2002 Ford Explorer headlight problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN A BUMP IS HIT DRIVER SIDE SEAT STOP WORKING

NHTSA complaint #11320858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE CAR ALWAYS FEELS LIKE IS ABOUT TO JUMP OFF THE ROAD OR THE LANE IM IN WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER ANY ROUGH ROAD OR POT HOLES. %ģ

NHTSA complaint #11316967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL BY THEMSELVES DOZENS OF TIMES IN A ROW WHILE I AM DRIVING. WITH THIS THE DOME LIGHT FLASHES OFF AND ON AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT FLASHES AND THE INTERIOR CHIME GOES OFF CONSTANTLY. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A HUGE AND COMMON ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF FORUM POSTS BY OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE SPEND COUNTLESS $$ AT MECHANIC'S TO NO AVAIL. THIS CAN CAUSE WRECKS AT NIGHT IT IS VERY DISTRACTING. ESPECIALLY THE DOME LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10967531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL BY THEMSELVES DOZENS OF TIMES IN A ROW WHILE I AM DRIVING. WITH THIS THE DOME LIGHT FLASHES OFF AND ON AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT FLASHES AND THE INTERIOR CHIME GOES OFF CONSTANTLY. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A HUGE AND COMMON ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF FORUM POSTS BY OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE SPEND COUNTLESS $$ AT MECHANIC'S TO NO AVAIL. THIS CAN CAUSE WRECKS AT NIGHT IT IS VERY DISTRACTING. ESPECIALLY THE DOME LIGHT. WHY IS FORD IGNORING THIS OBVIOUS SAFETY DESIGN FLAW? LIABILITY IS YOURS .. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR YOU TO CLAIM YOU ARE NOT AWARE. IF SOMEONE GETS CAR JACKED WHILE LOCKS ARE FREAKING OUT YOU MIGHT GET SUED. IT HAPPENS THE MOST IF SOMEONE IS IN PASSENGER FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10894248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I CAN NOT DRIVE WITH ALL THE ALARMS AND LOCKS AND OVERHEAD LIGHT GOING OFF AND ON THE WHOLE TIME I'M DRIVING. IT IS TORTURE, LOUD AND SCARY!!!

NHTSA complaint #10554226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SPORADICALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA complaint #10434906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND BOTH TURN SIGNALS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE LIGHTS AND STATED THAT THE WIRES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA complaint #10413885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH INOPERATIVE (STAYS STUCK ON).

NHTSA complaint #10371868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER USED BUT ALSO HAVE A FATHER-IN-LAW WITH A FORD AND HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN WE BOUGHT IT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE DOME LIGHT WOULD STAY ON BUT AS WE DROVE THE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF BUT THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. RECENTLY LAST WEEK THE LIGHT STAYS ON LIKE NORMAL BUT NOT THE LIGHTS GOES ON AND OFF, IT DINGS CONSTANTLY, AND THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT IS VERY DISTRACTIVE AS WELL AS ANNOYING. WE GOT ONLINE TO SEE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE DONE AND THERE WERE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS. WE TRIED THE WD40 BUT THEY SAY THAT ONLY WORKS FOR A DAY OR SO.

NHTSA complaint #10339162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

WHERE TO START... BROKEN CRUISE CONTROL, HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS A SHORT, DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW DOESN'T ROLL DOWN, TROUBLE GOING INTO GEAR, CAR SUDDENLY DIES AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE BAY (LIKE AN ELECTRIC KNIFE SHARPENER) THAT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY MORE FREQUENT, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, BRAKES SQUEAL AND DON'T STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY, SUPPORT FOR THE HATCH (WHICH IS CRACKED 8 INCHES OR SO IN TWO PLACES) DOESN'T LIFT HATCH COMPLETELY, AND THE FUEL ECONOMY IS DOWN TO 4-6 MPG IN THE CITY. I HATE IT! I DON'T FEEL LIKE MY GIRLFRIEND IS SAFE DRIVING IT, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE THEIR WRONGS INTO RIGHTS!

NHTSA complaint #10221470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

REPEAT FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, CRUISE CONTROL WON'T DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ,AN UNSAFE SITUATION. ALSO INTERMITTENT INABILITY TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING.

NHTSA complaint #10198289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

EVERY TIME IT RAINS WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ON THE TOP REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE BULBS SHORT OUT. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AT 72,000 MILES. WATER ALWAYS POOLS IN THE REAR AREA.

NHTSA complaint #10185284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/28/06.

NHTSA complaint #10172472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS TO ACTIVATE UNTIL MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL FOOT PRESSURE IS APPLIED; RESULTING IN DELAYED/INADEQUATE BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION AND DIFFICULTY DISENGAGING GEAR SELECTOR FROM PARK. ALSO, SPEED CONTROL WILL NOT TURN OFF UNTIL PRESSING HARD ENOUGH TO ENGAGE SECONDARY/BACKUP DISCONNECT ON SPEED CONTROL. INITIAL APPLICATION OF BRAKE WILL RESULT IN VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN SPEED, INCURRING INCREASED THROTTLE APPLICATION AND AUTO TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING. REMOVAL AND OBSERVATION OF THE SWITCH ACTION APPEARS TO SHOW THE MECHANICAL INTERFACE BETWEEN PLUNGER AND CONTACTS RESULTS IN CONTACTS OPENING WIDER IN THE INITIAL TRAVEL OF THE SWITCH BEFORE ACTUALLY CLOSING, RESULTING IN DELAYED CLOSING OF THE SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #10159074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

FIRST OF ALL I HAVE A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE I NOTICE IT MOST WHEN WE ARE TRAVELING ON THE HWY AT AT LEAST 55 MPH OR MORE. IN OCT. MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND NOW IN FEB. MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

NHTSA complaint #10156798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

THE BREAK LIGHTS ON MY CAR GET STUCK ON, I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN TO ME THREE TIMES, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHEN I WAS IN PENSACOLA AND HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED...IT SEEMS TO BE THE SENSOR ATTACHED TO THE BREAK PEDAL.

NHTSA complaint #10137511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

DASHLIGHT ILLUMINATES, DOOR CHIME SOUNDS AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MULTIPLE DEALERS AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY YET THE ISSUE HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10100949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER.*MR THE LEFT SIGNAL WIRE INSULATION RUBBED THROUGH THE BOAT TRAILER. WHEN IT SHORTED OUT THE FUSE BLEW AFTER IT TOTALLY MELTED THE INSULATION OFF THE WIRES THROUGH THE TONGUE OF THE TRAILER ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT. CONSUME NOTED THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, HAD THIS BEEN A CAMPER A FIRE WOULD'VE RESULTED.

NHTSA complaint #10050199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. DEALER HAS REPLACED HEAD LAMP CONTROL AND HEAD LAMP RELAY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8014264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

TWO PROBLEMS, ONE WITH TRANSMISSION AND ONE WITH INSTRUMENT LIGHTS. 1) TRANSMISSION WOULD DELAY ENGAGING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN BEING TAKEN OUT OF PARK (LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL") BUT TRANSMISSION WOULD ALSO "CLUNK" AND "LURCH" WHEN CLIMBING HILLS. LOCAL DEALER (VISTA FORD) ADJUSTED WITH COMPUTER ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND IMPROVED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW THERE IS STILL THE OCCASIONAL DELAY BEFORE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES AND AN OCCASIONAL "BANG" (WORSE THAN "CLUNK") ALONG WITH A VIOLENT "JERK" (WORSE THAN A "LURCH") AND THIS NOW HAPPENS DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON LEVEL GROUND. 2) FOR THE ENTIRE 300 DAYS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE THE ILLUMINATION OF THE "MESSAGE CENTER" DISPLAY IS SO DIM DURING THE DAY THAT IT IS AMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ (DEALER SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NO FACTORY FIX). THE DISPLAY IS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE RHEOSTAT THAT ADJUSTS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE GENERAL INSTRUMENT ARRAY SO THE PROBLEM MUST BE WITH THE INTENSITY OF THE LED DISPLAY ITSELF.

NHTSA complaint #761560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

TWO PROBLEMS, ONE WITH TRANSMISSION AND ONE WITH INSTRUMENT LIGHTS. 1) TRANSMISSION WOULD DELAY ENGAGING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN BEING TAKEN OUT OF PARK (LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL") BUT TRANSMISSION WOULD ALSO "CLUNK" AND "LURCH" WHEN CLIMBING HILLS. LOCAL DEALER (VISTA FORD) ADJUSTED WITH COMPUTER ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND IMPROVED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW THERE IS STILL THE OCCASIONAL DELAY BEFORE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES AND AN OCCASIONAL "BANG" (WORSE THAN "CLUNK") ALONG WITH A VIOLENT "JERK" (WORSE THAN A "LURCH") AND THIS NOW HAPPENS DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON LEVEL GROUND. 2) FOR THE ENTIRE 300 DAYS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE THE ILLUMINATION OF THE "MESSAGE CENTER" DISPLAY IS SO DIM DURING THE DAY THAT IT IS AMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ (DEALER SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NO FACTORY FIX). THE DISPLAY IS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE RHEOSTAT THAT ADJUSTS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE GENERAL INSTRUMENT ARRAY SO THE PROBLEM MUST BE WITH THE INTENSITY OF THE LED DISPLAY ITSELF.

NHTSA complaint #761560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

WHILE DRIVING, HEADLIGHTS TEND TO BE DIM, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO VIEW FRONT OF VEHICLE, MECHANIC HAS ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS TWICE; HOWEVER, HEADLIGHTS TEND TO SET BACK IN DIM MODE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8003712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.