NHTSA Complaint #10280078 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

I PULLED UP INTO THE DRIVE AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. I EXITED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND OPENED THE BACK DOOR, UNSTRAPPED MY GRANDSON FROM HIS SAFETY SEAT. HE WENT INTO THE HOUSE TO GET A GAME BOY SO I RE-ENTERED THE FRONT SEAT TO WAIT FOR HIM. I SAT THERE A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE, I WAS EXITING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WHEN I HEARD A NOISE. THE CAR ENGAGED ITSELF INTO REVERSE. I TRIED TO PLACE MY RIGHT FOOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN. I WENT UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BEGAN TO RUN OVER ME. I GRABBED THE UNDERNEATH OF THE DOOR AND TRIED TO HANG ON BUT THE TIRE WAS RUNNING OVER MY PELVIC AND MY LEFT LEG. THE CAR DRUG ME ON THE CONCRETE , THEN IT STOPPED. I WAS PINNED UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. BEFORE THIS INJURY,I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AT 26,000 MILES SENT IT FOR REPAIRS BUT THE DEALER KEPT TELLING ME IT WAS OK. THE CAR WOULD JERK DURING TAKE OFF AND HESITATE WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I TOOK IT TO OTHER DEALERS AND FINALLY ONE PUT IT ON THE TEST RACK AND TOLD ME IT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. NOT SURE WHAT FORD HAS DONE WITH THE PARTS. *TR