2002 Ford Explorer locks problems

Filed Jul 8, 2022 · Locks · 137,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the hood latch independently released, causing the hood to strike the windshield. The contact was able to get to the side of the roadway and closed the hood. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

Filed Jun 19, 2018 · Brakes, Locks · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the door ajar and brake warning indicators illuminated even when the doors were closed. The contact also stated that the vehicle made an abnormal noise. An independent mechanic was notified and diagnosed that the wheel bearings were defective and needed to be replaced. The wheel bearing failure was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the federal safety agency was responsible for all recalls. The contact was transferred to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was not provided.

Filed Nov 12, 2012 · Locks · TN

I've been having an issue with my truck saying the door is ajar when it's not. While driving, the inside light will come on and lock/unlock the doors. I noticed it usually happens either while its raining or if it just finished raining. Someone else I know who has the same vehicle (year/make/model) says the same thing happens to his vehicle. I'm wondering if you have heard of this before and if so, what steps do the manufactures take in deciding whether or not a vehicle needs to be recalled for a specific problem? Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

Filed May 31, 2011 · Locks, Transmission · 123,968 miles · OK · crash

This requested recall involves a 2002 ford explorer having an automatic transmission. During normal use, the shift lever breaks off at a cast rotating cylinder that transmits the torque from the gear shifter to push and pull the cable that puts the vehicle in park, drive, neutral, and reverse. The vehicle also had a tendency to jump out of park even before the part broke which caused the vehicle to roll back and almost pinned me between another vehicle when the vehicle rolled back and crashed into a vehicle parked downhill. This was a near miss accident. Ford wants to charge $1500 to replace the entire steering column. We elected to junk the vehicle at this time until another solution can be found. Vehicle still drives if you reach your hand and push/pull the transmission cable to shift the automatic transmission into gear. We can send the broke off section of the part if you will return it. On the internet, there are many reports of the same failure for years 2002 through 2005 ford explorers.

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 Feb 9, 2011 · Locks · 89,998 miles · MA

Doors will not shut in the freezing cold weather. Went out to the explorer tonight, got in, shut the door and proceeded to drive. I take the highway on ramp and my drivers door flew open. I stopped and tried to shut it and it just bounced open again and again because the latch was frozen. I finally get it to stay closed, drop my passenger off and then the passenger's door wouldn't close either. I drove all the way home holding my passenger's door closed. This truck is the absolute biggest piece of garbage I have ever driven in my life. If you are reading this complaint and have not yet purchased an explorer I strongly urge you to reconsider.

Filed Jan 19, 2011 · Airbags, Electrical · 140,000 miles · NC

The side curtain airbag spontaneously deployed upon side door closure of a ford explorer. The vehicle was sitting after re-fueling. Concurrent with and immediately prior to the deployment of the airbag, the door alarm system was chiming that a door was ajar, and after inspection by a mechanic it was determined that the security/door warning system module has failed. Ford was sent the airbag module for inspection, and has yet to provide the results of the module inspection - after a period of more than 5 months. Further problems persist with the electronic system. The door ajar alarm continues to sound at random intervals, the interior lights flicker on and off at random intervals, and the door locks repeatedly lock and unlock, all of which cause a distracting potential safety hazard while driving.

Filed Sep 5, 2010 · Locks, Transmission · 71,000 miles · FL

2002 ford explorer gear shift lever broke off while in drive. The lever is connected to a soft aluminum cylinder thru a u shaped end and a pin. The cylinder sheared at the base of the u as a result leaving no way to shift or get the key out after turning the motor off when I finally got stopped. Repair cost is $1400 for a new steering column plus labor. Cannot buy small part that broke separately so explorer is not fixed. A picture of the problem can be seen at this url http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188761&page=4.

Filed May 17, 2010 · Body, Locks · 60,000 miles · IL

Rear passenger side door will not open from inside vehicle.

Filed Jan 1, 2010 · Locks · 176,000 miles · KY

2002 ford explorer door locks will not function properly in freezing weather, doors pop open while driving!