Page 64 of 66 · complaints 3,151–3,200 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
Filed Sep 17, 2002NC

WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, JERKY, VIBRATING FEEL. VEHICLE IS IN FOR IT'S 8TH VISIT. TOTAL DOWN TIME HAS BEEN IN EXCESS OF 6 WEEKS. NUMEROUS ATTEMPT TO REPAIR AS FOLLOWS: DOWNLOAD OF PROGRAM- 3 TIMES, FLUSH OUT TRANSMISSION, REPLACE FILTERS, ADJUST TRAMSMISSION, REPLACE SPRING IN TRANSMISSION, REPLACE TORCH CONVERTER, TEAR DOWN TRANSFER CASE, REPLACE GEARS. I AM IN PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING WITH FORD TO HAVE THEM BUY BACK VEHICLE.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Sep 10, 2002CA

THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE BRAKES FAST AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP VEHICLE. WHEN CONSUMER CHECKED THE BRAKES, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVED OVER ON TOP OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE PRESSURE FORM THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE ON ITS OWN. THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND IN TURN DAMAGED THE BATTERY. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FOR FORD TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. *JG

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 8, 2002TX

CAR WAS ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN ABS LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT GET THE LIGHT BACK ON. CAR WAS STARTED IN THE MORNING AND AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED AND THEN STAYED ON AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS DUE TO A SHORT. DAY AFTER IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WOULD NOT TURN OVER. IT WILL BE IN THE SHOP AGAIN. FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 6 MONTHS.*AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 4, 2002CA

REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED IN CONSUMER'S FACE. CAUSE OF EXPLOSION IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK PE04045.PCO

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Sep 3, 2002AR

FAULTY ANTI-THEFT MODULE(SHORTING) MAKING VEHICLE UNABLE TO OPERATE. AT THIS TIME FORD IS UNABLE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE MODULE LEAVING OWNER STRANDED. FORD HAS TOLD US THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A SOLUTION BUT AT THIS TIME THERE IS NOT ONE. HOW MANY OTHERS ARE DRIVING WITHT HIS UNSAFE MODULE?

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Aug 29, 2002MI

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH AND WITH NO WARNING FRONT WINDSHIELD SHATTERED, AND CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE VISUAL PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE THE REAR WINDOW OPENS ON ITS OWN, HAS HAS DONE SO ON 3 OCCASIONS.*JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 26, 2002VA

REAR WINDOW ON HATCH DOOR SUDDENLY EMPLODED WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHED AUTOMATIC BUTTON. GLASS SHATTERED IMMEDIATELY WITH METAL MOLDING FLYING INSIDE COMPARTMENT ALL THE WAY UP FRONT TO DRIVER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 26, 2002VA

THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YET BUT I HAVE TOLD THE FORD CO. THAT IT IS DANGEROUS AND THEY IGNORE ME. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND START TO PULL OUT THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL INTO MOVING TRAFFIC AND HESITATE 4-5 SECONDS BEFORE THE GAS FINALLY CATCHES AND THE VEHICLE GOES ON. MEAN WHILE YOU HAVE TRAFFIC BEARING DOWN ON YOU. WE HAVE COME CLOSE TO GETTING HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM FOR OTHER CONSUMERS BESIDES MYSELF.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Aug 23, 2002CT

DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK AND IS CAUSING FRONT WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP DURING COLD WEATHER, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR CONSUMER TO SEE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Steering
Filed Aug 23, 2002NC

IM COMPLAINED THAT THE STEERING WAS TOO SENSITIVE. I SWERVED TO AVOID A TIRE IN THE ROAD AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICEL. TOOK CAR TO DEALED WHO FOUND NO PROBLEM. DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER THAT THEY HAD A FACTORY REP COMING TO TEST MY CAR. (WHY IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG) THE FACTORY MAN SAID HE ROAD TESTED THE CAR AND PUT IT ON A LIFT. HE FOUND NO PROBLEM THAT IS THE WAY A SHORT WHEEL BASE SHOULD DRIVE. FORDS BIG EXCUSE WAS THERE IS A STICKER ON THE SUN VISOR THAT READS "AVOID ABRUPT MANOUVERS" THE REP EVEN WROTE ON MY SERVICE TICKET THAT THE LABLE WAS IN PLACE. THE CAR CAN FLIP OVER BUT WE TOLD YOU SO. I DONT THINK THIS IS SAFE AND IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR FORD TO KNOW THEY HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM AND WASH IT AWAY WITH A LABLE. DRIVE DOWN A HIGHWAY AND TELL ME IF YOU CAN AVOID ABRUPT MOVES. HOW COME AIRLINES DONT PUT STICKERS ON THE SEATS THAT THIS PLANE MIGHT FALL FROM THE SKY. FORD HAS A PROBLEM AND THE PUBLIC WILL PAY WITH THEIR LIVES.*AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Aug 22, 2002NY

WHILE OPENING THE REAR TOP HATCHBACK, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED IN MY WIFE'S FACE WHILE MY 4 YEAR OLD SAT IN THE REAR SEAT. MY WIFE RECEIVED MINOR SCRATCHES FROM THE FLYING GLASS. MY SON WAS SHAKEN BUT NOT INJURED AS THE SHATTERED GLASS FLEW APPX 15 FEET OUTWARD AND TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. SINCE THE BOTTOM PANEL OF THE TOP HALF OF THE REAR GATE IS ONLY ATTACHED TO THE CAR BY THE GLASS AND THE DEFOGGER CABLE, THIS FOUR FOOT BY SIX INCH METAL PANEL SLAMMED TO THE GROUND JUST MISSING MY WIFE'S LEGS. I WAS IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME AND HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL EXPLOSION WHEN IT BURST. IT WAS TERRIBLY FRIGHTENING TO MY WIFE AND SON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO AT FIRST TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND I SHOULD GO TO A GLASS REPAIR SHOP. I REFUSED AND ASKED THEM TO FIX IT AND INPECT THE WORK. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD "ONLY" THREE OR SO REPORTED INCIDENTS OF BREAKAGE IN PAST YEAR AND THAT THE PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICES I RECEIVED FOR THE REAR WINDOW HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID MY CAR WAS FINE AFTER IT WAS CHECKED FOR THE RECALL NOTICE TWO PREVIUOS TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I AM WAITING FOR THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED.*AK PE04045.PCO

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Aug 22, 2002GA

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN AN PARKING LOT. RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE MY ITEMS IN THE BACK SECTION OF THE SUV. WHEN THE HATCHBACK GLASS WAS OPENED THE LEFT HYDRAULIC LIFT SHATTERED THE REAR GLASS. THE GLASS FLEW TO THE FRONT SEAT AND 3 CAR LENGHTS OVER IN THE PARKING LOT. I HAVE TAKEN MY FORD EXPLORER BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE REAR PANEL WAS REPLACED AFTER A MONTH OF WAITING. BUT WE ARE NOT FULLY SATISFIED WITH THE REPAIR. FORD IS SENDING REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT HAVE A BULDGE IN THE BOTTOM PANELS. SO WE ARE ON OUR SECOND DOOR AND STILL WAITING FOR A NEW PART. IT IS FUNNY HOW YOU CAN BUY A VEHICLE THAT LOOKS PERFECT BUT WHEN YOU GET REPLACEMENT PARTS YOU GET LESS THAN PERFECT. MAKES ME WONDER IF THEY ARE REALLY FORD PARTS. THE PROBLEM WE ARE HAVING NOW IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT IT IS A VALUE PROBLEM IF WE SELL OR TRADE IN THIS SUV. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE WE WHERE NEVER TOLD OF THE RECALL. THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED IN APRIL OF 2001.*AK PE04045.PCO

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 20, 2002NY

VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 20, 2002NY

VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. BRAKE WOULD SQUEAL ,AND PEDAL WOULD BE SOFT WHEN APPLIED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Aug 20, 2002NY

SUN ROOF WOULD RIDDLE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED . FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Aug 15, 2002MA

WHILE PARKED WITH REAR WINDOW OF LIFTGATE RAISED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT WAS SHATTERED. OCCUPANT DID GET CUT BY PIECES FLYING OF GLASS. TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS ABOUT 70 DEGREES. A WITNESS SAW THE INCIDENT, AND TOLD THE OTHER PARTY THAT THE YOUNG LADY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS. GLASS/ASSEMBLY IS BEING ORDERED AND GLASS HAS BEEN MODIFIED. A FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN INCIDENT LIKE THIS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK PE04045.PCO

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Aug 14, 2002KY

WHILE GIVING ACCELERATION AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL GET STUCK, AND IT WILL BE HARD TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 13, 2002KY

WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON AN INCLINE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS. DEALER STATED THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE, TO REFILL TRANSMISSION FLUID. FORD HAS NO REMEDY FOR IT AT THIS TIME. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS FROM CONVERTER HOUSING INTO TRANSFER CASE.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Aug 13, 2002NH

WHILE DRIVING CALIPERS ARE NOT CATCHING ONTO BRAKES, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Aug 13, 2002NY

WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE RAN ON A CURB AND HIT A FIRE HYDRANT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 12, 2002KY

MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING ON VACATION ON JULY 20,2002. WE WERE DRIVING OUR NEW FORD EXPLORER XLT. I STOPPED FOR FUEL AND WAS RE-ENTERING THE INTERSTATE. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY SO I HAD TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 60MPH TO ENTER THE TRAFFIC. AS I MADE MY ENTRANCE, I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AS I WAS BETWEEN TWO 18 WHEELERS. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AT FULL SPEED ALMOST REAR ENDING THE SEMI. I WAS APPLYING MY BRAKE WITH ALL MY STRENGTH TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE CHARGED AHEAD. I STEERED TO THE SHOULDER AVOIDING THE SEMI AND BEGAN STOMPING THE ACCELERATOR AT WHICH TIME IT FINALLY RELEASED. MY FAMILY AND I WERE TERRIFIED. I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY DEALER IN LEXINGTON WHERE IT WAS EXAMINED AND THE POSITION TAKEN THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. "THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE VERIFIED". I WAS TOLD TO COME AND GET MY VEHICLE THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ARE TERRIFIED OF THE VEHICLE AND WE CAN GET NO RELIEF FROM FORD. I DID CONTACT FORD IN DETROIT AND GOT THE SAME ANSWER-NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK

Suspension
Filed Aug 9, 2002NJ

THE TRUCK SEEMS TO HAVE A TIRE OR SUSPENSION HOP/CHATTER AFTER GOING OVER ALL TYPES OF BUMPS SMALL/LARGE, DOES NOT SEEM AFFECT THE DRIVING ABILITY BUT IT IS ANNOYING. ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS? ALSO COULD NOT LOCATE DOT # ON TIRES, MADE IN CANADA.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Aug 8, 2002OH

THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT UNIT LOCKS UP IN FULLY RETRACTED POSITION, RENDERING IT TOTALLY UNUSABLE.*AK

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Aug 6, 2002CA

I HAVE THE WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT COVER. I AM DRIVING WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Aug 6, 2002NC

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 70 MPH SWERVED TO AVOID A TIRE IN ROAD CAR OVER STEERS, YOU MUST TURN BACK THE OPPOSITE WAY THEN YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL IN THAT DIRECTION. ANY SUDDEN MANUVER YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO FORD SERVICE THEY SAID "YOU HAVE A SHORT WHEEL BASE, THAT WILL GET YOUR ATTENTION"*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jul 31, 2002CO

DRIVERS SIDE SAFTEY BELT HAS BROKEN TOO, AIR VENT HAS BROKEN TOO, SUNROOF DESIGN PROBLEM TOO, FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 14000 MI TOO

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 31, 2002CO

BECAUSE IT PERFORMED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL WHILE IN DRIVE COMING FROM A STOP, I NEARLY ROLLED INTO VEHICLES BEHIND ME THEN WHEN IT SPED OUT OF CONTROL WHEN IT GRABBED DRIVE, I NEARLY COLLIDED INTO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME EVEN WHILE BRAKING.*AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Jul 25, 2002TX

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START.*JB

Suspension
Filed Jul 24, 2002MI

WHEN DRIVING AT 50MPH AND HIGHER VEHICLE VIBRATES UNCONTROLLABLY. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT FORD BOUGHT BACK VEHICLE AND REFUNDED HIS MONEY. *SLC

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Jul 24, 2002MA

MAIN COMPUTER MODULE MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING OTHER MAJOR COMPONENTS, SUCH AS TRANSMISSION/ POWER WINDOW, AND DOORS NOT TO WORK. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 24, 2002PA

WHEN AT STOP SIGN OR SWITCHING FROM BRAKE TO GAS PEDAL TRUCK WOULD ROLL EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARDS BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION HESITATION. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED BEFORE THREE OTHER TIMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 23, 2002OR

FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY OF STALLING INCREASING.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 22, 2002OR

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING POWER AT 70 MPH AND THE DASH LIGHTS BEGAN BLINKING. DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *TT

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 19, 2002MD

OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, THEN STAYED ON. DEALER DETERMINED TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 19, 2002MN

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES PERIODS OF STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS. APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING. NO PRIOR WARNING BEFORE STALLING. EXISTING PROBLEM 5 TIMES, TAKEN INTO THE DELAER. *AK DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP, MAIN CONTROL VALVE BODY, TRANSMISSION OIL PAN, IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND PROGRAMMED PCM. VIBRATION LIKE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS KICKING IN. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. OVERDRIVE COMES IN AND OUT AT ODD SPEEDS. NO PROBLEM FOUND.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jul 18, 2002TX

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. DEALER HAS REPLACED HEAD LAMP CONTROL AND HEAD LAMP RELAY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 17, 2002MD

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2002. VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN JULY WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 17, 2002KY

MOUNTING BRACKET ON GLASS LIFTGATE BECAME DETACHED FROM STRUT-LIFT MECHANISM JOINT UPON REACHING MAXIMUM EXTENSION CAUSING GLASS TO FALL ONTO MY HEAD. REPORTED TO DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED/REPLACED DUE TO PARTS N/A. OFTEN HAVE DIFFICULTY TURNING IGNITION SWITCH AFTER INSERTING EITHER OF THE FACTORY KEYS. IT REQUIRES A "JIGGLING" MOTION TO ENGAGE AND TURN IGNITION. PE04045.PCO

Suspension
Filed Jul 14, 2002PA

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN OR DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROAD, STEERING COLUMN AND ENTIRE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE SIGNIFICANTLY AT SPEEDS OF 55MPH AND CONTINUE UNTIL PULLING OFF THE ROAD OR SLOWING TO 20MPH.SHAKING CONTINUED FOR 2 MILES UNTIL BEING ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY.STEERING WHEEL SHAKING IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO SHAKE DRIVERS ENTIRE BODY! THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS. STEERING COLUMN SHAKING HAPPENS FREQUENTLY( DAILY) WHILE MAKING L AND R TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS.COLUMN NOISE IS HEARD ALSO. AT

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 2, 2002AZ

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A U TURN. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMERS VEHICLE HIT OTHER VEHICLE BROAD SIDE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THE DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT, THERE WAS ONE INJURY IN THE ACCIDENT. *JG

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Jun 30, 2002NY

MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE "CONTROL TRAC" 4-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM, FAILED AT 3000 MILES CAUSING SYSTEM TO ASSUME REAR WHEELS WERE SLIPPING. THIS CAUSED THE SYSTEM TO INTERMITTENTLY CYCLE THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE TO ASSIST EVEN THOUGH REAR TIRES WERE NOT LOSING TRACTION. OWNER COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP 4 PREVIOUS TIMES OF CONTROL TRAC PROBLEMS, BUT DEALERSHIP DID NOT ADMIT PROBLEM (TOLD OWNER EVERYTHING WAS FINE WITH DRIVE TRAIN) UNTIL 7000 MILES WHEN OWNER DEMANDED A FIX. DEALER THEN TOLD OWNER THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT BAD PART, BUT THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN PART WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. CURRENTLY, EXPLORER'S 4X4 SYSTEM IS UNPLUGED BY DEALER AND IS 2WD ONLY. DEALER SAID THEY "DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE WITH 4000 MILES OF DRIVING WITH BAD SYSTEM." FORD SAYS MODULE FOR FIX, IS ON BACKORDER, AND DON'T KNOW WHEN FIX WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AK

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jun 28, 2002TX

WINDOW FRAME DOES NOT HAVE A PROTECTIVE SHIELD, IT CRACKED ABOUT 5 INCHES , WITH SMALLEST HIT OF A PEBBLE.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Jun 27, 2002KY

WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE, INDICATOR SHOWS IT'S IN DRIVE, YET IT'S STILL IN PARK. ALSO, WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE IT SHOWS REVERSE, BUT IT'S IN DRIVE. PLEASE ADD FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 27, 2002AZ

SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE. VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS. WHY DID AIR BAGS OT DEPLOY???*AK

Visibility
Filed Jun 27, 2002CO

CONSUMER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR THE REAR WINDOW. *JG WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP IT WOULD SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP THE CONSUMER WITH THE PROBLEM. *NM

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 26, 2002CA

PISTON THAT RAISES BACK WINDOW FLEW OUT ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM.

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Jun 24, 2002FL

WHILE TRAVELING 55 - 65 MPH A HIGH PITCHED WHINNING NOISE WOULD DEVELOP IN THE REAR PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WOULD SUBSIDE AS THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. HOWEVER THE NOISE WOULD INCREASE AS THE GAS PEDAL WAS SLIGHTLY PRESSED TO ADVANCE SPEED. TOOK TO DEALER ON 6/11/02. MECHANIC CLAIMS TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING NOISE. TRUCK IS SITTING UP ON RACK APART AND THE TOOL TO REMOVE AXLES IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE LOANER VEHICLE I AM CURRENTLY USING HAS THE SAME SOUND, BUT IS NOT AS SEVERE AT THE MOMENT. I FEEL THIS MAY BE A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT MAY NOT BE FIXED AS EASILLY AS HOPED.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 21, 2002MI

VEHICLE WOULD STALLS OUT AT MULTIPLE SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 20, 2002CA

WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH, WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK THE SENSOR WAS BENT UP AND SIDEWAYS. THE SEAT BELT ALLOWED CONSUMER TO SLIDE UNDER. BOTH KNEES HIT THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER SUFFERS FROM UPPER AND LOWER BACK PAIN AND SORE KNEES. CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF THERE IS AN AIRBAG IN THE VEHICLE. *JG

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 19, 2002MD

WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP OR FROM A STOP POSITION VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY HESITATE BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP THE TRUCK WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IT WILL JUST MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART. VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH AND CHANGES GEARS WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FORD TO EITHER FIX THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY, REPURCHASE OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE. *JG

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.

Full record for the 2002 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →