2002 Ford Explorer: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 30, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 100,000 miles · GA

I can not drive with all the alarms and locks and overhead light going off and on the whole time I'm driving. It is torture, loud and scary!!!

Filed Feb 12, 2010 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · NY

2002 ford explorer limited electrical issues: 1)when I push the rear defroster button the 'door ajar ' notice comes on 2)when the rear defroster is on the mirror adjustment switch does not work 3)if I leave the automatic headlight switch on and I shut the car down and lock it with the key farb the horn beeps twice (indicating the door is ajar) and the interior light stays on. I have to either switch the automatic headlight switch to off or manually turn the interior light off. 4)the back up beeper switch sometimes goes off when I put the car in reverse. Thanks for helping me out.

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Transmission · 52,131 miles · WV

I had to go into town. Some roads were snow and ice covered. On a small hill my vehicle started spinning and fish tailing trying to get up. I had not experienced this type of traction and handling problem before and it was unexpected. I managed to turn around in traffic and took another route. Same thing happened again on a slight incline. I realized that the 4 wheel drive was not working. I tried to manually engage it without success. I eventually made it to a ford dealer. After checking they informed me that the 4x4 module was bad. After doing some internet checking, I have found that many others have had the same problem. Many claim that the failure happens after the battery is disconnected for some reason. My vehicle had a recall to remedy a speed control defect about a month earlier. The problem also seems to affect 2002 explorers more than other models. The loss of the automatic 4 wheel drive can result in loss of control affecting not only the explorer but other vehicles also. This type of failure is unexpected and no panel light indicates that the vehicle is in automatic 4 wheeled drive. The only indication is the light in the selection pushbutton which can not be seen in daytime driving with the head lights on which dims the panel lights. No failure indication and the loss of the 4 wheel drive when you expect it to be there causes a dangerous situation.

Filed Mar 26, 2008 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · NC

2002 ford explorer, stopped at traffic light on 3/25/08 and od light flashed and engine revved up. Would not go when gas pressed, finally got it to limp through the intersection. Stopped in a parking lot and put it in park to see what was wrong and it sounded like something was ripping apart underneath. Doesn't want to go into gear. This vehicle has had the struts replaced and the front headlight replaced twice due to engineering problems on the redesign. Spoke with ford this morning and they refuse to issue a recall even though they are aware that the redesigned transmissions are known to fail in this model.

Filed Mar 17, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 35,000 miles · TN

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!

Filed Sep 6, 2005 · Electrical, Transmission · 24,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Feb 7, 2005 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Apr 7, 2003 · Visibility · TX

Interior rear view mirror is defective. The image is blurred, more so at night with head lights or street light on. Took to ford dealer three times: 1st time they said nothing was wrong, 2nd time they said they had to order the part, 3rd time they said they replaced it but the problem still exist. I do not know what I have to do to get this distracting and possibly safety defect fixed.

Filed Jul 18, 2002 · Lights · TX

While driving at highway speeds headlights went out. Dealer has replaced head lamp control and head lamp relay. Please provide further information.

Filed Feb 7, 2002 · Lights · AL

While driving, headlights tend to be dim, making it difficult to view front of vehicle, mechanic has adjusted headlights twice; however, headlights tend to set back in dim mode. *ak