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, Feb 6, 2006
LTR FM CONSUMER (KY) RE THE PROBLEMS SHE'S HAD W/THE REAR END OF HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER, WANT FORD TO BUY BACK HER VEHICLE. *TS IN THE SUMMER OF 2003 THE CONSUMER HEARD A WHINNING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR END AND REPLACED THE SEAL. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED THE SEAL WAS REPLACED AGAIN. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED AGAIN. THE ENTIRE REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FOR FORD TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. *NM
Suspension, Power train, Jan 29, 2006
ON JANUARY 16, 2006 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED A SHAKING FEELING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. THERE WAS ALSO LOUD NOISE. I SLOWED DOWN AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2006 I BROUGHT FORD EXPLORER 2002 TO A FORD DEALER FOR THEM TO DRIVE AND TAKE A LOOK. THE RESULT WAS VEHICLE ALL OVER THE ROAD, WAS UNSTABLE AND NEEDED ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS, UPPER REAR BALL JOINTS. REPLACED. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE FOR VERY LONG, MUST GO SLOW AND A $3,000 APPROXIMATE COST TO REPAIR. I CONTACTED FORD TO COMPLAIN AND TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP OUT BY REDUCING THE COST OF FIXING IT FOR FREE. THEIR RESPONSE WAS SORRY BUT THEY COULD NOT HELP. I CANNOT SEE HOW FORD CAN TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO WHEN EVERY MECHANIC I HAVE SPOKEN TO SAID IT WAS UNHEARD FOR ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS TO GO AT THE SAME TIME, ESPECIALLY WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. I DRIVE MY 6 YEAR OLD SUN TO SCHOOL, LEFT TO FORD I'M SUPPOSED TO TAKE MY CHANCES WITH HIS SAFETY WHILE DRIVING ONE OF THEIR POORLY MADE VEHICLES. ALL THIS AFTER I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN OCTOBER WHEN THAN WENT WHILE I WAS ON VACATION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.*AK
Power train, Jan 27, 2006
2002 FORD EXPLORER, WHEN THE CAR IS AT 30-40 MPH AND SHIFTING GEARS IT LURCHERS FORWARD. I SPENT $1000.00 FOR REPAIR 2 MONTHS AGO WITH FORD DEALER. I AM BACK AGAIN NOW THEY SAY I NEED A FULL TRANMISSION.*AK
Power train, Jan 26, 2006
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT 50,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR RANDOMLY, ALMOST CAUSING COLLISION. *AK
Power train, Jan 22, 2006
2002 FORD EXPLORER....REAR END NOISE. RETURNED 3 TIMES TO DEAL FOR CORRECTION. AFTER THE 3RD TIME, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE CORRECTED...10,000 MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. DEAL CLAIMED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR REPAIR. *NM
Power train, Jan 20, 2006
THE TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES SLIPPED WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. WE WERE TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE NOW WILL NOT LOCK INTO SECOND GEAR, TOLD WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 58,000 MILES; TOO SOON FOR THIS KIND OF EXPENSE FOR A WELL CARED FOR CAR. WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM
Power train, Jan 20, 2006
RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. EVERY NOW AN THEN, THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT BLINKS, OCCASIONALLY CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. 14854 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED BY THE DEALER. FROM ABOUT 50,000 MILES THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD OCCASIONAL FLASH BUT AS LONG AS I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT, THE PROBLEM WOULDN'T POP UP FOR A FEW MONTHS. THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY CONSISTENT REASON FOR IT TO FLASH. THE DEALER SAID THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO IS TO TEST IT WHEN THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS SO INTERMITTENT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET TO A DEALER AT THE PARTICULAR TIME THE LIGHT WOULD FLASH. THE TRUCK SEEMED TO BE OPERATING AS IT ALWAYS DID. EVENTUALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS A RESULT OF THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEING ON AND AT 63,329 THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOLENOID BODY AND SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION. THE LIGHT STILL CAME ON OCCASIONAL, BUT ONLY ON LONG TRIPS, MORE THAN 75 MILES ONE WAY. AT 66,274 MILES THE DEALER TOOK THE TRUCK AND TRIED TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO. AT ABOUT 73299 MILES, LIKE BEFORE, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY KICKED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE O/D PISTON AND ROD. AT 73,564 MILES THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED. NOW AT 80,800 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING AND THE DEALER WILL BE LOOKING AT IT AGAIN ON MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2006. FOR NUMBER OF FAILURES I'M GUESSING THAT 20 OR MORE TIMES THE O/D LIGHT HAS COME ON. 5 TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED AND THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MONDAY WILL BE THE 6TH ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM
Power train, Jan 20, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. *NM
Power train, Jan 13, 2006
DRIVETRAIN PROBLEMS (REAR DIFFERENTIAL, FRONT DRIVESHAFT, TRANSFER CASE). 1. REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKING WHINING NOISE. THIS WAS WORKED ON TWICE WITH THE PINION BEARINGS REPLACED. DIFFERENTIAL STILL MAKING WHINING NOISE AT FIRST BETWEEN 55-60 MPH AND NOW IS MAKING THIS NOISE ANYWHERE FROM 45 - 70 MPH. VEHICLE WAS REFERRED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT THE PINION RING GEAR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HAVE FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR POWERTRAIN, BUT FORD WILL NOT REPLACE PARTS UNTIL THEY COMPLETELY FAIL. THEY ALSO CONSIDER THIS A UPDATE WHICH THEY WILL NOT FIX UNDER A RECALL. 2. FRONT DRIVESHAFT CAUSING VIBRATION IN FRONT AT SPEEDS AROUND 65-70 MPH. FORD CONSIDERS THIS AN UPDATE AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY UNTIL IT COMPLETELY FAILS. 3. TRANSFER CASE. FORD MECHANIC NOTED THAT HE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE. FORD HAS A TSB ON THIS, TO UPDATE THE FLANGE ON THE REAR OF THE TRANSFER CASE. FORD CONSIDERS THIS AN UPDATE AND WILL NOT FIX IT UNTIL IT COMPLETELY FAILS. THE TRANSFER CASE WOULD NEED TO BE DRAINED, REFILLED, AND THEN REPROGRAMMED AGAIN. ALL THESE THINGS ARE LISTED AS COVERED ITEMS IN MY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY (POWERTRAIN), BUT FORD WILL NOT COVER THEM SINCE THEY CONSIDER THEM UPDATES. THEY WANT ME TO FIT THE BILL OF THE AMOUNT OF $2400 THIS IS HOW FORD IS GETTING BY FROM ISSUING A RECALL. I HAVE NOTIFIED MY WV ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE, WHO TRIED WORKING OUT SOMETHING. THAT IS HOW I RECEIVED THE FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY COULD NOT GET ANY RESULTS, SO ASKED ME TO CONTACT A LAWYER AND TAKE THEM TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. *JB
Power train, Jan 12, 2006
WHILE DRIVING THE SUV TO WORK ON 11 JAN 2006 @0800 ON THE INTERSTATE, EVERYTHING WAS OPERATING NORMALLY THEN SUDDENLY THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHT TO THIS DAY OR MALFUNCTIONS. @ 0900 I TOOK THE SUV TO A LOCAL NEAR BY TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY DEEMED AFTER DRIVING AND RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT,THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER TEARING THE TRANSMISSION APART FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT IT WAS IN NEED OF A TOTAL OVERHAUL COSTING $2079.00. THE SUV IS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER WITH 64,000 MILES . *JB
Power train, Jan 7, 2006
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 4.0L ENGINE, 2WD: AFTER 100,000 MILES, THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. TRANSMISSION SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICED CHUNKS OF BRASS AND STEEL IN THE TRAN PAN (THIS HAD BEEN CHECKED 6 MONTHS EARLIER AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF METAL IN THE PAN). TECHNICIAN DROPPED THE VALVE BODY, THINKING THAT THE VALVE BODY GASKET WAS BLOWN. HOWEVER, THE GASKET WAS FINE, BUT THERE WAS MORE METAL FOUND IN THE VALVE BODY. AT THIS POINT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FAIL TO SHIFT INTO UPPER GEARS. AFTER CHECKING A COUPLE OF WEB-SITES, IT APPEARS THERE IS A FAIRLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS USED IN THE 2002 EXPLORERS. FORD RELAYED TO ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Power train, Jan 5, 2006
I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN TO FORD FOR TRANSMISSIONS AND DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON A CROSS COUNTRY MOVE. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE RIGHT BEFORE THE TRIP STATING THE TRUCK WAS NOT RIGHT. THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. *NM
Power train, Jan 2, 2006
2002 FORD EXPLORER 43K - REAR TIRES SHUDDER AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BINDING DURING TURNS. THE INSIDE TIRE SPINS/STOPS/SPINS AS IF THE REAR DIFF WERE LOCKED. REPAIR SHOP CAN NOT ISOLATE ANY PROBLEM - CHANGED FLUID, REPLACED 4X4 SWITCH, PROBLEM PERSISTS. THEY ARE CONSIDERING REPLACING THE ENTIRE UNIT. *JB
Power train, Jan 1, 2006
REAR END WHINING NOISE. SUSPECT DIFFERENTIAL AND/OR PINION GEA/BEARING. *NM
Power train, Dec 29, 2005
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE OFF WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE BRAKE PAD WAS DEPRESSED DURING THE ATTEMPTED SHIFT. MY MECHANIC AND I NEVER SAW THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. *NM
Power train, Dec 28, 2005
REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKES A HOWLING NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOISE GOES AWAY WHEN LETTING OFF ACCELERATOR. IT'S BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER MANY TIMES. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON TO EXPLORERS OF THE SAME YEAR AS EVIDENCED BY NUMEROUS INTERNET FORUMS. TRANSMISSION ALSO SHUDDERS IN 3RD GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. *JB
Power train, Dec 27, 2005
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS A LOUD HUMMING/WHINING SOUND FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT SPEEDS 50-70 MPH AND NOW HAS STARTED LEAKING GEAR OIL FROM ONE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL AXLE BEARING/SEAL. I HAVE READ MANY MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2002 EXPLORERS AND BELIEVE THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED/FIXED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY BEFORE ACCIDENTS OCCUR. *JB
Power train, Dec 27, 2005
REAR END STARTED WHINING WHILE ON ROAD TRIP FROM NASHVILLE TO HOME. LEFT REAR WHEEL STARTED TO WOBBLE AND THEN SEIZED. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *JB
Power train, Dec 23, 2005
2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS REQUIRED 5 SEPARATE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS IN LAST 2 YEARS. INCLUDING 1 TOTAL REBUILD AT 50,000 MILES. FORD DEALER AND FORD CORPORATE WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *JB
Power train, Dec 21, 2005
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, AT 30,000 MILES I COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END, THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE TIRES CUPPING BECAUSE I DIDN'T ROTATE THEM. AT 43,000 MILES I REPLACE THE TIRES BEFORE THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE NOISE WAS LOUDER. NOW AT 87,000 MILES THE NOISE IS EVEN LOUDER AND THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID FOR A NEW DIFFERENTIAL WAS $1,500. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THE BAD DIFFERENTIALS THAT THEY PUT IN THE 2002 EXPLORERS. *NM
Power train, Dec 21, 2005
THE NOW FAMOUS WHINING IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND THE OTHER FAMOUS 4X4 MODULE FAILURE. THE REAR DIFF HAS BEEN WHINING FOR APPROX. 18 MOS. NOW. I'M JUST WAITING FOR THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. *JB
Power train, Dec 20, 2005
MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE TRANSFER CASE SELECTION MODULE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE SELECTION MODULE IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT STILL WANT TO CHARGE FULL PRICE FOR A NEW SELECTION MODULE WHEN IT'S JUST A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE INSIDE THE MODULE THAT FAILS. *JB
Power train, Dec 19, 2005
WHINE IN THE REAR END. MECHANIC REBUILT THE REAR END AND THE BEARING ALL SHOW SIGNS OF FAILURE ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC FORD HAD USED CHEAP BEARINGS IN THE REAR END. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAS PROBLEMS SHIFTING. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE SHIFTS, IT SHUTTERS AND JERKS. I AM AFRAID THAT FORD USED THE SAME TYPE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION AS THEY DID IN THE REAR END AND THEY ARE FAILING AS WELL. *NM
Power train, Dec 18, 2005
AT 60,000 MILES THE DIFFERENTIAL ON MY 2002 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER. *JB
Power train, Dec 17, 2005
O/D LIGHT FLASHING SO I TOOK CAR INTO DEALER. TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND NEEDS NEW SOLENOIDS AT 45,000 MILES. *NM