The gear shift on my 2002 ford explorer broke off the steering column. There were no warning signs before this occurred. I was in the car with my 3 year old son & my wife who is 8 months pregnant. I pulled out of a driveway at a friend's house in reverse, when I proceeded to put the car in drive, the gear shift broke off the steering column. My car was stuck in the middle of the road on reverse. I had to turn of the engine to be able to push it out of harms way and could no longer turn it on because it was stuck on the reverse gear. I had to get the car towed to my house, find a mechanic that could help me because my car is no longer under warranty and then have it towed to the mechanic. The mechanic had to change the steering column because ford does not sell the single part to fix the gear shift, they only sell the entire column. The mechanic got me a good deal on the column and the total cost of the repair was $360 as opposed to the $850 that ford wanted to charge for the part. There is a database online of numerous ford explorer 2002 owners who have experienced the same problem. Here is the link: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/steering/gear_shift_broke_off.shtml this is a defect that threatens the safety of drivers and their families and should be addressed, recalled and the victims of this dilemma should be reimbursed by ford for their expenses.
2002 Ford Explorer steering complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 155, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My steering column shifter broke while trying to put the vehicle in park. It was stuck in reverse so I had to take the column apart and figure how to change gears and get my keys out. Found out this has happened to numerous people with this steering column/gear shift. Why make two things that have nothing to do with each other be together on the same hardware is beyond me. This part should've been bolted on so it can be replaced easily.
Needed lower tierod ends replaced and it was discovered that both rear coil springs were rusted and broken.
Gear stick broke off in my hand when shifting to reverse in my 2002 ford explorer, it has not been repaired as it happened today, but will probably require a new steering column.
The gear shift lever broke away from the steering column when I tried to put it in park from drive. It just snapped very easy. The broke component is the piece that connects the lever to the rod and the whole steering column component had to be replace because the lever and rod is a single piece.
We are in the process of replacing the left rear outer tie rod and which the mechanic says displays excessive wear and movement. Also replacing rear gas charged struts (displays excessive wear and movement), rear coil springs (bent, cracked, and loose), and rear strut mounts. $1100.00 on a car with 61109 miles on it. This vehicle is never used to haul or tow anything. We have trucks for that. I'm sick to see all of these complaints on the same problem - it can't be a coincidence.
I went to put my 2002 ford explorer into park and the gear shift broke off. I had to call a wrecker and had the vehicle towed to my mechanic. The total cost was $1100 because the entire steering column had to be replaced. This appears to be a defect in the metal based on the broken part and also poor design that you have to replace the entire steering column for.
Shifter broke from the steering column when my truck was in park and I went to put it in reverse and it snapped. After only six months and one week it happened again on 03-04-2008.
Ford explorer 2002 clutch pack in rear diff went out causing rack and pinion to go out. Ford dealer states this is a common problem with this year. Had rear diff rebuilt by dealership with ford parts and 24,000 miles later the dealership says it needs replaced again. At $1300 to over $1500 each time this is crazy and neither ford nor the dealership will assist in the cost. After calling ford customer service my aggravation increased because they refused to acknowledge that this is a problem. Now same problem on our 03 expedition. If the diff locks up I can only imagine what will happen.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the shift gear detached from the steering column when being shifted out of park. In addition, the key would not turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. As of january 2, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The VIN and engine size were unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 69,000. Updated 01-29-08. *kb the consumer stated contacted ford customer relations several times and informed to bring to a ford dealership in turn ford informed the consumer there was nothing they could do due to the fact the vehicle's warranty had expired. Updated 01/29/08
I was leaving work..cranked my car and went to shift from park into reverse and the gear shift leaver "broke" loose from the steering column. It was just "flopping around". I called my dealership and they sent a tow truck since I couldn't shift into gear and drive it. I also could not get the key from the ignition since the car couldn't tell it was in park. The tow truck driver said in 20 years he had never seen anything like it. This morning the service department at my dealership said "you sure exerted a lot of force on the shift handle because you broke the steering column". I exerted no force...it was very easy. And my comment to the service coordinator was "I'm a 60 year old woman...I couldn't possible exert enough force to break the steering column!". They are now telling me it will cost in excess of $1700.00 to fix it and they can't tell me how long it will take because "we don't stock steering columns, and since you used enough force to break it, we have to have one shipped in. When we know how long it will take to get the part, we'll tell you when you can get your car back."
My wife was starting the vehicle and attempted to shift into drive when the gear shifter broke off. Had vehicle towed to repair shop where mechanic stated that he had never seen this before. He attempted to find parts but ford had no parts nationwide to repair due to change in manufacturers. Must have been a defect with the original manufacturer which forced them to find a new manufacturer for this part. Had to replace entire steering column assembly. Took over 1 month to get part and cost over $900 to repair.
Gear shift mechanisms broke apart and seperated from the steering column leaving the vehicle in park position. Towed to dealer. Part not available for 1 month. Previously had vehicle to dealer stating there was a noise emanating form the steering column. Could not find anything. Am told the part is $700 + and $200+ to install. My contention is this was a faulty part. If this happened while driving, it could have deployed the air bag causing a serious accident. Even the dealer has never heard of the mechanisms breaking apart as this one did.
Pulling out of a neighbor's driveway, my shift rod cracked off and dangled, leaving the truck immobile. Nothing had preceded this. Due to towing fees, I contacted a local mechanic who was able to bring it to his shop, a mile away, vs. To ford, which would have required a $200 flatbed tow. This provider tried for 3 weeks to get a part, # 5l2c36529a, told that ford had 1300 vehicles with this issue. If this had happened on the street, there would have been an accident. Several calls to ford and local dealerships have been not only unproductive but fruitless and demeaning. We are concerned for others that have this same issue, which ford (which I have always been loyal to prior to now) has gone out of its way to deny, are going to be endangered and would like a recall investigation, please!
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the differential failed on his vehicle. The component was replaced in july of 2004. The gears in the differential were wearing out quickly and the differential began to leak fluids out of the pinion seal. The contact heard a howling and groaning sound while driving the vehicle 55 MPH. He stated that the gear shift lever locked up on many occasions. The four-wheel drive also locked up in april of 2007 while making a u-turn. The purchase date and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage was 67,200. The consumer provided repair invoices pertaining to the defect. Updated 09/05/07
Gear shift broke while engine was running and vehicle was in park. Key could not be removed. Could this occur while vehicle is moving? Replacement of entire gear shift was required. Old gear shift assembly has been kept for future reference.
My wife was going to work on 6/12/07 when she arrived in the parking lot. She went to put the vehicle into park when the column shifter broke off in her hands. She was not able to take the key out of the ignition. I dismantled the steering column and found that a metal piece had sheered off that attaches the shift lever to the upper steering column. This piece of metal is made out of pot metal and is of a poor quality design. The truck is sitting in my driveway as we do not have $500 to buy another steering column. This poses a safety risk in the fact that a parent could get stranded with kids and could put them in danger by not allowing the key to be removed.
My ford explorer lost control while on the highway. While changing lanes the vehicle would not straighten. The truck fishtailed several time before spinning out. Vehicles crashed into retaining wall. Tie rod was broken on the driver's side.
Defective rack and pinion box on 2002 ford explorer limited with 43k miles - has anyone had any problems with their same year explorer with the rack and pinion and/or any success with ford fixing the problem?
Car started making humming noise when going 30-45 MPH, took to a mechanic who ref me to the dealership to check the transmission and then for transmission flush, still the same issue, I was advised that the tires needed to be replaced, I have 4x4 which requires the same 4 tires or the car will jerk. The brake pedal vibrates, and the 4x4 gauge doesn't work, replaced the component and still the same issue. Any who to make a long story short, now I am hearing a clinking and rubbery sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. I am now forced to take the car in... And of course be charged a ridiculous fee, for them to run diagnostics on the truck to diagnose the issue, and then of course pay for parts and labor.... My next car will be a foreign car.. They break down less, and the cost of maintenance and equivalent or less then the cost of maintaining a good ole' american made ford vehicle. (lexus, kia, and I believe either mazda or toyota are owned by ford.. So steer clear of those brands). Timeline reflects the latest issue, and the amount of previous problems.. Amount to many.
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.
I have a 2002 ford explorer with 102,000 mile on it. For the past 3 years, once a year, I've had to have the rear end worked on. This last week it started making a whining noise again. I took it in to the dealership this morning and they stated that the ring and pinion needed to be replaced along with the bearings. I just had all that done 11 months ago. They say the warranty is out on it by 4k miles. Again, this is the third time I've had this problem. Every year it seems I have to spend $1500+ on the same issues. After much research, I see that this is a recurring problem in the 2002 ford explorers.
At a complete stop vehicle surges (accelerates). Have to place in neutral at standing stops to prevent an accident. Driver's side power window switch failed, had replaced, also the window whines when rolling up. Passenger's side power window regulator(cable) snapped?? When rear windows are down at a speed of 20 MPH+ it sounds like a helicopter is in the back seat(actually physically hurts your ears!!!) auto and auto>high. Can not pin point problem. That about wraps up my lovely experience with this vehicle. I am a married father of two and the only one working on a limited income. I bought this truck with very low miles thinking it would be dependable not unaffordable.
Dt*: the contact stated the steering column handle fractured and detached. Before it fractured, the steering handle seemed to have a clicking sound in it. This incident occurred when the vehicle was nearly parked therefore the contact was able to avoid any accidents. The steering handle was replaced. Updated 09/13/06.
Persistent quality problems: engine, transmission, power steering, air compressor, and related safety hazards such as defective rear hinge.
Steering column jammed twice. First time under the warranty, then 1 year later not covered by warranty. Father has same vehicle make and model year, he had two put in his also. Rear end went. Had to replace two axles already.
Dt*: the contact stated the gear shift detached from the column while trying to put the vehicle in drive. There were no warning indicators prior to the problem. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the entire steering column. The manufacturer was also alerted of the problem. After the steering column was replaced the key would not fit in the ignition properly and the vehicle has been returned to the dealer for inspection today.
Tried to put the vehicle into reverse from park and the column shifter broke off. Vehicle could not be driven and was towed to a transmission business. Cost to repair is $1300. I bought this vehicle in 2004 used. I've had the rear transmission seals, shocks, tires, front window and the entire steering column replaced.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked the contact attempted to put the vehicle shifter into the drive position however, the steering column completely fell apart. The vehicle was driven home and then to an independent repair shop and repairs have been made.
Backed my 2002 ford explorer out of the garage and put it in park for a moment and went to put the car in drive and the gear shifter broke off. The steering column had to be dismantled to allow for towing and mechanic having trouble getting the parts to fix it.
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