2002 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 3,613 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 163 involved a crash and 71 involved a fire. 213 people were injured and 6 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Campaign 09V399000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgate, hinge and attachmentsSep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V442000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Campaign 03V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, sidewallMay 24, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRES MAY HAVE HORIZONTAL CUTS ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.
OVER TIME, THE TIRE COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND, IF ANY SLICES ARE FOUND, THE CUT TIRES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 01V171000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearApr 10, 2001
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MONTAINEER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE BRACKETS CONNECTING THE LEFT CYLINDERS TO EACH SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS COULD ROTATE OUT OF POSITION IF EITHER THE URETHANE BOND OR TORQUE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
ROTATION OF THE BRACKETS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFT CYLINDERS TO DETACH FROM THE GLASS OR, IN SOME CASES, COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO BREAK. EITHER CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE GLASS IS BEING CLOSED.
FORD DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE POSITION OF BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT LIFTGATGE GLASS LIFT CYLINDER BRACKETS. IF THE BRACKETS ARE IN THE PROPER POSITION, THE BRACKET RETAINERS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE. IN CASES WHERE THE BRACKET IS NOT PROPERLY POSITION, THE BRACKET MUST BE RE-ALIGNED.
Campaign 01I010000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
1,575 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Equipment, May 28, 2010
OH WHERE DO I BEGIN. I HAVE 90,000 MILES ON MY SUV. MY RADIO GOES OFF AND ON RANDOMLY. DOOR AJAR IS ON RANDOMLY. WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, IT STICKS AND I HAVE TO TAP IT TO GO INTO DRIVE. REAR WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND FLASHING. ONE TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS IN PARK AND WHEN GETTING OUT OF MY CAR, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AFTER TAKING MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE. I SEE THESE SEEM TO BE PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL FORD EXPLORER OWNERS. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET THIS ACROSS TO FORD THAT THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED, IF NOT I WILL NOT BE A FORD OWNER EVER AGAIN AND TELL EVERYONE I KNOW NOT TO BUY A FORD! WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE, A DEATH OR INJURY?? TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FORD! HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO YOU BUT THEN AGAIN, YOU PROBABLY DON'T EVEN DRIVE A FORD. *TR
Power train, May 24, 2010
AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT STARTED SLIPPING. DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY MY O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND I AM UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AS THE GEARS ARE NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. TOOK IT IN TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY INSTALLED AN OVERHAULED 5R55W TRANSMISSION. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER I TAKE MY TRUCK TO TRADE IT IN AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD, GOING OUT AND THEY WOULD ONLY OFFER ME $2000 FOR MY TRADE. THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP AGAIN AT 117,000 MILES AND I WILL AGAIN HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE OD STARTS FLASHING AGAIN AS I'M DRIVING TO WORK. LUCKILY I AM STILL UNDER THE 1 YEAR WARRANTY FROM THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, BUT I WILL BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE AGAIN TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. *TR
Power train, May 24, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. IT HAS 118,000 MILES. ABOUT 2 MONTH AGO MY O/D LIGHT START TO FLASH REALLY FAST. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND THEY SAY ITS THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH WITH ERROR CODE P0741 TCC. THEY WANT ME TO FIX THIS WITH $1700. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO MANY PEOPLE. THE O/D OFF LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY SUV PAST 40 MPH AND IT DOESNT COME BACK OFF UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF AND THAN IT GOES BACK AGAIN AFTER 40 MPH. *TR
Power train, May 21, 2010
THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS FLASHING (BLINKING) AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING ERRATIC. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THIS CAR(IN 2003) A SIMILAR ISSUE HAPPENED. I TOOK IT TO A FORD SHOP. THE MECHANIC REQUESTED THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. FORD DENIED THE REQUEST & HAD THE MECHANIC CHANGE ONLY THE SOLENOID(I BELIEVE FOR THE 1ST& 2ND GEAR?). THANKFULLY, THIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE TAKEN DECENT CARE OF MY TRANSMISSION SINCE IN REGARDS TO MAINTENANCE. NOW, THIS ISSUE(OR SIMILAR) IS BACK. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO BRING MY CAR TO FORD OR ANOTHER SHOP, I DECIDED TO CHECK ON THE INTERNET. I CAME ACROSS HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM OR MORE SPECIFICALLY: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/O_D_LIGHT_IS_BLINKING.SHTML. TO MY SURPRISE, THIS INCIDENT IS NOT CLOSE TO UNIQUE. I LIKE MY CAR & FORD, BUT THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN PROPERLY BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. THIS WILL PROBABLY BE THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN RETAIN ME AND MY FAMILY AS REPEAT CUSTOMERS... *TR
Power train, May 16, 2010
I'M AN OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE O/D LIGHT WAS FLASHING/BLINKING AND MY TRANSMISSION WAS VIBRATING WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. I IMMEDIATELY ACTED QUICKLY BY GRADUALLY PULLING OVER TO COME TO A STOP. AS I LATER TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN 1ST GEAR. THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE TRUCK AT THE TIME. THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. PLEASE DO NOT LOOK AT THIS AS ANOTHER COMPLAINT, THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A LIABILITY ISSUE IF NOT ADDRESSED. THE SAME AS WITH ANY OTHER SAFETY ISSUE ITS INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY, I'M PRAYING THIS IS LOOKED AT AS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN ON THE HIGHWAYS. *TR
Power train, May 13, 2010
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION IN JUST UNDER 2 YEARS. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE PROPERLY MAINTENANCED AND ALL THE NECESSARY UPKEEP. THIS IS AWFUL. *TR
Power train, May 11, 2010
DRIVING DOWN THE HWY THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON AND OFF. TRANSMISSION THEN BEGINS TO RANDOMLY CHANGE GEARS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO FIX. *TR
Power train, May 11, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD. OTHER TIMES THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO SLOW DOWN. MY O/D LIGHT IS BEGINNING TO FLASH FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING OR AFTER WARMING UP. *TR
Power train, May 9, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING, 110K MILES ON IT AND NO PROBLEMS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A COMMON ONE, AND FORD SEEMS TO BE LOSING A LOT OF CUSTOMERS BECAUSE NO ACTIONS ARE DONE TO FIX OR HELP US. HAVEN'T GONE TO DEALERSHIP YET BUT AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RESULTS. *TR
Power train, May 7, 2010
OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING LATE SHIFTING HIGH RPMS HARD SHIFTING. A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THIS VEHICLE. FORD SAYS TOUGH LUCK TO A 3-5K FORD FIX WHICH WILL RECUR. *TR
Power train, May 7, 2010
I HAVE OWNED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER NOW FOR 3 YEARS, WITHIN THIS 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO MAKE 2 MAJOR REPAIRS AND AM NOW FACING MY 3RD. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR NEEDED TO BE FIXED WITH 6 MONTH OF OWNING MY CAR AND NOW A YEAR AND HALF LATER I AM FACING MORE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE CAR CONTINUOUSLY KICKED HARD WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. ALSO IF I WERE TO PUT INTO PARK IT WOULD STILL ROLL OR IF I PUT IT INTO REVERSE IT WOULD ROLL FORWARD AS IF IT WERE IN REVERSE. NOW IT IS USING UP TO 5/6 RAMS TO SHIFT GEARS. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND IT MISSING ALL OF ITS 3RD GEAR. I HAVE FOUND OVER 280 COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND THAT'S JUST ON ONE WEBSITE. I BELIEVE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND AS A NEW MOTHER AM WONDERING WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS IS THIS CAR SAFE? I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS. THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS IS NOT JUST ONE INSTANCE OF BAD LUCK. THIS IS HAPPENING REPEATEDLY WITH THE SAME VEHICLE! I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE SOMEONE GETTING HURT FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
Power train, May 7, 2010
PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH IN 2 WEEKS TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS EVERY WHERE. TRANSMISSION TOOK TO DEALER. BACK AND FORTH TO DEALER FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR. THEY EVENTUALLY SAID THEY WOULD PUT A NEW TRANNY IN THE TRUCK. WITH IN 2 WKS WAS DOING SAME THING. O/D LIGHT BLINKING, WON'T SHIFT, CLUNKING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER WOULDN'T DO ANY MORE. TOOK TO DIFF. DEALER FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD PUT A TRANNY OUT OF A JUNK YARD INTO MY EXPLORER. NOT HAPPY. THAT TRANNY LASTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS, HAD REBUILT LASTED 7 MONTHS PARKED FOR A LONG TIME. MAKING PAYMENTS AND COULDN'T AFFORD ANOTHER TRANNY. WORKING ON FINDING ANOTHER TRANNY NOW THAT IT IS PAID FOR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AS YOU CAN ASK ANYONE WHO OWNS ONE OF THESE VEHICLES AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. PERHAPS A CLASS ACTION SUIT WOULD BE THE WAY TO GO SEEING AS FORD IS NOT WILLING TO RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND REPLACE WITH ONE THAT THEY KNOW DOESN'T HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I EVEN WENT TO THE BBB AND REPORTED DEALERSHIP AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. SEEMS LIKE FORD WOULD WANT TO UPHOLD THERE REPUTATION. BUT I GUESS MONEY IS ALL THAT MATTERS TO THEM. I WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER FORD, THE BAD THING IS THAT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A LOYAL FORD FANATIC. THIS HAS REALLY SUCKED ALOT OF PEOPLES WALLETS DRY INCLUDING MINE. COME ON FORD!!!!!! *TR
Power train, May 4, 2010
1. NORMAL DRIVING 2. BLINKING O/D OFF LIGHT, CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO SLIP 3. REPLACED TRANSMISSION, STILL INTERMITTENT O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING. *TR
Power train, May 4, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. TRANSMISSION O/D LIGHT FLASHES AFTER VEHICLE WARMS UP. THIS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THIS MAY LEAD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. RESEARCH HAD FOUND THAT THIS MAY COST SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR AND MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 100K MILES ON IT AND WE ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. *TR
Power train, May 4, 2010
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, OD LIGHT FLASHING. *TR
Power train, May 4, 2010
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 78,000 MILES AND WAS REBUILT BY CONDIT FORD IN NEWTON NJ AROUND JULY 2006. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AGAIN AT 128,000 MILES ON APRIL 9, 2010 AND WAS REBUILT BY FOXWORTH'S AUTO SERVICE IN GREENSBORO, NC. *TR
Power train, May 4, 2010
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 78,000 MILES AND WAS REBUILT BY CONDIT FORD IN NEWTON NJ AROUND JULY 2006. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AGAIN AT 128,000 MILES ON APRIL 9, 2010 AND WAS REBUILT BY FOXWORTH'S AUTO SERVICE IN GREENSBORO, NC. *TR
Power train, May 4, 2010
MY 2002 EXPLORER SPORT O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN FEB 09. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 104,000 MILES ON IT. SOON AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, 4/29/10, THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AGAIN. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST RAN ON THE TRANSMISSION. THIS COST ABOUT $300. ON 5/3/10 I TOOK MY EXPLORER IN AGAIN BECAUSE THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. THEY RAN ANOTHER TEST AND TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED OR REBUILT BUT IT SHOULD LAST ME A LITTLE WHILE LONGER. THAT SAME EVENING MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO GET IT INTO GEAR. I COULD NOT GO OVER 5MPH AND MY RPM'S WERE UNNATURALLY HIGH FOR THE SPEED I WAS TRAVELING. BY THE TIME I GOT UP THE HILL I WAS ON I COULD GO NO FURTHER. MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. I FINALLY HAD TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND WALK HOME. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS (OVER 300) ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION AND THEIR POOR PERFORMANCE OR LACK THEREOF. A RECALL WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED, AS THIS DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION IS DUE TO POOR VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION, NOT TYPICAL WEAR AND TEAR. ALL MY FAMILY DRIVES IS FORD, HOWEVER AFTER THIS INCIDENT I DO NOT HAVE MUCH FAITH IN FORD. GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, I WOULD RATHER GO WITH A FOREIGN CAR NEXT TIME. *TR
Power train, Apr 30, 2010
I HAVE 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 6CYL FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. I LIKE THE VEHICLE BUT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT HAD BEEN FLASHING ON IT FOR AWHILE AND THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $2000 TO GET A REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN WHICH FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND DOESN'T LAST VERY LONG ANYWAYS AND 5000 FOR A NEW ONE THAT WONT LAST A WHOLE LOT LONGER. I THINK FORD DID A VERY POOR JOB OF STANDING BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES. THEY HAVEN'T EVEN OFFERED A REDESIGNED TRANSMISSION OR ANYTHING SO IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU MITE AS WELL SCRAP THE VEHICLE CUZ IT WILL COST TOO MUCH TO FIX AND ITS NOT GOING TO LAST ANY WAYS. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Apr 26, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,930.
Power train, Apr 26, 2010
O/D LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK. THE BLINKING AS OCCURRED BEFORE AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I ALREADY SPEND A COUPLE THOUSANDS DOLLARS TO FIXED THE TRANSMISSION B/C TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. *TR
Power train, Apr 26, 2010
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GRIND , SLIP, THEN JUST STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR
Steering, Power train, Apr 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT SUDDENLY BROKE OFF IN THE CONTACTS HAND AND THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER REPLACEMENT KIT WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE OR THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Apr 22, 2010
FORD 2002 EXPLORER XLT LIMITED. I HAVE HAD A MYRIAD OF ISSUES, WHICH UPON RESEARCH APPEAR COMMON TO THE EXTREME. FRONT & REAR BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. SPRINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING -- O/D LIGHT BLINKS, SES LIGHT ACTIVATES, AND VEHICLES OVER-REVS, SLIPS, AND WILL NOT OPERATE IN OVERDRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION DESIGN IS COMPLETELY SEALED, SO I CANNOT EVEN CHECK FOR FLUID LEVELS, NOR DO ANY PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WHATSOEVER. THERE IS NO WARNING, JUST FAILURE. ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL YEAR ARE SO PREVALENT THAT LOCAL MECHANICS NEED ONLY ASK THE MODEL AND YEAR AND CAN ITEMIZE THE PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED, AND PUBLIC FORUMS ARE FULL OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR
Power train, Apr 19, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY MACHINING OF PISTON PATHWAYS IN THE TRANSMISSION CASING. MY EXPLORER WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE OUT ON THE INTERNET AND YET FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECALL. *TR