490 of the
4,097 complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer are about the
body and structure — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
67,200 miles.
September 2, 2023 at about 6 pm I pulled over to grab a couple water bottles from the rear of my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport cause my engine was overheating. I got out walked to the rear of my vehicle pushed my unlatch button on the tailgate and I lifted the glass part of the rear hatch. Both air hinges were not working correctly to keep it up so I gently rested the glass on my hair that was put up in a bun and just a little bit of the glass was resting on the very top of my head where my hair was slicked back for my bun so my hands were free to grab the bottles of water. (My hair was the softest of resting place's). As I reached in the back to grab the water bottles I heard the loudest bang and hundreds of little pieces of glass fell everywhere around me. I was in so much distrot that I actually thought someone had shot at me with a fire arm but missed me and hit the rear glass instead. The top of my head was stinging and it felt like I had just been smacked with a tree branch and the glass had went all over me causing a few minor cuts and scrapes as I fell to my knees in shock my heart racing faster than I had even imagined a heart could beat while histaraclly crying from the trauma that just occurred I fell to the ground and for a full 15 minutes i sat there surrounded by glass and tears in so much shock, dazed and confused before I stood up and looked around at everything that then I only realized I WASN'T shot at because there was no bullet or bullet hole nor did a vehicle drive by nor was there any people closer than a mile to me when I realized that the glass had shattered for some UNKNOWN reason ON ITS OWN that it scared me so bad it traumatized me. After that day I was pulled over multiple times by numerous police agency's (sheriff, Medford PD, Central Point PD and State Police) because I didn't have the money to fix it let alone have the knowledge that it had a recall so I could get it replaced. I have pictures but it will not allow me to upload them.
NHTSA complaint #11672158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 184,000 milesRoseville, CA1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE REAL LIFT GATE, THE REAR LIFT GATE GLASS WINDOW SUDDENLY SHATTERED. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE PERSON SUSTAINED A FACIAL LACERATION WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (FUTURE FORD LOCATED AT 650 AUTOMALL DR, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
NHTSA complaint #11353727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newburgh, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUMMER,SPRING WEATHER, ALL FOUR, CLEAR, GLASS WINDOWS DO NOT SLIDE UP OR DOWN THROUGH ITS' POWER BUTTON, ELECTRONICALLY.
NHTSA complaint #11325882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 204,000 milesIssaquah, WA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER HINGE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PERRY FORD OF SANTA BARBARA (440 HITCHCOCK WAY, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105, (805) 682-2411) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.
NHTSA complaint #11269990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,150 milesJoppa, AL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. IT WAS UNOCCUPIED PARKED IN THE CARPORT.
NHTSA complaint #11118034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesNovi, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR HATCH PANEL APPLIQUE CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON
NHTSA complaint #11090795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHayward, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE ON THE REAR DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK BETWEEN THE DOOR HANDLE AND GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11073837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHayward, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE ON THE REAR DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK BETWEEN THE DOOR HANDLE AND GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11073837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesJames Town, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED THE PART. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE SUN ROOFS WERE DISCONTINUED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11040441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tracy, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE AND BALL STUD BRACKET IS COMING APART. THE BRACKET HAS DISENGAGED. GLASS IS POTENTIALLY GOING TO FALL, BRAKE AND/OR CAUSE INJURY. IT IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED DURING A RECALL BUT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10965953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tracy, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE AND BALL BRACKET IS BROKEN/DISENGAGED. IT IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. IT CAN FALL, BRAKE AND/OR CAUSE INJURY. THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED DURING A RECALL. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10965960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesMishawaka, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE REAR LIFTGATE MOUNT BROKE OFF AND WINDOW FELL ON MY DAUGHTERS HEAD AND BENT THE OTHER MOUNT AND BROKE LEFT STRUT OFF. CAN'T LINE IT UP TO GET IT TO CLOSE AND LATCH SHUT. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR OR LIFTGATE WILL FALL OFF. GOING TO GET SOME ROPE AND TRY TO TIE IT ON. IT WAS IN FRONT OF HOUSE WITH THE WHOLE HATCH OPEN TO GET GROCERIES OUT
NHTSA complaint #10954043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesGreen BAY, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY
BACK TAILGATE WINDOW IS CROOKED, AIR PRESSURE THING FELL OFF ON RIGHT SIDE CAUSING A LACK OF SUPPORT ON THAT SIDE AND HINGES ARE STARTING TO BEND TO THE LEFT ALSO. WHO KNOWS WHEN THIS WINDOW WILL FALL OFF OR HOW MUCH LONGER IT WILL BE SUPPORTED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT ON THE RIGHT. IT'S JUST SCARY, WE DON'T USE THIS TAILGATE WINDOW AT ALL SO IT MAY BE FINE? IT IS LIKE THIS WHILE STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY, TURNING ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10917252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 218,000 milesBowie, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY
AFTER LOADING MY LUGGAGE I CLOSED MY TRUNK AND THE WHOLE BACK WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED THE STRUTS BROKE AND THE LITTLE BLACK THING THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW UP TOP BROKE TOO. I GOT A CUT ON MY HAND, GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE. SO STRESSED..
NHTSA complaint #10909661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesHyden, KY
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.6L IS HAVING MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT ONLY 110K MILES. IT HESITATES SHIFTING GEARS AND SLIPS WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT HAS THE INFAMOUS CRACK DOWN THE BACK HATCH. BOTH ARE PROBLEMS THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT YET FORD DOES NOTHING. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS A VERY EXPENSIVE COST TO REPAIR AND IT SHOULDN'T BE THE CUSTOMERS RESPONSIBILITY WHEN FORD KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10853758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesJupiter, FLFire
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING MY FORD ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY FEET WERE REALLY HOT AND BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING UP. THEN THE BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND I NEARLY CRASHED TRYING TO GET TO THE EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE THE FIRE TOOK OVER THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR. LUCKILY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS RIGHT THERE FOR ANOTHER ACCIDENT. IT WAS INCREDIBLY DISTURBING EXPERIENCE. LUCKILY MY 3 SMALL CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10837161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesEAU Claire, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE HINGES ON THE LIFTGATE WINDOW WAS RUSTED OUT AND SEPARATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. ......UPDATED 04/01/16 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10822417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesFarmington Hills, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY
COLUMN GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF WHEN PUTTING IN GEAR. COULD NOT REMOVE KEY OR PUT IN PARK
NHTSA complaint #10818524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesLakeville, MAFire
STRUCTURE:BODY
CAR STALLED ON BUSY STREET, THEN WAS RESTARTED AND LOST POWER. THEN FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED. TOTAL LOSS WAS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE
NHTSA complaint #10816411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesVictor, IA
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE REAR HATCH WINDOW WAS CLOSED AND IT SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED, SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE EXACT ISSUE. UPDATED 03/21/16.
NHTSA complaint #10806733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,748 milesBelcamp, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND LEAKED WATER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER STAINS BY THE VISORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,748.
NHTSA complaint #10789529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,043 milesPoteau, OK
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. UPON OPENING AND CLOSING THE REAR HATCH, THE ROD ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE GLASS TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,043. UPDATED 1/15/16
NHTSA complaint #10787789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesNampa, IDCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM WHAT A APPEARS TOBE THE TRANS BELL HOUSING AND WAS TOLD BY EXPERTS AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO INVESTIGATE,MAIN SEAL TRANNY DAMAGED AND TRANS NEEDS TOBE PULLED,COSTING HUNDREDS TO FIX.WAS IN FIRST ACCIDENT IN 30YRS BECAUSE TRANNY WOULD NOT ENGAGE,SHIFT TO PROPER TORQUE FOR SPEED WHEN NEEDED.CAUSING SLUGGISH LATE SHIFT TO ALMOST STOP,AND CAUSING CRASH. CAN YOU HELP?.................ANYONE? THANKYOU!
NHTSA complaint #10760108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesOneida, KY
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR PANEL HAS CRACK 2 TIMES. WE PAID 600.00$ FOR FIRST REPAIR. 3 MONTHS LATER THE REAR PANEL CRACKED AGAIN. NO CRASH OR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10726697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 177,492 milesRonkonkoma, NYCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE PARKED IN STALL WHEN GEAR SELECTER WAS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK WITH FOOT ON BRAKE SAID VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WIDE OPEN THROTTLE SURGED FORWARD KNOCKING DOWN LIGHT POLE ONLY COMING TO STOP ONTOP OF FIRE HYDRANT OR VEHICLE WOULD OF KEPT GOING AS WHEELS WERE STILL SPINNING!
NHTSA complaint #10715556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesSherman Oaks, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE REAR WINDOW SHUTTERED INTO 100 PIECES DURING THE DRIVING. THE REAR PANEL HAS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10706551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesPuyallup, WA
STRUCTURE:BODY
HUGE CRACK ON BACK PANEL BELOW WINDOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10660490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesDarien, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FAULTY HINGES YEARS BACK, FORD REPLACED. I NOTICED FAULTY HINGE WHEN WAXING VEHICLE, HINGE IS ASKEW. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, VERIFIED IT WOULD NEED REPLACING OR GLASS WINDOW COULD FALL OFF, INFORMED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIR. SINCE THE FAULTY HINGE IS THEIR PRODUCT, I THINK THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE, AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SERVICED EVERY 3 MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT IS WELL MAINTAINED, I HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE REPLACING FAULTY FORD PARTS. THE GLASS HINGE IS A FORD HAZARD THAT I BELIEVE FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR.
NHTSA complaint #10652331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesJupiter, FL
STRUCTURE
CRACK IN REAR LIFT GATE PANEL THAT LED TO SHATTERED REAR WINDOW UPON NORMAL CLOSING.
NHTSA complaint #10651968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,800 milesNorth LAS Vegas, NV
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY DAUGHTER WENT TO OPEN MY REAR HATCH AND THE WINDOW FELL. THE HINGE COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE CAR. I WENT TO FORD TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A RECALL ITEM BUT THAT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED IN 2005. I ASKED IF IT HAD BEEN FIXED WHY WOULD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR. THEY COULDN'T GIVE ME AN ANSWER. ALL THEY SAID WAS THAT THEY ONLY PAY FOR THE FIRST OCCURRENCE NOT AND SUBSEQUENT OCCURRENCES. MY ISSUE IS THAT IF AN ITEM CONTINUES TO BREAK THAT IS NO LONGER AND ISSUE WITH THAT ITEM ITS AND ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE ITEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WHAT IF THE GLASS FELL ON MY DAUGHTER OR SHATTERED ON HER. I DON'T SEE WHY I HAVE TO REPLACE A FAULTY FORD ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10648620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.