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.
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
O/d light blinking and irregular shifting during acceleration. 2002 ford explorer does not shift properly. Everytime i leave a stop sign or traffic light, the rpm's become very high (over 5,000) and will not shift. To keep the engine from racing, i have to lift my foot off the gas pedal to get it to shift. This causes the car to slow down quickly and with a line of cars behind me that do not anticipate me slowing…
ODI 10340705
Electrical System · Seats
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated the driver's seat detached from the floor board. The electrical gauges and components were also inoperable and the power door locks had failed. Neither the dealer or manufacturer was contacted in regards to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 90,000.
ODI 10340415
Electrical System · 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…
ODI 10339162
Electrical System · Interior Lighting · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Side/Window
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,…
ODI 10377155
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Oh where do i begin. I have 90,000 miles on my suv. My radio goes off and on randomly. Door ajar is on randomly. When shifting from park to drive, it sticks and i have to tap it to go into drive. Rear wheel bearing had to be replaced. O/d light came on and flashing. One time i thought it was in park and when getting out of my car, it began to roll after taking my foot of the brake. I see these seem to be problems…
ODI 10332695
Electrical System
2002 ford explorer limited electrical issues: 1)when i push the rear defroster button the 'door ajar ' notice comes on 2)when the rear defroster is on the mirror adjustment switch does not work 3)if i leave the automatic headlight switch on and i shut the car down and lock it with the key farb the horn beeps twice (indicating the door is ajar) and the interior light stays on. I have to either switch the automatic…
ODI 10310033
Electrical System
Well the electrical has to do with doors and window controls and locks and driver gauge panel sensors having never worked properly. The body issue has to do with failed paintand polymer coatings along with cracked body panel on rear liftgate. *tr
ODI 10944235
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the alarm on the vehicle would independently engage sporadically. The contact was able to reset the alarm yet the failure would only recur. The dealer advised that they could replace all of the sensors but they were unable to guarantee that the repair would resolve the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was…
ODI 10351730
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
On dec 4th 2009, my 2002 ford explorer was driving fine one minute and the next the o/d light started flashing. I turned off the ignition and restarted the vehicle. The o/d light blinking went away. The very next day again, with the light once again flashing, the vehicle refused to move forward when gas pedal was engaged; however the rpm revved up between 3 and 4. Throughout that same day, i attempted to get vehicle…
ODI 10308653
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
2002 ford explorer xlt: rec'd recall notice about cruise control switch with fire hazard and brake fluid leakage driving or in park. Called dealer 'armstrong ford in homestead ford twice. Once sent to voice mail of service manager with no return call. Following day 11/17 spoke with service advisor who stated to call back on fri or mon 11/20 or 11/23 as part was unavailable. I find this unacceptable. In addition i…
ODI 10292654
Electrical System
Approached stop sign at a slow rate of speed - basically coasting 30 - 40 feet from a driveway, as the brakes were applied, the engine started to rev up, liken to the cruise control engaging, and brakes could not restrain vehicle and it was basically pushed through the stop sign and collided with an oncoming vehicle, there was insufficient time to put the vehicle in neutral or turn off the engine, this was the first…
Crash reported
ODI 10264332
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control
2002 explorer started out with alot of electrical problems and now depending on how much you push in the gas pedal the transmission starts slipping. Just like alot of other complaints. Had some similar trouble with it about 2 years ago dealer said had to wait till it got worse to find exact problem. *tr
ODI 10268887
Electrical System
My wife and i owned a 2002 ford explorer xlt with 4wd. And a 4.0l engine. On the night of 1-15-2009 ,i picked my wife up from work at 11:35pm we went to the grocery store and afterwards proceeded to our home , this whole trip took a total of twenty to twenty five minutes and a distance of about one mile of driving round trip to my wife's work the grocery store and then to our house.we arrived home ,parked the…
Fire reported
ODI 10282284
Electrical System
My wife and i owned a 2002 ford explorer xlt with 4wd. And a 4.0l engine. On the night of 1-15-2009 ,i picked my wife up from work at 11:35pm we went to the grocery store and afterwards proceeded to our home , this whole trip took a total of twenty to twenty five minutes and a distance of about one mile of driving round trip to my wife's work the grocery store and then to our house.we arrived home ,parked the…
Fire reported
ODI 10282282
Electrical System · Frame And Members · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Severe cracks in back window housing. Crack is so severe, consideration of window falling out is possible. Information panel registers door ajar which consequently flashes internal lights, re-locks doors, sets warning bells to go off. Often, door ajar does not register, but electric locks lock re-lock and lock many times with warning bells going off, interior lights flickering,many times in one instance. All…
ODI 10262434
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
Ford explorer o/d flashing and check transmission coming on it was at the ford dealer for 3 weeks they said it was my pcm and now they are saying it a wiring problem but my car is doing the same thing it was before i took it to them. *tr
ODI 10253710
Electrical System · Equipment
Have engine problem warranty will not cover because dealer put back odometer. *tr
ODI 10255170
Electrical System
Door agar light. All the doors will be shut and while driving the door ajar light and beeping noise will come one. Which results also in the interior lights to flicker on and off. It does it everyday and keeps going till the veh is in part. Also when the car is parked the lights will come on and off, i cant even lock my doors anymore. *tr
ODI 10274345
Electrical System
Battery died on 2002 ford explorer. Installed new battery and [redacted] module quit working. Bought new part for $202.00. Fixed problem with new part. Obviously the realized the defect and refuse to do recall. *tr
ODI 10246137
Electrical System
Reading the forums and many people have been having problems with their explorers 4x4. I have the same problem. Seems like if you disconnect the battery or your battery dies so does your control module for the 4x4. Mine stopped working when that happened. That is when my 4x4 selector switch lights stopped working and my 4x4 was not engaging. Seems like ford needs to recall this part. I got a new control module and…
ODI 10240501
Electrical System
Parked my suv in the driveway after a short trip and the horn began to blow. As i investigated the noise i opened my door to find smoke rolling out uncontrollably. I ran inside to call 911, by the time i hung up the phone my entire truck was engulfed with flames. This just happened today, so i do not know what will be done about it. But this was caused by some defect in the vehicle. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10233433
Automatic Transmission · Body · Electrical System · Power Window Devices And Controls
Purchased a 2002 ford exp eddie bauer ed used with 35,000 miles. Transmission had to be repaired within 3 weeks due to 4wd malfunction covered by warranty. Passenger side window motor assembly has been replaced once, and window regulator has been replaced once, and is in need of a second replacement. Took to local dealership and was told window was not meant to be lowered halfway. The rear hatch has also cracked…
ODI 10237454
Electrical System
Progressively worse, starting in june 08. Door ajar light comes on randomly when driving, plus the interior lights come on and off (flicker, dangerous if driving at night), bells go on/off, and the doors lock and unlock (never sure which they are). If not driving, the alarm goes off randomly. *tr
ODI 10233414
Body · Electrical System
I have a 2002 ford explorer xlt, a couple weeks ago i went to open the back lift glass, and the window fell, and combustion in thousands of little pieces, right in my face! I have pictures, anyway i proceeded to take my vehicle to ford motor company in horseheads, ny, they replaced the window due to the explosion, and i have had my truck back there 4 times because they wired it wrong, and they refuse to fix this…
ODI 10228291
Electrical System · Fuel System, Other · Seat Belts
When i tried to remove my key from the ignition, the entire ignition cylinder came out!! My car had to be towed and have a new cylinder installed! A year later, it happened again!!! So i have had to replace my ford ignition cylinder twice and my car only has 60,000 miles on it now---so probably had only about 40,000 miles the first time it happened and 50,000 the second time. Also-- now my fuel gauge says empty all…
ODI 10273684