Upon inspection of the wiring just above the oil filter drain shroud during routine maintenance there was a wire harness found with exposed wires. The three wires were encased in one bundle but are supposed to be isolated. It appears that the harness has been rubbing against the upper edge of the oil drain shroud since the vehicle was built. This bundle of wires should be checked and repaired on all 2002 ford explorers. There is the possibility of a fire.
2002 Ford Explorer electrical complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 148, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt*: the contact stated while accelerating, the vehicle vibrated and a noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times where the transmission converter was replaced twice, however the problem recurred. Also, while the contact was changing the oil it was noticed a wire from the battery was bare. The consumer stated the transmission is still not shifting properly and during acceleration, the vehicle still vibrates. Upon inspection the 02 sensor was found damaged. The sensor was covered in glue and wrapped around to the transmission mount. Updated 12/01/06.
Ongoing shifting and slipping within the transmission. Also a loud shrill at the end of the acceleration. The transmission converter has been replaced multiple times and the transmission leaked out fluid at highway speed. After the repair of a stripped transmission line connector and a pile of glue to fix a broken electrical connector the vehicle was returned to service by the dealership and the warranty company. The converters are "remanufactured" which have been known to fail. The glob of glue on the electrical connector will be reviewed by the state as to the proper repair procedure. A law suit may follow due to separate repairs including a tire with a nail, where a new tire was purchased and a used on was installed (bf goodrich). The tire was also not balanced and was off by 1.5 oz. There was also a gasket removed from the cooling system that caused antifreeze to spill out onto the engine. The cooling system had been serviced two months prior and was never leaking until the day the vehicle was returned. There was also the discovery of the positive electrical harness to the starter having exposed wires due to the oil filter drain housing made of plastic rubbing against the wires. There are three wires exposed and there may be the potential for fire.
Experts determined that the right side of the left front drivers seat suffered an electrical fault, resulting in a fire which totaled the vehicle. However, the interior cabin fire was extinguished, preserving the remainder of the seat and adjacent center console burn area. Occupants were able to escape the vehicle and avoid personal injury. A year and a half later, ford still refuses to accept responsibility for the malfunction, and the case is in litigation.
Bought my 2002 ford explorer new. At 90000 miles, the mileage gauge went out and ford dealership told me it would cost $600 to repair. My local repair shop told me that this problem is common with ford explorers and expeditions of the same year.
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to roll down the driver's side front window, the window would not go down and the smell of smoke appeared. The smoke was coming from the console area on the driver's side door. The vehicle was pulled off of the road until the smoke subsided. The dealership has not been notified.
Automatic door lock system.
Dt*: the contact stated the gear shift detached from the column while trying to put the vehicle in drive. There were no warning indicators prior to the problem. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the entire steering column. The manufacturer was also alerted of the problem. After the steering column was replaced the key would not fit in the ignition properly and the vehicle has been returned to the dealer for inspection today.
On or about november 3, 2005, I purchased a break model used ford explorer xlt 2002 from norm reeves honda car dealer in cerritos, ca. The car had 78,000 miles on it at the time of purchase. I signed the papers and took the possession of the car. It has not been more than 2 months that the car started giving me trouble on the pick up of the speed, transmission, gear adjustment, over use of the gas, difficult high altitude driving even after change of gears, air suction into the engine and transmission, accelerator and signs like service engine soon on the front panel, although I have been getting regular lube and tune on the car after every 3000 miles. While driving the, occasionally, the car gives a thundering noise on the tires as if it is dragging itself and running on the road. This makes me fear that my car is not safe for me to drive! The norm reeves honda super store car dealer knew that the car is defective and they simply wanted to get rid of a used 2002 ford explorer xlt vehicle from the fleet as they primarily sell honda cars and similar vehicles. Despite repeated requests, the norm reeves honda super store and their sister company ford of cerritos refused to provide service on the car since I stopped payments on the car loan. Other ford car dealers have test driven this car and observed the same defects as I have mentioned. My purpose of writing this complaint with the federal safety agency is to request the intervention of the federal safety agency immediately as the questioned vehicle is likely to endanger my life on the local roads and/or on highway/freeways. Due to major defects in the car, I can meet with a serious accident and can be crippled or suffer such pecuniary losses that are irreplaceable and/or I can die also with out any fault of mine. Please recall firestone tires v. Ford motor company case law. Criminal charges against norm reeves honda, ford of cerritos and their ceos to follow. Please contact me and the dealers asap. Respectfully submitted, amardeep singh gill.
No start no spark ford could not figure it out, 1200.00 it was a faulty main wiring harness also loud noise in rear end no help from ford, broken wheel bearing. Should not have been.
2002 ford explorer. Failed transmission, starter, rear wheel bearings, airbag, pinion, electric window. Now loud sounds from rear of car.
Dt*: the contact stated the air bag light intermittently illuminates. The vehicle was seen by a dealer. The service department determined both front seat belts needed to be replaced due to the integrated air bag/seat belt system. The entire front seat belts were replaced accordingly but the air bag light later illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The service department suggested replacing the seat belts again. Updated 3/3/2006 - the consumer has also had to replace the rear washer motor, odometer and has had problems with the automatic door locks.
2002 ford explorer xls. At 24,000 miles, transmission would not shift into gear:transmission needed to be rebuilt. At 26,000 miles, load whining heard from rear of vehicle. Brought to dealership on three occasions to complain and was told they "could not duplicate the noise" and "it is how it is supposed to sound". On the third return , I produced seven pages of documented complaints from other owners found on this web site and others. They decided that now they might know what the problem is and replaced the rear differential and drive shaft. Problem was fixed for the next 30,000 miles but is now displaying the same noise and is "clunking" in to drive and reverse. Separate problem with the daylight running lights, they flash like an emergency vehicle till I turn the head lights on. I did not notice till I was pulled over by a sheriff and questioned as to why I had emergency lights installed on my vehicle. On a positive note, I do get through traffic jams a lot faster now.
Dt: consumer complained about transmission problems. While driving 65 MPH the transmission locked. The vehicle slowed down, operating at a reduced speed, and then the engine suddenly shut off. The car coasted to the side of the road. Consumer inspected vehicle and found nothing. Got back into vehicle about 10 minutes after the occurrence, restarted the vehicle, and drove to a dealership about 5 miles down the road and the car was making funny noises. Dealership said the transmission had a solenoid problem that caused it to lock. Dealer kept car about week and a half. The solenoid valve shift was replaced along with the transmission pan and gasket. This lasted about 2 weeks and again this problem recurred . The transmission did not lock at this time but the transmission slipped. Vehicle is currently at dealer for an ignition problem. The dealer could duplicate the problem, but they do not know what was causing this.
Dt: the contact stated the instrument panel cluster was no longer working. The service dealer did not state why the panel was no longer working. The electrical components failed, such as the radio, blowers, windows, airbags, and all of the safety equipment. The dealer stated it was a common problem within this type of vehicle. The part to repair was no longer available. The consumer contacted the manufacturer; they referred him to the dealer to find an aftermarket product to repair the problem.
Dt: the consumer states 2002 ford explorer quit while going 60 MPH. Starteds back up. Vehicle was towed to the dealership. This occurred on july 2, 2005. The vehicle had been running fine although consumer took it back after he purchased it to have the idle looked at. He never thought it ran quite right. Dealership stated the pmc, main computer, was the problem. This was replaced but, the manufacturer had to be called to get it programmed correctly. Consumer stated that it looked like they had to try two different computers in the vehicle, and ford had to be called 3 times.
Electrical system near left rear wheelwell began clicking for no apparent reason after 42 months and about 37,000 miles of ownership. Constant loud click makes it impractical to drive vehicle or ride in vehicle. Vehicle taken to mechanic who determined it is an electrical failure in the air conditioning system. Mechanic has been unable to fix the problem.
Right, rear electric window failed for no apparent reason after owning vehicle for 42 months and 37,000 miles. Window will not rise. Vehicle taken to mechanic for repair.
Vehicle caught on fire because of ford speed control deactivation switch also called brake pressure switch.I know that they do have a recall on 97-02 ford expedition navigator and f-150,same switch on 97-02 ford explorer.
2002 ford explorer experiencing problems with the 4wd, the over drive light illuminates on the dashboard and the vehicle is giving off a rotten egg smell. *mr there were front end problems. The 4wd module wasn't working. The driveshaft and both front wheel bearings were replaced. The rotors were out of round. The service engine light illuminated along with the over drive light. The transmission experienced the same problem on two occasions and possibly a third time. A large puddle of transmission was found under the vehicle. The torque converter was noisy. The acceleration pedal would pull back. When the vehicle was accelerated, it would whine. The left rear wheel bearing was gone and caused damage to the axle, brakes and the tire was barely holding on. The error code for the service engine soon light was due to the solenoid which had been changed before. The A/C was inoperative. *sc
While driving the automatic door locks would unlock by themselves. *nm
Door ajar light remains on despite all doors being secured. When you engage the door locks from inside the vehicle, the drivers side lock will disengage after a few seconds. When you lock doors from outside the vehicle (with the remote), the chime will beep two times as if there is a door open. Now the interior overhead light remains on. After much investigation the gem module is defective.
The vehicle unexpectedly caught fire while it was parked. Results showed that there was a shortage with the cruise control switch. *jb two independant cause & origin reports found the fire to have started under the dash board on the drivers side. Bruce york has the c&o reports.
Vehicle stalled at low speed of 5 MPH or less while driving. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced # 41 fuse under the hood. Within a few days the problem recurred on 4 separate occasions. Dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.
On 9/27/03 it was necessary to replace a faulty sensor on my 2002 ford explorer that caused the ABS warning light to activate. The mileage on the vehicle at this time was 15.851. On 02/14/04 at 22966 miles this same sensor had to replaced for the second time. On 07/07/04 at 30479 miles this same sensor was replaced a third time. Having the same item replaced three times in 10 months seems to be more a pattern of faulty design as opposed to coincidence.
13jan03-rear windshield washer inoperative reinstall rear washer hoses. 5nov03-clicking noise from rear A/C; replace motor assembly temperature blend. 5nov03&13nov03-l/r power mirrors inop; fuse blows; replaced mirror rear view outside sail mount 13nov03-fuel guage inop read 1/2 tank but tank was full; 20nov03-instrument cluster fuel gauge inop; 24nov03-removed and replaced instrument cluster; 18mar04-fuel guage inop & l/r power mirrors inop, fuse blows; could not duplicate problem at this time about fuel guage; tested bce for short, traced to mirror switch, replaced switch and blown fuse; 20 july 04-l/r power mirrors inop; replaced fuse; 20 july 04 - rear winshield washer inop; access washer hose and reconnect; 20 july 04- air conditioner not cooling properly; replaced blower motor for poor operation; motor assembly-heater-A/C blower replaced. 20 july 04 - mechanics broke the drivers door switch cover- 23 july 04 -reordered door panel and replaced drivers door switch cover.
When pulling light or heavy load, vehicle jerks and then stalls out when vehicle apparently tries to shift down or is at speed where vehicle may be near shifting down. Vehicle actually dies and must be restarted by turning off key and then it quickly starts.
The vehicle would not shift from park to drive. It turns out that there was an electrical short causing fuses to blow while driving. The fuse that had blown most was the fuse for my brake lights. I was driving without brake lights several times, unknowingly. The first dealership that I took the vehicle had the truck for 3 days and said that the alarm system was causing the short. The alarm system was installed by the selling dealership. I was sent away from the dealership with bigger (higher amp) fuses in my fuse box, a few extra fuses, and the knowledge of how to over-ride the shifter lock if the fuse was blown. After driving the vehicle for approximately two and a half weeks, most of the time without brake lights, I was able to take the it to the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from. This dealership happens to be about 90 miles from my current residence. The other dealership found the real problem. The wiring harness had to be replaced because apparently, some of the wires got too hot, melted the insulation, and fused themselves together. The vehicle was in the shop for 9 days. Ford also claims that I shouldn't worry about any damage that may have been done to the electrical components in my vehicle due to the short and one of the dealerships putting bigger fuses in the fuse box.
Vehicle was parked in public lot while visiting local store. Original driver attempted to start vehicle but was unsuccessful due to apparent loss of all electrical. Original driver noticed some smoke and/or smell of smoke from behind console. Driver immediately turned key to off position and called spouse to report failure. Spouse inspected battery cables and battery viewing eye with no findings of failure or loose cables. Spouse entered vehicle inspecting position of gear shift lever and transmission indicator for proper park position with no unusual findings. Spouse turned key to start position which produced what appeared was an electrical short under center console directly under beverage and misc holder. Spouse turned key back to off position immediately then smoke started coming from under that area of center console. Spouse removed rubber liner with screwdriver which exposed pin hole with sparks shooting outward which in turn produced a fire in the center console. Spouse attempted to stop fire with no success then exited vehicle to break off red cable at battery termination in attempt to stop fire. Original driver called on help at ups store directly in front of vehicle parked location. Employee from ups reached vehicle with fire extingiusher and stopped fire from spreading to other areas of vehicle. Vehicle was towed to champion ford dealership within 1 1/2 hours after incident. Dealer reported findings on june 10th to vehicle owners. Dealer investigation claims unsuccessful in identifing cause of fire. Estimated cost is 1,500 $. Vehicle owners are attempting to contact ford management to cover full cost of damged due to defective vehicle electrical system.
When using the turn signals the consumer noticed that, the turn signals would work intermittently, also the hazards would do the same. The consumer had made contact with the dealer about this issue. Please provide any further details.
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