2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

SHIFTER BROKE OFF. *TR

PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

WAS PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE WHEN GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF OF STEERING COLUMN, LATER FOUND THAT CHEAP ALUMINUM CONNECTING PIECE BROKE NOT THE SHIFT HANDLE. *TR

1) 2002 FORD EXPLORER WILL CRANK BUT NOT START WHEN WEATHER IS HOT (2) MANY TIMES AT HOME WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. CONSEQUENCES: UNABLE TO USE CAR FOR A MONTH. (3) FORD DEALER ($250) CHANGED FUEL IDLE BOX. DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM.(4) FORD NOW WANTS TO CHANGE FUEL PUMP FOR $1000.00 MILEAGE IS 12000 . *TR .

TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS AND "CHECK TRANSMISSION" MESSAGE CAME UP ON DASH. BOLT WAS LOOSE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND PIECES OF METAL THROUGHOUT. THIS LED TO FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND CLOSE TO $3500 IN REPAIR BILLS AT 64K MILES. *TR

I HAVE A '02 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 91,000 MILES AND THE 'O/D OFF' LIGHT NOW FLASHES CONSTANTLY. IN HAVING A AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND IN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION! BASED ON RESEARCH IT APPEARS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AND FORD IS APPARENTLY DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. OBVIOUSLY WITH THE POPULARITY OF THE EXPLORER IT WOULD COSTS THEM MILLIONS TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. I FIND THIS DESPICABLE THAT A COMPANY FULLY KNOWS ABOUT AN ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES YET DOES NOTHING TO BACK UP THEIR REPUTATION (AND WE WONDER WHY CAR COMPANIES ARE CRYING ABOUT BAILOUTS?!?!?). I AM IN NO POSITION TO AFFORD A $2-3K REPAIR AND THIS IS THE VEHICLE I USE TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLES EXPERIENCES AND THIS HAS LED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS AND NOW THAT I REALIZE THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WELL I HOPE YOU CAN HELP I WAS EXPECTING FOR THIS VEHICLE TO LAST LONGER THAN MY 1994 DODGE RAM. AND ANOTHER THING THE SIDE OF THE WINDOWS STARTED PEALING OFF MY BACK DOOR IS CRACKED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT CLOSE RIGHT AND NONE OF MY THREE OF MY WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AT ONE TIME. THIS CAR IS FULL OF MALFUNCTIONS AND I THING THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND PAID 25,000 FOR THIS PIECE OF JUNK. *TR

REAR SPRING BROKEN ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 80,000 MILES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FORD IS AWARE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID THEY USE IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY.*TR

WHEEL BEARINGS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS WHERE IDENTIFIED AS BEING WORN OUT (DANGEROUSLY) TO THE POINT WHERE THE WHEELS COULD HAVE COME OFF THE VEHICLE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THIS WAS ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH JUST UNDER 55,000. THIS INCLUDED ALL WHEEL BEARINGS AND BEARINGS LOCATED IN THE REAR END (DIFFERENTIAL) CAUSING A LOUD WHINING NOISE. *TW

I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT MY HOUSE AND WENT TO PUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT INTO PARK WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE THAT ANYONE WITH ANY SENSE WOULD ENGINEER AND/OR DESIGN A PRODUCT THAT GETS SO MUCH USE OUT OF SUCH SHODDY MATERIAL. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY OUR AUTO COMPANIES ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS - ASK FORD ENGINEERS. *TR

THE O/D OFF LIGHT CAME ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 2 DAYS AGO. IT HAS 75,880 MILES ON IT.THIS SEEMS TO BE A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES.HOW CAN FORD MOTOR CORP NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM?WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY $2600 TO $3500 FOR A TRANSMISSION REPAIR!!!!!LIKE ALWAYS THE MIDDLE CLASS GETS THE SHORT END OF THE STICK AGAIN..... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY IDLE WITHOUT ACCELERATION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER HAVING THE CAR SCANNED BY A MECHANIC, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PC SOLENOID IN THE TRANNY WAS OUT. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS PURCHASED AT, AND THEY PERFORMED THE SAME TEST AND FIXED IT AT A COST OF $1058.18. A WEEK LATER IT IS SHIFTING HARD. PLUS AFTER USING THE 4WHEEL DRIVE ONLY TWICE, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THE 4X4 MODULAR HAD FAILED THIS AFTER A 140.50 CHECK, AND THEY WANTED 600.00 TO FIX, THIS WHILE PUTTING BRAKES ON IT. AND WHEN I ASKED WHAT WOULD CAUSE IT GO OUT, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME " HOW WOULD I KNOW?" *TR

CAR HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR UNUSUAL USAGE. I HAD BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH PREDOMINANTLY CITY DRIVING, NO HAULING HEAVY LOADS OR OFF ROAD DRIVING. THE SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED, CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED, GEARS ENGAGED OR MOVED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS EVENT OCCURRED DURING HURRICANE EVACUATION AS WELL. AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THERE SEEMS TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF THE SAME (SIMILAR)COMPLAINT. IF THIS OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAY OR HIGH TRAFFIC DRIVING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT (PRE-MATURELY AS ON THOUSANDS OF THIS MODEL CAR)AND AIRBAG DISCONNECTED (FORD MADE CABLE TOO SHORT UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT.) LUCKY WE CAUGHT IT BEFORE WHEEL FLEW OFF AND AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY! *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN 2005. AT ABOUT 85000 MILES I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND OFTEN JERKS REAL HARD WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER IN MY AREA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE ARE NO METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FLUID, HOWEVER, THEY DID TELL ME THAT THE 2002 FORDS ARE WELL KNOWS FOR HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME IN THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER, READING ALL THE PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED, I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER! GETTING ON INTERSTATE, ON THE RAMP, HIT 30 MPH'S, AND NOTHING! THE RPM'S SHOOT STRAIGHT UP, AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL!! I HAVE 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME, AND ALMOST CREATE A PILE-UP BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE ON ENTRANCE RAMP! COME TO FIND OUT, A NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS TOPIC. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED WITH THIS MESS UP. I WAS ABOUT RAN OVER!! RIDICULOUS! *TR

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FAILED AT ABOUT 86,000 MILES AND REQUIRED $3000.00 TO REPAIR. FORD ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW BUT WOULD DO NOTHING TO COVER ANY OF THE REPAIR COSTS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE AND TALKING TO MECHANICS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS THAT HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A TEXTBOOK CASE OF THE NEED FOR A RECALL REQUIRING FORD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN OIL CHANGE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RUPTURE THE TIRES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/24/08. *JB

OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKING ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THEN SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO MECHANIC WHO SAID TRANSMISSION DIED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR WITH LESS THAN 80K MILES. FORD NEEDS TO FESS UP AND ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS HAPPENING TO TOO MANY PEOPLE. *TR

MY FUEL TANK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, STATING THAT I NEED TO CHECK MY CAP. WHEN I CHECK THE CAP IT IS ON TIGHT AND HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE LIGHT COMES ON.. IT'S NOT ON ALL THE TIME... *TR

AFTER BUYING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER USED IN 2006, I HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL AUG. OF 2008 WHEN O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. AT THIS POINT, VEHICLE WAS JUST UNDER 80,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGH BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. WHEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND WOULD NEED TO SPEND $2000 FOR A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE REGARDING THE EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING I STILL HAVE 3 1/2 YEARS LEFT ON MY LOAN. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE A FRAME IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE TAKING A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CV JOINT AND BEARING HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,000.

I HAVE A 2002 XLT EXPLORER WITH THE 4WD NOT WORKING. DURING MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FOR REPLACEMENT THE 4X4 CM UNIT FAILS AND THE 4WD SYSTEM BECOMES INOP. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS UPGRADED THE MOTOROLA UNIT WITH THE END RESULT COSTING THE CONSUMER $500 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE RUNS IN 4X4 AUTO ADJUSTING THE DRIVETRAIN TO WEATHER CONDITIONS OPTIMIZING THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.. THIS COMPONENT REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE QUALIFIED AS A RE-CALL BY FORD AND THE COST SHOULD NOT EFFECT THE CONSUMER. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER VEHICLES AND IS MORE SERIOUS THEN THE FIRESTONE TIRE COMPLAINT. SINCE FORD RECOGNIZES THIS DEFECTIVE MODULE THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I'M SHOCKED THAT THIS DEFECTIVE PART THAT CONTROLS THE SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF THE 2002 EXPLORES HAS NOT ALREADY REGISTERED A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE BACK WHEEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM, REAR WHEEL AND BACK HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,600. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,816.

REAR SPRING BREAKAGE BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN VEHICLE NOT USED FOR ROUGH DUTY THE DEALER IT WAS PURCHASED FROM SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS OR CAMPAIGNS BUT PARTS MANAGER STATED HE HAS SOLD SEVEN SETS OF SPRINGS FOR THESES VEHICLES I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEING IT IS A SAFETY AND HANDLING ISSUE. *TR

- FORD TSB # 06-4-4 (BINDING DURING TURNING); SOLUTION IS LIMITED SLIP CLUTCH PACK REPLACEMENT - FORD TSB # 05-23-3 (REAR DIFF. HUM); SOLUTION IS AXLE REPAIR KIT - FORD TSB # 4-24-17 (5R55W TRANSMISSION - NO 3RD GEAR OR SLIPPING 2-3 SHIFT); SOLUTION IS REPLACEMENT OF INTERMEDIATE CLUTCH BANDS - CHRONIC O/D LIGHT BLINKING WITH DTC P0755 (PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID B CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION) THIS IS JUST THE LIST OF ISSUES I DON'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO PROPERLY TROUBLESHOOT. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF OTHER WORK ALREADY MYSELF WHICH I WON'T MENTION. FORD IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH MANY 02' EXPLORER'S AS I HAVE READ. IN MY OPINION, THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER AS THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT ISOLATED CASES. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH JUST UNDER 78,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SHAKE AND SLOW DOWN VERY FAST. IN THE RESULT OF THAT. I JUMPED AND HIT THE CURB AND POPPED ON TIRE. I COULD HAVE DIED OR MY KIDS. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY. *TR

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2007 WHERE A COMPLETE INSPECTION WAS MADE OF THE VEHICLE AND ITS COMPONENTS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN OFF-ROAD, HAD ANY HEAVY LOADS, TOWED ANYTHING, OR AN UNUSUALLY HARD DRIVING. STRANGE NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION, FOUND TO BE THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BOTH SNAPPED AT THE TOP. THE VEHICLE IS KEPT OUTSIDE DURING NEW ENGLAND WINTERS.

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

STUCK IN 4X4 MODE AND CANNOT TURN. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

READING THE FORUMS AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR EXPLORERS 4X4. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS LIKE IF YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY OR YOUR BATTERY DIES SO DOES YOUR CONTROL MODULE FOR THE 4X4. MINE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THAT HAPPENED. THAT IS WHEN MY 4X4 SELECTOR SWITCH LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND MY 4X4 WAS NOT ENGAGING. SEEMS LIKE FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART. I GOT A NEW CONTROL MODULE AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. COULD BE DANGEROUS IN WINTER TIME FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE TO HAVE NO 4X4. *TR

MY 2002 FOR EXPLORER HAS A GROWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP THEY TOOK 30 MINUTES TO TELL ME THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED REBUILDING. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BIT QUICK UNTIL I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS EXPLORER MODEL. THE COST IS 1600 AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR END COULD LOCK UP. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL. I DID A INTERNET SEARCH FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM FOR LONG. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED THAT HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED AND DOES NOT HAVE A DIPSTICK TO CHECK FLUID LEVELS, THEREFORE MAKING IT NON-SERVICEABLE BY THE OWNER. THIS TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO HAVE AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW RESULTING IN PREMATURE FAILURE. THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS WHILE DRIVING. THIS CREATED A HAZARDOUS CONDITION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV EXTREMELY HIGH. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER AT A COST OF OVER $3,500. *TR

I BOUGHT THE 2002 EXPLORER NEW FROM A FORD DEALER. AT 86,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION PROVED TO BE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING $3,000. JUST TODAY 11/19/2013 AT 134,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN $4,200.00. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH HUNDREDS OF POSTING TELLING ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH FORD TRANSMISSIONS. HERE IS ONE SUCH SITES WEB ADDRESS: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/FORD-EXPLORER/TDMGQ44C3JTCJSR03/P26#LASTPOST FORD KNOWS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BUT REFUSES TO TAKE ACTION OTHER THEN PROFITING FROM CONTINUED SALES OF MORE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AND PARTS. I BOUGHT THE EXPLORER IN GOOD FAITH FOR ABOUT $31,000.00 AND WILL HAVE PAID $7,200.00 (APPROX 23%)IN TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS. THE DANGER HERE IS THAT THESE FORD TRANSMISSIONS COULD AND MAY ACTUALLY HAVE ALREADY SEIZE WHILE DRIVING THUS CAUSING UNTOLD SAFETY ISSUES. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS AND CREATE A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 103,000 MILES ON IT. THE REAR END OF THE SUV HAS STARTED MAKING A HUMMING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND WHEEL BEARINGS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY MANY 2002 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM WILL COST OVER $1000 TO FIX. IF IT IS NOT FIXED IT IS AN ISSUE THAT WILL SERIOUSLY PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER WHEN RIDING IN THIS CAR. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE MADE A RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL DOES NOT ALLOW SPEED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WHEELS. CAR TURNS LIKE IT HAS A LOCKED OR FIXED AXLE. CAUSES A SHUDDER WHEN TURNING. COULD RESULTS IN CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE DURING SUDDEN MANEUVERS. ISSUE IS DUE TO FAULTY CLUTCH PACK IN THE FORD FACTORY DIFFERENTIAL OR INCORRECT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID SPECIFICATION FROM FACTORY. NOT REALLY SURE WHICH. SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH PACK. FORD HAS ALSO SPECIFIED A DIFFERENT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED FLUID IN ONE OF THEIR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 79,409 MILES, PLACING CAR INTO PARK FROM DRIVE AND THE GEAR SHIFT BREAKS OFF IN MY HAND. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW BETWEEN REVERSE AND PARK WITH NO WAY OF ME BEING ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF. I USED THE EMERGENCY BREAK SO THAT IT WOULD NOT ROLL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT (BECAUSE OF COURSE I WAS ON AN INCLINE) AND THE CAR RAN FOR ONE HOUR AND TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE IT GOT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TURN IT OFF. IT IS COSTING $1000.00 TO FIX. I FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. NOT FROM MY DEALER WHO SAID THEY HAVE SEEN NOTHING LIKE THIS BUT FROM CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. *TR

1.) MY HEATING DOES NOT WORK. THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKS, HOWEVER, WHEN YOU TURN THE KNOB FOR HEAT, IT MAKES A TICKING SOUND AND NO HEAT. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL GARAGES, 3 IN ALL, WHO HAVE STATES THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM OFTEN WITH MY MODEL FORD EXPLORER XLT. *TR

IN 2007 MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER EDITION WAS HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS AROUND 30-40 MPH. THE RPM'S WOULD REV UP HIGH THEN JUMP INTO THE NEXT GEAR. I TOOK IT INTO A CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION CENTER AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I INSTALLED A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND WITHIN 1 YEAR MY VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME EXACT THING. THE REPLACEMENT ONLY HAD A SIX MONTH WARRANTY. I THEN STARTED RESEARCHING ONLINE 2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND HAVE FOUND AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE WHEEL BEARING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BARELY AVOID CRASHING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAD BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS THE SIXTH FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

2002 EXPLORER SHIFTED FUNNY FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED IT NEW. I FIGURED NATURE OF THE BEAST AS A 4X4. LITTLE DID I KNOW, THESE TRANSMISSIONS WERE JUNK FROM THE BEGINNING, AND NOW THEY ARE ALL FALLING APART. MINE SELF DESTRUCTED AT 61,000 MILES. AFTER THE REPAIR, IT STILL SHIFTED AS CRAPPY AS IT DID THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. NOW ONLY 10,000 MILES LATER, IT IS SHOWING SIGNS THAT FAILURE IS NEAR AGAIN. IF THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT RECALLED, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD. *TR

I'M READING MANY, MANY, MANY AND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THINGS FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. MAINLY THE WHEEL BEARINGS GOING WHICH CAN CAUSE THE WHEELS TO FALL OFF WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL GOING OUT. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THIS MATTER! *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL LEVER BROKE OFF MY FORD EXPLORER 2002. THIS OCCURS OFTEN ON FORD EXPLORERS BECAUSE IT IS MADE OF ALUMINUM. THE REPAIR IS TO CHANGE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT COSTS BETWEEN $800-1300 DOLLARS. *TR

JUST FOUND OUT REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BOTH BROKE. WITH SIMPLE SEARCH ON WEB, FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF 2002 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. PLUS, ITS UNSAFE! *TR

BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AT THE TOP. ALSO, DRIVER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT ON INSIDE SIDEWALL WITH ABOUT 50% TREAD LEFT (SUSPECT BROKEN SPRING GOUGED THE TIRE). ALSO HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING (NOISY AND WOBBLY) AND PARKING BRAKE SHOES (COMPLETELY WORN OFF FROM TILTED AXEL HUB). 110,000 MILES. ALSO BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT 95K MILES (MAKING NOISE). WHERE IS THE SAFETY RECALL? *TR

A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, IN WHICH I HAVE FOLLOWED ALL THE MAINENTANCE SCHEDULES, NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TURNS ON, FOLLOWED BY "O/D OFF" LIGHT FLASHING, FOLLOWED BY ERRATIC SHIFTING BY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK, RESETS AFTER ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. *TR