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, Mar 11, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEELS NEARLY FELL OFF DUE TO FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS. NEEDED REPLACED AT ONLY 70,000 MILES. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR
Visibility, Mar 11, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE REAR LIFT GATE DOOR, THE GLASS FELL OUT OF THE DOOR FRAME, AND SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE REAR GLASS ASSEMBLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD A PRIOR RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I010000 (VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE FAILURE RECURRED DUE TO THE INSUFFICIENT REMEDY REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,000.
Power train, Mar 11, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER. TRANSMISSION OD LIGHT FLICKERING, WILL NOT SHIFT. HAD BEEN REBUILT ONCE AND HAD NOT HAD IT 3 MONTH AND DOING IT AGAIN. WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Mar 11, 2010
TRANS STARTED SLIPPING,OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON,WENT TO DEALER STATED THAT NEED NEW TRANS. *TR
Power train, Mar 10, 2010
TRANSMISSION O/D LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND BLINKING PERIODICALLY WITH HARD SHIFTING OR SLIPPING AND CAR LURCHING FORWARD BEFORE SHIFTING. O/D STOPS WORKING AFTER O/D LIGHT STARTS BLINKING. HAD TRANSMISSION SOLENOIDS ADJUSTED LAST YEAR BUT ONLY HELPED SLIGHTLY THEN BACK TO SLIPPING AGAIN. ONLY HAVE 88,000 MILES ON VEHICLE WITH GOOD CARE AND NO TOWING EVER. *TR
Power train, Mar 9, 2010
NO EVENT LED TO THE FAILURE THE COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, OCCURRED ONCE CAR CANNOT BE OPERATED WITHOUT SHIFT LEVER. NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE PART THAT BROKE IS EASILY SERVICEABLE AND COULD BE REPLACE IF SOLD SEPARATELY FROM THE COLUMN ASSEMBLY COLUMN ASSEMBLY IS $1400 FOR PART ONLY. *TR
Power train, Mar 8, 2010
WE JUST PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 3, 2010. THE CAR DROVE FINE THE FIRST 2 DAYS. ON THE THIRD DAY THE O/D LIGHT STARTING BLINKING AND THE CAR SKIPPED A GEAR. WE HEARD A LARGE CLUNK AND THE CAR KEEP SKIPPING. AFTER THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO TWO TRANSMISSION SHOPS TODAY AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A THIRD GEAR. WE RECEIVED ESTIMATES OF $2600 TO REPAIR. *TR
Steering, Mar 8, 2010
I AM ASKING YOU CONSIDER AN INVESTIGATION FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT STEERING COLUMN. MINE BROKE AND RATHER EASILY AND IT COST ME $1,400.00 TO FIX. FORD TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS TO MY SURPRISE. AFTER DOING MY OWN ONLINE RESEARCH, I SEE 45+ OTHER FOLKS HAD SIMILAR OR SAME ISSUES AS I DID. SEE THE LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/STEERING/GEAR_SHIFT_BROKE_OFF.SHTML PLEASE GIVE THIS THE ATTENTION IT SO DESIRES. I CALLED FORD YESTERDAY 2/19/10 AND THEY BASICALLY SAID, WE ARE DOING NOTHING UNLESS YOU FOLKS WHO WORK WITH THEM CONSIDER THIS A RECALL SITUATION. PLEASE LET ME HEAR FROM YOU. LEN PACE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000....MW
Power train, Mar 8, 2010
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HARD SHUDDERING BETWEEN 50-70 MPH WITH O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKING. EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE MORE THAN 2000 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER WHO CHARGED ME $250 TO TELL ME THAT THEY COULD ONLY REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT WHEN IT HAPPENED IT WAS HEAVY. DESPITE THAT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I DROVE IT 2 MORE MONTHS UNTIL THE SHUTTERING WAS VERY BAD AND ALSO GOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CODES P0775 AND P0735. NOW THEY WANT TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION FOR $4100. THIS DEFECT LEADS TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT HAPPENS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE THEY MAY HAVE HIT SOMETHING AND POSSIBLY SWERVE OFF THE ROAD. *TR
Power train, Mar 7, 2010
O/D LIGHT BLINKS ALL THE TIME. TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND CLANKS. *TR
Power train, Mar 6, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHILE I WAS COMING HOME THE OD LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CHECK TRANS. CAME ON. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM LEADING UP TO THIS IT JUST HAPPENED. SO TAKE IT TO THE FORD PLACE AND THEY SAY NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. I STILL OWE 3,000 ON IT THAT IS ALSO THE PRICE OF THE NEW TRANS. THE TRANS. HAS NEVER USED ANY FLUID . I NEED HELP! *TR
Power train, Mar 5, 2010
THE O/D LIGHT ON MY DASH OF MY 02 EXPLORER STARTED BLINKING . IT TAKES A WHILE AND STRUGGLES TO GET TO 30MPH, WHEN IT FINALLY REACHES 30 IT SLAMS INTO GEAR AND ACTS FAIRLY NORMAL. THE NEXT DAY, IT WOULDN'T GET ABOVE 20MPH. WE PAID FOR A NEW TRANNY ($1732) AND PAID A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO PUT IT IN ($225, WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF THE FLUID). THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. WE THEN BOUGHT A $75 ELECTRONIC RANGE SENSOR, MECHANIC PUT IT ON, AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT IS NOW STILL IN THE SHOP (3 WEEKS, NOW) AND WE HAVE SPENT ABOUT $2100 AND MY CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED! WE ARE A ONE INCOME FAMILY AND CANNOT AFFORD THE CONTINUED NEGLIGENCE OF FORD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 4, 2010
SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THREADS AND SPARK PLUG BOTH BLOWN OUT OF TOP OF CYLINDER HEAD. *TR
Power train, Mar 4, 2010
I WAS DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WHEN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORERS TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO BANG AND CLUNK INTO GEAR...APPARENTLY THIS IS A POPULAR PROBLEM AMONG THE EXPLORERS AND REALLY SHOULD BE RECALLED. A NEW TRANSMISSION AND $3,000 LATER.... *TR
Power train, Mar 3, 2010
O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND CARE WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR (TRANSMISSION). PULLING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO GO. CARS ARE FLYING BY AND ALL I CAN DO TO KEEP FROM CAUSING AN INCIDENT WAS TO LET UP OFF THE GAS AND PRESS DOWN ON THE GAS HOPING IT WILL CHANGE THE GEAR. I ALMOST CAUSED AND ACCIDENT ON THE FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Mar 2, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN JAN OF O4 WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 50,000 IT STARTED SHIFTING FUNNY, LIKE MISSING A SHIFT AND BANGING INTO GEAR. WENT TO DEALER AND HAD SYSTEM FLUSHED. HAD COMPUTER REFLASHED AROUND 80,000 MILES AND REVERSE SOLENOID REPLACED ALONG WITH FLUSHING AGAIN, WOW WHAT A SHOCK ON THE RACKS WAS 2 OTHER EXPLORER GETTING NEW TRANSMISSIONS. SHORTLY AFTER THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING THEN WENT OUT. NOW IT CAME ON AGAIN. WENT TO DEALER THEY SAID WITHOUT THE LIGHT ON THEY COULDN'T SAY WHAT IS WRONG FOR SURE. MIGHT BE A ACCUMULATOR OR BAND. SUGGESTED IT WOULD BE BETTER TO GET A FORD REMANUFACTURED TRANS THAT HAS ALL THE PROBLEMS CORRECTED. THIS WOULD COST OVER 3,000. HE TOLD BE TO KEEP DRIVING IT TILL THE LIGHT STARTS COMING ON REGULARY THEN COME IN. IF MY TRANS IS SEALED FROM THE FACTORY WITH NO WAY TO CHECK OR ADD FLUID, WHICH BY THE WAY IS JUST STUPID. AND THERE HAVE BEEN ARTICLES THAT HAVE SAID THAT FORD MIGHT HAVE SHIPPED THE TRANSMISSIONS WITH THE INCORRECT FLUID. THEY NEED TO MAN UP AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN A FORD OWNER FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND CANT BELIEVE WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVEN'T BEEN FORCED TO RECALL THIS TRANS BEFORE IT FAILS AND KILLS SOMEONE. OR MAYBE THAT'S WHAT IT WILL TAKE. *TR
Suspension, Mar 2, 2010
WHEN I TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER V8 INTO THE SHOP TO GET NEW TIRES I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD WITH MY VEHICLE AND ONLY DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR MY VEHICLE AND I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT. I HAD NO IDEA IT BROKE OR HOW IT DID BUT MY CAR STARTED LEANING TO ONE SIDE. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE IN A SAFE AND DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A REALL DONE FOR THIS ISSUE BEFORE THERE IS SERIOUS INJURIES. MY VEHICLE HAS 115K MILES.
Power train, Mar 1, 2010
O/D LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY BLINKING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND ENGINE REVVING UP CAUSING LOTS OF JERKING EVERYTIME I DRIVE MY 2002 EXPLORER. IN ORDER FOR ME TO DRIVE MY SUV I HAVE TO TURN THE O/D OFF...AND SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUOUSLY REV UP EVEN WHEN THE O/D IS MANUALLY TURNED OFF. THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR IT TO CONTINUE TO BE IGNORED. PLEASE HELP US CONSUMERS.*TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 1, 2010
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT ON FORD EXPLORER XLT 2002 MODEL YEAR WITH 4.6L ENGINE. HAS 145,000 AND ORIGINAL PLUGS (PLATINUM). CAR STARTED TO MAKE A TICKING SOUND AND THEN THE PLUG POPPED OFF. *TR
Power train, Mar 1, 2010
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER. TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS HAD "SO-SO" PERFORMANCE. HARD SHIFTING INTO GEARS. NOW IS GOING TO COST ME $3500 TO REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Feb 27, 2010
2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER HAS HAD THE OD LIGHT COME ON DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE RPM'S INCREASE AND SHIFTS FROM GEAR TO GEAR HARD. PULLED OVER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. LIGHT HAS CONTINUED TO COME ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES AND NOISE CONTINUES AS THE LIGHT IS ON. THE PROBLEM OCCURS OF AND ON. PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN IN AUG 2009. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCUR THIS PAST WEEK. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A OVER HAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION TO FIX CURRENT PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Feb 26, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY TRUCK IN PARK THE GEAR SHIFT ARM BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN REVERSE AND I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. MY CAR IS COMPLETELY UN-DRIVABLE. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY ARE CHARGING ME $550 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN WITH A USED STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Power train, Feb 25, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2002 FORD EXPLORER [XXX] - GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF OF STEERING COLUMN WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. *TR
Suspension, Feb 24, 2010
THE BROKEN REAR SPRINGS (BOTH) ON OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT ON VETERANS PARKWAY IN BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS. THE SPRINGS COMPLETELY SHATTERED AND WERE BROKEN ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR MAKING THE SUV MUCH LESS STABLE IN LANE CHANGES. WHEN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY SLOWED, WE ALMOST LOSS CONTROL WHEN WE TRIED TO CHANGE LANES. IT WAS A MIRACLE THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE BAD STEEL IN THESE SPRINGS FOR YEARS AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2002 TO 2005 FORD EXPLORERS. WE ARE HAVING TO PAY OUT OF OUR POCKETS ABOUT $700 FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Feb 24, 2010
THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE RPM'S WENT UP LIKE CRAZY THE CAR WAS HARD TO SHIFT. *TR