RoadVitals

2002 Ford Explorer Heating & air conditioning Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the heating or air-conditioning system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Heating & air conditioning reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Jul 5, 2008
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
<1%
of 3,294 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming heating or air-conditioning

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsBody & structureBrakes+1 more
Filed Jul 5, 2008

PAINT IS BLISTERING AND CHIPPING ON THE HOOD AND FENDER OF MY 2002 EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233248
Incident
Feb 18, 2007
Heating & air conditioningSuspensionVisibility
Filed Jun 18, 2008

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WE PURCHASED USED WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE PURCHASE WE HAVE HAD 3 POWER WINDOW MOTORS GO BAD, BOTH REAR BEARINGS REPLACED, THE BACK DOOR PANEL IS CRACKED, THE A/C DOESN'T WORK, AND NOW IT LOOKS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. IF SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS HOW CAN THERE BE NO RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ID
10231430
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
AirbagsBrakesHeating & air conditioning+4 more
Filed Apr 28, 2008

ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUB ASSEMBLIES(APPROX $250 EACH), WITH THE 4TH NOT FAR BEHIND. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE MODULE(APPROX $400-$500). I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR WINDOW MOTORS GOING BAD AND HAVING TO REPLACE THESE TOO. THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DUMMY LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR NO REASON. THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME OFTEN COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE BUCKLED YOUR SEAT BELT. YOU HAVE TO SLAM THE BUCKLE INTO PLACE FOR IT TO GO OFF AND SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT WORK EITHER. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW MAKING A LOVELY CLUNKING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK, IT DOES NOT WANT TO. YOU HAVE TO PUT IT UP TO PARK AS FAR AS IT WILL GO THEN GO BACK TO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK FROM THERE. WE HAVE REPLACED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOES ON BOTH SIDES BECAUSE THEY WERE COMPLETELY WORN OFF EVEN THOUGH WE DO NOT USE THE E-BRAKES. THESE PROBLEMS ARE JUST PILING UP ONE AFTER ANOTHER. I WENT TO AN INTERNET SITE THAT HAS COMPLAINTS ABOUT VEHICLES AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THEIR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS OF ALL KINDS (XL, EDDIE BAUER, SPECIAL EDITION, ETC.). WHY HASN'T FORD DONE ANY RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS? DOES IT REQUIRE MULTIPLE INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH FOR THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY??? *TR

NHTSA ID
10225925
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
40,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed Oct 2, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS SMELLED COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE REAR VENT WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNING ODOR WAS EVIDENT. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK UPDATED 10/30/2006 -*NM

NHTSA ID
10169725
Incident
Sep 30, 2006
Heating & air conditioningPowertrain (other)Suspension+2 more
Filed Jul 23, 2006

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. *NM

NHTSA ID
10163211
Incident
Jul 23, 2006
Mileage
32,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed May 17, 2006

HORRIBLE WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION. REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND NOW IT'S WHINING LOUDER AND LOUDER EVERYDAY. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE SAME REPAIR A 3RD TIME. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. OTHER POPULAR DEFECTS FOR THE NEW FORD EXPLORER ARE CRACKED REAR COIL OVER SPRINGS, ALONG WITH TRANSMISSION AND A/C PROBLEMS, ETC, ETC. HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE FORD STANDS UP TO THEIR DESIGN FLAWS...???? *NM

NHTSA ID
10157729
Incident
May 17, 2006
Mileage
99,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningTransmission
Filed Feb 15, 2006

I BROUGHT TRUCK ON 02/27/2004. THE SALESMAN AT BILL HEARD CHEVROLET MADE ME SIGN SOME PAPERS. IN TWO WEEKS I HAD TO GO BACK TO SIGN SOME MORE PAPERS BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY HAD MADE A MISTAKE. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD FINISH PAYING FOR THE CAR IN THREE YEARS THE COST WAS SUPPOSEDLY $24,000. IN TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIXED THE PROBLEM SO I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY OWN MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THAT THEY PUT AN INSURANCE ON THE TRUCK WHICH BROUGHT MY PAYMENT TO $518.00. MY AIR CONDITIONER DIDN'T FUNCTION SINCE I BROUGHT IT. MY CAR HAS NO DIRECTION AT ALL. ALSO, WHEN I RUN THE TRUCK MORE THAN 65 MPH IT JUST STARTS SHAKING. IN THREE MONTHS AFTER I BROUGHT THE CAR I READ THE PAPERS AND REALIZE THAT THE TRUCK DID NOT COST 24,000 LIKE THEY HAD TOLD ME IT ACTUALLY COST 37,000. *NM

NHTSA ID
10150370
Incident
Jul 5, 2005
Mileage
212 mi
Heating & air conditioningTransmission
Filed Aug 13, 2005

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE AIR CONDITIONER QUIT WORKING. I HEARD THE COOLANT AND COMPRESSOR STILL WORKING, BUT NO FAN BLOWER ON LEVELS 1,2 AND 3 LEVEL 4 STILL WORKED LUCKILY. I ALSO HAVE A HOWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION AND HARD SHIFTING WHEN ACCELERATING AND LETTING OFF OF THE GAS DURING A SHIFT. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY RESISTOR, THE REST HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. I NOTICE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE FOR THE SAME SYMPTOMS, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10132685
Incident
Aug 9, 2005
BrakesHeating & air conditioningDriver assistance+4 more
Filed May 20, 2005

2002 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE 4WD, THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE IS GIVING OFF A ROTTEN EGG SMELL. *MR THERE WERE FRONT END PROBLEMS. THE 4WD MODULE WASN'T WORKING. THE DRIVESHAFT AND BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT. THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON TWO OCCASIONS AND POSSIBLY A THIRD TIME. A LARGE PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS NOISY. THE ACCELERATION PEDAL WOULD PULL BACK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATED, IT WOULD WHINE. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS GONE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AXLE, BRAKES AND THE TIRE WAS BARELY HOLDING ON. THE ERROR CODE FOR THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE SOLENOID WHICH HAD BEEN CHANGED BEFORE. THE A/C WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10122656
Incident
May 20, 2005
Heating & air conditioningOther / unspecifiedTransmission
Filed Dec 9, 2004

MY FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION IT WAS AT 36000 MILES, MY CAR WAS TUNED AND SERVICED AS SHUDULE, AND IT COST A TOTAL OF $1700.00 TO FIX. WHICH THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEAR OLD. THE AIR CONDITION STOP WORKING IN DECEMBER OF 2003 AND AT THE TIME MY CAR WAS BARELY 1 YEAR OLD THIER HAS BEEN MANY OTHER CONCERN WITH MY EXPLORER THAT I AM MAKING $500.00 PAYMENT ON. I BELIVED I HAVE PURCHASE A DEFECTED CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10102482
Incident
Jul 6, 2004
Mileage
36,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningElectricalFuel system+1 more
Filed Aug 14, 2004

13JAN03-REAR WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPERATIVE REINSTALL REAR WASHER HOSES. 5NOV03-CLICKING NOISE FROM REAR A/C; REPLACE MOTOR ASSEMBLY TEMPERATURE BLEND. 5NOV03&13NOV03-L/R POWER MIRRORS INOP; FUSE BLOWS; REPLACED MIRROR REAR VIEW OUTSIDE SAIL MOUNT 13NOV03-FUEL GUAGE INOP READ 1/2 TANK BUT TANK WAS FULL; 20NOV03-INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FUEL GAUGE INOP; 24NOV03-REMOVED AND REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; 18MAR04-FUEL GUAGE INOP & L/R POWER MIRRORS INOP, FUSE BLOWS; COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME ABOUT FUEL GUAGE; TESTED BCE FOR SHORT, TRACED TO MIRROR SWITCH, REPLACED SWITCH AND BLOWN FUSE; 20 JULY 04-L/R POWER MIRRORS INOP; REPLACED FUSE; 20 JULY 04 - REAR WINSHIELD WASHER INOP; ACCESS WASHER HOSE AND RECONNECT; 20 JULY 04- AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING PROPERLY; REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR FOR POOR OPERATION; MOTOR ASSEMBLY-HEATER-A/C BLOWER REPLACED. 20 JULY 04 - MECHANICS BROKE THE DRIVERS DOOR SWITCH COVER- 23 JULY 04 -REORDERED DOOR PANEL AND REPLACED DRIVERS DOOR SWITCH COVER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10086857
Incident
Jul 20, 2004
Mileage
5,131 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Jan 21, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT EVERY TIME HE CUTS ON THE AIR CONDITION, IT BLOWS OUT A BAD SMELL. PH

NHTSA ID
10004285
Incident
Jun 9, 2002
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Oct 15, 2002

CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR

NHTSA ID
8020890
Incident
Sep 17, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .