The fuel system on my ford explorer went out completely at 40,000 miles. Also, the black panels between the windows are faded and peeling.
2002 Ford Explorer fuel system complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 72, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Where to start... Broken cruise control, headlight switch has a short, driver side passenger window doesn't roll down, trouble going into gear, car suddenly dies at interstate speeds, loud grinding sound from the engine bay (like an electric knife sharpener) that is getting increasingly more frequent, service engine soon light will not go off, brakes squeal and don't stop the vehicle properly, support for the hatch (which is cracked 8 inches or so in two places) doesn't lift hatch completely, and the fuel economy is down to 4-6 mpg in the city. I hate it! I don't feel like my girlfriend is safe driving it, and I think ford should be forced to make their wrongs into rights!
2002 ford explorer fuel filter replacement fire hazard. Fuel line retaining clips (50 cent part) are only available from ford in a $200 fuel line assembly. Not using these clips causes to much slack in the fuel line to filter connection. Their intent to rope the consumer into a $200 purchase may cause alternate, read:unsafe solutions by the customer. The feeling is that ford is extremely negligent in not making these 'locking r-clips' available separately at the dealership parts counter, or in the aftermarket for the replacement of a regular maintenance item. (fuel filter). Ford has been contacted twice regarding this oversight on their part and refuse to offer the clips by themselves.
This 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer abruptly stops while driving at any speed without any notice or indication that the ignition will fail to keep the car running. This car has been to two ford dealerships and one reputable and established independent automotive repair shop. This car was at a toyota dealership for almost 30 days and this car was returned to me with this potentially fatal defect still undiagnosed. None of the aforementioned dealerships could determine the true underlying problem. At the toyota dealership a brand new starter was installed because of a no start condition showing no power to the starter and blown fuses for the injectors, fuel pump, and the computer. The same defect showed itself one day later after traveling over 70 miles with no sign of failure.
The middle panel under the glass in the back of the car has cracked. I suspect it was due to cold weather. I have since seen other explorers with this problem and notice that there are a lot of complaints online about this. In addition, this past summer my shifter snapped off the barrel. I had 4 kids in the car at the time. Ford responded by telling me that I had 75k miles and no warranty and I didn't typically get my car serviced there so they weren't going to be willing to "work with me" to get it resolved. When I told him I had my 'regular' mechanic look at it he said that the labor rate was probably cheaper with him than at ford. Well - now tell me why I would service my car at a ford dealership? Oh yeah...in case I get cracks or shifters fall off and maybe they'll 'work with me' on the price. Big incentive. Oh yeah, my fuel gauge doesn't work - another common problem. My previous explorer (about 10 years back) had the same problem . The guy up the street has an explorer (2003) and it doesn't work either.
At 74000 miles our transmission went out completely while we were on vacation! The dealership where we bought the vehicle, said that "we were the only one's who have had this problem" (yeah right!) it cost us $6000 out of our pocket to fix. At 86000 miles the rear window cracked right below the window. Ford and the dealership refuses to fix it. Again, stayton ford told us that,"we were the only people who have had this particular issue." at around 85000, 95000 and 105000 miles, the rear seals leaked. We were promised each time that they would last "for at least 50000 miles." we were always a few miles away from getting them replaced for free since they're limited warranty is only good for 10000 miles. At 111000 miles the electrical system went "haywire." even when all of the door and hatch are closed, the dome light continues to go on and off (making it hard to drive at night) because it senses that a "door is a jar." sometimes, the key pad that's located on the drivers side window sets off the alarm when we push the first number on the key. Totally unreliable vehicle that I'm afraid to drive!
Dt*: the contact stated there was a smell of gasoline in and around the vehicle. The smell became progressively worse, and the fuel mileage decreased over time. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where the mechanic determined there was a leak in the fuel line above the tank. The parts were ordered, and the manufacturer was notified. Updated 11/30/06.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle has intermittently stalled possibly due to outdoor heat. The vehicle stalled or would not start on nine different occasions. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer after each incident where the inertia switch, the fuel pump and the PCM module were changed. This problem occurred eight times while the vehicle stopped, while it was started, at an intersection, and once with the vehicle in motion at 35 MPH. The contact also stated the gas storage tank had developed a hole and was leaking gas.
2002 explorer has problems picking up speed and over use of gas. *ts the consumer also had problems with the transmission, gear adjustment, difficult high altitude driving even after gear change, air suction into the engine and transmission, accelerator and ses light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they refused to provide any assistance. *nm updated 07/06/06.
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.
After a short drive to and from the gas station I noticed a strong fuel smell from our 2002 ford explorer. Noticed wet spot on the diveway the following day. A short 6 drive consumed nearly a quarter tank of gas. No action has been taken as of yet. Have not driven the car since. Are any other reports of such failures? Is it safe to drive the car?
Ford explorer caught fire while driving. *bf the consumer has a report which stated the fire was caused by a gas leak. *jb
Gas guage will drop to empty and the digital readout will say that there are 0 miles to empty even though I have a quarter of a tank left. If I wait a little nit it will slowly go back up to where it belongs. I called dealer and they said they know nothing of this default and don;t know how to fix it.
1. Driving approximately 30 minutes on the evening (7:30 pm) of 12-4-04 to a holiday party with just myself and my wife. Upon arriving within seconds of the location an anonoymous dirver stopped our vehicle and made us aware that there was a fire coming from under our vehicle, a 2002 ford explorer xlt. As we jumped out of the vehicle and saw the fire a neighbor watching called the local fire department. Within minutes the fire department arrived and tried to extinguish the fire. Being unsuccesful it took the fire department approximately an hour to stop the fire at which time the vehicle was destroyed. There was nothing to be repaired as the vehicle was destroyed. And there had been no indication that there was anything wrong with the vehicle prior to this incident.
Even with a full tank of gas the gas gauge will go to "0" and the "check gauge" light comes on because the sender assembly unit of the gas gauge does not work. When we took our explorer to dub miller ford in rosenberg on nov. 19th, there had been another 2002 explorer brought in for the same problem that morning. The part is not available and is on back order. The part cost $76.79 but the labor will be $270! This is a lot of money for us to pay due to an ford's egineering problem. Are many other 2002 explorers experiencing the same problems? Thanks! Shelley and gale towns.
2002 ford explorer xlt. I can not put gas on it because it overflows rapidly and throws the gas out of the tank. I was told that it was a common problem with the tank breader and it would cost around $ 600.00 to fix it. It is a safety issue because the gas comes right back at you and can cause a major fire. Ford should voluntary fix this defective problem at no charge.
When the fuel tank was filled up it registered empty twelve hours later. However, fuel tank read full. Vehicle has ran out of gas on more than one occasion. Consumer drove the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that fuel sending unit needed to be replaced.
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.
I own a 2002 ford explorer 4 door. The rear left window was failing to go down, and when it did it would take time for it to go back up again. My mother purchased a 2003 ford explorer as well and my niece and they too experienced the same problem. I also had problems with my air leaking and was informed that some form of an invisible gas was leaking into my vehicle. I have an infant daughter and was concerned that she was breathing this.
While driving approximately for two hours. The driver stopped at a toll booth. Suddenly white smoke started emitting from under the hood followed black smoke. The vehicle caught fire within seconds and was a total lost. The fire department says the gas line may have melted the manifold. Please describe any further information.
Fuel indicator reads incorrectly. The part was repaired once. However, the problem still exists. *ak
While driving, the gas gauge would read wrong. This would cause the consumer to not know how much fuel was in the vehicle.
While filling up at the gas station the fuel gauge malfunctioned. The fuel tank registered a full tank, but 12 hours later, a false reading occurred. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic replaced the fuel sending unit due to worn out parts.
The consumer stated the gasoline fumes entered the vehicle after filling the vehicle with gasoline. This problem occurred intermittently. The manufacturer and dealer were contacted. *ak
September 2002: fuel injector for #3 cylinder failed, causing gasoline to be sprayed over engine. Discovered in driveway during vehicle warm-up. No indication of problem except for smell. October 2003: fuel injector for #3 cylinder failed, causing gasoline to be sprayed over engine. Failure occured at some point during driving. Discovered only due to fuel smell. No other indication. Dealer fixed both times. Concerned about occupant safety -appears as though fire could easily ignite, and lead to serious injury or death. No warning that system has failed.
Consumer stated that while making a left turn he heard a loud humming noise and had difficulty turning vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician indicated that the power steering rod failed. This problem occurred in july. In august the consumer made a turn and the vehicle shut off in the middle of an intersection which caused the steering wheel to lock up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who indicated that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The glass in the rear hatch rattled. The vehicle was purchased new and the consumer believes it should not be experiencing these types of problems. *ak
Fuel system has a leak that results in fuel spills, allowing fumes to enter passenger's compartment. Dealership cannot fix problem.
Consumer stated that while driving the fuel sending unit is not working properly and the vehicle will run out without warning. Dealer notified ts
Drivers side saftey belt has broken too, air vent has broken too, sunroof design problem too, fuel pump failed at 14000 mi too
Vehicle experiences periods of stalling at low speeds. Applying brakes there is a loss of brakes and steering. No prior warning before stalling. Existing problem 5 times, taken into the delaer. *ak dealer replaced fuel pump, main control valve body, transmission oil pan, idle air control valve and programmed PCM. Vibration like anti-lock brake system is kicking in. Dealer could not duplicate. Overdrive comes in and out at odd speeds. No problem found.
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