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 →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE GEARS SLIPPING WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT AND TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED INJURIES BUT THEY WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 291,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE HINGES FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,738. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,229. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN PLASTIC TENSIONER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS HE WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,550.
LIKE MANY OTHER FRUSTRATED FORD OWNERS, I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY EXPLORER. ITS REALLY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DON'T EVEN NEED TO SEE IT TO KNOW THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT, DUE TO THE TRACK RECORD OF THE FAULTY PARTS FORD HAS USED. ITS REALLY SAD WHEN THEY KNOW THE TRANSMISSION WHERE NOT GOOD AND CONTINUED TO INSTALL THEM FOR MORE YEARS. I HOPE SOONER OR LATER THEY OWN UP TO THEIR FAULTS AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. WE SPENT GOOD MONEY FOR A QUALITY AMERICAN MADE CAR AND DID NOT EXPECT TO HAVE TO INVEST ALMOST $3,000 IN A NEW TRANSMISSION THE NEXT YEAR. FORD WILL LOSE A LOT OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS OVER THIS AND NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
REAR PANEL BELOW WINDOW CRACKED FROM COLD WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. *TR
THE BACK DOOR IS CRACKED BETWEEN THE WINDOWS THE THE LATCH. THIS MORNING THE LATCH STOPPED WORKING AND I CAN'T KEEP THE REAR LATCH CLOSED. *TR
WE OPENED THE REAR WINDOW TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE TRUNK, LIFTED THE WINDOW AND THE WINDOW EXPLODED AND CRASHED ON MY HUSBAND'S HEAD. IT SEEMS AS IF THE HYDROLICS FAILED ON EACH SIDE OF THE REAR WINDOW. GLASS JUST SHATTERED AND WAS EVERYWHERE. MY HUSBAND'S HANDS WERE CUT AND HIS HEAD WAS BANGED UP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE ALSO CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OVER DRIVE, AND MESSAGE CENTERS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.
BOUGHT A USED 2002 EXPLORER WITH 116,000 MILES ON IT, WENT THROUGH ALL THE WARE ITEMS AND REPLACED WITH NEW. I DROVE THIS VEHICLE TO WORK FOR A WHILE, ENOUGH TO GET THE MILEAGE TO 140,010 MILES THEN SUDDENLY STARTED TO SLIP INTO 3RD OR MISS ALL TOGETHER 3RD GEAR. 1ST TO 2ND WORKS FINE, 2ND TO 3RD IS GONE (ENGINE RAVES LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL) WHEN YOU LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR IT GOES INTO 4TH GEAR ON WILL PULL AGAIN, O/D WORKS ALSO. DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE IN VEHICLE, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, IF SOMEONE WAS TO HAVE TO GET INTO TRAFFIC AND THIS VEHICLE WAS TO THIS THEY COULD VERY EASILY BE RUN OVER BY A VEHICLE THEY ARE TRYING TO STAY AHEAD OF OR HAD PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS NOW AND IS DOING NOTHING TO MAKE IT GO AWAY ARE REMEDY THE POORLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION AND IT JUST TICKS ME OFF THAT THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY SAFETY PEOPLE DON'T MAKE FORD DO A RECALL TO FIX THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED CRACK ON THE LIFTGATE EXTERIOR PANEL. THE DEFECT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
PULLED INTO PARK, WENT TO SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK (WAS FULLY STOPPED) AND GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF. I DID NOT APPLY ANY FORCE, JUST THE NORMAL TYPICAL ACTION OF SHIFTING THE GEAR. GOOD THING IT WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN IT SNAPPED. TOOK RUBBER SEAL OFF OF THE GEAR LEVER ARM AND THE PART WHICH THE LEVER ARM WAS ATTACHED HAD TOTALLY BROKEN OFF. THE METAL WAS NOT STRIPPED OR TWISTED BUT BROKEN. PART #905-104: COLUMN SHIFT REPAIR. *TR
TRANSMISSION TOOK A CRAP, IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 & 2003 EXPLORERS. GUESS WE SHOULD HAVE LOOKED INTO THE EXPLORER BETTER. *TR
MY FORD EXPLORER HAS HAD SO MANY RIDICULOUS PROBLEMS. THIS ONE IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. THE CAR HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS, IT SPINS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND THEN I HAVE TO LET GO OF THE ACCELERATOR FOR IT TO SHIFT AGAIN, IT SKIPS 3RD GEAR ALTOGETHER AND JERKS INTO FOURTH AFTER PRESSING AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR A SERIES OF TIMES. ONCE IT'S IN 4TH GEAR, IT DOESN'T GO PAST 50 MPH. MY MECHANIC SAYS HIS MONITOR DETECTED A FAULTY SOLENDER AND THE ENTIRE PACK HAS TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT MAY NOT BE THE ONLY PROBLEM. IF THAT DOESN'T DO THE TRICK (EVEN THOUGH IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED REGARDLESS) HE WILL HAVE TO OPEN THE TRANSMISSION AND POSSIBLY REBUILD OR REPLACE SOME OF THE PARTS. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ASIDE FROM THIS, I HAVE A LIST OF OTHER DANGEROUS ISSUES THAT THIS CAR HAS HAD AND THAT HAS ENDANGERED MY FAMILY'S AND MY LIFE NUMEROUS TIMES: - GEAR SHIFT BREAKING OFF THE STEERING COLUMN AS I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. - IGNITION CYLINDER/SWITCH BREAKING - POSSIBLE SPONTANEOUS EXPLOSION RECALL RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL - REAR LATCH BREAKING AND INABILITY TO USE THE REAR LATCH. - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE - DOORS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY & DRAINING THE BATTERY - FAULTY ALARM SYSTEM - FAULTY TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND RADIATOR - FORD NOT ALLOWING CUSTOMERS TO BUY JUST THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR AND FORCING THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE ENTIRE PACKAGES ONLY IN ORDE
PULLING IN DRIVEWAY STOPPED THE VEHICLE GOING TO PUT IT IN PARK SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN WENT ON INTERNET FOUND 146 COMPLAINTS AS THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THEM ON FORD EXPLORER CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, ANKLE AND RIBS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERAL LACERATIONS AND BRUISES. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,089.
CRUISE CONTROL ELECTRICAL DISENGAGE SWITCH FAILED. CRUISE CONTROL COULD ONLY BE DISENGAGED BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE VERY HARD OR BY MANUALLY TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL ON/OFF SWITCH. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER ABOUT 25MPH WHEN I FELT THE REAR END DROP DOWN. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALL 5 STUDS HAD SHEARED OFF. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ONLY BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE & STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE OPPOSITE SIDE STUDS SHEARED OFF. THIS TIME ONLY 4 STUDS BROKE SO I LIMPED THE TRUCK BACK ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15MPH GOING AROUND A TURN & 4 STUDS BROKE OFF AGAIN. IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER THE TRUCK COULD HAVE FLIPPED OVER. *TR
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. FROM PARK, WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE THERE IS A SURGE THAT OVERCOMES THE BRAKES AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO MOVE ROUGHLY 4-5 FEET. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSIONS SHIFTS SO HARD THAT IT SHAKES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS THE TRANSMISSIONS STALLS THEN SHIFTS SO HARD IT OVERCOMES THE STEERING WHEEL AND SOMETIMES CAUSES A CHANGE OF DIRECTION. WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 50MPH + IN OVERDRIVE THE TRANSMISSION WILL SURGE THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY AS IT ATTEMPTS TO STAY IN GEAR. AFTER REGULARLY SCHEDULED SERVICE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED A SOLUTION OTHER THAN SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON ANOTHER TRANSMISSION THAT MAY CAUSE THE SAME RESULT. THIS IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH OCCURS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD SWING OPEN SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH COOPER DISCOVERY HTP TIRES, SIZE: 235 70 R16 (N/A). THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A SIDE RAIL AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE WHIPLASH INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY WHILE ON A TRIP LEFT US ALL STRANDED IN COLD! *TR
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES. TIME BETWEEN ONSET OF NOISE AND NEAR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES. FEARING A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS MIGHT FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURIES, THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO INCUR THE HIGH COST TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS AND RELATED PARTS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF MODEL YEARS AND IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DESIGN DEFECT. NHTSA HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE VIA A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS AND MUST COMPEL FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO ISSUE A RECALL OF ALL FORD EXPLORERS BEGINNING WITH MODEL YEAR 2002 OR EARLIER. THE RECALL RIGHTFULLY MUST INCLUDE FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY REPAIR COSTS INCURRED BY OWNERS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION. *TR
WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING CAUSING THE EXPLORER TO BARELY PULL OUT INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH HAD TO STOP TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, AND IT HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING. *TR
THREE MONTHS AGO THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. SOMETIMES THE RPM'S WILL REV BUT THE CAR WILL NOT INCREASE IN SPEED.THE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SHIFT HARSHLY. *TR
MERGING INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC ON US23 N. IN OHIO, TRIED TO ACCELERATE JUST AS I ALWAYS DO AND THE TRANSMISSION DECIDES IT DOESNT WANT TO SHIFT, THEN WHEN IT FINALLY DID (APPROX 5000 RPM) IT SLAMED INTO GEAR. NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING REAR-ENDED. TURNED VEHICLE AROUND, TRIED FLUID/FILTER CHANGE WITH NO SUCCESS. DID A SEARCH ON THE NET AND FOUND THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECKED FOR RECALL AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NONE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED. THE CONTACT TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO PARK AND SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 210,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EMITTED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AS THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL-BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A PHONE POLE. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND MOUTH. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND A BRUISED TAIL BONE. THE PERSON SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND LACERATIONS TO THE FEET. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
ALARM GOES OFF WHEN SET AND NO ONE IS AROUND, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK, LIGHT INSIDE DO NOT TURN OFF AND SOMETIMES DO NOT TURN ON, RADIO DOES NOT TURN OFF WHEN OPENING THE FRONT DOORS, BUT WILL TURN OFF WHEN BACK DOORS ARE OPENED. *TR
DRIVE TRAIN, BUCKS, GRINDS, IS SLIPPING. MAKES ALOT OF NOISE. HAD THE REAR END REPLACED AND IT DID NOT WORK, PAID $1000.00 OR SO AND DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. ON OCCASION I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT MY AIR BAG HAS NOT GONE OFF YET. ALSO WHILE DRIVING MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT & DOME LIGHTS COME ON. *TR
I'VE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK SAYING THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT'S NOT. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSIDE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS. I NOTICED IT USUALLY HAPPENS EITHER WHILE ITS RAINING OR IF IT JUST FINISHED RAINING. SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE (YEAR/MAKE/MODEL) SAYS THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO HIS VEHICLE. I'M WONDERING IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND IF SO, WHAT STEPS DO THE MANUFACTURES TAKE IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR A SPECIFIC PROBLEM? ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! *TR
I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN A PRIVATE SALE ON 11/09/12 AND ON 11/10/12 WENT TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO REVERSE ON A FLAT SURFACE AND MY SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF AND I AM NOT ABLE TO SHIFT MY VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BECAME DETACHED, LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
THE O/D LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING ON AND OFF. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION DOES NO LONGER WANT TO SHIFT GEARS; AND WHEN IT DOES IT SHIFTS VERY HARD. *TR
THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. WHEN YOU GO TO PUT GAS IN IT THE PUMPS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. SOMETHING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM IS TELLING THE PUMP THAT THE TANK IS FULL WHEN IT IS NOT. IT CAN TAKE 30 MINUTES TO PUT 10 GALLONS IN THE TANK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE INADVERTENTLY STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BRUISED CHEST, RIBS ARMPIT AND WRISTS. HE ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ALL OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 250,100.
ON THE AFTERNOON OF OCTOBER 22ND 2012 MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS LEAVING THE SPEECH THERAPIST WITH MY SON WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE SHIFTER SNAPPED OFF IN HER HAND. THE CAR EVERY SINCE WE HAD IT WHEN U PUT IT IN PARK AS A DELAY AND ROLLS FOR WARD A BIT I FEEL THAT THIS IS A RECALL THAT FORD SHOULD ISSUE FOR THIS CAR. ITS JUST NOT FAIR TO HAVE TO PAY OVER 1200 DOLLARS TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS NOT MY FAULT.WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE STREET LUCKILY MY WIFE KNEW TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS PROBLEM REALLY COULD END UP IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN FATALITY TO AN INDIVIDUAL. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. FAILED ORIGINALLY AT 65,000 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FAILED AGAIN 3 YEARS LATER AT 130,000 MILES AND HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. 10 MONTHS LATER AT 140,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AND STARTING TO SLIP. I DON'T ANTICIPATE PAYING FOR A 4TH TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DESIGN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE 10MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BODY MOUNTS WERE DETERIORATING BETWEEN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPOXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BELT TENSIONER FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SOUND LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE NOISE HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OVER FOUR YEARS, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN WHEN I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP LIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO 3RD GEAR. THE ENGINE REVVED HIGHLY AND THEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION KICKED INTO GEAR WITH A SUDDEN JOLT FORWARD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE HEATER HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE HEATER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEATER BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER, REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACTED MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE CLOSED OR OPENED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,983 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 206,000. UPDATED 11/07/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF THE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 11/07/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SLIPPING GEARS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA09013 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: COLUMN SHIFT STEERING: COLUMN STEERING: COLUMN LOCKING: ANTI-THEFT DEVICE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 11/28/12 *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SQUEALING NOISE AND BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FROZEN AND THAT HE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON THEM UNTIL THEY FRACTURED, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE FROZEN TO THE AXLE, AND THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.
WHILE COMING OFF A FREEWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO STOP. WHEN TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD THE CAR BEGAN TO TRY TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME. I WAS LUCKY I WAS COMING TO A STOP RATHER THEN GOING FULL SPEED ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. THE TRANSMISSION NOW NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT ACCORDING TO 2 MECHANICS. *TR
2002 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A BOLT UNDER THE FRONT SEAT THAT CAN BREAK CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH *TGW THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS 2002, AND NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL# 03V281000, WHICH HE DID REFERENCE.*JB
WENT TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE FROM THE PARK POSITION AND THE SHIFTER COMPLETELY BROKE AND WAS HANGING. ALSO, I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. WE WERE PLANNING TO MAKE AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP THE FOLLOWING DAY, HOWEVER, HAD TO CHANGE PLANS DUE TO THIS SITUATION. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT DEFECT FOR THE EXACT TYPE OF VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THAT SINCE THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN SO MANY SAME SITUATIONS, THAT A RECALL WOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE BY NOW. NOT HAS IT ONLY BEEN INCONVENIENT, BUT COULD ALSO BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS! *TR
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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