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, Mar 1, 2010
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS HAD "SO-SO" PERFORMANCE. HARD SHIFTING INTO GEARS. NOW IS GOING TO COST ME $3500 TO REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Feb 27, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER HAS HAD THE OD LIGHT COME ON DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE RPM'S INCREASE AND SHIFTS FROM GEAR TO GEAR HARD. PULLED OVER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. LIGHT HAS CONTINUED TO COME ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES AND NOISE CONTINUES AS THE LIGHT IS ON. THE PROBLEM OCCURS OF AND ON. PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN IN AUG 2009. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCUR THIS PAST WEEK. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A OVER HAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION TO FIX CURRENT PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Power train, Feb 25, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2002 FORD EXPLORER [XXX] - GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF OF STEERING COLUMN WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. *TR
Power train, Feb 24, 2010
THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE RPM'S WENT UP LIKE CRAZY THE CAR WAS HARD TO SHIFT. *TR
Power train, Feb 24, 2010
TRANSMISSION FAILURE OD BLINKING REPAIR NEW TRANS BUT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM 42 K MILES FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Power train, Feb 23, 2010
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE OD LIGHT IS BLINKING. AND IT SHIFTS HARD WITH GEARS. ALSO MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT. WHEN I TRY TO GO, THE RPM JUST RUNS HIGH AND THE TRUCK DOES NOT MOVE. WHEN IM DRIVING AND IT NEEDS TO SHIFT TO ANOTHER GEAR, IT JUST REMS AND DOESN'T SHIFT. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Feb 23, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I BOUGHT TI USED WITH 64,000 MILES ON IT. REPLACED BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED ALL STRUTS AND COILS SPRINGS. I HAVE AN ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR A INTAKE GASKET PROBLEM. THEN ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK TODAY MY O/D LIGHT CAME ON. MY TRUCK HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT. BEFORE I PURCHASED EXPLORER I FOUND OUT IT WAS IN A REAR END ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Feb 23, 2010
O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND THEN TRANSMISSION WARNING CAME ON IN 2002 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER. FORD DEALER QUOTED $4500 TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Feb 22, 2010
O/D LIGHT FLICKERING AND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR WITHOUT A VIOLENT JERK AND SOMETIMES WONT GO INTO GEAR AT ALL. CAR HAS TO COMPLETELY IDLE BEFORE YOU CAN PRESS THE GAS WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WILL SOMETIMES BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR CROSSING OVER TRAFFIC TO THE LEFT AFTER A STOP AT A LIGHT. *TR
Power train, Feb 21, 2010
I PULLED UP TO THE GAS PUMP AND PUT THE EXPLORER INTO PARK. AS I GOT OUT, IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS..AS IT ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, I HUNG ON TO THE DOOR AND WAS ABLE TO GET BACK IN AND BRING IT TO A STOP. I SAT THERE IN SHOCK FOR A MINUTE AS SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WITNESSED THIS WERE IN HORROR..I PUT IT BACK INTO PARK.I WAS LUCKY THE EXPLORER DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR,ANY PEOPLE OR RUN ME OVER!! SINCE THAT TIME,ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO,I HAVE A HARD TIME WITH PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AT TIMES..IT SEEMS TO GET STUCK AROUND REVERSE..SO, I AM VERY CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK,IT IS IN FACT,IN PARK! *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2010
THE RPMS WERE SPIKING THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2010
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND THE O/D LIGHT BLINKS. MY CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR AND STALLS SOMETIMES. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2010
FORD EXPLORE 2002 4.0L V6 SUDDEN AND TOTAL FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 122,000 MILES. OD LIGHT FLASHES AND TRANSMISSION INSPECTION BY MECHANIC REVEALS IT IS JUNK. DESPITE CAREFUL MAINTENANCE THIS SUV IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED THE LIST OF PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THIS VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLY THE MOST POORLY ENGINEERED VEHICLE SINCE THE VEGA! *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2010
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS, WE BEGAN EXPERIENCING DELAYED SHIFTING ON OCCASION. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSE UNTIL OCCASIONALLY, AFTER MAKING A TURN, IT WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR IMPEDING ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. IT ALSO HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR AFTER BACKING UP OUT OF PARKING SPACES. THIS ALMOST CAUSED US TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND ONE DAY WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT BEHIND US WITHOUT LOOKING. LUCKILY IT WENT INTO GEAR JUST IN TIME SO THAT I COULD MOVE THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND OUT OF THE WAY. EVENTUALLY THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO HIGH GEAR AND DOWNSHIFTS HARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IN NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH JUST OUR EXPLORER AS I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE EXACT PROBLEMS. NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2010
OWNED 2002 EXPLORER SINCE OCT 2004- WITHIN 10 MONTHS OF OWNING CAR I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, OTHER THAN DEDUCTIBLE, THE REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED, MINUS THE FEES FOR RENTAL CAR FOR 3 DAYS. NOW, FEB 19, 2010, MY O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION IS OUT AGAIN; HIS TIME THE FULL EXPENSE PLUS RENTAL CAR WILL BE OUT OF MY POCKET AND COST WILL BE BETWEEN $1800-$2800 DEPENDING WHAT ALL NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND REPLACED ONCE IT IS OPENED UP IN REPAIR SHOP. *TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2010
TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM SECOND TO THIRD. EMAILED FORD, THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE TRANSMISSION EVEN AFTER HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. *TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2010
FORD EXPLORER 02' THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING LATER ON AFTER THE CAR RESTING IN DRIVEWAY THE TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD, TIRES WOULDN'T SPIN NOTHING! TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED AND TRANSMISSION WAS AT FAULT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2010
ON MY WAY TO DO MORNING DROP OFF FOR SCHOOL, MY 2002 2WD, 6CY FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT,WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WITH VERY BUSY ONCOMING TRAFFIC HEADED TOWARDS MY SON IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THANKFULLY TRAFFIC WAS ALERT ON THIS MORNING AND SLOWED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO CROSS! NOW I AM TOLDI NEED A NEW TRANS. AND SON AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED IN THE PROCESS! PLEASE RECALL THIS ITEM AND MAKE FORD DO GOOD BY ITS CUSTOMERS AS I HAD NO LUCK WITH THEM! PS MY MILEAGE IS ONLY 105,000 FOR AN 8 YEAR OLD CAR. *TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "OVER DRIVE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WITHOUT WARNING WITH AN INCREASE IN THE RPM'S. THE TRANSMISSION ONLY SHIFTED INTO THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED UNEXPECTEDLY INTO THIRD GEAR. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Power train, Feb 18, 2010
O/D LIGHT IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER STARTS FLASHING. DEALER TOLD ME WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER SOME RESEARCH SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS PARTICULAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR. *TR
Power train, Feb 17, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION,4.0 V6. OD LIGHT FLASHES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,. TRANSMISSION HESITATES THEN CLUNKS INTO GEAR. I TOOK CAR TO GARAGE, HAD THE SOLENOIDS REPLACED, FLUID AND FILTER. STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Feb 17, 2010
$4000 TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER...O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND "CHECK TRANSMISSION" MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE MESSAGE CENTER. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONGST THIS CAR... *TR
Steering, Power train, Feb 17, 2010
I WAS LEAVING A FRIEND'S HOUSE... PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND; ONLY CONNECTED BY THE RUBBER AND THE WIRE INSIDE. THE METAL CONNECTION ACTUALLY JUST SNAPPED IN HALF! I WAS GLAD I WASN'T STUCK IN DRIVE OR ANYTHING I HAD MY 20 MONTH OLD NIECE IN THE CAR! THIS COULD HAVE ENDED REALLY REALLY BAD! IF FORD KNOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE!?! I GOT ONE ESTIMATE FROM THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO; $1795+7% SALES TAX! I CALLED AROUND AND FOUND A PLACE TO GET A USED STEERING COLUMN PUT IN FOR $1000+TAX BUT I HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED ANOTHER 40 MILES TO GET IT TO THAT SHOP... SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES FROM THIS PARTS FAILURE! IT'S SEEMS SENSELESS FOR FORD TO SIT BY AND DO NOTHING IF THEY CAN ACT NOW AND SAVE LIVES! *TR
Power train, Feb 14, 2010
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER HOME LAST WEEK WHEN SHE WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. SHE NOTICED THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK VERY FAST AND WHEN SHE WENT TO PULL AWAY, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO 2ND BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR AND THE RPM'S WOULD GO REAL HIGH. COULD NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET FORD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MAYBE IT WILL HAVE TO FAIL TO SOMEONE ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMEONE GETS HURT. VEHICLE HAD 115K MILES. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE INSTEAD OF RECALLING CHEAP FIXES. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE ALSO HAD BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS THAT I HAD TO FIX 3-4 YEARS AGO. PLUS THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ALREADY ON THIS VEHICLE. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE SCRAPPED. *TR
Power train, Feb 14, 2010
I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT. MY SUV HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING OR UNUSUAL FAST DRIVING. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOW RANDOMLY ALLOWS FOR UNUSUALLY HIGH RPMS BEFORE CHANGING GEARS. THIS RESULTED SEVERAL TIMES IN REAR WHEEL SLIPPING AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN MAKING A U-TURN, THE REAR END OF THE CAR SPUN OUT INTO AN UNINTENDED ADJACENT LANE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, A SIMPLE LEFT TURN ONTO A TWO LANE ROAD RESULTED IN THE REAR END OF THE CAR GOING OFF OF THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW MAKING NOISES AND CHANGING GEARS SLOWLY. FROM RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED THOUSANDS OF TIMES WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ESTIMATED COSTS TO REPAIR DESIGN FLAW RANGE FROM $2700 TO $4000. *TR