7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$280
Average Mileage:
103,800 miles
Total Complaints:
52 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (33 reports)
  2. wd-40 spray door lock mechanism@door jam,open & close door`s (7 reports)
  3. replace all door sensors (4 reports)
  4. bypass the switch and save you some money! (3 reports)
  5. beat it with a sledge hammer (2 reports)
  6. replace the gem module (2 reports)
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problem #52

Sep 042015

Explorer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,809 miles

This car will be the death of me I just know it. We can't seem to find a pattern to when it decides to erode our sanity, it may be raining, it might be hot, it might be cold, it might be your wedding anniversary, IT DOES NOT CARE!!! It will continue to screech like a banshee and if you manage to survive half an hour with it, the Australian SAS will ring you, they will beg for you to sign up as no normal human being could survive such torture. The only solution so far is to turn up the heavy metal and scream loader then the car.... this has been an effective solution so far.

- thezombologist, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia

problem #51

Jul 012015

Explorer XLT 4-0

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,400 miles

My Ford Expoler door ajar light and beeping sound stay on when I start the car. I spray WD40. I have a mechanic shop hammer the door latch. I open the rear lift gate, unplug the wire but still the same problem. This is bull, I just spend 500 dollars to replace the valve cover gasket, notice the door will stay on light but no sound when I leave the rear lift gate open. I think Ford should have this problem recalled. The lift gate outer panel split, I paid 500 dollars to fix it at Ford dealer shop. I really believe Ford should pay for this problem, its not me only but more people have this same problems. Some one please advice how to fix this problems.

- Edward B., Scheectady, NY, US

problem #50

Dec 132013

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,234 miles

I would be riding down the road and the chime would continue to go off.

- luvsnest, Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #49

Jan 012005

Explorer Eddie Baur 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

What can I do to fix this? All the shops that I have brought it to say its unfix-able (it takes a lot to piss me off enough to bring a vehicle in, I usually fix my own vehicles)

- Ian W., Duluth, MN, US

problem #48

Apr 192012

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,630 miles

I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH 2012 AND THE NEXT MONTH THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND ALL DOORS WERE CLOSED AND THEN NEXT CAME THE BEEPING AND, LIKE EVERYONE, EVENTUALLY THE ALARM WOULD COME ON FOR NO REASON AND DOORS WOULD UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALARM OR ELECTRICAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS NOT AN ALARM IT WAS A KEY LESS ENTRY. OK, WHATEVER, HOW CAN WE FIX IT AND THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG. TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE MY TRUCK THERE ALL DAY AND MAYBE IT WILL DO THE THINGS IT WAS DOING. SO AFTER THE DEALERSHIP WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE I JUST RODE WITH MY HATCHBACK ON THE TRUCK UNLOCKED. THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THAT ANNOYING SH*T FROM HAPPENING AND I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR UNLOCK TO FORBID THE ALARM FROM GOING OFF.

FINALLY A FEW MONTHS LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS IT AND I NEEDED A MAJOR TUNE UP AND SOMETHING WITH THE EGR VALVE AND IM NOT SURE BUT I THINK IT WAS THE MAJOR TUNE UP THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM CAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH IT SO FAR

- Katheryn B., Houston, TX, US

problem #47

Nov 172011

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,739 miles

NO GRIPES JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SEEMS TO BE KILLING THE BATTERY SLOWLY ,MAKING IT HARD TO START SOME TIMES

- masseymech2, Sparta, TN, US

problem #46

Dec 082011

Explorer XLT 4.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

Door ajar light comes on often and the dinger goes off . Also have a problem with the doors locking and unlocking on their own. Most annoying vehicle we ever owned.

- enigma.lover.2010, Lexington, NC, US

problem #45

Mar 012012

Explorer 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

Having the door ajar stuck on the drivers door keeps the interior lights on while in motion. It is a danger on many levels. To override the dome lights you must use your dimmer and rotate it to override witch makes the gauges unreadable at night. It also prevents the alarm from arming, Lastly if the ground somehow did make contact while the vehicle was running and the door was shut if by chance the doors lock and a child is in the car they would be locked in if triggered by this.

- andrew76240, Gainesville, TX, US

problem #44

Aug 262011

Explorer XL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,000 miles

1st of all when I Googled this problem I was so shocked at how many people have the same problem and Ford hasn't done anything about it. Also now knowing that Ford knows about the problem and they charged us $150. for a diagnostic for 2 doors and charged us for 2 new sensors ( because the 1st one was not the problem so we had to buy one for the other door and low and behold it wasn't that door either.) We are still dealing with continuous dinging and doors locking and unlocking whenever the vehicle gets to 50 mph and up. Sooo annoying. We tryed the wd40 thing but unfortunately didn't work. We also had to replace the motor and transmission, we have more money into this Ford , my husband refused to let me get another one. We now own 2 Subarus and a Toyota that are wonderful vehicles. I still need this Ford for car polling kids around but haven't even been able to do that. NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN

- Barbara H., Butler, PA, US

problem #43

Apr 122011

Explorer XLT 4.0lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 143,000 miles

I have read the 26 Prior posts about the door ajar/door lock/dome light/alarms etc., and I must say YES my Explorer does almost everything that all 26 posts relate!

26 Never will purchase another Ford vehicle.. It is no wander foreign cars are taking over the market. I have had problems with this vehicle from the word go. it is not due to neglect because i am a devoted maintenance junky. The problem with the door ajar light is the last straw for me..

25 IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN ONE THING WENT WRONG, IT ALL STARTED HAPPENING. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

24 Same problem as most of you...cut-paste of Linda's description: Door ajar light comes on randomly, if driving, the interior lights come on (dangerous if driving at night) and the doors lock and unlock (never sure which they are). If not driving, the alarm goes off. Also warning beeps are going off all the time during driving, even when the locks are not acting up.

23 Since we've gotten this thing, if you hit a bump it goes CRAZY and starts arguing with you for the next 30 mins+ about how the DOORS are AJAR!!! Seriously obnoxious.

22 My 2002 Explorer since about 47,000 miles (now 62,000) at any time will have the door ajar light come on. When this happens my puddle lights and interior lights stay on after I leave the truck for about 20 minutes. When this happens if I drive the truck the interior lights stay on until I hit about 30mph. This has occurred on and off for two years and every time I have it looked at nothing is found. Now as of this week it has happened twice with a new result. My alarm goes off over and over. I have been leaving the truck unlocked now to prevent my neighbors from becoming unset. This truck has had many issues and by far is the worst $31,000 I have ever spent!

21 ( I'm not really sure if this is a complaint ) ...I just have to say that my ford explorer is all good except for the door ajar light...it won't go off...but my explorer hass over 100000 miles on it and its all good.

20 The interior lights won't shut off I have to physically turn the dome light button all the way off every time I use the truck.

19 If I have to ask for a jump start one more time when leaving work I will strangle ford, stupid me replaced the battery which worked for like a week! had my starter checked out, go figure that wasn't it! oh, that's right, that good for nothing door ajar light was on again. It's wonderful slamming the brakes on going down the road thinking one of your children is trying to jump out of the car and it is just the sensor!!!!! I HATE THIS STUPID VEHICLE!!!!!!! I would love to trade it in, but no one will give you anything for them. I am just stuck paying for this piece of junk that I can not stand. Hope I make it to work on time tomorrow!!!!!

18 (REALLY?) Spray WD40 on the areas where the door shuts and that should help. I went on a cruise for 5 days and when we got back my dome light NEVER shut off and melted the plastic that covers the light. I had it replaced for very cheap and called my dad and he told me to spray WD40 on the doors and it hasn't done it since. Hope it helps everyone. Who knew this could be fixed with something so cheap

17 at first, the "door ajar" light would stay on only when it was a rainy/wet day. Now, it stays on all the time. It's a real pain. With kids, we still have to check all doors before moving.

Sometimes the interior lights also stay on until we're 50' down the road.

16 told repeatedly that i must have driven down a dirt road and it clogs up the sensors. get it washed and it should help. finally got tired of it after it stayed on for a week. they said they cleaned out the sensors and is working fine so far.

15 (this one I can live by) Ford has to do something about it, i will never buy ford again ever.

14 ONLY WHEN ITS RAINING.....my door ajar light goes on. its the most annoying thing ever! Last night it was pouring and when i went out the door ajar light was on. The interior light would not shut off either! I had to shut the lights manually, but that wasn't good because it shut off my speedometer and clock lights. It made the door ajar light seem brighter. I had a diagnostics test done last week and it said all my sensors are working. Im so annoyed by this. I cant drive in the rain or before its rained unless i want to be bothered by the lights on. I know my sensors work because the test said so, and it works fine when its not raining. STUPID RAIN!

13 ( i must try this ) problem has happened several times in last month. Spraying door latch with WD40 and slamming the doors seems to fix it so far. I am waiting for the time that this fix will not work.

12 Door ajar light stays on and alarm system goes off. Problem comes and goes and is somehow connected to the liftgate, not the window.

11 This is a hit or miss discrepancy. Sometimes it is just the door ajar light, other times it is the light, the chime and the interior (dome) lights come on. The car doesn't have to be on. I have sat outside and watched the interior lights cycle on and off all by themselves. :-(

10 Door ajar light comes on randomly, if driving, the interior lights come on (dangerous if driving at night) and the doors lock and unlock (never sure which they are). If not driving, the alarm goes off. I was told it was a bad door sensor, but the dealership has no way to know which one - $130 to replace each one, so I am still dealing with it - locking the car without the alarm (It was a waste to buy a vehicle with an alarm system). Crack in the panel under the back window could be contributing if water is getting into the lock - but Ford hasn't figured that out yet.

9 I have two 2002 Explorers both with the same problem now. It seems like a door contact/sensor is shorted/loose, etc. The alarm goes off for no reason when the doors are locked. Seems to happen mainly after wet weather. This sucks since I have two small children and it always seems to happen after they are asleep. I have now decided to take everything of value out of the car and leave the doors unlocked at night. Also in the middle of driving the door open chime goes off. Sometimes the dome light comes on, sometimes it doesn't. On one of the trucks, the accessory delay doesn't work anymore, the driver side door lock only works when the door is fully open after removing the key. When the key is in, no problem. Also the dome light stays on so every time you exit the vehicle you must turn off the interior lights but you have to remember to turn them back on for night driving or you will have no interior dash lights. Pain in the ass is a good description!

8 This f*ckin piece of sh*t was crap

1 The door sensors would go off even though the doors were closed

2 The tire pressure would go off even though the tiers were fine. 3 the brake light would go off even though both back lights were fine. 4 the lights would stay on even though the doors were closed. (just to name a few) .. That guy who said ford is F*cked Over Road Disaster was right

#7 Electrical is going crazy ie. locking itself while driving, not locking, Door Ajar light on, dome lights always on, no tail lights, no dash lights, keyless entry not working, locks die closed, unresponsive to key fob. So far have spent $390 for new computer gem module, plus $90 to reprogram it to my car, new battery in key fob, ... it's been 4 weeks playing with this, now it's been sitting 4 days in dealership.... don't think they know what's wrong. Ordering a NEW gem module, AGAIN. I'm ready to trade.

6 All doors are closed secure but the dash info light says "door ajar" and the dome light stays on.

5 ford is very unreliable

4 Like Gary, the door ajar light and alarm started coming on, but only when my car is warm (doesn't happen first thing in the morning). But, the biggest pain was the fact that the locks either won't work or start locking and unlocking on their own. Also, the alarm constantly sounding while driving... in So. Calif. traffic... in the heat... you get the idea. Also, this problem caused my alarm system to get all messed up, not "knowing" what to do and, finally causing it to set off the alarm! Great... gone to my niece's wedding all afternoon/evening, come back to a dead battery! Yippee.

The dealer in my area said that it was the alarm... okay, fine. Fix it. No, can't - came from another dealer, using another alarm system they don't handle. Take it back there and they'll fix it...

Take it over to that dealer - no, have to go down the street (well, at least it was close) and get it fixed...

Drive over to the alarm place and tell the guy the problem. He has it for awhile and comes in to say that it's now disconnected so it won't continue to go off, but it's an electrical problem because the overhead lights and door ajar light/alarm are still going off...

I have an appointment Saturday, so let's see what happens...

3 happens usually in wet weather door ajar light comes on on dash. prevents dome light from shutting off also prevents doors from locking, which is unsafe in night time driving. i have gotten different opinions on what is causing it. some say it is a module, others say rear hatch contacts are getting dirty and blocked. most of the time they can not diagnose problem because it does not happen when they look at it. to replace module and contacts is expensive and that might not be the problem. my sister has a 2003 Explorer XLT with the same issue.

2 This suv has so many lights lit up it looks like a Christmas tree. The mechanic says the ABS light, the check engine, and door ajar lights are malfunctioning. My automatic door locks and mirror adjustment quit working too. I hate the fact I bought this vehicle and will gladly by a Toyota next time. Don't buy Ford...... PERIOD!!!!

1 It started small -- the door ajar light would flash, the door open bell would ring and eventually, the doors would lock. Eventually, it went from bad to worse, with it happening all the time, to eventually, the car would not lock even after the engine was shut off -- the car thought a door was still open! The dealer ran diagnostics and said that the computer sensor was bad, as well as a stuck door sensor. The dealer fixed it for us, and charged us a bit over $400 for it ... SIGH

Hello...FORD you must know you have a problem, how about a little relief?

Greg Fitzgerald

- Greg F., Wesllake, OH, US

problem #42

Sep 252011

Explorer XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Door ajar warning, dome lights staying on, locks repeatedly locking while driving (when the sensor decided that the door was closed after it decided it was open), car alarm going off. Usually happens in wet or very humid weather conditions. Since it's an intermittent problem, the only solution is to pick a sensor to replace and see if it fixes the problem. If not, on to the next one. Potentially very expensive and time-consuming.

Solution A: leave a door unlocked so that the alarm doesn't go off. Disable auto door locking, and turn off the dome light.

Solution B: drench the door lock mechanisms and metal hook on door jams w/ WD-40. That includes both the liftgate glass latch and the complete liftgate latch. Slam each door (and liftgate and liftgate glass) several times to distribute the WD-40.

- brokecarowner, Havertown, PA, US

problem #41

Dec 232011

Explorer Sport 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

First... For complaint #39. Door ajar lights don't have anything to do with your transmission. That's the most ridiculous thing I've read on this site. Sorry, but that's the truth.

My daughter just bought a used 2002 Ford Explorer. As soon as we left the lot with it the door ajar party started.

PROBLEM: While driving the door ajar light flickers. The dome lights come on every time we stop. The chime sounds randomly the whole time we're driving and the doors unlock and lock constantly. Especially over bumpy road. This also causes the security system to not set when the doors are locked and entry lamps on the bottom of the side mirrors to stay on.

SOLUTION: Ours was a faulty lift gate glass ajar switch. I didn't replace it. I simply removed the connector from the switch. Cut the connector wires (two). Stripped the insulation from the ends. Twisted them together and used a crimp connector to hold them together. (About 40 mins including removing and reinstalling the interior panel)

If you have this problem you'll have to figure out which switch is bad (pain). Start with the door most often used (driver door) and the lift gate (tail gate). There are six ajar switches. One on each door, one on the lift gate, and one on the lift gate glass if it opens separately. The switches are attached directly to each door latch (inside the interior panels). There are two wires leading into the connector for each switch. Remove the suspect connector from the switch and either strip the insulation of each wire prior to the connector and twist the wires together or stick a jumper wire into the connector end connecting the two pins together. Do this and then start and drive vehicle. If this didn't correct the door ajar alarm then move on to the next switch until you find the faulty switch. When you find it replace the switch. If you don't care about door ajar indication permanently connect the two wires on the connector going to the switch together, reinstall the interior panel, and you're done...

If you don't fine a faulty switch then the problem is in the wiring harness or the central security module and I don't have any help for you.

Hope this helps... We are glad to not be dealing with ding, ding, ding, ding, locked, unlocked, locked, unlocked, lights on, lights off, lights on, lights off... The Ford Explorer is a nice ride when the above is not happening. Every vehicle manufacturer has problems. If you think never buying a Ford again is the answer to your problems then you will never be happy with any vehicle you buy............

- cheddar1509, London, OH, US

problem #40

Jun 162009

Explorer LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

My door ajar light never goes out, causing my lights to stay on even when doors are open so my fix is to turn off interior lights witch include the dash board. Not great when night time. The doors dont stay locked because it thinks a door is still open

- Michele T., Bushkill, PA, US

problem #39

Sep 022011

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

Ford I Mean Really I Have Owned My Car 2 Weeks And Already Blinking O/D Light,Door Ajar Dinging Constantly, Now Transmission Went Just Like Everyone Else With A 2002 Ford Explorer....,Have You Not Read Or Herd Enough About This Problem. Why Give Ford A bad Name. I Grew Up With Fords And Owned A 1996 Ford Explorer AWD Drove 4 12 yrs B4 I Had To Even Drop A Dime Into It. Why Do You Choose To Have People Suffer Over A Problem That You Really Should Step Up And Take Responsibility For. What More Can Be Said.....You Can't Blame The Driver. Do Understand This Is A Recall We All Have The Same Problems...Door Ajar Light Blinking.Which Means TRANSMISSION HELLO.....Do You Not See We All Have To Replace Our Transmissions When This Occurs,Not To Mention The Fact That It Has Happened To Everyone......So This Is Who's Fault......I Say Keep Your Name In Good Standings And Take Care Of Your Customers. We Spend A lot Of Money To Have A Ford And We The People Keep You In Jobs And Keep Your Business Going. Its Time You Give Back. We Can Except That You Have A Recall. We Can't Except The Fact That You Have Let Us Down... I Hate To Say But Chevy Would Not Let Them Self's Look Bad. I Know They Take Care Of Their Customers. Why Don't You......PLEASE RECALL OUR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.........OR START LOOSING OUR MONEY.

- dirtballgirl, Massillon, OH, US

problem #38

Mar 112005

Explorer Eddie Bauer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

THIS CAR WILL ALARM FOR NO REASON. IT irritates my neighbors. IT does it at random. And Ford wanted a small fortune to look at the electrical system.

- Tony D., Atlanta, GA, US

problem #37

Oct 302011

Explorer Eddie Bauer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,012 miles

Okay, where to start.... bought this piece of crap used from our local Ford dealership, and thought it was a great buy. Got it 3 years ago. For the past 2 and a half years this door ajar chime has eaten away at my very soul. Every time it happens I can feel the chime picking away at my sanity. I got the vehicle in the beginning of summer 2008, and had no problems with it until the weather started getting colder. That is when it started going crazy. beep beep beebeep beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep! The worst is when it does one long continuous beep. I'm talking for like 10 minutes one time. Broke the factory stereo during that time with a punch. A punch that did not fix the solution. Speaking of fixing the solution, every time I put this in to the dealer to get an oil change, I have them look at the door ajar chime....with 0 long term results. The WD-40 trick will last for a day at best. Replaced all the sensors, worked for ten minutes. It boggles the mind to think of how much I have paid to the dealership that work primarily on Fords and they cannot fix this issue. Why can't this feature just be disabled??? I do not care to be told that my door is ajar anyways. Last Ford I will ever buy. Thanks for nothing Ford.

- Rob P., Fort Frances, Ontario, canada

problem #36

Oct 012009

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

click to see larger images

door ajar warning alarm keeps going off door ajar warning alarm keeps going off door ajar warning alarm keeps going off

omg i have had it with this ford sh*t.i will never get another ford again - everything going wrong all at once.2 years ago it started and yes i think it has something to do with the weather cuz when it rains or when its cold the damn car goes nuts.poltergeist style.i have to keep unplugging my battery every time i get out the car cuz then my battery will drain i had this car for 5 years and 5 batteries not one lasting more then a year.it first started when it was cold and rainy, and then the door ajar light came on and my dome light flickers on and off and takes forever for my lights in my car to shut off when im out and out of nowhere my alarm starts and then lights start going crazy .omg they gotta have a recall on this and the ac wind door thing that turns your ac to heat breaks cuz its plastic.wow.......its all our fault cuz u have to understand they build the newer vehicles to break down after 8-10 years from build date so if u got an 2002 ford the car was built in 2001 so i give u about 2007-2008 ur car starts going bad ,,let me say it in these turms ......everything starts breaking.even the little things cuz everything from the 90's and up are all plastic :( ,...this is why the older cars run and last longer than the new cars all becuz greed and some people think backwards...like money over quality.but thats the world we live in......a bounch of plastic toy cars with engines running around here

- mcgyv3r, oxon hill, MD, US

problem #35

Jun 062011

Explorer LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AND BEEPS ALL THE WHILE MY DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK. SOMETIMES ITS HAPPENING CONSTANTLY, ONCE IN A WHILE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL (RARE),,, ALSO THE OVERHEAD LIGHT STAYS ON SO I HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS ALL THE WAY DIM, CAN HARDLY SEE MY DASH LIGHTS D/T THIS. CANT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED RIGHT NOW. BUT WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL THAT FORD FIXES. DRIVES ME ABSOLUTELY CRAZY!!!! EMBARRASSING TO HAVE ANYONE RIDE IN MY CAR. HAVE PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS DRIVEN FORDS WITHOUT CRAZY ISSUES. OTHER THAN THIS ITS BEEN A PRETTY GOOD VEHICLE,,,,KNOCK ON WOOD :)

- jeanean64, Crown Point, IN, US

problem #34

Jun 062011

Explorer Limited 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,633 miles

So far we've had 3 false alarms and an intermittent door ajar message. It may be time to start bitching. We put $4000 into the tranny last fall! I've beat the crap out of my 98 ram 1500 for 190 of its 300 thousand kilometers, Trans still working! I guess I'll search for a tsb and bitch to ford in hopes of a fix. I would bet that the "buy an aftermarket alarm" solution is the best".

- love my dodge, Victoria, BC, canada

problem #33

Mar 202011

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,500 miles

Ford (fix or repair daily) lives up to its name, there is allways somthing going down on these things I don't see how they sell as meany as they do! does any one have any idea out side of taking it to the dealer on how to fix this problem<

- houstontennessee, Chattanooga, TN, US

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