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, Aug 3, 2004
WE PURCHASED A 2002 EXPLORER IN AUG.2002. FROM DAY ONE IT HAD A NOISE IN THE REAR END THAT WAS AUDIBLE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, BUT WOULD STOP WHEN RELEASED. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF THE PURCHASE AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS ROAD NOISE AND NORMAL. SINCE THEN THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND WE TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP TODAY. WE WERE TOLD OUR DIFFERENTIAL IS GOINGN BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT $970 AND WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEM TO ORDER THE PART. WE TOLD HIM IT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE BOUGHT IT AND HE SAID PROBABLY SO THERE IS A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT IT. HE ALSO SAID IT WILL CONTINUE TO GET LOUDER UNTIL IF FAILS AND IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE REAR END LOCKS UP. UNFORTUNATLY WE ARE NO LONGER COVERED BY THE WARANTEE AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES. I HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A FORD TREND TO TELL PEOPLE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEIR CARS UNTIL IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARANTEE AND THEN ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS WELL AND WAS TOLD THAT IF THEY GET ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT BECOMING A RECALL ISSUE WHERE I "MIGHT" GET A REFUND.*AK
Power train, Aug 3, 2004
PURCHASED NEW FORD EXPLORER IN 4/02 IN 12/03 WITH 37100 MILES TRANSFER CASE STARTED GRINDING AND GOING INTO GEAR BECAME DIFFICULT. TRANSFEWR CASE REPLACED, IN 1/04 4X4 COMPUTER MODULE MALFUNTIONED AND WAS REPLACED. IN 4/04 GRINDING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASE,HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ALL INTERNAL COMPONENTS.IN 5/04 SENT DETAILED LETTER TO WILLIAM CLAY FORD EXPLAINING DIFFICULTIES WITH VEHICLE ALONG WITH ALL REPAIR BILLS. . ON 5/18/04 GOT A PHONE CALL FROM LYNN ARLEDGE(FORD EXECUTIVE REP). *AK
Power train, Jul 28, 2004
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, SLIPPAGE ON 2ND TO 3RD ENGINE REVS UP TO 6000 RPM, TAKEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES ALREADY THEY CAN'T FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Jul 6, 2004
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT THAT HAS 68000 MILES ON IT. SINCE WE HAVE HAD IT THE TRANSMISSION HAS DONE NOTHING BUT SHIFT HARD AND WASHBOARD FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND 3RD TO OVERDRIVE. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN 2 TIMES, AND BOTH TIMES WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL . I HAVE HAD ISSUE GOING UP HILL IN MINE BECAUSE OF THE SHIFTING, AFRAID TO PASS BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT. I FINALLY TOOK IN MY EXPLORER LAST WEEK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER SAID THAT THE BEARINGS WERE BAD IN MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT I HAD TO PAY $3000 TO REPLACE IT. THIS SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I FIRST COMPLAINED ABOUT IT AT 16000 MILES. *NM
Power train, Jun 28, 2004
HARSH SHIFTING OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.*AK
Power train, Jun 23, 2004
IN AUGUST 2003, REPORTED TO DEALER THAT THE TRUCK WAS GROANING WHEN TURNING. SERVICE ADVISED THAT I WAS TURNING THE WHEEL TOO FAR AND RUBBING THE TIRES ON THE WHEEL WELLS. THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE THE TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLS. BY NOVEMBER, THE TRUCK WOULD HARDLY TURN WITHOUT DRAGGING THE BACK TIRES AND THE DEALER FOUND THERE WAS NO FLUID IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REQUIRING A COMPLETE OVERHAUL. THEN, IN JUNE 2004, THE "NEW" SEALS FAILED ALLOWING THE FLUID TO, AGAIN, DRAIN OUT. DEALER IS CURRENTLY REPAIRING. *AK
Power train, Jun 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SHIFT GEARS MANUALLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Power train, Jun 10, 2004
MY FORD TRUCK BEGAN MAKING A WHINING NOISE AND DIDN'T SHIFT OUT CORRECTLY. THE FORD TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THEY DIDN'T SUGGEST THAT I FIX IT, AND THAT "IT WAS ONLY A GAS SAVER, AND THE TRUCK WOULD BE OKAY WITHOUT IT." AFTER 2 WEEKS THE TRUCK GOT WORST. AFTER RETURNING IT TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COST $2700.00. THE TRUCK IS OFF OF WARRANTY AND FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY TYPE OF HELP DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS TRUCK SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SO SOON.*AK
Power train, Jun 7, 2004, crash
I AM THE OWNER OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, I TOOK ITEMS OUT OF THE BACK HATCH AND LEFT THE VEHICLE AREA. WITHIN A 5 TO 10 MINUTE PERIOD OF TIME, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND BEGAN ROLLING, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, FLIPPED OVER ON IT'S ROOF THEN LANDED ON ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED DOWN IN THE YARD. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE TOTALLED. I AM THANKFUL THAT NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THIS MALFUNCTION BECAUSE THEY SURELY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION MAY OCCUR TO OTHERS WHO MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE AND INJURIES MAY OCCUR.
Power train, May 25, 2004
THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE REVVED AND ROLLED INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Power train, May 19, 2004
DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 39,500 MILES. DEALER AND CONSUMER SPLIT THE EXPENSES. *AK
Power train, May 6, 2004
FORD EXPLORER REAR END HAD HIGH PITCH NOISE: MECHANIC HAD TO PLACE A NEW REAR END IN THE VEHICLE: FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LOCKED INTO LOW GEAR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE: REPLACED CONTROL SWITCH BUT 4X4 HIGH LIGHT BLINKS.
Power train, Apr 28, 2004
4X4 LIGHT ON DASH WOULD SPORADICALLY FLASH ON AND THEN GO OFF. DURING A SNOW STORM, FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE FAILED TO WORK, CAUSING THE CAR TO SLIDE ON ROADS. HAD TO BUY SNOW CHAINS TO GET THE CAR TO A DEALER. IT TOOK TWO VISITS BEFORE DEALER COULD DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND REPLACE A 4X4 ELECTRONIC SHIFT MODULE PART # 2C5Z*7E453*BD.
Parking brake, Power train, Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 22, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, REAR AXLE AND SEATBELTS. (NAR) *MR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS FOUND OUT TO BE A PROBLEM IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ALSO FOR PARKING BRAKE NOT LOCKING IN POSITION. ALSO, CONSUMER ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM WITH RIGHT REAR HATCH GUIDE FOR DOOR PIN COMING APART, AND TRIM ON DRIVER'S SEAT BOTTOM WAS COMING LOOSE. IN ADDITION, AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH KEPT COMING ON AND STAYED ON. *LA *CB
Power train, Apr 20, 2004
ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND JUMPED OUT OF GEAR. DEALERSHIP CHANGED SEVERAL PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT SURE WHAT PARTS WERE REPLACED.*AK *NM
Power train, Visibility, Apr 14, 2004
CONSUMER STATED THAT GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF, PREVENTING CONSUME R FROM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ALSO, ELECTRIC WINDOWS BROKE, ONE AT A TIME. *AK
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 13, 2004
I PURCHASED MY 2002 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC IN MARCH LAST YEAR(2003). I HAD TO WAIT AND EXTRA WEEK TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT THEY SWORE TO ME WAS TAKEN CARE OF. IN JANUARY 2004 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I CALLED MY CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR ME TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY TRUCK CHECKED. THREE DAYS LATER MY TRANSMISSION BLEW. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY TRUCK FIXED. THREE WEEKS AND $2600.00 LATER I GOT MY TRUCK BACK. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT WORK. I CALLED AAMCO(THE PLACE FORD REFERRED ME TOO), AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION BUT NOW AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE FIXED BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THAT FIXED AS WELL. MY TRUCK HAD 39,000 MILES AND WAS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND FORD IS STATING THAT THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX ANYTHING FOR FREE. I HAVE SEEN ALL KINDS OF REPORTS OF ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL TRUCK AND I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS.
Power train, Mar 16, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN IT ENGAGED FROM PARK TO REVERSE , AND VEHICLE WON'T MOVE. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLESEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Mar 11, 2004
TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING, MADE RATTLING NOISES AND HAD BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOOKED AS IF IT FELL APART AND MAY BE A RESULT OF AN ASSEMBLY LINE ERROR AND. THE MECHANIC ALSO FOUND THAT THE 4WD WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 2, 2004
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IDLING AT A LIGHT. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE VALVE. UNFORTUNATELY WITHIN THREE DAY THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE WHILE SURGING IDLING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY RESOLVE THAT PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A WHINE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN ALL THESE PROBLEMS STARTED. *NM
Power train, Feb 26, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED 4-WHEEL DRIVE CHANGED FROM HIGH TO LOW WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE TRANSMISSION MADE GRINDING NOISES WHEN IN REVERSE AND SLIPS WHEN PULLING OFF. *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 25, 2004
VEHICLE STALLS AFTER DRIVING 20 MILES OR ABOVE ON FREEWAY. WHEN ON EXIT RAMP,ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND START ENGINE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATES WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT, WHILE FOOT IS ON BRAKE. THE ENGINE STALLS TO CHANGE INTO FASTER SPEED. *AK
Power train, Jan 30, 2004
AUTO-TRANSMISSION STARTED OUT WITH DELAYED ENGAGEMENT IN TO REVERSE AND HARD SHIFTS 25-30 MPH. STARTED TO SLIP OUT OF DRIVE WITH NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES, ONCE WHEN PULLING OUT ACROSS TRAFFIC AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED TO EXCEED $2500.
Power train, Equipment, Jan 27, 2004
THE REAR AXLE SEALS AT THE GEAR CASE HAVE FAILED TWICE CAUSING AXLE FLUID TO LEAK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED EACH TIME SAYING THAT "FORD HAS AN ISSUE" WITH THESE SEALS BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A LASTING REPAIR. NOT ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Power train, Jan 23, 2004
02 EXPLORER XLT, AROUND 28000 MILES START HAVING PROBLEM WITH OVERDRIVE GOING OUT. WHILE DRIVING, OVERDRIVE LIGHT START BLINKING AND OVERDRIVE NOT ENGAGES. HAD ONE REPAIR, TOOK OVER 10 DAYS TO FIX. IT'S BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE I GOT MY CAR BACK AND DRIVING HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. I'M TAKING THE CAR BACK FOR REPAIR AGAIN BUT NOT SURE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. IF THERE OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEM? IS THERE A FIX OR DO I HAVE A LEMON? *LA