NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
REAR LIFT GATE PLASTIC PANEL CRACKED, ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER. I HAVE NOTICED MANY FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WHY HAS FORD IGNORED THIS DEFECT, I SEE MANY COMPLANTS ON-LINE WITH THE SAME FLAW BY OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS.. *TR
THE LIFTGATE HINGE FRACTURED ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL NEARLY BREAKING MY HAND. THIS HINGE WAS RECALLED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 / FORD RECALL NO. 04S20. IN CONTACTING CUSTOMER SERVICE TONIGHT ON A FORD TRANSMISSION ISSUE, I DISCOVERED THE PREVIOUS HINGE RECALL AND THEY INDICATED THAT HINGE HAD BEEN REPLACE ONCE IN 2004 AND IT WAS MY BAD LUCK THAT IT FAILED A SECOND TIME. THEY WOULD MAKE NO RESTITUTION FOR THE FAILED PART. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS A PREVIOUS RECALL AND NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE AGAIN. IT IS CLEARLY A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THEY SHOULD ADDRESS, REIMBURSE ME FOR THE PART I PURCHASED THROUGH FORD AND REPLACE THE OTHER HINGE BEFORE IT ALSO FAILS AND HURTS SOMEONE. *TR
AT APPROXIMATELY 12:30 PM, A BRIEF RAIN SHOWER BEGAN AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE WIPER MOTOR, AND SIGNIFICANT TROUBLESHOOTING, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE GEM MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL DAYS OF LIGHT, MODERATE, AND HEAVY RAIN PRECEDING THIS ISSUE, DURING WHICH THE AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT DRIVEN. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE DOOR-AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK, AND THERE ARE OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. *TR
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. I STARTED THE VEHICLE, DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE GEARSHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE. THE GEARSHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE. AGAIN, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE. THE LEVER BROKE OFF AT THE JOINT WHERE IT COMES OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAD TO HIRE A TOW TRUCK. THE DRIVER HAD TO DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION TO LOAD IT ONTO THE BED OF THE TOW TRUCK. THIS HAS BEEN A MASSIVE INCONVENIENCE BOTH FINANCIALLY AND STRATEGICALLY. I EXPECTED THIS ISSUE TO BE IN THE RECALL MODE AS THERE ARE MANY INCIDENTS NOTED ON THIS SITE. I FEEL THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR ALL MY COSTS AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FLAWED METAL JOINT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL WITH NORMAL USE. WE RESIDE IN A MOUNTAINOUS STATE AND USE THE GEARSHIFT LEVER TO DOWN SHIFT ON THE SAME ROADS. THIS OCCURRENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTER ON FLOYD HILL OUTSIDE OF DENVER. I GUESS I WAS LUCKY! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION REFUSED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN SHIMKUS ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE WIRING HARNESS FIRE ON HER RECALLED FORD VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT A RECALL, SHE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED IN ANOTHER STATE IN DECEMBER 2010. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER THAN WEST THAN MISSOURI. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 09V399000.
THE DREADED GEARSHIFT IN HAND SO WELL KNOWN BY FORD AND ANYONE WITH THIS MODEL,AND FORD WANTS BIG MONEY FROM THE CONSUMER,FOR A TERRIBLY ENGINEERED PART. HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
I HAD JUST PULLED IN TO MY CUSTOMERS LOT AND WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AS I DID THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND WAS JUST DANGLING. I PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON AS THE SUV WAS ROLLING, I COULD NOT GET THE KEYS OUT. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO INTERSTATE FORD IN DAYTON. OH. *TR
CAR RECK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTER FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT THE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000. *TR
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, ATTEMPTED TO PASS A SLOWER MOVING CAR. AS I DID SO THE GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. CAUSING ME TO BRAKE TO SLOW VEHICLE..FINALLY ABLE TO FREE GAS PEDAL BY LIFTING IT UP WITH MY FOOT...MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE..FORD SAID NO RECALL. *TR
IT HAS BECOME INCREASING MORE DIFFICULT TO FUEL THE VEHICLE. THE PUMP CLICKS AS IF THE TANK IS FULL AS SOON AS THE FUELING BEGINS AND TAKE A LONG TIME TO FILL THE TANK AS YOU HAVE TO CONTINUALLY PUSH THE TRIGGER ON THE GAS PUMP BECAUSE IT KEEPS SHUTTING AS IF THE TANK IS FULL. *TR
I HAVE ONLY OWNED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS 3 TIMES. JUST TODAY I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING IS GOING AGAIN AND I JUST REPLACED BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS A MONTH AGO. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND I'M AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY. *TR
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WE HEARD A CLUNK AND SO WE PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND LOOKED AND THOUGHT IT LOOKED LIKE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS SAGGING BUT WASN'T SURE, WE DROVE HOME AND THEN REALIZED IT WAS DEF SAGGING. I TOOK IT TO THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT IT AT AND THEIR GOING TO CHECK IT ALL OUT TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.. JUST BE LOOKING AT IT THE CAR LOT MECHANIC SAID LOOKS LIKE SUSPENSION ISSUE AS IF SOMETHING BROKE. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE HAD IT CHECKED OUT A FEW TIMES AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE O2 SENSOR ISSUES LOCATED ON THE EXHAUST WHICH SEEMS TO BE A ISSUES WITH ALOT OF FORD EXPLORERS WHICH MAKES GAS MILEAGE TERRIBLE AND VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DIES, NOT TO MENTION THE PIECE OF PLASTIC UNDER THE REAR HATCH WINDOW THAT ALWAYS BREAKS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 02 EXPLORER ON THE THRUWAY FOR 2 AN 1/2 HOURS AND WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION THE TRANSMISSION BUCKED AND SHUDDERED AND REVVED UP WHILE I WAS TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT I ALMOST HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING WHEN I LOOKED AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DASH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING SO AFTER I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND WOULD YOU KNOW THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM... FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS TRANSMISSION BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME MIGHT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE WITH DEADLY RESULTS... I TALKED TO MY TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND HE SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION THE TRUCK DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 150,000 ON IT SO I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY CAN'T HELP ME BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS TRUCK... FORD NEEDS TO FIX THEIR MANUFACTURE ERROR HERE BECAUSE WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS FRAUD THEY CLAIM THAT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE GOOD BUT LIKE WITH A LOT OF THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ THEIR TRANNYS DIED BEFORE 100,000 MILES SO FOR THEM TO SELL DEFECTED SUVS IS FRAUDULENT IN ITS SELF BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE THE CUSTOMERS HAVE TO PAY ALL THIS MONEY FOR THE VEHICLE BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN THEM BEFORE 100,000 MILES AT THE COST OF 3500 TO 4000 DOLLARS... *TR
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND OTHER BRAKE PARTS ON THIS CAR WITHIN THE SAME YEAR (2012-13). *TR
BEARING KEEP HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AN THE REAR COIL SPRING IS CRACKED AN THE TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK, HAVE REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING 3 TIMES ALREADY. AN I HAVE REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN PLASTIC TENSIONER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS HE WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,550.
REAR PANEL BELOW WINDOW CRACKED FROM COLD WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. *TR
THE BACK DOOR IS CRACKED BETWEEN THE WINDOWS THE THE LATCH. THIS MORNING THE LATCH STOPPED WORKING AND I CAN'T KEEP THE REAR LATCH CLOSED. *TR
MY POWER STEERING STUCK CAUSED A WRECK!!
WE OPENED THE REAR WINDOW TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE TRUNK, LIFTED THE WINDOW AND THE WINDOW EXPLODED AND CRASHED ON MY HUSBAND'S HEAD. IT SEEMS AS IF THE HYDROLICS FAILED ON EACH SIDE OF THE REAR WINDOW. GLASS JUST SHATTERED AND WAS EVERYWHERE. MY HUSBAND'S HANDS WERE CUT AND HIS HEAD WAS BANGED UP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE ALSO CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OVER DRIVE, AND MESSAGE CENTERS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
BOUGHT A USED 2002 EXPLORER WITH 116,000 MILES ON IT, WENT THROUGH ALL THE WARE ITEMS AND REPLACED WITH NEW. I DROVE THIS VEHICLE TO WORK FOR A WHILE, ENOUGH TO GET THE MILEAGE TO 140,010 MILES THEN SUDDENLY STARTED TO SLIP INTO 3RD OR MISS ALL TOGETHER 3RD GEAR. 1ST TO 2ND WORKS FINE, 2ND TO 3RD IS GONE (ENGINE RAVES LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL) WHEN YOU LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR IT GOES INTO 4TH GEAR ON WILL PULL AGAIN, O/D WORKS ALSO. DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE IN VEHICLE, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, IF SOMEONE WAS TO HAVE TO GET INTO TRAFFIC AND THIS VEHICLE WAS TO THIS THEY COULD VERY EASILY BE RUN OVER BY A VEHICLE THEY ARE TRYING TO STAY AHEAD OF OR HAD PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS NOW AND IS DOING NOTHING TO MAKE IT GO AWAY ARE REMEDY THE POORLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION AND IT JUST TICKS ME OFF THAT THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY SAFETY PEOPLE DON'T MAKE FORD DO A RECALL TO FIX THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
PULLING IN DRIVEWAY STOPPED THE VEHICLE GOING TO PUT IT IN PARK SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN WENT ON INTERNET FOUND 146 COMPLAINTS AS THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THEM ON FORD EXPLORER CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. *TR
MY FORD EXPLORER HAS HAD SO MANY RIDICULOUS PROBLEMS. THIS ONE IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. THE CAR HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS, IT SPINS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND THEN I HAVE TO LET GO OF THE ACCELERATOR FOR IT TO SHIFT AGAIN, IT SKIPS 3RD GEAR ALTOGETHER AND JERKS INTO FOURTH AFTER PRESSING AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR A SERIES OF TIMES. ONCE IT'S IN 4TH GEAR, IT DOESN'T GO PAST 50 MPH. MY MECHANIC SAYS HIS MONITOR DETECTED A FAULTY SOLENDER AND THE ENTIRE PACK HAS TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT MAY NOT BE THE ONLY PROBLEM. IF THAT DOESN'T DO THE TRICK (EVEN THOUGH IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED REGARDLESS) HE WILL HAVE TO OPEN THE TRANSMISSION AND POSSIBLY REBUILD OR REPLACE SOME OF THE PARTS. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ASIDE FROM THIS, I HAVE A LIST OF OTHER DANGEROUS ISSUES THAT THIS CAR HAS HAD AND THAT HAS ENDANGERED MY FAMILY'S AND MY LIFE NUMEROUS TIMES: - GEAR SHIFT BREAKING OFF THE STEERING COLUMN AS I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. - IGNITION CYLINDER/SWITCH BREAKING - POSSIBLE SPONTANEOUS EXPLOSION RECALL RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL - REAR LATCH BREAKING AND INABILITY TO USE THE REAR LATCH. - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE - DOORS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY & DRAINING THE BATTERY - FAULTY ALARM SYSTEM - FAULTY TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND RADIATOR - FORD NOT ALLOWING CUSTOMERS TO BUY JUST THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR AND FORCING THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE ENTIRE PACKAGES ONLY IN ORDER TO GET THE NECESSARY PARTS AT EXTREMELY HIGH PRICES. FORD SHOULD BE INCRIMINATED FOR SELLING THESE VEHICLES KNOWING FULL WELL THAT THEY ARE FLOODED WITH LIFE THREATENING ISSUES TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
TRANSMISSION TOOK A CRAP, IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 & 2003 EXPLORERS. GUESS WE SHOULD HAVE LOOKED INTO THE EXPLORER BETTER. *TR
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. FROM PARK, WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE THERE IS A SURGE THAT OVERCOMES THE BRAKES AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO MOVE ROUGHLY 4-5 FEET. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSIONS SHIFTS SO HARD THAT IT SHAKES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS THE TRANSMISSIONS STALLS THEN SHIFTS SO HARD IT OVERCOMES THE STEERING WHEEL AND SOMETIMES CAUSES A CHANGE OF DIRECTION. WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 50MPH + IN OVERDRIVE THE TRANSMISSION WILL SURGE THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY AS IT ATTEMPTS TO STAY IN GEAR. AFTER REGULARLY SCHEDULED SERVICE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED A SOLUTION OTHER THAN SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON ANOTHER TRANSMISSION THAT MAY CAUSE THE SAME RESULT. THIS IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH OCCURS. *TR
NEEDED A NEW TRANNY AT 118,000 MILES THEN NEEDED ANOTHER ONE
WAS DRIVING CAR ALONG LOCAL ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MILES AND HOUR. MANY CARS SEVERED TO AVOID TRUCK AND WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO LOCAL FACILITY AND HAD FORD TECH LOOK AT VEHICLE. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSION BROKE. TECH AND DEALERSHIPS( CALLED TWO FOR QUOTES ) SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. AFTER FINDING OUT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE PULLED FOR REPAIR I HAD TO JUNK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT AFFORD REPAIR. THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE ANY TIME A VEHICLE BREAKS WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. IT IS ALSO A KNOW COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS THE DESIGN OF THE TENSION IS POORLY PRODUCED AND THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR. FORD SHOULD FIX/ REPLACE THE TENSIONER ON THESE TRUCK BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY WHILE ON A TRIP LEFT US ALL STRANDED IN COLD! *TR
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES. TIME BETWEEN ONSET OF NOISE AND NEAR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES. FEARING A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS MIGHT FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURIES, THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO INCUR THE HIGH COST TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS AND RELATED PARTS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF MODEL YEARS AND IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DESIGN DEFECT. NHTSA HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE VIA A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS AND MUST COMPEL FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO ISSUE A RECALL OF ALL FORD EXPLORERS BEGINNING WITH MODEL YEAR 2002 OR EARLIER. THE RECALL RIGHTFULLY MUST INCLUDE FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY REPAIR COSTS INCURRED BY OWNERS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH COOPER DISCOVERY HTP TIRES, SIZE: 235 70 R16 (N/A). THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A SIDE RAIL AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE WHIPLASH INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
LIKE MANY OTHER FRUSTRATED FORD OWNERS, I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY EXPLORER. ITS REALLY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DON'T EVEN NEED TO SEE IT TO KNOW THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT, DUE TO THE TRACK RECORD OF THE FAULTY PARTS FORD HAS USED. ITS REALLY SAD WHEN THEY KNOW THE TRANSMISSION WHERE NOT GOOD AND CONTINUED TO INSTALL THEM FOR MORE YEARS. I HOPE SOONER OR LATER THEY OWN UP TO THEIR FAULTS AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. WE SPENT GOOD MONEY FOR A QUALITY AMERICAN MADE CAR AND DID NOT EXPECT TO HAVE TO INVEST ALMOST $3,000 IN A NEW TRANSMISSION THE NEXT YEAR. FORD WILL LOSE A LOT OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS OVER THIS AND NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD SWING OPEN SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,500.
THREE MONTHS AGO THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. SOMETIMES THE RPM'S WILL REV BUT THE CAR WILL NOT INCREASE IN SPEED.THE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SHIFT HARSHLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED. THE CONTACT TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO PARK AND SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 210,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
PULLED INTO PARK, WENT TO SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK (WAS FULLY STOPPED) AND GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF. I DID NOT APPLY ANY FORCE, JUST THE NORMAL TYPICAL ACTION OF SHIFTING THE GEAR. GOOD THING IT WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN IT SNAPPED. TOOK RUBBER SEAL OFF OF THE GEAR LEVER ARM AND THE PART WHICH THE LEVER ARM WAS ATTACHED HAD TOTALLY BROKEN OFF. THE METAL WAS NOT STRIPPED OR TWISTED BUT BROKEN. PART #905-104: COLUMN SHIFT REPAIR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. ON OCCASION I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT MY AIR BAG HAS NOT GONE OFF YET. ALSO WHILE DRIVING MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT & DOME LIGHTS COME ON. *TR
CRUISE CONTROL ELECTRICAL DISENGAGE SWITCH FAILED. CRUISE CONTROL COULD ONLY BE DISENGAGED BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE VERY HARD OR BY MANUALLY TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL ON/OFF SWITCH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EMITTED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AS THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL-BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A PHONE POLE. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND MOUTH. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND A BRUISED TAIL BONE. THE PERSON SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND LACERATIONS TO THE FEET. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING CAUSING THE EXPLORER TO BARELY PULL OUT INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH HAD TO STOP TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, AND IT HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING. *TR
I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN A PRIVATE SALE ON 11/09/12 AND ON 11/10/12 WENT TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO REVERSE ON A FLAT SURFACE AND MY SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF AND I AM NOT ABLE TO SHIFT MY VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BECAME DETACHED, LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
TRANSMISSION IS JUNK, IT SLIPS REALLY BAD, WHINES AND CHATTERS. *TR
ON THE AFTERNOON OF OCTOBER 22ND 2012 MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS LEAVING THE SPEECH THERAPIST WITH MY SON WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE SHIFTER SNAPPED OFF IN HER HAND. THE CAR EVERY SINCE WE HAD IT WHEN U PUT IT IN PARK AS A DELAY AND ROLLS FOR WARD A BIT I FEEL THAT THIS IS A RECALL THAT FORD SHOULD ISSUE FOR THIS CAR. ITS JUST NOT FAIR TO HAVE TO PAY OVER 1200 DOLLARS TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS NOT MY FAULT.WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE STREET LUCKILY MY WIFE KNEW TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS PROBLEM REALLY COULD END UP IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN FATALITY TO AN INDIVIDUAL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE 10MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BODY MOUNTS WERE DETERIORATING BETWEEN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPOXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.