2002 Ford Explorer fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAD HAD THIS 2018 JEEP RENEGADE NOT EVEN 2.5 MONTHS AND IT NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE AND THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT THEY WERE EVERY ONE SLICK AS COULD GET AND DANGEROUS. I CALLED THE DEALER BECAUSE THE TIRES WENT BAD AND I HADN'T HAD THE FIRST 50K MILES ON IT YET AND THEY DID NOTHING. CALLED THE TIRE COMPANY THEY DID NOTHING. SO I REPLACED THEM AND ANOTHER ALMOST 3 MONTHS GO BY AND THE TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND SLICK AGAIN. THIS HAS REPEATEDLY HAPPENED EVERY 2-3 MONTHS TO WHERE THEY ARE SO DANGEROUS YOU EITHER DRIVE 30 MPH OR GET THEM CHANGED. 3 TIMES I'VE REPLACED THE TIRES AND AND THE OIL GOES SO FAST. AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH THIS VEHICLE I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY THESE PRICES FOR A 30K VEHICLE THAT'S NOT WORTH 10K.

NHTSA complaint #11309890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE GRILL, SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD, SMOKE STARTED BOILING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD

NHTSA complaint #11271276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED BUT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL 2016 AND GAS COULD NOT FLOW INTO THE TANK FREELY WITHOUT STOPPING. IT HAD TO TRICKLE IN SLOWLY. ALSO, THE CHECK FUEL CAP CAME ON DURING THIS ISSUE BUT WHEN TESTED, PASSED AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. TOO MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORT THE SAME ISSUE ON EXPLORER FORUMS FOR THIS TO BE AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE. IT SEEMS THIS IS FAULTY DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP AND OWNERS SHOULD BE INFORMED AND THE VEHICLES RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10995434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS GIVEN OEM CODE P0442 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM). THE SCENT OF GAS WAS PRESENT. I CHANGED THE FUEL CAP AND ISSUE STILL REMAINS. GAS FUEL TANK VAPOR VENT CHECK VALVE IS DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10852382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS GUAGE REGISTRES EVERY NOW AND THEN - 97% OF THE TIME IT SAYS CHECK GUAGE -AND NOTHING ON THE FUEL GUAGE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL WORK FOR ABOUT 10 MIN., THEN IT GO BACK TO CHECK GUAGE

NHTSA complaint #10806627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE WHEN I STOP AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OUT. I GOT A CODE READING, THERE WERE MANY FUEL EJECTION ISSUES. I GOT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TODAY, AND WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN I PUT GAS IN, THE GAS PUMP GETS STUCK INSIDE SOMETIMES. DOES NOT COME OUT SMOOTHLY. WHAT IS GOING ON?

NHTSA complaint #10705713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUOUSLY PUMP A FULL TANK OF GAS. IT TAKES ROUGHLY 25 MINUTES TO GET A FULL TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10691337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE ACCELERATES. COULD NOT STOP HAD TO PUT IN N AND IT STALLED BEFORE HITTING A STORE FRONT AND A SECOND TIME ON THE WAY HOME AT A RED LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10644511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BROUGHT VEHICLE IN JAN 2014. EVERY SINCE FIRST DAY BROUGHT, HAD A PROBLEM WITH GETTING FUEL INTO VEHICLE WITHOUT FUEL PUMP CLICKING AS IF VEHICLE IS FULL. THIS HAPPENS AT ABOUT EVERY FUEL STATION I GO TO. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. BROUGHT PLENTY OF FORDS, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT DOES THIS. BEFORE I GET A FEW OUNCES OF FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE IT WILL CLICK AND CONTINUE DOING THIS AS LONG AS IM TRYING TO PUT IN FUEL. LOVE VEHICLE BUT HATE IT BECAUSE OF THIS. I READ ON OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP US ALL./ THIS IS DEFINITE A RECALL. [XXX] (RETIRED VET / RETIRED U. S. POSTAL SVC. ). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10631146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

IT HAS BECOME INCREASING MORE DIFFICULT TO FUEL THE VEHICLE. THE PUMP CLICKS AS IF THE TANK IS FULL AS SOON AS THE FUELING BEGINS AND TAKE A LONG TIME TO FILL THE TANK AS YOU HAVE TO CONTINUALLY PUSH THE TRIGGER ON THE GAS PUMP BECAUSE IT KEEPS SHUTTING AS IF THE TANK IS FULL.

NHTSA complaint #10533539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WE HEARD A CLUNK AND SO WE PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND LOOKED AND THOUGHT IT LOOKED LIKE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS SAGGING BUT WASN'T SURE, WE DROVE HOME AND THEN REALIZED IT WAS DEF SAGGING. I TOOK IT TO THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT IT AT AND THEIR GOING TO CHECK IT ALL OUT TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.. JUST BE LOOKING AT IT THE CAR LOT MECHANIC SAID LOOKS LIKE SUSPENSION ISSUE AS IF SOMETHING BROKE. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE HAD IT CHECKED OUT A FEW TIMES AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE O2 SENSOR ISSUES LOCATED ON THE EXHAUST WHICH SEEMS TO BE A ISSUES WITH ALOT OF FORD EXPLORERS WHICH MAKES GAS MILEAGE TERRIBLE AND VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DIES, NOT TO MENTION THE PIECE OF PLASTIC UNDER THE REAR HATCH WINDOW THAT ALWAYS BREAKS.

NHTSA complaint #10503988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS HE WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,550.

NHTSA complaint #10500746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY FORD EXPLORER HAS HAD SO MANY RIDICULOUS PROBLEMS. THIS ONE IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. THE CAR HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS, IT SPINS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND THEN I HAVE TO LET GO OF THE ACCELERATOR FOR IT TO SHIFT AGAIN, IT SKIPS 3RD GEAR ALTOGETHER AND JERKS INTO FOURTH AFTER PRESSING AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR A SERIES OF TIMES. ONCE IT'S IN 4TH GEAR, IT DOESN'T GO PAST 50 MPH. MY MECHANIC SAYS HIS MONITOR DETECTED A FAULTY SOLENDER AND THE ENTIRE PACK HAS TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT MAY NOT BE THE ONLY PROBLEM. IF THAT DOESN'T DO THE TRICK (EVEN THOUGH IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED REGARDLESS) HE WILL HAVE TO OPEN THE TRANSMISSION AND POSSIBLY REBUILD OR REPLACE SOME OF THE PARTS. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ASIDE FROM THIS, I HAVE A LIST OF OTHER DANGEROUS ISSUES THAT THIS CAR HAS HAD AND THAT HAS ENDANGERED MY FAMILY'S AND MY LIFE NUMEROUS TIMES: - GEAR SHIFT BREAKING OFF THE STEERING COLUMN AS I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. - IGNITION CYLINDER/SWITCH BREAKING - POSSIBLE SPONTANEOUS EXPLOSION RECALL RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL - REAR LATCH BREAKING AND INABILITY TO USE THE REAR LATCH. - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE - DOORS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY & DRAINING THE BATTERY - FAULTY ALARM SYSTEM - FAULTY TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND RADIATOR - FORD NOT ALLOWING CUSTOMERS TO BUY JUST THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR AND FORCING THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE ENTIRE PACKAGES ONLY IN ORDER TO GET THE NECESSARY PARTS AT EXTREMELY HIGH PRICES. FORD SHOULD BE INCRIMINATED FOR SELLING THESE VEHICLES KNOWING FULL WELL THAT THEY ARE FLOODED WITH LIFE THREATENING ISSUES TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA complaint #10493405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY WHILE ON A TRIP LEFT US ALL STRANDED IN COLD!

NHTSA complaint #10490083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. WHEN YOU GO TO PUT GAS IN IT THE PUMPS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. SOMETHING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM IS TELLING THE PUMP THAT THE TANK IS FULL WHEN IT IS NOT. IT CAN TAKE 30 MINUTES TO PUT 10 GALLONS IN THE TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10483280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS TOLD THERE MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AFTER THE SERVICE THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND I WAS GOING AGAIN. AT 107,000 MILES THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMANT AND THEY SAID THE #5 RING WAS HAVING PROBLEMS I COULD DRIVE IT AND IT WOULD GET WORSE. IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED THIS YEAR EXPLORER HAD MANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES. NOW THEY WANT A MINIMUM OF $3,500 TO FIX THE SUV AND THE TRADE-IN IS ONLY WORTH $3,500 DOLLARS. I NOW HAVE 117,500 MILES ON IT AND IT SHIFTS HARD AND GOES IN REVESERVES SLOWLY. I HAVE TALKED TO FORD TO NO AVAIL AT ALL. THE SAY SORRY BUT WE CAN'T HELP WITH FIXING IT AT ALL. THERE IS NO DISCOUNTED RATE FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS WELL KNOWN ON THE BLOGS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AGAINST THE FACT THAT FORD SAYS THEY HAVE THE BEXT TRUCKS ON THE ROAD IF THEY THINK 117,000 MILES IS ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE FACT THEY THINK IT IS OKAY TO CHARGE THAT AMOUNT FOR A KNOWN ISSUE ON THE 2002 - 2004 MODEL EXPLORERS. I NEED HELP AS I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT TO TRADE IT IN AND I DON'T SEE PUTTING $3,500 PLUS INTO SOME THING THAT MAY ONLY LAST ONE DAY TO MAYBE A YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10470278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE TRYING TO FILL THE GAS TANK AT THE FUEL PUMPS, IT TAKES SOMETIMES UP TO 20 MINUTES TO COMPLETELY FILL THE TANK. I CAN ONLY SQUEEZE THE HANDLE ON THE GAS PUMP HOSE LINE SLIGHTLY YET IT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL. I KNOW THAT IT TAKES NEARLY 20 GALLONS TO FILL MY TANK YET THE NOZZLE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF EVERY 10 - 12 SECONDS.

NHTSA complaint #10468894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY FUEL GAUGE WENT FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK GAUGE LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE VEHICLE DIED AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE POWER BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10458608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL GAUGE OFF - DID NOT WANT TO START - DEALER FIXED UNDER WARRANTY , CHANGED FUEL PUMP 20 DAYS LATER TOOK BACK AGAIN , STILL HAD TROUBLE START , BAD FUEL READING - CHANGED PUMP AGAIN, TOOK BACK 45 DAYS LATER , FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING - 3 DAYS LATER , FOUND BAD FUEL SENDER CARD [BOARD] ORDERING NEW BOARD AS I WRITE THIS. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE EXPLORER GAUGES SODIUM BUILDUP ON UNIT DUE TO THE CRAP 10% ETHANOL ADDED . ALL BEING FIXED UNDER WARRANTY , THANK GOD! MY DAUGHTERS 2005 EXPLORER STARTING TO HAVE FUEL GAUGE PROBLEMS ALSO 69,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10458159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT MY GAS GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY WHEN I KNEW I HAD GAS, THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE ENGINE MY GAS GAUGE WORKED. FROM THAT DAY IT WORKS SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL GIVE OUT COMPLETELY ONE DAY AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WONDER WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL AS I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY HERE AS IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10450299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 FORD EXPLORER AT 15000 MILES; BOUGHT TRUCK USED FROM MY BROTHER. HE NEVER DROVE IT BECAUSE HE HAD A COMPANY CAR. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IT HOME, DOOR AJAR LIGHT NEVER WENT OUT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON(SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT RIGHT BACK TO MY BROTHER).$650.00 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP, $100.00 TO FIX DOOR AJAR LIGHT(FIXED MYSELF), $600.00 TO FIX CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THAT PROBLEM WAS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHICH PLACE CHECKED THE ERROR CODES. NOW THE FUEL GAGE IS GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND VERY POOR MPG. WAS TOLD THE SENDING UNIT IS PROBABLE CAUSE. NOW THIS 2002 EXPLORER STILL UNDER 20,000 MILES. WHAT NEXT!!

NHTSA complaint #10423011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE READING BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED SUGAR WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP,CLEANED THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FUEL GAUGE CONTINUED TO READ EMPTY CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 09/20/2011 *LN

NHTSA complaint #10418051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUELING SYSTEM/FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS MY SECOND 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE FIRST EXPLORER I HAD I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME. NOW THE CURRENT 2002 EXPLORER I HAVE NOW IS EXPERIENCE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I'M JUST AMAZED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER BUYERS AND IT STILL ISN'T CONSIDERED A RECALL. VERY FRUSTRATED!

NHTSA complaint #10402777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

EXPLORER GAS WILL NOT PUMP. CLICKS EVERY FEW SECONDS .

NHTSA complaint #10400609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, ORIGINAL PLUGS IN IT FROM DEALER. TODAY I HAD A PLUG EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE RESTING ON TOP OF THE HEAD. LUCKILY I KNOW ABOUT CARS AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. INCIDENT IS COMMON IN FORDS AND COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE INJURY, SINCE EJECTED PLUG COULD LEAD UP TO EXCESSIVE GASOLINE VAPORS WHICH COULD BE IGNITED BY LOOSE PLUG CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10378227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS HARD TO PRESS, RPM REMAINED HIGH 3000 - 4000. EVENTUALLY THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK - GO WAS GOING 70 MPH. HAD TO STRUT OF ENGINE MECHANIC REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE - NOTED CABLE WAS KINKED AND FRAYED - VERY DANGEROUS AND THAT I SHOULD REPORT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10373641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE FUEL GAUGE, MOST OF THE TIME, DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10367854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS THE GAS GAUGE WILL GO TO "0" AND THE "CHECK GAUGE" LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE THE SENDER ASSEMBLY UNIT OF THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. THERE HAD BEEN ANOTHER 2002 EXPLORER BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT MORNING. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND IS ON BACK ORDER. THE PART COST $76.79 BUT THE LABOR WILL BE $270! THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR US TO PAY DUE TO AN FORDS ENGINEERING PROBLEM. ARE MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS? MANY TIMES, BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS CORRUPTED, IT WILL PUT TOO MUCH FUEL IN INJECTORS, WHICH HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO "BOG DOWN" ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS AND AT HWY ENTRANCE RAMPS.

NHTSA complaint #10355866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CAME HOME TO FIND STOING GASOLINE FUMES AND A STREAM OF GAS LEAKING ON THE DRIVEWAY FROM UNDER THE EXPLORER. CLIMBED UNDERNEATH IT TO FIND A HOSE LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10336081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.