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: structure
532 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Feb 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000(STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) IN MAY OF 2007. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THOUGHT TO BE FIXED BACK IN APRIL 2007, HOWEVER THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED AGAIN. TL THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRACKETS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE GLASS BROKE AND SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR 21 DAYS TO HAVE THE GLASS INSTALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY $948 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS THE BRACKETS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. SHE ALSO SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DIDN'T OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE.
Structure, Feb 12, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND A CRACK APPEARED OVERNIGHT IN THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING DEFECT IN FORD EXPLORERS AND FORD SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX THE DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Feb 12, 2008
I DRIVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER MODEL, 4 DOOR. THE ARMS (4) WHICH HOLD BOTH THE BACK DOOR UP WHEN OPEN AND THE BACK GLASS UP WHEN OPEN DO NOT RAISE UP FULLY. I FIND MYSELF CONSTANTLY BUMPING MY HEAD ON EITHER THE DOOR OR THE GLASS. LAST NIGHT AFTER A BASEBALL PRACTICE FOR MY 10-YEAR OLD SON I POPPED OPEN THE BACK GLASS TO PUT HIS BASEBALL BAG IN THE CAR. THE GLASS WENT UP PART WAY AND UNTHINKINGLY I HIT MY HEAD ON THE GLASS. I PUSHED THE GLASS UP SO I COULD PLACE THE BAG IN THE VEHICLE AND THE GLASS PANE EXPLODED. IT SHOWERED GLASS SHRAPNEL OVER THE TWO OF US. WE WERE BOTH SHOCKED THAT THE GLASS WINDOW WOULD JUST CATASTROPHICALLY EXPLODE. WE ARE VERY LUCKY WE WERE NOT INJURED. I FEEL THAT THIS ACCIDENT IS A PUBLIC HAZARD. I WILL AVOID A POOR DESIGN LIKE THIS WHEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR. WHEN I REPORTED IT TO PAYTON WRIGHT FORD IN GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, THE SERVICE ADVISER SHRUGGED IT OFF AND STATED YES I'VE SEEN THAT HAPPEN, LIKE IT WAS AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE. I WAS TOLD TO REPORT IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THAT FORD WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Structure, Feb 7, 2008
2002 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION TYPE 5R55W STARTED TO SLIP AND THE VEHICLE HAS 110,000 MI. NEXT MY O/D DASH LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND THEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT WENT ON. DEALER STATED IT WAS JUST A BAD SOLENOID REPLACEMENT COST OF $1,000 OR WORSE? SECOND OPINION STATED THAT THERE IS A BURIED CODE IN THE DIAGNOSTIC ABOUT THE OVERDRIVE WASN'T WORKING AND THE TEST DRIVE BY MECH. NOTED THAT 5TH GEAR WASN'T WORKING. THE INDEPENDENT MECH. STATED THAT HE WAS SORRY WHEN HE FOUND OUT IT WAS AN EXPLORER BECAUSE HE HAS A LOT OF THIS WORK. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED TO THE SUM OF $2,710. SAFETY CONCERN? WELL YOU HAVE YOUR FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY WHILE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR WORSE. TO ME THIS IS AS BIG AS A SAFETY ITEM AS THEIR BACK GLASS LIFT GATE THEY RECALLED. OR THEIR ROLL OVER ISSUE FOR THAT MATTER. SO I MAY BE ONE PERSON BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO TYPE IN THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ARE INCREDIBLE. OK SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. SO GO TO THEIR TSB AND THIS IS LITTERED WITH TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULTY TRANSMISSION FROM THE START BUT APPARENTLY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH FOR FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE. I WOULD ASK THAT THE NHTSA DO WHAT IS IN THEIR POWER TO REQUEST FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE AND REIMBURSE US FOR FIXING AN OBVIOUS AND DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Structure, Feb 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IN MARCH OF 2007, THE CONTACT FOUND A CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE LIFTGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN ON JANUARY 6, 2008 AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF
Structure, Feb 6, 2008
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL LOCATED BELOW TAILGATE GLASS THE CRACK IS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. *TR
Structure, Feb 4, 2008
I LIFTED MY REAR UPPER TAILGATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, AND THE WINDSHIELD LITERALLY EXPLODED ON MY HEAD, INCLUDING DROPPING THE LOWER PART OF THE TAILGATE ON TOP OF ME. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND MY LOCAL FORD DEALER CLAIMS THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. MY LOCAL BODYSHOP HOWEVER WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS TAILGATE HAD A PREVIOUS RECALL RELATED TO THE HINGES I BELIEVE, WHICH I DID HAVE DONE, BACK IN 2005. MY CAR HAS 75,000 MILES AND IS USED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Jan 28, 2008
STRESS FRACTURE RUNNING VERTICALLY ALONG PLASTIC PANEL OF LIFTGATE DIRECTLY UNDER BACK WINDOW APPEARED. THE CRACK IS LOCATED TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM RUNNING FROM THE GLASS THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL. NO FORCE OF ANY KIND WAS APPLIED TO THE AREA TO CAUSE THIS CRACK. I LIVE IN A COLD WEATHER CLIMATE WITH RAIN AND SNOW AND AM NOW WORRIED ABOUT WATER GETTING INSIDE AND EFFECTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SINCE THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED PROBLEM, THAT COULD LEAD TO FURTHER MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS, FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE PANEL. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jan 28, 2008
THE REAR WINDOWS WAS RECALLED AND THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. NOW THE BACK WINDOW FAILED AS I AM TOLD BY THE FORD DEALER HAS CRACKED. AFTER SOME SEARCHING I SEE THIS IS PRETTY COMMON AFTER THE REPAIR. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WINDOWS_WINDSHIELD/REAR_LIFT_GATE_WINDOW_EXPLODED.SHTML *TR
Structure, Jan 26, 2008
2 LARGE VERTICAL CRACKS IN BACK PANEL OF TAILGATE EXTENDING DOWN FROM WINDOW. *TR
Structure, Jan 23, 2008
2002 EXPLORER REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHEN MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER CLOSED THE TOP LIFT GATE. REAR WINDOW RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN 8/2007 FORD WILL NOT COVER COST ($1,400.00) FOR REPAIR. *TR
Structure, Jan 19, 2008
WENT TO OPEN LIFTGATE WHEN PARKED IN THE DARK AND CUT HAND ON CRACKED PANEL. CALLED FORD, THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE PLASTIC PANELS ARE CRACKING IN THE COLD/HOT TEMP CHANGES BUT ARE NOT RECALLING THEM. WE TAPED THE CRACK SO OUR CHILDREN WON'T GET HURT. PLEASE HELP. IF YOU GO TO WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR
Structure, Jan 13, 2008
2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH PLASTIC PANEL CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH, TOP TO BOTTOM DIRECTLY ABOVE AND BELOW THE OVAL FORD EMBLEM. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE RAN THE VIN. NO. AND TOLD ME THIS PANEL HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. *TR
Structure, Jan 7, 2008
CRACKS APPEARING ON THE TAILGATE OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Structure, Nov 23, 2007
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE UNDERNEATH THE BACK WINDOW, RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. I HAVE A CRACK FROM THE TOP OF THE FRAME TO THE BOTTOM. I HAVE HAD THIS CRACK ON MY VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, OR WAS NOT ON RECALL. SINCE THEN I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES JUST LIKE MINE WITH THE SAME CRACK IN THE BACK UNDERNEATH THE BACK WINDOW NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. *TR
Structure, Nov 13, 2007
THE FIBERGLASS PIECE ON THE HATCHBACK OF THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY CRACKING AND FALLING OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THIS IS A ROAD AND SAFETY HAZARD, AS MY PIECE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING 55MPH. I AM CONTINUOUSLY SEEING OTHER EXPLORERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND CONDUCT A RECALL. FURTHERMORE, THIS FAULTY PIECE IS OFFERED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT AT OVER $300! *TR
Structure, Oct 31, 2007
DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, TURNING ON INTERIOR LIGHTS AND LOCKING AND UNLOCKING DOORS WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION TO BEING DISTRACTING, IT IS PARTICULARLY UNSAFE AT NIGHT TO SUDDENLY HAVE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND UNABLE TO KEEP DOORS LOCKED. FORD SAYS ISSUE IS A DOOR SENSOR, BUT CANNOT TELL WHICH ONE IS BAD. THIS USED TO HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY, NOW IT HAPPENS AT LEAST EVERY OTHER DAY. *TR
Structure, Oct 17, 2007
THE REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE HAS CRACKED VERTICALLY FROM THE GLASS ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL FOR NO APPARENT REASON (I.E. HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WHILE REAR WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY CLOSED). I HAVE NOTICED THAT MOST EXPLORERS IN MY AREA WITH THE SAME LIFTGATE HAVE THE SAME VERTICAL CRACK IN THE SAME LOCATION. CONCERNED WITH POTENTIAL GLASS BREAKING DUE TO SOME STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE WINDOW LIFTGATE. *TR
Structure, Oct 3, 2007
THE PANEL JUST BELOW THE BACK LIFT GATE WINDOW ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM IN TWO PLACES. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE EXACT SAME CRACKS AND THERE ARE 100'S OF REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT. FORD CORPORATE SAID TO CONTACT A DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM SO THEY OFFERED NO HELP WITH THE SITUATION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HOFFMAN FORD DEALERSHIP IN EAST HARTFORD, CT AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD SPLIT THE REPAIR COST WITH ME. THEY NEVER FOLLOWED THRU WITH THE OFFER. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CALL ME WHEN THEY HAD THE PART BUT THAT NEVER HAPPENED. IT IS OBVIOUS FORD CORPORATE KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THAT THIS IS A DEFECT. THE OUTSIDE OF A CAR SHOULD NEVER CRACK FOR NO REASON. *TR
Structure, Sep 23, 2007
THE LIFT GATE (WINDOW PORTION) OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS SUSTAINED A CRACK DIRECTLY DOWN THE MIDDLE UNDER THE GLASS. THE CRACK IS CLEAN CUT AND APPEARS TO EXPAND AND CLOSE WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD AND CONTRACTS AND CLOSES WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THE CRACK APPEARED. I NOTICED IT APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTH AGO AND HAS NOT HAD ANY INCIDENCES THAT WOULD WARRANT THE CRACK. SINCE I'VE NOTICED THE CRACK, I'VE SEEN TWO OTHER EXPLORES THAT HAVE THE SAME CRACK IN THE SAME LOCATION AS MINE, AND STARTING WONDERING IF THIS IS A BODY DEFECT. CAN YOU PLEASE RESEARCH THIS CONCERN FOR ME AND NOTIFY ME OF YOUR FINDINGS? *JB
Structure, Sep 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2007, THE HINGE FAILED ON THE LIFTGATE AND THE GLASS FELL OUT AND SHATTERED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND A RECALL WAS FOUND. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER. FORD STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS, HOWEVER, IT WAS DONE IMPROPERLY AT THE TIME. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,600. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB
Structure, Aug 20, 2007
2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH TAILGATE PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE TAILGATE ASSEMBLY IS IN QUESTION**CC THE CONSUMER STATED FORD HAD A RECALL FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND WILL NOT LONGER HONOR FIXING THE PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES. *TR
Structure, Aug 15, 2007
THE PROBLEM IS MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE, MY PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW IS CRACKING FOR NO REASON, I DO NOT USE IS PART OF THE LIFTGATE, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OVER 100 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SAFETY PROBLEM THAT WILL ALLOW THE REAR WINDOW TO FALLOUT OR EXPLODE WHEN OPERATING THE DOOR OR NORMAL DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE . FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THE PANELS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER OF 2002 AND UP FORD EXPLORER WITH THIS TAILGATE DESIGN. *JB
Structure, Aug 4, 2007
REAR LIFTGATE ON 2000 FORD EXPLORER HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES BELOW THE WINDOW. HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY SAME VEHICLES. HAVE HAD MANY COMMENTS ON IF FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL. *JB
Structure, Jul 10, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE HAD CRACKED RIGHT BELOW THE GLASS. THE CRACK IS SPREADING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB