2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

A CRACK APPEARED ON THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. THE CRACK JUST APPEARED ONE MORNING WITHOUT ANY DIRECT ACTION. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO MANY 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. *TR

LOUD VIBRATING NOISE FROM TIRE...RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED IN JUNE OF 2007, REPLACED. FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING NOW, JANUARY 2008.

I FIRST PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN JULY OF 2004. AT THAT TIME I HAD THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SWAINSBORO REPAIR THE REAR END DUE TO A GRINDING NOISE THAT IS EMITTED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES ON IT. NOW, THE VEHICLE HAS 105,000 MILES AND THE NOISE HAS RETURNED AND IS WORSE THAN EVER.

FIRST THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THEN THERE IS A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING, THE O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND REVS THE ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING, SOMETIMES IT LURCHES FORWARD WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT. *TR

MY WINDOW SWITCH STARTED TO SMOKE AND MELTED THE MAIN WINDOW SWITCH. IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL NOW. IT WILL BE TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. *TR

VIBRATION AND GRINDING AT LOW SPEED TURNS. TOLD BY FORD A DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH PACKAGE IS NEEDED AT A COST OF $1,100. CALLED AROUND TO SEVERL DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS. FOUND A FORD DEALER TO REPAIR FOR $790 PLUS TAX. GETTING THE USUAL 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. CALLED FORD RELATIONS FOR SOME RELIEF AND THEY OFFERED NONE BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY A LARGE NUMBER OF EXPLORER OWNERS. EVERYONE PLEASE SPEAK UP AND POST A COMPLAINT.

BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. NOTICED WHEN CHANGING THE BRAKES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE ROARING NOISES WHILE DRIVING. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

I HAVE AN 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND IT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE IT HIT 77,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN IN SHOP, A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED AND THE SAME PARTS KEEP WEARING DOWN. THIS IS CAUSING THE TRANNY TO SLIP AND SLAM INTO GEAR. I AM NOW TAKING IT BACK INTO THE SHOP AFTER 6 MONTHS. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IF THEY STILL WANT US TO BUY AMERICAN.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND WOUND UP REBUILDING MY TRANSMISSION - LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR. THIS COST ME OVER $3000. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN ANY INVESTIGATION INTO FORD AND ALL THE 2002 EXPLORERS WITH FAILED TRANSMISSIONS? *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 75000 MILES. DURING NORMAL DRIVING BEGAN TO HEAR A HOWLING/GRINDING SOUND FROM THE REAR AXLE. SEEMED TO BE A REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM THAT WAS A VERY COMMON AMONG 2002-2004 FORD EXPLORERS. NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SLIPS WHEN VEHICLE STARTS MOVING FROM STOPPED POSITION. DELAY BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE. *AK

PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER 2001. IN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION SERVICED WITH 30000 MILES ON IT. AT THAT TIME IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, WITH 48700 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN SHIFTING VERY ROUGHLY IN 2-3 AND 3-4 SHIFTS. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THAT REPAIRS COSTS WOULD BE $890. SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SO GRACIOUSLY HELPED PAY FOR THE 3RD REPLACEMENT OF THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE ON THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED HERE AND ON OTHER INTERNET SITES THERE WAS CLEARLY AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. COMPARING THE NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2001 AND 2003 EXPLORERS TO THE 2002 AND IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE 2002 MODEL WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. THE OVERDRIVE INDICATOR FLASHED REPEATEDLY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,800.

2002 FORD EXPLORER 75000 MILES ,HAS REAR END NOISE WHEN BETWEEN 55-70 MPH. *AK

THE KEY IGNITION SWITCH KEEPS ON GETTING GROUND AND HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO PULL THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR END WHINES. *AK

DOOR AJAR CONSTANTLY ON. INTERIOR DOME LIGHT FRONT AND CARGO COME ON AND OFF FOR MINUTES AT A TIME. BEEPS AND CHIMES SPORADICALLY FOR NO GIVEN TIME OR REASON WHILE DRIVING, STOPPING, TURNING OR ANY OTHER ACTION. A DISTRACTION TO DRIVING; ESPECIALLY DOME LIGHTS AT NIGHT AND BEEPS/CHIMES WHICH CAN ALSO INTERFERE WITH RADIO SOUND OUTPUT AND ATTENTION. HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF DEALER WITH NO RESULT. HAVE PROVIDED OTHER ONLINE COMPLAINTS TO SERVICE MANAGER REGARDING SAME ISSUE WITH NO RESULT. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 NEW. AFTER 30,000 MILES THE REAR GASKET WAS LEAKING. WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. 50,000 MILES LATER IT WAS LEAKING AGAIN. CAME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE SEALS LEAKING. AFTER TEARING INTO IT NEEDED NEW GEAR SET, TRACTION CLUTCHES AND BEARING FAILED. WAS THIS THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH? WHY WITH SUCH A COMMON FAILURE WERE WE, THE OWNERS, NOT NOTIFIED? THERE WAS ALSO SLIPPING AND POPPING NOISE IN THE REAR. *AK

THE CAR HAD NO REVERSE AT TIMES. WHEN IT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT WAS VERY JERKY. EVENTUALLY REVERSE WAS LOST. GRINDING NOISE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REBUILT AT A COST OF $2700. CAR HAD ONLY 67,000 MILES. I STILL HAVE THE GRINDING NOISE AND OCCASIONALLY THE O/D LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO SENSOR IN 4TH GEAR. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BADLY IN TRAFFIC AND THE CONTACT WOULD LOSE CONTROL. HE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $5,000 BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. FORD ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST TO HAVE IT REBUILT FOR $3,100. THE SPECIALIST STATED THAT IMPERIAL PARTS DID NOT MANUFACTURE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE TAILGATE AND NOTICED THAT THE LIFT CYLINDER HAD DETACHED FROM THE SOCKET, CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO STRIKE HIM ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A BUMP ON HIS HEAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THERE WAS RECALL # 01I010000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE DEALER DID NOT VERIFY TO DETERMINE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,500.

CONSTANT RUBBING/GRINDING SOUND FROM REAR AXLE SOUNDING LIKE VERY LOUD ROAD NOISE. INITIALLY HAD SPRING KITS , BUT ON REAR EMERGENCY BRAKES WHICH DID NOT HELP. FINALLY, HAD TO HAVE THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY REBUILT BY A KIT THAT THE MANUFACTURER MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, SHOWING THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

GRINDING NOISE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS. TOOK THE CAR TO LOCAL MECHANIC. IN EARLY 2006 HE HAD REPLACED A REAR HUB ASSEMBLY FOR NOISE. HE DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE THREE BAD WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES AND THEY WERE THE SAME THREE REPLACED IN 2006. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON EXPLORER PROBLEM. I FELT 6 WHEEL HUB REPLACEMENTS IN 2 YEARS WAS EXCESSIVE AT $450 A POP, INCLUDING LABOR. THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDED TO ADDRESS. LUCKILY, TWO OF THE THREE PARTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY , NAPA, BUT I DID HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR.*AK

SINCE MAY 2007 VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED TO ARMSTRONG FORD IN HOMESTEAD FL. THEY ARE NEVER ABLE TO ASCERTAIN PROBLEM WITH SIMPLE DIAGNOSTIC. HOWEVER CONSTANT DIAGNOSTIC AND FIX THIS AND THAT AND DO OR DON'T DO THIS HAVE COST ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. IN THE MEANTIME I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS. *TR

AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, I PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN PARK TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND THE GEAR SHIFT BECAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, BUT COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THIS TIME I WAS ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE IN BAD WEATHER AND USED THE GEAR SHIFT TO SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR ON THE STEEP DOWNHILL, WET AND POSSIBLY ICY ROAD SURFACE. THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT HAD THE GEAR SHIFT DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THE GEAR SHIFT BEING LOOSE OR DIFFICULT TO MOVE PRIOR TO ITS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED.*AK

NO NOTICED PROBLEMS UNTIL 68,000 MILES AND ODOMETER LIGHT CAME ON AND NOTICED REVVING PAST 4 TO GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. TOOK TO SHOP AND TOLD NEEDED 'UPDATE KIT' , AND ALL ENCLOSED FORD TRANSMISSIONS NEEDED REPAIRS. *AK

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, NO 3RD GEAR. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, PLASTIC TRIM PIECE BELOW REAR WINDOW GLASS CRACKED ALL THE WAY. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE GLASS COULD FALL OUT WITHOUT PROPER STRUCTURAL SUPPORT. FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE REAR GLASS HINGE POSTS, BUT THE WILL NOT FIX THE PLASTIC WHICH BROKE AS A RESULT OF NORMAL CLOSING OF THE HATCHBACK. I FOUND A FORUM WITH 129 POSTINGS ON IT TODAY CLAIMING THE SAME ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML I WOULD LIKE FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND DEFECT. *AK

HAD AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON. IT WAS A $44.00 HARNESS THAT THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN TELLING HIM OF THE PROBLEM. IT COST ME 247 DOLLARS TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME HARNESS REPLACED AT ABOUT 60000 MILES. A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN SENT TO THE DEALER FOR THE LABOR CHARGES WHICH WERE OR SEEMED EXCESSIVE. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 01I010000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE VIN, THE RECALL REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, FORD STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT RELATE TO THE SAFETY ACT. BEFORE HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE REAR SIDE GLASS ON THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY FALLEN OUT, SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE NOTED IN THE RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE ESTIMATED COST TO HAVE THE GLASS REPLACED IS $900. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAS OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE ENGINE SIZE, POWERTRAIN, MILEAGE INFORMATION, AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE UNKNOWN.

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT WORK BEYOND 2ND GEAR. THIS TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES AND WAS A 2002 MODEL. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REMOVED AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN DURING 2007. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE HATCH BELOW THE WINDOW IS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES..... AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS NOT GOING TO LAST MUCH LONGER. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY OF THE SAME MAKES AND SOME IN THE SAME YEAR AND NEW YEARS. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND THINK THAT THIS ISSUED NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED AND RECALLED ASAP. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OTHER STEPS I MIGHT TAKE TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I AM EMBARRASSED OF IT AND THINK THAT FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPLACED. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH OR THE SOLENOID PACK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,000. *AK

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AS WELL AS THE HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER, 60,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND IN REAR WHEELS, BOTH REAR BEARINGS IN WHEELS WERE BAD, AS WELL AS DIFFERENTIAL NOISE AND LEAKING OF FLUID, E NO RECALL ON THESE ISSUES, BUT I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. IT WAS A SAFETY VIOLATION NOT TO RECALL THESE. IF THE REAR WHEELS LOCK IT WOULD SEND VEHICLE INTO A SPIN, OR TRAVEL OFF THE ROAD, WHY HAVE YOU NOT REMEDIED THIS WITH FORD? YOU WERE TAKING A GREAT LEGAL RISK, BY NOT LOOKING OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS. *AK

DURING NORMAL DRIVING WITH A TOTAL OF 55,000 MILES UNTIL DELAY SHIFTING IN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT FLASHING AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOWER FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE OVERHAULED FOR $3,000 ALL OUT OF MY POCKET. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER / TRASNMISSION FAILURE. *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER, REAR END HUMMING AND MADE A GREAT DEAL OF NOISE. MECHANIC SAID REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CLAIMED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHERE WAS THE RECALL?? NOW I AM SUPPOSED TO EAT THE $3000.00 TO REPAIR, I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE HIGHLANDER. I TRIED TO SUPPORT USA AND GOT BURNED, NOT AGAIN!! *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS VISITING HIS SISTER IN A DIFFERENT STATE. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO REPAIR HER VEHICLE AND RENTAL COST THEM $600.00 OUT OF POCKET. *KB PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONSUMER ASKED THE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD A LIST OF DOCUMENTATION RELATING TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO GET A JUMP SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN FIRST STARTING UP. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE ALTERNATOR AND WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION BROKE THE 3RD GEAR BAND. THIS IS THE SECOND REBUILD WITH ONLY 40K MILES ON IT. I FEEL THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE LEMON LAW. I FEEL THESE VEHICLES SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 80,000 MILES BEFORE NEEDING A REBUILD. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT BEGAN MAKING EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE SEALS ON THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN 2007 AT 88,000 MILES AND 2010 AT 140,000 MILES. FIRST TIME OD LIGHT CAME ON, I DROVE IT HOME 3 MILES AND THEN WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. SECOND TIME NO WARNING OR LIGHT AND IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AS I WAS CROSSING THE BOULEVARD. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION AND REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION ARE NOT QUALITY AND FAILED. FIRST TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND ABLE TO COAST HOME AND THE SECOND TIME CROSSING A BOULEVARD WHEN IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. IT'S AS IF FORD PUT ON DISPOSABLE PARTS FOR CONSUMERS TO REPLACEMENT EVERY SEVERAL YEARS CONVENIENTLY AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES. I SPENT OVER $5,600 THE FIRST TIME AND OVER $3,400 THE SECOND TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ON FEBRUARY 21, 2007, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP A SECOND TIME FOR THE PASSENGERS SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY. ON APRIL 18, 2007, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE AS IF THE ALIGNMENT HAD FAILED. SOMEONE DRIVING BESIDE THE CONTACT INFORMED HER THAT THE REAR WHEELS APPEARED AS IF THEY WERE ABOUT TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

REAR AXLE SEALS AND WHEEL BEARINGS. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR AXLE SEALS ON JUNE 4, 2004 WITH 4, 000 MILES, AND ON JUN 16, 2006 WITH 69.600 MILES. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE REAR HUB BEARINGS AND ASSEMBLY ON APRIL 17, 2007 WITH 74,000 MILES. *AK THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A RECURRING ISSUE, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON EXPLORER PROBLEM. ALL WORK ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY REPUTABLE FORD AUTHORIZED DEALERS/SERVICE, AND WOULD EXPECT WORK TO LAST LONGER THAN 1-2 YEARS.

THE REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE HAS CRACKED VERTICALLY FROM THE GLASS ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL FOR NO APPARENT REASON (I.E. HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WHILE REAR WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY CLOSED). I HAVE NOTICED THAT MOST EXPLORERS IN MY AREA WITH THE SAME LIFTGATE HAVE THE SAME VERTICAL CRACK IN THE SAME LOCATION. CONCERNED WITH POTENTIAL GLASS BREAKING DUE TO SOME STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE WINDOW LIFTGATE. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. *AK

1. INSPECTED REAR COIL SPRINGS. 2. FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN, CAUSING REAR OF VEHICLE TO SAG. 3. HAD BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS REPLACED, ALSO REPLACED THE REAR STRUTS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS. *AK

1. WAS JUST DRIVING, NOTHING SEEMED OUT OF THE ORDINARY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN... 2. THE "O/D OFF" LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED BLINKING RAPIDLY, AND THE MESSAGE PANEL IN THE DASH SAID "CHECK TRANSMISSION". BROUGHT IT INTO FORD DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3400. 3. NOTHING YET, BUT I'M TOLD IF I WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN, IT WILL REQUIRE A BRAND NEW $3400 TRANSMISSION. DID A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE FOR "2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION", AND AM SEEING A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS... PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. *JB

I PURCHASED USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT ON FEBRUARY 28, 2007 FROM CLASSIC NISSAN IN MOUNT. HOLLY, NEW JERSEY. THE WEEK OF APRIL 9, 2007 MY DAUGHTER AND I TOOK A TRIP TO FLORIDA. ON APRIL 11,2007 I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD HIT 55 MPH THE ODOMETER OFF LIGHT WOULD START BLINKING. I NOTIFIED CLASSIC NISSAN OF THE SITUATION. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT WHEN I RETURNED FROM MY VACATION. ON MY WAY HOME ON APRIL 13,2007 I BROKE DOWN IN FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT DRIVE AT ALL. I WOULD PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WAS ACTING AS IF I WERE IN NEUTRAL POSITION. I WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY STATED TO ME THAT THE PUMP FAILED IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH LED TO NO FLUID FLOW AND THE CLUTCHES ULTIMATELY MALFUNCTIONED. I REALIZE THAT I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR CLASSIC NISSAN TO BE AT ANY LIABILITY AS WELL AS FORD MOTOR CORPORATION TO BE AT ANY LIABILITY, BUT I DO NOT FEEL AS IF TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD FAIL AT 36,000 MILES. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH AND A HALF AND NOW HAVE TO SPEND $3,500.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IF THIS IS THE QUALITY WORK THAT FORD GIVES, THEN I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANY MORE FORD VEHICLES IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU. AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE IN THE REVERSE POSITION AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A LOUD THUMPING SOUND AND ALMOST STALLED. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 123,196.*AK