2002 Ford Explorer: engine failure

Filed Sep 9, 2022 · Engine, Steering · TX

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel intermittently seized while driving at various speeds without warning. After finding a replacement part at a salvage yard, the contact had the steering wheel replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that an abnormal ticking noise was coming from the engine with the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 20, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 20,000 miles · AR

Was driving on hwy and my vehicle just shut down as I was turning off the main road, lost all control of steering. When I raised the hood I saw my radiator smoking and all of a sudden it popped. Had to have it towed in to the shop and was told that the radiator had exploded and the engine seized up! How could this happen? I never even had it to over heat or the light never even alerted me. Just blew up and left me stranded. I was told after the fact that there is a recall on the radiator!

Filed Dec 1, 2016 · Acceleration · 139,514 miles · KY · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal seized without warning. The vehicle's speed increased up to 90 MPH and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the head and neck, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 139,514.

Filed Dec 16, 2014 · Acceleration, Airbags · TX · crash · fire · 1 injury

Tl* 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.

Filed Nov 14, 2013 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, a burning odor was noticed as the rear differential seized within moments. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the rear differential had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. Th e manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2011 · Engine, Locks · 83,000 miles · CT

O/d light flashes for a few days then at around 25 MPH the gear switches into neutral and runs very rough then the car is thrown forward. Had a rebuilt transmission (we were told we were getting a brand new transmission and paid extra for it!) at 83k miles on oct 15, 2010 then feb 5, 2011 the same exact thing happens. The dealer cannot take the truck for another 5 days and refused to give me a loner car because it is not under the warranty. Please note: below I put in the first incident date, feb 2011 is the second incident date. In may of 2009 I was told my engine failed at about 76,000 miles. We did buy the extended warranty and we were covered. The ford dealership told us we were not covered. They had our truck for 3 weeks until the warranty people called the dealership and let them know it should be fixed. We also had a rental car or a loner car under the warranty. They refused to pay for a rental car and said they did not have a loaner car available. It took 4 more weeks (in total 7 weeks) to get the truck back and never paid for the rental.

Filed Jul 21, 2010 · Engine · 89,900 miles · MS

Timing belt plastic gears was slung off and cracked a rear valve. Had to replace valve and having to replace the plastic gears. Cost approximately $2000-3500, mostly in part because engine removal is necessary to access the timing chain. Many dealerships suggest buying a new engine. If not fixed, could potentially harm shafts, and/or other components of the timing belt/chain compartment and further replacement parts will need to be purchased.

Filed Jun 14, 2010 · Engine · 95,000 miles · NY

My 2002 ford explorer has blown the timing chains in the engine. Plastic parts that wear out easy and caused the chains to fail. Now I am looking for a replacement engine. The engine is v6 and it only had 95,000 miles on it. This truck has been well cared for and this should never have happened. Ford is using faulty parts and causing this damage to their product and now the consumer will have to pay big bucks for repairs due to their cheap and shoty parts used by ford. The truck started making noise and thought that it was the converter and a very short time after that first noise the engine froze and stopped running. Their really was not alot of time from noise to failure of engine. The oil was changed every 3,000 miles, so it was not from failing to change the oil, it was changed regularly. I love this truck, it drives great, comfortable and for me not bad on gas at all. I will replace the engine somehow. The cost of any new truck is out of my range, so I have no choice but to try and fix it. Does anyone have anything to offer me on this subject? Thanks

Filed Apr 20, 2010 · Engine · 63,249 miles · SC

My wife was driving her 2002 ford explorer to church sunday morning 4-18-10 when the engine blew without warning !! Bits of a piston and rod came right thru the block, leaving a hole big enough to put your fist in ! This explorer only has 63,000 miles on it, and has always been serviced regularly since I bought it with only 25,000 miles on it from a ford dealer. With all the problems this year and model have had, why has ford not had a recall??? It is absolutely a lemon - and I feel like suing them !! Can you help me??

Filed May 23, 2008 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · 00 · fire

Was driving my 2002 ford exploder, when I excited the vehicle I saw smoke and flames coming from the driver side rear wheel. I grabbed my son and got him from the vehicle. A passerby came over to help get my son from the vehicle. He informed me that my emergency brake had seized on. I would like to know how this happened when I have not used my emergency brake. Fire dept called and vehicle is now sitting in a parking lot. Until I can get the money to repair it.

Filed Mar 24, 2008 · Engine · 86,214 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving 25 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle continued to drive, but the noise did not stop. He pulled the vehicle over and shut off the engine because he began to smell fuel. The contact discovered that the number three spark plug on the passenger side of the engine failed. The vehicle had the original spark plugs. When he attempted to replace and rethread the spark plug, it would not grip and tighten. The vehicle was towed to a shop and the contact was informed that it was a common failure. The repair shop performed a quick repair by ford, but it did not correct the failure. Ford stated that they were aware of the failure, but there were no recalls and could not assist. The vehicle is currently at the shop and has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 86,214.

Filed Mar 7, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 123,252 miles · MO

Driving on highway at 63 MPH and valve spring broke. Valve dropped into piston causing engine failure. Check engine code called for random engine misfire and code was triggered at around 2600 RPM. Prior to engine failure I have been experiencing a shudder when transmission shifts into overdrive. There is also a problem with the clutch pack in the limited slip differential that is causing a shudder when turning right or left from a dead stop. (dealership called it the parking lot shudder) I have a 02 ford explorer xlt with 4.6 and 4x4 that has bad engine, transmission, and rear differential. (engine replaced).