10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 76,859 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I bought a Ford Explorer, V-6 4X4 and the transmission light started flickering and the transmission started shifting hard when I tried to drive it home.
- Virginia, IL, USA
Back glass breaking upon shutting door, drviers door
- Whitesburg , GA, USA
2002 Ford Explorer with broken coil spring, crack under rear window, and transmission slip, broken parking brake shoes in assembly. Same complaints that seem to be common. And same with everyone else, no help from Ford.
- South Berwick, ME, USA
Ford Explorer rear differential - replaced 3 X's over 6 years.
- Lindenhurst, IL, USA
Noticed a grinding and whining noise coming from right side of my 2002 Ford XLT Explorer. Also thought that I needed a new exhaust the car was making such loud noise. Went to 2 different garages for pricing, I needed both front and rear bearings replaced actually the front bearing was about to fall off both garages stated. Also the loud noise from my exhaust it was missing one bolt to the cover, covering the exhaust and or catalytic converter. Also 8months prior the cars transmission was replaced. All of this expensive and costly repairs happened at 79,000 miles. This is a very dangerous vehicle and reading all of the other complaints this problem needs to be considered for recalls from Ford. My family is very important to me and I use this car to travel and Transport my family. I am very concerned and Ford needs to investigate the problems arising with the 2002 Ford XLT Explorer problems and fix them. So far I have invested $5500 into this car I would not even get this for a trade in value. Please consider my complaint and the many others very important. Thank you
- Canton, OH, USA
Pulling out of a neighbor's driveway, my shift rod cracked off and dangled, leaving the truck immobile. Nothing had preceded this. Due to towing fees, I contacted a local mechanic who was able to bring it to his shop, a mile away, vs. To Ford, which would have required a $200 flatbed tow. This provider tried for 3 weeks to get a part, # 5L2C36529A, told that Ford had 1300 vehicles with this issue. If this had happened on the street, there would have been an accident. Several calls to Ford and local dealerships have been not only unproductive but fruitless and demeaning. We are concerned for others that have this same issue, which Ford (which I have always been loyal to prior to now) has gone out of its way to deny, are going to be endangered and would like a recall investigation, please!
- Shoreview, MN, USA
Rear mix canister causes a knocking noise in the rear driver side. This equipment was replaced last year at the beginning of summer. Found a crack in the container along the seam was the cause. Cost $800 to replace. Now my complaint is the problem has recurred this year indicating a defect in manufacturing.
- Northglenn, CO, USA
Cracked on the back panel, between the window glass and Ford logo.
- American Canyon, CA, USA
Consumer requesting service bulletin on the 2002 Ford Explorer.
- Hicksville, NY, USA
1) check engine light came on. 2) dpfe sensor was found to be defective 3) dpfe sensor was replaced at my cost even though there is a recall for vehicles with same year, make and model
- Fairfield, CT, USA
Front passenger window (automatic windows) stopped working. My Explorer was just a little over the mileage limit on the warranty. I took it to the local Ford dealer and was told that it would cost over $300 to repair. The modulator in the window had failed. I called Ford and they agreed to the repair for $100. That satisfied me. Now, the same thing has happened with the rear passenger window. If I used these two windows excessively, I could see something possibly happening. But, I don't - I'm the only occupant of this vehicle 98% of the time. Is there anything that I can do to get Ford to repair this obviously defective part?
- North Richland Hills, TX, USA
I bought a used 2002 Ford Explorer (used) on 2/8/03, with @43,000 miles, and at times, I experienced a lurching in my car, with banging between shifts most often when switching from drive to reverse, but sometimes when strictly in drive, even at complete stops, such as red lights. As it was becoming repetitive, I brought the car in for service with the dealer I purchased it from - larson Ford in lakewood, NJ. The first service was on 5/24/04, in which they said it was a transmission problem, and replaced the driveshaft and yolk, with a cost of $879.75 to me. As the problem was not corrected, I brought my car back on 8/2/04, at which time they told me that the solenoid was not responding, they replaced it, and tried to charge me another $900, which I refuted, because I had already paid for this to be "fixed". unfortunately, the lurching when switching from drive to reverse (with brake on)still occurs, although not as violently; however, I have experienced sudden rises in RPM for no apparent reason, even at complete stops with my foot on the brake. This happened as recently as last week, but since it does not happen every time I am stopped, I am hesitant to bring it for service, because it will probably not be apparent during a test drive since it is a sporadic occurrence. The car is a 2002 Ford exlporer, 4.0 liter, V6 engine, automatic with O/D.
- Brick, NJ, USA
I was driving, when I heard a loud noise comming from underneath my Ford Explorer.I thought for a second or two, that I had ran over something in the street.the vehicle, slowed.when I stopped for the traffic light, it would not move.the od off light was flashing.the only way I could move the truck was in neutral.I had the truck towed to joe rizza Ford in N.riverside, il.they told me that the transmission had to be replaced.I purchased this truck from rizza new on 09/11/01.59,000 miles was on the spedometer.I believe the transmission was defective.I was told it would cost me $3,400 to get it replaced.I had no choice but to go further in debt and buy another vehicle.
- Broadview, IL, USA
My Ford Explorer transmission it was at 36000 miles, my car was tuned and serviced as shudule, and it cost a total of $1700 to fix. Which the car is only 2 year old. The air condition stop working in December of 2003 and at the time my car was barely 1 year old thier has been many other concern with my Explorer that I am making $500 payment on. I belived I have purchase a defected car.
- Miami, FL, USA
Paint on hood and roof of SUV bubbling and cracking. Purchased SUV only two years ago on 4/11/01. It is a 2002 and is only one year old and the paint is cracking and bubbling terribly on the hood and starting to crack and bubble on the roof as well. Took to dealer, crouse Ford, hampstead, md and they told me it was probably birds! please tell me that's a joke! (: if birds are going to scratch the paint that badly then that still indicates that it is a faulty paint job. I also had the truck in for body (fender) work. The body shop (showcase) also brought to my attention the cracking and bubbling of the paint. They also contacted crouse, and again crouse never responded. Showcase (the body shop) had to call a few times before they received a response, and nothing was resolved. I think that crouse should cover this expense being that the truck is only a 2002. I also have given crouse, hampstead much business getting my vehicle serviced at least 6-8 times. The paint on my one year old SUV should not be cracking or bubbling!
- Upperco, MD, USA
Paint on hood and roof bubbling and cracking.
- Upperco, MD, USA
In the unlikely event there is a problem that is totally "unfixable" then Ford has sold me a product that is faulty, and the product should be replaced. However, I would like for the car to be fixed and I am willing to leave it in the shop as long as it takes to correct the problem so that the car will be safe to drive again.
- Richardson, TX, USA
Rear window/hatch, including hydraulics and steel frame exploded while I was driving my 2002 Ford Explorer. Glass and debris flew about 15' behind my car and was all the way up to the front seats. Thankfully I was alone in the vehicle. Someone sitting in the middle or back seats would have been hurt. A baby in a rear-facing car seat might have been blinded, or worse.
- Corona, CA, USA
Leases a 2002 Ford Explorer. Was notified by Ford finance manger that it was mandatory to purchase two insurance policies totaling over $1000.
- Ganesvoort, NY, USA
- Fort Leonard Wood, MO, USA