September 2, 2023 at about 6 pm I pulled over to grab a couple water bottles from the rear of my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport cause my engine was overheating. I got out walked to the rear of my vehicle pushed my unlatch button on the tailgate and I lifted the glass part of the rear hatch. Both air hinges were not working correctly to keep it up so I gently rested the glass on my hair that was put up in a bun and just a little bit of the glass was resting on the very top of my head where my hair was slicked back for my bun so my hands were free to grab the bottles of water. (My hair was the softest of resting place's). As I reached in the back to grab the water bottles I heard the loudest bang and hundreds of little pieces of glass fell everywhere around me. I was in so much distrot that I actually thought someone had shot at me with a fire arm but missed me and hit the rear glass instead. The top of my head was stinging and it felt like I had just been smacked with a tree branch and the glass had went all over me causing a few minor cuts and scrapes as I fell to my knees in shock my heart racing faster than I had even imagined a heart could beat while histaraclly crying from the trauma that just occurred I fell to the ground and for a full 15 minutes i sat there surrounded by glass and tears in so much shock, dazed and confused before I stood up and looked around at everything that then I only realized I WASN'T shot at because there was no bullet or bullet hole nor did a vehicle drive by nor was there any people closer than a mile to me when I realized that the glass had shattered for some UNKNOWN reason ON ITS OWN that it scared me so bad it traumatized me. After that day I was pulled over multiple times by numerous police agency's (sheriff, Medford PD, Central Point PD and State Police) because I didn't have the money to fix it let alone have the knowledge that it had a recall so I could get it replaced. I have pictures but it will not allow me to upload them.
2002 Ford Explorer body problems
486 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 67,200. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 486
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- typical mileage
- 67,200
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments166
- Body: hatchback/liftgate112
- Body110
- Body: tailgate22
- Body: door14
- Body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut12
- Body: tailgate: hinge and attachments6
- Frame and members5
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Explorer body problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Ford Explorer body
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, the liftgate glass strut may become disengaged or the hinge may fracture allowing the glass to fall and possibly break.
- Risk
- If the hinge should fracture, there is a potential for the glass to fall and ultimately break and personal injuries could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will have the liftgate glass strut brackets and glass hinges replaced. For the vehicles built from august 1, 2000 through march 3, 2002, the dealers will replace the hinges and liftgate strut bracket. On vehicles built from march 3, 2002 through june 23, 2003, the dealers will only replace the hinges. The recall began on september 30, 2004. A postcard was sent to owners on december 27, 2004, advising them that parts are now available. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 04V442000 · Recall details
Structure
- What is wrong
- Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
- Risk
- This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1‑800‑745‑6096.
Recall number 03V094000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Rear liftgate glass assembly
Complaints report failure of the rear liftgate glass support while the operator is opening or closing the glass.the falling glass can strike the operator or bystander.the injuries reported are bruises to the head, neck or back, cuts to the face, arm or hand.on september 9, 2004, ford notified the agency that it will recall approximately 955,732 my 2002 and 2003 ford explorer and mercury mountaineer vehicles to replace the liftgate glass strut brackets and/or hinges.see the federal safety agency recall 04v442 for details. This investigation is closed.
PE04045
What 2002 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while opening the real lift gate, the rear lift gate glass window suddenly shattered. During the incident, the person sustained a facial laceration which required medical treatment. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (future ford located at 650 automall dr, roseville, ca 95661) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,000.
Summer,spring weather, all four, clear, glass windows do not slide up or down through its' power button, electronically.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard an abnormal rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver's side upper hinge was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. Perry ford of santa barbara (440 hitchcock way, santa barbara, ca 93105, (805) 682-2411) was contacted by phone and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 204,000.
The rear window exploded. It was unoccupied parked in the carport.
Rear hatch panel applique cracked for no apparent reason
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a failure on the rear door handle. The contact noticed a crack between the door handle and glass. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a loud abnormal noise and noticed that the sun roof was detached. The vehicle was taken to an unknown independent mechanic who stated that the manufacturer discontinued the part. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the sun roofs were discontinued. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Liftgate glass hinge and ball bracket is broken/disengaged. It is no longer working properly. It can fall, brake and/or cause injury. This part has been replaced during a recall. It did not fix the problem.
Liftgate glass hinge and ball stud bracket is coming apart. The bracket has disengaged. Glass is potentially going to fall, brake and/or cause injury. It is no longer working properly. This part has been replaced during a recall but did not fix the issue.
Questions about the 2002 Ford Explorer body
Does the 2002 Ford Explorer have body problems?
Owners have filed 486 complaints about the body of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 15% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Explorer body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 67,200 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Ford Explorer body?
Yes, 2 recalls: 04V442000, 03V094000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have the most body problems?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most body complaints are 2017 (661 complaints), 2016 (592 complaints) and 2002 (486 complaints).
Other 2002 Ford Explorer problems
Transmission 1,502Suspension 422Engine 213Airbags 162Steering 155Acceleration 152Electrical 148Visibility 138Brakes 132Wheels 78Fuel system 72Locks 50Tires 38Seat belts 34Seats 30Lights 25Driver assistance 4
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