Page 59 of 66 · complaints 2,901–2,950 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 →

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Apr 14, 2004CA

CONSUMER STATED THAT GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF, PREVENTING CONSUME R FROM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ALSO, ELECTRIC WINDOWS BROKE, ONE AT A TIME. *AK

Equipment
Filed Apr 13, 200436,000 milesCA

THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT BROKE. COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER. AIR CONDITIONER BROKE - AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH MAKE RUBBING NOISE WHEN ENGAGED.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Apr 9, 200434,500 milesFL

I WAS OPENING THE DOOR TO GET MY DAUGHTERS DIAPER BAG AND HINGE BROKE. MY HUSBAND WAS TRYING TO PUT IT BACK AND THE GLASS SHATTERED IN HIS HANDS. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE STANDING NEXT TO THE VEHICLE AS THE GLASS SHATTERED. THIS COULD HAVE TAKEN MY ENTIRE FAMILIES EYE SIGHT. THE GLASS LITERALLY EXPLODED. THIS ISSUE IS DEFINITELY UNSAFE!!! ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE YOUNG CHILDREN AROUND. AND MOTHERS ARE OPENING UP THE HATCH TO GET OUT A DIAPER BAG WITH A CHILD IN HAND. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS HATCH. WE TOOK IT TO FORD. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY SAFETY RECALL.*AK PE04045_PCO

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls1 injured
Filed Apr 9, 2004FL

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THIS OCCURRED A PIECE OF GLASS HIT THE CONSUMER. PASSENGER SIDE WAS UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CAUSE OF THE WIDOW EXPLODING WAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.*AK

Suspension › Rear
Filed Apr 8, 2004WV

WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED IN THE REAR. ALSO, CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Apr 5, 200448,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING, THE GAS GAUGE WOULD READ WRONG. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE CONSUMER TO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE. *JB

Steering
Filed Mar 30, 200460,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 2004MD

PAINT ON HOOD AND ROOF BUBBLING AND CRACKING. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 2004MD

PAINT ON HOOD AND ROOF OF SUV BUBBLING AND CRACKING. PURCHASED SUV ONLY TWO YEARS AGO ON 4/11/01. IT IS A 2002 AND IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AND THE PAINT IS CRACKING AND BUBBLING TERRIBLY ON THE HOOD AND STARTING TO CRACK AND BUBBLE ON THE ROOF AS WELL. TOOK TO DEALER, CROUSE FORD, HAMPSTEAD, MD AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY BIRDS! PLEASE TELL ME THAT'S A JOKE! (: IF BIRDS ARE GOING TO SCRATCH THE PAINT THAT BADLY THEN THAT STILL INDICATES THAT IT IS A FAULTY PAINT JOB. I ALSO HAD THE TRUCK IN FOR BODY (FENDER) WORK . THE BODY SHOP (SHOWCASE) ALSO BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THE CRACKING AND BUBBLING OF THE PAINT. THEY ALSO CONTACTED CROUSE, AND AGAIN CROUSE NEVER RESPONDED. SHOWCASE (THE BODY SHOP) HAD TO CALL A FEW TIMES BEFORE THEY RECEIVED A RESPONSE, AND NOTHING WAS RESOLVED. I THINK THAT CROUSE SHOULD COVER THIS EXPENSE BEING THAT THE TRUCK IS ONLY A 2002. I ALSO HAVE GIVEN CROUSE, HAMPSTEAD MUCH BUSINESS GETTING MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT LEAST 6-8 TIMES. THE PAINT ON MY ONE YEAR OLD SUV SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING OR BUBBLING! *JB

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Mar 20, 2004TX

REAR HATCH LIFT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER GLASS SHATTERED WHEN I CLOSED IT AFTER PLACING A DIAPER BAG IN THE BACK I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TEXAS FORD TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL I WAS TOLD NONE. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE MY GLASS BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THAT I SHOULD FILE ON MY INSURANCE. *JB PE04045.PCO

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 17, 200423,845 milesMN

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE THROTTLE PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP TO 65 MPH. THE DRIVER TAPPED ON THE THROTTLE PEDAL UNTIL IT RELEASED AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE DEALER MECHANIC COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL FURTHER ASSESS THE PROBLEM BY TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM *JB

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Mar 17, 200418,000 milesPA

THE CONSUMER LEANED OVER INTO THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE AND FELL ON TOP OF THE CONSUMER'S HEAD. THE HINGE WAS REPLACED, BUT IN THE PROCESS, THE "FLIP OPEN" REAR WINDOW SHATTERED, SUBSEQUENTLY THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW ALONG WITH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HINGES WERE REPLACED. (PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WOULD OPEN WITHOUT ONE OPENING THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE) *AK *SC PE04045_PCO

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 17, 200430,000 milesWI

I WAS GETTING ONTO I90, FLOORED THE ACCELERATOR TO CATCH UP TO SPEED. THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK IN THAT POSITION, AND I COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP. I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, AND MY TRUCK WAS STILL DOING 80 MPH. I COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP. I FINALLY PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE, AND FINALLY GOT MY VEHICLE TO STOP. WHILE I WAS IN THE STOPPED POSITION, MY SPEEDOMETER STILL WAS READING 80. FINALLY IT QUIT ON ITS OWN. I DEFINITELY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ANYMORE. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 16, 2004PA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN IT ENGAGED FROM PARK TO REVERSE , AND VEHICLE WON'T MOVE. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLESEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments2 injured
Filed Mar 14, 200436,250 milesNY

WHILE STANDING UNDER THE RAISED LIFTGATE (TOP HALF) LOADING GROCERIES, THE GLASS SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY SHATTERED CAUSING MY WIFE AND I TO BE SHOWERED BY SHARDS OF GLASS AND THEN HIT ON OUR HEADS AND BACKS WITH THE FALLING LIFTGATE ASSEMBLY. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED US HEAD, NECK AND BACK TRAUMA AND ALSO A SCRATCHED CORNEA TO MY WIFE'S LEFT EYE. FORD REFUSES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT.*AK PE04045.PCO

Power Train
Filed Mar 11, 200417,000 milesIL

TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING, MADE RATTLING NOISES AND HAD BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOOKED AS IF IT FELL APART AND MAY BE A RESULT OF AN ASSEMBLY LINE ERROR AND. THE MECHANIC ALSO FOUND THAT THE 4WD WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Mar 10, 2004CA

WHILE FILLING UP AT THE GAS STATION THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE FUEL TANK REGISTERED A FULL TANK, BUT 12 HOURS LATER, A FALSE READING OCCURRED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Mar 10, 200418,000 milesMI

GLASS LIFT HATCH OPENS WHILE DRIVING. *AK REAR DOOR LIFTGATE INTERMITTENTLY UNLATCHES AND UNLOCKS WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. DEALER MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO FIX PROBLEM. FORD WEREN'T ABLE TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *LA

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Mar 8, 2004CA

WENT TO WASH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND WHEN THE WATER HIT THE WINDSHIELD IT STARTED TO CRACK FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD TO ABOUT 3/4 THE WAY DOWN. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT A WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITH STAND THIS TYPE OF THING.*AK

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/RegulatorFire
Filed Mar 4, 200479,685 milesGA

ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Mar 4, 200415,000 milesPA

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 2, 2004FL

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IDLING AT A LIGHT. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE VALVE. UNFORTUNATELY WITHIN THREE DAY THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE WHILE SURGING IDLING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY RESOLVE THAT PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A WHINE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN ALL THESE PROBLEMS STARTED. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Feb 29, 200435,770 milesVT

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THE THROTTLE ON MY 02 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME. THE CAUSE WAS A PLASTIC SHEATHING BETWEEN THE THROTTLE CABLE AND THE EXTERIOR HOUSING OF THE CABLE. I BELIEVE THIS MATERIAL IS USED FOR LUBRICATION? THE MATERIAL APPEARED TO PULL OUT OF THE HOUSING AND BUNCHED UP INSIDE THE DRIVER FOOTWELL. WHEN MY FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE PEDAL, IT WOULD NOT RETURN FULLY TO IDLE BECAUSE THIS TAN MATERIAL BUNCHED UP AT THE BASE OF THE HOUSING WHERE THE CABLE COMES THROUGH THE FIREWALL. BY CUTTING THE EXCESS MATERIAL AWAY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE PEDAL TO RESPOND PROPERLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE UNDER WARRANTY.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 27, 200420,600 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. MICHELIN, SIZE P235/70R16. *AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Feb 26, 200436,594 milesMO

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A REAR HATCH BACK WINDOW PROBLEM. THERE WAS A CRACK AT THE BASE OF THE WINDOW APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES WIDE. *AK *SC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 26, 200435,000 milesMO

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED 4-WHEEL DRIVE CHANGED FROM HIGH TO LOW WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE TRANSMISSION MADE GRINDING NOISES WHEN IN REVERSE AND SLIPS WHEN PULLING OFF. *SC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 25, 200436,100 milesCA

VEHICLE STALLS AFTER DRIVING 20 MILES OR ABOVE ON FREEWAY. WHEN ON EXIT RAMP,ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND START ENGINE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATES WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT, WHILE FOOT IS ON BRAKE. THE ENGINE STALLS TO CHANGE INTO FASTER SPEED. *AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Feb 24, 200424,500 milesCA

IN AUGUST, 2003, THE VEHICLE BACK WINDOW HINGE BROKE WHILE LOADING GROCERIES, IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TAILGATE FRAME AND THE GLASS CRACKED. BOTH WERE REPLACED TAKING OVER 7 DAYS. THE SAME COMPONENT BROKE AGAIN IN JANUARY, 2004, CAUSING THE REAR GLASS TO CRASH ON MY WIFES HEAD. LUCKILY SHE ONLY HAD A MINOR BRUISE AND BUMP FROM THE IMPACT. I ASKED THE MANAGER OF MAINTENANCE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND HE SAID IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.*AK PE04045_PCO

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Feb 24, 200420,000 milesAL

WHILE ACCELERATING PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH AND IT MAKES A LOUD HISSING NOISE. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOUR TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 24, 200440,000 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON ICY ROAD CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. CONSUMER'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, REQUIRING SEVERAL STITCHES. POLICE ARRIVED, BUT NO ONE WAS CITED. *AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Feb 23, 2004PA

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH SUNROOF OPEN. WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE HATCHBACK AFTER LOADING SWIMMING EQUIPMENT, GLASS SHATTERED. *LA THIS OCCURRED TWICE, INCONVENIENCING THE CONSUMER'S DAILY ROUTINE. *PH PE04045.PCO

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 19, 2004NY

THE CONSUMER STATED THE GASOLINE FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED. *AK *SC

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Feb 19, 200442,100 milesRI

I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER 2002 XLS. WHILE OPENING MY REAR WINDOW DOOR THE LEFT HINGE (LATCH) BROKE AND THE WINDOW EXPLODED THROWING GLASS EVERYWHERE INCLUDING PASENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE VENDOR AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT ANYMORE RESPONSABILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. I COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SINCE IN THE INCIDENT THERE WHERE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND HAPPENED IN MY WORKPLACE PARKING LOT. PE04045_PCO

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 19, 2004GA

CONSUMER'S WIFE FELT THAT VEHICLE WAS VEERING TO HER RIGHT. DEALERSHIP FOUND OUT THAT PINION BOLT WAS MISSING.(NAR) *LA

Tires
Filed Feb 13, 2004OH

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED RIGHT REAR TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD,AND CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 13, 200432,000 milesFL

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 EXPLORER THAT FOR A YEAR STARTED WITH A SQUEAK NOISE COMING FROM THE CHASSIS SUPPORTS. EVERY TIME THAT I TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE TO THE DEALER I COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND IT WAS ALWAYS MENTIONED TO ME THAT THIS TYPE OF CAR DO NOT HAVE ANY LUB POINTS FOR THE CHASSIS SUPPORTS. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SQUEAK NOISE FROM WHERE IT WAS COMING. *AK THE SQUEAK NOISE STARTED TO BE SO BAD, THAT I WENT UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND FOUND BY MYSELF FROM WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING. THE CHASSIS SUPPORTS PARTS OF THE BACK WERE REPLACED. THE SAME SQUEAK NOISE STARTED TO HAPPEN ON THE FRONT END AND PARTS WERE CHANGED. WELL SURPRISE, I GOT MY CAR AFTER REPAIR AND AFTER CHECKING IT ONE MORE TIME BY ROCKING THE VEHICLE THERE STILL A SQUEAK NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AREA. IMAGINE THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS EXPLORER 2002 FLEET, I HAD A '98 EXPLORER THAT NEVER DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Feb 12, 2004NC

WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. WINDSHIELD WIPER STAYED IN THE UP POSITION WHILE IN OPERATION . CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Feb 9, 2004CA

CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE BECAUSE THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN HE OPENED THE REAR HATCH. WHEN HE CLOSED THE HATCHBACK THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE OF VIN, PER MANUFACTURER. *AK PE04045.PCO DOB IS 12/02_061704_PCO

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Feb 4, 200442,000 milesCA

UPON CLOSING THE HATCHBACK THE STRUT LOCKED UP AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. PIECES OF GLASS LANDED IN CONSUMER'S EYES. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED SINCE HE WORE GLASSES. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WHEN THIS OCCURRED.*AK PE04045.PCO DOB IS 10/01_061704_PCO

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed Feb 1, 200438,239 milesMI

STICKING THROTTLE CABLE. CAUSED ENGINE TO IDLE HIGH. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 30, 200447,150 milesOR

AUTO-TRANSMISSION STARTED OUT WITH DELAYED ENGAGEMENT IN TO REVERSE AND HARD SHIFTS 25-30 MPH. STARTED TO SLIP OUT OF DRIVE WITH NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES, ONCE WHEN PULLING OUT ACROSS TRAFFIC AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED TO EXCEED $2500.

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal
Filed Jan 27, 200427,000 milesPA

THE REAR AXLE SEALS AT THE GEAR CASE HAVE FAILED TWICE CAUSING AXLE FLUID TO LEAK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED EACH TIME SAYING THAT "FORD HAS AN ISSUE" WITH THESE SEALS BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A LASTING REPAIR. NOT ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jan 26, 200432,000 milesMI

ON OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INCHING FORWARD AT STOPS WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THEN ABOUT A WEEK LATER, WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. MY HUSBAND SHIFTED THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADMITTED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE. I FINALLY TRADED IN THE VEHICLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 26, 200432,500 milesMI

DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WHEN WE GOT OFF & WE TRIED TO STOP MY HUSBAND HEARD A REVVING NOISE THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. WE HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF & COAST TO A STOP BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING EITHER. WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO REAR-END SOMEONE & THAT NO ONE IN THE CAR INCLUDING MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN WERE HURT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED 4 DAYS EARLIER. I WAS ALSO THANKFUL MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR IN 5 OTHER TIMES FOR RELATED PROBLEMS. THEY CAN NEVER SEEM TO FIND A PROBLEM. THIS IS A LEASE CAR & I HAVE HAD IT FOR 1YR 9MTHS. IT WAS FIRST SERVICED 1 MONTH AFTER I GOT IT FOR A RELATED PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY FAMILY OR SELF ANYMORE IN THIS CAR, IT IS SO UNPREDICTABLE. *LA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 23, 200428,000 milesVA

02 EXPLORER XLT, AROUND 28000 MILES START HAVING PROBLEM WITH OVERDRIVE GOING OUT. WHILE DRIVING, OVERDRIVE LIGHT START BLINKING AND OVERDRIVE NOT ENGAGES. HAD ONE REPAIR, TOOK OVER 10 DAYS TO FIX. IT'S BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE I GOT MY CAR BACK AND DRIVING HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. I'M TAKING THE CAR BACK FOR REPAIR AGAIN BUT NOT SURE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. IF THERE OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEM? IS THERE A FIX OR DO I HAVE A LEMON? *LA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 21, 2004MD

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Jan 21, 200422,810 milesAL

ROARING NOISE IN REAREND.TOOK TO DEALER ON 01/12/04 AT 22,810 MILES.TECH CHECK AND SAID FORD ENGINEERS WERE INVESTIGATING THAT I SHOULD CALL BACK IN A MONTH TO SEE IF PROBLEM SOLVE BY ENGINEERS.FIRST NOTICE NOISE IN JUNE 2003.VIN#[XXX]. *AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed Jan 21, 2004NY

OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT HAS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. *PH (NAR) *CB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 19, 200441,000 milesNJ

POWER TRAIN...TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED....TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED BEFORE WARRANTY RAN OUT...HAVE 40,000 MILES ON TRUCK. WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $3350 TO FIX, I ASKED FOR HELP FROM MY SALESMAN AND FORD KNOCKED OFF $1700.00 LEAVING ME TO PAY $1650.00. I HAD NO WARNING SIGNS UNTIL THE SPEEDOMETER STATED 30 MILES PER HOUR WHILE THE I WAS GOING 5 MILES PER HOUR. THEN THE HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE STARTED. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT GIVE OUT AT 40,000 MILES. *CB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 16, 200417,000 milesPA

THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORISTS WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THIS RESULTED IN SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE UPON IMPACT. THE INTERIOR PANEL WAS ALSO CRUSHED. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER, BACK, AND KNEE. *NM

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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