Owner-reported complaints naming the tire or wheel system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring 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. 70 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.
The 25 most recent of 70, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEN DRIVING A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRE, TIRE LINE SOLARIS AS, TIRE SIZE 225-70-R16, DOT INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WALL BLEW AND THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE VIN, MILEAGE, INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
DRIVING ND STEERING WHEEL FELL APART BRAKE SWITCH STOPPED WORKING 3 TIMES HAD NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT SETS OF TIRE PUT ON BACK WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK, BUT DID REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V171000 (TIRES: SIDEWALL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND TIRE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. MA 08/11/15
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH COOPER DISCOVERY HTP TIRES, SIZE: 235 70 R16 (N/A). THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A SIDE RAIL AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE WHIPLASH INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
CPSC# I11A0238A. 2002 FORD EXPLORER. STUDS FOR VEHICLE REAR RIGHT TIRE COMPLETELY SNAP IN HALF. *LN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER SRA TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4 WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT ACTUATE ANYMORE. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A DEFECTIVE 4X4 CONTROL MODULE. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD. SAFETY ISSUE WHEN EXPECTING TRACTION IN WINTER AND NOT HAVING IT. *TR
NEW TIRE BLOWS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5,000 TO 7,000 MILES. *TR
TIRE STEM FAILURE ON 3 OF 4 STAMPEDE RADIAL SUV TIRES. I GOT 2 FLAT TIRES IN THE SPAN OF 5 DAYS AND CAUGHT THE 3RD STEM BEFORE A FLAT TIRE OCCURRED (IT WAS CRACKED AT THE BASE). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL SPORTIVA TIRES, SIZE 275-60-R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT BALANCED PROPERLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD A BUBBLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WAS SOLD AN OLD TIRE. THE TIRE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
IT STARTED VERY EARLY AFTER BUYING THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER...ELECTRICAL PROB..COULDN'T GET VEH STARTED...100 MILES AWAY FROM HOME DEALERSHIP....TOWED TO CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP...FIXED; OR SO WE THOUGHT. SAME THING HAPPENED A WEEK LATER. HOME DEALERSHIP ADVISED US THAT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE WRONG PART AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEMS....WE CONTACTED THE OTHER DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED THEM WHAT OUR HOME DEALERSHIP SAID...OF COURSE THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THIS...ANYWAY...HOME DEALERSHIP INSTALLED NEW PART...VEH OK....THEN WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FRONT 1ST LEFT SIDE-THEN RIGHT. (THIS WAS AFTER THE REAR END WAS REPLACED) BOY, WAS THAT A MAJOR FIGHT WITH THE HOME DEALERSHIP! NOW! THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE!!!!! ISN'T THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO? FORD HAS BEEN USING DEFECTIVE PARTS!!!!AND NOW ASKING FOR GOVERNMENT MONEY???!!!!FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS NEXEN HT SUV OWL TIRES (NA), SIZE 235/70R/16 (NA). THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC REBALANCED, ROTATED, AND PLACED FOUR NEW NEXEN TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE MAKING A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND ALSO HYDROPLANED DURING WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THE DEALER CALLED THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER ON HIS BEHALF. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/09/09.*LJ UPDATED 01/12/09. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413 VALVE STEMS. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HIS FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. A REPLACEMENT BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT TIRE WAS PURCHASED AND THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVE STEM BECAUSE IT WAS SPLIT AT THE POINT WHERE IT MEETS THE RIM. THE SERIAL AND PART NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,500. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB
PROBLEMS WITH THIS EXPLORER OVER MY OWNERSHIP INCLUDE: -REAR GLASS REPLACED -FRONT BRAKES REPLACED -REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, -PARKING BRAKE ISSUES, -NEW TIRES, ETC. *TR
I HEARD LIKE A AIRPLANE RIGHT OVER THE HEAD OF MY TRUCK AND IT ENDED UP BEING MY HUB BEARINGS, THE FORD DEALER SAID WE HAVE ALOT OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002 FORD XLT EXPLORER. HE TOLD ME AS MANY AS THESE THAT HE GETS IN IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. HE PROCEEDS TO TELL ME YOUR TIRE CAN FALL OFF AND THERE CAN BE SERIOUS ACCIDENT SOMEONE CAN GET KILLED OR HURT REALLY BAD. NOW I HAD TO SHELL OUT 1,0000. AT A LOCAL DEALER TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIX. I FINALLY GOT DONE PAYING FOR THE [XXX] CAR AND NOW I HAVE TO THROW MONEY IN CONSTANTLY FIRST IT WAS MY REAR END 10 DAYS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED NOW ITS HUB BEARING WHAT'S NEXT MAYBE FORD WOULD BE # 1 IF THEY MADE A BETTER TRUCK. THAT IS WHY THE AMERICAN CONSUMER ARE BUYING FOREIGN CARS AND TRUCKS BECAUSE AT LEAST THEY DO RECALLS AND THE CARS AND TRUCKS LAST. MAYBE OUR ECONOMY WOULD BE BETTER IF PEOPLE BOUGHT AMERICAN STUFF BUT AS YOU SEE WHY WHEN YOU HAVE TO SHELL OUT MONEY ALL THE TIME TO FIX IT! PLUS WARRANTY'S ON FOREIGN CARS ARE BETTER TOO 10 YRS OR 100,000MILES .SEE AMERICAN COMPANIES LIKE FORD DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY LIKE THAT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THERE CRAP WILL BREAK BEFORE 10 YRS. I FEEL BAD TO COMPLAIN BUT I SUPPORTED FORD FOR ALONG TIME AND ANYTHING I BUY USUALLY HAS SOME KIND OF PROBLEM AND THE SAD THING I ALWAYS BUY NEW. THIS IS MY 3RD NEW FORD I BOUGHT JUST TO KEEP THE MONEY IN UNITED STATES. THERE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE A DEATH OR CRASH FOR A RECALL! *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
REAR END IS MAKING A HORRIBLE RUBBING NOISE....THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE TIRES BUT I JUST REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH THE SAME EXACT TIRES THEY COME FROM FACTORY WITH AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE AN 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND IT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE IT HIT 77,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN IN SHOP, A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED AND THE SAME PARTS KEEP WEARING DOWN. THIS IS CAUSING THE TRANNY TO SLIP AND SLAM INTO GEAR. I AM NOW TAKING IT BACK INTO THE SHOP AFTER 6 MONTHS. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IF THEY STILL WANT US TO BUY AMERICAN.
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, IT HAS 79,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS. THE TIRE WAS PRACTICALLY FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE BY THE TIME IT MADE ENOUGH NOISE FOR ANYONE TO NOTICE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S, SIZE P265/70/R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERE CRACKS AROUND THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES AND THEY ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIRE THAT FAILED HAD SEVERE TREAD SEPARATION. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,481 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,562. UPDATED 02-12-BF08 * THE CONSUMER STATED FORD REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH WRANGLER GOODYEAR RT/S DOT MD70 D5HR, MTS P245/75R16 AND CHARGED $100 FOR THE NEW TIRES. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR
CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 EXPLORER XLT WITH ONLY 65K MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEED OF A REBUILD BECAUSE IS SLIP FROM TIME TO TIME. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS ARE LEAKING. THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A HUMMING NOISE SO I SUSPECT THAT A REAR BEARING IS GOING BAD. NOT TO MENTION THE 4WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT IT A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. I'VE HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ALSO THE BACKUP ALARM SYSTEM. THERE IS NOTHING BUT POOR WRITE-UPS ABOUT THIS TRUCK ALL OVER THE INTERNET. ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS I'M EXPERIENCING ARE PROBLEMS MANY OTHER DRIVERS HAVE ALSO HAD. *TR
I HEARD A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY SUV. TOOK IT TO A FRIEND WHO WORKS ON FORDS AND HE SAID IT WAS THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. HE FIXED THAT AND THE SOUND CONTINUED, SO HE REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT. THE SOUND WENT AWAY. TWO DAYS LATER SAME SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. MY SUV ONLY HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM DRIVING WITH 3 CHILDREN. I SEE THAT THIS IS WAY TOO COMMON. I AM LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING MY KIDS WHEN THE BEARINGS TOTALLY FAILED AND A TIRE FELL OFF. I STILL HAVE TO OLD PARTS, I AM CONSIDERING SENDING THEM TO FORD. THEY TOLD ME IN ORDER FOR THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM I MUST PUT THE BAD PARTS BACK ON MY CAR AND TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. RISK MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN SO I CAN TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP? NO THANKS. I WILL SEND THEM THE PARTS SO THEY CAN SEE HOW BAD THEY ARE. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE DESTINATION, SIZE LEP23570R16 XL107T TIRES (NA). WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 60 MPH, THE TIRES WOULD SWERVE AND SHAKE. HE RETURNED THE TIRES FROM WHERE THEY WERE PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE ALIGNMENT. THE TIRE SHOP MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, HOWEVER, HE ROTATED THE TIRES. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. SHE SWITCHED LANES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE, CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE AND LANDED ON ITS TIRES. SHE WAS NOT INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,200. MISSOURI POLICE REPORT. UPDATED 10/18/07 *TR
AFTER OWNING FOR A WEEK AND A HALF, HAD TO HAVE THE G EARS IN THE REAR END REPLACED. LATER INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT EVENLY WORN WHICH WAS CAUSING THE REAR END TO POP. AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK. THE 4 X 4 MODULE AND THE WIRING NEED TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $1000.00. THAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE WINDOW REGULATOR. NOW THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM COMING FROM THE DASH. UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS YET. *JB
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 96,000 MILES ON IT AND AROUND 60,000 THE NOISE STARTED. FIRST THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THEN THE HUB WENT. WHILE DRIVING MY FRONT TIRE JUST COLLAPSED. 2ND ISSUE THE REAR END STARTED TO MAKE NOISE IS MORE LIKE VIBRAING. AND AFTER SEARCHING ON GOOGLE, I FIND THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ISSUE $1200. JUST TO START THE FORD COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. THIS IS NOT A JOKE, THIS IS SERIOUS, SOMEONE CAN GET HURT. MAYBE THAT'S WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR THE FORD COMPANY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, THE ISSUE THAT FORD IS AWARE OF. PLEASE HELP! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR TRACKER II (NA), SIZE P235/70R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. AAA ARRIVED AND CHANGED THE TIRE. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,840.
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.
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