2002 Ford Explorer steering problems

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 Mar 9, 2020 · Lights, Steering · 95,474 miles · CA

The car always feels like is about to jump off the road or the lane im in whenever I drive over any rough road or pot holes. %ģ

Filed Jul 24, 2018 · Steering · 95,000 miles · FL

Gear shift in steering column fell off as I was beginning to drive. The vehicle had approximately 95k miles on it.

Filed Nov 15, 2017 · Steering, Transmission · 113,000 miles · MN

The shift lever literally snapped off at the steering column while putting the car into drive. Car couldn't be shifted into park, still running. Keys couldn't even be removed to turn the car off. Very dangerous. Seems like a fairly common problem among 2002 ford explorer owners. Many complaints filed here: https://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/accessories-interior/gear_shift_lever_fell_off-2.shtml

Filed Oct 19, 2016 · Brakes, Steering · NJ

Driving nd steering wheel fell apart brake switch stopped working 3 times had new transmission put in had to have 3 different sets of tire put on back window shattered while sitting at red light.

Filed Sep 22, 2016 · Steering · 202,000 miles · NJ

The gear shift just broke off while I was putting the car in reverse this is extremely dangerous the car had to be towed but we had to figure out how to shut off the car, since it would not shut off while in reverse. I got another whole steering column put in and within less than 2 months the gear shift broke off again this time the car was in park, but its scary. I have attached two pictures of the two different gear shifts. The piece that keeps breaking looks like its made out of aluminum not steel.

Filed Jul 16, 2016 · Brakes, Steering · KY · crash

I own a 2002 ford explorer, it's our daily driver everything works except the hubs, this truck has never been wrecked, and we find ourselves@ about every 15,000 to 20,000 miles having to replace the wheel bearings and hub assembly's , last night on the way home the driver side front hub started squealing and came apart and we had to have it towed again, I have owned this truck for 3 years, I have had to replace the bearings and hubs brakes 11 times and now I'm going to have to do it again, wow, these parts are really expensive to have no better quality than that, everytime we get it fixed it cost around $1400, it's a nice truck, and everything else works great, no issues, I transport my family members in this vehicle, and I'm getting tired of fearing for their lives and my own when the wheel hubs break and leave us stranded , it's obviously time for a different vehicle, and I just thought about how many other people drive one of those trucks, and how dangerous that could have been out on the interstate, it's a good thing we were driving 30 MPH on a country rd, if we had been in town when it broke again we I thought that the last time this happened too, there definatly is a problem, when the guy at the dealership says that's a very common problem, but unfortunately, all he can do is fix it, or sell me something else,and that that's the issue that those trucks have and that everyday someone is dropping one of to get fixed for the exact same problem, anyway I think it's time to try something else, but this problem needs to be on a recall list because it's just bad business and a safety hazard, and it's problaby already gotten people and families killed, I'm going to fix this thing one more time and give the people that buy it this website info, ford motor company needs to fix this ever occurring problem.

Filed Feb 17, 2016 · Steering, Transmission · 153,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While attempting to start the vehicle, the gear shift fractured without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not at the dealer being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2016 · Steering · 120,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the shifting lever used to shift gears fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2015 · Steering, Transmission · 144,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the transmission shifted from third gear to fourth gear independently and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle made an abnormal noise and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the transmission was burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, a snapping sound emitted from the vehicle and the steering wheel became hard to turn. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the power steering pump was defective which prevented it from holding the fluid damaging the anti-brakes system. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000. The VIN was not available.