After starting the car (leaving my son's baseball game with my 2 year old daughter in car!), I attempted to put the car in reverse and the gear shift broke off in my hands. The key was stuck in the ignition and could not be removed. It required a special tow truck to get this to the dealership. They quoted me $1600 to replace the entire steering column. If you search online there are literally hundreds of complaints like this. Why has a recall not been issued? This is ridiculous, and extremely unsafe. What if you were going in reverse and tried to shift to drive and the gear shift broke off? You could case major accidents. Not to mention getting stranded with small children in the car and no way to remove the key from the ignition! Ford should be ashamed - this part that broke is made of cheap pot metal, and ford does not manufacture or sell a replacement part for the small piece that broke, instead they make you buy a $1200 steering column! Shame on ford!
2002 Ford Explorer steering complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 155, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When putting car into park or reverse, car would sometime still be in drive for seconds after putting car in gear. Several times now, occasionally car will simply shut off. Recently, the car would not go into park and shifter separated from steering column.
While backing up, the gear shift broke on my 2002 ford explorer. It was good that I was not in traffic because I could not get the car back in gear and could have gotten hit and or caused an accident. The steering column was replaced and the parts were in my opinion over priced. My fear is that it may happen again because it may have been replaced with the same defective part.
Please do something about this !!!! The explorer gear shifter is defective and unsafe. There is a common thread with gearshift selector breakage on ford explorers which indicates that recall is urgently needed. After parking, I tried to move the gear shifter from drive to park to exit the vehicle. To my absolute astonishment the gear shifter broke like a dangling broken arm in the reverse position. The vehicle was rendered useless and me optionless. I work at a secure gov't facility and it was no picnic trying to get a tow truck driver access. I finally got the truck towed to the nearest dealership at $85. The dealer then informed me that the entire steering column would have to be replaced at $1,690. They didn't have the part and needed a day to get the truck back to me. I had to rent a car which was another $102 bucks. Make ford take care of this safety hazard. I asked for the part and can show you what broke inside which is literally a weak metal housing that the gear shift handle fits in....
My husband was driving our 2002 ford explorer when he went to back out of a parking spot and the entire gear shift fell off the steering column. The vehicle will not shift gears and the key can not be removed from the vehicle. Luckily he was in a parking spot. Had he backed out and this happened as he was trying to put the car in drive her could have in a major accident. It is very very very unsafe. The car is getting towed to the dealership. At this time it is unknown what will be done to correct the problem.
Air bag warning light came on,pulled plug apart under drivers ,seat sprayed cleaner on it put it back together, took care of that problem. Gear shift lever sheared off. Ford says you need to replace steering column. Went online found a man in sweden that made a replacement part,ordered it ,put it on ,works great. (why couldn't ford supply one?) the transmission is starting to act up, you shift in to drive it hesitates and leaps forward, quite hard, same in reverse. Ford should recall this before someone gets hurt.
While picking up my pastor at the dulles airport, I shifted my 2002 ford explorer into park. Before I could even reach park, the shift handle detached itself from the steering column and was limp in hand. The only thing left attached, was the wiring cable. I couldn't get the keys in or out of the ignition, most likely because it wasn't in park nor in reverse. Of note, because of that, it was very hard to get a tow truck guy to accept the responsibility for dragging it onto the flat bed truck. The piece that broke was just a small aluminum cast pin. When the ford dealership called me the next day with a quote for repair, I was shocked at the price, $2145.00. I was told I needed a whole new steering column because the part that's broken couldn't be repaired with in the column itself. That's when I went on line and searched for similar problems. I was aghast to find hundreds with similar or exact same problems I had. My question is, why isn't there a re-call for this particular defect since so many people are having problems with this small pin? If no recall, why can't ford help financially or at least, partially to help offset this high expense for such a small fix? I am on a fixed income and a several thousand dollar repair sets us back significantly. Does anybody have a solution? Does anybody have any other options to get ford to help with this problem, I'm desperate. Thank you all.
The gear shift lever fell off the steering column while putting the car into park. It is held on only by the electrical connection.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that she had issues shifting gears and when she would turn corners, the vehicle would shift out of gear. Other times, she had issues shifting into drive and moving forward. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that there were no related recalls. The transmission was replaced in 2008 at a repair shop. However, the failure continued. When the contact placed the vehicle in park (with the engine on) and went into a store, the vehicle shifted into drive and hit a building and then moved back and hit another vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken back to a repair shop where the contact was informed that a component of the steering column would not allow the vehicle to lock into gear. The steering column was repaired. However, after the repair, the transmission slipped. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 140,000. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Updated 10/21/11
I was picking up a family friend, an while waiting for her to come to my 2002 ford explorer, I put my truck into park, when she got in, I then attempted to put it back into drive, an the gear shift handle broke off into my hand, it basically dangled there an I had no choice but to call a two truck driver. I got an estimate for over $600 for a used column, cause apparently ford doesn't make the little piece that broke off. I have been online for awhile to find another way of getting this fixed an I have seen hundreds an hundreds of complaints for the very same thing, why hasn't this been recalled yet? What do I or we have to do to get ford on the ball with this continuing problem? Thank god it is stuck in park, an unfortunately so are my keys.
My wife and I and our 8 year old twin boys were on vacation this summer driving through the rocky mountains in a rain storm. It was august 13th, 2010. There was a huge single lane traffic jam because of an accident. We pulled over to the side of the road because my wife needed to get out and stretch. When I put the 2002 ford explorer back into drive, the shift lever broke off in my hand like it was made of butter. Needless to say, we were in shock and scared because we were stuck at the top of the rocky mountains in a rainstorm. The ford was stuck in drive so I decided to drive it all the way to our hotel in rife, colorado. We were very scared the whole way. We made it to our hotel. The local ford dealer could not get a part until the following week. A local mechanic rigged it so we could get home to california in time for jobs and school. We felt very unsafe the whole way. When we got home to california, the local ford dealership replaced the entire steering column and shift lever for $1,300. I have a 2nd 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. When I got home from work today, I parked my ford explorer in the driveway, put the shift lever into drive and it broke off! Again, like it was made of butter. This is exactly two months after the other one broke. Today is october 13, 2010. I am very careful with my vehicles. My wife and I are both teachers in our mid 40's. Now, I am left with the same make and model with the exact same defect and I will be calling ford and asking them to treat me fairly and repair this defect at their cost. Can you help me?
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer. While driving in reverse 5 MPH the gear shift came apart from the column and fell in his lap while the engine was running. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that it would cost $1,500 to replace the steering column. There were no warranties related to the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 02/07/11 *bf updated 04/20/11
While putting my 2002 ford explorer into park at a drive up atm machine, my gear shift just feel into my hands. I was stuck blocking the drive way and had to be towed to a shop where they say the ford dealership wanted about 1500.00 to replace steering column. The shop told me that was too much for just a small part that was broken. The dealership said it could not replace just the small part that was broken. My shop told me that it could not find the small part and they see it they can get certified welder to weld the part and it would cost way less then 1500.00. As I researched this problem on line I came across many complaints about the same problems I am having; the same year model, make and same problem. I am still waiting to hear from the shop about how much it will be and how soon I can get my car repaired and back to me.
Very loud noise in tires while driving and in steering column when driving my 2002 ford explorer . It is most likely a wheel bearing issue. This issue in this truck should be a recall item.
Purchased 2002 explorer xlt v6 4.0l already transmission slipping solenoid or whatever out.. I have read reports and wonder why this transmission is not recalled? I have it in shop now having to have it rebuilt and everything changed. Also right wheel bearings bad, upper and lower ball joints bad, suspension shot. And the records show the previous owners maintained everything well. But also had transmission replaced and had problems at 99,000miles. Please doing something for all of us out here. Also coolant leak, engine leak, power seat failure, and on.
I have a 2002 ford explorer and this morning I was going at work when the gear shift arm broke off in my hand. I had to call my wife for go at work and I was unable to remove my keys from the ignition. My car is completely un-drivable.
Went to leave a baseball game and attempted to put my car in reverse only to have the gear shift come loose from the steering column and was just dangling there. Of course customer service at ford could not help.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse, the gear shift broke off. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where the dealer repaired the steering column. The current and failure mileages were 89,930.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The vehicle was parked when the gear shift suddenly broke off in the contacts hand and the vehicle became stuck between park and reverse. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The dealer informed the contact that the gear shift lever replacement kit would repair the failure or the steering column would have to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were approximately 92,000.
I was reversing out of a parking spot and then shifted into drive when the lever went limp. It was stuck in reverse and I had my two young kids in the backseat! I was scared out of my mind!!! I sat in the car with my foot on the brake for 45 minutes waiting for my cousin to tow the car to my dad's house. According to all the cases I've read about, and the ford dealer parts guy, I now have to replace the whole steering column. There's only two junk yards here on guam and neither one has the part so I have no choice but to buy from the dealer and the part alone is $1500!!! I'm going to have to take out a loan just to fix the car that I'm still paying off. It's unbelievable that there has been no recall or that ford has made it so that we have to get the whole column instead of the one little part that broke.
Vehicle was westbound on ohio turnpike when the driver lost control and the vehicle left the roadway, struck a sign and came to a rest in the gore*cw letter updated 03/18/10 *bf ohio traffic crash report # 10-0076-89.
I am asking you consider an investigation for the 2002 ford explorer xlt steering column. Mine broke and rather easily and it cost me $1,400.00 to fix. Ford told me there was no recall on this to my surprise. After doing my own online research, I see 45+ other folks had similar or same issues as I did. See the link: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/steering/gear_shift_broke_off.shtml please give this the attention it so desires. I called ford yesterday 2/19/10 and they basically said, we are doing nothing unless you folks who work with them consider this a recall situation. Please let me hear from you. Len pace the failure mileage was 130,000....mw
I have a 2002 ford explorer and while trying to put my truck in park the gear shift arm broke off in my hand. I had to leave my car in reverse and I was unable to remove my keys from the ignition. My car is completely un-drivable. I have had it towed to a repair shop, but they are charging me $550 to replace the whole steering column with a used steering column.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) 2002 ford explorer [xxx] - gear shift lever broke off of steering column while shifting from park into reverse.
2002 ford explorer ball crank broke*cw the consumer stated the ball crank broke when he attempted to shift from park to reverse. The consumer's mechanic made numerous calls in search of the part needed, only to discover the entire steering column had to be purchased at a cost of $1,395.00.
I was leaving a friend's house... Put the key in the ignition and attempted to shift into reverse and the shifter broke off into my hand; only connected by the rubber and the wire inside. The metal connection actually just snapped in half! I was glad I wasn't stuck in drive or anything I had my 20 month old niece in the car! This could have ended really really bad! If ford knows that this is a common problem with this model why has nothing been done!?! I got one estimate from the local ford dealership where I had to have the car towed to; $1795+7% sales tax! I called around and found a place to get a used steering column put in for $1000+tax but I have to have it towed another 40 miles to get it to that shop... Something needs to be done before someone dies from this parts failure! It's seems senseless for ford to sit by and do nothing if they can act now and save lives!
2002 ford explorer gear shift broke off when putting car in park. Steering column replaced by dealer with used parts. Dealer retained possession of old parts.
I pulled up to the gas station while on my way to work and as soon as I was about to shift into park the gear shift broke right off in my hand. It was causing some nor difficulties in the past where it would show signs of resistance when shifting gears but never something so serious as this current incident. I called a tow truck which appeared about 40 minutes later and then took me home. I have tried to find a new part but no dealer or parts manufacturer has it in stock.
Recently purchased 2002 ford explorer. Shortly after, within one to two days I attempted to exit the vehicle by shifting into park and opening the drivers side door. Although vehicle was at a complete stop when I exited it began to roll backwards causing me to fall beside alongside the driver side with lower right extremities still inside the vehicle. Immediate assistant was available so minimal damage was done. Currently requires caution when shifting into park do to additional maneuvering to shift into park.
There is a common thread with gearshift selector breakage on ford explorers which indicates that recall is urgently needed. In the driveway of my house, with car in park, I tried to shift into reverse to back out. The gearshift selector on the steering column broke off and just dangled. I removed the rubber cover on the steering column to have a look, and I could see rough metal where end of gearshift selector rod meets with joint inside the steering column, indicating that the metal simply broke there. Called service at ford dealer in henderson nv, was told that entire steering column needs to be replaced at parts + labor cost of $1920. Had I been parked on a hilly street in san francisco, e.g., a serious accident might have occurred with the car out of control. Recall is urgently needed before people are injured due to this obvious defect!!!
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