2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

OPENED THE LIFTGLASS ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. NO EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS USED. CONTACTED FORD DEALERSHIP AND SAID THAT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN PERFORMED 6 MONTHS AGO. I AM PAYING FOR REPAIR. *TR

I TRIED TO PUT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 4WD, 4DOOR IN THE "P" PARK POSITION AND MY LEVER BROKE, PART # 5L2Z-3CS29-A I AM A 47 YEAR OLD STAY AT HOME MOM THAT DOES NOT ABUSE MY VEHICLE. I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE ON A SET SCHEDULE. *TR

ON 12/23/07 MY IN-LAWS WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. MY WIFE AND I WITNESSED THE ENTIRE ACCIDENT AS WE WERE FOLLOWING MY IN-LAWS HOME FROM CHURCH. A CARDBOARD BOX WAS IN THE ROADWAY, AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW TOOK ACTION TO MISS THE BOX. SHE STEERED AROUND THE BOX, BUT WHEN SHE TRIED TO CORRECT THE VEHICLE IT GOT SIDEWAYS AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE ASSEMBLY BROKE AWAY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FLIP. THE ROOF CRUSHED ABOUT 15 INCHES, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND OF COURSE THE FRONT WHEEL HAD BROKEN AWAY. MY FATHER-IN-LAW ESCAPED WITH A FEW BROKEN RIBS, BUT MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IS IN INTENSIVE CARE WITH SEVERAL INJURIES. I KNOW YOU HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORD EXPLORERS, BUT ISN'T IT TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED?*CN

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 103K MILES MAKES A CLUNK WHEN SHIFT ON REVERSE. TOOK IT FOR CHECK UP AND NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL COST ABOUT $2500+ I ALREADY PAID $10,000 FOR SUV CANT PAY ANY MORE AND I ONLY OWNED IT FOR 10 MONTHS. AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_SLIPS_WHEN_SHIFTING_AND_CLUNKS.SHTML I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND HELP US OUT. *TR

THE HUB ON THE DRIVER SIDE WENT BAD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY AXEL, ROTOR, AND BRAKES. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD A YEAR. I AM PAYING A LOAN FOR IT AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT FOR 3 MONTHS. SURPRISE IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION! APPARENTLY THIS IS NOTHING NEW FOR THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU TYPE IN A SEARCH YOU WILL FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND SINCE IT WAS MY FAMILIES MAIN TRANSPORTATION IT HAS BEEN A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. MY WIFE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE SHE HAS NO WAY TO GET THERE. HOW MANY PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL OR SOMETHING? THIS IS RIDICULOUS IT IS OBVIOUSLY A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM SO WHY NOT DO SOMETHING TO HELP PEOPLE FIX IT? ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM! *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS WELL AS DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE ON VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 90K,CAR HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED, THIS IS ONE OF MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. AT WHAT POINT WILL YOU INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION? FORD DESIGNED THIS TRANSMISSION AS A SEALED UNIT. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO CHECK THE FLUID. FLASHING O?D LIGHT VIOLENT SHIFTING, LOSS OF POWER IN 3RD GEAR. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AFTER RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES DEALING WITH THIS SIMILAR ITEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT GEAR DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN BEING SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS OF JANUARY 2, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS SEVERAL TIMES AND INFORMED TO BRING TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN TURN FORD INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

I HAVE THIS 2002 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. IT ONLY HAS 79K ON IT, AND THE O/D STARTED FLASHING. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT OFF, AND STARTED IT AGAIN.....AFTER I RESTARTED NO PROBLEMS...LIGHT WAS GONE, AND STILL SHIFTED CORRECTLY. I PROCEEDED AND TOOK IT TO MY DEALER....WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AROUND 5800 TO FIX THIS. THAT IS RIDICULOUS...WITH THAT LOW OF MILES ON IT...... *TR

PURCHASED 2002 FORD EXPLORER NEW IN APRIL 2002. HAD LITTLE PROBLEMS HERE AND THERE. THE REAL SMACK IN THE FACE CAME IN 2007 WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD. WAS SHOCKED THAT A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. HAD TO PAY OVER $3,000 (THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS). THIS SHOULD HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN A RECALL AND NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. PERFORMED RESEARCH ON THE TOPIC AND FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS OF 'TURN OF THE CENTURY' FORDS, ESPECIALLY EXPLORERS, WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN OUR CAR WAS READY FOR REPAIRS, WE HAD TO WAIT TWO WEEKS BECAUSE THERE WERE TEN OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT THE DEALER WHO WERE AHEAD OF US. THERE WAS ONLY ONE TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER - WHICH IS WHY THERE WAS SUCH A LONG WAIT. CALLED AROUND TO DIFFERENT DEALERS IN THE AREA. ALL WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM - MANY EXPLORER OWNERS WITH BAD TRANSMISSIONS AND NOT ENOUGH KNOWLEDGEABLE TECHNICIANS ON STAFF TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WOW!!!! WHAT A RACKET!!!! CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND DID NOT GET ANY RESOLUTION. ALTHOUGH THIS WAS SOME TIME AGO, SOME TYPE OF COMPENSATION IS WARRANTED. SINCE THE REPAIR WAS DONE THROUGH A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP, THERE IS A RECORD OF THIS REPAIR. SO IT SHOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHO HAD THIS REPAIR AND HOW TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. AGAIN - THIS SHOULD HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN A NATIONAL RECALL WITH NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION OVER-REVVING BETWEEN GEARS AND THEN SHIFTING GEARS AT HIGH RPMS CAUSING VEHICLE INSTABILITY, O/D OFF LIGHT ON CONSOLE BLINKS CONSISTENTLY, "CHECK TRANSMISSION" NOTIFIED ON DISPLAY SCREEN ON CONSOLE, OCCURS EVEN AFTER ENGINE RESTART, INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER WITH A 5R55W TRANSMISSION. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS EVENT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN NATURE IN FAILURE, OCCURRED TO ME AT APPROX. 55MPH WHEN THE RPMS RAN HIGH DURING THE SLIPPAGE AND THEN THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE GEARS SUDDENLY SHIFTED EVEN AFTER TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. NO PARTS REPLACED/REPAIRED AS OF YET, BUT AGAIN RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TRANSMISSION REBUILD IS IMMINENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. FORD STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 55K MILES, OVERDRIVE LIGHT SUDDENLY STARTED FLASHING AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR INTO THIRD GEAR. THE RPM`S REV VERY HIGH AND THEN IT CLUNKS INTO THIRD GEAR. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS IMMEDIATELY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR GLASS WAS CRACKED FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS. HE NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK BEGINNING TO FORM AT THE TOP AS WELL. ONE CRACK IS IN THE CENTER AND THE OTHER IS ON THE TOP RIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ASSUME A SMALL PORTION OF THE COST TO HAVE THE GLASS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT STATE WHETHER THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,700. UPDATED 04-02-08 *BF

AT 65,000 MI. THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND O/D LIGHT FLASHED WHILE ACCELERATING. I CALLED DEALER THEY SAID TO WAIT UNTIL LIGHT STAYED ON. AT 72,000 LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN AS WELL AS CHECK ENGINE. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER AND NEED NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE FOUND MANY POSTS REGARDING NEW TRANSMISSIONS FOR THIS VEHICLE AT LOW MILES. COST OF TRANSMISSION WAS 3200 OUT OF POCKET. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

I WAS LEAVING WORK..CRANKED MY CAR AND WENT TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO REVERSE AND THE GEAR SHIFT LEAVER "BROKE" LOOSE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT WAS JUST "FLOPPING AROUND". I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK SINCE I COULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR AND DRIVE IT. I ALSO COULD NOT GET THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SINCE THE CAR COULDN'T TELL IT WAS IN PARK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IN 20 YEARS HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THIS MORNING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MY DEALERSHIP SAID "YOU SURE EXERTED A LOT OF FORCE ON THE SHIFT HANDLE BECAUSE YOU BROKE THE STEERING COLUMN". I EXERTED NO FORCE...IT WAS VERY EASY. AND MY COMMENT TO THE SERVICE COORDINATOR WAS "I'M A 60 YEAR OLD WOMAN...I COULDN'T POSSIBLE EXERT ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK THE STEERING COLUMN!". THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME IT WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $1700.00 TO FIX IT AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE BECAUSE "WE DON'T STOCK STEERING COLUMNS, AND SINCE YOU USED ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK IT, WE HAVE TO HAVE ONE SHIPPED IN. WHEN WE KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO GET THE PART, WE'LL TELL YOU WHEN YOU CAN GET YOUR CAR BACK." *TR

TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING AND ILLUMINATED AND JERKS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THIS PROBLEM IS CLEARLY A DEFECT AS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM IS POSTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THE ERROR CODE FOR THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT POINTS TO THE SOLENOID. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED BEFORE SOMEBODY'S TRANSMISSION FAILS AND CAUSES A DEATH. *CN

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. IT HAS 99,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE THIS VEHICLE VERY GENTLY AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS. THEN ONE DAY OUT OF NOWHERE, THE TRANSMISSION WENT. IT WENT WITHOUT WARNING. NO PRIOR SLIPPAGE, NO JERKING, NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NOTHING. NOW I HAVE TO DISH OUT MONEY I DON'T HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THEY MESSED UP SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS A NICE BODY, A NICE LOOK AND FEEL. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM JUST NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I'M WAITING FOR A RECALL SO I CAN GET MY MONEY BACK. I'VE BEEN A FAITHFUL FORD DRIVER, AND THEY SHOULD BE THERE FOR EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS THEM BY BUYING THEIR VEHICLES. IF I DON'T GET ANY RESOLUTION, I'LL BE SURE TO NEVER EVEN LOOK AT A FORD AGAIN. I'LL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO STAY CLEAR OF FORD. *TR

I DRIVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0 V6 . MY OVER DRIVE LIGHT BEGUN FLASHING AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. I OWN MANY FORDS AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DEFIANTLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. PERFECT MAINTENANCE. *TR

REAR LIFT GATE CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE. *TR

FRONT AND REAR BEARING FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER FAILS WHILE DRIVING. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL UNTIL YOUR APPROVAL, REPAIRS ARE MADE AT THE OWNERS COST....PLEASE HELP. *TR

ON 11/22/2007 MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BURNED, IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE ORIGINATED INSIDE THE CENTER CONSOLE. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WHEN SMOKE FIRST APPEARED, ENGINE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. FLAMES ERUPTED WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES FROM THE TIME SMOKE FIRST APPEARED. *TR

I BOUGHT AN 02 EXPLORER. WAS DRIVING AND STARTED MAKING WEIRD GRINDING NOISES. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND ITS COSTING ME 1000! DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE WHEEL HUBS AND BEARINGS. HE SAID THE WHEEL ON THE BACK WAS READY TO FALL OFF! *TR

I FIRST NOTICED A GRINDING WHEN I WOULD TURN SHARPLY WITH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I TOOK IT IN AND IT WAS NOTED THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT TO REPLACE TO RING AND PINION GEARS AND CLUTCH PACKS. AFTER 1 DAY OF HAVING THE VEHICLE I WAS NOTIFIED THAT A BEARING HAD FUSED TO THE AXLE ASSEMBLY AND COULD RESULT IN MY REAR AXLE SEIZING UP WHILE DRIVING. THE TOTAL REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $1500. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 45,000 MILES. HAD TO HAVE A NEW ONE INSTALLED FOR $3,000.00. *TR

OPERATOR APPROACHED THE ENTRANCE TO A PARKING LOT AND PLACED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN PARK. WHEN THE OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK, THE GEAR LEVER BROKE OFF OF STEERING COLUMN, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE IN THE ENTRANCE; BLOCKING TRAFFIC FLOW. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE FAILED PART IS A COMPONENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER TO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. THE PART IS DIE-CAST ALLOY. THE PART THAT FAILED IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY NECESSITATING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE MSRP OF THE COLUMN ASSEMBLY IS APPROXIMATELY $600.00. *TR

WHINE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL, WAS FIXED ONCE BY PLANTATION FORD OF FLORIDA WHEN CAR WAS BOUGHT USED IN 2005. PROBLEM IS BACK AND WAS TOLD MY MECHANIC THAT IF NOT REBUILT IT MAY CAUSE REAR END TO LOCKUP POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH AND EVEN DEATH. *TR

CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE, EVEN WHEN INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS IT IS ON. INITIAL FAILURES WERE FAILURE TO ENGAGE OR UNEXPECTED DISENGAGEMENT. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, THE SPEED CONTINUALLY ACCELERATES AND DOES NOT DISENGAGE WITH BRAKE PEDAL, MUST USE OFF BUTTON ON STEERING COLUMN. ALL BUTTONS ARE FREE. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND THEY REPORT NO RECALL ON THIS VIN. SEARCH OF NHTSA SITE SHOWS 3 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE HATCH CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS OF THIS YEAR MODEL. IT'S OBVIOUS TO ALL THOSE WHO OWN ONE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECT IN MATERIAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. FORD REFUSES TO FIX IT OR EVEN MAKE PARTIAL RESTITUTION FOR HAVING IT REPAIRED. *TR

REAR GATE PLASTIC THAT IS DIRECTLY BELOW THE REAR WINDOW SNAPPED DUE TO COLD WEATHER MOST LIKELY. DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS GLASS UNDERNEATH THIS SECTION, THE WHOLE THING SHOULD BE METAL.

PURCHASED '02 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER BRAND NEW IN AUG '01. FROM BRAND NEW, EXPLORER WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND PRESSING THE GAS. AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS TO FORD, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THEY FINALLY GOT A SERVICE NOTICE THAT TOLD THEM HOW TO FIX IT. NOW AT JUST 86K MILES, YOUNG FOR GENTLY DRIVEN, FULLY MAINTAINED VEHICLES, I AM BEING TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. O/D OFF LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMES ON, GOES OFF WHEN I TURN OFF THE EXPLORER. ALSO, STRANGE VIBRATIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEED (NOT ROUGH ROAD), AND LOUD/FIRM SHIFT IN AND OUT OF REVERSE. YESTERDAY O/D OFF LIGHT CAME ON WITH SERVICE ENGINE SOON. FORD SERVICE SAYS THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $3K+ AND THAT IT CAN GO OUT ANY DAY NOW. AFTER RESEARCH, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND RELATED TO A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE AN EXPECTED COST OF AUTO OWNERSHIP. HAVE NOT DECIDED WHO TO HAVE REPAIR IT YET. *TR

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 63 MPH AND VALVE SPRING BROKE. VALVE DROPPED INTO PISTON CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. CHECK ENGINE CODE CALLED FOR RANDOM ENGINE MISFIRE AND CODE WAS TRIGGERED AT AROUND 2600 RPM. PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SHUDDER WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO OVERDRIVE. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH PACK IN THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS CAUSING A SHUDDER WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT FROM A DEAD STOP. (DEALERSHIP CALLED IT THE PARKING LOT SHUDDER) I HAVE A 02 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 4.6 AND 4X4 THAT HAS BAD ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. (ENGINE REPLACED). *TR

HAD BOUGHT 2002 EXPLORER USED, NOTICED NOISE FROM REAR END. TOLD REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, COST FOR USED $1500. BUT POSSIBILITY THAT USED COULD HAVE SAME ISSUES AS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 02-04 EXPLORERS. MY MECHANIC DOES SEVERAL A MONTH. AFTER VISITING NUMEROUS WEB SITES AND FORUMS ON THE SUBJECT, I HAVE SEEN THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS A VERY REAL SAFETY CONCERN AS THE REAR END COULD SEIZE WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE DEPT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY IS WRONG IN NOT CONSIDERING THIS PROBLEM TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BASED ON THE VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. AND FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE RELEASED SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE SUBJECT THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS, BUT THEY DO NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY WANT THE OWNERS TO PAY THE EXTRAVAGANT COSTS OF THE REPAIRS. *TR

WHEEL BEARING DEFECTIVE. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL DRIVETRAIN FAILURE. VEHICLE MILEAGE 25,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE, REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHINE/HUM AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FORD HAS A TSB 05-23-3 ON REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. TOOK TO HALDELMAN FORD, HAMILTON N.J. FOR SERVICE/REPAIR. COST OF REPAIR WAS $3,600.00. *TR

CRACKED TAILGATE APPLIQUE (UNDER REAR GLASS). DEALER WON'T REPLACE, CAR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. WAS NEVER HIT OR ABUSED. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND REAR END FAILURE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIFT GATE CLIP ON APPLICATOR IS AND HAS BEEN SPLITTING FROM TOP TO BOTTOM EVERY TIME SOME ONE CLOSED THE LIFT GATE I SAW THIS ON MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND IT COST {US -S 300 DOLLARS TO INSTALL A NEW ONE AT THE DEALERS SHOPS TO REPAIR. SOME THING NEED TO BE DONE FORD MANUFACTURE NEED TO REIMBURSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEMS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX MY EXPLORER SO I AM WAITING TO SEE IF FORD CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR ME AND OTHERS LIKE ME WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM I BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. PLEASE FOR A REPLY AT MY EMAIL THANK YOU SINCERELY E J. *TR

MY 2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AS SHIFTING AND PUTTING IN REVERSE AND DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 76000 MILES ON IT. TOOK TO THE FORD GARAGE, ALL TEST CAME OUT OK, TECH STATED I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF 3500.00. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND READING COMPLAINTS OF OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS, I FEEL THIS EXPENSE SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. *TR

WE HAVE 02 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH A FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT HAS FAILED. I REVIEWED CAR COMPLAINTS.COM REGARDING THE 02 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND THE COMPLAINTS ARE ENORMOUS BUT YET THERE HAS BEEN NO SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION WHICH FORD HAS DISCONTINUED USE AFTER 2 YEARS. THIS TRANSMISSION OBVIOUSLY HAS PROBLEMS AS FAILURE IS BEING SEEN WITH 80,000 MILES OR LESS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE ACTUALLY INJURES OR KILLS THEMSELVES DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR

I STARTED HEARING SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED SIMILAR TO A HAVING A LOW OR BAD TIRE. TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING SOUND. AFTER HEARING THAT THIS WAS THE EXPLORER'S DOWNFALL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS, I RESEARCHED THE TOPIC ONLINE TO NOW SEE THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE I WILL BE TRYING TO REPLACE ALL BEARINGS MORE THAN LIKELY. AS DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS, WHEN ONE BEARING GOES, THEY ALL SEEM TO GO. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE YESTERDAY AND HE SAID THE WHEEL POPPED, GRINDED, AND STARTED SQUEAKING; ASSUMING THE BEARING WENT OUT COMPLETED, THE VEHICLE IS PARKED TO GET FIXED. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY THAT IS SUGGESTED BY OTHER OWNERS TO FIX THIS VEHICLE. IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS AT THIS MILEAGE, WHICH SEEMS TO HAPPENS AROUND 70,000-80,000 MILES; THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING THE LIVES OF OWNERS. WHY IS THE PRODUCT NOT RECALLED? I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH MY 4 AND 6 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT, IF I DO GET THIS BEARING FIXED, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE OTHERS GO OUT. I AM JUST VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD MOTOR COMPANY. MY GRANDDAD AND DAD BOTH RETIRED FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND I HAVE ALWAYS UPHELD THEIR NAME AND VALUE; BUT THIS IS A DISGRACE AND A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. VIEW MORE OWNER COMPLAINTS AT: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WHEELS_HUBS/WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML *TR

MY GEAR SHIFT SNAPPED OFF. I'VE NOTICED MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IT APPEARS THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I'M AN OLDER DRIVER, HANDICAPPED AND I'M THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS DRIVEN MY VEHICLE. IT IS NOT THE RESULT OF ABUSE. *TR

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT IS APPARENT THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIALS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE FAILING AND FORD IS AWARE OF THIS BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR

SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE ENGINE THAT RESULTED IN SUDDEN LOCKUP OF THE ENGINE, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, AND CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT LOW SPEED. HOWEVER A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION WITH HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC HAD JUST BEEN NAVIGATED. IF THE FAILURE HAD HAPPENED AT THAT INTERSECTION, THE FAILURE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURIES OR LOSS OF LIFE. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY UP UNTIL THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY AFTER FAILURE. *TR

THIS IS TO ADD INFORMATION TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. ODI NUMBER 10207581. THERE WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE ENGINE THAT RESULTED IN SUDDEN LOCKUP OF THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT LOW SPEED. HOWEVER A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION WITH HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC HAD JUST BEEN NAVIGATED. IF THE FAILURE HAD HAPPENED AT THAT INTERSECTION, THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURIES OR LOSS OF LIFE. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING. BY SUDDEN, MY WIFE DESCRIBED THE NOISE AS RATTLE, CRUNCH, BANG WITH EVERYTHING LOCKING UP IN LESS THAN 5 SECONDS. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY UP TO THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE EXHAUST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE AND MY WIFE FEARED THE VEHICLE WAS CATCHING ON FIRE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, A LARGE QUANTITY (1 TO 2 QUARTS)OF ENGINE COOLANT DRAINED FROM THE MUFFLER. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT A SUDDEN FAILURE OF AN INTERNAL ENGINE SEAL, GASKET, MANIFOLD, ETC. IF A PART FAILS THIS SUDDENLY, THE PART WAS EITHER DEFECTIVE, IMPROPERLY DESIGNED, OR IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. VEHICLE HAS @ 57K MILES ON IT. WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS FACTORY SEALED AND SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACING THIS QUICKLY. NORMAL LIFETIME OF WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD BE OVER 100K? *TR

PLACING VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN PLACING BACK INTO PARK IT IS HESITANT. THIS REALLY SCARES ME, I HAVE TO PARK A BIT FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , TO MAKE SURE I DON'T HIT IT. *TR

CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, AND E-BRAKE. E BRAKE REPLACED AND BAD AGAIN. HAD TRANSMISSION REPAIR AT DEALERSHIP A 400 MILES BEFORE 75,000 MILE WARRANTY ENDED. TAKEN BACK 100 MILES LATER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AGAIN. PAST WARRANTY NOW AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. I WILL NOT BUY FORD AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. -PLEASE IGNORE EQUIPMENT PART OF THIS COMPLAINT, I MISUNDERSTOOD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALARM SOUNDS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WHILE DRIVING, THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK, THE CEILING LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, AND THE DOOR AJAR BUZZER CHIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,0000.