2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Complaint Log

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC STALLS WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT'S LIKE YOU'RE TAKING YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS AND BACK ON IT AGAIN EXCEPT THAT ISN'T WHAT I'M DOING. TODAY IT DID THAT AND THEN WENT DEAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD PLACE BUT THEY SAID WITH NO LIGHTS ON IT WOULDN'T DO ANY GOOD TO HOOK IT UP TO A MACHINE. THEY SAID IT COULD BE ANYTHING FROM ELECTRONICS, FUEL PUMP, ETC. MY WARRANTY RUNS OUT IN ABOUT 4,500 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR WITH THE STALLING OUT BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT ACTUALLY WENT DEAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT OVER THE PAST YEAR THAT IT HAS STALLED AT LEAST 25 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT ONLY 1 TIME SO FAR DID IT GO DEAD. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA

WHILE DRIVING 65 AND ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FAILED TO GO INTO PASSING GEAR. ENGINE STALLED AND CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. ONCE OFF THE ROAD CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TOT HE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, GAS TANK AND AIR FLOW SENSOR. SO FAR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING AS IT SHOULD. THE HEAT SHIELD UNDER THE VEHICLE RATTLED. THE DEALER ADJUSTED IT. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS. *NM

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK ON FEBRUARY 20TH, 2004 WITH A LITTLE OVER 20,000 MILES. ON FEBRUARY 24TH, 2004, AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP MY TRUCK DIED ON A BUSY STREET ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE SALESMAN TOLD ME THAT THE TRUCK HAD FLOODED. ON JUNE 10TH, AUGUST 12TH, NOVEMBER 19TH, AND AGAIN ON DECEMBER 2ND, 2004 (THE ONLY ONES I WROTE DOWN  IT DOES HAPPEN MORE OFTEN) MY TRUCK ALSO DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THESE HAVE ALL BEEN VERY SERIOUS INCIDENTS WHERE I FELT LUCKY TO NOT ONLY BE ALIVE BUT THAT I HADNT HIT ANYTHING OR ANYONE ELSE. THE TECHNICIANS FROM THE DEALERSHIP HAVE LOOKED AT MY TRUCK ON ALL THESE OCCASIONS AND GAVE ME LITTLE OR NO EXCUSE FOR THE TRUCK TO DIE. AT THIS TIME IVE ASKED FOR A REASONABLE REFUND  WITH NO SUCCESS&&IM AT A LOSS&&&PLEASE HELP!!!!*AK

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC NEW. SHORTLY AFTER HAVE ELECTRIC WINDOW PROBLEMS DRIVERS DOOR BACK PASSENGER WINDOW AND NOW THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW, BAD BODY MOUNTS,AND IDLES BAD WHEN IN PARK OR STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. RPM'S 500 TO 1000 BACK DOWN TO 500-400. 2002 HAD A BABY GIRL 1 1/2 YEARS AND ANOTHER ON THE WAY NEEDED A 4 DOOR AND ALSO FOR WORK. I KICK MY SELF EVERY DAY THAT I HAVE OWNED IT BUT HAD NO CHOICE MONEY WAS TIGHT AND STILL IS COULD NOT AFFORD EVERY TIME GETTING THINGS FIXED SO I LIVED WITH IT!!!! UNTIL I FOUND THIS WEB PAGE I AM FED UP I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORD BUT AFTER THIS IM NOT SO SURE ANYMORE! AND READING OTHER PEOPLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS THE SPORT TRAC IS ONE BIG LEMON!!!!!! *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, FLOOR MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT FOR ANOTHER $125.00 CONSUMER COULD HAVE A NICE AND DECENT NEW CAR". *AK

I PURCHASED MY 2002 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC IN MARCH LAST YEAR(2003). I HAD TO WAIT AND EXTRA WEEK TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT THEY SWORE TO ME WAS TAKEN CARE OF. IN JANUARY 2004 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I CALLED MY CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR ME TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY TRUCK CHECKED. THREE DAYS LATER MY TRANSMISSION BLEW. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY TRUCK FIXED. THREE WEEKS AND $2600.00 LATER I GOT MY TRUCK BACK. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT WORK. I CALLED AAMCO(THE PLACE FORD REFERRED ME TOO), AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION BUT NOW AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE FIXED BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THAT FIXED AS WELL. MY TRUCK HAD 39,000 MILES AND WAS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND FORD IS STATING THAT THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX ANYTHING FOR FREE. I HAVE SEEN ALL KINDS OF REPORTS OF ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL TRUCK AND I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS.

I PURCHASED THIS 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORTTRAC IN OCTOBER OF 2003, WITH 25,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR OCCASIONS THAT MY VEHICLE HAS RUN OUT OF GAS, WITH THE GASOLINE GAUGE READING BETWEEN 1/4 AND 1/2 TANK READING ON THE GAUGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DONLEY FORD IN GALION, OHIO AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER. I WAS WONDERING WHY THIS ITEM WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I MUST DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED? THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND I WILL HOPEFULLY HEAR FROM YOU.

WHILE MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY, COULDN'T GET OVER 2,000 RPM AND THUS COULDN'T GET ENOUGH SPEED TO MERGE ON AT OVER 25MPH. VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRYING TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. NEW VEHICLE HAS 10812 MILES. FORD MAINTENANCE DEPT STATED THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, IT RAN FINE FOR THEM. MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND IN DRIVE IT RAN, IN NEUTRAL COULDN'T GET MORE THAN 2,000 RPM, MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNOR, NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY HUSBAND SAID FIX THE CAR. THEY STILL HAVE MY TRUCK.*AK

ALL FOUR TIRES WERE SLIGHTLY CUPPING, AND THE BRAKES MADE A THUMPING NOISE WHEN THEY WERE DEPRESSED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PADS, LUBED THE FRONT CALIPER SLIDE PIN, AND REPLACED ROTORS. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TIRES CUPPING. THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE: ENGINE REPLACED, BRAKES, REPLACED, ALIGNMENT, BATTERY WIRING ASSEMBLY REPAIRED, DPFE SENSOR REPLACED. CONSUMER ASKED DEALER FOR A FULL REFUND ON VEHICLE.*MR

THIS DISCREPANCY APPLIES TO A EXPLORER SPORT TRAC NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SEPT 2001. THE VEHICLE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE REACHED 15,000 MILES. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT IF THE LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT AFTER 3 CONSECUTIVE COLD STARTS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE WINDOW FOR SERVICING AT ITS 15,000 MILE CHECK-UP ANYWAY, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND SHOWED THEM THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. I EXPECTED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINISHED WITH ITS REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM FIXED IN A DAY OR TWO. I WAS WRONG, AND FROM READING SIMILAR PROBLEMS REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS, IT APPEARS THIS COULD BE A TREND FOR THE SPORT TRAC MODEL- IF NOT FOR THE ENTIRE EXPLORER GENRE. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND IT WAS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THEN I REMEMBERED THAT I HAD OFTEN NOTICED DROPS OF FLUID ON THE DRIVEWAY EACH TIME I BACKED OUT. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. I DIDN'T CARE WHAT IT TOOK TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER A WHOLE NEW GAS TANK, BECAUSE AS IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, THE FUEL PUMP WAS INTEGRAL TO THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS NOT IN STOCK AND HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM THE FACTORY. THE DEALER SUPPLIED A RENTAL CAR WHILE THE SPORT TRAC WAS BEING REPAIRED. IT TOOK 2 WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP. AFTER THEY RECEIVED IT, IT ONLY TOOK TOOK A COUPLE OF HOURS FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO INSTALL IT AND CHECK IT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY REPAIRED AND I NO LONGER SEE ANY DROPLETS ON THE DRIVEWAY, NOR IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MOST OF THE TWO WEEKS THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS DUE TO AWAITING PARTS. ANY FUEL LEAK SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CRITICAL FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. I ASKED THE DEALER'S REPRESENTATIVE IF THE TANK/PUMP PROBLEM WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MODEL AND THEY DENIED IT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BLACK SMOKE WOULD CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE. CONSUMER COULD SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. .*AK DRIVERS REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT MOLDING IS FALLING OFF. CENTER DUCT LOOSE ON DASH. DRIVERS SEAT CUSHION LOST ITS FORM. *TS

I BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC IN AUG. OF 2002. EVER SINCE IT WAS A YEAR OLD I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAD IT 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, THEY REPLACED THE SAME PART 4 TIMES, THAT DID NOT HELP. THEY FINALLY CALLED THE FORD HELP LINE AND FOUND OUT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE GAS TANK. MY TRUCK THE FIRST TIME LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I SHUT IT OFF AND IT RESTARTED FINE. I TOOK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TO RE-PROGRAM THE MAIN COMPUTER CHIP. NEXT, MY TRUCK WOULDN'T START UNLESS HOLDING DOWN THE GAS PEDAL THEN FINALLY IT WOULD START AND THERE WOULD BE A BLACK SMOKE CLOUD THAT WOULD COME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE EACH TIME. THE NEW GAS TANK FINALLY FIXED THIS PROBLEM! NOW I HAVE OTHER ISSUES WITH A NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND WHEN I FIRST START IT UP AND BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE OR PARKING SPACE IT SPUTTERS THEN ONCE IN DRIVE IT IS OK, ALSO WHEN SHIFTING AFTER 40MPH IT HAS A HARD SHIFT INSTEAD OF A SMOOTH ONE. STILL TRYING TO GET IT FIXED.*AK

I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORTTRAC. I BOUGHT IT WITH 1600 MILES ON IT ALREADY IN MARCH 2002. ON 9/6/03, I HAD IT TOWED IN FOR A CONTINUOUS REVING BETWEEN 1&2 AND BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THE TRUCK HAD ALREADY BEEN STALLING DURING THE PREVIOUS MONTHS WHENEVER I WANTED TO SPEED UP. FORD HAD MY TRUCK FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 WEEKS, REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION FROM THE FACTORY. THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME THEY HAD TO SEND FOR YET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION - THAT EVEN FORD WAS STUMPED WITH THE PROBLEM SO JUST SENT THEM ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. I GOT MY TRUCK BACK AND IT WORKED FINE. THEN, THE STALLING STARTED HAPPENING PERIODICALLY AGAIN AND AGAIN. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN - THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. I COMPLAIN ABOUT IT EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICING. I ALSO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CONSTANT FRONT PASSENGER WIND NOISE; THEY INITIALLY SAID THERE WERE LEAKS AND EVEN THOUGH I STILL COMPLAIN, THEY NOW SAY THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM. I ASKED ABOUT THE LEMON LAW AND THE SALESMAN WHO SOLD ME THE TRUCK (I BOUGHT IT IN ANOTHER CITY) TOLD ME THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAS TO HAPPEN 5 TIMES. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION. WHAT CAN I DO? I HAVE NOW READ OTHER INSTANCES IN THIS WEB SITE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. MY TRUCK NOW HAS ALMOST 32,856 MILES ON IT. I RESPONDED '0' TO 'NUMBER OF FAILURES' - I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS MEANT BY THIS QUESTION. YES, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED.*AK

THE VEHICLE MUST BE DRIVEN WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN BECAUSE CHEMICAL FUMES ENTER INTO THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND RESET BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. *SCC *JB

BOUGHT FROM DEALER, USED WITH 15000 MILES. AFTER 300 MILES HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT (TRANNY WARNING LIGHT AND VIBRATION UNDER ACCELERATION, UPSHIFT 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD). ONLY HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY. THREE WEEKS AFTER REBUILD NOTICED VIBRATION AT SLOW SPEEDS, BUT COULD NOT REPLICATE ON DEMAND. DEALER COULD NOT REPEAT VIBRATION AND RETURNED IT WITH NO ACTION. ONE WEEK LATER TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 2 DIFFERENT DAYS. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR EVALUATION TODAY. I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION

I'VE HAD TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE LEFT REAR BRAKES HAS LOCKED UP: FIRST, AFTER ENTERING PARKING GARAGE FROM SNOW COVERED STREETS 02/21/03. SECOND, MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHILE RAINING. LOSES TRACTION OVER BUMPY ROAD ARES AND DIPS.

I OWN A 2002 SPORT TRAC, AT ABOUT 46000 MILES MI TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MISS SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, IT TOOK ABOUT 3 TO 4 SECONDS FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO GET INTO THE NEXT GEAR, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I USUALLY HAVE THE TRUCK SERVICED THINKING THAT IT JUST NEEDED A FLUID CHECK DUE TO THE FACT THEY PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE AT ABOUT 30000. WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER I WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD A PROBLEM ON THE FLUID LINES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT TO BE REBUILT, SO I ASKED WHY WAS THIS HAPPENING AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GASKETS BEEN WORN OUT INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. BUT THEY COULDN'T SPECIFY IF THIS WAS A FACTORY PROBLEM OR A OWNER ABUSE PROBLEM, SO WHEN I ASKED IF THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER (FORD) ON THIS TYPE OF TRUCKS THE ANSWER WAS NO. THEN I WAS ADVISED THAT MY TRUCK WAS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY WHICH IS 3 YEARS OR 36000 MILES AND IF I WANTED TO HAVE THE JOB DONE IT HAD TO BE SELF FINANCED, SO I ASKED FOR AN ESTIMATE WHICH WAS ABOUT 18 HOURS LABOR @ $100 P/H AND $500 IN PARTS TOTALING $2300 AND FINALLY AFTER CALLING FORD AND COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS $30000 TRUCK HAVING A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND GETTING A "YOUR TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM" I FINALLY PAID THE REPAIRS OUT OF MY POCKET WHICH I PERSONALLY THINK SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A ALMOST BRAND NEW TRUCK. *JB

THERE IS A HOLE IN FRONT BUMPER WITHOUT A FRILL OR GUARD WHICH ALLOWS DEBRIS TO ENTER DIRECTLY INTO VEHICLE'S RADIATOR.*AK

THERE IS A "LINE OF SEPARATION" BETWEEN HEADLINER ALONG THE TOP OF FRONT WINDSHIELD. CAN FEEL AIR COMING INTO INTERIOR CABIN. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED GLASS MAY ENTER INTERIOR IF HIT.*AK

I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH GAS SPEWING OUT OF TANK WHEN REFUELING. THIS IS MY SECOND SPORT TRAC. FORD BOUGHT BACK MY FIRST ONE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIX ONGOING ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT STARTED OFF AS A ROUGH IDLE PROBLEM. THEY EVEN REPLACED THE ENGINE, AND SURPRISINGLY THAT MADE THINGS WORSE. I HAVE HAD MY NEW VEHICLE SINCE THE END OF JULY AND HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ROUGH IDLE PROBLEMS RECENTLY.*JB

I PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC IN DEC. 2002. I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT A NUMBER OF TIMES. THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF ITEMS THAT I'VE HAD REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY: 1.) FRONT BRAKES: A LOUD RUBBING/GRIDING SOUND BECAME INCREASINGLY LOUDER. THE FIRST TIME THE SERVICE DEPT. FOLKS SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL. THE NEXT TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, THEY COULD DENY THE NOISE AND THEY SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACE ONE ROTOR AND RESURFACED THE OTHER. 2.) REAR AXLE: A BROKEN SEAL ALLOWED HYDROULIC FLUID TO COVER INSIDE OF THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN BRAKING. THE SERVICE DEPT. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY 3.) THE TRANSFER CASE FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE SERVICE DEPT. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. 4.) THE VEHICLE STALLS A NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF TIMES (10-15 TIMES) SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. IT STALLS WHILE I'M DRIVING AT 35 MILES PER HOUR, IN REVERSE, DAY OR NIGHT. WHEN I GO FOR AN ERRAND AND PARK, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. AN HOUR LATER, WHEN THE TOW TRUCK IS THERE, THE VEHICLE START. IT DRIVES ME CRAZY!! THE SERVICE DEPT. SAYS THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE NOTHING REGISTERS ON THE COMPUTER AND THEY CANNOT SIMULATE THE PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED (08-04-04) MERGING ON TO THE FREEWAY IT STALLED. UPON START-UP, BLACK SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND IDLING WAS EXTREMELY ROUGH. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPT REPLACED A MASS AIRFLOW METER UNDER WARRENTY. THE VEHICLE RUNS...I'LL CROSS MY FINGERS!! MY CURRENT PROBLEM IS THAT THE FRONT TIRES ARE SEVERLY CUPPING AND THE FRONT END VIBERATES AT 60 MPH AND OVER. THE VEHICLE HAS 25K MILES AND THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED 5 TIMES ABOUT EVERY 5K MILES. I HAD THE WHEELS CHECKED FOR ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE AND IT IS TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE SERVICE DEPT SAYS ITS NORMAL AND TO CONTINUE WITH THE ROTATIONS. THE TIRES ARE WEARING UNEVENLY AND PREMATURELY. THE TIRE SHOP RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEPT DOES NOT.*AK

SEAT BELTS DIFFICULT TO DISENGAGE AND SECURE. *JB NAR 1/21/2002

DRIVING IN THE RAIN CAUSES DEBRIS AND WATER TO GET INTO THE FUEL TANK WHICH LEADS TO A FUELING PROBLEM. IF YOU TRY TO FUEL THE CAR AT ANY SPEED OF THE GAS PUMP, GASOLINE SPITS BACK AT TREMENDOUS PRESSURE. IT COVERS THE CAR, THE FUELING PERSON AND FORD IS NOT LETTING THIS SECRET OUT TO THE PUBLIC. I TALKED TO TWO MECHANICS AT THE DEALERSHIP MY CAR IS IN (THE CAR HAS BEEN THERE FOR A MONTH, THIS TIME) AND THEY SAID IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT CAUSED BY TWO CANISTERS THAT ARE TO KEEP RAIN AND FEUL OUT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION!!!!!!!!!!! I'VE SEEN PEOPLE WITH CIGARETTES IN THEIR HAND WHILE REFUELING. IF THIS HAPPENS TO THEM THEY ARE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUT OF FUEL THAT SPITS BACK. I'VE FILED FOR THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE I DON'T WANT A CAR THAT DOES THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE ONLY REPLACING THE SAME PART.*JB

DEFECTIVE BRAKE CALIPER 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC WITH LESS THAN 6000 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENCE APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 2002. A BRAKE CALIPER WAS STUCK ON AFTER PUTTING ON THE BRAKES WHILE IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE CALIPER WAS REPLACED AND THE ROTOR WAS DAMAGED BUT STILL USABLE. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS MALFUNCTIONING WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE(SUMMER, DRY ROADS). THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED (DO HAVE THESE PARTS). THE ABS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OCCURRED BETWEEN AUG 2007 AND DECEMBER 2007. THE VEHICLE HAD 38000-40000 MILES AND LIGHTLY DRIVEN. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 470000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN 6.5 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED FOR TOWING. IT WAS USED PRIMARILY FOR TAKING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, ACTIVITIES, AND FAMILY VACATIONS. *TR

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 3,500 MILES THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WILL GO FROM 60-3 MPH INSTANTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ,AND ON JUNE 6 AND 15, 2005. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.*AK

ENGINE STALLED AT 4683 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. DATE: 7 OCTOBER 2002. I NOTED THAT IT NOW IDLES AT 600 RPM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. *JB

FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, 2002. AT 4,122 MI BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED THREE TIMES, AND TRUCK NEARLY STALLED. *JB

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I JUST READ THE ARTICLE ON THE FORD ESCAPE (4/13/04) RECALL AT CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM. I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN SEPTEMBER 2002. THIS ENGINE STALLING/STUTTERING AND DYING IS EXACTLY WHAT MY FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC HAS BEEN DOING SINCE THE 2ND DAY (30 MILES) OF OWNERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, WITH DOCUMENTATION, AND THEY SAY THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE SENT SEVERAL LETTERS TO THE FORDS DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD. THEY STATED IN THEIR SUMMARY THAT I COULD NOT BE HELPED BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN INCONVENIENCED ENOUGH. I HOPE I CAN GET SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS. FORD HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST ME. MY VEHICLE, JUST TODAY, AGAIN HESITATED AND CHUGGED FOR SOME TIME. IT IS LIKE THE FUEL IS NOT GETTING TO THE CARBURETOR. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. LUCIUS (BUD) ANGELL

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANK/VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL FUEL SPLASHES INTO THE VAPOR RECOVERY CANISTER AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. FORD ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 60-90 DAYS FOR A SOLUTION. IN THE MEANTIME I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE TANK 3/4 FULL OR LESS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS DESIGN PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IF IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THEN EVERY SPORT TRAC SHOULD BE EFFECTED. IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE 4 TIMES THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ME THREE OF THEM WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. EVEN FOR MYSELF , A LARGE MALE, I HAD TROUBLE COMPLETING THE TURN. I SHUDDER TO THINK BOUT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY 105 POUND DAUGHTER HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND IT HAD STALLED DURING A TURN. IF THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, THEN PEOPLE NEED TO BE WARNED WHEN THEY PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. NOT FILLING THE GAS TANK COMPLETELY DOES WORK, NO STALLS OCCUR. THANK YOU. TIM COLE. *NLM *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*768014

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AND TRUCK WOULD BARELY STOP. PH

4405 MILES, 9:05 A.M., SEPTEMBER 1, 2002, CAR STALLED AGAIN. *JB

DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER BOLT BROKE. BRAKES SQUEALED CONSTANTLY. REPLACED LEFT REAR AXLE AND SEAL. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SAW THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE IN THE BED AREA FROM THE BRAKES ON PASSENGER SIDE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE TOO TIGHT. *TC *JB

NO SUMMARY. DT

SPITS OUT GAS WHEN I START TO FILL IT UP. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES BETWEEN 8/02-2/03 FOR A CUMLATIVE TOTAL OF 35 DAYS! IT'S RUNNING NOW, BUT FOR HOW LONG BEFORE IT GOES BACK IN THE SHOP IS ANYBODY'S GUESS. I ASKED ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER SPORT TRACS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, HE SAID NO. IF THAT WAS THE CASE, WHY WAS THE PART HE NEEDED TO FIX MY TRUCK ON NATIONAL BACKORDER? THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO EVERYONES ATTENTION THAT HAS A SPORT TRAC. GAS SPITTING OUT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN TO BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED! *JB

THE ENGINEERING OF THE SUSPENSION IS SUCH THAT THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON ANYTHING BUT A STRAIGHT PERFECTLY SMOOTH ROAD. ANY DIPS, BUMPS, OR CURVES MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL.*JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC-DURING FUELING GAS SPITS OUT OF THE FILLER. SERVICE MANAGER SAID TO ME THAT LOTS OF SPORT TRACS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND FORD CAN'T FIND THE ANSWER TO IT. THEY ARE NOT LETTING THIS OUT TO THE PUBLIC OR ON A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO IT! MY SPORT TRAC HAS BEEN IN THEIR FOR OVER A MONTH AND THEY HAVEN'T RESOLVED THIS YET!!!!!!!

I DRIVE A 2002 FORD SPORT TRAC WITH FOLLOWING PROBLEMS THAT CAN NOT BE CORRECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.1) THE FUEL TANK IS NOT PROPERLY VENTED, BECAUSE THE LAST 3-4 GALLONS COULD TAKE 3-4 MINUTES TO ACCOMPLISH WHILE REFUELING. 2) WHILE DRIVING BETEEN 60-65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND FOLLOWING THE DEALERSHIP'S INSTRUCTIONS, THE BEST THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISH IS 15-16 MPG. 3) THE OVER-HEAD TEMPERATURE CAN NOT BE CALIBRATED, IT REMAINS 4-5 DEGREES OFF.

BODY MOUNTS ON LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE KEEP COMING LOOSE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE BODY MOUNTS. FORD IS BUYING VEHICLE BACK.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS MOSTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR. VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST 20 TIMES, TAKEN TO DEALER 8 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY, FORD WAS BUYING VEHICLE BACK.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DIES OUT, BUT WILL RESTART. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE FUEL SYSTEM. *AK THE FIRST TWO FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STARTED UP IN 3 TO 5 MIN. THE THIRD FAILURE, THE MOST SERIOUS, IT TOOK APPROX. 10 MIN. TO START IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. CONSUMER TOOK TO DEALER. TWO MONTHS LATER, VEHICLE QUIT RUNNING AT 45 MPH. CONSUMER LIMPED HOME AT 5 MPH, LET IDLE FOR 10 MIN. THEN IT RAN FINE AGAIN. *PH

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT STALLING PROBLEMS. VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT MORE THAN 40 MPH. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES, AND THEY STILL COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKING HARD LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN PARKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP WITH A USED PUMP. CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER USING, USED PARTS TO CORRECT A RECALLED ITEM. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STALLING PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED. ALSO, RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED, AND DOOR COULDN'T BE OPENED EXCEPT FROM THE OUTSIDE. *AK