general problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer

Tl- the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the door ajar light and brake warning indicator illuminated even when the doors were closed. The contact also stated the vehicle made an abnormal noise. An independent mechanic was notified of the issue and diagnosed the wheel bearings were defective and needed to be replaced. The failure was repaired for the wheel bearing failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures however they were inform that the NHTSA is responsible for all recalls and transferred to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was not provided. Kh.

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.

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 wheel hubs break and leave us stranded , it's obviously time for a different vehicle, and I just thought about how many other people drive one of those trucks, and how dangerous that could have been out on the interstate, it's a good thing we were driving 30 mph on a country rd, if we had been in town when it broke again we I thought that the last time this happened too, there definatly is a problem, when the guy at the dealership says that's a very common problem, but unfortunately, all he can do is fix it, or sell me something else,and that that's the issue that those trucks have and that everyday someone is dropping one of to get fixed for the exact same problem, anyway I think it's time to try something else, but this problem needs to be on a recall list because it's just bad business and a safety hazard, and it's problaby already gotten people and families killed, I'm going to fix this thing one more time and give the people that buy it this website info, Ford motor company needs to fix this ever occurring problem.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while in reverse, the vehicle accelerated independently. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and the steering wheel seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed into trees then went forward independently crashing into shrubs, a fence, and a building. In addition, the air bags failed to deploy and smoke started to emit from the front of the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruise and neck and head injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

When braking vehicle accelerates. Could not stop had to put in n and it stalled before hitting a store front and a second time on the way home at a red light.

Over the past year I have noticed that this particular vehicle is experiencing severe rust issues on various components including lower body work, specifically under the driver and passenger doors in addition to emergency brake components. When I first noticed the issue I took immediate action to repair the damaged body work areas by using anti-rust treatments and applying new paint as recommended by a certified mechanic. The issue though is still ongoing to the point where door seals are no longer water tight and small pieces of body work are flaking away from the vehicle as a result of wind resistance and bumps while the vehicle is in motion. I have also needed to replace rusted emergency brake components which I was advised were no longer functional or safe. Upon further research it appears that a large number of Ford/murcury/Lincoln vehicles (primarily between 2002 and 2004) are experiencing the exact same issue and that supposedly Ford is aware of a known paint defect that is the root cause, however no related recalls or further information has surfaced. . Read more...

I was driving home from work thank god I was almost home at this time, my Ford explore was driving fine all of a sudden I herd a pop and a bang and then the motor started stumbling and shaking. As it was running the motor kept on popping I got out and seen a spark plug next to driver side fender under the hood also the coil that was plugged on to the plug was there too. I tried to grab the coil but got shocked because the rubber on the coil was broke from the plug flying out like a bullet and hitting the coil braking it in four or five places thats y I got shocked so much. The hole point is that the plug striped out of the head and did all this damage. Now I have no way to fix this issue one of the ways to fix it can be to replace the heads on the motor witch will cost lots of money. What can I do im desperate so it would be nice to have a helping hand by the dealer but thay clam it's not there folt but this has happened to so many Fords because of the heads thay have used on this motor please make a recall for this issue it is a defect I do believe it is. I found over 50 people online having trouble with the same issues as me. Please help us. . . . .

This is the third time I have to replace brakes (full job) with abs concerns.

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.

As I was driving home from work my fuel gauge went from full to empty and the check gauge light came on then the vehicle died and I lost power steering and the power brakes.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving with the cruise control engaged at approximately 70 mph pressure was applied to the brake pedal and the vehicle surged forward until repeated pressure was applied to that pedal. A pop noise was also heard coming from the passenger side firewall. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where he was informed there was a wire malfunction within the brake pedal switch. The authorized dealer was in the process of installing a new brake pedal switch. The failure and current mileages were 73,000. Updated 10/21/10. Updated 10/25/10.

My cars cruise control failed to disengage when I applied the footbrake, pushed the off switch, the gear shift would not move and the key would not turn off. The car was checked by police and when it was tested they were unable to find a fault in the failsafes however they are still suspicious of the vehicle. I had to call police and was in a runaway car on the freeway for 30mins. When I hit a median strip I lost enough speed to be able to use the little braking power I had left, as each time I applied the brakes the engine would accelerate back to the set sped and the brake pedal became hard to push. When I stopped I also pulled the handbrake as ordered by the police over the phone to avoid a headon, the left shoe of the handbrake snapped and the car skidded to a stop. The police disconnected the battery when they did testing. So I've been told any fault codes or faults either with the cruise control or the ecu may now be lost. Ford are claiming this could never happen, but im starting to read on other sites the same things are happening to other people. I could be dead along with alot of other people that day. The police also had issues moving the gear shift that day on my car to get it onto a tow truck, so its not just the driver.

I was on the highway doing 65 as posted, I started to feel shaking from the tires and it got to the point I couldn't control the vehicle, lucky I was able to get off the side of the highway and call aaa for a tow, a state police officer pulled behind me and said let me guess hub bearing. The police dept also has the same problem. This is my 8th repair I am doing and next week I am doing the opposite side. It is costing me 600. 00 dollars for every side I am doing. I made a complaint to Ford company and they told me there is no recall. Then why is my mechanic telling me he gets numerous repair jobs on the same vehicles. Plus I spoke to a CO worker that has the same year and vehicle doing the same thing. When is something going to get done. Or is the company going to wait till someone gets killed. Bbb and bluminthau was told about and still no response from no body.

Purchased a 2002 Ford Explorer in 2003 with 30,000 miles on it. Almost instantly a humming noise came from what I think is the front driver side, may be more areas, and was unsure what to do with it. Replaced brakes a few years later and mechanic told me bearings were warped and needed to be replaced. I asked the mechanic what the consequence would be if no repairs were made and he stated none. I read a message board about the 2002 Explorer and this seems to be an issue for many owners. I also researched the consequence of a bearing not being replaced and the consequences can result in death. Please take the time to research this issue before someone really gets hurt.

Fax follow-up ltr fm landy johnson iii (CA) submission of 20 copies of complaints filed w/NHTSA re brake problems w/the 2002 Ford Explorer; reply to pasadena dist ofc. The consumer experienced problem with the brakes. The consumer returned the vehicle to the dealer.