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 →
TAILGATE WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT. DEALER STATED THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER TWISTED AWAY FROM THE BRACKET. *AK *JB *NM PE04045.PCO
THE ROOF RACK (WHICH WAS FACTORY EQUIPMENT) SEPARATED FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE RACK WAS LIABLE TO COME OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO MOTORIST DRIVING BEHIND HIS VEHICLE. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON INTERMITTENTLY AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ABS PROBLEM REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY. THE MANUFACTURERS WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
THE ROOF RACK (WHICH WAS FACTORY EQUIPMENT) SEPARATED FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE RACK WAS LIABLE TO COME OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO MOTORIST DRIVING BEHIND HIS VEHICLE. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ABS PROBLEM REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY. THE MANUFACTURERS WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
ON MAY 8, I WAS PLACING SOME ITEMS IN THE REAR OF MY 2002 EXPLORER THROUGH THE HATCHBACK (THE GLASS PART, NOT THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR). I HEARD A POP WHEN THE GLASS RAISED UP. SINCE IT WAS DARK AND I WASN'T SURE WHAT THAT NOISE WAS, I SLOWLY STARTED TO CLOSE THE GLASS WHEN IT EXPLODED. AS IT TURNS OUT, THE RIGHT PNEUMATIC SHOCK MOUNT HAD BROKEN OFF THE GLASS AS IT LIFTED. THE GLASS MUST HAVE BEEN BROKEN BY A PORTION OF THAT SHOCK MOUNT IN THE PATH DURING CLOSING. LUCKILY, I ONLY RECEIVED A CUT ON MY HAND AS GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE; IN MY SHOES, HAIR, PURSE, ETC. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MY THREE-YEAR-OLD WAS NOT WITH ME, AS SHE NORMALLY WOULD BE STANDING BY MY SIDE IN THAT SITUATION. I CAN ONLY IMAGING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, ANTICIPATING THE WORST, BUT THEY FIXED THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THEY CLAIMED THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING, BUT THEY WERE VERY QUICK TO GIVE HIM A LOANER AND GET HIM OUT OF THERE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2002. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 14,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I HOPE THIS INFO HELPS. PE04045_PCO
SEPTEMBER 2002: FUEL INJECTOR FOR #3 CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE SPRAYED OVER ENGINE. DISCOVERED IN DRIVEWAY DURING VEHICLE WARM-UP. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM EXCEPT FOR SMELL. OCTOBER 2003: FUEL INJECTOR FOR #3 CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE SPRAYED OVER ENGINE. FAILURE OCCURED AT SOME POINT DURING DRIVING. DISCOVERED ONLY DUE TO FUEL SMELL. NO OTHER INDICATION. DEALER FIXED BOTH TIMES. CONCERNED ABOUT OCCUPANT SAFETY -APPEARS AS THOUGH FIRE COULD EASILY IGNITE, AND LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. NO WARNING THAT SYSTEM HAS FAILED.
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELTS ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE MOLDING WHERE THE SHOULDER HARNESS IS MOUNTED. THE EDGE OF THE SEAT BELT IS CUTTING INTO THE MOLDING CREATING GROOVES IN THE MOLDING AND POSSIBLY DAMAGING THE SEAT BELT.
I HAVE A CRACK DOWN THE BACK HATCH OF MY EXPLORER. IT EXTENDS FROM UNDERNEATH THE BACK WINDOW TO THE LATCH OF THE BACK DOOR. IT DEVELOPED WITHOUT INCIDENT AND STEADILY WIDENS ON A DAILY BASIS. *LA
FOUND STRESS CRACK IN REAR HATCH...GOES FROM THE BOTTOM OF GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH...THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT SOMEONE ELSE REPORTED TO YOU ON YOUR SITE. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY SINCE THE GLASS MAY DISLODGE AND CREATE A ACCIDENT...BRINGING TO DEALER TO GET FIXED.*AK PANEL CRACKED (VERTICAL) DOWN TRIM PLATE. COLD TEMP CONTRACTION. PURCHASED 08/02. 04/02 DOB. NEW DESIGN
THE HINGES ON THE BACK HATCH WINDOW SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO SAG AND LEAN OUTWARDS WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED. *AK THE HINGE ON THE BACK HATCH WINDOW SEPARATED FROM THE BODY AND CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BE HELD ON BY ONE HINGE. THE WINDOW WAS HANGING FROM THE HINGE ONLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HINGES. (HATCH DOOR PROBLEM) *SC *JB PE04045_PCO
WHILE DRIVING DURING HEAVY SNOW TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS NOT WORKING. THERE WAS NO DASHBOARD INDICATION OF 4X4 FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE SENSOR. *AK *MR
WHILE OPENING THE REAR LIFT GATE THE DOOR HINGE BROKE AND CAUSED THE DOOR NOT TO CLOSE/LATCH PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM RE-EVAL SINCE PE OPENING AND DET TO BE VALID PE04045_PCO
WHEN TOWING VEHICLE IN RECOMMENDED TOWING MODE, STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM WILL RANDOMLY ENGAGE, LOCKING THE WHEELS OF THE TOWED VEHICLE. IF THIS OCCURS RIGHT AFTER A TURN, LOCKED WHEELS WILL PULL TOWED VEHICLE TO THE DIRECTION THAT WHEELS LOCKED IN.*AK
CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE KEEPS ACCELERATING AFTER CRUISE CONTROL SET BUTTON IS RELEASED ALSO WHEN COAST BUTTON IS PUSHED VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE. BUTTONS ARE FREE AND NOT STICKING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. ALMOST REARENDED CARS ON TWO OCCASIONS. JUST BOUGHT CAR AND HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO GET TO DELEAR.*AK
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS EXPIERENCED ALL THE POWER TRAIN PROBLEMS THAT I AHVE FOUND ON THIS SITE.MY DEALER AHS BEEN ADMIRABLE IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS BUT IT SEEMS WE GET ONE FIXED AND ANOTHER STARTS.THE FIRS WAS THE TRANSFER CASR HAD A SHUTTER IN IT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR , THEN THE REAR END HAD A BAD BEARING, THEN THE LEFT REAR AXLE HAD A BAD WHEEL BEARING, THEN THE VEHILCE WAS STAYING IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME, THIS HAPPENED ON A TRIP THIS FALL BARE GROUND. THEN THE LATEST IS THE TRANSMISION IS GOING TO NEUTRAL AT STOP SIGNS AND RED LIGHTS BY ITSELF. THE VEHILE THEN SITS AND REVS UNTIL WITH A BANG THE TRANSMISSON ENGAGES AGAIN. *AK
WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELARATE. I THOUGHT I HAD HIT THE GAS PEDAL WITH THE SIDE OF MY FOOT, BUT AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE STOPPED I TRIED TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME SINCE THAT UPSET ME. I COULD NOT DO IT BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO FAR APART FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD BECAUSE I COULD HAVE GONE INTO THE STORE IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. *AK
I HAVE A 2002 EXPLORER PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2001. HAVE ADVISED DEALER ONCE THAT VEHICLE MAKES HARD SHIFTS AND THAT IT HAS A VIBRATION WHEN STOPPED, THEY ADVISED THIS WAS NORMAL. VEHICLE IS NOW IN SHOP DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. WHINES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AT ABOUT 25 MPH, THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT KEPT FLASHING. DEALER SHOP SAYS IT WILL PROBABLY NEED "MAJOR SURGERY". VEHICLE HAS 44,000 MILES, JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY.
DRIVE SHAFT ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 42,000 MILES "IS WORN OUT" ACCORDING TO ROMEO, MI FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER. PREVIOUS COMPAINT AT 29593 MILES TO SAME DEALERSHIP ABOUT LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING (WHILE UNDER WARRANTY) "COULD NOT BE VERIFIED" AT THAT TIME. I BELIEVE THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITHOUT ANY CHARGE.*AK
WHEN STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN, INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN TURNING LEFT, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. THE HEAT VENTS THAT BLEW DIRECTLY ON THE CONSUMER DID NOT WORK. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN ONE MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
GLASS EXPLODED OUT OF THE BACK WINDOW, INJURING MY DAUGHTER. FORD STATES THAT THERE IS A CAMPAIGN, NOT A RECALL. SO I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF THE FAULTY PLUNGER MECHANISM. FORD REPLACED THE GLASS, BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE ME THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, SO I TURNED IN THE LEASE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY (4 KIDS). THEY ARE SUING ME BECAUSE I TURNED IN THE LEASE EARLY.*AK PE04045.PCO
THE INITIAL PROBLEM WITH THE REAR-END DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS A WHINING NOISE WHICH THE FORD DEALER'S SERVICE REP. IDENTIFIED AND IMMEDIATELY SAID IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE NEW REAR-END UNIT DID NOT WHINE BUT WITHIN 3 1/2 MONTHS A VIBRATION STARTED AND WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR A TOTAL OF 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TO REPAIR OR FIX THIS PROBLEM. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR AXLES WERE ALSO REPLACED AND ANOTHER REAR END DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS INSTALLED. AT EACH SERVICE VISIT, THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANIC WERE COMPLETELY INVOLVED AND WERE VERY PERPLEXED AT THE PROBLEM. MY EXPLORER WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ABOUT 30 DAYS ON ONE SERVICE VISIT AND A TOTAL OF 42 DAYS OVER THE 6 TOTAL SERVICE VISITS FOR THIS PROBLEM. PERSISTENT FLUID LEAKS AND A RECURRING VIBRATION HAS PROMPTED ME TO SUBMIT A "LEMON" LETTER TO FORD. *LA
2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 STRAINING AND BANGING SOUNDS IN DRIVE TRAIN WHEN IN 4X4 MODE AND WHEN CORNERING IN THIS MODE CAUSES VEHICLE TO BECOME HARD TO STEER AND CAN FEEL VEHICLE SHUDDER AS BANGING OCCURS. WAS TAKEN TO GREINER FORD ON 12/04/03 THE DAY PROBLEM STARTED AND WAS TOLD BY SERVICE ADVISOR JIM FEILER THAT FORD TECHNICAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY DO NOTICE ALL SYMPTOMS I BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THUS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED BY FORD TO REPAIR EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER FULL WARRANTY. I WAS THEN TOLD THEY FEEL VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE WHICH I FEEL IS INTERESTING SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEY UNIT HAS A DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEM BUT DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, SO HOW CAN THEY BE SURE IT IS A SAFE VEHICLE. *LA
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR HATCH HAS CRACKED OPENING APPROXIMATELY 1/16 INCH WIDE THROUGH THE HATCH BELOW THE WINDOW APPROXIMATELY. 5 INCHES LONG. FORD HAS AGREED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY BY GLUING THE CRACK. AS I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS INJURIES FROM OTHER CRACKED HATCHES, I WANT FORD TO REPLACE THE HATCH NOT JUST GLUE A REPAIR. THEY HAVE REFUSED. *NLM
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER.*MR THE LEFT SIGNAL WIRE INSULATION RUBBED THROUGH THE BOAT TRAILER. WHEN IT SHORTED OUT THE FUSE BLEW AFTER IT TOTALLY MELTED THE INSULATION OFF THE WIRES THROUGH THE TONGUE OF THE TRAILER ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT. CONSUME NOTED THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, HAD THIS BEEN A CAMPER A FIRE WOULD'VE RESULTED. *PH
WHILE PARKED VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING.*AK
ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON/OFF, AND THE ABS BRAKES ENGAGED PREMATURELY. ALSO, THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END WHEN BRAKING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS ONCE, AND ABS REAR SENSOR TWICE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. *AK
AT APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES I STARTED EXPERIENCING MINOR DIFFICULTIES WITH THE CLUTCH. AT 14,000 MILES, THE MALFUNCTION BECAME MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF FIRST GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS BUT TODAY WAS TOLD I HAD WORN OUT THE CLUTCH AND THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE FORD WARRANTY. FORD IS ASKING $1,374 TO REPAIR THE CLUTCH.MY EXPLORER WAS USED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. AT 10,000 MILES IT HAD BEEN IN 4WD ONLY ONCE AND AT 14,000 MILES, ONLY THREE TIMES. THIS IS THE SEVENTH VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND I CERTAINLY KNOW HOW TO OPERATE A STICK SHIFT. TODAY THE GENERAL MANAGER OF LEIF JOHNSON FORD (AUSTIN), FRED TRUDEA, HUNG UP ON ME BECAUSE I WAS TAKING CONTACT NOTES ON MY COMPUTER. HE HEARD THE COMPUTER KEYS CLICKING AND ASKED WHAT I WAS DOING. HE THEN REFUSED TO GIVE ME A PHONE NUMBER FOR FORD'S REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER, WASN'T EVEN SURE OF HER NAME, AND DID NOT OFFER TO FIND OUT. HE WAS SO FLIPPANT ABOUT MY TIME AND RESOURCES, THAT WHEN I ASKED HIM TO ARRANGE A CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, HE REPLIED IF YOU DON'T HEAR FROM ME IN FOUR DAYS, GIVE ME A CALL. WHEN I TOLD HIM I WOULD NOT PLAY TAG AND NEEDED A DAILY UPDATE UNTIL THIS WAS RESOLVED, HE REFUSED. LATER IN THE DAY, ANOTHER LEIF JOHNSON EMPLOYEE, TONY MANZANO, CALLED TO TELL ME THE REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE DECLINED TO RETURN MY CALL. MR. MANZANO WOULD NOT GIVE ME HER PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION WHEN THERE HAS BEEN A 2-3 SECOND HESITATION BEFORE IT ACTUALLY KICKS IN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THERE IS A LOUD VIBRATION COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE SHIFTING BECOMES VERY ERRATIC AND THE O/D LIGHT FLICKERS. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL DEALERS. TWO OF THEM HAVE STATED THAT THE VIBRATION IS BECAUSE OF THE ROAD SURFACE. WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A POPPING SOUND AND HESITATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY MOVES. *LA
IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT IS TOTALLY "UNFIXABLE" THEN FORD HAS SOLD ME A PRODUCT THAT IS FAULTY, AND THE PRODUCT SHOULD BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE FOR THE CAR TO BE FIXED AND I AM WILLING TO LEAVE IT IN THE SHOP AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SO THAT THE CAR WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN. *LA
THE EXPLORER HAS DONE ABOUT 21,000 MILES IN 2 AND 1/2 YEARS. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, IT STARTED HAVING BIG CLUNKS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN COLD AND EVEN A GRINDING SOUND. SEEMED TO BE WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION AT LOW SPEED. THE DEALER REPLICATED THE PROBLEM AND ORDERED AND INSTALLED A "NEW CLUTCH" IN THE TRANSFER CASE -THERE WAS SOME KIND OF "FLUID LEAKAGE." PROBLEM IS NOW WORSE, WAS REPLICATED WITH THE MECHANIC IN THE CAR AND THE DEALER HAS IT BACK IN FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT FIXING IT. MY WIFE WON'T DRIVE IT ANYMORE. A FEW MONTHS AGO IT USED TO HAVE A LOUD SQUEAK WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OVER SPEED BUMPS SLOWLY AND THIS WAS EVENTUALLY FOUND AND "FIXED." I WONDER IF THE CLUNK IN THE TRANSFER CASE IS NOT THAT AT ALL, BUT A LOOSE/WORN FRONT SUSPENSION PART GIVING WAY OR LOSING TENSION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. PERHAPS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STRUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE BUT NOT SURE. DEALER HAS TRIED TO BE RESPONSIVE AND IS NOT THE PROBLEM. ANY ONE ELSE HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM? *LA
FROM PURCHASE THERE WAS A KHKHHHKH NOISE THAT MY BROTHER NOTICED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. ON THE 3RD TRIP BACK TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION SHIELD WAS LOOSE SO THEY TIGHTENED IT. THE NOISE CONTINUED SO I HAD MY NEIGHBOR WHO HAS A TRANS SHOP LISTEN AND HE SAID HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE TORQUE CONVERTOR. THE DEALER DID (34,000 MILES), HAD THE CAR FOR 14 DAYS AND FIXED?? IT. ITS BACK IN THE SHOP NOW (16 DAYS) (37,000 MILES) AND 1ST GEAR AND MY FORWARD CLUTCHES ARE BEING REPLACED. DID I GET A LEMON?*AK
WHILE CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SEVERAL DRIVER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS WERE LOOSE. MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT MAYBE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT THE FACTORY. *AK *NLM
THE SEAT COMPONENTS THAT ARE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAVE A SEVERE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THEM. *LA
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD APPEAR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH VEHICLE HAS EXPERINCED SEVEN OCCURENCES WHERE ABS LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD AFTER SLIGHTLY ENGAGING BRAKE EQUIPMENT. ABS LIGHT HAS ALSO ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED.*MR
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. OWNER SAYS THAT "IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT, AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY." VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WANT TO CHARGE OWNER $378.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. *AK
THE REAR TAILGATE HAS A WINDOW AND THERE IS A PART OF THE DOOR THAT GOES UP WITH THE WINDOW. CONSUMER NOTICED A CRACK FROM THE GLASS DOWN, AND ANOTHER CRACK STARTING TO FORM. CONSUMER IS AFRAID THE WHOLE WINDOW MAY FALL OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK
WHILE HAVING FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE ROTORS RUSTED AND CRACKED. ALSO, THE REAR ROTORS ARE STARTING TO RUST . THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE RUST WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, INABILITY OF FORD TO REPAIR. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, SECOND TIME IT HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. DEALER TELLS ME THEY HAVE NO FIX, I CALLED TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DON'T HAVE A FIX. VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE BUT I DON'T HAVE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, LIGHT IS STILL ON. A CHECK WITH A TROUBLESHOOTING WEB SITE: HTTP://WWW.FORD-AUTO-AND-PARTS.COM/TROUBLESHOOTING/ANSWERS/ID-1224.HTML INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS. NHSTA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS AND FORCE A REPAIR OR RECALL. *LA
ABS LIGHT ON. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW IS ON AGAIN. THE LIGHT CAME ON AT 43,000 MILES.*AK
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT SIDE AIR BAG PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING THE THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT ON THE ROAD. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE AIR BAGS UNDER THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY.*AK NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THE CAUSE OF THE THE FAILURE . *TS *NLM
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE FIRST TIME THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL EFFECT. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME, THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE IN BEING ABLE TO BRAKE SMOOTHLY. THE THIRD OCCASION OCCURRED AT THE LIGHT WHEN THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AND THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. *SCC *JB
REAR WINDOW FELL OFF THE HINGES. *AK PE04045_PCO
ABS SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON. DEALER STATED OIL LEAKED ONTO THE SENSOR. THERE WAS NO SOLUTION, AND ABS SYSTEM DISENGAGED. *AK
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON FOUR PREVIOUS OCCASIONS TO ADDRESS AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD SPIKE AND THEN RETURN TO ALMOST NORMAL LEVELS. ON THE FIFTH TRIP TO THE DEALER 10/24/03, WAS THEN TOLD THE PROBLEM IS A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD., THIS WAS LATER DIAGNOSED AS A PISTON PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS STILL WITH DEALER WITH COMPRESSION PROBLEMS. *AK
CONSUMER WAS ABOUT TO START VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT REAR HATCH DOOR WAS AJAR. WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO CLOSE THE DOOR, THE GLASS EXPLODED OUT OF THE FRAME, WHICH FELL APART. THE HYDRAULIC PISTON HAD A BENT INSERT WHICH CAUSED THE INFRACTION. *AK PE04045.PCO
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL THERE WAS A LOUD THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN THE VEHICLE HEATED UP THERE WAS A STRONG SULFUR ODOR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK
FAX FOLLOW-UP LTR FM LANDY JOHNSON III (CA) SUBMISSION OF 20 COPIES OF COMPLAINTS FILED W/NHTSA RE BRAKE PROBLEMS W/THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER; REPLY TO PASADENA DIST OFC.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *TS *NLM
THE HALF WAY CARGO GLASS EXPLODED WHILE CONSUMER OPENED THE DOOR. TECHNICIAN STATED IT WAS RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL 01I010000. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE BRACKETS CONNECTING THE LEFT CYLINDERS TO EACH SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS COULD ROTATE OUT OF POSITION IF EITHER THE URETHANE BOND OR TORQUE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT. THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS DEEMED AS A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY NHTSA. *AK DUP_PCO
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4WD. AT 33,000 MILES ABS SENSOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON & REAR ABS UNIT WAS REPLACED. SINCE THEN THE ABS UNIT HAS FAILED EVER 2,500 TO 8,000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 87,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *LA
THE SMELL OF MOLD IS COMING OUT OF THE A/C. ALL THE DEALERSHIP DID WAS DEODORIZE THE VENTS. THE MUSTY ODOR PERSISTS. I HAVE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. *LA
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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