2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

VEHICLE MADE A WHINNING NOISE WHEN IDLING. THERE WAS A PAUSE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, AND FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. THE PAUSE CAUSED VEHICLE TO NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED.*AK

HUMMING, WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR AT INTERSTATE DRIVING SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR

DURING NORMAL OPERATION THE REAR SPRING ASSEMBLY HAS BROKEN. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE AND THE ONES INSTALLED ARE NOW BROKEN. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS AS THE SPRING COULD PUNCTURE THE TIRE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. *TR

APRIL 2007 1. JUST BRINGING THE CAR UP TO FREEWAY SPEED. 2. A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE, PASSENGER SIDE. UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AS IT WAS DARK, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. 3. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE 3RD PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE AND ALSO DESTROYED THE COIL ATTACHED TO IT. A NEW THREADED INSERT WAS INSTALLED IN THE SPARK PLUG HOLE. A NEW SPARK PLUG AND NEW COIL WERE INSTALLED. *TR

I PURCHASED AN 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 WITH PUSH-BUTTON 4X4. FIRST THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE AXLE AND HUB BROKE. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY. I WAS SLUNG INTO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC, BUT LUCKILY AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. I REPLACED THE AXLE AND HUB ASSEMBLY.*AK ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR AXLE BEGAN MAKING A HUMMING NOISE. ONE DAY LATER IT MADE A LOUD BANG AND BROKE. I REPLACED THE AXLE AND HUB ASSEMBLY. WITHIN THREE WEEKS IT BROKE AGAIN. I REPLACED IT AGAIN. IT LASTED ONE MONTH. REPLACED AGAIN. LASTED TWO DAYS. REPLACED THE AXLE/HUB ASSEMBLY FOR THE 4TH TIME. A LITTLE OVER 1 MONTH LATER IT IS NOW MAKING THE LOUD NOISES. I PUT THE VEHICLE UP ON A RACK. I WAS ABLE TO SLIDE THE WHEEL IN AND OUT AND LEFT TO RIGHT WITH THE SLIGHT PUSH OF A FINGER. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE REAR END IS NOT MESSED UP. ONE MECHANIC SAID THEIR MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE HOUSING BUT HE CANNOT 'SEE' ANYTHING WRONG. I WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE REAR END. WHICH IS ESTIMATED AT AROUND $1500-$2000. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT UPWARDS OF $4000 ON AXLES/HUBS/AND EARLIER BRAKE PROBLEMS.

EGR SENSOR FAILURE OBD2 CODE P0401. *JB

2002 EXPLORER HAS 83,500 MILES. DISCOVERED THAT THE 4X4 SYSTEM WOULD NOT ENGAGE. GANLEY FORD REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE THAT COMMUNICATES WITH THE 4X4 SYSTEM AT A TOTAL COST OF $577.00. THE PART ALONE WAS $293.00. EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE BALANCE OF THE LABOR WAS SO HIGH WAS "THE CONTROL MODULE IS DIFFICULT TO REACH UP UNDER THE DASH". WHY IS THAT MY PROBLEM? I HAD ALSO PURCHASED THE GOLD PLAN WARRANTY AND THIS PART WAS NOT COVERED. FORD'S GOLD PLAN IN MY OPINION IS USELESS. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN! *AK

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4X4 MAN TRANS. REAR DIFFERENTIAL NOISES. FLUID CHANGE DID NOT HELP. *TR

I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS REAR SEALS LEAKING. I NEED TO GET THESE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVE TRAIN IF IT FAILS. I HAVE 119,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, BUT I ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED WITH FORD. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND APPARENTLY THE SEALS HAVE BEEN FAILING AT LOW MILES. I FELT THE SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH LOW MILES. APPARENTLY THE DEALERS WAITED UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I FELT IF THE VEHICLE FAILSED THIS WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. FORD HAS PRODUCED MORE DEFECTIVE EXPLORERS. I AM NOW FACED WITH A LARGE REPAIR BILL.*AK

MY FORD EXPLORER LOST CONTROL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. WHILE CHANGING LANES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STRAIGHTEN. THE TRUCK FISHTAILED SEVERAL TIME BEFORE SPINNING OUT. VEHICLES CRASHED INTO RETAINING WALL. TIE ROD WAS BROKEN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.*AK

I HAVE A 2022 FORD EXPLORER WITH 82000 MILES, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. AT 74,000 WAS MILES FLUID AND FILTER REPLACED AT DEALER. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS WARM THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY TRAVEL 2-3 YARDS IN REVERSE, AND THEN LOCK. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS TRANSMISSION. DEALER WANTED TO TEAR THE TRANSMISSION DOWN AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE. IT COULD REQUIRE A COMPLETE REBUILD AT $3,500. THIS WAS A 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH OD. NO TOWING AND NO PLOWING. NORMAL TO/FROM WORK WITH VEHICLE. I NOTICED HUNDREDS OF TRANSMISSION ALERTS VIA A GOOGLE SEARCH, SOME SPECIFIC TO THIS VEHICLE AND PROBLEM. ALSO, HAD PROBLEMS WITH UPSHIFTING /DOWNSHIFTING ON HILLS. PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS TO DEALER.*AK

EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES: FORD ACKNOWLEDGES ISSUES INTERNALLY WITH THE TIMING CARTRIDGES ON THE 2002 E CODE 4.0L V6 SOHC ENGINE THROUGH SEVERAL TSB'S, HOWEVER DOES NOT NOTIFY THE PUBLIC THAT THIS ISSUE EXISTS. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ISSUE AFTER APPARENTLY BLOWING THE ENTIRE ENGINE ON MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER. NOW, INSTEAD OF HAVING A REPAIR DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT COULD COST A LITTLE, I HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM GREATLY THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND NOT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. APPARENTLY, FORD USED SEVERAL PLASTIC GUIDE WAY PARTS TO TENSION THE CHAIN, AND THESE PARTS FAIL EASILY BECAUSE THEY ARE OIL STARVED AT ENGINE STARTUP. BECAUSE THEY ARE PLASTIC, THEY CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK AT ANY TIME, CAUSING SEVERE VALVE AND PISTON DAMAGE, AND LEAVING THE OPERATOR OF THE CAR WITH NO CONTROL OF THE AUTOMOBILE BECAUSE OF LOSS OF VACUUM FOR BREAKS, AND AUTOMATIC STEERING. CORRECTION OF FAILURE: FORD REFUSES TO PAY ANYTHING TO HELP REPAIR OR REPLACE PARTS EVEN WITH KNOWN ISSUES. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR WINDOW LIFT PANEL CRACKED (DEALER REPLACED ONCE DUE TO SMALL STRESS FRACTURES WAS THE EXPLANATION GIVEN ME) REPLACEMENT PANEL CRACKED WITHIN 6 MONTHS, SAME PLACE AS FIRST CRACK, BUT EXTENDING ALL THE WAY THROUGH PANEL. DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REPLACE. THIS POSSES A DANGER IF THE PANEL FLIES OFF DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER FORDS WITH THE SAME DEFECT AND FORD SHOULD OFFER A RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

CRACK ON PANEL BELOW THE REAR GLASS WAS ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG. IF THE CRACK CONTINUES IT COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PART OF THE PANEL COULD DETACH.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 4WD FORD EXPLORER FAILED AT 73,000 MILES. I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE HIGHWAY WAS EMPTY AT THAT TIME WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND I FEEL THAT MY LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN ENDANGERED IF MORE AUTOMOBILES WERE PRESENT ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS TRAVELING ON. I READ THAT SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A VERY FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AMONG 2002 FORD EXPLORERS AND ALSO READ THAT FORD HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM THROUGH ANY SORT OF SAFETY RECALL PROCEDURE. WHEN I CALLED FORD TO SUBMIT A PATRON COMPLAINT FORD CONFIRMED THAT NO SAFETY RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. THE MECHANIC WAS ROTATING BOTH REAR TIRES AND CHANGING BRAKE PADS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS SHEARED OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,600. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED BOTH THE INVOICE AND PICTURES OF THE BROKEN COIL SPRINGS. UPDATE 4/23/07 *TR

EVERY TIME IT RAINS WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ON THE TOP REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE BULBS SHORT OUT. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AT 72,000 MILES. WATER ALWAYS POOLS IN THE REAR AREA.

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4, I HAVE BEEN GETTING A HUMMING SOUND. I HAVE REPLACED ONE FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING AND BOTH REAR WILL BEARING HUB. ONE AT A TIME, COULDN'T AFFORD TO DO ALL. HUMMING STILL BEING HEARD. I HAVE 125,000 MILES AND ITS IN GOOD SHAPE. I BOUGHT IT IN 2002 A CERTIFIED VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL REAR OF 2002 EXPLORER. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 51,000. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR SEALS AXLE SEALS ON BOTH SIDES AND THEY BOTH NEED IT AGAIN.

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN OCTOBER 2002. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE FOUR BALL BEARING JOINTS, AND ALTERNATOR AND NOW A TRANSMISSION WITH TOTAL COSTS TO EXCEED $7000. I AM WRITING NOW BECAUSE I FELT THAT THE OTHER EXPENSES WERE WEAR AND TEAR, AS I HAVE HAVE 98,000 MILES. BUT NOW IT IS GOING TO COST $3600 TO REPLACE MY TRANSMSSION. LAST THURSDAY 3/15 MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, AS MY RPM REACHED 3000. THEN IT WOULD SHIFT INTO GEAR AS I MADE MY WAY HOME FROM MY JOB 100 MILES AWAY. MY O/D LIGHT FLASHED AND THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 HAS EXCESSIVE WHEEL BEARING NOISE. I HAVE READ OF MANY WHEEL BEARING ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL WHICH SIGNIFIES A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. A RECALL SHOULD BE INSTITUTED. *TR

THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EXPLODED WHEN I OPENED IT. UNFORTUNATELY A FRIEND WAS STANDING NEAR AND RECEIVED A COUPLE MINOR CUTS. NO IDEA WHAT SO EVER WHAT CAUSED THE WINDOW TO SHATTER INTO A MILLION PIECES, THE LOCAL FORD MOTOR FOLKS SAID THIS WAS STRANGE AND HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES, SO IT WASN'T THAT COLD OUT. IT HAD BEEN CLOSED JUST MINUTES BEFORE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. *JB

2002 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER AWD, VEHICLE MILEAGE JUST UNER 100K. VEHICLE (W.O WARNING) WOULD NOT SHIFT THRU 3RD GEAR. SYMPTONS ARE WHEN VEHICLE GETS TO 3RD, ENGINE REVS AS IF IN NEUTRAL, CHECK TRANS LIGHT COMES ON, OD INDICATER FLASHES. BACKING OFF ON THROTTLE ALLOWS HARD SHIFT INTO 4TH AND VEHICLE PROCEEDS OK. FORD DEALER SAYS 3RD GEAR BAND IS GONE. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THEY CLAIM NO. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. ALSO FOUND OLD FORD TSB OUTLINING THE IDENTICAL SYMPTONS. IS THERE ANY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH FORD SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON EXPLORER PROBLEM

CAR STARTED MAKING HUMMING NOISE WHEN GOING 30-45 MPH, TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO REF ME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN FOR TRANSMISSION FLUSH, STILL THE SAME ISSUE, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I HAVE 4X4 WHICH REQUIRES THE SAME 4 TIRES OR THE CAR WILL JERK. THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATES, AND THE 4X4 GAUGE DOESN'T WORK, REPLACED THE COMPONENT AND STILL THE SAME ISSUE. ANY WHO TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, NOW I AM HEARING A CLINKING AND RUBBERY SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I AM NOW FORCED TO TAKE THE CAR IN... AND OF COURSE BE CHARGED A RIDICULOUS FEE, FOR THEM TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON THE TRUCK TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, AND THEN OF COURSE PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR.... MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A FOREIGN CAR.. THEY BREAK DOWN LESS, AND THE COST OF MAINTENANCE AND EQUIVALENT OR LESS THEN THE COST OF MAINTAINING A GOOD OLE' AMERICAN MADE FORD VEHICLE. (LEXUS, KIA, AND I BELIEVE EITHER MAZDA OR TOYOTA ARE OWNED BY FORD.. SO STEER CLEAR OF THOSE BRANDS). TIMELINE REFLECTS THE LATEST ISSUE, AND THE AMOUNT OF PREVIOUS PROBLEMS.. AMOUNT TO MANY. *JB

THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN GUAM SAID I NEEDED A NEW SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND ORDERED IT. THAT WAS IN MARCH 2007. IT IS NOW JULY 2007. IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THEN WHY IS IT SO SLOW. *AK

THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN MY TAILGATE THAT STARTS AT THE BACK WINDSHIELD GLASS AND RUNS HALFWAY DOWN MY TAILGATE. I GUESS THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THESE CRACKS AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IN PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS. I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX IT. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN IF THEY ARE GOING TO TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS...PLEASE HELP US GET THEM TO RECALL THIS. THANKS. *JB

REAR LIFTGATE OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER DEVELOPS CRACK ON PIECE BELOW GLASS. *JB

REAR COIL SPRING ON FORD 2002 EXPLORER BROKE. TOOK CAR IN FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION AND MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. WHILE IT WAS REPLACED WITH A DEALER PART, I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN FOR THE SPRING TO PIERCE A TIRE OR BRAKE LINE WAS TO HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. WHO KNOWS HOW LONG I WAS DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IN DANGER OF A POSSIBLE FATAL INCIDENT. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT PRETENTIONER UPGRADE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIR. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. *AK UPDATE 4/23/07 *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE DRIVER TO STEER TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,350. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THIRD GEAR BANG OR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,350.

DAUGHTER CAME OUT OF SCHOOL TO FIND CRACK BENEATH REAR WINDOW. THOUGHT TO BE RESULT OF HIT AND RUN IN PARKING LOT. TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. REPAIRED AT NO COST TO US, NO PROBLEM. GOOD DEALER! WE ARE VERY GOOD FORD CUSTOMERS, HAVING BOUGHT EXCLUSIVELY FORDS FOR 20+ YEARS. THIS WILL NOT DETER US FROM BUYING FORD AGAIN. *JB

REAR LIFTGATE ON 2000 FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES BELOW THE WINDOW. HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY SAME VEHICLES. HAVE HAD MANY COMMENTS ON IF FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS**NAR**CC TRANSFERRED TO DAD **CG THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WHEEL BEARING FAILED DUE TO WEAR, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO NOISE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. *JB

DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION BOX ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH 43K MILES - HAS ANYONE HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SAME YEAR EXPLORER WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND/OR ANY SUCCESS WITH FORD FIXING THE PROBLEM? *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS SEVERAL CRACKS ON THE LIFTGATE THAT JUST APPEARED ONE DAY. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND AM NOT SURE WHY THIS HAS NOT BECOME A RECALL. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A PRETENSIONER REPAIR KIT INSTALLED FOR $650. I DECLINED SERVICE. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND THEIR ARE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS; IN JULY 2001, FORD ISSUED A SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE ANNOUNCING THAT SOME AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING DEVICES MAY PRODUCE NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED FULL LEFT OR RIGHT. FORD WAS AWARE THAT SOME CLOCKSPRINGS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION MAY ALSO CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. STARTING WITH VEHICLES PRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER 2001, FORD ADDING LENGTH TO THE CLOCKSPRING WIRE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF DAMAGE FROM IMPROPER INSTALLATION. *TR

REAR WHEEL AXLE BEARINGS. I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAD 85,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR WHEEL AXLE BEARINGS REPLACED. I DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 20,000 AND IT WAS JUST OVER A YEAR AND THE REAR BEARINGS WENT OUT AGAIN. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THESE. I HAD TO PAY FULL PRICE AGAIN TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. NUMEROUS PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SAID THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BEARINGS. ALSO A VERY CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE ALSO HAS A 2002 EXPLORER AND SHE HAS HAD TO HAVE HER BEARINGS REPLACED TOO. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD LOST THE THIRD GEAR. THE GEAR WOULD SLIP INSTEAD OF ENGAGING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY BADLY, AND FEEL AS IF IT WAS PULLING AWAY FROM HIM. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENED BETWEEN 0 -29 MPH, AND THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 30 MPH IT WOULD LEVEL OUT AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DOING THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED EVERY DAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 40000.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE AT 20 MPH IN THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER SHE STARTED FEELING A SURGE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK. SHE HAS DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 105031 MILES.*AK

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR MAJOR TRANSMISSION AND REAR END PROBLEMS APPROX. 15 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP BETWEEN 2ND-3RD AND 3RD-4TH GEAR. IN REVERSE THE CLUTCH BINDS UP. THE REAR END ROARS AND WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES (AFTER NUMEROUS FIX ATTEMPTS) AND AT 66,000 MILES REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, RING GEAR & PINION WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALMOST OVERHAULED AT 35,000, RE-PROGRAMMED APPROX 3 TIMES AND NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN NOW. THE COMPASS HAS FAILED TWICE. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER HAVING BEEN SERVICED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY FORD DEALERSHIP. TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE DISABLED IN TRAVEL AREA OF THE ROADWAY. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT THERE WAS "NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION". VEHICLE NOW NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES AT COST OF $2000 +. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV'S AND IMMEDIATE FAILURES ARE DANGEROUS TO PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER LTD. THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58800. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE ABS LIGHT TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALER CALLED FORD , AND THEY WERE RESEARCHING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60000. *AK

EXPLORER XL, V6, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WITH 88,000 MILES. DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM. OUR MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT BROKE ON A PIECE OF METAL HOLDING THE PINION IN PLACE. WE WERE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, 70 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A NOISE. THE SOUND RESEMBLED A FLAT TIRE. WE PULLED OFF ON THE SHOULDER AND LOOKED AT ALL 4 TIRES. NO FLAT. WE THEN CALLED AAA TO TOW TO OUR FIRST MECHANIC. HE LOOKED AND DISCOVERED OUR PARKING BRAKE SHOE, YES, PARKING BRAKE SHOE, HAD FALLEN OFF. HE REPLACED IT, $130. HE DROVE IT OUT, AND STILL HEARD THE NOISE. HE SUSPECTED THE REAR END. HE COULDN'T FIX THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM. WE TOOK IT TO OUR SECOND MECHANIC. IT TOOK A WEEK TO GET THE LENGTHY REPAIR DONE, TO GET IT TO FIT INTO HIS SCHEDULE. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, ($885) THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM KICKED IN WHENEVER WE STOPPED. THE PEDAL THUMPED!SO WE TOOK IT BACK AND HE SAID WHEN THE PINION WAS DAMAGED, THAT ALSO RUINED THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE REAR END. HE FIXED IT FOR FREE, FEELING SORRY FOR US THAT WE HAD TWO EXPENSIVE CAR REPAIRS ON OUR FORD WITHIN 2 DAYS. THE MECHANIC SAID IF WE HAD DRIVEN MUCH LONGER WITH THAT PROBLEM, THE CAR COULD HAVE SEIZED (MY WORDS), AND "THROWN US THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD." (YES, WE WEAR SEAT BELTS.) *JB

MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS STAYED LIT AND NEEDED REPAIRS ON 2 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS A YEAR AGO. AT THAT TIME, WE TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE SAFETY HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS RECENTLY COME ON AGAIN. AGAIN, WE TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME ARE TOLD THAT ANOTHER HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND A WIRE UNDER THE SEAT IS NOT WORKING AND THE REPAIRS (WHICH ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY) WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $370. I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS AS THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEIR PREVIOUS REPAIR SHOULD HOLD SOME GUARANTEE. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT THE CASE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. I FIND THIS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AS A NON-FUNCTIONING AIRBAG IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I AM NOTIFYING THE NHTSA AND THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *JB

THIS COMPLAINT IS CONCERNING THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS AND THE FREQUENCY IN WHICH THEY BREAK OR COME LOSE CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE ON 5 OCCASIONS, THE LAST OF WHICH FORD REFUSES TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST DUE TO IT BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY 2007 WHEN MY RIGHT FRONT BEARING BROKE WHILE I WAS ON AN HIGHWAY OVERPASS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AS THE WHEEL NEARLY COMES OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE VEHICLE JERKS. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED IN JANUARY 2008 WHEN MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING BROKE. THIS TIME I WAS THANKFULLY NOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY BUT ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AS IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR THIS TIME I REQUESTED THAT THE REAR BEARINGS BE CHECKED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THOSE TWO BEARINGS ALSO NEEDED REPLACEMENT. NOW, IN OCTOBER 2009, ONCE AGAIN MY FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING IS LOSE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED FORD REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BEARINGS ARE FAULTY AND THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE BUT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER JUST SAYS TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. THEY ALSO WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR AS IT IS OUT OF THEIR 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. I HAVE STARTED RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND 28 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND THIS IS JUST ONE WEBSITE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE BEARINGS ON 2002 EXPLORERS. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SEALED FACTORY PART THAT USUALLY DOES NOT REQUIRE REPAIR AND I AM ON MY FIFTH REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. *TR

TRANSMISSION WENT AT 66K AND CAUSED ME SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. *JB

PAINT IS BLISTERING AND CHIPPING ON THE HOOD AND FENDER OF MY 2002 EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

THE LIFTGATE EXTERIOR CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE WITH NO PRESSURE BEING APPLIED, MAYBE THE WEATHER MADE IT CRACK, BUT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *JB

PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. *AK

I JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE GEAR AND PINION ASSEMBLY, AXLE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR ON MY 02 EXPLORER, A VERY COSTLY REPAIR ON A 02, 47K MILES VEHICLE. BUT THE REASON WHY I'M MAKING A COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I FOUND OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET FOR THE SAME YEAR/MAKE VEHICLE. I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT TOLD ME THAT IF I DIDN'T NOTICE THE NOISE AND REPLACED THE PARTS, MY REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK WHILE DRIVING AND I COULD HAVE FOUND MYSELF IN A VERY DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. SO I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT IT, THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THE NHTSA DIDN'T FIND THIS TO BE A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM FORD DECIDED NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL. POSSIBLY LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS ON A 4X4 VEHICLE IS NOT LIFE THREATENING???? HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE? IF THERE ARE NO FATAL ACCIDENTS FROM THIS PROBLEM YET IS BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WILL SPEND THE $1100 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY RISK THEIR FAMILIES...IS IT WORTH RISKING SOMEONE DYING SO FORD CAN SAVE SOME MONEY? I'M OUTRAGED!. *JB