2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT Recalls, Complaints & Safety

Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good

REAR WINDOW HINGES FAILED ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE REQUIRING BOTH HINGES THAT HOLDS THE REAR WINDOW GLASS IN PLACE TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPAIR HINGES BUT THE REAR WINDOW IS NOW UNABLE TO BE OPENED DUE TO LATCH BEING DAMAGED BY HINGES AND DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE LATCH THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE REAR WINDOW. THEY REFERRED ME TO A GLASS REPAIR SHOP TO DO THE REPAIR.

I WENT TO OPEN MY BACK WINDOW AND IT BROKE I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY SUV I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT

REAR WINDOW EXPLODED OVERNIGHT WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. WE LIVE IN SOUTHERN CA AND IT WAS A RARE COLD NIGHT WITH LOWS IN THE 30'S. SECURITY CAMERA'S VERIFIED NO ONE OR NO OBJECT DAMAGED THE WINDOW. IT JUST EXPLODED WHILE PARKED THE GLASS WAS STREWN ACROSS A 3 CAR DRIVEWAY.

BODY MOUNTS HAVE DETERIORATED , MECHANICS I HAVE HAD LOOK AT THIS SAID , SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN , IS UNSAFE AND THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL ALSO HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK WHEN I APPLIED HARD BREAKING.

FORD EXPLORER CRACKED READ PANEL

I NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW LIFT GATE WAS SLIGHTLY AJAR, SO I CLOSED IT, AND SUDDENLY THE HINGE BRACKET ON THE RIGHT SIDE, CONNECTING THE WINDOW AT THE ROOF, POPPED LOOSE, EXTENDING THE WINDOW LIFT SUPPORT, MAKING IT NOW IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE BACK LIFT GATE GLASS. I CHECKED INTO THE ISSUE, AND FOUND A RECALL, CAMPAIGN # 04V442000. THIS HINGE HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED. I WANT TO HAVE THIS FIXED UNDER RECALL.

AFTER ADJUSTING STEERING WHEAL UP AND DOWN THE HARNESS WAS BROKEN DUE TO SHORT HARNESS UNDER DASH I DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL SYS FAILED

THE TRANSMISSION OF OUR 2002 EXPLORER STARTED SLIPPING, JUMPING, JERKING' SURGING, REFUSING TO SHIFT, SHIFTING SLOWLY AND OTHER ASSOCIATED THINGS APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY, IT DOES IT WHENEVER IT WANTS, REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE, DRIVING DISTANCE. I FEEL FORD OWES ME A NEW, REDESIGNED TRANSMISSION WITH INSTALLATION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT FORD IS DOING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR EXPLORERS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR INTERIOR CHILD LOCKS FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

DISPATCHED FOR CAR FIRE INSIDE GARAGE. 1213 ARRIVED AND REPORTED THE CAR WAS OUTSIDE, NEXT TO THE HOUSE, AND THE SIDING ON THE HOUSE WAS MELTING. 1281 ARRIVED AND ASSUMED COMMAND AT [XXX]. FIRE WAS NOW EXTENDING UP THE EXTERIOR OF THE NORTH SIDE OF THE STRUCTURE. A 2ND ALARM WAS REQUESTED AND CONSUMERS ELECTRIC WAS REQUESTED TO THE SCENE. THE HYDRANT WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND 1213. 1213 CREW STRETCHED A 1.75" HAND LINE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE AND THEN THE FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. 1211 CREW ASSISTED 1213 AND ALSO MADE CONTACT WITH ALL OCCUPANTS AND VERIFIED THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR MISSING. 1212 CREW WAS ASSIGNED INTERIOR. VENTILATION WAS REQUESTED FOR THE INTERIOR. FM HENSON ARRIVED ON SCENE AND WAS ASSIGNED INVESTIGATION. COMSTOCK 911 CREW WAS ASSIGNED TO ASSIST 1213 WITH EXTERIOR OVERHAUL. 1212 CONDUCTED INTERIOR OVERHAUL AND REPORTED MINOR CHARRING AT PEAK OF ROOF ON THE INTERIOR BUT NO FURTHER EXTENSION. EXTERIOR OVERHAUL WAS COMPLETED. FM HENSON DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE FIREWALL AND MORE TOWARDS THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN OPEN RECALL FOR A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Fire

STARTED MY VEHICLE IT MADE A CLUNKING NOISE THEN DIED. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND BROKE ALL THE VALVES OFF THE MOTOR. *JS

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. MY REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THE CAR HAD BEEN ON FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, WARMING UP. I LOADED MY ITEMS INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE TAILGATE WINDOW. WHEN I WAS DONE, I CLOSED THE WINDOW. BEFORE IT WAS EVEN CLOSED, THE WINDOW EXPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES. THERE WAS GLASS ALL OVER. THE WINDOW WAS RECENTLY REPLACED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR GLASS HINGES WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE TAILGATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,260.

BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. PROBLEM TRACED TO TILT STEERING AND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS. BROKEN RETAINER CLIP ALLOWS WIRES TO BE PULLED FROM CONNECTOR BREAKING CONNECTION FOR BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL. ONCE TILT STEERING IS ENGAGED CONNECTION IS BROKEN AND WIRES DO NOT STAY CONNECTED AND LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL IS THE RESULT. THIS COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT, INJURY AND OR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM HAD ELUDED ME UNTIL I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET WHICH RESULTED IN HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF PEOPLE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLING THE FORD DEALER AND PROVIDING THE PART NUMBER (E6DB14489DA) ON THE CONNECTOR PROVED FUTILE IN HAVING THEM EVEN IDENTIFY THE PART YET I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART ON THE INTERNET JUST BE A GOOGLE SEARCH. AT THIS POINT, I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT PART SO I AM FORCED TO HOT GLUE THE WIRES INTO THE BROKEN CONNECTOR IN ORDER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. *TR

REAR DOOR GLASS HATCH HINGES CAME OFF.THIS WAS MY WIFES VEHICLE DRIVEN VERY LITTLE UNTIL SHE PASSED AWAY 2009.THEN IT WAS DRIVEN EVEN LESS. BACK HATCH GLASS WAS NEVER USED AS FAR AS I KNOW. SHE ALWAYS USED THE METAL DOOR. I DROVE IT TO GROCERY STORE,PUT GROCERIES IN BACK USING LARGE DOOR. WHEN I GOT HOME I JUST GRABBED GLASS HATCH HANDLE BY MISTAKE,IT CAME OFF IN MY HAND.BOTH HINGES WERE BROKEN. I DON'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG,THE LATCH WAS ALL THAT KEPT IT IN PLACE.WHEN THE LATCH OPENED IT EXPLODED OUTWARD ,RESULTING IN BADLY DAMAGED PAINT AND BOTH REAR DEFROSTER WIRES TO BE TORN OFF GLASS.LUCKILY IT WAS ME AND NOT MY WIFE,COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE.LIFT CYLINDERS WERE SO STRONG I COULD NOT PUT IT BACK IN PLACE,HAD TO YELL FOR NEIGHBORS FOR HELP!HAD IT REPAIRED LOCAL FORD DEALER.TOLD ME ABOUT RECALL FOR MODELS EXCEPT SPORT.NO RECALL FOR IT.$150.50(NOT INCLUDING PAINT) FOR REPAIRS & 10 DAYS @ DEALER.IT NOW HAS 71,800 MILES GLASS HATCH NEVER USED,IT HAS BROKEN DRIVERS SIDE HINGE AGAIN.07/28/2014.HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER AGAIN AS OF THIS TIME. BUT I PLAN TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS FOR SUCH INADEQUATE REPLACEMENT PARTS. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, NEVER ABUSED AND WELL MAINTAINED. *JS

WHILE OPENING MY REAR HATCH WINDOW TO LOAD GROCERIES I NOTICED THE TOP RIGHT HINGE HAD DETACHED FROM THE CAR, LEAVING THE GLASS HATCH HANGING BY A SINGLE HINGE. WHEN I GOT HOME I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED RECALL #04S20 AND MENTIONED IT TO MY DEALER WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICING. THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED, SO I CALLED FORD AND THEY AGREED. EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL SPECIFIES "ALL FORD EXPLORER MODELS" THEY SAY MINE IS THE 2-DOOR "SPORT" EDITION AND SO ISN'T INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH THE HATCH IS IDENTICAL (I'VE OWNED BOTH). THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM (THE OTHER HINGE BROKE 2 YEARS AGO). I'D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD DETERMINE IF THE 2-DOOR MODELS ARE SUFFICIENTLY DIFFERENT THAT THEY CAN BE EXEMPTED FROM THIS RECALL, AND IF THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED TELL ME HOW TO PROCEED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAS A REAR HATCH THAT INCLUDES A GLASS SECTION THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO BE OPENED TO LOAD ITEMS INTO THE TRUNK AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THREE SEPARATE TIMES THE REAR WINDSHIELD HAS BLOWN OUT AS IT HAS BEEN OPENED / CLOSED. THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS MADE OF TEMPERED GLASS AND WHEN IT BREAKS IT EXPLODES INTO THE PERSON OPERATING THE WINDOW. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY INJURIES BESIDES A FEW SMALL CUTS, BUT HAVING GLASS EXPLODE INTO A PERSON IS DANGEROUS. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE THE GLASS WAS SIMPLY REPLACED. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE REAR GLASS WAS OPENED. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE GLASS WAS CLOSED. THE THIRD FAILURE OCCURRED 12/1/2013, IT HAS YET TO BE FIXED. THIS MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE GLASS WAS CLOSED. *TR

1 injured

THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAS A REAR HATCH THAT INCLUDES A GLASS SECTION THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO BE OPENED TO LOAD ITEMS INTO THE TRUNK AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THREE SEPARATE TIMES THE REAR WINDSHIELD HAS BLOWN OUT AS IT HAS BEEN OPENED / CLOSED. THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS MADE OF TEMPERED GLASS AND WHEN IT BREAKS IT EXPLODES INTO THE PERSON OPERATING THE WINDOW. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY INJURIES BESIDES A FEW SMALL CUTS, BUT HAVING GLASS EXPLODE INTO A PERSON IS DANGEROUS. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE THE GLASS WAS SIMPLY REPLACED. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE REAR GLASS WAS OPENED. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE GLASS WAS CLOSED. THE THIRD FAILURE OCCURRED 12/1/2013, IT HAS YET TO BE FIXED. THIS MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE GLASS WAS CLOSED. *TR

1 injured

WHEN I OPEN THE BACK GLASS WINDOW, ONE HINGE BROKE OFF. I TRY TO SET THE WINDOW, THE OTHER HINGE BROKE. I HAVE TO TIE A ROPE TO KEEP THE GLASS FROM FALLING OFF. *TR I FIND ON LINE THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2002 - 2003 FORD EXPLORER LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE AND STRUT BRACKETS, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD DEALER AND FORD COMPANY, THEY SAY MY VEHICLE VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. IF OTHER FORD EXPOLORERS ARE COVERED, WHY MY VIN IS NOT COVERED? IS IT BECAUSE THERE ARE FEWER FORD EXPLORER SPORT BUILT, AND LESS PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM? I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD EXPAND TO COVER ALL EXPLORER BUILD IN 2002 - 2003.

WHILE UNLOADING ITEMS FROM BACK I HAD THE HALF GLASS OPEN, AS I WALKED AWAY THE BACK GLASS JUST SLAMMED DOWN AND SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. *TR

LIFT GATE WINDOW HINGE BROKE SCRATCHING THE PAINT AND HURTING MY HAND CATCHING IT SO IT WOULD NOT BREAK THE OTHER HINGE. CALLED FORD THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN AND THEY SAY ITS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WHICH I CANT FIGURE OUT SINCE THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME SINCE I'M THE OWNER OF MY 02 EXPLORER SPORT AND FOUND OUT THIS HAPPEN TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER ONCE.SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE! I RESEARCH THIS ON LINE AND SEE MANY OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THE SAME STORY COME ON LETS DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!!! *TR

WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT CAR FROM DRIVE INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN AND FELL OF IN MY HAND. THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. TO REPAIR THIS LINKAGE PART, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF OVER $1800. I CALLED FORD TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS EVER HAPPENING BEFORE. THEY SAID THEY WOULD ADD THE INCIDENT TO THEIR DATABASE. I TOLD THEM THAT I FELT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE REFERRED TO ENGINEERING OR QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR INVESTIGATION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT FORD WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING WITH THIS INFORMATION. *TR

PART# 2L2Z-98420A68-AA HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS FOR LIFTGATE BROKE 08/04-2008. RECALL CAMPAIGN#PE04045-PURCHASED ANOTHER HINGE FROM FORD PARTS DEPT. INVOICE# 216039 ON 08/04/2008-THEY DID NOT TELL ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART ITEM- BOUGHT PART AND REPLACED IT MYSELF. 08/26-2012 THE OTHER HINGE BROKE AND CALLED 1-888-327-4226 AND WAS TOLD RECALL WAS OVER- THE FORD STORE NEVER TOLD ME THIS PART WAS RECALLED AND CHARGED ME $43.95. NOW THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HATCHBACK HINGE HAS BROKEN AND HAVE BEEN TOLD I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT REPAIRED MYSELF AGAIN. NEVER RECEIVED ANY POSTCARD FOR RECALL NOTICE. THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE-BOTH HINGES HAVE BROKEN- I HAVE PAID FOR ONE HINGE AND REPLACED IT MYSELF AND DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE OTHER ONE ALSO AND SHOULD BE PAID THE $43.95 I PAID NOT EVEN COUNTING MY TIME AND LABOR AND FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE OTHER SIDE SINCE THIS HINGE IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS COMPLETE FAILURE. ALL MOUNTS FAIL. MOUNTS FALL COMPLETELY APART AND NOTHING LEFT EXCEPT FOR WASHERS AND BOLTS.THIS CAN CAUSES BODY TO MOVE ON FRAME..HAVE MADE FORD MOTOR AWARE BUT NO ACTION TAKEN. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW HINGE WAS BROKEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW HINGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

I JUST PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT ON 08/06/2011 SO THAT I HAD A VEHICLE THAT I COULD TAKE THE KIDS ON CAMPING TRIPS. ON 09/04/2011 ON OUR WAY TO DAYTONA BEACH I NOTICED THE CAR WAS PUSHING AND SWERVING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, I HAD JUST PUT BRAND NEW TIRES ON IT AND REPLACED BOTH THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND ALL 4 BALL JOINTS AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE, I THOUGHT THAT IT'S A BIGGER VEHICLE THAN WHAT I'M USED TO AND HAD BEEN A SLIGHTLY WINDY. ON THE WAY HOME ON MONDAY 09/05/2011 IT WAS EVEN WORSE, I COULD FEEL THE BODY ROLLING THE CAR PUSHING ECT.. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THERE APPEARED TO BE NOTHING WRONG. I CRAWLED HOME A NERVOUS WRECK. WHEN WE UNLOAD THE CAR AT HOME I NOTICED THE CAR WAS SAGGING IN THE LEFT REAR.I CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED 2 BIG ISSUES, 1ST THE COIL SPRING IS BROKEN WERE LUCKY IT DIDN'T POP OUT AND SHRED A TIRE, AND 2ND ALL OF THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS ARE COMPLETELY CRUMBLING OR JUST PLAIN GONE. TALK ABOUT DANGEROUS. I WENT ONLINE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2002 EXPLORERS ON BLOGS AND FORD FORUMS AND TONS OF SITES FOR COMPLAINTS FOR AUTOMOBILES FOR ALL MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE FOR THE EXACT SAME THINGS. I HAVE ALSO SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR OTHER EQUIPMENT FAILURES ONE OF THEM BEING A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAREND OF THE CAR WHICH I THOUGHT WAS THE TIRES, BUT APPARENTLY IT IS AN IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED DIFFERENTIAL THAT FORD WILL NOT FIX OR ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A COUPLE OF TECHNICAL BULLETINS OUT ON IT. THEY ARE JUST LUCKY THAT MY CHILDREN WERE NOT INJURED. HOW DARE THEY NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THESE VEHICLES THAT THEY ENGINEERED AND SOLD, USED OR NOT. IF YOU MANUFACTURE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE YOU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. IS IT GONNA TAKE A FATHER AND HIS CHILDREN BEING KILLED. *TR

OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF, AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. WOULD STAY IN A LOWER GEAR DURING ACCELERATION AS THE RPM CONTINUED TO CLIMB. HAD STORED CODES DIAGNOSED WITH THE FOLLOWING: P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO), P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO), P0734 (GEAR 4 INCORRECT RATIO). WAS ADVISED NOT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. REQUIRED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD (BY AN INDEPENDENT INCLUDING UPGRADES) INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER DUE TO EXCESSIVE METAL FILINGS THROUGHOUT. TOTAL COST $2581.60. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING (NO HITCH) AND IS NOT ABUSED. . INVESTIGATION ON THE WEB REVEALS THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO BE QUITE COMMON, CITING WEAKNESSES IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. CREATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION BECAUSE THE FAILURE CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME AT WHICH POINT THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.

I WAS OPENING THE REAR GLASS ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WHEN THE HINGE BROKE AND THE GLASS FELL ON MY ARM. I WAS LUCKY TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT HIT THE GROUND. I NOW HAVE A HUGE BRUISE ON MY ARM. I CONTACTED FORD THE SAID MY TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE OF WHERE IT WAS BUILT. *TR

1 injured

I WAS OPENING THE REAR GLASS ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WHEN THE HINGE BROKE AND THE GLASS FELL ON MY ARM. I WAS LUCKY TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT HIT THE GROUND. I NOW HAVE A HUGE BRUISE ON MY ARM. I CONTACTED FORD THE SAID MY TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE OF WHERE IT WAS BUILT. *TR

1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BOLT WHICH SECURED THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW HINGE FRACTURED CAUSING THE WINDOW TO SLIGHTLY DETACH. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V44200(STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE YET THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES ON THE LIFTGATE STRUT FRACTURED CAUSING THE GLASS TO SHIFT SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH HINGES WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSING THE LIFTGATE TO IMPROPERLY SECURE THE GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BOTH HINGES ON THE REAR LIFTGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. UPDATED 03/15/11*LJ UPDATED 11/28/11 *CN

LEADING UP TO THE EVENT OF THE FIRE, OCCASIONALLY THE "DOOR AJAR" BUTTON WOULD FLASH DURING DRIVING, THE ALARM WOULD RANDOMLY GO OFF, AND THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WOULD FLASH AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS WAS NEVER A PATTERN, AND THE CAR WENT PERIODS OF TIME WITH NOTHING HAPPENING TO IT. ONE MORNING, I OPENED THE CAR DOOR AND FOUND THE ENTIRE INSIDE TO BE BURNED OUT. THE FIRST STARTED IN THE MIDDLE CONSOLE. *TR

Fire

2002 FORD EXPLORER. O/D LIGHT BLINKING. SLOW GEAR SHIFTING. RANDOM JERKING OF CAR. HAVE READ THIS ON MANY WEBSITES AND EVEN PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD A REBUILD OR SOLENOID REPLACED, JUST HAPPENS AGAIN. IS ALSO DANGEROUS, BECAUSE ONCE CHANGES GEARS, MPH JUMPS VERY HIGH, VERY QUICKLY WITH NO CONTROL OVER IT. *TR

TOOK VEHICLE IN TO HAVE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE03020 - BOLT REPLACE DUE TO BACK OF SEAT FALLING BACKWARDS DURING DRIVING. BOLT BROKE ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO FALL BACKWARDS. WAS INFORMED BY AIRPORT FORD (DEALERSHIP) THAT DUE TO THE BROKEN BOLT THAT THE SEAT FRAME WAS DAMAGED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $350 TO GET THE FRAME FIXED. FORD DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE BOLT DUE TO DAMAGE TO SEAT FRAME - WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE BOLT BREAKING. CALLED FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY SAID THAT AS FAR AS THEY KNEW THE DAMAGED SEAT FRAME CAUSED THE BOLT (WHICH WAS ON THE RECALL) TO BREAK. SO THE DEALER RETURNED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT REPLACING THE BOLT WITH THE SEAT IS STILL BROKEN. WORDING FROM DEALERSHIP "INSPECT- FOUND UNABLE TO REPLACE BOLT-SHEERED OFF INSPEC CONDITION OF MOUNTING AREA INTO SEAT BOTTOM FRAME SEAT BACK ARE BOTH DAMAGED. - FORD DECLINE REPLACED BOTH FRAME SECTIONS DUE TO TIME LENGTH OF OPEN RECALL OPEN SINCE 2003. CUST DECLINE REPAIRS - NO ACTION TAKEN - RETURN VEH TO CUSTOMER IN CONDITION VEHICLE CAME HERE WITH. FORD IS WANTING ME TO PAY $350.00 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT THEIR $2.00. DEFECTIVE BOLT DAMAGED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGES FAILED AND CAUSED THE WINDOW TO FALL. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,800. UPDATED 11/16/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TAILGATE WINDOW WAS OPENED, THE HINGES FAILED AND THE WINDOWS CAME OUT OF THE TAILGATE THE WINDOW THEN FAILED WHEN ONE OF THE CYLINDERS CAME OFF THE TAILGATE. THE WINDOW DID NOT BREAK. UPDATED 11/23/10. *JB