57 problems related to steering column have been reported for the 2002 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2002 Explorer.
About a year ago, the gear shifter in my 2002 Ford Explorer started getting harder to shift out of park especially on inclines. After a short period of time, I took it to our local Ford dealer for them to look at it. They said they could find nothing wrong but that it did stick a little. Gradually over several months it got worse. Eventually, it got stuck in park and I actually broke off the gear shifter trying to go from park to reverse. We had to pay almost $1,200 to replace the steering column and shifter. We were then told that we might put on the emergency break before shifting into park on hills. I told them that it didn't matter if you were on a hill or not, it still would get stuck. After first replacing the column, it was easier to shift out of park. Then, over a few months it became increasingly harder to shift out of park again, unless I put on the emergency brake. I did use the brake on hills and inclines mostly but then sometimes it would get hard to shift on just flat surfaces. I contacted the Ford dealer and asked them to look at it again. They said that I would always just have to use the emergency brake before shifting into park. I asked them why - it doesn't seem right. They said, "that is just normal operating procedure". I, of course, argued that was not normal and they said there was nothing they could do about it. I asked the Ford company website and they said they consulted with our dealer and that they concur with them.
Went to put my 2002 Ford Explorer in reverse and the shift level broke off from the steering column, leaving the vehicle unable to be driven. This apparently has happened to many others and the only repair is to replace the entire steering column which costs over $1,000.
Was putting vehicle into drive when gear shift broke off of steering column, later found that cheap aluminum connecting piece broke not the shift handle.
The steering wheel lever broke off my Ford Explorer 2002. This occurs often on Ford Explorers because it is made of aluminum. The repair is to change the whole steering column and that costs between $800-1300 dollars.
The gear shift on my 2002 Ford Explorer broke off the steering column. There were no warning signs before this occurred. I was in the car with my 3 year old son & my wife who is 8 months pregnant. I pulled out of a driveway at a friend's house in reverse, when I proceeded to put the car in drive, the gear shift broke off the steering column. My car was stuck in the middle of the road on reverse. I had to turn of the engine to be able to push it out of harms way and could no longer turn it on because it was stuck on the reverse gear. I had to get the car towed to my house, find a mechanic that could help me because my car is no longer under warranty and then have it towed to the mechanic. The mechanic had to change the steering column because Ford does not sell the single part to fix the gear shift, they only sell the entire column. The mechanic got me a good deal on the column and the total cost of the repair was $360 as opposed to the $850 that Ford wanted to charge for the part. There is a database online of numerous Ford Explorer 2002 owners who have experienced the same problem. . Read more...
My steering column shifter broke while trying to put the vehicle in park. It was stuck in reverse so I had to take the column apart and figure how to change gears and get my keys out. Found out this has happened to numerous people with this steering column/gear shift. Why make two things that have nothing to do with each other be together on the same hardware is beyond me. This part should've been bolted on so it can be replaced easily.
Gear stick broke off in my hand when shifting to reverse in my 2002 Ford Explorer, it has not been repaired as it happened today, but will probably require a new steering column.
The gear shift lever broke away from the steering column when I tried to put it in park from drive. It just snapped very easy. The broke component is the piece that connects the lever to the rod and the whole steering column component had to be replace because the lever and rod is a single piece.
I went to put my 2002 Ford Explorer into park and the gear shift broke off. I had to call a wrecker and had the vehicle towed to my mechanic. The total cost was $1100 because the entire steering column had to be replaced. This appears to be a defect in the metal based on the broken part and also poor design that you have to replace the entire steering column for.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the shift gear detached from the steering column when being shifted out of park. In addition, the key would not turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. As of January 2, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The VIN and engine size were unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 69,000. Updated 01-29-08. The consumer stated contacted Ford customer relations several times and informed to bring to a Ford dealership in turn Ford informed the consumer there was nothing they could do due to the fact the vehicle's warranty had expired. Updated 01/29/08.
I was leaving work. . Cranked my car and went to shift from park into reverse and the gear shift leaver "broke" loose from the steering column. It was just "flopping around". I called my dealership and they sent a tow truck since I couldn't shift into gear and drive it. I also could not get the key from the ignition since the car couldn't tell it was in park. The tow truck driver said in 20 years he had never seen anything like it. This morning the service department at my dealership said "you sure exerted a lot of force on the shift handle because you broke the steering column". I exerted no force. . . It was very easy. And my comment to the service coordinator was "I'm a 60 year old woman. . . I couldn't possible exert enough force to break the steering column!". They are now telling me it will cost in excess of $1700. 00 to fix it and they can't tell me how long it will take because "we don't stock steering columns, and since you used enough force to break it, we have to have one shipped in. When we know how long it will take to get the part, we'll tell you when you can get your car back. ".
Gear shift mechanisms broke apart and seperated from the steering column leaving the vehicle in park position. Towed to dealer. Part not available for 1 month. Previously had vehicle to dealer stating there was a noise emanating form the steering column. Could not find anything. Am told the part is $700 + and $200+ to install. My contention is this was a faulty part. If this happened while driving, it could have deployed the air bag causing a serious accident. Even the dealer has never heard of the mechanisms breaking apart as this one did.
My wife was starting the vehicle and attempted to shift into drive when the gear shifter broke off. Had vehicle towed to repair shop where mechanic stated that he had never seen this before. He attempted to find parts but Ford had no parts nationwide to repair due to change in manufacturers. Must have been a defect with the original manufacturer which forced them to find a new manufacturer for this part. Had to replace entire steering column assembly. Took over 1 month to get part and cost over $900 to repair.
Gear shift broke while engine was running and vehicle was in park. Key could not be removed. Could this occur while vehicle is moving? replacement of entire gear shift was required. Old gear shift assembly has been kept for future reference.
My wife was going to work on 6/12/07 when she arrived in the parking lot. She went to put the vehicle into park when the column shifter broke off in her hands. She was not able to take the key out of the ignition. I dismantled the steering column and found that a metal piece had sheered off that attaches the shift lever to the upper steering column. This piece of metal is made out of pot metal and is of a poor quality design. The truck is sitting in my driveway as we do not have $500 to buy another steering column. This poses a safety risk in the fact that a parent could get stranded with kids and could put them in danger by not allowing the key to be removed.
: the contact stated the steering column handle fractured and detached. Before it fractured, the steering handle seemed to have a clicking sound in it. This incident occurred when the vehicle was nearly parked therefore the contact was able to avoid any accidents. The steering handle was replaced. Updated 09/13/06.
: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked the contact attempted to put the vehicle shifter into the drive position however, the steering column completely fell apart. The vehicle was driven home and then to an independent repair shop and repairs have been made.
Backed my 2002 Ford Explorer out of the garage and put it in park for a moment and went to put the car in drive and the gear shifter broke off. The steering column had to be dismantled to allow for towing and mechanic having trouble getting the parts to fix it.
Steering column jammed twice. First time under the warranty, then 1 year later not covered by warranty. Father has same vehicle make and model year, he had two put in his also. Rear end went. Had to replace two axles already.
I am asking you consider an investigation for the 2002 Ford Explorer XLT steering column. Mine broke and rather easily and it cost me $1,400. 00 to fix. Ford told me there was no recall on this to my surprise. After doing my own online research, I see 45+ other folks had similar or same issues as I did. . Read more...
Upon parking the vehicle and returning back to start it up lever which changed the gears broke inside the steering column. Took vehicle to the dealer, and was told there was nothing they could do about it. The key became stuck in the ignition and the shifter broke at the column because the steering shaft broke.
Went to shift vehicle to drive from park position, shift lever went down without shifting vehicle into gear. , upon inspection the bottom of the case where the shift lever is held by a pin had broken off, the only way to repair this situation is to change the entire steering column according to two (2) Ford dealers I visited. Upon searching this problem on the internet, I find it amazing of how many other people have the same problem. It cost $1265. 00 to replace the unit not including labor cost. I believe that this is fatigue on that piece of metal. Ford should be made aware of this as a defective product and a recall should take place.