Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed an abnormal noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2002 Ford Explorer engine complaints
Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 213, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission failure.
Check engine light came on went to a auto repair shop and was given oem code p0442 (evaporative emission system). The scent of gas was present. I changed the fuel cap and issue still remains. Gas fuel tank vapor vent check valve is defective and must be replaced.
Turned car on to drive it would not start after sever rainfalls until finally when I did the last time after a jump, battery new. It started to make this awful noise like a clanking sound like a chain sound. I took it to a mechanic and he did not know what the problem was, called a mobile mechanic and he said the same thing said it could be a valve or piston problem. From what I hear sounds like a chain. Before this happening the rear window regulators for the rear passenger windows right and left sides broke. Had left side fixed right side not fixed, glass still held with a board inside door.
I was driving my ford on the highway and the next thing I know my feet were really hot and black smoke started coming up. Then the black smoke started coming from the engine and I nearly crashed trying to get to the edge of the highway before the fire took over the whole front of the car. Luckily the fire department was right there for another accident. It was incredibly disturbing experience. Luckily my 3 small children were not in the car.
Car stalled on busy street, then was restarted and lost power. Then fire in engine compartment. Cause is unknown. Car was well maintained. Total loss was not covered by insurance
My truck began to shake when I stop at stop signs and lights. The service engine soon light came on and would not go out. I got a code reading, there were many fuel ejection issues. I got a diagnostic test today, and was told it could be the fuel pump. When I put gas in, the gas pump gets stuck inside sometimes. Does not come out smoothly. What is going on?
In 2009 on the way to our family vacation our transmission failed. We had it towed and the transmission replaced with a ford rebuilt transmission with a warranty purchase. In 2012 this rebuilt transmission failed and we had it taken to a ford dealer and the transmission replaced with another transmission. This current transmission is exhibiting the same symptoms as the last two did prior to failure.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the temperature gauge displayed signs that the vehicle was overheating. The contact shut the vehicle off, and restarted it but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that there was a crack on the intake manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure was 191,000.
My 2002 ford explorer, since 2013 have blew out sparks plugs three times. The threats of the head are damage .
Bought an explorer we thought was a private owner on craiglist in chicago, and found out he was a dealer from indiana. He signed the title as first auto inc. 2620 165th in hammond in 46323. The name of seller is [xxx] . The dmv file a complaint on our behalf and stated what he did was illegal. We did not know he was a dealer til when we tried to transfer our plates the next day. We took the truck in for service and my mechanic stated that carfax has the miles almost 80,000 more than what is on the odometer. The odometer listed 110,000 and carfax was far past that amount. The dealer rolled back the miles of explorer. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Overdrive light came on. Check transmission light came on. The truck suddenly started screeching loudly, nearly caused an accident while going to the airport on an expressway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer sport. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the engine light illuminated as the vehicle started to overheat and stalled. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the water pump and heating core needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000. Updated 1/16/15*cn updated 9/7/2017
Timing chain problems; back chain 'plastic' tensor broke and affected critically entire engine. Many people with the same problem. Transmission solenoid problems; shift rough from 1st to 2nd. Put new solenoid block, problem still there. Ford does not know what the problem is. Many people with the same problem.
" check engine soon" sign is on. " o/d" sign is on.
Explorer o/d light blinks and shifts rough from 1st to 2nd.
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 they claim it's not there fault but this has happened to so many fords because of the heads they 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.....
When driving to work three blocks away from my house I stopped at a stop light. I started to take off again once the light turned green and a sound from the engine scared me. The truck started to sound like a lawn mower. I then had the truck towed and taken to the garage where the mechanic showed me that the spark plug blow out the engine. He said that with fords it happens alot and if you search online there are so many people that it happens to. He then told me once he fixes it I should sell it right away unless I am willing to spend what the car is worth on replacing heads. If ford knows about the problem why isn't there a recall on this already.
I had to replace transmission and solenoid, costing over $2500.
It is having trouble shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. Engine revs up to and over 4,000rpms and slams into the gears.
The engine overheated without any warning from the dashboard. I bought this car with 18,000 miles. The engine overheated when it had approximately 25,000 miles.
Was driving car along local road when the engine started to make noise and the car would not go over 5 miles and hour. Many cars severed to avoid truck and was lucky there was no accident. Truck was towed to local facility and had ford tech look at vehicle. The timing chain tension broke. Tech and dealerships( called two for quotes ) said this was a common problem. After finding out the engine needed to be pulled for repair I had to junk the vehicle could not afford repair. This is certainly a safety issue any time a vehicle breaks without warning in the middle of traffic. It is also a know common problem. Dealer says the design of the tension is poorly produced and they had extended the warranty for the repair. Ford should fix/ replace the tensioner on these truck before someone is killed.
I bought a used 2002 ford explorer in april of this year at a used car lot. It was a beautiful blue SUV in remarkable good condition. I had it four months, and it caught on fire while at a stop sight on my way home from a shopping strip twenty miles from my home. It started smoking and while I was fumbling for my purse to get my cell phone to call for help, it caught fire and bystanders on the thoroughfare pulled me forcefully from the car, and then called the fire department. It was a total loss when the entire hood caught fire and melted. My garage mechanic, who had just seen the car, told me that he could see no reason why it would have caught fire. Can you help me?
Heard a knocking noise went to mechanic. Was told I blew a two holes through timing chain cover. Went online found that it is a recurring problem for that year of ford. Very upset there is no recall. Was told it would cost at least 2000 to fix. Ford needs to do something about this. I want to go to media to let everyone that has this problem know that ford knows about it and will not do anything. Apparently everyone has to pay out the [xxx] to have this fixed. I'm not one of them. I want my car fixed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle burst into flames and the contact crashed into an embankment. The contact suffered injuries to the back. The vehicle was destroyed during the crash. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. The fire department stated that the fire had started from the engine. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the engine intake manifold failed due to defective plastic that fractured and caused fluid to leak. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection where the intake manifold was replaced with a steel manifold. In addition, the spark plugs rubber and gasket was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 180,000. Updated 10/17/13*cn the consumer stated when he returned to the dealer, he learned when the five spark plugs were flooded they ruined two coils that sent electricity to the spark plugs. Updated the consumer believed ford hid the plastic intake manifold problem, re-engineered the part to include 1/3 metal and then equipped all subsequent models with 1/3 metal as standard equipment in an effort to avoid responsibility for their defective design. Updated 04/17/14
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the engine temperature gauge fluctuated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that after shifting into reverse, there was an explosion under the hood. The air bags deployed and the engine caught fire. The fire department was present. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the gears slipping where the transmission was rebuilt but the failure was not corrected. The contact and two passengers suffered injuries but they were unknown. The vehicle failure and current mileage was 291,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a rattling noise heard from the engine as soon as the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the timing chain plastic tensioner was fractured. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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