Car Stall problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was idling at a stop light, the overdrive warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled several times. In addition, the vehicle was difficult to shift into second and third gear as well as drive, which was when the intermittent stall failure occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was parked and unable to be driven due to the intermittent failures. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Car stalled on busy street, then was restarted and lost power. Then fire in engine compartment. Cause is unknown. Car was well maintained. Total loss was not covered by insurance.

August 27,2012. Huaband driving howm from work. Going down hill to traffic light. Car suddenly, with no warning, stalls out completely. Loss of power steering, power brakes. Etc. A/s contuinued to work. Engine ligh came on. Wrestled car to verge of road. Turned car off and it restarted on forst try. Stated that the following day as he attempted to pull away from stop sign, car would not initally take gas but then suddenly accelerated ( " I peeled rubber!") recalled that thatsame incident had had happened approx. 2 weeks before at a diffeent stop. Car taken to repair shop, somputer shows no issues. Believe car unsafe to drive if affected with sudden, unexplained stalling with no apparent cause. Bought car as "certified, pre-owned" used car from Ford dealership in Dec. 2012. They have no answer, no suggestions as to problem cause. Internet search shows multiple complaints for this same problem with the Ford Explorer.

Transmission failed for the second time. Failed orginally at 65,000 miles and had to be replaced. Failed again 3 years later at 130,000 miles and had a rebuilt transmission installed. 10 months later at 140,000 miles the transmission is leaking and starting to slip. I don't anticipate paying for a 4th transmission on this vehicle. Obviously there is something wrong with the design.

#3 cyclinder plub blew. Had towed to dealer. Dealer said they could fix easliy by installing a helix coil adapter & could have car ready next day. Dealer calls back and says they fixed it but it was really running bad and that they would not recommend driving it. I asked what the solution was and they said they could pull the head and refinish it but that they would not recommend doing such. I asked about a jasper and they said they would not recommend as jasper has a poor warrenty (12 months+limited mileage & no labor) while a new Ford engine would have 3 years, no mileage limit & be warrented for both labor and parts. As I needed the vehilce - as it is I had to rent a vehicle. After getting the vehicle back and talking with several other Ford dealers - it would seem that there is a strong possibility that the Ford dealer installing the helix coil may have dropped debris into the engine - as none of the other dealers said they have ever had to replace an engine for a blown spark plug. The plugs were the originals from the factory. I have tried to work with the dealer to get some sort of reduction in what I had to pay but they have been less than interested in talking with me. So am trying figure out what my next step should be. All advise would be appreciated as apparently the plug blowing problem is common! this is a serious safety hazzard - there could have been a fire.

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 updated 08/09/jb.

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.

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.

: 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.

Today, 9-2-04, while driving approximately 25-30 mph the engine abruptly stopped and lost power. The radio remained on. The engine started again, but one minute later, stalled again. It became difficult to turn over, started, and stalled yet again. This occurred one more time, and I drove it home to drop off my wife and children, and to take the car to the dealer, Ford galpin in north hills, California. This is the 3rd seperate occassion this has happened, and its 2nd trip to the dealer. It is currently being inspected at the dealership.

The vehicle stalled while idling at a light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the valve. Unfortunately within three day the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate or repair the problem. The vehicle began to surge while surging idling. The dealer was unable to permanently resolve that problem. The consumer noticed a whine in the rear end of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the rear differential but when the vehicle was returned to the consumer the noise was still present. The vehicle was still under warranty when all these problems started.

Consumer states that while driving at any speed and without warning vehicle will stall, and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified.

: 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.

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. 10/1/27,078 miles abs light came on, the dealer replaced the assembly. Rear differential was leaking, dealer replaced the seals. 7/28/ 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/ 43,203 miles rear axle chattering. Replaced whole rear axle assembly. 2/25/ 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/ 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 ring and pinion, replaced front end tie rods, replaced both lower ball joints, performed front end alignment. All told, I have had my Explorer in the shop at least 10 times. My warranty is about to expire (7,000 more miles) and I'm going to try to get Ford to buy the vehicle back. From what I've heard, this is not an easy process and apparently doesn't happen often with such 'high mileage' vehicles. If they don't buy it back I will be forced to take a huge loss on the vehicle. I will then purchase anything but a Ford.

Consumer states while driving the steering wheel locked and vehicle stalled. Consumer is not able to unlock steering wheel and vehicle will not start.

Frequency and intensity of stalling increasing.

My 2002 Ford Explorer sometimes stalls when starting my vehicle. It has also hesitated and acts like it is stalling when driving. This has happened on more than one occasion, I have almost been hit from the side with 4 small children in my car when it has decided to hesitate.

Vehicle would stalls out at multiple speed. Vehicle been to the dealer on three occasions, and was unable to duplicate the problem. Feel free to provide any further information.

Consumer states that while coming to a stop vehicle suddenly died. There were no warning signs. Nlm consumer adds that the vehicle stalled twice before while driving, but was able to restart it. Dealer cannot locate problem.

Vehicle will stall without prior warning. This incident can happen on quarter or less of gas in gasoline tank. Dealership is aware of problem.

Vehicle would intermittently stall while driving at multiple speed. Dealer was notified, and unable to locate cause of problem. Feel free to provide any further information.

Vehicle experiences periods of stalling at low speeds. Applying brakes there is a loss of brakes and steering. No prior warning before stalling. Existing problem 5 times, taken into the delaer. Dealer replaced fuel pump, main control valve body, transmission oil pan, idle air control valve and programmed pcm. Vibration like anti-lock brake system is kicking in. Dealer could not duplicate. Overdrive comes in and out at odd speeds. No problem found.

Consumer states after parked overnight or for an 1 hour, vehicle will not start. When engine did startup, there is a loud boom noise. There is also rough idle with initial startup and at stop lights, also the vehicle stalls.