2002 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- 108
- 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 108 stored complaint records:
- 7 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering column · 65 records
- gear shift · 43 records
- shift lever · 19 records
- shift broke · 17 records
- gear shifter · 14 records
- lever broke · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 39 |
| 100–150k mi | 28 |
| 150–400k mi | 13 |
| 30–60k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train · Steering
Went to leave a baseball game and attempted to put my car in reverse only to have the gear shift come loose from the steering column and was just dangling there. Of course customer service at ford could not help. *tr
ODI 10336748
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
I was driving in town at approximately 30 mph when i drove over a crack and it felt like a large pothole. I heard a grinding noise and pulled over. My rear springs were both broken. The driver side one at the top and the passenger side one at the top in 3 places. When i turn now it feels like my vehicle is going to roll over. This is a common problem as stated by many others on many internet sites. This is going to…
ODI 10433533
Steering
I was reversing out of a parking spot and then shifted into drive when the lever went limp. It was stuck in reverse and i had my two young kids in the backseat! I was scared out of my mind!!! I sat in the car with my foot on the brake for 45 minutes waiting for my cousin to tow the car to my dad's house. According to all the cases i've read about, and the ford dealer parts guy, i now have to replace the whole…
ODI 10320318
Steering
Vehicle was westbound on ohio turnpike when the driver lost control and the vehicle left the roadway, struck a sign and came to a rest in the gore*cw letter updated 03/18/10 *bf ohio traffic crash report # 10-0076-89. *jb
Crash reported
ODI 10319739
Steering
I have a 2002 ford explorer and while trying to put my truck in park the gear shift arm broke off in my hand. I had to leave my car in reverse and i was unable to remove my keys from the ignition. My car is completely un-drivable. I have had it towed to a repair shop, but they are charging me $550 to replace the whole steering column with a used steering column. *tr
ODI 10314560
Power Train · Steering
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) 2002 ford explorer [xxx] - gear shift lever broke off of steering column while shifting from park into reverse. *tr
ODI 10314186
Power Train · Steering
I was leaving a friend's house... Put the key in the ignition and attempted to shift into reverse and the shifter broke off into my hand; only connected by the rubber and the wire inside. The metal connection actually just snapped in half! I was glad i wasn't stuck in drive or anything i had my 20 month old niece in the car! This could have ended really really bad! If ford knows that this is a common problem with…
ODI 10311159
Steering
2002 ford explorer gear shift broke off when putting car in park. Steering column replaced by dealer with used parts. Dealer retained possession of old parts. *tr
ODI 10299717
Power Train · Steering
I pulled up to the gas station while on my way to work and as soon as i was about to shift into park the gear shift broke right off in my hand. It was causing some nor difficulties in the past where it would show signs of resistance when shifting gears but never something so serious as this current incident. I called a tow truck which appeared about 40 minutes later and then took me home. I have tried to find a new…
ODI 10295401
Power Train · Steering
Recently purchased 2002 ford explorer. Shortly after, within one to two days i attempted to exit the vehicle by shifting into park and opening the drivers side door. Although vehicle was at a complete stop when i exited it began to roll backwards causing me to fall beside alongside the driver side with lower right extremities still inside the vehicle. Immediate assistant was available so minimal damage was done.…
1 injury
ODI 10292440
Steering
There is a common thread with gearshift selector breakage on ford explorers which indicates that recall is urgently needed. In the driveway of my house, with car in park, i tried to shift into reverse to back out. The gearshift selector on the steering column broke off and just dangled. I removed the rubber cover on the steering column to have a look, and i could see rough metal where end of gearshift selector rod…
ODI 10289714
Steering · Suspension
Have a 2002 ford explorer have had several problems, but while i was out driving today my car began to pop as i turned the wheel. I have gotten my tie rods replaced and there seems to continue to be a problem with my vehicle. My husband drove the car home for me slowly but will not drive for fear that the wheel may pop off. Contacted ford and am waiting on a response, this problem has been noted on the internet by…
ODI 10283681
Steering
I am sorry i am not a good speller i was pulling out of the gas station pulled up a little so i could see then a little more and seen a car so i went to put it in reverse but the gear shift stick broke right in my hand i almost got hit but thank god there was someone with me that put his life on the line got under the car and changed it manually the used part i have to get is 250.00 dollars and labor is like 300.00…
ODI 10281199
Steering
The gear shift is hard to get into park. Sometimes after in park the suv stills moves. No damage or crash yet. But i make sure to put on emergency brake. *tr
ODI 10281213
Steering
Started car and when i put car in drive, shift gear on 2002 explorer just fell off this is happening all over the usa i could have been driving and this could have happen. My wife and child could have been driving. Do people have to die to make this a recall why isn't this a recall. *tr
ODI 10279356
Steering
2002 ford explorer approx.77,000 miles shifting from park to drive gear shifter broke of at the base causing the vehicle to be stuck in reverse. After contacting ford headquarters was informed there was nothing they could do even though there are several complaints on the internet. The dealership charges several hundred dollars to repair because the whole steering column has to be replaced. Part is currently on…
ODI 10276383
Automatic Transmission · Steering
Our 2002 ford explorers gear shift lever broke off in my hand while trying to shift from park to reverse. We had some trouble with the lockout in the past, but this left us stranded and required a tow. *tr
ODI 10273843
Steering
I was having trouble placing my car in park. The gear shift would not work unless i forced it. Many of times i would place in park and it would roll. I thought it was my fault. On june 10, 2009 i placed my car in park and the gear shift broke. I was told that "it happens"with this truck and that there had not been a recall even though there was thousands of complaints. I am a single mother and i cannot afford to pay…
ODI 10280238
Steering
I turned into my driveway and put my explorer into park the shifter broke off and the car was not in park. Thankfully i was home and it is now sitting with the key still in the ignition and emergency brakes on. Tried to buy the gear shift plunger on steering column and the ford dealer said i can only buy the entire steering column. $1200.00 they showed me the column it has a different plunger that reinforced this…
ODI 10272528
Steering
When i tried to put my 2002 ford explorer into reverse the gear shifter snapped off in my hands. I have never seen this happen before but have been researching this on the internet and it seems to be a real issue with the ford explorer design of the shifter mechanism. My vehicle has 90,000 miles on it. This also seems to be consistent as to when most break. *tr
ODI 10272384
Steering
Saturday i tried to put my 2002 ford explorer xlt in park and the gear shift snapped off. I wasn't trying to jam it in park, just simply tried to put it in park. It is right now stuck in reverse with the key stuck in the ignition. I had my children with me and no clue that there was anything wrong with the car. Please note that while i was trying to figure out what was going on, the car rolled backwards a bit.…
ODI 10270001
Automatic Transmission · Steering
I went to put vehicle in park and shift lever broke off inside steering column. Had to replace entire steering column for 1 little piece of cast white metal which i found out is a common problem with this particular vehicle. After repair was complete ,od off light started blinking and service engine soon light came on. Code po755 on engine scanner which according to carcomplaint web site and my mechanic is also a…
ODI 10268195
Steering
Gear shift broke off the steering column of my 2002 ford explorer. Truck was rendered inoperable, but could have the potential of being stuck in gear if the shift breaks off at anything other than park or neutral. *tr
ODI 10260903
Steering
As i was putting my 2002 ford explorer in reverse the shift handle broke off the steering column and is now just hanging by the cruise control wiring. Unlike other explorer owners i was "lucky" enough to get stuck on park and not drive or reverse where there's a potential of someone getting hurt. As many others have stated before me, this is obviously a manufacturer's defect which if not taken seriously will…
ODI 10258735
Steering
As i was putting my 2002 ford explorer in park the column shift handle came off in my hand. I could not move the vehicle. I had to have the entire steering column replaced. I have done research and this is not an unusual problem. In fact in some case it has happened more than once tot he same vehicle so there is no guaranteed permanent solution. This is a potentially dangerous situation and i think something should…
ODI 10258428