2002 Ford Explorer: windshield wiper failure

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Visibility · 157,000 miles · OH

While parked in my driveway the back window (lift gate window) was raised to remove things from the back of the vehicle as soon as the window was being closed about halfway down it exploded and sent glass flying all around outside and inside the vehicle. The bottom piece of the window with the wiper was hanging from the electrical cord everything else was gone. There was no force on the window and nothing obstructing it the whole thing just exploded for no apparent reason. It was very scary and could have caused serious injuries. Luckily no one in this situation was injured. My family have spent hours removing all of the shattered glass from the driveway and yard. It sent glass flying as far as to the front of the vehicle.

Filed Apr 12, 2016 · Visibility · 206,000 miles · AL

When I turn my windshield wipers on they stay on low and will not go off unless I turn the truck off with the wipers in off position. My o/d off light started blinking when I was driving down the road when I turn the truck off for a few minutes it goes off, but comes on a little bit later while driving.

Filed Jun 9, 2014 · Body · 100,000 miles · TN

The rear hatch is splitting down the middle near the windshield wipers. The metal is coming apart and may fly off during high rates of speed causing an accident. This email is to prevent an accident which may occur. I am aware of a pending lawsuit regarding cosmetic defects but would like you to know the possibility of an accident occurring once the metal separates at high rates of speed on the interstate. This is also a paper trail in case I am the truck the causes the accident.

Filed Oct 19, 2013 · Body, Electrical · 107,315 miles · TX

The 2002 ford explorer has a design flaw such that the rear panel cracks. When moisture gets in it causes electrical problems. The six problems experiences on this explorer are as follows: 1) false "door ajar" indicator 2) rear window wiper no longer worked 3) dead battery 4) back-up warning signals no longer work 5) rear window can no longer open 6) brake lights won't turn off even after the engine is turned off. We had to disconnect the battery and take it to the dealership the next day.

Filed Jul 30, 2013 · Electrical, Visibility · 140 miles · GA

At approximately 12:30 pm, a brief rain shower began and the windshield wipers failed to operate. After replacement of the wiper motor, and significant troubleshooting, it is likely that the gem module is defective. There had been several days of light, moderate, and heavy rain preceding this issue, during which the automobile was not driven. After this incident, the door-ajar light stays on, the automatic door locks do not work, and there are other electrical issues.

Filed Jul 21, 2010 · Visibility · 40,000 miles · PA

I have a 2002 ford explorer and for the past 5 years that I have owned it, the windshield wipers have been erratic! The front ones will come on whenever they want and alot when the turn signal is used. As of late they come on very often and is very distracting while driving. Today they were so unpredictable that they almost caused an accident with me and my 2 small children in the car.

Filed Jul 16, 2010 · Visibility · 100,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would independently engage intermittently. The contact stated the failure would occur during any type of weather condition. The wipers also fractured from the vehicle due to friction caused by the dry windshield. The dealer has not been contacted and the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 111,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2006 · Body · PA

There is a two to three inch crack in my back hatch door in my 2002 ford explorer xlt. It is in the body work right to the left of the windshield wiper. I called ford at least three times and asked if they would resolve this form me as I felt never should a crack in the body of a vehicle occur. They said there has been no recall each time I called and that I should check back. That's as far as they would go. I was driving one day and saw another explorer with a worse crack than my own. I do not have this person's information as I have misplaced it. I talked with my own vehicle place (fred bean's of west chester) where I purchased the vehicle and they will not handle the problem without charging me. I do not feel I should have to pay for such an incident as there was no damage to create the problem. A couple years ago when I had the hinge issue taken care of then it wasn't too long after that the issue arose. I can only assume that the impact of closing this hatch with weak or improperly installed hinges may have caused this crack. When I spoke with someone at the ford place, the person of whom remains anonymous for obvious reasons, said to me that they have seen about 10-100 other vehicles come in to their place alone with this same issue and no one would do anything about it. Please contact me.

Filed Jul 23, 2006 · Suspension, Transmission · 32,000 miles · NY

Bought 2002 explorer in 2003 with 12,000 miles. Servicng dealer replaced transmission and torque converter under warranty @ 32,000 miles after o/d light started flashing. Now needs another transmission @ 54,000 miles. Car has always been serviced, driven lightly, never towed, never abused. Dealer will not pay or help out one bit. Ford knows 2002 explorers have defective transmissions and rear ends, is ignoring problem, leaving consumer to absorb cost! Have also had to replace timing chain tensioner, rear windshield wiper assembly, air conditioning unit under warranty. Front and rear wheel bearings needed replacing- out of warranty. Rear end is making classic "humming" sound that ford is also ignoring-pinion gears.

Filed Mar 24, 2006 · Locks · 23,000 miles · CT

Crack in liftgate that occurred spontaneously when weather became winter--rear wipers were used and crack occurred. Recall was done at this area dealer summer 2005 prior to correct liftgate recall.....we inquired about possible over tightening during recall service and it was denied. We have had this car since the summer of 2002 and have had it in cold weather before and up until the recall fix it never cracked. Concerned about glass falling out since the tailgate is cracked from top to bottom. The dealer asserted that it was a known problem with cracks in liftgate... Since we are not under warranty we had to pay $600 to get this fixed. Mileage on the car is only 23000!!!!! It is the safety issue of glass falling out while driving or falling into the car upon my children that concerns me. Many internet websites I have been to discuss other such cracks occurring in the tailgate I don't understand why some dealers are willing to help and others don't. The prices vary too which amazes me.

Filed Jan 4, 2006 · Body · 58,000 miles · MD

In november 2005, the rear liftgate applique of my 2002 ford explorer cracked overnight. The crack is directly in line with the rear windshield wiper. The local ford dealership claims that they have seen several ford explorers with this same problem and it is caused by cold temperatures and windshield washer fluid getting into the plastic applique and forcing a crack. The night this occurred the temperature reached 10 degrees above zero. Because of this crack, I no longer can use this portion of the liftgate for fear that it will cause further damage to my vehicle. I called the ford customer service line where the representative did an investigation into my claim and no warranty or recall will cover this defect. The approximate cost of the repair is $300.00. This is an obvious defect in the manufacturing of the vehicle and should be recalled and repaired at ford's expense. This should not have happened to a vehicle that is made for inclement weather.

Filed Feb 15, 2005 · Visibility · MD

Traveling in heavy rain when intermittent windshield wipers suddenly became non-operational. The wipers stopped midway on the windshield. The regular and fast wiper speeds are still operational at this point. In order to have the wipers return to the normal position on the windshield, the wiper switch has to be continually moved from the off position to the intermittent position until the wipers gradually move down the windshield. Vehicle needs to be taken to dealership to have problem diagnosed and repaired immediately.