2002 FORD EXPLORER Suspension Problems

MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN A BUMP IS HIT DRIVER SIDE SEAT STOP WORKING

THE CAR ALWAYS FEELS LIKE IS ABOUT TO JUMP OFF THE ROAD OR THE LANE IM IN WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER ANY ROUGH ROAD OR POT HOLES. %ģ

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES TOOK A RIGHT INTO THE LIBIARY PARKING LOT AND MY FRONT SIDE DRIVERS TIRE SNAPPED THE BALL JOINT COMPLETELY SNAPPED AND IT BROKE THE SPRING, UPPER CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR AND TYIROD

THE REAR STABILIZER LINKS JUST BROKE OUT OF NOWHERE NOT EVEN TO LATEST LATER THE FRONT STABILIZER LINKS JUST BROKE OUT OF NOWHERE AND I HAVE NO STEERING A WHOLE LOT OF LOOSE CONTROL

DRIVING ND STEERING WHEEL FELL APART BRAKE SWITCH STOPPED WORKING 3 TIMES HAD NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT SETS OF TIRE PUT ON BACK WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHT. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, IT'S OUR DAILY DRIVER EVERYTHING WORKS EXCEPT THE HUBS, THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED, AND WE FIND OURSELVES@ ABOUT EVERY 15,000 TO 20,000 MILES HAVING TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUB ASSEMBLY'S , LAST NIGHT ON THE WAY HOME THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT HUB STARTED SQUEALING AND CAME APART AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN, I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS AND HUBS BRAKES 11 TIMES AND NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN, WOW, THESE PARTS ARE REALLY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE NO BETTER QUALITY THAN THAT, EVERYTIME WE GET IT FIXED IT COST AROUND $1400, IT'S A NICE TRUCK, AND EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS GREAT, NO ISSUES, I TRANSPORT MY FAMILY MEMBERS IN THIS VEHICLE, AND I'M GETTING TIRED OF FEARING FOR THEIR LIVES AND MY OWN WHEN THE...

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE. REPLACED FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED BALL JOINTS REPLACED TRANSMISSION HAS NOW FAILED AND IS NOW UNDEPENDABLE. MAY FAIL WITH OUT WARNING NO ACCIDENTS, ANY OF THE ABOVE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT FORD IS AWARE OF ALL OF THE MENTIONED PROBLEMS AND REFUSES TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS.

AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS TO SHORT : EVERY TIME YOU MOVE THE SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON $683.00 REPAIR SERVICE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD NO COMPENSATION FOR REPAIRS MILES 22,000. FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE LEFT AND RIGHT 60,000 MILES. REAR SPRING FAILURE 75000 MILES FRONT SPRING FAILURE 75000 MILES. FUEL TANK REGISTERS 1/4 TANK WHEN TANK IS EMPTY 45000 MILES TRANSMISSION CELLINOID FAILURE 28000 MILES AND 800000 MILES HEATER CONTROL MODULE 70000 MILES. INTAKE LEAK 80000 MILES. REAR WHEEL BEARING AND AXLE SEALS 100,000 MILES. OTHER THAN THAT GREAT CAR. IF FORD CARED ABOUT ITS CUSTOMER IT WOULD HAVE FIXED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THEY HAD SIX FLAWS FROM DAY ONE OF PRODUCTION FROM 1990 ---- WHY FORD IF YOU HAD A REAL TRANSMISSION IT WOULD MAKE UP FOR ALL THE OTHER FAILURE BUILT INTO THIS CAR. YOU MAKE GREAT REAL TRUCKS LIKE THE F150 OTHER THAN...

THE REAR SUSPENSION IS BROKEN ON EITHER SIDE OF VEHICLE, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BEARINGS WERE REPLACED, NOW THE DRIVERS REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT.

INSPECTION FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND DRIVER FRONT COIL SPRING ALSO BROKE. 3 BROKEN SPRINGS. NEVER HEARD OF SPRING BREAKING, EVER. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLOYERS

MY FORD EXPLORER STARTED MAKING A SOUND LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING ROLLING AROUND IN BACK GATE. FIRST MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. I WORKED ON THIS FOR THREE MONTHS. LOOKS AS IF IT IS THE BUSHINGS ARE WORN AND BODY IS TOUCHING FRAME. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I GOT A KNOCK ON MY DOOR BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TELLING ME THAT MY CAR SET ON FIRE I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE AND THEY TOLD ME TO FILE A CLAIM WITH FORD BECAUSE THEY HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON THAT SET THE CAR ON FIRE . *TR

UTAH I-15 SOUTH BOUND, INSIDE LANE NEXT TO CONCRETE BARRIER WITH TOUR BUS IN LANE ON MY RIGHT. MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS PASSING THE BUS. I CORRECTED BY SLOWLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT; NOT HARD OR FAST BUT SLOWLY AND EVENLY. THE EXPLORER (4-DOOR, 2002, XLT) BEGAN TO WHIP BACK AND FOURTH VIOLENTLY. IT TOOK ME SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AFTER COMING WITHIN AN INCH OR TWO OF BOTH THE BARRIER AND THE BUS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE WHIPPING PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FOUR MONTHS AGO FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. I PUT NEW "BIG-O" BIGFOOT TIRES ON IT AND HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT CHECKED; IT WAS FINE. IF I HADN'T DONE SOME FANCY DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ROLLED (AT 80MPH) AND I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED....

REAR SPRING BROKE ON LEFT SIDE, NOT EVEN RUSTED. CAR ONLY HAS 32000 MILES ON IT. HAVE BEEN SEEING THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL BUT NO RECALL WAS EVER INSTITUTED. A TRAVESTY. *TR

BEARING KEEP HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AN THE REAR COIL SPRING IS CRACKED AN THE TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK, HAVE REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING 3 TIMES ALREADY. AN I HAVE REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WE HEARD A CLUNK AND SO WE PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND LOOKED AND THOUGHT IT LOOKED LIKE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS SAGGING BUT WASN'T SURE, WE DROVE HOME AND THEN REALIZED IT WAS DEF SAGGING. I TOOK IT TO THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT IT AT AND THEIR GOING TO CHECK IT ALL OUT TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.. JUST BE LOOKING AT IT THE CAR LOT MECHANIC SAID LOOKS LIKE SUSPENSION ISSUE AS IF SOMETHING BROKE. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE HAD IT CHECKED OUT A FEW TIMES AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE O2 SENSOR ISSUES LOCATED ON THE EXHAUST WHICH SEEMS TO BE A ISSUES WITH ALOT OF FORD EXPLORERS WHICH MAKES GAS MILEAGE TERRIBLE AND VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DIES, NOT TO MENTION THE PIECE OF PLASTIC UNDER THE REAR HATCH WINDOW THAT ALWAYS...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

HEARD A CLUNK NOISE IN THE REAR OF TRUCK...COME TO FIND OUT BOTH REAR STRUT COILS WERE ROTTED OUT AND BROKEN..TRUCKS HAS NEVER PULLED A TRAILER OR BEEN OFF ROAD! *TR

REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE RUSTED AND CRACKING, PIECE FELL OFF. IT APPEARS THAT INADEQUATE OR DEFICIENT METAL WAS USED. MECHANIC SAYS VERY RARE FOR COIL SPRINGS TO RUST LIKE THIS, SPRINGS LOOK AS THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN IN A JUNK YARD FOR 30 YEARS.THIS VEHICLE IS A FAMILY CAR, NOT USED FOR OFF-ROADING AND KEPT IN A GARAGE. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, SOME HAVE EVEN HAD THE PIECES PUNCTURE TIRES CAUSING A BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT FORD IS NOT CONCERNED WITH CONSUMER SAFETY, BUT ONLY WITH THEIR OWN PROFITS AND ARE WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP. *TR

FORD DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL MECHANIC HAVE WITNESSED DOZEN OF CASES WITH FORD IN WHICH THE VEHICLE IS VIBRATING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WE HAVE TRIED REPLACING TIRES, BALANCING, AND WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ONLINE, BUT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO EDUCATE THEIR STAFF OR PUBLIC ABOUT THIS ISSUE. MOST COMMON IDENTIFIED ISSUE HAS BEEN THE REAR DIFFERENTIALS, BUT THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED HAS HAD THE VIBRATION COME BACK AFTER TIME. *TR

MY NAME IS[XXX] AND I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT (V6). I HAVE OWNED IT FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW (WILL BE IN JAN 2012) AND LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT UNTIL RECENTLY. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, I HEARD A STRANGE LOUD WHINING NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS GOING. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF I WOULD HAVE TOOK THE INTERSTATE TO WORK THAT EVENING I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY DIED OR CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO OTHERS ON ROAD. VERY SCARY! MIND YOU THIS BEARING WENT WITH NO WARNING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE I TOOK IT IN. WELL THE BEARING GOT FIXED AND I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN HAPPIER. HOWEVER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DOING ABOUT 70MPH WHEN MY TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I ASSUMED I WAS...

I AM A MECHNICAL ENGINEER, AND DO A LOT OF MY OWN CAR REPAIRS, WHEN I WAS ADJUSTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE I NOTICED THAT MY REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN IN 2 PLACES AND RUSTED THROUGH, I WENT ONLINE TO BUY REPLACEMENT SPRINGS AND STRUTS, AND I CAME UPON A WEBSITE WITH OTHERS ALSO WITH THIS ISSUE OF BROKEN SPRINGS ON THIS FORD MODEL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD DROP AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY AND FATALITIES. THE NHTSA SHOULD HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS SERIOUS MANUFACTURING FLAW I AM LEAD TO BELIEVE THAT THE SPRINGS WHERE MANUFACTURED IN CHINA. THE NHTSA SHOULD GET SOME GUTS AND EXPOSE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. AS A PERSONAL NOTE THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD . *TR

REAR SPRING CRACKED AT 100,000 MIL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 120,000 MIL BODY ELECTRICAL NOT SEALED WELL AND KEEPS SHORTING IN DIFFERENT PLACES CRUISE GETS STUBBORN AND SCARED TO USE IT , IM AFRAID OF IT GETTING STUCK IN CRUISE. *TR

I WENT TO PERFORM BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT AND FOUND PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. WHEN I GOT AROUND TO THE DRIVERS SIDE TO NO AVAIL THAT REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN AS WELL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN I DROVE OVER A CRACK AND IT FELT LIKE A LARGE POTHOLE. I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND PULLED OVER. MY REAR SPRINGS WERE BOTH BROKEN. THE DRIVER SIDE ONE AT THE TOP AND THE PASSENGER SIDE ONE AT THE TOP IN 3 PLACES. WHEN I TURN NOW IT FEELS LIKE MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO ROLL OVER. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AS STATED BY MANY OTHERS ON MANY INTERNET SITES. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS IF NOT DEADLY ACCIDENT. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS PART AND REPLACE THEM FOR FREE, SINCE THEY WERE THE ONES WHO USED BAD PARTS IN THEIR VEHICLES. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. *TR

REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FORD WOULD NOT WARRENTY. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

I RECENTLY HAD THE DEALER INSTALL 2 NEW REAR WHEEL BEARINGS (2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS) AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BROKEN PIECES CAN COME OUT WHILE DRIVING AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME BROKEN SPRINGS ON OTHER EXPLORERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ALSO FRACTURED SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD ALL COIL SPRINGS BROKEN AND SOME MAY HAVE BEEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND I HEARD SOMETHING CLUNK IN THE BACK AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED. TOOK IT INTO GET REPAIRED ALONG WITH STRUTS AND BALL BEARING PLATE. TOTAL COST FOR THE FAILURE OF THESE SPRINGS = $1750! *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER/MERCURY MOUNTAINEER MODELS (4 DOORS). I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR XLS WITH 150,000 MILES. RECENTLY MY VEHICLE BECAME VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHEN I ACCELERATE AND THEN RELEASE THE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD "PUSH" TO ONE SIDE OR ANOTHER. ALSO GOING AROUND CURVES I WOULD GET A "DEATH WOBBLE" WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD "PUSH" FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN ALMOST A SWINGING MOTION AND WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO CORRECT IT, IT CONTINUES TO SWING EXCESSIVELY BACK AND FORTH. TONIGHT I WENT TO CHECK MY WHEEL BEARINGS THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM, AND I FOUND 3 OUT OF THE 4 COIL SPRINGS ON THE STRUTS WERE BROKEN. BOTH REAR COILS WERE SHATTERED (EASIEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT) AT THE TOP OF THE SPRING. I COULD LITERALLY PULL PIECES OF COIL SPRING OUT OF THE COIL. THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING...

READ STRUT SPRINGS FAIL AND CRACK. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE PAST AND MANY OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED MANY TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE. I HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH INTO THIS ISSUE, AND REALIZED THAT HUNDREDS OF OWNERS AR CLAIMING THE SAME PROBLEM.

I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE FRONT & REAR STRUTS REPLACED. THEY FOUND THAT ALL OF THE SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. ABOUT 1/2 TO 3/4 OF THE TOP COIL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE SPRING.

WHILE INSPECTING THE LEFT, REAR WHEEL BEARING A BROKEN SPRING WAS FOUND. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WAS ALSO IN A STAGE OF FAILURE. A LOAD NOISE LIKE THE VEHICLE HAD "TRUCK TIRES" WAS COMING FROM THE REAR. THE SPRING WAS FRACTURED AT THE TOP IN MULTIPLE PLACES AND PARTIALLY COLLAPSED

2002 FORD EXPLORER HUB ASSEMBLY/WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THE LEFT REAR TIRE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND HAD TO BE TOWED. UPON INSPECTION THE BEARING HAD RIPPED APART SO BAD YOU COULD SEE THE METAL COMING OUT OF THE REAR SIDE OF THE TIRE, WHERE THE AXLE SHAFT CONNECTS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, RIGHT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY WAS VERY LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 2 WEEKS LATER, THE FRONT LEFT HUB IS SO BAD THAT IT'S ROARING AND THUMPING AND FEELS LIKE IT'S ALSO READY TO LOCK UP. 88K MILES ON EXPLORER, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE REAR HUB WERE REPLACED. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY EITHER A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OR JUST SUBSTANDARD DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE PARTS PRODUCED BY FORD. *TR

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWO BALL BEARINGS IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS. FIRST THE BACK LEFT AND NOW THE BACK RIGHT. WITH THE LATEST, THE BACK LEFT, THE TIRE ON THE BACK LEFT WAS ALMOST SEIZING UP FROM THE PROBLEM AND MY CAR WAS LEADING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT FROM THE GRINDING. *TR

PURCHASED 2002 EXPLORER XLT V6 4.0L ALREADY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING SOLENOID OR WHATEVER OUT.. I HAVE READ REPORTS AND WONDER WHY THIS TRANSMISSION IS NOT RECALLED? I HAVE IT IN SHOP NOW HAVING TO HAVE IT REBUILT AND EVERYTHING CHANGED. ALSO RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS BAD, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS BAD, SUSPENSION SHOT. AND THE RECORDS SHOW THE PREVIOUS OWNERS MAINTAINED EVERYTHING WELL. BUT ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND HAD PROBLEMS AT 99,000MILES. PLEASE DOING SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US OUT HERE. ALSO COOLANT LEAK, ENGINE LEAK, POWER SEAT FAILURE, AND ON. *TR

FORD 2002 EXPLORER XLT LIMITED. I HAVE HAD A MYRIAD OF ISSUES, WHICH UPON RESEARCH APPEAR COMMON TO THE EXTREME. FRONT & REAR BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. SPRINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING -- O/D LIGHT BLINKS, SES LIGHT ACTIVATES, AND VEHICLES OVER-REVS, SLIPS, AND WILL NOT OPERATE IN OVERDRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION DESIGN IS COMPLETELY SEALED, SO I CANNOT EVEN CHECK FOR FLUID LEVELS, NOR DO ANY PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WHATSOEVER. THERE IS NO WARNING, JUST FAILURE. ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL YEAR ARE SO PREVALENT THAT LOCAL MECHANICS NEED ONLY ASK THE MODEL AND YEAR AND CAN ITEMIZE THE PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED, AND PUBLIC FORUMS ARE FULL OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER BEARING AND HUB FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I BOUGHT TI USED WITH 64,000 MILES ON IT. REPLACED BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED ALL STRUTS AND COILS SPRINGS. I HAVE AN ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR A INTAKE GASKET PROBLEM. THEN ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK TODAY MY O/D LIGHT CAME ON. MY TRUCK HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT. BEFORE I PURCHASED EXPLORER I FOUND OUT IT WAS IN A REAR END ACCIDENT. *TR

MY FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS APPROXIMATELY SEPT 2008 WHEN I PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY AND FELT AN ODD BUMP UPON LEAVING THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING WHEN I STOPPED AND TOOK THE CAP OFF OF THE LUG NUTS I NOTICED THE STUDS WHERE BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR. THOUGHT WE HAD IT FIXED BY HAVING THE STUDS REPLACED. WRONG ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WAS TOLD THE HUB AND BEARING NEEDED REPLACED SO WE REPLACED THEM. UPON INSPECTION THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR HAD STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. SO WE REPLACED THAT SIDE AS WELL. THAT LASTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND WE WENT TO HAVE NEW TIRES PUT ON THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC SAID THAT OUR BEARINGS WERE BAD AGAIN AND NEEDED REPLACED. SO WE DID REPLACE THEM. ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE STUDS BREAKING OFF. IN ONE INCIDENT I LOST ALL LUG...

EVENT/SITUATION: HESITATES AND CHOKES AT 40-45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, ALONG WITH A SLIGHT RUBBING SENSATION FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND GAS PEDDLE. THEY ADVISED REPLACING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THEY ALSO STATED A WEAK BATTERY WHICH WAS REPLACED. THIS DID SEEM TO FIX VARIOUS FAULTY FALSE ELECTRICAL ISSUES: INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYING ON AND FALSE LIGHT/DASHBOARD READINGS. FAULTY TRANSMISSION, EMISSIONS OR PLUGS/WIRING HAVE BEEN POSSIBILITIES. I'VE TAKEN IT TO GOODYEAR WHO RECOMMENDED CHANGING OUT THE PLUGS AND WIRES, ALONG WITH A FLUSH. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT FLUSHES CAN RUIN PARTS ON OLDER VEHICLES AND CAUSE OTHER EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS. I FOUND A FEW WEBSITES WERE THERE ARE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES WITH THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND AWARE OF THESE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS, COVERING UP WITH OTHER LITTLE RECALLS LIKE THE WIRING HARNESS. I, LIKE MANY, ARE BEING...

THIS COMPLAINT IS CONCERNING THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS AND THE FREQUENCY IN WHICH THEY BREAK OR COME LOSE CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE ON 5 OCCASIONS, THE LAST OF WHICH FORD REFUSES TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST DUE TO IT BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY 2007 WHEN MY RIGHT FRONT BEARING BROKE WHILE I WAS ON AN HIGHWAY OVERPASS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AS THE WHEEL NEARLY COMES OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE VEHICLE JERKS. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED IN JANUARY 2008 WHEN MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING BROKE. THIS TIME I WAS THANKFULLY NOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY BUT ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AS IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE....

I HAVE HAD TROUBLES WITH THE WHEEL ENDS ON MY FORD SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2005. I DIDN'T REALIZE THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING ARE COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE. I STARTED NOTICING MORE BRAKE DUST ON SOME OF THE WHEELS THAN OTHERS. THEN ON MY REAR/PASSENGERS TIRE I HEAR A SQUEAKING, GRINDING NOISE WITH A LITTLE WABBLE IN THE WHEEL. TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER -SAID THEY GRINDED SOMETHING DOWN. DIDN'T HEAR THE NOISE ANYMORE. MY ABS LIGHT KICKS ON WON'T GO OFF HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH DEFECT IN WHEEL END ASSEMBLY APPARENTLY. PAID $150 TO GET IT OFF COMES RIGHT BACK ON WEEKS LATER!! MY ENTIRE WHEEL END ALMOST FALLS OFF WHILE ON THE HWY. PULL OVER ALL 4 STUDS HAD COME COMPLETELY OFF OF THE WHEEL EXCEPT 1, THE WHEEL WAS LITERALLY HANGIN. HAD TO HAVE ALL STUDS REPLACED. HAVE HAD TO HAVE WHEEL...

HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS, BUT WHILE I WAS OUT DRIVING TODAY MY CAR BEGAN TO POP AS I TURNED THE WHEEL. I HAVE GOTTEN MY TIE RODS REPLACED AND THERE SEEMS TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR HOME FOR ME SLOWLY BUT WILL NOT DRIVE FOR FEAR THAT THE WHEEL MAY POP OFF. CONTACTED FORD AND AM WAITING ON A RESPONSE, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED ON THE INTERNET BY SEVERAL OWNERS OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR. THIS IS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE THIS FURTHER INVESTIGATED SO THAT NOONE IS RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN VEHICLE AND THE WHEEL POP OFF. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT MY CHILD WAS NOT IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AT THE TIME THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. *TR

NOTICED A NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. SPRINGS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW. OLD PARTS HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BUT DO HAVE PHOTOS. *TR

FLAT TIRE; AFTER TAKING TIRE OFF I NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN IN HALF AND THE WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO WOBBLE. THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE PART FAILURES. AFTER CONSULTING OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE TYPE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS - WHEEL BEARINGS AND COIL SPRING FAILURE. FORD MAY WANT TO RECALL THESE BEFORE IT CAUSES ACCIDENTS. *TR

HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, HAD BRAKES CHANGED, NOISE CONTINUED. FOUND OUT IT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BOTH GOING BAD. REPAIRS NOT DONE TOO EXPENSIVE. *TR

HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH MY FORD EXPLORER ATTEMPTING TO RUN OFF PARKWAY AT 65 MPH AFTER WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS 6 TIMES FROM 100,000 TO 102,000 MILES.THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DUE TO FAILURE OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITH NO PRIOR NOTICE OF ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE BEARINGS UNTIL COMPLETE FAILURE . EVEN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AFTER INSTALLATION HAVE FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 1000 MILES. *TR

O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING DIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY - RPM'S RAN AT 3RPM'S NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I TRAVELED. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD AND I AM EXPERIENCING A TERRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE - PIECE OF'!@#$% TRANSMISSION - WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND I HAVE HEARD IT IS HAPPENING VERY FREQUENTLY WITH THE 2002 EXPLORERS. *TR