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, Jan 2, 2007
THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW GETS VERTICAL CRACKS. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 60,000. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT REPLACED THE REAR PANEL AS PART OF THE HINGE WARRANTY RECALL. AT THE TIME, IT HAD 1 VERTICAL CRACK. I NOW HAVE 100K ON MY CAR AND THE CRACKS HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN. I NOW HAVE 3 VERTICAL CRACKS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT. MY DAUGHTER HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THERE ARE 48 PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND WILL NOT COVER REPAIR OF THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WITH THE CRACKS THE UPPER REAR PANEL HAS LOST IT'S INTEGRITY AND THE WINDOW COULD DISLODGE. *JB
Structure, Dec 12, 2006
CRACKED PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW (FORD CALLS THIS AN APPLIQUE). *NM
Structure, Dec 12, 2006
CRACK APPEARED UNDER BACK GLASS ON DRIVERS SIDE ALL THE WAY THROUGH PANEL DOWN PAST FORD EMBLEM, ANOTHER CRACK IS ON PASSENGER SIDE BACK ALL THE WAY THREW , BUT NOT DOWN QUITE AS FAR. *NM
Structure, Dec 11, 2006
VERTICAL CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH REAR-PANEL BELOW REAR GLASS ABOUT 2 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. HAVE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS AROUND WITH THE SAME CRACK.
Structure, Dec 8, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, THE REAR HATCH WAS LIFTED UP, AND THE HYDRAULIC SUPPORT DEVICE FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE REAR HATCH TO CLOSE FORCEFULLY ON THE ARM OF THE CONTACT. THE LEFT ARM OF THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HUGE BRUISE, AND WAS WEARING 3 LAYERS OF CLOTHING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THE SUPPORT DEVICE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT A CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IF THE REAR HATCH FAILED WITH A CHILD PRESENT.
Structure, Dec 7, 2006
REAR LIFTGATE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER HAS A CRACK IN IT. I WORKED FOR FORD FOR 2 1/2 YEARS AND CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO OTHER PEOPLE. WITH FORD HURTING FOR BUSINESS YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THESE TO KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS. I PERSONALLY OWN TWO FORD PRODUCTS AND UNLESS THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM THEN I WILL PURCHASE MY NEXT VEHICLES FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. *JB
Visibility, Structure, Dec 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BEING WASHED BY HAND, THE LIFTGATE GLASS BECAME UNFASTENED AND FRACTURED WHEN THE GATE WAS OPENED. THIS MALFUNCTION CAUSED PERSONAL INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP.
Power train, Structure, Nov 11, 2006
WELL....HERE IS THE 2ND COMPLAINT THAT I'M FILING ON MY VEHICLE. I PURCHASED MY EXPLORER BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 10 MILES. I THOUGHT I WOULD GET THE BRAKES CHECKED SINCE I HAD 68,000 MILES ONLY TO FIND OUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BAD AND NEEDING REPAIR. FORD DROPPED THE BALL ON THAT!!! NOW I DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PANEL HAS CRACKED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN!!! THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THEM!!! *JB
Structure, Nov 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRACKET CONNECTING THE RIGHT STRUT TO THE LIFTGATE ROTATED OUT OF POSITION, CAUSING THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO FALL AND SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 01I010000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE SIDE AND REAR GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Structure, Sep 27, 2006
THERE IS A TWO TO THREE INCH CRACK IN MY BACK HATCH DOOR IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. IT IS IN THE BODY WORK RIGHT TO THE LEFT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. I CALLED FORD AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD RESOLVE THIS FORM ME AS I FELT NEVER SHOULD A CRACK IN THE BODY OF A VEHICLE OCCUR. THEY SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL EACH TIME I CALLED AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK BACK. THAT'S AS FAR AS THEY WOULD GO. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND SAW ANOTHER EXPLORER WITH A WORSE CRACK THAN MY OWN. I DO NOT HAVE THIS PERSON'S INFORMATION AS I HAVE MISPLACED IT. I TALKED WITH MY OWN VEHICLE PLACE (FRED BEAN'S OF WEST CHESTER) WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT HANDLE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING ME. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SUCH AN INCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO CREATE THE PROBLEM. A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD THE HINGE ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF THEN IT WASN'T TOO LONG AFTER THAT THE ISSUE AROSE. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THE IMPACT OF CLOSING THIS HATCH WITH WEAK OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED HINGES MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS CRACK. WHEN I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT THE FORD PLACE, THE PERSON OF WHOM REMAINS ANONYMOUS FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, SAID TO ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN ABOUT 10-100 OTHER VEHICLES COME IN TO THEIR PLACE ALONE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE AND NO ONE WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE CONTACT ME. *NM
Structure, Sep 7, 2006
I HAVE TAKEN IN MY 2002 FORD TWICE TO HAVE THE HATCH HINGE REPAIRED. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS BECAUSE I GOT A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. THE RECALL DESCRIPTION WAS FOR: THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK. AFTER A YEAR OF IT'S RECALL THE HINGE AGAIN POPPED OUT BUT THIS TIME THE REAR GLASS OF MY VEHICLE DID SHATTER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE AGAIN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP (WHERE I'VE TAKEN IT NOW FOR THE FOURTH TIME) AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY ALREADY "FIXED" THE RECALLED PART THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPLACE THE REAR WINDOW HATCH. TWO THINGS ARE POSSIBLE: 1. THE FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE RECALLED PART INCORRECTLY OR 2. THE RECALLED PART WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR THE RECALLED PART TO BE FIX. *JB
Visibility, Structure, Aug 30, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHUTTING THE LIFTGATE GLASS IT SHATTERED AND RAINED DOWN. THE BROKEN GLASS CUT THE ARM, LEG AND FOOT OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A REPAIR WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE WINDOW CYLINDER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE DAMAGED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 01I010000 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE SIDE AND REAR GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Power train, Structure, Aug 19, 2006
ON THE BACK LIFTGATE, THE MIDDLE BODY PIECE HAS CRACKED AGAIN AFTER BEING REPLACED AROUND THE FORD SYMBOL. DEALER HAS REPLACED ONCE AND WILL NOT REPLACE AGAIN. THE AXLE HOUSING IS LEAKING NEXT TO THE DIFFERENTIAL. *NM
Power train, Structure, Aug 16, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AT VARIABLE SPEEDS, SOMETIMES NOT ENGAGING THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR OR AT TIMES THE ENGINE WOULD RACE, THEN SLAM INTO GEAR WITH A BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE 5TH GEAR IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REBUILT, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED ON 7 OCCASIONS. THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW HINGE WAS REPLACED, BUT CONTINUED TO FALL OUT OF THE HINGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Structure, Aug 14, 2006
2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE SCRAPING THE REAR WINDOW. *KB THE LIFTGATE HINGE SNAPPED OFF AS THE CONSUMER OPENED THE REAR GLASS WINDOW. THE BROKEN HINGE ALSO CAUSED THE REAR CLASS TO SCRAPE THE PAINT ON THE UPPER REAR PORTION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GLASS BROKE OFF THE HINGE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HE DEALER. THEY ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE TECHNICIAN CHECK THE VEHICLE VIN AGAINST THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V442000. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE HINGE REPLACED. *NM
Structure, Aug 14, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE LIFTGATE LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SCREW THAT HOLDS THE LIFTGATE HAD LOOSENED, AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE HINGES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HINGE, BUT THAT RECALL WAS CLOSED. *AK
Structure, Aug 3, 2006
ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC "THE CAGED NUT BROKE FROM 8 AN INCH BOLT WITH WASHERS ON THE REAR END" HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. *JB
Power train, Structure, Equipment, Jul 16, 2006
VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING, WHINING NOISE FROM REAR END AS WELL. OVER DRIVE LIGHT ON, THEN FINALLY VEHICLE STOPPED ENGAGING GEARS. 2002 EXPLORER HAS BEEN SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR ONE YEAR DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FORD NOT WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS 58000 MILES. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT REAR HATCH WINDOW BLEW OUT TWO TIMES WITH THE SECOND TIME GLASS BLEW OFF SO VIOLENTLY IT DAMAGED PAINT ON NEW VEHICLE (DEALER AND FORD MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR AND INSTRUCTED ME TO FILE INSURANCE CLAIM) DAMAGE TO OTHER CAR WAS CLEARLY DUE TO DEFECT IN WINDOW HATCH MECHANISM AND THEY SHOULD PAY. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *JB
Structure, Jun 22, 2006
CRACKING IN PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I FEAR THE NATURE OF THE CRACK HAS INCREASED THE POSSIBILITY FOR THE REAR WINDOW TO FALL OUT DURING DRIVING. CRACK HAS JUST APPEARED DUE TO NO CONSEQUENCE OR MISUSE. THIS APPARENTLY IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM
Structure, Jun 11, 2006
THE BACK GLASS LIFT GATE WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE DUE TO A RECALL BROKE. THE GLASS DOOR OPENED WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB, AND AS I REACHED INTO THE CAR TO PUT A STROLLER IN THE DOOR, IT SLAMMED DOWN AND HIT THE BACK OF MY HEAD FORCING MY CHIN TO ALSO SLAM INTO THE FRAME OF THE DOOR. *JB
Structure, Jun 7, 2006
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 DATE: 2004-SEP-13 COMPONENT: STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS THE FORD EXPLORER HAD THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED FALL OF OCT 11,2005. ON JUNE 3,2006, ABOUT 8 MONTHS, THE EPOXY/TAR USED TO "SECURE" THE STRUT BRACKET ON THE GLASS FAILED IN 90+DEGREE WEATHER (MODERATE SUNNY DAY, IT WILL GET HOTTER). FROM OBSERVATION, USING ADHESIVE TO PREVENT THE BALL JOINT FROM PIVOTING WAS A BAD DESIGN. I OPENED THE GLASS LIFTGATE AND STARTED TO REACH IN AND THE GLASS LIFT GATE SLAMMED DOWN ON MY HEAD. DUE TO LOCAL TEMPERATURE AND REGULAR VIBRATION FROM DRIVING AND THE LOAD FROM THE STRUT, THE ADHESIVE YIELDED AND THE BALL JOINT ROTATED CAUSING THE STRUT TO POP OFF CAUSING THE GLASS LIFTGATE TO COME DOWN ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. HAD THIS HAPPEN TO MY WIFE, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BEING PETITE. I NOTIFIED THE FORD COMPANY AND THE DEALER, BOTH DECLINE TO REPAIR THE REPAIR PERFORMED UNDER RECALL AS IT WAS PASS THEIR WARRANTY OF 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILES. IT WAS OVER THE 12,000 MILES. SO I GUESS AFTER 12 MONTH OR 12000 MILES, FORD IS NO LONGER LIABLE IF THE RECALL REPAIR INJURES OR KILLS SOMEONE AS IT WAS A REPAIR UNDER A RECALL. *JB
Structure, May 2, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE THREE CRACKS IN THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR ABOVE THE EMBLEM. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED. *AK
Structure, Apr 19, 2006
2002 EXPLORER HATCH CRACKED. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REASON WHY THE HATCH CRACKED WAS BECAUSE THE WINDOW AND THE PANEL WERE GLUED TOGETHER AND CONTRACTED AT A DIFFERENT RATE. *JB
Structure, Apr 18, 2006
BROKEN PLASTIC BODY PANEL ON REAR HATCH OF EXPLORER 2002--VERTICAL BREAK IN PANEL PIECE OCCURRED JUST AFTER PURCHASE. CRACK WIDENS IN COLD WEATHER AND SHRINKS IN WARM, SO IT CAN'T BE PATCHED. JUST COSMETIC, BUT RAMPANT WITH THIS CAR. FORD APPARENTLY DEVELOPED A "BETTER" PANEL, BUT IT IS NOT CONSIDERING THIS A RECALL DEFECT. VERY FRUSTRATING, BUT PROBABLY SHOULD BE EXPECTED BEHAVIOR. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Structure, Mar 13, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MADE A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND THE SOLENOID HOUSING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE SOLENOID HOUSING WAS AGAIN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD POP OPEN. THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB