Driveshaft problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer

I took a trip from home in ok to canton, TX on return heard loud noise when I stopped to have the vehicle inspected I found out the front drive shaft was coming out. In March of 2008 I noticed a noise coming from the rear of the Explorer. When I had it inspected I was told the rear end needed to be replaced. This cost me over $2000. 00. My transmission is now slipping and after reading other complaints I fear the worse if I have my transmission checked. Who do we contact to have a lawsuit started? my truck now has approximately 110,000 miles. I have replaced the front drive shaft, rear end assembly. My air bag light stays on and the rear panel below the back window has cracked. I have all the complaints listed except for the gear shifter breaking off in my hand.

11/7/03 at 20,272 miles unit in for rear axle whine dealer replaced the drive shaft but rear axle whine not fixed. 11/13/04 at 34269 miles vehicle taken to dealer for rear end howl again replaced rear differential unit. Next morning wife went to take child to day care and vehicle would not go over 35 mph without resistance. Had towed to the dealer and the was told a faulty differential unit. Put the old one back in and reordered another rear differential unit and put the new unit in on 11//17/04 at 34,291 miles. When the service records state found bad bearing in the unit. 6/12/06 rear end axle seal leaking replaced the rear end whine was still evident. 6/12/06 at 62,31 miles rear axle seal leak repaired. 11/09/06 at approx 68,000 miles transmission has failed. Reference TSB#16898 rear axle whine and TSB#03254. Have seen a lot of complaints about these transmission failures on line for the 2002 Ford Explorer's. Leads me to believe that the rear end whining is binding the transmissions and causing them to fail. Also see TSB#06216, TSB#18466, TSB#18423.

2002 Ford Explorer XLT, 56,000 miles. Whining from rear differential between 40-60 mph. Whining goes away if pressure is reduced from accelerator or if speed is greater than 60 mph. Some leaking of rear differential fluid around driveshaft pinion seal. Also had transmission rebuilt at 54,000 miles due to rough shifting from 3 to 4. Transmission was not covered under 36,000 mile warranty. In my research, I have uncovered many other 2002/2003 Explorer owners with similar whining rear differential issues. Would seem that since there are many others having the same issue that there is some design/materials flaw in the rear end gearbox causing this issue. I will be forced to replace the rear end in addition to the transmission if there is no remedy from Ford.

2002 4x4 Explorer limited with v8. At 7390 miles (3/12/03, invoice # w40836) two issues; the transmission never shifted properly and it started leaking fluid everywhere. Two weeks later the dealer admitted they didnã‚t know the cause and replaced the transmission with a new one. Engine severely overheated (invoice 3w47852). At 20k miles the truck will once in a while stop (as if I hit something) as I start to back out of the garage - problem discovered at 31k brake job - rear shoes on parking brake broke loose on drivers side (both) and only one on passenger side. Loose shoe on pass. Side would wedge with good one and lock up wheels when moving slow. Lot's of arguments and Ford finally replaced shoes (4/25/05 invoice # 99323). At 26k (11/05, no invoice) one tire went flat and upon inspection by a tire shop, that tire and a second tire had tread separation - running goodyearã‚s. Ford quickly replaced both tires without any questions. At 29k, my family and I moved from mi to GA. Each time I stopped for gas the Explorer sounded like the front end was grinding metal to metal on the gears. The 4x4 was in auto for the trip and once I got back on the highway above 20 mph the noise went away. However, it continued to shift poorly and it started to surge (shake) or thump like something was catching in the drive train every time I would let off the gas pedal and allowed the truck to decelerate without braking. Even after new brakes and rotors, the problem got worse and worse - now at 34k, (5/30/05, invoice # w50821) the truck is in the dealership for the 3rd time on this issue. The first time, they replaced the "module-transfer sh" which did pretty much eliminate the shifting issue. They also replace the "drive shaft flange per ssm 16824" whatever that means. But a major problem in the drive train still exists and it still unresolved. Here's my point, Ford has a major drive train problem with the redesigned 2002 Explorer.

The consumer experienced a clunking noise which the dealer reported originated from the driveshaft. Some of the drive shaft mounting bolts were missing and some were loose. The dealer repaired the moutning bolts. There was no warning of the driveshaft having missing bolts. The consumer felt that the dealer should have replaced the original bolts that had come loose. The consumer also felt that Ford should cover the cost of repairs.

Leased new '02 Explorer in Mar 02. Have had a warped driveshaft replaced, clunking noise in rear end area was "normal', and now at 65k miles have to replace entire transmission. Fmc of course claims no responsibility- vehicle isn't under warranty and I should take it up with dealer. Dealer says 3000 dollars to fix. Also had the stalling at highway speeds with speedometer reading between 5 and 95 mph approximately 1 1/2 years ago. Dealer found nothing wrong.

Drive shaft on 2002 Ford Explorer with 42,000 miles "is worn out" according to romeo, mi Ford dealership service manager. Previous compaint at 29593 miles to same dealership about loud noise when shifting (while under warranty) "could not be verified" at that time. I believe the drive shaft was defective and should be replaced without any charge.

Driveshaft area/rear noise-singing/hum.

Severe vibration.