2002 Ford Explorer door lock problems

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the hood latch independently released, causing the hood to strike the windshield. The contact was able to get to the side of the roadway and closed the hood. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA complaint #11472938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT NHTSA WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA complaint #11102649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I'VE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK SAYING THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT'S NOT. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSIDE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS. I NOTICED IT USUALLY HAPPENS EITHER WHILE ITS RAINING OR IF IT JUST FINISHED RAINING. SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE (YEAR/MAKE/MODEL) SAYS THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO HIS VEHICLE. I'M WONDERING IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND IF SO, WHAT STEPS DO THE MANUFACTURES TAKE IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR A SPECIFIC PROBLEM? ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

NHTSA complaint #10483997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

O/D LIGHT FLASHES FOR A FEW DAYS THEN AT AROUND 25 MPH THE GEAR SWITCHES INTO NEUTRAL AND RUNS VERY ROUGH THEN THE CAR IS THROWN FORWARD. HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION (WE WERE TOLD WE WERE GETTING A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AND PAID EXTRA FOR IT!) AT 83K MILES ON OCT 15, 2010 THEN FEB 5, 2011 THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS. THE DEALER CANNOT TAKE THE TRUCK FOR ANOTHER 5 DAYS AND REFUSED TO GIVE ME A LONER CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY. PLEASE NOTE: BELOW I PUT IN THE FIRST INCIDENT DATE, FEB 2011 IS THE SECOND INCIDENT DATE. IN MAY OF 2009 I WAS TOLD MY ENGINE FAILED AT ABOUT 76,000 MILES. WE DID BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WE WERE COVERED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD US WE WERE NOT COVERED. THEY HAD OUR TRUCK FOR 3 WEEKS UNTIL THE WARRANTY PEOPLE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND LET THEM KNOW IT SHOULD BE FIXED. WE ALSO HAD A RENTAL CAR OR A LONER CAR UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR AND SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE A LOANER CAR AVAILABLE. IT TOOK 4 MORE WEEKS (IN TOTAL 7 WEEKS) TO GET THE TRUCK BACK AND NEVER PAID FOR THE RENTAL.

NHTSA complaint #10381434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DOORS WILL NOT SHUT IN THE FREEZING COLD WEATHER. WENT OUT TO THE EXPLORER TONIGHT, GOT IN, SHUT THE DOOR AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. I TAKE THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP AND MY DRIVERS DOOR FLEW OPEN. I STOPPED AND TRIED TO SHUT IT AND IT JUST BOUNCED OPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN BECAUSE THE LATCH WAS FROZEN. I FINALLY GET IT TO STAY CLOSED, DROP MY PASSENGER OFF AND THEN THE PASSENGER'S DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE EITHER. I DROVE ALL THE WAY HOME HOLDING MY PASSENGER'S DOOR CLOSED. THIS TRUCK IS THE ABSOLUTE BIGGEST PIECE OF GARBAGE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN IN MY LIFE. IF YOU ARE READING THIS COMPLAINT AND HAVE NOT YET PURCHASED AN EXPLORER I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER.

NHTSA complaint #10381226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED UPON SIDE DOOR CLOSURE OF A FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AFTER RE-FUELING. CONCURRENT WITH AND IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG, THE DOOR ALARM SYSTEM WAS CHIMING THAT A DOOR WAS AJAR, AND AFTER INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SECURITY/DOOR WARNING SYSTEM MODULE HAS FAILED. FORD WAS SENT THE AIRBAG MODULE FOR INSPECTION, AND HAS YET TO PROVIDE THE RESULTS OF THE MODULE INSPECTION - AFTER A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 5 MONTHS. FURTHER PROBLEMS PERSIST WITH THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. THE DOOR AJAR ALARM CONTINUES TO SOUND AT RANDOM INTERVALS, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF AT RANDOM INTERVALS, AND THE DOOR LOCKS REPEATEDLY LOCK AND UNLOCK, ALL OF WHICH CAUSE A DISTRACTING POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10377155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2002 FORD EXPLORER GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. THE LEVER IS CONNECTED TO A SOFT ALUMINUM CYLINDER THRU A U SHAPED END AND A PIN. THE CYLINDER SHEARED AT THE BASE OF THE U AS A RESULT LEAVING NO WAY TO SHIFT OR GET THE KEY OUT AFTER TURNING THE MOTOR OFF WHEN I FINALLY GOT STOPPED. REPAIR COST IS $1400 FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN PLUS LABOR. CANNOT BUY SMALL PART THAT BROKE SEPARATELY SO EXPLORER IS NOT FIXED. A PICTURE OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN AT THIS URL HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=188761&PAGE=4.

NHTSA complaint #10353936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10330852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2002 FORD EXPLORER DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN FREEZING WEATHER, DOORS POP OPEN WHILE DRIVING!

NHTSA complaint #10297737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 19,000 MILES ON IT ALSO THINKING WHAT A GREAT DEAL I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FOR 3 YEARS IT NOW HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND THE O/D LIGHT WILL START BLINKING I TOW A BOAT SO I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS VERY COMMON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN WITH THE YEAR OF TRUCK THAT I HAVE. THEY SAID THE CAUSE WAS SERVO PISTON BORE WHAT EVER THAT MEANS THEY ALSO SAID THAT IF I DON'T REPAIR IT FOR $2,400.00 THAT THE LIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO COME ON AND THE TRUCK WILL CONTINUE TO SLIP. THE OTHER WEIRD THING IS I'LL BE DRIVING AND I HEAR A DING YOU KNOW THE SOUND YOU HAVE WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN THE TRUCK BUT I'M DRIVING MY TRUCK WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE DOOR LOCK WILL GO OFF LIKE I'M LOCKING THE DOORS. I REALLY LOVE MY TRUCK THE BODY IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE I STILL OWE ON MY TRUCK SO BUYING SOMETHING NEW ISN'T AN OPTION. THE SAD THING IS I TOW A BOAT EVERY WEEKEND AND I'M WORRIED THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10267459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

MY SUV WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I PUSHED THE REAR WINDOW RELEASE BUTTON TO OPEN THE REAR WINDOW AND IT EXPLODED. GLASS FRAGMENTS WERE FOUND UP TO 12 FEET IN ALL DIRECTIONS. THE NOISE IT MADE WAS LOUD, LIKE A SHOT GUN HAD GONE OFF. A PROFESSIONAL AUTO MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY REAR WINDOW REGULATOR MUST HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. CLEARLY THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT FORD SHOULD RECTIFY AND FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF ANYONE OWNING/USING THIS VEHICLE. I'M CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10262621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

SEVERE CRACKS IN BACK WINDOW HOUSING. CRACK IS SO SEVERE, CONSIDERATION OF WINDOW FALLING OUT IS POSSIBLE. INFORMATION PANEL REGISTERS DOOR AJAR WHICH CONSEQUENTLY FLASHES INTERNAL LIGHTS, RE-LOCKS DOORS, SETS WARNING BELLS TO GO OFF. OFTEN, DOOR AJAR DOES NOT REGISTER, BUT ELECTRIC LOCKS LOCK RE-LOCK AND LOCK MANY TIMES WITH WARNING BELLS GOING OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERING,MANY TIMES IN ONE INSTANCE. ALL ACTIVITIES HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT CAUSE OR REASON CAUSING SEVERE DISTRACTION TO DRIVER. THEFT ALARM GOES OFF AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOCKED SEVERAL HOURS; FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN UNLOCKED AND RE-LOCKED, CONTINUES TO GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I BELIEVE THE REAR WINDOW HOUSING BREAK IS THE ROOT OF ALL THIS ACTIVITY.

NHTSA complaint #10262434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DURING THE COLDEST PART OF THE WINTER, THE DOORS ON MY VEHICLE REFUSE TO LATCH. I HAVE TRIED WARMING THE CAR UP LONGER, SPRAYING THE INSIDES OF THE DOOR WITH SOLUTION THAT IS SUPPOSED TO UNFROZEN WINDSHIELDS AND LOCKS (EVEN THOUGH THERE NEVER IS ICE OR WATER SEEN) & NOTHING WORKS. LAST YEAR, IT EVEN REFUSED TO LATCH AFTER LETTING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAD LATCHED WHEN WE LEFT THE HOUSE A MILE EARLIER. WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER OUT OF THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE DOOR FLEW OPEN & ALMOST TOOK OUT A MAILBOX. I HAVE CALLED FORD REGARDING THIS CONCERN, & THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO SINCE IT HAS 119,000 MILES ON IT & THE WARRANTY IS OVER, EVEN THOUGH I BELIEVE IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN! AS IT IS GETTING COLDER HERE, I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AS MY DAUGHTER AND YOUNG GRANDSON ARE USING THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY WORKS AT THE FORD FACTORY & HE SAID THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE DOORS NOT BEING FITTED CORRECTLY & IN THE WINTER THE SEAL IS.

NHTSA complaint #10248357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

CRACK DEVELOPED IN AREA BELOW LIFT GATE GLASS. NOW THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF, AS WELL AS THE BUZZER. THE GLASS DOES NOT SHUT PROPERLY AND IS INOPERABLE AND THE AREA BELOW THE GLASS HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10247792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING WITH IT IN DRIVE. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF & IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED (IE, IGNITION/INTERLOCK SYSTEM). THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN EITHER. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN (NOT JUST SMALL BROKEN PIECE) HAD TO BE REPLACED (COST=$1372, $897 FOR PARTS). AS OF 7/2/08, 61 EXACTLY THE SAME INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED VIA COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA WEBSITE. SOME VEHICLES COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PART FAILURE TWICE. THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED UNDER THE COMPONENTS - STEERING: COLUMN, POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: COLUMN SHIFT, STEERING: GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION), STEERING: GEAR BOX: SHAFT SECTOR, STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR, OTHER OR UNKNOWN THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN AND/OR MFG/MATERIAL DEFECT & IT CORRELATES (IN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS) WITH ANOTHER DEFECT - VERY DIFFICULT SHIFTING OF GEAR LEVER TO OR FROM ?PARK? & ?REVERSE?. 61 REPORTED INCIDENTS OF THE PARTS FAILURE ARE SIGNIFICANT, BUT THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY FAR MORE THAN HAVE BEEN REPORTED VIA NHTSA COMPLAINTS. THE DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT PART POSES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. IF THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BREAKS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON A STREET OR EXPRESSWAY (BUT STOPPED MOMENTARILY BY NECESSITY), THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS OR PUSH AND/OR STEER IT TO SAFETY, THEREBY CREATING A DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATION WITH A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR BODILY INJURY. NHTSA HAS MORE THAN ADEQUATE DATA TO INITIATE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION & SHOULD IMMEDIATELY REQUIRE FORD TO PROVIDE A FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE NUMBER OF STEERING COLUMNS THAT IT HAS SOLD AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. I HAVE THE OLD STEERING COLUMN (AND THE BROKEN PIECE) AS WELL AS SEVERAL PICTURES OF THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10233045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2002 FORD EXPLORER, O/D LIGHT IS BLINKING, CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. REAR END MAKES NOISE, ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. TRUCK SHIFTS HARD FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. SHIFTS HARD AND MAKES CLUNCKING SOUND FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND WILL NOT GO IN TO OVER-DRIVE AT ALL.

NHTSA complaint #10232288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON. RECYCLED ENGINE CHECKED ALL DOORS AND AGAIN LIGHT COMES ON. OR WHILE DRIVING, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK. THE ALARM SOUNDS FOR NO REASON SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COMES ON AND STAYS ON USUALLY WHEN I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE DOOR AJAR ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10231199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO, SHE HAS HAD TO TAPE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SHUT TO KEEP IT FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH OR LOWER. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE DOOR AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10229243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

I HAVE A CRACKED REAL PANEL ON TAILGATE. I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT THIS IS A DANGER BECAUSE THE ACTUAL GLASS CAN DISLODGE FROM THE PANEL AND HURT SOMEONE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN. 1 STANDS AT A HEIGHT BELOW THAT GLASS LEVEL!

NHTSA complaint #10221426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH EITHER THE FRONT DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS OR THE WIRELESS KEY.

NHTSA complaint #10220002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

MY FAMILY AND I WENT TO MY FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE AND AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND UNLOCKING THE DOORS MY DAUGHTER'S DOOR (REAR PASSENGER) WOULD NOT UNLOCK NOR OPEN FOR THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, BY SWITCH NOR MANUALLY. FOR MY DAUGHTER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SHE HAD TO CLIMB IN THE FRONT SEAT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, WE HAVE A BABY THAT RIDES IN A CAR SEAT SO SHE COULDN'T EXIT ON THE DRIVER PASSENGER SIDE. I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TAKE THE PANEL OFF AND TAKE THE ONE SCREW OFF THAT HOLDS THE HANDLE MECHANISM AND PULL IT A FEW TIMES TO FINALLY RELEASE THE LATCH. I JUST READ ABOUT A FORD RECALL ON FAULTY LATCHES. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THIS RECALL AND MY LATCH ISSUE IS MY LATCH WILL NOT RETURN TO AN OPEN STATE. I FEEL THAT MY ISSUE IS RELATED IN THE SAME CONTEXT, AND FEEL THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF SOMETHING HAPPEN MY DAUGHTER COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10217703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW. APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE STARTED DEVELOPING A CRACK ON THE PANEL BENEATH THE REAR WINDOW. SINCE THEN, WHEN IT IS HOT, I GET A DOOR OPEN WARNING LIGHT. NO DOOR IS OPENED, BUT THE DOORS REFUSE TO LOCK, AND THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. I BELIEVE WATER ENTERS THE PANEL BENEATH THE WINDOW DUE TO THE CRACK. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY DEALERS FOR THE WARNING LIGHT-THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10186003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

SUBJECT: CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW (TAILGATE APPLIQUE) WHERE: 9 DEGREES TEMPERATURE IN SHILOH, ILLINOIS (15 MILES EAST OF ST. LOUIS). VEHICLE TYPE: 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4 DOOR WAGON 6 CYL 4.0 SOHC 51,101 MILES. WHAT: THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE HAS DEVELOPED ONE VERTICAL CRACK, APPROX 1/8TH" IN DIAMETER RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL (APPROX 4.5 INCHES) TO THE RIGHT OF THE "FORD" EMBLEM. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OVER 75 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, MOST IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS (COLD WEATHER). THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY (ESP). PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE LISTED BELOW FOR OTHER CUSTOMERS COMMENTS. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTM COST/COMMENTS: AUFFENBERG BODY SHOP (BELLEVILLE, IL 618-234-0330) REPAIR COST $380.00 IF REAR WINDOW BREAKS ADD AN ADDITIONAL $1100.00. FORD DEFINITELY HAS A QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THIS COSMETIC DEFECT PART. AFTER CONTACTING FORD PRIOR APPROVAL DEPARTMENT (800-321-7790 OPTION #3) AND CUSTOMER CENTER (800-392-3673), BOTH OFFICES INFORMED ME THAT THIS DEFECT IS NOT COVER UNDER THE ESP WARRANTY. ACTION: FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THE PANEL AT NO CHARGE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY AND A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. A COPY OF THIS LETTER WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA complaint #10183090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME THE CONTACT WAS UNLOADING GROCERIES OR BOOK BAGS FROM THE BACK OF THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUTS BECAME DISENGAGED. ONCE THE STRUTS WERE DISENGAGED THE GLASS CAME DOWN ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10180780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

THERE WERE NO EVENTS TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE, OTHER THAN FORD'S OWN RECALL FOR THE REAR LIFT HATCH. ONCE THE HATCH WAS REPAIRED, THE WINDOW TOOK MORE FORCE TO SHUT AND EVENTUALLY DEVELOPED STRESS CRACKS. I HAVE A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE WITH A 1/4 INCH GAP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PANEL.

NHTSA complaint #10174431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

LIFT GATE CAUSES THE BODY FRAME TO SPLIT.

NHTSA complaint #10173016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

EACH WINTER SINCE PURCHASING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER THERE HAVE BEEN DAYS WHEN THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT AND I WAS FORCED TO WAIT FOR THE MECHANISM TO THAW OR USE ONE HAND TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM FLYING OPEN AS I DROVE. AFTER THAWING OUT THE DOOR WOULD LATCH AND I COULD CONTINUE SAFELY. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM ISOLATED TO MY VEHICLE THOUGH AFTER HEARING OF THE RECENT RECALL I AM CERTAIN THIS IS ANOTHER IN A LONG LIST OF DEFECTS I HAVE EXPERIENCED. IN FACT ON JULY 30, 2005 WEST HERR FORD OF HAMBURG, NY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I NOW WONDER IF THE CONSTANT FREEZE / THAW CYCLE OF THE WATER THAT OBVIOUSLY LEAKS INTO THE DOOR CAUSED THIS DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10170694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10161236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.