NHTSA Complaint #10308448 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

I HAD TO GO INTO TOWN. SOME ROADS WERE SNOW AND ICE COVERED. ON A SMALL HILL MY VEHICLE STARTED SPINNING AND FISH TAILING TRYING TO GET UP. I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF TRACTION AND HANDLING PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT WAS UNEXPECTED. I MANAGED TO TURN AROUND IN TRAFFIC AND TOOK ANOTHER ROUTE. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. I REALIZED THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS NOT WORKING. I TRIED TO MANUALLY ENGAGE IT WITHOUT SUCCESS. I EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO A FORD DEALER. AFTER CHECKING THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE 4X4 MODULE WAS BAD. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET CHECKING, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY CLAIM THAT THE FAILURE HAPPENS AFTER THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FOR SOME REASON. MY VEHICLE HAD A RECALL TO REMEDY A SPEED CONTROL DEFECT ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER. THE PROBLEM ALSO SEEMS TO AFFECT 2002 EXPLORERS MORE THAN OTHER MODELS. THE LOSS OF THE AUTOMATIC 4 WHEEL DRIVE CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AFFECTING NOT ONLY THE EXPLORER BUT OTHER VEHICLES ALSO. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS UNEXPECTED AND NO PANEL LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN AUTOMATIC 4 WHEELED DRIVE. THE ONLY INDICATION IS THE LIGHT IN THE SELECTION PUSHBUTTON WHICH CAN NOT BE SEEN IN DAYTIME DRIVING WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS ON WHICH DIMS THE PANEL LIGHTS. NO FAILURE INDICATION AND THE LOSS OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN YOU EXPECT IT TO BE THERE CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR