2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

FORD EXPLORER 2002 - TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

IN 03/2008 I WENT IN THINKING I HAD BRAKE PROBLEM AND ENDED UP WITH A RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL FORD. NOW ITS 12/2009 AND I HAVE THE SAME NOISE, I GO TO THE DEALER AND TELL HIM I THINK ITS THE LEFT FRONT BEARING AND AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION THEY SAY THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT BUT THE LEFT REAR IS ABOUT READY TO FALL OFF. I AM GLAD I WENT TO GET THE TRUCK CHECKED BEFORE IT FELL OFF AT 65 MPH ON I80. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INCIDENTS WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS/HUBS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORERS THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM AND FORD IS NOT FIXING IT. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THE PROBLEM RECALLED? ACCIDENTS WITH DEATHS? *TR

A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE LIFT-GATE BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. NO APPARENT OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. DISCOVERED WHEN PREPARING TO OPEN REAR HATCH. EXTENDS FROM WINDOW DOWNWARD TO LATCH/RELEASE POINT. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 01/08/10.*JB

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION TWICE IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS AND NOW IT'S SLIPPING AGAIN. IT JUST HAPPENS ALL HE SUDDEN AND MY CAR RAMPS UP AND THEN TAKES OFF JERKING US AS WE ARE DRIVING. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED ALREADY. THE O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND IT RAMPS UP TO 4000 RPMS BEFORE I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO SWITCH. *TR

WENT TO PLACE ITEMS IN REAR. OPENED REAR GLASS, GLASS SHATTERED. MYSELF AND MY WIFE WERE BOTH STANDING UNDER THE HATCH WHEN IT SHATTERED. NO EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE HATCH WAS GIVEN. WIFE RECEIVED WOUNDS TO THE HEAD AND HANDS. I MYSELF RECEIVED WOUNDS TO HANDS AND ARMS. *TR

AUTOMATIC SHIFTER BROKE OFF FROM COLUMN DURING DRIVING. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER O/D LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF ON HIGHWAY ENGINE STARTED TO RACE AND VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. WHEN TRYING TO START FROM A RED LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING. VEHICLE HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED INCLUDING A COMPUTER UPGRADE FROM MY DEALER (AT MY EXPENSE) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION THAT I COMPLAINED ABOUT WHEN THE TRUCK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF HIS DRIVE-WAY, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED INTO THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE GARAGE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO THE NEIGHBORS YARD, AND THEN KNOCKED OVER A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. HE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,264.

FOR THE 3RD TIME ' 2002 FORD EXPLORER GEAR SHIFT FALLING / BREAKING OFF. *TR

I TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 67K MILES ON IT TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL. THEY OFFERED A FREE INSPECTION OF WHICH THEY INFORMED ME THE RIGHT REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION IT WAS BROKEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SO THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN IT BROKE. THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE SPRING. NO IMPROVED SPRING PART NUMBER WAS AVAILABLE FOR FORD, SO I EXPECT IT TO BREAK AGAIN IN ABOUT 70K MILES IF I BUY A NEW FORD SPRING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY IN CHICAGO,MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FLASH WARNING LIGHTS,"CHECK TRANSMISSION",O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON.TRANSMISSION ALSO STARTED TO SURGE AND SLOW DOWN.I REACHED A SPOT WHERE I COULD PULL OVER AND CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE MANUAL SAID TO SEE THE FORD DEALER,IN WHICH I DID.THEY ACTED AS IF THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID "HE WOULD HAVE TO HOOK IT UP TO A COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS"($200.00)THE TOLD ME I NEEDED A"NEW TRANSMISSION.($2,500.00).THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE"AUTOBEEF" WEBSITE I FOUND THAT FORD MOTOR CO. HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR YEARS! I CALLED OTHER FORD DEALERS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY WOULD SAY. THEY ALL WANTED ME TO BRING IT IN AND PUT IT ON THEIR COMPUTERS. (AROUND$200.00)I'M GLAD I WAS DRIVING INSTEAD OF MY WIFE! I WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE FORD TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION? THEY CONTINUE TO ACT LIKE YOU'RE THE FIRST PERSON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND CHARGE YOU A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO CHECK IT OUT."REAL GOOD SCAM". *TR

MY CARS CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN I APPLIED THE FOOTBRAKE, PUSHED THE OFF SWITCH, THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE CAR WAS CHECKED BY POLICE AND WHEN IT WAS TESTED THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A FAULT IN THE FAILSAFES HOWEVER THEY ARE STILL SUSPICIOUS OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO CALL POLICE AND WAS IN A RUNAWAY CAR ON THE FREEWAY FOR 30MINS. WHEN I HIT A MEDIAN STRIP I LOST ENOUGH SPEED TO BE ABLE TO USE THE LITTLE BRAKING POWER I HAD LEFT, AS EACH TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE BACK TO THE SET SPED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD TO PUSH. WHEN I STOPPED I ALSO PULLED THE HANDBRAKE AS ORDERED BY THE POLICE OVER THE PHONE TO AVOID A HEADON, THE LEFT SHOE OF THE HANDBRAKE SNAPPED AND THE CAR SKIDDED TO A STOP. THE POLICE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY WHEN THEY DID TESTING. SO I'VE BEEN TOLD ANY FAULT CODES OR FAULTS EITHER WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OR THE ECU MAY NOW BE LOST. FORD ARE CLAIMING THIS COULD NEVER HAPPEN, BUT IM STARTING TO READ ON OTHER SITES THE SAME THINGS ARE HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. I COULD BE DEAD ALONG WITH ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT DAY. THE POLICE ALSO HAD ISSUES MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT THAT DAY ON MY CAR TO GET IT ONTO A TOW TRUCK, SO ITS NOT JUST THE DRIVER. *TR

OD LIGHT FLICKERING. DIAGNOSED AS TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM. MANY HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM WITH EXPLORER XLTS AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING BUT MAKE $1000 EACH TIME. CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM SECOND TO THIRD. EMAILED FORD, THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE TRANSMISSION EVEN AFTER HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED UNDER THE REAR WINDOW DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALARM ON THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGE SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESET THE ALARM YET THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY RECUR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY COULD REPLACE ALL OF THE SENSORS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT THE REPAIR WOULD RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.UPDATED 11/19/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE DOORS, DOME LIGHTS, WINDOWS. RADIO AND POWER SEATS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WOULD THE GET PROBLEM FIXED, BUT IT WOULD SOON RETURN. UPDATED 12/01/10

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. I DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES MORE TO MAKE IT HOME AND IT COMPLETELY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2002 EXPLORERS. OVER $2000 LATER I THOUGHT IT WAS FINALLY FIXED AND NOW NOT EVEN 2 YEARS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS THE OVERDRIVE. AS A COLLEGE STUDENT I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN. THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON FORD'S TRANSMISSIONS FOR THAT YEAR. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND THERE IS WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR FORD NOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. *TR

WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF AND FELL LIMP IN MY HANDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FORD MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

ON A HILL, PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS ONTO SOMEONE'S PROPERTY WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IN HIGH RPM'S. IT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THEN POPPED BACK OUT AGAIN! IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY WIFE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "OVER DRIVE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WITHOUT WARNING WITH AN INCREASE IN THE RPM'S. THE TRANSMISSION ONLY SHIFTED INTO THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED UNEXPECTEDLY INTO THIRD GEAR. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE OD LIGHT IS BLINKING. AND IT SHIFTS HARD WITH GEARS. ALSO MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT. WHEN I TRY TO GO, THE RPM JUST RUNS HIGH AND THE TRUCK DOES NOT MOVE. WHEN IM DRIVING AND IT NEEDS TO SHIFT TO ANOTHER GEAR, IT JUST REMS AND DOESN'T SHIFT. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 72 MPH GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH MY NEWBORN TWINS AND 2 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CAR STARTS JERKING AND SPUTTERING AND GOES COMPLETELY INTO NEUTRAL. ON THE HIGHWAY. TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC...TRANSMISSION SHOT. PER MY MECHANIC, THIS IS VERY VERY COMMON WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL TRANSMISSION AND HE SAID I AM VERY LUCKY THERE WASN'T MORE TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR ALMOST A WEEK, HAVING A NEW SOLENOID PACK AND TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR

ON NOV. 28 2009, I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4X4. WITH 80,000 MILES. ON DEC. 10. 2009, THE EXPLORER STARTED NOT GOING INTO ANY GEAR. THEN YOU HAVE TO KEEP TRYING EACH GEAR FINALLY AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE, BUT FOR THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT JERKS AND CLANGS GOING TO DIFFERENT GEARS. DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN CRASH. DRIVER STATED THAT A WHITE SMOKE/POWDER OCCURRED BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS CURRENTLY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. *TR

I WAS ACCELERATING AWAY FROM WORK AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO COME TO A STOP I WAS UNABLE TO BECAUSE OF THE THROTTLE BEING STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A COLLISION BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 5 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AND THE THROTTLE CABLE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE TRANSMISSION IS UNDER 100K MILES AND HAS ALREADY FAILED. $3,000.00 FIX FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. *TR

THREE MONTHS AFTER BUYING A 2002 FORD EXPLORER I EXPERIENCED MY O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING, AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE NOW AFTER READING ALL THE HORROR STORIES ON A WEBSITE. I HAVE NO MONEY AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT A TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE. THE PEOPLE WE BOUGHT IT FROM REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION A YEAR AGO AND THAT SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DIDN'T. NOW IT'S MESSED UP AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE PEOPLE'S TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT ON THEM. THE CAR JUMPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR. OUR FAMILIES ARE IN THESE VEHICLES, DOESN'T THAT MATTER TO YOU GUYS. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE, A DEATH TO OCCUR, WELL THEN IT'S TOO LATE AND THERE WOULD BE MORE PAYOUT ON FORDS PART IF A LIFE IS LOST. I'M SURE THE FAMILY WOULD SUE AND ESPECIALLY KNOWING THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 2002 EXPLORERS. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US BEFORE A DEATH OR ACCIDENT OCCURS. YOU NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND MAKE FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DANGEROUS TRANSMISSIONS. I CAN TELL YOU I WILL OWN THE FORD COMPANY IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY FAMILY. I WILL ALSO HAVE A COPY OF THIS TO SHOW THE COURT THAT I TRIED TO TELL YOU TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE IT CAME TO A DEATH OR ACCIDENT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. NOW, NOT LATER. *TR

I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER XLT 2002, AND AT 160 000KLM THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THROUGH P-R-N-D-1-2-3, WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A HARD "CLUNK" AFTER LOOKING AT UNIVERSAL JOINTS, BUSHINGS, CROSSMEMBERS AND DIFF SLAKE I REALIZED ITS THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER 2000 KLM THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND IT'S GETTING WORST... THIS TRUCK IS LIKE A GM , WHEN PROBLEMS START THEY ALL FOLLOW THROUGH ONE AFTER THE OTHER. WHAT A LEMON. HAD TO GO 2000 KLM FOR A CHRISTMAS GATHERING WITH ALL FAMILY AND KIDS, AND ALL CAME FROM PARTS OF THE WORLD CAUSE PARENTS ARE GETTING VERY OLD. SO I HAD TO PUT MY FAMILY THROUGH SAD TIME AND NOT GO TO THE GET TOGETHER OF THE LIFETIME. FORD DIDN'T COME THROUGH FOR US. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, REPLACED FRONT LEFT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. NOW THE RIGHT REAR BEARING IS GOING OUT. MECHANICS AT FORD DEALERSHIP SAID ITS A COMMON PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE. *TR

WE LIFTED UP THE REAR GLASS ON OUR 01 FORD EXPLORER AND IT COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE WHOLE BACK GLASS IS NOW GONE. FORD DID A RECALL BUT ONLY INCLUDED 02 - 04 VEHICLES. THEY'VE HAD ALMOST ONE MILLION RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HOWEVER THEY SAID THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR CARS MADE FROM 02 TO 04. THIS SEEMS SOMEWHAT FRIVOLOUS. *TR

I PULLED UP TO THE GAS STATION WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK AND AS SOON AS I WAS ABOUT TO SHIFT INTO PARK THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE RIGHT OFF IN MY HAND. IT WAS CAUSING SOME NOR DIFFICULTIES IN THE PAST WHERE IT WOULD SHOW SIGNS OF RESISTANCE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS BUT NEVER SOMETHING SO SERIOUS AS THIS CURRENT INCIDENT. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK WHICH APPEARED ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER AND THEN TOOK ME HOME. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND A NEW PART BUT NO DEALER OR PARTS MANUFACTURER HAS IT IN STOCK. *TR

ON DEC 4TH 2009, MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS DRIVING FINE ONE MINUTE AND THE NEXT THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE O/D LIGHT BLINKING WENT AWAY. THE VERY NEXT DAY AGAIN, WITH THE LIGHT ONCE AGAIN FLASHING, THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS ENGAGED; HOWEVER THE RPM REVVED UP BETWEEN 3 AND 4. THROUGHOUT THAT SAME DAY, I ATTEMPTED TO GET VEHICLE INTO DRIVE MODE...EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE JUST INCHED FORWARD AND FINALLY STOPPED MOVING ALTOGETHER. AFTER A CONSULTATION WITH MY LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP.. I WAS DISHEARTEN TO LEARN THAT IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A BAD TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS VERY COMMON WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS..I'D HAVE TO PAY $2868....SINCE THIS INCREDIBLE REVELATION, I'M DISCOVERING FORD KNOWS ALL ABOUT BUT REFUSES TO DO THE CONSCIONABLE THING AND RECALL THESE DEFECTIVE, DANGEROUS BUT COSTLY VEHICLES. I REGRETTABLE PAID THE $2868 REPAIR CHARGE FOR A REBUILT TRANNY WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ASSISTANCE FROM FORD. MY VEHICLE IS PAID OFF AND I REALLY CANT AFFORD TO JUST INVEST CLOSE TO 3K IN A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FORD CORPORATION IS FULLY AWARE BUT DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO STILL BUY AMERICAN AND WANT TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS. BUT SINCE FORD REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, IT MAY FORCE A LOYAL CUSTOMER TO GO ELSEWHERE IN THE FUTURE WHEN PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED ON 2/8/10.. SO FAR I'VE DRIVEN IT ONCE... SO FAR SO GOOD...I RECEIVED A BETTER WARRANTY FROM MY TRANNY SHOP THAN THE FORD COMPANY WAS WILLING TO STAND BEHIND. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AJAR ALARM CHIMES WHILE DOOR IS SECURELY CLOSED. THE LOCKING MECHANISM OPENS AND CLOSES. THIS ISSUE IS ALSO KNOWN AND A PROBLEM FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND YET STILL NO RECALL... THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY COMPLAINT. *TR

FAULTY BEARINGS AND HUB IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER. APPARENTLY, A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

I NOTICED AROUND JULY OF 2009 THAT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS ACTING LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING ANY GAS. I HAD IT HOOKED UP TO AN ANALYZER AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. DECEMBER 28, 2009 - $135.00. SO I DID, IT STILL WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS. I WAS HAVING TO SHIFT THE GEARS MYSELF BY LETTING OFF THE GAS A LITTLE AND THEN ACCELERATING AGAIN. TURNS OUT MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 110,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER O/D LIGHT FLASHES, THE GEAR SLIPS AND TRUCK LUNGES HARD FORWARD. THIS OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU ACCELERATE INTO 1ST TWO GEARS. DID A SEARCH AND LEARNED IT IS COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES, FORD IS AWARE AND DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR HATCH UPPER GLASS PLASTIC TRIM CRACKED NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THIS ALLOWED WATER INTO THE TRIM THAT CAUSED THE BOLTS HOLDING THE LATCH TO RUST THROUGH AND COMPLETELY FAIL. I REPLACED THE ENTIRE GLASS LAST SPRING (2009). THE REPLACEMENT PART ALSO CRACKED IN TWO PLACES AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF MICHIGAN WINTER. THE LATCH BOLTS IN THIS UNIT ARE NOW RUSTING AS WELL. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PLASTIC TRIM EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS AT A DIFFERENT RATE THAN THE GLASS. SINCE THEY ARE BONDED TOGETHER, THE WEAKER PLASTIC FAILS. THE CRACKS CONTRACT AND EXPAND DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURE. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION WENT AND NO RECALL AS THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE TO MANY OWNERS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THERE TRANSMISSIONS ONCE, TWICE AND POSSIBLY THREE TIMES !!!! FORD WILL DO NOTHING FOR YOU AT ALL AND THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MY TRANSMISSION BAND BROKE. I HAVE KEPT UP MAINTENANCE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NOW I HAVE OVER $4,000 WORTH OF REPAIR. I CAN'T SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AND MY O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING. I'VE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND FORD NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

MY SUV HIT A CONCRETE WALL ON THE I-94 EASTBOUND FREEWAY, THE IMPACT TORN MY FRONT END A PART. A HIGHWAY PATROLMEN SAID THAT THE IMPACT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BOTH MY FRONT AIRBAGS, BUT IT DIDN'T, NOW I AM CONCERNED. *TR

2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE FALLS INTO NEUTRAL BETWEEN 2&3 RD GEARS. LOOKS LIKE THOUSAND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO HELP FROM FORD OR OUTSIDE AGENCY. *TR

FORD EXPLORER 2002 JUST WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC. NOW O/D FLASHING AND TOLD THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. MANY THOUSANDS WITH SAME PROBLEM BUT FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HARD SHUDDERING BETWEEN 50-70 MPH WITH O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING. EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE MORE THAN 2000 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER WHO CHARGED ME $250 TO TELL ME THAT THEY COULD ONLY REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT WHEN IT HAPPENED IT WAS HEAVY. DESPITE THAT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I DROVE IT 2 MORE MONTHS UNTIL THE SHUTTERING WAS VERY BAD AND ALSO GOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CODES P0775 AND P0735. NOW THEY WANT TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION FOR $4100. THIS DEFECT LEADS TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT HAPPENS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE THEY MAY HAVE HIT SOMETHING AND POSSIBLY SWERVE OFF THE ROAD. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2002 EXPLORER 4X4 V6 AUTOMATIC. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A WHILE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEMS, TO INCLUDE WHEEL BEARINGS GOING OUT RIGHT AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED AT LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE WHEELS ALMOST FELL OFF. NOW, THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE OUT AND I FIND OUT THAT IT IS A NORMAL THING TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN. SAFETY, THINK ABOUT MY 2 EIGHT YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN A BUSY TRAFFIC ON A BRIDGE OVER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND THE TRUCK JUST STOPPED. RIGHT IN RUSH HOUR! SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER THING WHERE SOMEONE SHOULD STEP UP AND REPLACE AND THINK OF THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. *TR

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS WHEN WIDE OPEN THROTTLE SCENARIO PRESENTS ITSELF IN REAL WORLD APPLICATION ! 2002 FORD EXPLORER AUTOMATIC,TRANNY, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT: REC'D RECALL NOTICE ABOUT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WITH FIRE HAZARD AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE DRIVING OR IN PARK. CALLED DEALER 'ARMSTRONG FORD IN HOMESTEAD FORD TWICE. ONCE SENT TO VOICE MAIL OF SERVICE MANAGER WITH NO RETURN CALL. FOLLOWING DAY 11/17 SPOKE WITH SERVICE ADVISOR WHO STATED TO CALL BACK ON FRI OR MON 11/20 OR 11/23 AS PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. IN ADDITION I HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CONSISTENTLY CREATE SHORTS WITH PARTS OR DISPLAYS IN CONSOLE WHICH THIS DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THUS COSTING ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS EACH TIME. THANK YOU. *TR

TAKING KIDS TO SCHOOL TRANSMISSION FAILED -PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM STOP TRANS. WAS IN DRIVE 1ST OK 2ND OK THIRD WOULD NOT ENGAGE & ENGINE OVERREVED. THIS CAUSED VERY DANGEROUS NEAR MISS & POTENTIALLY MULTIPLE CAR PILE UP- I RECEIVED NO WARNING LIGHT CHECK ENGINE ANYTHING WAS RUNNING FINE WITH NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE JUST,WENT OUT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR SPRINGS BROKE , PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *TR

IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, AND LOOKING TO GET IT FIXED. *TR UPDATED 11/25/09

2002 FORD EXPLORER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. VARIOUS PROBLEMS. WHEN I FIRST GOT IT (AT 45K MILES), IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS TO ENGAGE INTO FIRST GEAR AFTER BEING IN REVERSE. WHEN IT DID ENGAGE, IT JUMPED FORWARD WHILE DOING IT. THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN MUCH ANYMORE. IF I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES (DOG, KID, DEER RUNS OUT, LIGHT SUDDENLY CHANGES OR SOMEONE CUTS ME OFF, ETC...) THE TRANNY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL STAYS THERE FOR AN INDEFINITE AMOUNT OF TIME, THEN LURCHES FORWARD 3-4 FEET AS IT KICKS BACK INTO GEAR. THIS HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT YET! HAVE SEEN A DEALER FOR BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS - 3 TIMES. WAS NOT ABLE TO EVEN GET THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, MUCH LESS REPAIRED. AS TIME HAS PASSED, I HAVE LEARNED TO BE CAREFUL AND GINGER WITH THE VEHICLE. I SHIFT SOFTLY AND SLOWLY, I DON'T GUN IT AND DO MY BEST TO ENSURE THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN SLIPPING. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS ONLINE OF PEOPLE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE 02 EXPLORER. I FIRMLY BELIEVE FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE LURCHING FORWARD PROBLEM IS HUGE! VERY DANGEROUS! TODAY IT WAS SCARY. I WAS APPROACHING A CROSSWALK AND ONLY DOING 25. HIKERS AND BIKERS NOTORIOUSLY JUST WALK/RIDE THROUGH THE CROSSWALK WITHOUT LOOKING. THERE IS BRUSH THAT BLOCKS THE VIEW OF BIKES IN ONE DIRECTION. TODAY, A BIKE MADE NO EFFORT TO STOP TO LOOK FOR CARS AND BOLTED OUT INTO THE CROSSWALK. I DID NOT SEE HIM COMING FOR THE BRUSH. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. AS HE WAS IN FRONT OF ME, HE CAUGHT SOME GRAVEL AND SLID AND FELL IN FRONT OF MY CAR. MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD NEARLY HITTING HIM. I CAN'T GET THE PROBLEM FIXED IF THE DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. SHORT OF HAVING THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REBUILT...WHICH IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO. I REALLY FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF DOING SO. *TR