN THE DEALERSHIP NOW BEING REPAIRED. I AM CONCERNED THAT A MECHANIC MAY NOT KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THIS TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 22, 2004NJ

WE OWN A FORD EXPLORER IN MY WIFE'S NAME DIANA GIRALDO. ON SUNDAY 9/19/2004 SHE OPENED THE BACK LIFTGATE AND THE HINGE BROKE AND THE TOP HALF (GLASS ) OF THE LIFTGATE ALMOST CAME DOWN ON HER. THE SUV WAS BROUGHT BACK TO FULLERTON FORD IN SOMERVILLE NJ WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. THEY CHARGED US FOR REPAIRS AND THE PART ALSO FOR A LOANER CAR WHILE THEY WERE REPAIRING IT. IT TURNS OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS WHICH I FOUND ON YOUR WEB SITE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY SAID THE RECALL LETTERS HAVEN'T WENT OUT YET SO WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY. THEY ONLY REPLACED THE HINGE AND NOT THE LIFTGATE STRUTS WHICH WAS THE PARTS IN THE RECALL ALSO. RECALL NUMBER 04V442000 ON YOUR SITE , FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S20 *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Sep 22, 2004IN

I OPENED THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE LEFT SHOCK CAME LOOSE. WENT TO A CAR DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT HAS COME UNDONE TWICE SINCE THAT TIME. EEDS TO BE ON A RECALL.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Sep 22, 200463,000 milesFL

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. I CAN NOT PUT GAS ON IT BECAUSE IT OVERFLOWS RAPIDLY AND THROWS THE GAS OUT OF THE TANK. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TANK BREADER AND IT WOULD COST AROUND $ 600.00 TO FIX IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE GAS COMES RIGHT BACK AT YOU AND CAN CAUSE A MAJOR FIRE. FORD SHOULD VOLUNTARY FIX THIS DEFECTIVE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE.*AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Sep 21, 200454,000 milesWA

WHILE OPENING MY REAR HATCH WINDOW OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, THE DRIVER-SIDE HINGE (STRUT.PCO) WHICH LIFTS THE WINDOW CAME OFF, DECOMPRESSING HARD ENOUGH TO COMPLETELY SHATTER THE WINDOW ABOVE ME. I HAD SEVERAL CUTS TO MY NECK, ARMS AND HEAD BUT NOTHING LIFE THREATENING. I WENT TO FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF SUCH A PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE I AM BEYOND THE 36K FACTORY WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT DO THE REPAIRS FOR ME. I ASKED ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I PAID $2000 FOR AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS. I HAD TO PAY MY $500 INSURANCE DEDUCTABLE TO COVER THE REPAIRS AT MY LOSS. SINCE JUNE, I HAVE SEARCHED ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND FIND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WHICH NOT ONLY HAD THE SAME OUTCOME, BUT THE SAME SORT OF FREAK ACCIDENT. WHY DOES FORD NOT VALUE SAFETY? IF MY 2 YEAR OLD CHILD WERE STANDING NEXT TO ME AS HE ALWAYS DOES, HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Sep 17, 200423,000 milesCT

FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED AT 23,000(FRONT) AND 37,000(REAR) MILES . *AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Sep 16, 200447,000 milesWY

THE RIGHT SIDE PISTON ASSEMBLY ON THE REAR TAILGATE FAILED. AS I WAS GOING TO CLOSE THE TAILGATE, THE WHOLE WINDOW SHATTERED ON TOP OF ME, RESULTING IN GLASS IN MY FACE AND THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEEN THAT THERE IS A "SAFETY CAMPAIGN" CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HAVE GOTTEN NO RESPONSE. *JB

Reading these

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.

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