2002 Ford Explorer Electrical System Problems
- 113
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 113 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 14 indicate fire
What owners report
- door ajar · 28 records
- ajar light · 15 records
- dome light · 11 records
- door locks · 8 records
- several times · 7 records
- lock unlock · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 26 |
| 60–100k mi | 23 |
| 150–400k mi | 15 |
| 30–60k mi | 12 |
| 1–30k mi | 9 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
I bought a used 2002 ford explorer in april of this year at a used car lot. It was a beautiful blue suv in remarkable good condition. I had it four months, and it caught on fire while at a stop sight on my way home from a shopping strip twenty miles from my home. It started smoking and while i was fumbling for my purse to get my cell phone to call for help, it caught fire and bystanders on the thoroughfare pulled me…
Fire reported
ODI 10546922
Electrical System · Visibility/Wiper
At approximately 12:30 pm, a brief rain shower began and the windshield wipers failed to operate. After replacement of the wiper motor, and significant troubleshooting, it is likely that the gem module is defective. There had been several days of light, moderate, and heavy rain preceding this issue, during which the automobile was not driven. After this incident, the door-ajar light stays on, the automatic door…
ODI 10532580
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Vehicle Speed Control
MY POWER STEERING STUCK CAUSED A WRECK!!
Crash reported
ODI 10865249
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
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…
ODI 10493405
Air Bags · Electrical System
While driving down the road my airbag light comes on. On occasion i am just thankful that my air bag has not gone off yet. Also while driving my door ajar light & dome lights come on. *tr
ODI 10485926
Body · Electrical System
The interior lights occasionally flicker when all doors are shut securely. Also the door ajar light will flicker at times as well. The alarm goes off for no reason and usually it is in the middle of the night and i am pretty sure it is related to the door ajar malfunction. There is no way to disable the factory alarm so i have had to leave my car unlocked at night just to keep it from going off and waking up the…
ODI 10508801
Electrical System
Fords taillight/stop switch illuminates the brake lights, is used to disengage the cruise control and is used to enable the operator to be able to put the vehicle into gear once the brake pedal is depressed. Roughly a year ago i had some intermittent issues with trying to disengage the cruise when using the brakes plus i had trouble taking the vehicle out of park without having to step on the brake multiple times.…
ODI 10461650
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked at an independent repair shop when it caught on fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was informed that the fire originated due to a wire under the dashboard. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 160,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10452655
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
Due to a defect, we had to have the transmission replaced (thank god it was still under warranty)...then had to have the door ajar sensor fixed because alarm kept going off for no reason. About two years ago we were abut to go out of town for thanksgiving. I stop at a red light, and then we try to pull off when the light changes and hear the loudest popping noises...we're wondering how in the world did the spark…
ODI 10451705
Electrical System
Alarm goes off when set and no one is around, cruise control does not always work, light inside do not turn off and sometimes do not turn on, radio does not turn off when opening the front doors, but will turn off when back doors are opened. *tr
ODI 10486630
Body · Electrical System · Power Window Devices And Controls
None of the windows will work, they were operating properly and just quit. This vehicle is unsafe to drive, in an emergency, (such as a crash). The occupants of the vehicle could become trapped in the vehicle because the windows would not operate. If a fire occurred the results could be tragic. Ford is aware of this problem along with several other problems on this vehicle. Yet they choose not to repair or replace…
ODI 10448800
Electrical System
Door ajar light and beeping sensor is always going off, causing the doors to unlock while driving and also causing the inside dome light to turn on and off. Must drive at night without instrument lights, including speedometer, as dome light stays on. *js
ODI 10455709
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
I have a 2002 ford explorer that is in the shop right now with a torn down engine. I went out to start it one morning and it had a hard start then it started ticking. Come to find out it the timing chain. From what i have read online it is a very common complaint and i am really surprised that this truck has not been recalled again for this problem. I am having to pay for something that ford made a mistake on. The…
ODI 10442875
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated the overdrive light illuminated, the rear passenger window cannot be opened and the alarm system engaged on its owns. The contact replaced the drivers door electrical sensor; however, the electrical system failure was not corrected. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
ODI 10551075
Electrical System · Power Train · Suspension
Rear spring cracked at 100,000 mil transmission failed at 120,000 mil body electrical not sealed well and keeps shorting in different places cruise gets stubborn and scared to use it , im afraid of it getting stuck in cruise. *tr
ODI 10438819
Electrical System · 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!!! *tr
ODI 10554226
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
At a stop, began accelerating to enter highway, accelerator pedal became stuck and car continued to accelerate up to 90 mph at full throttle before i shut vehicle off and put it in neutral. Has happened on several occasions, all exactly the same. Vehicle accelerates at full throttle and has to be shut off before an accident occurs. Only way to correct problem is to exit vehicle and push gas pedal several times;…
ODI 10445348
Electrical System · Power Train
The transmission started to slip in may of 2011. I had the transmission serviced and it did not correct the problem. I am unable to check the transmission fluid as it is a sealed unit no dip stick. We drove the vehicle until it no longer moves. The cost to replace the transmission is 2800.00 plus... There was no reason why this should have happened. *tt
ODI 10433062
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While parked, the contact noticed flames around the radio console and the dashboard. The fire department reported to the scene and a report was filed. The cause of the fire was determined to be a failure within the radio console wires. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
Fire reported
ODI 10425467
Electrical System · Power Train
My gear shift broke as i was putting into gear and it just fell into my hands it broke into two half a piece that should not broke and as i was going somewhere the truck just starting going crazy the lights was flashing on and off the alarms was going of the lights flashin,sometimes in the middle of the night the alarm just goes off on it on we see all this happen and no one is by the truck no cats dogs nothing. *tr
ODI 10608330
Electrical System
Sparkplug was ejected from head while driving. The plug was manufacturer specification and properly installed to the correct torque. Sparkplug hole was damaged and needed to be machined for a new plug. Creates a safety hazard while driving as well as a fire hazard as the empty cylinder forces air/fuel mixture into the engine compartment where ejected spark plug could ignite it. *tr
ODI 10404369
Electrical System
The factory alarm will go off randomly during the night. Have not been able to get this issue worked out with ford. We have tried several times to get it resolved and each time it is fixed, the issue returns within a few weeks. *tr
ODI 10449923
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System · Electrical System
Heater failed causing windows to "fog" over and decreased ability to see out windshield. *tr
ODI 10361495
Electrical System · 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…
ODI 10355866
Electrical System
Door ajar light remains on although all doors are securely closed and locked. Drivers side locks are inoperable. *tr
ODI 10350392