2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING AND TRANSMISSION MIGHT BE GOING OUT. *TR

FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER - KNOWN PROBLEM OF MANY VEHICLES MADE MY FORD ESPECIALLY THIS MODEL/YEAR. BUT NO RECALLS OR HELP IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM. HAD TO REPLACE MINE COSTING $2600 IN PARTS AND LABOR. *TR

DURING THE 90,000 MILE SERVICING OF THIS VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ON OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE DO NOT RESIDE IN A COASTAL AREA RESULTING IN EXPOSURE TO THE SALTY OCEAN SPRAY NOR DO WE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN OFF ROAD SITUATIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE WATER TO ACCUMULATE UNDER THE VEHICLE. FOR THESE REASONS THERE IS NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THE COIL SPRINGS TO PREMATURELY RUST THROUGH. I DON'T WANT TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE OR I IF THESE SPRINGS WOULD HAVE FALLEN COMPLETELY OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE REVED INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING, RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT WHILE PULLING OFF AN INTERSTATE RAMP. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS APPROX $4000. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 112K MILES ON IT! *TR

O/D LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK WHILE ACCELERATING. TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP. THIS A PERMANENT FAILURE. TOOK TO FORD SERVICE AND WITHOUT INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WAS IN MINT CONDITION ON THE OUTSIDE AND FAIR ON THE INSIDE, WELL AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK A FEW MONTHS ONE DAY I NOTICED A HUGE CRACK BY THE FORD EMBLEM ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TAMPERING, AND I HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, SO THIS TROUBLED ME KNOWING THAT THIS CRACK HAD JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN APPEARED ON MY TRUCK. WELL I WENT TO THE STORE LATER THAT DAY AND PASSED ANOTHER CONSUMER ON MY WAY OUT OF THE STORE AND NOTICED THEY WERE DRIVING THE SAME KIND OF TRUCK, AND LO AND BEHOLD THEY HAD THE SAME CRACK IN THE SAME PLACE. I GOT THEIR ATTENTION AND ASKED IF THERE WAS SOME KIND OF INCIDENT THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED IT, AND THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT IT TOO JUST APPEARED ON THEIR TRUCK, I HAVE NOTICED MANY FORD EXPLORERS RANGING FROM 2002- 2005 HAVING THIS SAME CRACK, KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE NICE VEHICLES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DAMAGED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE OR NOT, BY IT BEING SO CLOSE TO THE REAR WINDOW, BUT IT DOES CONCERN ME THAT I PAY MONEY FOR A NICE VEHICLE AND THERE ARE DEFECTS THAT THE COMPANY WILL NOT ADDRESS. I HAVE BEEN OUT ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME MYSTERIOUS CRACK WITH PICTURES IN THE SAME PLACE ON THE TRUCK, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PLASTIC AND REPAIR THE CRACKS. PLEASE HELP US , THE CONSUMERS IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. *TR

DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION IN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER AFTER ONLY 117K MILES. TRANSMISSION FAILS SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. SOME TIMES GETS STOCK IN PARKING. COMPLETE FAILURE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $3600 TO $4000. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE AND FORD DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS COMMON WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER. I AM NOW AT 100K MILES AND MY TRANSMISSION IS IN NEED OF BEING REBUILT BECAUSE FORD MANUFACTURED A TRANSMISSION THAT WAS TWO SMALL FOR THE 2ND AND 5TH GEARS TO SHIFT IN WHICH CREATED FRICTION AND WEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO STILL OWES MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD 2000 TO "REBUILD" THIS TRANSMISSION FOR IT TO FAIL ON ME AGAIN LIKE ALL THE REST. I CONTACTED FORD AND OF COURSE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. MY FATHER BEING A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS ABOUT TO BLOW DUE TO THE HIGH RPMS THIS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PUTTING OUT FOR A WHILE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THIS WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML WHERE OVER 350 PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH MY THREE YEAR OLD IN THE CAR WHERE ANYTHING COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THESE VEHICLES ARE NORMAL BOUGHT FOR FAMILY VEHICLES AND I DO NOT SEE HOW THIS IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST SINCE IT IS PUTTING MANY FAMILIES IN DANGER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING I NEED TO DO TO GET A RECALL ACTIVE ON THIS TRANSMISSION. THANK YOU. *TR

PURCHASED 2002 EXPLORER XLT V6 4.0L ALREADY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING SOLENOID OR WHATEVER OUT.. I HAVE READ REPORTS AND WONDER WHY THIS TRANSMISSION IS NOT RECALLED? I HAVE IT IN SHOP NOW HAVING TO HAVE IT REBUILT AND EVERYTHING CHANGED. ALSO RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS BAD, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS BAD, SUSPENSION SHOT. AND THE RECORDS SHOW THE PREVIOUS OWNERS MAINTAINED EVERYTHING WELL. BUT ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND HAD PROBLEMS AT 99,000MILES. PLEASE DOING SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US OUT HERE. ALSO COOLANT LEAK, ENGINE LEAK, POWER SEAT FAILURE, AND ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR LIFT GATE AND WINDOW WOULD NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AND IT WOULD ALSO WOBBLE. THE ELECTRONIC POWER DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK BECAUSE THEY WOULD DETECT THE LIFT GATE WAS NOT CLOSED ENGAGING AND A WARNING SOUND ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE IGNITION WAS STARTED AND THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FRACTURED INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF LOCATING THE PART FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING, WOULDN'T SHIFT, AND THE O/D LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER IN WASILLA, AK THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY KEPT IT FOR 3-4 WEEKS WHILE "REPAIRING" IT. THE FOURTH TIME IT WENT OUT (MAY 2008), IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I HAD TO PURCHASE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. IN AUGUST 2012, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN; IT SIMPLY WOULDN'T ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HAD I BEEN STRANDED (1) IN THE DEAD OF WINTER (WHICH, IN ALASKA, CAN BE 35 BELOW AND LIFE&DEATH SITUATION) OR (2) IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED THAT COOLANT GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION (WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY SEALED?) AND THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN; BUT THE WARRANTY IS VOID. I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS TRANSMISSION. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE - A RECALL?? *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. I WAS SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND THE SHIFTER BROKE IN MY HAND. NOT A GOOD THING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS DUE TO THE CAST ALUMINUM THAT IS USED IN THE PART. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS, SEEING AS HOW IT HAPPENS DUE TO THE WAY IT WAS MADE NOT DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. *TR

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH THE 4.0 V6 4X4 , THE TRANSMISSION WE BELIEVE HAS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO OCCUPANTS AND PEDESTRIANS WITH VEHICLE SERGE FROM A LONG DELAY ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION ETHER FORWARD OR REVERSE POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS AND /OR NEARBY OBJECTS/PERSONS AND OR RUNAWAY VEHICLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION NOT DISENGAGED FROM GEAR OR FROM A SUDDEN VEHICLE LAUNCH IF THE DRIVER IS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THINKING THE TRANSMISSION "IS' IN GEAR ,FORD HAS TAKEN A BLIND EYE TO THE PROBLEM IN OUR OPINION FOR FEAR OF PUBLIC BACKLASH/ PUBLIC RELATIONS AND OR DISLIKE FOR THERE TRUCKS/SUV'S. FORD IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY FROM ACCIDENTS THIS COMMON TRANSMISSION ISSUE CAN CAUSE AND I UNDERSTAND FROM RESEARCHING COMPLAINT FORUMS , FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS. *TR

2002 EXPLORER'S PANEL ON THE BACK GATE BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE GATE IS CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT SPOTS. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL COME OFF AND CAUSE A TRAFFIC CRASH OR WORSE. *TR

HELLO, I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 FOR EXPLORER. ME AND MY FAMILY WERE DRIVING AND GETTING READY TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR JERKED AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. THEN THE RPM'S WENT UP TO ABOUT 5000. I THEN HAD TO RUN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A SEMI RUNNING US OVER. I HAVE 5 CHILDREN AND WE WERE LUCKY. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO OTHER FAMILIES. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! THANK YOU *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO ENGAGE IN THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,250 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,300.

MY WIFE AND I AND OUR 8 YEAR OLD TWIN BOYS WERE ON VACATION THIS SUMMER DRIVING THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN A RAIN STORM. IT WAS AUGUST 13TH, 2010. THERE WAS A HUGE SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC JAM BECAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY WIFE NEEDED TO GET OUT AND STRETCH. WHEN I PUT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER BACK INTO DRIVE, THE SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND LIKE IT WAS MADE OF BUTTER. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE WERE IN SHOCK AND SCARED BECAUSE WE WERE STUCK AT THE TOP OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN A RAINSTORM. THE FORD WAS STUCK IN DRIVE SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY TO OUR HOTEL IN RIFE, COLORADO. WE WERE VERY SCARED THE WHOLE WAY. WE MADE IT TO OUR HOTEL. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER COULD NOT GET A PART UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK. A LOCAL MECHANIC RIGGED IT SO WE COULD GET HOME TO CALIFORNIA IN TIME FOR JOBS AND SCHOOL. WE FELT VERY UNSAFE THE WHOLE WAY. WHEN WE GOT HOME TO CALIFORNIA, THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND SHIFT LEVER FOR $1,300. I HAVE A 2ND 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK TODAY, I PARKED MY FORD EXPLORER IN THE DRIVEWAY, PUT THE SHIFT LEVER INTO DRIVE AND IT BROKE OFF! AGAIN, LIKE IT WAS MADE OF BUTTER. THIS IS EXACTLY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE OTHER ONE BROKE. TODAY IS OCTOBER 13, 2010. I AM VERY CAREFUL WITH MY VEHICLES. MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH TEACHERS IN OUR MID 40'S. NOW, I AM LEFT WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE EXACT SAME DEFECT AND I WILL BE CALLING FORD AND ASKING THEM TO TREAT ME FAIRLY AND REPAIR THIS DEFECT AT THEIR COST. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

LEFT REAR "PERMANENTLY SEALED" WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 120,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP 3RD GEAR. STALLING IN TRAFFIC. FORD DEALER COULD NOT LOOK AT IT FOR 2 DAYS SO WENT TO INDEPENDENT SHOP WHO KNEW THE PROBLEM WELL. NOT ONLY HAD TO REPLACE SOLENOID VALVES, BUT ALSO TORQUE CONVERTER AND REBUILD. HAD TO DRILL OUT ONE PORT AND INSTALL STRONGER LINKAGE PART FORD OFFERED SINCE 2006. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER SUDDENLY FRACTURED INTO THE CONTACTS HAND. THERE WHERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THIS MORNING I WAS GOING AT WORK WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT ARM BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD TO CALL MY WIFE FOR GO AT WORK AND I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. MY CAR IS COMPLETELY UN-DRIVABLE. *TR

ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. O/D LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY BLINKING ON THE DASHBOARD. NEVER TOWED ANYTHING AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED. VERY DISAPPOINTING COMING FROM A LOYAL FORD FAN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL REPEATED PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THAT PEDAL. A POP NOISE WAS ALSO HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FIREWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A WIRE MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING A NEW BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10

VERY LOUD NOISE IN TIRES WHILE DRIVING AND IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER . IT IS MOST LIKELY A WHEEL BEARING ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IN THIS TRUCK SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR

DOOR AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON ALTHOUGH ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY CLOSED AND LOCKED. DRIVERS SIDE LOCKS ARE INOPERABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HINGES ON THE REAR LIFT GATE FRACTURED IN HALF AND THE WINDOW GLASS FELL AND WAS HANGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TIED DOWN THE GLASS TO PREVENT IT FROM FALLING AND SHATTERING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFT GATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

LAST NIGHT, THE O/D OFF LIGHT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER STARTED BLINKING. TODAY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE IN NORMAL DRIVE MODE OR REVERSE. IN DOING SOME INVESTIGATING, APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD EXPLORERS. PARTICULARLY THE 2002 MODELS. THIS IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS, BUT UNFAIR THAT FORD HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS VERY COMMON ISSUE. I'M AWAITING AN ANSWER ON WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG WITH MY EXPLORER. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, THE MOST COMMON CAUSE IS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I HOPE FORD DOES THE RIGHT THING AND INSTITUTES A RECALL TO THE MANY DRIVERS OF 2002 EXPLORERS THAT HAVE SUFFERED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER STARTED FLASHING THE OD LIGHT @94,000 MILES TOOK IT TO FORD THEY SAID THE VALVE BODY AND TORQUE CONVERTER WAS BAD, FORD REPLACED THE ITEMS ABOVE FOR 2600 DOLLARS PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR 10, 000 MILES PROBLEM IS BACK TORQUE CONVERTER AND VALVE BODY NEEDSTO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BEEN ERRATIC! THE FRONT ONES WILL COME ON WHENEVER THEY WANT AND ALOT WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED. AS OF LATE THEY COME ON VERY OFTEN AND IS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. TODAY THEY WERE SO UNPREDICTABLE THAT THEY ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH ME AND MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR

2ND GEAR OUT OF TRANSMISSION. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU DRIVE IT. THE OD LIGHT BLINKS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AS A RESULT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE OLD TRANSMISSION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME, BUT WON'T BE FOR LONG. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE OVER 80 MPH. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL YET THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN RESTARTING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS FROM 5,000 TO 6,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL COMPONENTS OF THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,200.

THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, FOLLOWED BY A CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT. THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY IN TRAFFIC AND HAD TO PULL THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT REMAINS UNTIL IT CAN BE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THIS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 4 X 4 V-8. FROM READING ABOUT THIS YEAR OF FORD EXPLORER'S, I SEE THAT IT THE MOST COMMON CAR COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. I HOPE YOU WILL FORCE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THANK FOR YOU HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, CLUNKING AND SEEMS LIKE IT WON'T LAST MUCH LONGER. *TR

THE SEAT BELTS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS & PASSENGERS SIDES DO NOT RETRACT . THE SEAT BELTS CONSTANTLY GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY . THIS ACTUALLY RUINED MY DOOR LOCKS ONCE ALREADY , WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE . I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES ON IT TO DATE. WE TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION AND WERE TOLD THAT 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD BEEN HEARING A LOUD, ALMOST GRINDING NOISE, WHILE DRIVING. THESE ASSEMBLIES, BEING OF POOR QUALITY, MEAN 3 OF THE 4 WHEELS ON OUR VEHICLE WERE LOOSE. I SEE A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER OD LIGHT BLINKING TRANSMISSION SLIPS. *TR

I HAVE A 02 FORD EXPLORER DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN THE OD LIGHT FLASHING LOST POWER IT HARD TO SHIFT IN GEAR AM NOT THE ONLY 1 WIT THIS PROBLEM THERE THOUSAND OF FORD OWNER WIT THIS SAME PROBLEM WHY CANT U GUYS MAKE FORD RECALL THIS PROBLEM TOYOTA MAKE THEY RECALL THEY MANUP TO THEIR PROBLEM WHY CANT FORD DO THAT. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED HER CHILD WAS SEATED AND PROPERLY SEATED IN A CHILD RESTRAINT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE CHILD RESTRAINT BEGAN TIPPING FORWARD. SHE FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. THE CONTACT THEN INSPECTED THE REMAINING SEAT BELTS AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER - THE O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT; IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT HER OWN EXPENSE AND TO FILE A CLAIM. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10

I BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER, V-6 4X4 AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT HOME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FRACTURED IN HER HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,000.

VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE TERRIBLE GRINDING/RUBBING NOISE WHILE 50 MILES FROM HOME. ON EXIT RAMP TO MY CITY, IT SWAYED... THE NEXT MORNING MY COUSIN EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FINDING THE RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKEN, AND THE LEFT IN TERRIBLE CONDITION AS WELL. I AM JUST THANKFUL NOTHING BAD HAPPENED ON MY WAY HOME. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS VEHICLE OFF ROAD NOR USED IT TO PULL ANYTHING. AFTER VIEWING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THE "CAR COMPLAINTS" WEB SITE, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN B/F FORD IS FORCED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM????? I HAD TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED, AND I DO HAVE THE OLD SPRINGS! GOOD THING I DID NOT HIT A HUGE BUMP OR POT HOLE ON MY WAY HOME OR HAVE TO SWERVE QUICKLY, I HATE TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED! *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR END GROWL/WHINE. *TR

O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND IRREGULAR SHIFTING DURING ACCELERATION. 2002 FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. EVERYTIME I LEAVE A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE RPM'S BECOME VERY HIGH (OVER 5,000) AND WILL NOT SHIFT. TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM RACING, I HAVE TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO SHIFT. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY AND WITH A LINE OF CARS BEHIND ME THAT DO NOT ANTICIPATE ME SLOWING DOWN JUST AS I AM ACCELERATING, THIS FORCES THEM TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY UNEXPECTEDLY SO THEY DO NOT RUN INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. THIS IS DANGEROUS. *TR

O/D AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY SUV EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT AS SOON AS THE LIGHTS GO ON THE SUV TANS STARTS ACTING UP AND SLIP CALLED FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT, HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED SO IT WILL COST 2,300.00 PLUS LABOR. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4 . WHY IS IT THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS YEAR FORD BUT, YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT ! I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEB OF THIS YEAR AND NOW I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM ! I PULLED OUT FROM A GREEN LIGHT THE OTHER DAY AND ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TRANS SLIPPED HAD ALL 4 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME ! MAYBE I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THIS BUT,THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I NEED TO DRIVE ! AND I SURE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS PROBLEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING BESIDES ME ! FORD NEEDS TO FIX THERE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT OR ENDS UP WORSE DEAD !! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR BOARD. THE ELECTRICAL GAUGES AND COMPONENTS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS HAD FAILED. NEITHER THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.