2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CHECK ENGINE, ODOMETER, AND TRANSMISSION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ

CAR FIRE - 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED

THE NOISE WAS THE INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, TOOK THE CAR IN FOR NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS. WAS TOLD BY FORD GARAGE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED I WAS VERY SHOCKED. WHEN FORD MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND COMMON IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL I WAS ANGRY. NOT SOON AFTER THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODULE WENT OUT AND NEEDED REPLACED. THIS CAR IS FIVE YEARS OLD WITH AT THE TIME 82,000 MILES ON IT. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. EARLIER WE HAD TO REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER'S WINDOW POWER MOTOR WHICH WAS ALSO EXPENSIVE. HAD TO REPLACE REAR AXEL BUSHINGS TOO. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEARS HAD WHINING NOISE REPLACED GEARS THREE TIMES...STILL WHINING. FRONT HUB BEARINGS MAKING GRINDING NOISE AT 80,000 MILES, TOLD THEY ARE 1500 TO REPLACE, CANT AFFORD REPAIR. TOLD IF THE BEARINGS FAIL WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFTY ISSUE. BEARING SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 80K. HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE WEB AND FOUND THIS TO BE A PATTERN ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH ONLY 11,000 MILES ON THE CAR. COST $ 950.00 TO REPLACE THE PUMP AT DEALER. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. A FEW WEEKS EARLIER I NOTICED A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE WHEN THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 55 MPH BUT PROBLEM CORRECTED ITSELF. *TR

WHILE PULLING INTO A GAS STATION SLOWING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. STRIKING THE BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE GAS PUMP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. *TR

BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN SEPT. 2007. A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, HAD TO REPLACE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BEARING. A MONTH AFTER THAT, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING. DRIVER DOOR WINDOW MOTOR WENT A WEEK AFTER THE WHEEL BEARINGS. ABS LIGHT IS ON. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TWO COILS IN THE ELECTRICAL UNIT. PUT APPROXIMATELY 3,000.00 INTO CAR SINCE PURCHASE IN LESS THAN EIGHT MONTHS. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MY PROBLEM FIRST STARTED WITH THE 4X4 CASE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED. A MONTH OR SO LATER MY TRUCK BEGAN DOING THE SAME THINGS, WEIRD NOISE WHEN DRIVING NOW I HAVE TO GET THE WHEEL BEARING CHANGED ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THAT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED. $600.00. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, GEARS SLIPPAGE, O/D LIGHT FLASHING, ALL EQUALS A NEW TRANSMISSION AT PRICE OF $3100. ONLY REACHED 80,000 MILES AN MAINTAINED PROPERLY AT ALL TIMES! *TR

I HEARD A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY SUV. TOOK IT TO A FRIEND WHO WORKS ON FORDS AND HE SAID IT WAS THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. HE FIXED THAT AND THE SOUND CONTINUED, SO HE REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT. THE SOUND WENT AWAY. TWO DAYS LATER SAME SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. MY SUV ONLY HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM DRIVING WITH 3 CHILDREN. I SEE THAT THIS IS WAY TOO COMMON. I AM LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING MY KIDS WHEN THE BEARINGS TOTALLY FAILED AND A TIRE FELL OFF. I STILL HAVE TO OLD PARTS, I AM CONSIDERING SENDING THEM TO FORD. THEY TOLD ME IN ORDER FOR THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM I MUST PUT THE BAD PARTS BACK ON MY CAR AND TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. RISK MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN SO I CAN TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP? NO THANKS. I WILL SEND THEM THE PARTS SO THEY CAN SEE HOW BAD THEY ARE. *JB

TRANSMISSION SEIZED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 75K ON CAR 5 YEARS OLD. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING SLOWLY ON LOCAL STREETS WHEN IT OCCURRED SO HE WAS UNINJURED. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED AT DEALER COSTING $3546.23 THIS HAPPENED TO OUR PREVIOUS FORD EXPLORER AND IF YOU LOOK ONLINE AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM SEEMS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD DOESN'T SEE A NEED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT CONVENIENTLY HAPPENS AFTER WARRANTY IS UP. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HIGHWAY, IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM W/ 2002 EXPLORERS. ASK ANY TRANSMISSION SHOP. ALSO CHECK OUT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM - IT IS THEIR #1 WORST VEHICLE. I COUNTED 10 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS TRANSMISSION, BUT NO RECALL !?! *TR

TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP WITH NO WARNING AND COMPLETELY WENT OUT ON MY WIFE'S WAY TO WORK. THIS HAPPENED AT 98,000 MILES. NOW THERE IS A ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODULE TWO YEARS EARLIER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. THE DEALER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/06/07 *TR

PULLING OUT OF A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY, MY SHIFT ROD CRACKED OFF AND DANGLED, LEAVING THE TRUCK IMMOBILE. NOTHING HAD PRECEDED THIS. DUE TO TOWING FEES, I CONTACTED A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TO HIS SHOP, A MILE AWAY, VS. TO FORD, WHICH WOULD HAVE REQUIRED A $200 FLATBED TOW. THIS PROVIDER TRIED FOR 3 WEEKS TO GET A PART, # 5L2C36529A, TOLD THAT FORD HAD 1300 VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE STREET, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. SEVERAL CALLS TO FORD AND LOCAL DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN NOT ONLY UNPRODUCTIVE BUT FRUITLESS AND DEMEANING. WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OTHERS THAT HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE, WHICH FORD (WHICH I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOYAL TO PRIOR TO NOW) HAS GONE OUT OF ITS WAY TO DENY, ARE GOING TO BE ENDANGERED AND WOULD LIKE A RECALL INVESTIGATION, PLEASE! *TR

GEAR SHIFT MECHANISMS BROKE APART AND SEPERATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN PARK POSITION. TOWED TO DEALER. PART NOT AVAILABLE FOR 1 MONTH. PREVIOUSLY HAD VEHICLE TO DEALER STATING THERE WAS A NOISE EMANATING FORM THE STEERING COLUMN. COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. AM TOLD THE PART IS $700 + AND $200+ TO INSTALL. MY CONTENTION IS THIS WAS A FAULTY PART. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIR BAG CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. EVEN THE DEALER HAS NEVER HEARD OF THE MECHANISMS BREAKING APART AS THIS ONE DID. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL LOCATED BELOW TAILGATE GLASS THE CRACK IS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2007. THE DEALER NEVER ADVISED HER TO DISCONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4L 6CYL. WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR SMOOTHLY. O/D LIGHT FLASHES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4WD TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. THE O/D LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ARE ON. THERE ARE ONLY 66,000 MILES ON THE CAR. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE AS DIRECTED. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAVE BEEN FOUND AND NOTED. I HAD A LICENSED MECHANIC "ADJUST" THE BANDS ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT STOPPED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH.*CN

THE BODY PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW IS CRACKED FOR NO REASON WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO A FORD DEALER THEY SAID THAT IS NORMAL AND FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DUE. SO I CALLED THE FORD SERVICE NUMBER IN MY FORD HANDBOOK AND THE MANAGER CONFIRMED THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT ITS NOT A RECALL OUT BECAUSE ITS NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM AND IF I WANTED IT FIXED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. SO I ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RATE AND I WAS ALSO TOLD THEY KNEW ABOUT THAT TOO (THE TRANSMISSIONS FAIL UNDER 100,000 MILES) BUT THERE ISN'T A RECALL AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE TRANSMISSION FIXED AS WELL. *TR

OUTSIDE COVER ON HATCH LID CRACKED JUST BELOW THE GLASS. HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TALKED TO THE OWNERS AND THEY ALSO HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIPS IN OUR AREA. I HAVE TALKED TO 15 OTHER OWNERS AND HAVE SEEN MANY MORE CARS WITH THIS CRACK. *TR

IN TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I HAD TO JUMP START THE 2002 FOR EXPLORER, I DID A BATTERY LOAD TEST AND IT WAS FINE ALSO CHECK IT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND ALL THE READINGS APPEARED CORRECT AND WAS CHARGING OK. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER. VEHICLE PARKED - WENT TO PUT IN GEAR AND SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS! *JB

I , ALONG WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE LOGGED COMPLAINTS REFERRING TO A NOISY DIFFERENTIAL ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT ULTIMATELY RESULTS IN DIFFERENTIAL LOCKUP, POSSIBLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IF YOU SEARCH THE COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOGGED ON THIS WEBSITE YOU WILL NOTICE OVER 50 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS UNIT ON THESE VEHICLES. IN ADDITION FORD HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND SELLS UPDATED KITS TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER OWNERS MUST PAY FOR THIS KIT AND HAVE IT INSTALLED TO REPAIR FORD'S DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP. *JB

MY WIFE WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. HE ATTEMPTED TO FIND PARTS BUT FORD HAD NO PARTS NATIONWIDE TO REPAIR DUE TO CHANGE IN MANUFACTURERS. MUST HAVE BEEN A DEFECT WITH THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER WHICH FORCED THEM TO FIND A NEW MANUFACTURER FOR THIS PART. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. TOOK OVER 1 MONTH TO GET PART AND COST OVER $900 TO REPAIR. *TR

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A 2002 EXPLORER FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS NOW. I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AND JUST FOUND OUT LAST WEEKEND THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS GOING OUT. NOW, I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS SO I RELY ON OTHERS, BUT WHEN 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS REPEATEDLY TOLD ME THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS GOING OUT, I THINK THAT MEANS SOMETHING IS WRONG. I WOULD NEVER HAVE GUESSED THAT A TRANSMISSION WOULD GO OUT AFTER JUST 5 YEARS, AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS JUST ICING ON THE CAKE. THE FACT THAT I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND YET FORD WANTS TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT JUST TOTALLY DISGUSTS ME. MY FAMILY ARE VERY LOYAL TO FORD, EVEN HAVE A FEW RELATIVES THAT WORK FOR THEM. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. HAVING YOUR TIRES LOCK UP WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IS A VERY SCARY THING AND HONESTLY I NEVER WANT TO DRIVE THAT VEHICLE AGAIN. *JB

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVEL HOUSING BROKE OFF. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE CAR INTO REVERSE THE LEVEL BROKE FROM THE HOUSING REQUIRING THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. BASIC PART# 3C529. CURRENTLY , HAVE THE CAR AT SILL-TERHAR MOTORS WHERE WE ARE AWAITING USED REPLACEMENT, SINCE NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. SEEING THAT THIS PART IS ONLY USED FOR SHIFTING THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO BREAK THIS SOON AND FELT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. *TR

LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. LET OFF GAS AND IS FINE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAVE TO HAVE A NEW REAR END AND NEW HOUSING. I AM SORRY BUT A 2002 VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. IT IS THE WORST VEHICLE FORD HAS EVER DESIGNED. THEY JUST LOST ANOTHER CUSTOMER. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK, GOING ABOUT 55 MPH AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. IT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. NOW I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED OR REBUILT. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 17 MONTHS AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. IT WASN'T EVEN AT THE POINT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED, SO WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE INFERIOR EQUIPMENT THAT FORD INSTALLED? I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A TRANSMISSION AND AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO, OTHER THAN TO HAVE IT TOWED COD TO FORDS MAIN OFFICE FOR 'DISPLAY' . *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS, THE GEAR SHIFT FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND GEAR SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS VERIFIED, BUT APPEARED TO BE INVALID. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000. . DATE RECEIVED 12/12/07 UPDATED 12/19/07 *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2007, THE HINGE FAILED ON THE LIFTGATE AND THE GLASS FELL OUT AND SHATTERED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND A RECALL WAS FOUND. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER. FORD STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS, HOWEVER, IT WAS DONE IMPROPERLY AT THE TIME. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,600. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHINING FROM THE REAR HAS GROWN TO A LOUD ROAR AT ANY SPEED OVER 10MPH. WE DON'T DRIVE THIS CAR VERY OFTEN, SO WE IGNORED THE PROBLEM THINKING IT WAS THE TIRES. FROM ALL I HAVE READ AND HEARD, THIS CAN ONLY END IN A BAD SITUATION SINCE IT INVOLVES THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LABELED AS A RECALL AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. *TR

THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS, YET. BUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL CAUSING THE REAR END TO LOCK UP AND THE VEHICLE BE UNCONTROLLABLE. MANY CONSUMERS HAVE HAD TO FIX AND REPLACE THE PARTS AT LOW MILEAGE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO VOLUNTARILY RECALL THE PARTS. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS GO BAD AND CAUSE IT TO LEAK. THERE IS THEN WHAT SOUNDS LIKE ROAD NOISE CONSISTENT WITH VEHICLE SPEED. WHEN THE FLUID IS FINALLY GONE, THE PART WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK UP. FORD HAD BEEN ADVISED BY NUMEROUS CONSUMERS OF THIS PROBLEM AND KNOWS OF THE POSSIBLE PROBLEMS THAT COULD ARISE, BUT REFUSES TO TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO PREVENT A MAJOR ACCIDENT FROM OCCURRING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND MAYBE SOMEONE CAN TALK SOME SENSE INTO FORD. THANK YOU. S*TR

VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, PURCHASED NEW. GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF AT STEERING COLUMN. A SMALL PART BROKE, BUT DEALER SAYS THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE PART THAT BROKE IS ATTACHED TO STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP REPORTS THERE IS A "NATIONWIDE" WAITING LIST FOR THE PART AND IS UNABLE TO GET A PART TO FIX THE VEHICLE. DEALER IS "RESEARCHING" THE ISSUE BUT HAS NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. SEVERAL INTERNET SITES REPORT SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, WITH SOME REPORTING THEY WERE TOLD UP TO 5 1/2 MONTHS TO GET PART. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BEGAN TO SLIP AT 57,000 MILES. FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND IT WOULD REV HIGH AND THEN WITH A CLUNK AND A GRINDING NOISE RELUCTANTLY GO INTO SECOND GEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ALSO FRACTURED SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2002 FORD EXPLORER - TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 65,000 MILES, IT WAS REBUILD AND FAILED AGAIN. MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS GRINDING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE INTERMITTENT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 5/24/10 *CN UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB

1. REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, MANUFACTURER SEALED PART 2. FAILED 3 TIMES, PASSENGER TIRE BROKE FREE FROM WHEEL WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD WITH 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. 3. FIX BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THREE TIMES AT A COST OF $800 EACH TIME TOTALING $2400 IN WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS PART IS NOT SUPPOSE TO FAIL....I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S SEALED PART, BUT I HAVE 6 DIFFERENT ONES FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THEY ALL FAIL!!! ALL BOUGHT AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT NO WARRANTY APPLIES AS THEY LAST LONG ENOUGH TO OUT LIVE THAT! *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILED. O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY. HARD SHIFTING AND SLIPPING IS CONSTANT. DEALER WANTS $3,000 TO REPAIR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS / THOUSANDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS. SOMEONE CAN GET KILLED IF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE DRIVER LOSES CONTROL THE WAY I DID. I WAS LUCKY. SOMEONE ELSE MAY NOT BE. FORD IGNORES THE ISSUE ALTOGETHER. *TR

AT 110,000 MILES BOTH REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. A TRIP TO THE DEALER SAID BOTH WINDOWS NEEDED NEW CABLES AND IT WOULD COST $1,000. WINDOWS WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. *TR

STARTED AS MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WOULD KICK IN AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TO GET IT OUT. THEN MY TRANS STARTED SLIPPING I HIT THE BRAKE AND GOES OUT OF GEAR. NOW IT JUST TAKES ITSELF IN AND OUT WHEN EVER ONLY HAVE 95,000CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN EASY. *TR

THERE HAS NOT BEEN A TOTAL FAILURE YET, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ FROM OTHERS IT IS NOT TOO FAR OFF. I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL. FROM WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP TELLS ME THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE. FROM WHAT THE FORUM TELLS ME THAT IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END. FORD MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BY NOW, BUT AS I FAR AS I CAN TELL THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF FIXING THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ISSUE. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY AND DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A TOTAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, OR LEAVING MY WIFE AND KIDS STRANDED. THE OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH AND THE FOURTH AND FIFTH GEARS WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE DESTINATION, SIZE LEP23570R16 XL107T TIRES (NA). WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 60 MPH, THE TIRES WOULD SWERVE AND SHAKE. HE RETURNED THE TIRES FROM WHERE THEY WERE PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE ALIGNMENT. THE TIRE SHOP MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, HOWEVER, HE ROTATED THE TIRES. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. SHE SWITCHED LANES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE, CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE AND LANDED ON ITS TIRES. SHE WAS NOT INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,200. MISSOURI POLICE REPORT. UPDATED 10/18/07 *TR

LAST SUMMER 2007, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL BENEATH THE REAR WINDOW IN MY FORD EXPLORER. I TOOK IT INTO A BODY SHOP TO ASK HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT AND THAT THE PART HAD BEEN RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I LOOKED UP ONLINE THE RECALL AND SAW THAT IT WAS FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF MY EXPLORER SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN THE VIN NUMBER AND SAID THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR WASN'T A PART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME EXACT PART AND CAR. I THEN CALLED THE FORD NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND FILED A COMPLAINT AND THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. I WAS TOLD BY 2 AUTOSHOPS THAT IF I DON'T GET THE PART REPLACED IT COULD CRACK COMPLETELY AND THE WINDOW CAN FALL OUT OF THE CAR. *TR *DT*JB *DT *TR

COMPLETE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, COMPLETE LOCKUP OF WHEELS, STARTED WITH WHINING FROM REAR END ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4WD WITH ONLY 84,000 MILES. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 2WD, IT STARTED TO DO THIS GRINDING NOISE IN TRANNY,/D LIGHT FLASIHNG, COULDNT SHIFT,TOOK IT TO DEALER IN MEXICO, YEAH MIDDLE OF VACATION, SAID COULNT DO ANYTHING TO SAVE IT. CAR IS SITTING IN MEXICO. THANKS FORD *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR TRACKER II (NA), SIZE P235/70R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. AAA ARRIVED AND CHANGED THE TIRE. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,840.

SHIFTER BROKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MY TRUCK WAS IN PARK AND I WENT TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT SNAPPED. AFTER ONLY SIX MONTHS AND ONE WEEK IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 03-04-2008. *TR