Began backing out of garage but noticed "door ajar" light on; a frequent occurrence in this car, and light doesn't indicate which door is the problem. So, finished backing car out of garage and parked it in driveway, placing car in park and applying emergency brake. Left car running. Exited car, left driver door open, and had some time to stand, turn around and look at back door behind driver's side first. Determined it was closed by visual check. Began to move toward rear of car to check hatch next (hatch problematic; had it fixed after bought the car then it was just recently recalled again. But much to my shock the car slipped out of park and ran over me. Tried to dive out of way; car ran over me at both knees. Suffered crush injury. Had car examined; forensic specialist thought it was a design flaw with lots of gap in steering column between reverse and park and some play in where it would groove in. *jb
2002 Ford Explorer steering complaints
Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 155 of 155, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear bearing went out on 9-6-05. The consumer is unsure if it was on the right or the left. She did not hear a noise prior to this but reported that the vehicle felt sluggish. The contact said that the vehicle was not steering properly and it was pulling all over the road. She reported that steering was very sloppy and she could not control the vehicle. She called ford motor company and they took a complaint from her and said they would evaluate it within 3-5 days.*ak
Abs light came on at 19,518 miles, 22,071 miles, and 27,078 miles. More importantly, however, are my issues with the 2002 explorer rear end. 10/1/03: 27,078 miles ABS light came on, the dealer replaced the assembly. Rear differential was leaking, dealer replaced the seals. 7/28/04: 40,541 miles rear end leaking again. Half shafts were worn. Rear locking diff was slipping. The dealer had to replace both halfshafts, seals, and clutch packs. 9/22/04: 43,203 miles rear axle chattering. Replaced whole rear axle assembly. 2/25/05: 54,960 miles rear diff making more noise. Left rear axle bearing was noisy. Replaced left rear axle hub and assembly. On test drive, the dealer found that the bearing they just installed was bad, so they had to replace it again. 8/11/05: 68,000 miles leaking fluid from rear end. The dealer performed the following maintenance: replaced diff seals, replaced timing chain, replaced right front hub assembly, replaced ring and pinion, replaced front end tie rods, replaced both lower ball joints, performed front end alignment. All told, I have had my explorer in the shop at least 10 times. My warranty is about to expire (7,000 more miles) and I'm going to try to get ford to buy the vehicle back. From what I've heard, this is not an easy process and apparently doesn't happen often with such 'high mileage' vehicles. If they don't buy it back I will be forced to take a huge loss on the vehicle. I will then purchase anything but a ford.
Steering column broke while driving. Consumer applied the brakes, and the pedal went to the floor. Consumer lost control of the vehicle, and it crashed into a guard rail. Upon impact, both air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries, and went to the doctor on her own. Vehicle was towed, and totaled out by the insurance company.
Upon parking the vehicle and returning back to start it up lever which changed the gears broke inside the steering column. Took vehicle to the dealer, and was told there was nothing they could do about it. *ak the key became stuck in the ignition and the shifter broke at the column because the steering shaft broke.
When shifting from drive to park column shift lever would get stuck. Upon a stalling ,, when shifting from drive into park to restart the car, column shift lever broke off resulting in being unable use the vehicle while in a parking lot at night with small children in the car. Vehicle towed to dealer, where we were told the whole steering column needed to be replaced at an estimate of $747.00 for a three year old vehicle.
The gear is defective, it comes out of park on its own and it is hard to get it into park.
2002 ford explorer rollover incident on 12/26/2004 resulted in the death of my stepson.
While driving 70 MPH consumer lost control of the vehicle, dealer notified.
Consumer's wife felt that vehicle was veering to her right. Dealership found out that pinion bolt was missing.(nar)
When towing vehicle in recommended towing mode, steering wheel locking mechanism will randomly engage, locking the wheels of the towed vehicle. If this occurs right after a turn, locked wheels will pull towed vehicle to the direction that wheels locked in.
Consumer stated that while making a left turn he heard a loud humming noise and had difficulty turning vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician indicated that the power steering rod failed. This problem occurred in july. In august the consumer made a turn and the vehicle shut off in the middle of an intersection which caused the steering wheel to lock up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who indicated that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The glass in the rear hatch rattled. The vehicle was purchased new and the consumer believes it should not be experiencing these types of problems. *ak
While pulling into parking space (right) in parking garage my explorer experienced a sudden accleration-at full throttle (snapping the steering wheel to the right) (extremely loud revving, whining and another sound like a bad belt screech all at the same time) before the crash. No brakes (pedal went to the floor). Crashed into steel I-beam bending it and cracking concrete pillars. No airbag on impact.
While pulling into parking space (right) in parking garage my explorer experienced a sudden accleration-at full throttle (snapping the steering wheel to the right) (extremely loud revving, whining and another sound like a bad belt screech all at the same time) before the crash. No brakes (pedal went to the floor). Crashed into steel I-beam bending it and cracking concrete pillars. No airbag on impact.
The owner states the truck veers side to side not keeping a straight direction. Truck has been in the shop (8) times for problems with the front end or steering. The parts were replaced from the steering to a complete rack and pinion with defect not corrected. An engineer from ford has also inspected the truck and has determined that there is no problem. The dealership is insisting that the owner come pick the truck up in the same condition. Please describe details. Mr
Im complained that the steering was too sensitive. I swerved to avoid a tire in the road and lost control of the vehicel. Took car to dealed who found no problem. Days later I received a call from the dealer that they had a factory rep coming to test my car. (why if there is nothing wrong) the factory man said he road tested the car and put it on a lift. He found no problem that is the way a short wheel base should drive. Fords big excuse was there is a sticker on the sun visor that reads "avoid abrupt manouvers" the rep even wrote on my service ticket that the lable was in place. The car can flip over but we told you so. I dont think this is safe and it is not right for ford to know they have another problem and wash it away with a lable. Drive down a highway and tell me if you can avoid abrupt moves. How come airlines dont put stickers on the seats that this plane might fall from the sky. Ford has a problem and the public will pay with their lives.
Driving on highway 70 MPH swerved to avoid a tire in road car over steers, you must turn back the opposite way then you are out of control in that direction. Any sudden manuver you are out of control. I took the truck to ford service they said "you have a short wheel base, that will get your attention"
Consumer states while driving the steering wheel locked and vehicle stalled. Consumer is not able to unlock steering wheel and vehicle will not start.
While traveling at 25 MPH steering became impossible to turn in any direction. Took to dealer, and they stated this was a known problem with a defective seal. Consumer feels consumers lifes were put into danger because of a known problem. Please provide any further information.
Ice and slush enter the door panels from under the vehicle causing, doors to freeze shut.
When driving steering will lock up for about 5 to 7 seconds. This happens intermittently. Dealer contacted. Please add VIN.
This vehicle has been in the service department 3 times since september 2001. The steering column has been replaced, the wheel bearings have been replaced(this was suppose to eliminate steering column rattle) and the lower control arm has been replaced. I still hear and feel a metallic rattle coming from the steering column. In my review of your website other 2002 explorer owners are experincing the same problem. I have talked to at least three other owners that have the same problem. My dealer has done everything recommended by ford, but nothing has solved the problem. Ford is "working on it". They have been working on it since september 2001. My safety concern is this. If something is loose that is causing this noise it has to be progressing. What will happen after more mileage builds on this vehicle? Will I be driving down the highway one day and lose control due to steering failure? There is to much smoke here for that not to be fire sooner of later by my explorer or some other owner. How long does it take for a company the size of ford to solve a problem?
While driving, consumer would hear popping noises coming from left front end. Dealer checked and repaired steering column shaft. Problem not resolved. Took back to dealer and steering column assembly was replaced. However, problem was not resolved. Took vehicle back again and left front wheel hub assembly was replaced. Nothing solved the problem. Mechanic could not resolve it. Manufacturer is working on solution.*ak
The vehicle has been in the service dept 3 times since purchase on 8/01. Upper & lower steering shaft has been replaced on 9/14/01. The front end rattles when I am operating the vehicle over normal terrain. Steering wheel has a popping feel when I go over a bump or turn right, feels like th e car is going out of control (at slow speed). The vehicle will be back at ford on 12/6/01 for further testing to detect/correct these problems. After looking at your website, I have discovered similar complaints exist. I will take copies with me to the dealership supervisor today.
There is a noise that sounds like something is loose in steering column. Made an appointment with dealer , and dealer refused to fix vehicle because it was not purchased there.
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