2002 Ford Explorer XLS. At 24,000 miles, transmission would not shift into gear:transmission needed to be rebuilt. At 26,000 miles, load whining heard from rear of vehicle. Brought to dealership on three occasions to complain and was told they "could not duplicate the noise" and "it is how it is supposed to sound". on the third return, I produced seven pages of documented complaints from other owners found on this web site and others. They decided that now they might know what the problem is and replaced the rear differential and drive shaft. Problem was fixed for the next 30,000 miles but is now displaying the same noise and is "clunking" in to drive and reverse. Separate problem with the daylight running lights, they flash like an emergency vehicle till I turn the head lights on. I did not notice till I was pulled over by a sheriff and questioned as to why I had emergency lights installed on my vehicle. On a positive note, I do get through traffic jams a lot faster now.

- Marietta, NY, USA

The consumer states 2002 Ford Explorer quit while going 60 mph. Starteds back up. Vehicle was towed to the dealership. This occurred on July 2, 2005. The vehicle had been running fine although consumer took it back after he purchased it to have the idle looked at. He never thought it ran quite right. Dealership stated the pmc, main computer, was the problem. This was replaced but, the manufacturer had to be called to get it programmed correctly. Consumer stated that it looked like they had to try two different computers in the vehicle, and Ford had to be called 3 times.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Electrical system near left rear wheelwell began clicking for no apparent reason after 42 months and about 37,000 miles of ownership. Constant loud click makes it impractical to drive vehicle or ride in vehicle. Vehicle taken to mechanic who determined it is an electrical failure in the air conditioning system. Mechanic has been unable to fix the problem.

- Alameda, CA, USA

Right, rear electric window failed for no apparent reason after owning vehicle for 42 months and 37,000 miles. Window will not rise. Vehicle taken to mechanic for repair.

- Alameda, CA, USA

Vehicle caught on fire because of Ford speed control deactivation switch also called brake pressure switch.I know that they do have a recall on 97-02 Ford Expedition Navigator and F-150, same switch on 97-02 Ford Explorer.

- Far Rockaway, NY, USA

While driving the automatic door locks would unlock by themselves.

- Pelham, GA, USA

Door ajar light remains on despite all doors being secured. When you engage the door locks from inside the vehicle, the drivers side lock will disengage after a few seconds. When you lock doors from outside the vehicle (with the remote), the chime will beep two times as if there is a door open. Now the interior overhead light remains on. After much investigation the GEM module is defective.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

On 9/27/03 it was necessary to replace a faulty sensor on my 2002 Ford Explorer that caused the ABS warning light to activate. The mileage on the vehicle at this time was 15.851. On 02/14/04 at 22966 miles this same sensor had to replaced for the second time. On 07/07/04 at 30479 miles this same sensor was replaced a third time. Having the same item replaced three times in 10 months seems to be more a pattern of faulty design as opposed to coincidence.

- Warren, PA, USA

When pulling light or heavy load, vehicle jerks and then stalls out when vehicle apparently tries to shift down or is at speed where vehicle may be near shifting down. Vehicle actually dies and must be restarted by turning off key and then it quickly starts.

- Lisbon, ND, USA

The vehicle would not shift from park to drive. It turns out that there was an electrical short causing fuses to blow while driving. The fuse that had blown most was the fuse for my brake lights. I was driving without brake lights several times, unknowingly. The first dealership that I took the vehicle had the truck for 3 days and said that the alarm system was causing the short. The alarm system was installed by the selling dealership. I was sent away from the dealership with bigger (higher amp) fuses in my fuse box, a few extra fuses, and the knowledge of how to over-ride the shifter lock if the fuse was blown. After driving the vehicle for approximately two and a half weeks, most of the time without brake lights, I was able to take the it to the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from. This dealership happens to be about 90 miles from my current residence. The other dealership found the real problem. The wiring harness had to be replaced because apparently, some of the wires got too hot, melted the insulation, and fused themselves together. The vehicle was in the shop for 9 days. Ford also claims that I shouldn't worry about any damage that may have been done to the electrical components in my vehicle due to the short and one of the dealerships putting bigger fuses in the fuse box.

- Fox Lake, IL, USA

When using the turn signals the consumer noticed that, the turn signals would work intermittently, also the hazards would do the same. The consumer had made contact with the dealer about this issue.

- Englishtown, NJ, USA

The automatic gear shift broke. Could not change gears. Electric windows stopped working both driver and passenger. Air conditioner broke - air conditioner clutch make rubbing noise when engaged.

- Lake Forest, CA, USA

I've owned the vehicle for approx. 10 months. The vehicle hasn't started 7 different times. I've had minor hesitations when accelerating from an idle. The vehicle has felt like it was going to stall several times when coming to a stop or accelerating from a stop. The horn, on occasion, has not made the proper sound. The door locks do not always lock or unlock with the remote. I've had a burning smell eminating from vents with heat on. I've been to the dealership, jim keim Ford, 3+ times, had a diagnostic exam done, had the Ford flight recorder installed to attempt to register problems. Nothing ever found. I've documented everything from the time of the initial problem, just went through the dispute settlement board and have been awarded a refund of money or replacement of vehicle. Document everything and don't give up!!

- Hilliard, OH, USA

I bought a 2002 Explorer on May 23,2002. In the past 8 months, the vehicle has been towed in because it woudn't start--acomputer chip was replaced. My A/C made a high pitch squeal and after at least five times of trying to repair the existing A/C clutch, a new one was finally put on. My front end suspension has been fixed. My midlift gate cracked in November and a new one was put on. I have had daily problems with the driver's side seat not fully going into position when I start my truck and this problem has not been fixed as the service dept. That I deal with nevers seems to be able to see the problem. Funny how it does it every day for me, though. My blinkers will sometimes stick and stay on without blinking--this also has not been fixed. At the beginning of January,2003, on the way home from a trip, my husband and I noticed that every time we slowed the truck down, there was a blast of air from the upper vents in the vehicle. This happened no matter what setting we had it in (ie. Defrost or floor vents). This past Thursday, Jan.16, the suspension was repaired and supposedly the heating system was as well. Now the air doesn't seem to leak out the top vents, but continuosly comes out of the floor vent, no matter what setting the heat is on. I have a rental vehicle once again, while they keep the vehicle overnight tonight to see if they can hopefully fix this problem. Needless to say, we are currently checking into the lemon law for our state!!!

- North Mankato, MN, USA

Truck stalled after puting it in drive, at red light, after starting, at low speed on several occasions. Regaped the spark plugs and reprogrammed the computer.

- Queens, NY, USA