2002 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THANK GOD I WAS ALMOST HOME AT THIS TIME, MY FORD EXPLORE WAS DRIVING FINE ALL OF A SUDDEN I HERD A POP AND A BANG AND THEN THE MOTOR STARTED STUMBLING AND SHAKING. AS IT WAS RUNNING THE MOTOR KEPT ON POPPING I GOT OUT AND SEEN A SPARK PLUG NEXT TO DRIVER SIDE FENDER UNDER THE HOOD ALSO THE COIL THAT WAS PLUGGED ON TO THE PLUG WAS THERE TOO.I TRIED TO GRAB THE COIL BUT GOT SHOCKED BECAUSE THE RUBBER ON THE COIL WAS BROKE FROM THE PLUG FLYING OUT LIKE A BULLET AND HITTING THE COIL BRAKING IT IN FOUR OR FIVE PLACES THATS Y I GOT SHOCKED SO MUCH.THE HOLE POINT IS THAT THE PLUG STRIPED OUT OF THE HEAD AND DID ALL THIS DAMAGE. NOW I HAVE NO WAY TO FIX THIS ISSUE ONE OF THE WAYS TO FIX IT CAN BE TO REPLACE THE HEADS ON THE MOTOR WITCH WILL COST LOTS OF MONEY.WHAT CAN I DO IM DESPERATE SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A HELPING HAND BY THE DEALER BUT THEY CLAIM IT'S NOT THERE FAULT BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY FORDS BECAUSE OF THE HEADS THEY HAVE USED ON THIS MOTOR PLEASE MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE IT IS A DEFECT I DO BELIEVE IT IS. I FOUND OVER 50 PEOPLE ONLINE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES AS ME. PLEASE HELP US..... *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN EVE. I SWITCH LANES AND CAME ONTO AN ICY PART OF ROAD DO TO BROKEN LEAKING HYDRANT HIT CHUCK HOLE IN THE ROAD AND LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AND HIT POLE AND HYDRANT AND THE COMPLETE FRONT END WAS CRUSHED AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL. I HURT MY CHEST BACK AND KNEE'S AND HAVE HEADACHES. *TR

THIRD TRANSMISSION FAILURE SINCE 2010. BOUGHT A FORD REMANUFACTURED TRANS AS THIS IS MY SECOND 2002 WITH A FAILED TRANS. THE FIRST ONE I BOUGHT FAILED SEVEN MONTHS LATER. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 17,000 MILES LATER. FAST FORWARD TO LAST SATURDAY. SAME FAILURE AS THE LAST TWO. NO HELP FROM FORD, PROBABLY SURPRISED I MADE IT THROUGH THE WARRANTY. *TR

" CHECK ENGINE SOON" SIGN IS ON. " O/D" SIGN IS ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE AND THE SPEED WOULD DECELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SENSOR LIGHT AND OVER DRIVE LIGHT HAD ILUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

GOT HOME AND NOTICED A CRACK ALL THE WAY THRU PANEL BELOW WINDOW ON LIFTGATE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD FORCEFULLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY DISENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE TO BE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHIFT INTO PARK, THEN BACK TO DRIVE. I HAVE CONSULTED WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FORD EXPLORER / MERCURY MOUNTAINEER TRANSMISSION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS FAILING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS BEING A SAFETY CONCERN. MY MOTHER OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHORTLY BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION FROM FORD. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THEIR EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES? THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA REFERRED ME TO THIS WEBSITE BEING THAT THE SERVICE MANAGE BELIEVES THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL THROUGH FORD. I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE DEALERSHIP. WHY HAS FORD OR THE NHTSA NOT REQUIRED THE MANUFACTURE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE? DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE IN CAR ACCIDENTS BEFORE THIS IS RECTIFIED? IT IS NOT SAFE TO PASS A VEHICLE SINCE THE TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY CUTS OUT WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

AFTER HAVING DRIVEN ABOUT 20 MILES FROM HOME, I NOTICED SEVERAL INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHING ON MY DASH AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER SHIFTING PROPERLY. I MANAGED TO RETURN HOME WITH THE CAR NOT WANTING TO PROPERLY UP SHIFT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP, ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME, I ALSO LOST REVERSE GEAR. TRANSMISSION ENDED UP NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. *TR

IT IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. ENGINE REVS UP TO AND OVER 4,000RPMS AND SLAMS INTO THE GEARS. *TR

REAR LIFT GATE FIBERGLASS TRIM BELOW WINDOW CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL IN DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I WENT OUT TO START IT THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THE CRACK. *TR

TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE HAVE TO LET GAS TO MAKE IT SHIFT CHANGE SCREEN TIRED TO CORRECT PROBLEM ANOTHER PROBLEM FORDS GOOD IDEA TO PUT CHEAP TIMING CHAINS IN THE 4.0 V6 ENGINES THANK YOU *TR

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES (FULL JOB) WITH ABS CONCERNS. *TR

AFTER DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPOT I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THE GEARSHIFT FELL. AFTER IT FELL AGAIN I TRIED ONCE MORE AND IT BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHOM JUST TURNED IT OFF AND LATER INFORMED US THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WHICH WOULD COST $1700 JUST BECAUSE ONE PIECE WAS POORLY CONSTRUCTED AND MADE OF SOFT METAL. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A MONTH AND NOW WE'RE BEING TOLD THE PART IS ON BACK-ORDER SO WE STILL HAVE NO CAR. WE'VE READ WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS BUT YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BY THE FORD COMPANY. *TR

UTAH I-15 SOUTH BOUND, INSIDE LANE NEXT TO CONCRETE BARRIER WITH TOUR BUS IN LANE ON MY RIGHT. MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS PASSING THE BUS. I CORRECTED BY SLOWLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT; NOT HARD OR FAST BUT SLOWLY AND EVENLY. THE EXPLORER (4-DOOR, 2002, XLT) BEGAN TO WHIP BACK AND FOURTH VIOLENTLY. IT TOOK ME SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AFTER COMING WITHIN AN INCH OR TWO OF BOTH THE BARRIER AND THE BUS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE WHIPPING PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FOUR MONTHS AGO FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. I PUT NEW "BIG-O" BIGFOOT TIRES ON IT AND HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT CHECKED; IT WAS FINE. IF I HADN'T DONE SOME FANCY DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ROLLED (AT 80MPH) AND I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I AM GETTING RID OF THE EXPLORER AND NEVER BUYING ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

I WAS TRAVELING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. AS SOON AS SPACE OPENED BETWEEN ME AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, I ACCELERATED. WHILE GAINING SPEED I LOOKED IN MY RIGHT REAR VIEW MIRROR TO SEE IF I COULD CHANGE LANES. WHILE LOOKING IN MY MIRROR THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BACK OF HIS VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT OF MINE. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT MY AIRBAG(S) FIRED BUT DID NO DEPLOY. YOU COULD CLEARLY SMELL THAT THEY FIRED AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT CINCH UP AND RESTRAIN ME EITHER. THIS CAR HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THIS ONE. AS I SEE IT, IT WAS A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE SRS. *TR

WHILE MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE THE ACCELERATOR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. THE RPM'S WERE IN THE RED AND NOTHING I DID WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO APPLY BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PRESS AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND JAMMED THE TRUCK IN PARK AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. *TR

THE REAR BACK HATCH CRACKED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, AND THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR

TRANSMISSION SEALS FELL OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY, TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. *TR

THIS 5R55W TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 108,890 MILES FOR $3500 WHILE MY DAUGHTER LIVED AT COLLEGE. I PURCHASED A 3-YEAR 36,000 MILE FORD WARRANTY AS I WAS CONFOUNDED THAT A TRUCK TRANSMISSION MIGHT FAIL AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE. 3-YEARS 16-DAYS 35,652 MILES LATER THIS FORD REMAN FORD INSTALLED TRANS ALSO FAILED AND FORD IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR COST OF REPAIR REPLACE, 16-DAYS BEYOND A 100% FREE REPLACEMENT. THE LOCAL DEALER QUOTED $4500 AND THE PREVIOUS DEALER (100 MILES AWAY) QUOTED THE SAME $3500. I OPTED FOR AAMCO AT $2500 AND 3-YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, SINCE FORD CAN'T RE-ENGINEER THEIR OWN TRANSMISSION TO LAST A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST ON THE 2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION, AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS FOR 5R55W TRANSMISSION. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT FORD IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE RODE ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THREE OF THE WHEEL STUDS WERE SHEARED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES WITH THE REMAINING WHEEL STUDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WITHIN 7 MONTHS THE THE REAR WHEEL STUDS SUDDENLY SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE LAST TIME THE DRIVER WAS ON THE FREEWAY WITH 5 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. UPDATED 3/30/2015 *JS

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, SINCE 2013 HAVE BLEW OUT SPARKS PLUGS THREE TIMES. THE THREATS OF THE HEAD ARE DAMAGE . *TR

YESTERDAY EVENING, I GOT INTO MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND NOTICED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS STUCK IN PARK. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE IN ORDER TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THIS MORNING I FIGURED I WOULD GIVE IT ANOTHER ATTEMPT AS I NEEDED TO HEAD OUT FOR WORK. AS I TRIED AGAIN, I SIMPLY APPLIED THE BREAK, GRABBED THE SHIFT LEVER AND AS I PULLED THE TOWARDS ME AND BEGAN TO PULL DOWN TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE THE LEVER COMPLETELY BROKE AND IS NOW HANGING. I DID NOT APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE AT ANY POINT. NO MORE PRESSURE THEN I NORMALLY DO WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE TO REVERSE, ETC. I LOOKED UP THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION VIA INTERNET AND NOTICED MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EXACT DESCRIPTION. HOPEFULLY FORD WILL RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A PART RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ UPDATED 09/11/2014 *JS

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED HE PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE WHEN THE GEAR ASSEMBLY DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE GEAR ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. DA

AS I WAS DRIVING IN SNOW, I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO GO AROUND ANOTHER CAR. WHEN I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I WAS STUCK IN MY CAR UNABLE TO SHIFT, IF I TURNED IT OFF I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. I HAD TO SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT BACK INTO GEAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REVVED UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

REAR SPRING BROKE ON LEFT SIDE, NOT EVEN RUSTED. CAR ONLY HAS 32000 MILES ON IT. HAVE BEEN SEEING THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL BUT NO RECALL WAS EVER INSTITUTED. A TRAVESTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS NOTICED AS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED WITHIN MOMENTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH E MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

THE METAL BARS THAT HOLD THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR

THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A DESIGN FLAW SUCH THAT THE REAR PANEL CRACKS. WHEN MOISTURE GETS IN IT CAUSES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE SIX PROBLEMS EXPERIENCES ON THIS EXPLORER ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1) FALSE "DOOR AJAR" INDICATOR 2) REAR WINDOW WIPER NO LONGER WORKED 3) DEAD BATTERY 4) BACK-UP WARNING SIGNALS NO LONGER WORK 5) REAR WINDOW CAN NO LONGER OPEN 6) BRAKE LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. WE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE CODE READS BAD SERVO WHEN READ BY THE NH INSPECTION STATION. INVESTIGATION ON INTERNET AND THROUGH DEALER INQUIRIES STATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS MANUFACTURING TIME PERIOD , EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE STATES THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD FOR THE 2002-2004 EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WENT TO MECHANIC. WAS TOLD I BLEW A TWO HOLES THROUGH TIMING CHAIN COVER. WENT ONLINE FOUND THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THAT YEAR OF FORD. VERY UPSET THERE IS NO RECALL. WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST AT LEAST 2000 TO FIX. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I WANT TO GO TO MEDIA TO LET EVERYONE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM KNOW THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. APPARENTLY EVERYONE HAS TO PAY OUT THE [XXX] TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I'M NOT ONE OF THEM. I WANT MY CAR FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AND THEN CRASH INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIP LASH AND MINOR BRUISING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

I BOUGHT A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR AT A USED CAR LOT. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL BLUE SUV IN REMARKABLE GOOD CONDITION. I HAD IT FOUR MONTHS, AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE AT A STOP SIGHT ON MY WAY HOME FROM A SHOPPING STRIP TWENTY MILES FROM MY HOME. IT STARTED SMOKING AND WHILE I WAS FUMBLING FOR MY PURSE TO GET MY CELL PHONE TO CALL FOR HELP, IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BYSTANDERS ON THE THOROUGHFARE PULLED ME FORCEFULLY FROM THE CAR, AND THEN CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS WHEN THE ENTIRE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED. MY GARAGE MECHANIC, WHO HAD JUST SEEN THE CAR, TOLD ME THAT HE COULD SEE NO REASON WHY IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

DRIVING FORWARD AT 20 MPH IN A TRAILER PARK WHEN OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD. WAS TOLD ITS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND THOUSANDS OF 02 EXPLORERS HAD THIS ISSUE. GARAGE WANTS 3500.00 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I CALLED FORD WHO HAD NO ANSWERS FOR ME AND WONT FIX EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW ITS A BIG ISSUE WITH THESE. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS TO DATE. ALSO CLOCK SPRING JUST FAILED AND HORN STOPPED WORKING AND AIR AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. *TR

AUGUST 27,2012. HUABAND DRIVING HOWM FROM WORK. GOING DOWN HILL TO TRAFFIC LIGHT. CAR SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING, STALLS OUT COMPLETELY. LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES.ETC. A/S CONTUINUED TO WORK. ENGINE LIGH CAME ON. WRESTLED CAR TO VERGE OF ROAD. TURNED CAR OFF AND IT RESTARTED ON FORST TRY. STATED THAT THE FOLLOWING DAY AS HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL AWAY FROM STOP SIGN, CAR WOULD NOT INITALLY TAKE GAS BUT THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ( " I PEELED RUBBER!") RECALLED THAT THATSAME INCIDENT HAD HAD HAPPENED APPROX. 2 WEEKS BEFORE AT A DIFFEENT STOP. CAR TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, SOMPUTER SHOWS NO ISSUES. BELIEVE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF AFFECTED WITH SUDDEN, UNEXPLAINED STALLING WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. BOUGHT CAR AS "CERTIFIED, PRE-OWNED" USED CAR FROM FORD DEALERSHIP IN DEC. 2012. THEY HAVE NO ANSWER, NO SUGGESTIONS AS TO PROBLEM CAUSE. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DURING THE CRASH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE HAD STARTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC THAT FRACTURED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED WITH A STEEL MANIFOLD. IN ADDITION, THE SPARK PLUGS RUBBER AND GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 10/17/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE DEALER, HE LEARNED WHEN THE FIVE SPARK PLUGS WERE FLOODED THEY RUINED TWO COILS THAT SENT ELECTRICITY TO THE SPARK PLUGS. UPDATED THE CONSUMER BELIEVED FORD HID THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEM, RE-ENGINEERED THE PART TO INCLUDE 1/3 METAL AND THEN EQUIPPED ALL SUBSEQUENT MODELS WITH 1/3 METAL AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN. UPDATED 04/17/14

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JULY 2013 AND DROVE IT APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH WHEN I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING ALONG THERE WAS A SUDDEN DECLINE IN MY SPEED WHILE THE RPMS CONTINUED TO INCREASE. I SLOWED TO A STOP AS I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CHECKED THE VEHICLE FOR ANY OUTWARD SIGNS OF DAMAGE HAVING FOUND NONE I ONCE AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE MY TRIP. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE MANAGED TO ACCELERATE TO A BLISTERING 5 MILES AN HOUR WHILE HAVING TO MAINTAIN A 4-6 THOUSAND RPM RANGE. I PROCEEDED ALONG THE GRASS OF THE ROAD UNTIL I REACHED HOME. IT SITS NOW IN MY YARD COVERED WITH MY "TARP OF SHAME". THIS PIECE OF WORTHLESS CRAP SURELY FITS IT ACRONYM (FORD) FOUND ON THE ROAD DEAD....MY SPELLING MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST, BUT IT IS BETTER THAN THIS PIECE OF ...AT ANY RATE, HOW MUCH MORE DOES THE PUBLIC HAVE TO PAY FORD. WE PAID WITH THE BAIL OUT MILLIONS TO THEIR EXECUTIVES TO GET MILLIONS IN BONUSES TO RIP US OFF BY NOT PAYING FOR AND/OR FIXING THEIR PIECES OF JUNK...ENOUGH IS TOO MUCH ALREADY! IF YOU AT THE NHTSA DOESN'T DO SOMETHING MAYBE WE CITIZEN OUGHT TO TAKE OUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON YOU. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE TO CONSTITUTE A PATTERN? ABOVE 4,500,000....OR WILL IT BE THE DEATHS OF ONE OR MORE OF OUR CHILDREN AT THE HANDS OF THESE FATCATS WHO LAUGH AT US, WITH SUCH INDIFFERENCE AND UNBRIDLED CONTEMPT. IT DOES SEEM THAT IT GIVES THEM JOY TO MOCK THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT THIS WAY. CONSIDER, GM RECENTLY WAS FOUND HIDING THEIR KNOWN DEFECTS AND NOW FORD HAS BEEN DOING THE SAME THING FOR WELL OVER A DECADE. WHAT WOULD OLE HENRY FORD SAY TODAY? BUT, WHAT HURTS ME THE MOST IS, I USED TO LIKE FORDS BUT NOW GIVE ME A TOYOTA, HONDA, NISSAN OR A SKATEBOARD BEFORE ONE OF THESE SO CALLED PIECES OF ENGINEERING WONDERS!! THE REAL WONDER IS WHERE AND WITH WHO, WILL THEY BREAK DOWN ON NEXT!!!!!!! *TR

HAD A FEW SLIPS PRIOR BUT NOTHING MAJOR.. AND NOW WONT MOVE IN DRIVE!!!! *TR

THE HINGES ON THE BACK HATCH ARE BREAKING. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY STATE THIS WAS ALREADY FIXED ONCE UNDER RECALL. THEREFORE, I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN. IF THE SAFETY RECALL WAS COMPLETED PROPERLY, I DO NOT THINK IT SHOULD BE FAILING AGAIN; THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THEY DID NOT FIX IT PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME AND SINCE IT WAS A RECALL, I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE TO FIX IT AGAIN. THIS WILL BE A SERIOUS ISSUE IF THE WINDOW COMPLETELY BREAKS OFF. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

WHILE MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE LEVER BROKE AWAY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND COULD NOT BE RETURNED TO PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN REVERSE, ENGINE RUNNING, AND BRAKE APPLIED. WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, STILL IN REVERSE. THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED UNTIL A SMALL WIRE CONTACT INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SHORTED TO THE METAL IN THE COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRAGGED ONTO A TOW VEHICLE AND TAKEN TO AIKINS FORD IN WINDER, GEORGIA. I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART PLUS LABOR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1500. AIKINS ORDERED THE PART AND IS STILL WAITING AFTER DISCOVERING THAT THERE WERE 221 STEERING COLUMNS ON BACK ORDER WITH THE AFTER MARKET MANUFACTURER LICENSED TO PROVIDE THE PART. THE DESIGN OF THE SHIFT LEVER INCLUDED A "POT" METAL DISK HOUSING THAT REQUIRES THE SPRING BEHIND IT TO BE ACTUATE BY PULLING THE LEVER FORWARD TO CHANGE THE GEAR STATUS. THE HOUSING SNAPPED IN HALF, LEAVING THE LEVER DANGLING BY A SMALL WIRE. ONLY THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING AVERTED CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN PART BE RETURNED TO ME AND HAVE VERY GOOD PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ACTUAL SEPARATION AT THE BREAK IN THE COLUMN. I WILL FURNISH EITHER TO YOUR DEPARTMENT IF AND WHEN I GET MY EXPLORER BACK. NOW 56 DAYS AND STILL WAITING. I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS DESIGN FLAW TO ALLOW A PART THAT REQUIRES UNIFORM STRENGTH TO BE A MOLDED PIECE OF "POT" METAL AND SOMEONE MAY GET HURT, IF NOT ALREADY IN THE 221 INCIDENTS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE OVER-DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS A MESSAGE APPEARED STATING TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD DEFECTIVE RINGS AND BUSHINGS. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID BLOCK WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 233,577.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR AS THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND BEYOND 7000. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE SHIFT SENSOR CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.