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
3,613 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Nov 15, 2005
BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE ON BOTH SIDES OF FORD EXPLORER. *TS *JB
Suspension, Power train, Nov 15, 2005
WE NOTICED A HUMMING NOISE AND A SMALL OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER AND WERE INFORMED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS IN NEED OF REPAIR AND THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS. WE WERE GIVEN A DISCOUNTED RATE FOR THE REPAIR. TWO WEEKS LATER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT (WITH ONLY 59,000 MILES) AND WERE TOLD THAT THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPAIR AND WOULD COST A TOTAL OF $700 FOR BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2005
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH FOOT OFF OF GAS UPON STARTUP OF VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO GEAR. *NM
Power train, Nov 14, 2005
REAR NOISE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. ALSO FLUID LEAK. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2005
DRIVING ON I-65 NASHVILLE, TN. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOUD AND ABRUPT SOUND IN THE ENGINE WITH SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER. NARROWLY MISSED HAVING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER. WE MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME WHERE UPON INSPECTION, A SPARK PLUG HAD OBVIOUSLY BLOWN OUT OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE (LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT). *NM
Power train, Nov 10, 2005
THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED BETWEEN 20-25K. THE CAR WAS TAKEN INTO TODAY FOR THE YEARLY STATE INSPECTION. THE DIFFERENTIAL IS NOW LEAKING. CAR HAS 43K MILES ON IT. SEEMS TO BE A DIFFERENTIAL EVERY 20K OR SO MILES, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. *JB TWO WEEKS AGO ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, MY , TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WENT OUT, IT WAS FIXED. I HAD BEEN COMPLAINING TO THEM THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE LAST FEB, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR, WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, AND WOULD SOUND LIKE IT NEEDED TO UPSHIFT WHEN THE TAC HADN'T CHANGED. GET THE TRUCK HOME AND THE 4X4 DOESN'T WORK. TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE TRANSFER CASE MODULE WENT OUT. DEALER SAID IT WASN'T RELATED TO DRIVING IT WITH THE O/D LIGHT ON AFTER FORD'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF AN INTERSTATE FOR 3 HOURS AND THEN TOLD ME TO JUST DRIVE IT WITH THE LIGHT FLASHING. ABS LIGHT CAME ON, IT WAS CODE C1237, THE REAR SPEED SENSOR WENT OUT, THUS I HAD NO ABS, CHECKED MESSAGE BOARDS ONLINE, THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. ALONG WITH THE INSPECTION TODAY, IT WAS BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT DAY. MY PADS WERE NOT COMPLETELY WORN DOWN, BUT WITH WINTER COMING UP I WANTED THEM DONE. WENT TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC TO HAVE THIS DONE. THE ROTORS ARE WARPED, AND I SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE THEM REPLACED WITH AN AFTERMARKET SET, AS THE ORIGINAL ONES ARE TOO SMALL FOR A VEHICLE THAT SIZE, AND TURNING THEM WOULD MAKE THEM EVEN THINNER. *JB
Power train, Nov 9, 2005
VEHICLE GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHEN BRAKING HARD AND WHEN TURNING VEHICLE OFF, OUTSIDE UNDER DRIVER SEAT A WINDING DOWN NOISE IS HEARD 9 TIMES OUT OF TEN WHEN TURNING VEHICLE OFF. TRANSMISSION PAN REPLACED, SOLENOID ASSEMBLY REPLACED, NO LONGER GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND NOTHING WAS FOUND AT DEALERSHIP REGARDING WINDING DOWN NOISE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB
Power train, Nov 8, 2005
I BOUGHT A NEW 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. AT 13,743 WORK ORDER WRITES MY COMPLAINTS AS "WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE TRANS CLUNKS INTO GEAR AND DELAY UP SHIFT A SLOW SPEEDS". DEALER WROTE ON COMPLETED ORDER FORM "CAUSE: INOP, CORRECTION:REPROGRAM PCM, TECH NOTES:ROADTEST TRANS ENGAGEMENT ARE HARSH INTERMITTENT UPSHIFTS ARE FIRM, REPROGRAM PCM...". AT 16,482 MILES I AGAIN COMPLAINED OF CLUNKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. DEALER SAID COULD NOT REPRODUCE. AT 24,613 I COMPLAINED OF TRANS CLUNKING, AND HESITATING BETWEEN SHIFTING, AGAIN DEALER SAID COULD NOT REPRODUCE. AT 35,976 MILES THEY SAID THERE WAS A TRANS PROBLEM AND REHAULED (REBUILT) TRANS. AT 50,295 MILES CAR WAS HESITATING AGAIN BETWEEN SHIFTS AND CLUNKING AGAIN. AT STOPPING THE CAR WOULD JERK HARD. THEY SAID THE TRANS WAS BAD AGAIN AND REHAULED IT AGAIN. AT 52,900 MILES I WAS GOING TO STOP AT A LIGHT, I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED TO THE BRAKES AS THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW ANY FURTHER (I WAS AT A LOW SPEED AT THIS TIME) FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SHUTTERING AND GRINDING. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALER. THE BRAKES TWICE MORE THE WAY OVER FELT STRANGE BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE FIRST TIME. I WOULD STEP ON THE GAS, THE CAR WOULD HESITATE BEFORE GOING FASTER AND THEN WOULD JERK FORWARD. THE RPM NEEDLE DURING THIS TIME WOULD NOT MOVE AND THEN JUMP FORWARD AND THEN JUMP DOWN. THREE TIMES ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER THE CAR WOULD ON IT'S OWN GO SLIGHTLY FASTER WITHOUT ME DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL FURTHER. THIS WAS ON SATURDAY AND I TOLD THE PERSON WRITING UP MY PAPER WORK I COULD NOT EXCEPT THAT THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, I NEED AN ANSWER SINCE THIS IS BEYOND BEING A TIME CONSUMING PROBLEM AND BOTHER INTO A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WILL NOT DRIVE THAT CAR AS IS. SINCE THERE WAS NO SERVICE MANAGER THERE, I RETURNED ON MONDAY TO TALK WITH HIM. HE WAS VERY NICE AND SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT. BUT AGAIN, I AM WITHOUT MY CAR FOR I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG. *NM
Power train, Nov 4, 2005
SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN JULY 220 I HAVE HAD NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR. THERE ARE OCCASIONALLY LOUD CLANGS COMING FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. NOW, THE O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY AND IT LOOKS AS IF THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH 65,000 MILES ON IT. *JB THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT HIS COMPLAINT BE DELETED. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Nov 1, 2005, crash
2002 FORD EXPLORER- CRASHED INTO DOCTORS OFFICE- BECAUSE OF FAILED THROTTLE BODY- REPORTED TO FORD. ONE LETTER RECEIVED REQUIRING INFORMATION-NO RESPONSE FROM FORD SINCE JULY, CAR STILL WAITING FOR INSPECTION, DEALER INSPECTIONS CONFIRMS THROTTLE BODY CABLE STUCK CAUSING CAR TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND CRASH--NO RESPONSE FROM FORD. *JB
Power train, Oct 31, 2005
REAR END IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS FAILED. *JB
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2005
CONSUMER REQUESTING SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TS *JB
Air bags, Oct 25, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 45 MPH,. UPON IMPACT, NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY NOW HAS POSSESSION OF THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAS BEEN NO INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE DOES HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SCRAPES AND SORE MUSCLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM
Power train, Oct 23, 2005
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS MAKING A HOWLING SOUND FROM THE REAR END AND IS LEAKING FLUID, SOMETIMES THIS FLUID REACHES THE TIRES AND MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BRAKES... COULD THIS CAUSE THEM TO FAIL? CRASH? MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, I WENT TO A LARGE PARKING LOT AND LOOKED UNDER SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS 2002-UP 6 OUT OF ABOUT 10 HAD THIS PROBLEM, WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE FORD FIXES THE PROBLEM, DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE? *NM
Seat belts, Oct 20, 2005
DT: 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONSUMER STATES AIRBAG LIGHT ON FLASHED ON DASHBOARD 3 TIMES AND THEN IT STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS RELATED TO THE SEAT BELTS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR 1 WEEK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HER THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. THEY STATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM.*AK THE DEALER REPALCED THE TENSIONER. *JB
Power train, Oct 18, 2005
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A LEAK FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I HAVE HAD THE SEALS REPLACED, BUT THE LEAK PERSISTS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DIFFERENTIAL-TRANSMISSION HOUSINGS. *NM
Power train, Oct 14, 2005
WHINE IN REAR END OF A 15911 MILE 2002 FORD EXPLORER, PART, RING AND PINION, HAD TO BE REPLACED, I HAD TO PAY A 100 DED. SUPERVISOR AT FORD'S 800 # DENIED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON IDENTIFIED PROBLEM, SAID THAT IF IT WAS IT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL AND I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A NOTICE. TSB 18466 & 18423 DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Oct 12, 2005
FORD EXPLORER 2002 MODEL XLT, 4 DR, 2 WHEEL DRIVE. AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES,AND AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH, THE REAR END (DIFFERENTIAL) STARTED TO ROAR. THINKING THAT THE TIRES WERE BAD, I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES, BUT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. NOW, WITH 70,000 MILES, I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL AND IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN FORD EXPLORERS. I AM AFRAID THAT IF THE REAR END FAILS WHILE TRAVELING, IT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO WRECK. THANKS. *JB
Seat belts, Oct 11, 2005
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT NOTIFIED ME OF A PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THAT "BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I JUST FIND IT ODD THAT THEY WOULD BOTH HAPPEN TO BREAK AT THE SAME TIME. IT SOUNDS MORE LIKE DEFECTIVE PARTS.*JB
Power train, Oct 8, 2005
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT MAKES A HUMMING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED BETWEEN 30 AND 55 MPH; ADDITIONALLY THE DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS AS WELL. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME IT COSTS AROUND $1,500 TO REPLACE. I HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS ON THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM, YET FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE PART. I THINK IT IS TIME FOR A RECALL. *JB
Suspension, Oct 6, 2005
WE NOTICED A SLIGHT RUBBING WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNING TO RIGHT WHILE ON VACATION. WITHIN 2 DAYS IT BECAME WORSE, THE THUMPING AND RUBBING SOUND WERE VERY LOUD AND FELT IN THE CAR. WE OPTED TO LEAVE THE CAR. LUCKILY WE DID, AS THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED US THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED, AND NOTED THIS IS NOT COMMON. WE WERE TOLD THAT HAD WE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HOME, THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, AS IT WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THIS IN TURN DAMAGED OUR BACK BRAKES, RESULTING IN NEW ROTORS AND PADS, AND THE SHOP WAS UNABLE TO GET THE EMERGENCY BRAKES BACK ON AS THEY WERE RUSTED ON THE CAR. *NM
Steering, Power train, Oct 6, 2005
BEGAN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE BUT NOTICED "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT ON; A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE IN THIS CAR, AND LIGHT DOESN'T INDICATE WHICH DOOR IS THE PROBLEM. SO, FINISHED BACKING CAR OUT OF GARAGE AND PARKED IT IN DRIVEWAY, PLACING CAR IN PARK AND APPLYING EMERGENCY BRAKE. LEFT CAR RUNNING. EXITED CAR, LEFT DRIVER DOOR OPEN, AND HAD SOME TIME TO STAND, TURN AROUND AND LOOK AT BACK DOOR BEHIND DRIVER'S SIDE FIRST. DETERMINED IT WAS CLOSED BY VISUAL CHECK. BEGAN TO MOVE TOWARD REAR OF CAR TO CHECK HATCH NEXT (HATCH PROBLEMATIC; HAD IT FIXED AFTER BOUGHT THE CAR THEN IT WAS JUST RECENTLY RECALLED AGAIN. BUT MUCH TO MY SHOCK THE CAR SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND RAN OVER ME. TRIED TO DIVE OUT OF WAY; CAR RAN OVER ME AT BOTH KNEES. SUFFERED CRUSH INJURY. HAD CAR EXAMINED; FORENSIC SPECIALIST THOUGHT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH LOTS OF GAP IN STEERING COLUMN BETWEEN REVERSE AND PARK AND SOME PLAY IN WHERE IT WOULD GROOVE IN. *JB *NM
Suspension, Oct 5, 2005
ON ROUTINE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT REAR SPRING ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS BROKEN. THIS VEHICLE HAS 55,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS PROBABLY NOT BROKEN LONG SINCE I INSPECT MY VEHICLES REGULARLY. WHEN I WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY INITIALLY WANTED ME TO PAY THE FULL REPAIR BILL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRING; HOWEVER, AFTER NEGOTIATION, THEY OFFERED REPLACEMENT IF I PAID HALF OF THE BILL, OR $78.00. I AGREED TO THIS OFFER, AND HAD THE SPRING REPLACED. I FEEL, AND EXPRESSED THIS OPINION TO THE FORD AGENCY, THAT THIS SPRING SHOULD NOT BREAK AFTER ONLY 55,000 MILES. IN ADDITION, I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER REAR SPRING, AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT BROKE. *JB
Power train, Oct 5, 2005
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS STARTING TO WHINE VERY LOUD. IT HAS THE 3.73 LIMITED SLIP DIFFERTIAL. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THIS SITE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM. *JB
Structure, Oct 5, 2005
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 EXPLORER AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND THE BACK WINDOW BLEW OUT. JUST SPONTANEOUSLY BLEW UP, SENDING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. IN APRIL 2005, THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A BACK GATE GLASS PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAYS IT WAS FIXED. NOW, SIX MONTHS LATER, THE GLASS JUST BLOWS UP AND CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE BACK GATE. THIS IS ODD AND FRIGHTENING. HAD MY CHILDREN BEEN IN THE THIRD SEAT, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SPRAYED WITH GLASS AND INJURED. LUCKILY, I HAD JUST LEFT THEM OFF AT SCHOOL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER FOR US. *JB