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
Gear shifter broke off steering column in 2002 ford explorer. When putting vehicle in park the gear shifter broke off, leaving the vehicle inoperable. It was towed to the dealer and then driven to our home. Learned form internet search of at least 26 similar complaints regarding 2002 ford explorer automatic. *tr
ODI 10252840
Steering
After pulling into a parking lot, the gear shift lever fell off into my hands while trying to put the car into park. I was unable to drive the car; therefore, it needed to be towed to a ford dealer. The service technician said he had never seen this problem before and proceeded to tell me that i would need to have the entire steering column replaced. The estimate for this job was $1200. The technician located a used…
ODI 10253632
Steering
The gear shifter broke away from the steering column on my 2002 ford explorer. The shifter itself did not break, but rather a piece of metal attached to the column, requiring the entire steering column be replaced at $1100. The required cost to get your vehicle fixed is extreme and caused by a design flaw. I googled broken gear shift on '02 explorer and found an unlimited number of people who have experienced this…
ODI 10249157
Steering
2002 ford explorer shifter broke off in hand while at gas pump. The part that broke is what the shift handle connects to and is not replaceable. Ford says i must purchase the entire steering column in the amount of $871.70. I have read all over the internet that thousands of other explorer owners have experience that same problem. Ford list the part number. 3c529. *tr
ODI 10244712
Steering
About a year ago, the gear shifter in my 2002 ford explorer started getting harder to shift out of park especially on inclines. After a short period of time, i took it to our local ford dealer for them to look at it. They said they could find nothing wrong but that it did stick a little. Gradually over several months it got worse. Eventually, it got stuck in park and i actually broke off the gear shifter trying to…
ODI 10273319
Steering
Went to put my 2002 ford explorer in reverse and the shift level broke off from the steering column, leaving the vehicle unable to be driven. This apparently has happened to many others and the only repair is to replace the entire steering column which costs over $1,000. *tr
ODI 10244136
Steering
SHIFTER BROKE OFF. *TR
ODI 10244196
Steering
Was putting vehicle into drive when gear shift broke off of steering column, later found that cheap aluminum connecting piece broke not the shift handle. *tr
ODI 10242525
Steering
The steering wheel lever broke off my ford explorer 2002. This occurs often on ford explorers because it is made of aluminum. The repair is to change the whole steering column and that costs between $800-1300 dollars. *tr
ODI 10236128
Automatic Transmission · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Steering
When attempting to shift from drive to park, the gear shift lever broke from the steering column, making it impossible to change gears. The engine remained running with it in drive. I turned the ignition off & it could not be restarted (ie, ignition/interlock system). The steering wheel wouldn't turn either. The entire steering column (not just small broken piece) had to be replaced (cost=$1372, $897 for parts). As…
ODI 10233045
Steering
The gear shift on my 2002 ford explorer broke off the steering column. There were no warning signs before this occurred. I was in the car with my 3 year old son & my wife who is 8 months pregnant. I pulled out of a driveway at a friend's house in reverse, when i proceeded to put the car in drive, the gear shift broke off the steering column. My car was stuck in the middle of the road on reverse. I had to turn of the…
ODI 10232279
Steering
As my wife was shifting from park to reverse in our 2002 eddie bauer ford explorer the gear shift prndl just fell off in her hand. Ford dealership in asheville nc tells me there is a six(6) month back order for this part. After having to replace the transmission at 80,000 miles and replacing both rear clutch packs at 72,000 i was livid. Six months to get a part????? Are you kidding me. Ford is lucky this thing…
ODI 10253439
Steering
Gear stick broke off in my hand when shifting to reverse in my 2002 ford explorer, it has not been repaired as it happened today, but will probably require a new steering column. *tr
ODI 10227669
Steering
The gear shift lever broke away from the steering column when i tried to put it in park from drive. It just snapped very easy. The broke component is the piece that connects the lever to the rod and the whole steering column component had to be replace because the lever and rod is a single piece. *tr
ODI 10227627
Rear · Steering
We are in the process of replacing the left rear outer tie rod and which the mechanic says displays excessive wear and movement. Also replacing rear gas charged struts (displays excessive wear and movement), rear coil springs (bent, cracked, and loose), and rear strut mounts. $1100.00 on a car with 61109 miles on it. This vehicle is never used to haul or tow anything. We have trucks for that. I'm sick to see all of…
ODI 10226114
Automatic Transmission · Steering
Complainant has had difficulty shifting into park since the vehicle was purchased used in december 2007. December 2008 just after christmas vehicle rolled backwards down a slight inclined driveway. The complainant parked the vehicle and was in the home for approximately 35-45 minutes when the complainants wife asked where was the vehicle why wasn't it in the driveway. The consumer went outside and found the vehicle…
ODI 10266585
Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) · Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the shift gear detached from the steering column when being shifted out of park. In addition, the key would not turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. As of january 2, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The vin and engine size were unavailable. The current and failure…
ODI 10213393
Steering
I am asking you consider an investigation for the 2002 ford explorer xlt steering column. Mine broke and rather easily and it cost me $1,400.00 to fix. Ford told me there was no recall on this to my surprise. After doing my own online research, i see 45+ other folks had similar or same issues as i did. See the link: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/steering/gear_shift_broke_off.shtml please give this…
ODI 10317825
Rear · Steering
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear bearing went out on 9-6-05. The consumer is unsure if it was on the right or the left. She did not hear a noise prior to this but reported that the vehicle felt sluggish. The contact said that the vehicle was not steering properly and it was pulling all over the road. She reported that steering was very sloppy and she could not control the…
ODI 10135535
Automatic Transmission · Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that she had issues shifting gears and when she would turn corners, the vehicle would shift out of gear. Other times, she had issues shifting into drive and moving forward. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that there were no related recalls. The transmission was replaced in 2008 at a repair shop. However, the…
Crash reported
ODI 10362266
Automatic Transmission · Engine · Power Window Devices And Controls · Steering
At a complete stop vehicle surges (accelerates). Have to place in neutral at standing stops to prevent an accident. Driver's side power window switch failed, had replaced, also the window whines when rolling up. Passenger's side power window regulator(cable) snapped?? When rear windows are down at a speed of 20 mph+ it sounds like a helicopter is in the back seat(actually physically hurts your ears!!!) <<<<no fix or…
ODI 10167102
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Steering · Tires
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…
ODI 10253399
Steering
Upon parking the vehicle and returning back to start it up lever which changed the gears broke inside the steering column. Took vehicle to the dealer, and was told there was nothing they could do about it. *ak the key became stuck in the ignition and the shifter broke at the column because the steering shaft broke. *nm
ODI 10101742
Steering
While driving 70 mph consumer lost control of the vehicle, dealer notified. *ak
ODI 10065226
Air Bags · Antilock · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
While pulling into parking space (right) in parking garage my explorer experienced a sudden accleration-at full throttle (snapping the steering wheel to the right) (extremely loud revving, whining and another sound like a bad belt screech all at the same time) before the crash. No brakes (pedal went to the floor). Crashed into steel i-beam bending it and cracking concrete pillars. No airbag on impact.
Crash reported
ODI 10005871