2002 FORD EXPLORER Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

I HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND SOLENOID, COSTING OVER $2500. *TR

HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WENT TO MECHANIC. WAS TOLD I BLEW A TWO HOLES THROUGH TIMING CHAIN COVER. WENT ONLINE FOUND THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THAT YEAR OF FORD. VERY UPSET THERE IS NO RECALL. WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST AT LEAST 2000 TO FIX. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I WANT TO GO TO MEDIA TO LET EVERYONE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM KNOW THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. APPARENTLY EVERYONE HAS TO PAY OUT THE [XXX] TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I'M NOT ONE OF THEM. I WANT MY CAR FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I LOOKED BACK IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING OUT THE BACK OF MY CAR. I PULLED OVER. MY HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE FRONT. I SMELLED FIRE AND HE SAID IT'S ON FIRE. MY HUSBAND SAW A LIQUID DRIPPING FROM THE CAR THAT WAS CLEARLY ON FIRE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WE IMMEDIATELY GOT OURSELVES AND OUR 2 YOUNG CHILDREN, AGES 7 AND 5, OUT OF THE CAR. THE FIRE STOPPED ONCE THE CAR WAS OFF. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR AND THE MECHANIC THAT FIXED THE CAR THAT A TRANSMISSION HOSE WAS SITTING ON THE EXHAUST PIPE, CAUSING A LEAK IN THE HOSE AND THE RESULTING FIRE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MAY BE SUBJECTED TO A RECALL REGARDING A FAULTY CRUISE...

THE PROBLEM IS A SUDDEN CRACKING OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING SLOW COOLANT LOSS. WHEN THE INTAKE FAILS THE ENGINE COOLANT POURS OUT AND THE ENGINE QUICKLY OVERHEATS. *TR

DUE TO A DEFECT, WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED (THANK GOD IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY)...THEN HAD TO HAVE THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR FIXED BECAUSE ALARM KEPT GOING OFF FOR NO REASON. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO WE WERE ABUT TO GO OUT OF TOWN FOR THANKSGIVING. I STOP AT A RED LIGHT, AND THEN WE TRY TO PULL OFF WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGES AND HEAR THE LOUDEST POPPING NOISES...WE'RE WONDERING HOW IN THE WORLD DID THE SPARK PLUG POP OUT WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT IT ALSO RIPS THE IGNITION COIL...(FAST FORWARD TO 1YR LATER, SAME THING HAPPENS WHILE LEAVING HOME TO GO TO WORK). ONCE AGAIN, ON MARCH 12, WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK, SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. LIGHT TURNS GREEN...I START TO PULL OFF AND BEGIN HEARING A POPPING NOISE...WTH...NOT AGAIN!!! (THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 2 YEARS). COME ON...

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW WITH A TORN DOWN ENGINE. I WENT OUT TO START IT ONE MORNING AND IT HAD A HARD START THEN IT STARTED TICKING. COME TO FIND OUT IT THE TIMING CHAIN. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE IT IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND I AM REALLY SURPRISED THAT THIS TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AGAIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM HAVING TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT FORD MADE A MISTAKE ON. THE PULLEY ON THE TRUCK IS PLASTIC, AND IT IS FAILING. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY ELECTRICAL PARTS ON IT. THE LIGHTS INSIDE WILL STAY ON AFTER I TURN IT OFF AND GET OUT AND IF I TURN ON MY REAR DEFROST MY TRUCK DINGS AND SAYS DOOR AJAR..... THIS TRUCK IS AWFUL. *TR

TIMING BELT TENSIONER......MY CAR IS MAKING NOISES AND EVERY MECHANIC I TAKE MY TRUCK TO EITHER TELL ME TO GET A NEW MOTOR OR SELL IT AND NO MECHANIC WANTS TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE ITS SO COMPLICATED... :/ AS A SINGLE MOTHER EITHER OPTION IS NOT AN OPTION....BOTH MY DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOW MOTORS BROKE, I ALREADY PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION 3 MONTHS AGO...AND NOW THIS.....I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 11/10/11 AND ITS FUNNY HOW THEY KIND OF LAUGH ABOUT THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE AND GIVE ME THE SAME LOOK THAT OTHER MECHANICS GIVE ME ABOUT HOW THE TENSIONER IS ON THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THEY'D NEED TO TAKE THE ENTIRE ENGINE OUT TO REPAIR IT, AND IF YOU DON'T REPAIR IT THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE TENSIONER WILL BREAK AND CAUSE THE ENTIRE BACK PART OF THE MOTOR TO BREAK......THIS NEEDS...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 177,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

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

2002 4 X 4 FORD EXPLORER, WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE TIMING CHAINS WENT ON THIS TRUCK. OF COURSE THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD THE HUGE PROBLEM OF PUSHING IT OFF THIS 3 LANE BUSY HIGHWAY. DID GET IT OFF AND NOW WAITING TO RAISE ENOUGH MONEY FOR REPLACEMENT ENGINE. YES THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3200 - 3400 MILES, DEFAULT WITH THE FORD ENGINES, PLASTIC SPROCKS. SO I AM WITHOUT A TRUCK UNTIL MONEY IS RAISED OR FORD DOES A RECALL. I KNOW! THERE WAS NO SIGN OTHER THAN A SLIGHT NOISE STARTING AND CALLED THE GARAGE AND NEVER GOT THERE. MY TRUCK IS IN GREAT SHAPE, NO RUST, NO ACCIDENTS AND I LOVE TO DRIVE IT! THE GAS IS NOT BAD AT ALL IF YOU DON'T HORSE IT! *TR

O/D LIGHT FLASHES FOR A FEW DAYS THEN AT AROUND 25 MPH THE GEAR SWITCHES INTO NEUTRAL AND RUNS VERY ROUGH THEN THE CAR IS THROWN FORWARD. HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION (WE WERE TOLD WE WERE GETTING A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AND PAID EXTRA FOR IT!) AT 83K MILES ON OCT 15, 2010 THEN FEB 5, 2011 THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS. THE DEALER CANNOT TAKE THE TRUCK FOR ANOTHER 5 DAYS AND REFUSED TO GIVE ME A LONER CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY. PLEASE NOTE: BELOW I PUT IN THE FIRST INCIDENT DATE, FEB 2011 IS THE SECOND INCIDENT DATE. IN MAY OF 2009 I WAS TOLD MY ENGINE FAILED AT ABOUT 76,000 MILES. WE DID BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WE WERE COVERED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD US WE WERE NOT COVERED. THEY HAD OUR TRUCK FOR 3 WEEKS UNTIL THE WARRANTY PEOPLE CALLED THE...

LONG LIST OF REPAIRS MADE THIS SUMMER INCLUDING COMPUTER, AIRBAG SENSORS, A/C WHOLE SYSTEM, MAIN WINDOW CONTROLS AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION. *TR

TIMING BELT PLASTIC GEARS WAS SLUNG OFF AND CRACKED A REAR VALVE. HAD TO REPLACE VALVE AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC GEARS. COST APPROXIMATELY $2000-3500, MOSTLY IN PART BECAUSE ENGINE REMOVAL IS NECESSARY TO ACCESS THE TIMING CHAIN. MANY DEALERSHIPS SUGGEST BUYING A NEW ENGINE. IF NOT FIXED, COULD POTENTIALLY HARM SHAFTS, AND/OR OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE TIMING BELT/CHAIN COMPARTMENT AND FURTHER REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL NEED TO BE PURCHASED. *TR

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON SCENE HOWEVER; THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF A FIRE OR POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000. UPDATED 8/2/10 *CN UPDATED 08/09/10*JB

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2002 FORD EXPLORER TO CHURCH SUNDAY MORNING 4-18-10 WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING !! BITS OF A PISTON AND ROD CAME RIGHT THRU THE BLOCK, LEAVING A HOLE BIG ENOUGH TO PUT YOUR FIST IN ! THIS EXPLORER ONLY HAS 63,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT FROM A FORD DEALER. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS YEAR AND MODEL HAVE HAD, WHY HAS FORD NOT HAD A RECALL??? IT IS ABSOLUTELY A LEMON - AND I FEEL LIKE SUING THEM !! CAN YOU HELP ME?? *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE WE WERE MOVING, IN IT WERE SOME BELONGINGS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FORD MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE BACK OF MY EXPLORER WHICH IS A 2002 AND MY FRIEND HAS A 2003 EXPEDITION AND HERS IS DOING THE SAME THING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE HEAT IN THE BACK BUT IT KNOCKS ALL THE TIME AND WHEN YOU TURN THE REAR HEAT ON IT GETS REALLY LOUD. IT KNOCKS ALL THE TIME AND IT IS ANNOYING AND LOUD I KNOW OF 3 VEHICLES THAT ARE FORD AND THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED COULD IT NOT CATCH FIRE OR SOMETHING. *TR

AUGUST 10,2009 WHILE DRIVING NOTICE SMOKE WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS ME THEN PULL OVER TO NOTICE WHEN HOOD WAS LIFT UP THEIR WAS FIRE. I THEN CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH POLICE. MY INSURANCE NATIONWIDE THEN HAD IT PLACE IN TO AUTO BODY SHOP WHICH IT COULDN'T BE FIXED. *TR

2002 EXPLORER FIRST REAR END WENT AND WAS REPLACE ONLY TO FIND ITS GONE AGAIN AFTER 20,000 MILES, THEN 4.6 V8 ENGINE HAS A KNOCK IN IT, FORD IS AWARE OF IT BUT WONT REPLACE OR FIX IT, NOW BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKE WHICH FORD ALSO KNOWS AND WONT REPLACE. *TR

MAINTAINING A STEADY FREEWAY SPEED. A LOUD POP EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE FOLLOWED BY A SUCCESSION OF SMALL POPS IN RELATION TO THE ENGINE SPEED. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE NUMBER 4 SPARK PLUG (PASSENGER SIDED) HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE GARAGE. A NEW THREADED INSERT WAS INSTALLED IN THE SPARK PLUG HOLE ALONG WITH A NEW SPARK PLUG AND COIL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND CHECK GAS CAP INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE GAS TANK WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO FILL UP WHILE PLACING FUEL IN THE TANK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THESE ISSUES. HE FEELS THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 171,000.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH A 4.6 LITER V8 WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND THE ENGINE EJECTED A FACTORY INSTALLED SPARK PLUG I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERS THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 74,000 MILES. HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FORM MOTOR. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP - STATED TO ME THAT THIS IS A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND WILL COST $1500.00 - $2000.00. DEALER SAID THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. (SEE CAR COMPLAINTS.COM). THEY SAID TO CALL FORD AND SEE IF THEY WILL RECTIFY. TO NO AVAIL FORD SAID NO. THE DEALER STATED THAT FORD USED CHEAP PARTS FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND WILL NOT BACK UP THEIR WORK. WHAT A CROCK. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AS IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. *TR

TIMING CHAIN RATTLE ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. HAD THE FRONTS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES AT MY EXPENSE. NOW THE REAR CHAIN IS MAKING NOISE, THIS IS AFTER HAVING THE REAR TENSIONER REPLACED LAST MONTH AT 94,000 MILES. THE REAR CASSETTE SEEMS AS IF IT IS READY TO GO. I DON'T KNOW HOW FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH PRODUCING SUCH A POOR PRODUCT. THERE A THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FORD WON'T DO A THING ABOUT IT. *TR

3/4/08 MOTOR SIZED NO STEERING NO BRAKES AT 62000 MI. BHT REBUILT MOTOR FROM FORD 3YR/75000MI WARRANTY 2/8/09 MOTOR SIZED NO STEERING NO BRAKES AT 71000MI -11MOS /9000MI LATER 2/16/09 TOWED TO MALOUF FORD S.B.NJ NEED OTHER MOTOR NO REBUILT MOTORS AVAILABLE FROM FORD I HAVE NO CAR-FORD WILL NOT GIVE LOANER OR RENTAL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A FRIENDS CAME TO A STOP SIGN. BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, I WAS GOING 25 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SOUNDED LIKE MY 4 WHEELER. MY SPARK PLUG HAD SHOT OUT OF ITS THREADS AND BLEW THE COIL TO PIECES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND FOR THE SECOND TIME 5 MONTHS THE SAME SPARK PLUG THAT WAS REPAIRED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE. THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND VERY LOUD REPETITIVE ENGINE NOISE. THERE WAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE, AND LOSS OF POWER. FORD SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY IDLE WITHOUT ACCELERATION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER IT STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND WOULD NOT START. CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF TO THE SIDE AND TOWED TO DEALER. THE MECHANIC SAID IT PROBABLY BROKE A VALVE SPRING WHICH CAUSED MASSIVE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT AND FORD BASICALLY TOLD US IT'S OUR PROBLEM. THEY REFUSE TO CONTRIBUTE ANYTHING TO THE ESTIMATED REPAIR OF $4,800.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE, BUT THE NOISE DID NOT STOP. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BECAUSE HE BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE AND RETHREAD THE SPARK PLUG, IT WOULD NOT GRIP AND TIGHTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED A QUICK REPAIR BY FORD, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. FORD STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP AND HAS...

I WAS DRIVING MY EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER 4.6L V8 WHEN I HEARD A LARGE EXPLOSION SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED FOR HELP. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. APPARENTLY THE COIL WHERE IT THREADS INTO WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY SO IT NEVER SAT ALL THE WAY ON LIKE IT SHOULD. OVER TIME THIS IS THE RESULT. I NOW NEED A NEW CYLINDER HEAD COSTING $1800, AND MAYBE A 2ND ONE DOWN THE ROAD. THAT'S $4,000 FOR FORD'S MISTAKE! FORD SAID THEY CAN'T HELP. THERE IS NO RECALL. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY ROAD IN TRAFFIC RISKING MY SAFETY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT! THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY! (LITERALLY). *TR

WHERE TO START... BROKEN CRUISE CONTROL, HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS A SHORT, DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW DOESN'T ROLL DOWN, TROUBLE GOING INTO GEAR, CAR SUDDENLY DIES AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE BAY (LIKE AN ELECTRIC KNIFE SHARPENER) THAT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY MORE FREQUENT, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, BRAKES SQUEAL AND DON'T STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY, SUPPORT FOR THE HATCH (WHICH IS CRACKED 8 INCHES OR SO IN TWO PLACES) DOESN'T LIFT HATCH COMPLETELY, AND THE FUEL ECONOMY IS DOWN TO 4-6 MPG IN THE CITY. I HATE IT! I DON'T FEEL LIKE MY GIRLFRIEND IS SAFE DRIVING IT, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE THEIR WRONGS INTO RIGHTS! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HOWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE IGNORED THE SOUND AND DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY AND HESITATED. THE DAY AFTER THAT NONE OF THE GEARS WOULD SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL TORQUE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THERE IS AN EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM THAT WAS INITIATED IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT NUMBER 05N04. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE MENTIONED WITHIN THE LAWSUIT. FORD STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST $800. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,000. UPDATED 03/05/08. *LJ

CAR FIRE - 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED

ENGINE DEVELOP ROUGH IDLE. SUDDEN EXPLOSION SOUND REVEALED THAT NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG WAS DISCHARGED FROM THREADS. DEALER CLAIMED ZERO RESPONSIBILITY YET ADMITTED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4.6 AND 5.4 LITER ENGINES. SELF REPAIR WITH INSERT TO REPAIR DAMAGED THREADS CAUSED BY EXPLODING SPARK PLUG. *JB

I WAS ONLY ABOUT 1 MILE FROM HOME, THE VEHICLE HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND THEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY, I COULD SMELL FUEL OR SOME SORT OF ODOR, AS I ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, THERE WAS NO BRAKES OR STEERING, I ALSO COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO STARTING TO FILL WITH SMOKE INSIDE VERY QUICKLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN PARK, AND ROLLED WHILE I WAS TRYING TO EXIT. I CALLED 911, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY ENTIRELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *JB

I HAVE TWO OR THREE ISSUES; THE FIRST ONE IS MY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE AND CAME UP THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET COVER. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY OF IT'S 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. I AM JUST RETURNING FROM IRAQ (AIR FORCE) I HAVE JUST HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT HAS NOT BE FIXED. I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS WERE IT JUMPS INTO GEAR AND I HAVE A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. I SPOKE WITH GANLEY FORD IN BARBETON AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS HOWEVER, A LOT OF CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENTLY STALLED POSSIBLY DUE TO OUTDOOR HEAT. THE VEHICLE STALLED OR WOULD NOT START ON NINE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER AFTER EACH INCIDENT WHERE THE INERTIA SWITCH, THE FUEL PUMP AND THE PCM MODULE WERE CHANGED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE STOPPED, WHILE IT WAS STARTED, AT AN INTERSECTION, AND ONCE WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AT 35 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE GAS STORAGE TANK HAD DEVELOPED A HOLE AND WAS LEAKING GAS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS A SENSATION OF RUNNING OVER SOMETHING. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT DUE TO THE ENGINE LOCKING UP, THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 25-35 MPH, THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE AN EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THE GARAGE DETERMINED A SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE THIS HAPPENS, IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE COIL WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE SPAR PLUG FAILED. UPDATED 08/08/06. *JB

I JUST BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 74,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD IT FOR JUST LONG ENOUGH TO DISCOVER A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT, AND HAVE DONE ENOUGH RESEARCH TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE BY FAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING, I JUST KNOW THAT LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS A LEAK IN MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THAT NOW - HOWEVER, THE SHOP MGR REFUSES TO FIX THE LEAK UNTIL THE REAR END BREAKS.... WHICH WILL COST MORE AND CAUSE MORE REPAIRS THAN NECESSARY AT THE CURRENT TIME. MY SECOND PROBLEM - WHICH THE SERVICE MGR AGAIN REFUSES TO FIX UNTIL IT BREAKS IS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER - WHICH LEADS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH...

2002 EXPLORER HAS PROBLEMS PICKING UP SPEED AND OVER USE OF GAS. *TS THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, GEAR ADJUSTMENT, DIFFICULT HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVING EVEN AFTER GEAR CHANGE, AIR SUCTION INTO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR AND SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM UPDATED 07/06/06. *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...

BROUGHT IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE - 60K SERVICE. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING SERVICE, TECH FOUND A BAD INJECTOR, REPLACED INJECTOR BUT FOUND THERE WAS A BAD CYLINDER. ADVISED ME OF THIS . I GAVE GO AHEAD TO FIX. WHEN THEY WENT TO PULL HEAD TO SEND VALVES OFF FOR FIX, DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ON BOTH SIDES HAD HOLES WORN IN THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THEM. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ON A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE W/ 60,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

SUV IN SERVICE FOR 40 MTHS & 33K MILES WHEN AC EVAPORATOR WENT. NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. THEN SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WITH JUST OVER 36K MILES A REAR TIMING CHAIN WENT. FORD PROVIDED SOME AFTER WARRANTY ASSISTANCE, BUT THESE FAILURES COST CONSUMER OVER $2K FOR A VEHICLE THAT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN BABIED ITS WHOLE LIFE. *NM

ABS LIGHT CAME ON AT 19,518 MILES, 22,071 MILES, AND 27,078 MILES. MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOWEVER, ARE MY ISSUES WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER REAR END. 10/1/03: 27,078 MILES ABS LIGHT CAME ON, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY. REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING, DEALER REPLACED THE SEALS. 7/28/04: 40,541 MILES REAR END LEAKING AGAIN. HALF SHAFTS WERE WORN. REAR LOCKING DIFF WAS SLIPPING. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HALFSHAFTS, SEALS, AND CLUTCH PACKS. 9/22/04: 43,203 MILES REAR AXLE CHATTERING. REPLACED WHOLE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. 2/25/05: 54,960 MILES REAR DIFF MAKING MORE NOISE. LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING WAS NOISY. REPLACED LEFT REAR AXLE HUB AND ASSEMBLY. ON TEST DRIVE, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE BEARING THEY JUST INSTALLED WAS BAD, SO THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. 8/11/05: 68,000 MILES LEAKING FLUID FROM REAR END. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING MAINTENANCE: REPLACED DIFF SEALS, REPLACED TIMING CHAIN, REPLACED RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY, REPLACED...

APRIL 04 PURCHASED 2002 FORD EXPLORER; JUST OVER 60,000 MILES. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY;SOLD AS IS. DAY AFTER PURCHASE, NOTICED KNOCKING SOUND. RETURNED TO DEALER. STATED SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR AC. REPAIRED, DID NOT HEAR AFTER REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE, NOTICED DELAY IN GEARS ENGAGING WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE , PARK TO REVERSE ALSO GEAR SHIFT SEEMED TO BE LOOSE. RETURNED TO DEALER; TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL. ADVISED TO KEEP IN OVERDRIVE. LATE JULY 2004, NOTICED DELAY SEEM TO BE GETTING LONGER AND JERKING SUDDENLY WHEN FINALLY ENGAGED. WHILE DRIVING ,OD LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF ERRATICALLY. PROBLEM WITH OD LIGHT INTERMITTENT. SPOUSE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER; TOLD THAT IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WE COULD MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. SPOUSE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP HAD DONE BUSINESS IN THE PAST. THOUGHT THAT IT COULD NEED TRANSMISSION FLUID....