2002 FORD EXPLORER Electrical System Problems

THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED UPON SIDE DOOR CLOSURE OF A FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AFTER RE-FUELING. CONCURRENT WITH AND IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG, THE DOOR ALARM SYSTEM WAS CHIMING THAT A DOOR WAS AJAR, AND AFTER INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SECURITY/DOOR WARNING SYSTEM MODULE HAS FAILED. FORD WAS SENT THE AIRBAG MODULE FOR INSPECTION, AND HAS YET TO PROVIDE THE RESULTS OF THE MODULE INSPECTION - AFTER A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 5 MONTHS. FURTHER PROBLEMS PERSIST WITH THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. THE DOOR AJAR ALARM CONTINUES TO SOUND AT RANDOM INTERVALS, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF AT RANDOM INTERVALS, AND THE DOOR LOCKS REPEATEDLY LOCK AND UNLOCK, ALL OF WHICH CAUSE A DISTRACTING POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. *TR

HEATER FAILED CAUSING WINDOWS TO "FOG" OVER AND DECREASED ABILITY TO SEE OUT WINDSHIELD. *TR

EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS THE GAS GAUGE WILL GO TO "0" AND THE "CHECK GAUGE" LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE THE SENDER ASSEMBLY UNIT OF THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. THERE HAD BEEN ANOTHER 2002 EXPLORER BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT MORNING. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND IS ON BACK ORDER. THE PART COST $76.79 BUT THE LABOR WILL BE $270! THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR US TO PAY DUE TO AN FORDS ENGINEERING PROBLEM. ARE MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS? MANY TIMES, BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS CORRUPTED, IT WILL PUT TOO MUCH FUEL IN INJECTORS, WHICH HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO "BOG DOWN" ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS AND AT HWY ENTRANCE RAMPS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALARM ON THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGE SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESET THE ALARM YET THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY RECUR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY COULD REPLACE ALL OF THE SENSORS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT THE REPAIR WOULD RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.UPDATED 11/19/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE DOORS, DOME LIGHTS, WINDOWS. RADIO AND POWER SEATS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WOULD THE GET PROBLEM FIXED, BUT IT WOULD SOON RETURN. UPDATED 12/01/10

DOOR AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON ALTHOUGH ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY CLOSED AND LOCKED. DRIVERS SIDE LOCKS ARE INOPERABLE. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LXT, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE DOME LIGHT WILL STAY ON. EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE THE ALARM WILL SOUND FOR NO REASON. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN CAUSE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND HAVING THE DOME LIGHT TURN ON HINDERS YOUR VISION AND COULD CAUSE A TRAFFIC CRASH. HAVING THE LIGHT STAY ON AFTER YOU GET OUT ALSO DRAINS THE BATTERY AND CAUSES PROBLEMS WHEN YOU GO TO START IT UP. *TR

O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND IRREGULAR SHIFTING DURING ACCELERATION. 2002 FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. EVERYTIME I LEAVE A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE RPM'S BECOME VERY HIGH (OVER 5,000) AND WILL NOT SHIFT. TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM RACING, I HAVE TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO SHIFT. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY AND WITH A LINE OF CARS BEHIND ME THAT DO NOT ANTICIPATE ME SLOWING DOWN JUST AS I AM ACCELERATING, THIS FORCES THEM TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY UNEXPECTEDLY SO THEY DO NOT RUN INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. THIS IS DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR BOARD. THE ELECTRICAL GAUGES AND COMPONENTS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS HAD FAILED. NEITHER THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER USED BUT ALSO HAVE A FATHER-IN-LAW WITH A FORD AND HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN WE BOUGHT IT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE DOME LIGHT WOULD STAY ON BUT AS WE DROVE THE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF BUT THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. RECENTLY LAST WEEK THE LIGHT STAYS ON LIKE NORMAL BUT NOT THE LIGHTS GOES ON AND OFF, IT DINGS CONSTANTLY, AND THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT IS VERY DISTRACTIVE AS WELL AS ANNOYING. WE GOT ONLINE TO SEE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE DONE AND THERE WERE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS. WE TRIED THE WD40 BUT THEY SAY THAT ONLY WORKS FOR A DAY OR SO. *TR

OH WHERE DO I BEGIN. I HAVE 90,000 MILES ON MY SUV. MY RADIO GOES OFF AND ON RANDOMLY. DOOR AJAR IS ON RANDOMLY. WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, IT STICKS AND I HAVE TO TAP IT TO GO INTO DRIVE. REAR WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND FLASHING. ONE TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS IN PARK AND WHEN GETTING OUT OF MY CAR, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AFTER TAKING MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE. I SEE THESE SEEM TO BE PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL FORD EXPLORER OWNERS. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET THIS ACROSS TO FORD THAT THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED, IF NOT I WILL NOT BE A FORD OWNER EVER AGAIN AND TELL EVERYONE I KNOW NOT TO BUY A FORD! WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE, A DEATH OR INJURY?? TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FORD! HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO YOU BUT THEN AGAIN, YOU...

DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND BEEPING SENSOR IS ALWAYS GOING OFF. CAUSING THE DOORS TO UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO CAUSING THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT TO TURN ON AND OFF. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND ALOT OF FORD EXPLORERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED ELECTRICAL ISSUES: 1)WHEN I PUSH THE REAR DEFROSTER BUTTON THE 'DOOR AJAR ' NOTICE COMES ON 2)WHEN THE REAR DEFROSTER IS ON THE MIRROR ADJUSTMENT SWITCH DOES NOT WORK 3)IF I LEAVE THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND LOCK IT WITH THE KEY FARB THE HORN BEEPS TWICE (INDICATING THE DOOR IS AJAR) AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON. I HAVE TO EITHER SWITCH THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO OFF OR MANUALLY TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHT OFF. 4)THE BACK UP BEEPER SWITCH SOMETIMES GOES OFF WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THANKS FOR HELPING ME OUT. *TR

ON DEC 4TH 2009, MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS DRIVING FINE ONE MINUTE AND THE NEXT THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE O/D LIGHT BLINKING WENT AWAY. THE VERY NEXT DAY AGAIN, WITH THE LIGHT ONCE AGAIN FLASHING, THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS ENGAGED; HOWEVER THE RPM REVVED UP BETWEEN 3 AND 4. THROUGHOUT THAT SAME DAY, I ATTEMPTED TO GET VEHICLE INTO DRIVE MODE...EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE JUST INCHED FORWARD AND FINALLY STOPPED MOVING ALTOGETHER. AFTER A CONSULTATION WITH MY LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP.. I WAS DISHEARTEN TO LEARN THAT IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A BAD TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS VERY COMMON WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS..I'D HAVE TO PAY $2868....SINCE THIS INCREDIBLE REVELATION, I'M DISCOVERING FORD KNOWS ALL ABOUT BUT REFUSES TO DO THE CONSCIONABLE THING AND RECALL THESE DEFECTIVE, DANGEROUS BUT...

SINCE MAY 2007 VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED TO ARMSTRONG FORD IN HOMESTEAD FL. THEY ARE NEVER ABLE TO ASCERTAIN PROBLEM WITH SIMPLE DIAGNOSTIC. HOWEVER CONSTANT DIAGNOSTIC AND FIX THIS AND THAT AND DO OR DON'T DO THIS HAVE COST ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. IN THE MEANTIME I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT: REC'D RECALL NOTICE ABOUT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WITH FIRE HAZARD AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE DRIVING OR IN PARK. CALLED DEALER 'ARMSTRONG FORD IN HOMESTEAD FORD TWICE. ONCE SENT TO VOICE MAIL OF SERVICE MANAGER WITH NO RETURN CALL. FOLLOWING DAY 11/17 SPOKE WITH SERVICE ADVISOR WHO STATED TO CALL BACK ON FRI OR MON 11/20 OR 11/23 AS PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. IN ADDITION I HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CONSISTENTLY CREATE SHORTS WITH PARTS OR DISPLAYS IN CONSOLE WHICH THIS DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THUS COSTING ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS EACH TIME. THANK YOU. *TR

MY WIFE AND I OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 4WD. AND A 4.0L ENGINE. ON THE NIGHT OF 1-15-2009 ,I PICKED MY WIFE UP FROM WORK AT 11:35PM WE WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE AND AFTERWARDS PROCEEDED TO OUR HOME , THIS WHOLE TRIP TOOK A TOTAL OF TWENTY TO TWENTY FIVE MINUTES AND A DISTANCE OF ABOUT ONE MILE OF DRIVING ROUND TRIP TO MY WIFE'S WORK THE GROCERY STORE AND THEN TO OUR HOUSE.WE ARRIVED HOME ,PARKED THE VEHICLE BEHIND OUR RESIDENCE AND PREPARED TO GO TO BED . AROUND 2:00AM I GOT UP FROM MY SLEEP TO GET A GLASS OF WATER IN OUR KITCHEN, WHICH FACES THE AREA THAT WE PARK IN , AS I WAS FILLING MY GLASS I NOTICED AN ORANGISH RED GLOW IN THE BACK YARD , UPON LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW , I SAW THAT THE FRONT END OF OUR...

MY WIFE AND I OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 4WD. AND A 4.0L ENGINE. ON THE NIGHT OF 1-15-2009 ,I PICKED MY WIFE UP FROM WORK AT 11:35PM WE WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE AND AFTERWARDS PROCEEDED TO OUR HOME , THIS WHOLE TRIP TOOK A TOTAL OF TWENTY TO TWENTY FIVE MINUTES AND A DISTANCE OF ABOUT ONE MILE OF DRIVING ROUND TRIP TO MY WIFE'S WORK THE GROCERY STORE AND THEN TO OUR HOUSE.WE ARRIVED HOME ,PARKED THE VEHICLE BEHIND OUR RESIDENCE AND PREPARED TO GO TO BED . AROUND 2:00AM I GOT UP FROM MY SLEEP TO GET A GLASS OF WATER IN OUR KITCHEN, WHICH FACES THE AREA THAT WE PARK IN , AS I WAS FILLING MY GLASS I NOTICED AN ORANGISH RED GLOW IN THE BACK YARD , UPON LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW , I SAW THAT THE FRONT END OF OUR...

DOOR AGAR LIGHT. ALL THE DOORS WILL BE SHUT AND WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND BEEPING NOISE WILL COME ONE. WHICH RESULTS ALSO IN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. IT DOES IT EVERYDAY AND KEEPS GOING TILL THE VEH IS IN PART. ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND OFF, I CANT EVEN LOCK MY DOORS ANYMORE. *TR

WHEN I TRIED TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENTIRE IGNITION CYLINDER CAME OUT!! MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND HAVE A NEW CYLINDER INSTALLED! A YEAR LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN!!! SO I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FORD IGNITION CYLINDER TWICE AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT NOW---SO PROBABLY HAD ONLY ABOUT 40,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND 50,000 THE SECOND TIME. ALSO-- NOW MY FUEL GAUGE SAYS EMPTY ALL THE TIME, EVEN AFTER I JUST FILLED IT WITH GAS! AND IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX! I DID GET THE DRIVER SEATBELT FIXED, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T TIGHTEN, BUT NOW IT'S TOO HARD TO PULL OUT AND USE! LASTLY, BOTH INSIDE MIRROR COVERS HAVE JUST CRACKED OFF WHEN LIFTING OPEN, AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE ENTIRE VISORS! WE HAVE 3 FORDS AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT'S...

2002 EXPLORER STARTED OUT WITH ALOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND NOW DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH YOU PUSH IN THE GAS PEDAL THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. JUST LIKE ALOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. HAD SOME SIMILAR TROUBLE WITH IT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO DEALER SAID HAD TO WAIT TILL IT GOT WORSE TO FIND EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

APPROACHED STOP SIGN AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED - BASICALLY COASTING 30 - 40 FEET FROM A DRIVEWAY, AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV UP, LIKEN TO THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGING, AND BRAKES COULD NOT RESTRAIN VEHICLE AND IT WAS BASICALLY PUSHED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND COLLIDED WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL OR TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS EVER HAPPENED, VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND MECHANICALLY WELL MAINTAINED, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROADS WERE DRY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE ON-BOARD COMPUTER READ - NO ERROR CODES WERE NOTED, AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT - THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *TR

SEVERE CRACKS IN BACK WINDOW HOUSING. CRACK IS SO SEVERE, CONSIDERATION OF WINDOW FALLING OUT IS POSSIBLE. INFORMATION PANEL REGISTERS DOOR AJAR WHICH CONSEQUENTLY FLASHES INTERNAL LIGHTS, RE-LOCKS DOORS, SETS WARNING BELLS TO GO OFF. OFTEN, DOOR AJAR DOES NOT REGISTER, BUT ELECTRIC LOCKS LOCK RE-LOCK AND LOCK MANY TIMES WITH WARNING BELLS GOING OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERING,MANY TIMES IN ONE INSTANCE. ALL ACTIVITIES HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT CAUSE OR REASON CAUSING SEVERE DISTRACTION TO DRIVER. THEFT ALARM GOES OFF AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOCKED SEVERAL HOURS; FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN UNLOCKED AND RE-LOCKED, CONTINUES TO GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I BELIEVE THE REAR WINDOW HOUSING BREAK IS THE ROOT OF ALL THIS ACTIVITY. *TR

HAVE ENGINE PROBLEM WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER BECAUSE DEALER PUT BACK ODOMETER. *TR

FORD EXPLORER O/D FLASHING AND CHECK TRANSMISSION COMING ON IT WAS AT THE FORD DEALER FOR 3 WEEKS THEY SAID IT WAS MY PCM AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT A WIRING PROBLEM BUT MY CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING IT WAS BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THEM. *TR

IT STARTED VERY EARLY AFTER BUYING THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER...ELECTRICAL PROB..COULDN'T GET VEH STARTED...100 MILES AWAY FROM HOME DEALERSHIP....TOWED TO CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP...FIXED; OR SO WE THOUGHT. SAME THING HAPPENED A WEEK LATER. HOME DEALERSHIP ADVISED US THAT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE WRONG PART AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEMS....WE CONTACTED THE OTHER DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED THEM WHAT OUR HOME DEALERSHIP SAID...OF COURSE THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THIS...ANYWAY...HOME DEALERSHIP INSTALLED NEW PART...VEH OK....THEN WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FRONT 1ST LEFT SIDE-THEN RIGHT. (THIS WAS AFTER THE REAR END WAS REPLACED) BOY, WAS THAT A MAJOR FIGHT WITH THE HOME DEALERSHIP! NOW! THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE!!!!! ISN'T THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO? FORD HAS BEEN USING DEFECTIVE PARTS!!!!AND NOW ASKING FOR GOVERNMENT MONEY???!!!!FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS! *TR

BATTERY DIED ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. INSTALLED NEW BATTERY AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODULE QUIT WORKING. BOUGHT NEW PART FOR $202.00. FIXED PROBLEM WITH NEW PART. OBVIOUSLY THE REALIZED THE DEFECT AND REFUSE TO DO RECALL. *TR

READING THE FORUMS AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR EXPLORERS 4X4. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS LIKE IF YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY OR YOUR BATTERY DIES SO DOES YOUR CONTROL MODULE FOR THE 4X4. MINE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THAT HAPPENED. THAT IS WHEN MY 4X4 SELECTOR SWITCH LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND MY 4X4 WAS NOT ENGAGING. SEEMS LIKE FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART. I GOT A NEW CONTROL MODULE AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. COULD BE DANGEROUS IN WINTER TIME FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE TO HAVE NO 4X4. *TR

DOOR AJAR CONSTANTLY ON. INTERIOR DOME LIGHT FRONT AND CARGO COME ON AND OFF FOR MINUTES AT A TIME. BEEPS AND CHIMES SPORADICALLY FOR NO GIVEN TIME OR REASON WHILE DRIVING, STOPPING, TURNING OR ANY OTHER ACTION. A DISTRACTION TO DRIVING; ESPECIALLY DOME LIGHTS AT NIGHT AND BEEPS/CHIMES WHICH CAN ALSO INTERFERE WITH RADIO SOUND OUTPUT AND ATTENTION. HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF DEALER WITH NO RESULT. HAVE PROVIDED OTHER ONLINE COMPLAINTS TO SERVICE MANAGER REGARDING SAME ISSUE WITH NO RESULT. *TR

PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXP EDDIE BAUER ED USED WITH 35,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPAIRED WITHIN 3 WEEKS DUE TO 4WD MALFUNCTION COVERED BY WARRANTY. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND IS IN NEED OF A SECOND REPLACEMENT. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD WINDOW WAS NOT MEANT TO BE LOWERED HALFWAY. THE REAR HATCH HAS ALSO CRACKED COMPLETELY DOWN FROM WINDOW TO LOWER PANEL. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUES WITH THIS OCCURRING, BUT UPON FURTHER RESEARCH HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL. OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY AND DEALERSHIP REPORTS IT TO BE A MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRICAL SWITCH REPAIR COST AT AROUND $400. HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE, BUT WILL NO LONGER DRIVE VEHICLE AFTER DISCOVERING THAT THIS IS A PRECURSOR TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MAY POSSIBLY TRADE-IN THIS VEHICLE...

MY DASHBOARD HAS DIGITAL MILEAGE/ TEMP AND TRIP....HOWEVER, SINCE I GOT THE SUV IN DECEMBER OF 2007, THE CLUSTER THAT SHOWS THAT INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN UP. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE SUV FROM REFUSED TO HAVE IT FIXED AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO WITHOUT SPENDING ALOT OF MONEY. *TR

PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, STARTING IN JUNE 08. DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING, PLUS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF (FLICKER, DANGEROUS IF DRIVING AT NIGHT), BELLS GO ON/OFF, AND THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK (NEVER SURE WHICH THEY ARE). IF NOT DRIVING, THE ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY. *TR

PARKED MY SUV IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER A SHORT TRIP AND THE HORN BEGAN TO BLOW. AS I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE I OPENED MY DOOR TO FIND SMOKE ROLLING OUT UNCONTROLLABLY. I RAN INSIDE TO CALL 911, BY THE TIME I HUNG UP THE PHONE MY ENTIRE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. THIS JUST HAPPENED TODAY, SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. BUT THIS WAS CAUSED BY SOME DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I WENT TO OPEN THE BACK LIFT GLASS, AND THE WINDOW FELL, AND COMBUSTION IN THOUSANDS OF LITTLE PIECES, RIGHT IN MY FACE! I HAVE PICTURES, ANYWAY I PROCEEDED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN HORSEHEADS, NY, THEY REPLACED THE WINDOW DUE TO THE EXPLOSION, AND I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK BACK THERE 4 TIMES BECAUSE THEY WIRED IT WRONG, AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, IF MY WIRING FROM THE BACK WINDSHIELD TO THE DASH OF MY TRUCK DOES NOT GET FIXED I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT I WILL BE FORCED TO OBTAIN AN ATTORNEY FOR FORD! PLEASE HELP!!!!!! *TR

BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN SEPT. 2007. A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, HAD TO REPLACE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BEARING. A MONTH AFTER THAT, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING. DRIVER DOOR WINDOW MOTOR WENT A WEEK AFTER THE WHEEL BEARINGS. ABS LIGHT IS ON. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TWO COILS IN THE ELECTRICAL UNIT. PUT APPROXIMATELY 3,000.00 INTO CAR SINCE PURCHASE IN LESS THAN EIGHT MONTHS. *TR

DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON AND CAUSES DOME LIGHTS TO FLASH ON AND OFF AND CHIME WHILE DRIVING. CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAVE TALK TO FORD THEY TELL ME I NEED TO BRING IT IN WHILE THIS IS ALL HAPPENING SO THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. CAR NEVER SEEMS TO DO IT AT A TIME I CAN TAKE IT IN. *TR

AT 110,000 MILES BOTH REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. A TRIP TO THE DEALER SAID BOTH WINDOWS NEEDED NEW CABLES AND IT WOULD COST $1,000. WINDOWS WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS VISITING HIS SISTER IN A DIFFERENT STATE. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO REPAIR HER VEHICLE AND RENTAL COST THEM $600.00 OUT OF POCKET. *KB PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONSUMER ASKED THE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD A LIST OF DOCUMENTATION RELATING TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO GET A JUMP SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN FIRST STARTING UP. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE ALTERNATOR AND WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. *JB

THIS 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER ABRUPTLY STOPS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR INDICATION THAT THE IGNITION WILL FAIL TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS AND ONE REPUTABLE AND ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP. THIS CAR WAS AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 30 DAYS AND THIS CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT STILL UNDIAGNOSED. NONE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED DEALERSHIPS COULD DETERMINE THE TRUE UNDERLYING PROBLEM. AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP A BRAND NEW STARTER WAS INSTALLED BECAUSE OF A NO START CONDITION SHOWING NO POWER TO THE STARTER AND BLOWN FUSES FOR THE INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, AND THE COMPUTER. THE SAME DEFECT SHOWED ITSELF ONE DAY LATER AFTER TRAVELING OVER 70 MILES WITH NO SIGN OF FAILURE. *TR

ON 11/22/2007 MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BURNED, IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE ORIGINATED INSIDE THE CENTER CONSOLE. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WHEN SMOKE FIRST APPEARED, ENGINE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. FLAMES ERUPTED WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES FROM THE TIME SMOKE FIRST APPEARED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALARM SOUNDS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WHILE DRIVING, THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK, THE CEILING LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, AND THE DOOR AJAR BUZZER CHIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,0000.

AFTER OWNING FOR A WEEK AND A HALF, HAD TO HAVE THE G EARS IN THE REAR END REPLACED. LATER INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT EVENLY WORN WHICH WAS CAUSING THE REAR END TO POP. AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK. THE 4 X 4 MODULE AND THE WIRING NEED TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $1000.00. THAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE WINDOW REGULATOR. NOW THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM COMING FROM THE DASH. UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS YET. *JB

AT 74000 MILES OUR TRANSMISSION WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION! THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, SAID THAT "WE WERE THE ONLY ONE'S WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM" (YEAH RIGHT!) IT COST US $6000 OUT OF OUR POCKET TO FIX. AT 86000 MILES THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOW. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT. AGAIN, STAYTON FORD TOLD US THAT,"WE WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE." AT AROUND 85000, 95000 AND 105000 MILES, THE REAR SEALS LEAKED. WE WERE PROMISED EACH TIME THAT THEY WOULD LAST "FOR AT LEAST 50000 MILES." WE WERE ALWAYS A FEW MILES AWAY FROM GETTING THEM REPLACED FOR FREE SINCE THEY'RE LIMITED WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 10000 MILES. AT 111000 MILES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT "HAYWIRE." EVEN WHEN ALL OF THE DOOR AND HATCH ARE CLOSED, THE DOME LIGHT CONTINUES TO...

ONGOING SHIFTING AND SLIPPING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO A LOUD SHRILL AT THE END OF THE ACCELERATION. THE TRANSMISSION CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED OUT FLUID AT HIGHWAY SPEED. AFTER THE REPAIR OF A STRIPPED TRANSMISSION LINE CONNECTOR AND A PILE OF GLUE TO FIX A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY. THE CONVERTERS ARE "REMANUFACTURED" WHICH HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL. THE GLOB OF GLUE ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE STATE AS TO THE PROPER REPAIR PROCEDURE. A LAW SUIT MAY FOLLOW DUE TO SEPARATE REPAIRS INCLUDING A TIRE WITH A NAIL, WHERE A NEW TIRE WAS PURCHASED AND A USED ON WAS INSTALLED (BF GOODRICH). THE TIRE WAS ALSO NOT BALANCED AND WAS OFF BY 1.5 OZ. THERE WAS ALSO A GASKET REMOVED FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM THAT CAUSED...

EXPERTS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SEAT SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FAULT, RESULTING IN A FIRE WHICH TOTALED THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR CABIN FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, PRESERVING THE REMAINDER OF THE SEAT AND ADJACENT CENTER CONSOLE BURN AREA. OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE AND AVOID PERSONAL INJURY. A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, FORD STILL REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MALFUNCTION, AND THE CASE IS IN LITIGATION. *NM

BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER NEW. AT 90000 MILES, THE MILEAGE GAUGE WENT OUT AND FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $600 TO REPAIR. MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS OF THE SAME YEAR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW, THE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND THE SMELL OF SMOKE APPEARED. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CONSOLE AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE SMOKE SUBSIDED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. *JB

ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 3, 2005, I PURCHASED A BREAK MODEL USED FORD EXPLORER XLT 2002 FROM NORM REEVES HONDA CAR DEALER IN CERRITOS, CA. THE CAR HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I SIGNED THE PAPERS AND TOOK THE POSSESSION OF THE CAR. IT HAS NOT BEEN MORE THAN 2 MONTHS THAT THE CAR STARTED GIVING ME TROUBLE ON THE PICK UP OF THE SPEED, TRANSMISSION, GEAR ADJUSTMENT, OVER USE OF THE GAS, DIFFICULT HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVING EVEN AFTER CHANGE OF GEARS, AIR SUCTION INTO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR AND SIGNS LIKE SERVICE ENGINE SOON ON THE FRONT PANEL, ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN GETTING REGULAR LUBE AND TUNE ON THE CAR AFTER EVERY 3000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE, OCCASIONALLY, THE CAR GIVES A THUNDERING NOISE ON THE TIRES AS IF IT IS DRAGGING ITSELF AND RUNNING ON THE ROAD. THIS MAKES ME FEAR THAT...

2002 FORD EXPLORER. FAILED TRANSMISSION, STARTER, REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, AIRBAG, PINION, ELECTRIC WINDOW. NOW LOUD SOUNDS FROM REAR OF CAR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG/SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED ACCORDINGLY BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT LATER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE SEAT BELTS AGAIN. UPDATED 3/3/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR WASHER MOTOR, ODOMETER AND HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. *NM