2002 Ford Explorer Engine And Engine Cooling Problems
- 56
- 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 56 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 8 indicate fire
What owners report
- spark plug · 14 records
- timing chain · 11 records
- without warning · 6 records
- coming engine · 5 records
- under warranty · 4 records
- common problem · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 18 |
| 100–150k mi | 12 |
| 30–60k mi | 11 |
| 150–400k mi | 6 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Heard a knocking noise went to mechanic. Was told i blew a two holes through timing chain cover. Went online found that it is a recurring problem for that year of ford. Very upset there is no recall. Was told it would cost at least 2000 to fix. Ford needs to do something about this. I want to go to media to let everyone that has this problem know that ford knows about it and will not do anything. Apparently everyone…
ODI 10546818
Engine And Engine Cooling
I was driving on the freeway when i looked back in my rear view mirror and noticed smoke billowing out the back of my car. I pulled over. My husband got out of the car and looked under the front. I smelled fire and he said it's on fire. My husband saw a liquid dripping from the car that was clearly on fire. I turned the car off. We immediately got ourselves and our 2 young children, ages 7 and 5, out of the car. The…
Fire reported
ODI 10459987
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
I had to replace transmission and solenoid, costing over $2500. *tr
ODI 10574652
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
Engine And Engine Cooling
The problem is a sudden cracking of the intake manifold causing slow coolant loss. When the intake fails the engine coolant pours out and the engine quickly overheats. *tr
ODI 10451828
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
Engine And Engine Cooling
Timing belt tensioner......my car is making noises and every mechanic i take my truck to either tell me to get a new motor or sell it and no mechanic wants to work on it because its so complicated... :/ as a single mother either option is not an option....both my driver and rear passenger window motors broke, i already put in a new transmission 3 months ago...and now this.....i took it to the dealership on 11/10/11…
ODI 10435288
Engine And Engine Cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they advised him that the timing chain was fractured and the engine would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 177,000. The vin was unavailable.
ODI 10414665
Engine And Engine Cooling
I own a 2002 ford explorer with the towing package and 4.6l v-8 motor. I have 181,457 miles on it and have maintained it well. The motor does not burn any oil and has not given me any trouble until this morning, when i started my car. This morning when i started my car, i heard a loud bang and my car engine was loud and running very rough. Upon inspection, i noticed that one of the spark plugs had been blown out of…
ODI 10384034
Automatic Transmission · Engine And Engine Cooling · Equipment · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Rear
O/d light flashes for a few days then at around 25 mph the gear switches into neutral and runs very rough then the car is thrown forward. Had a rebuilt transmission (we were told we were getting a brand new transmission and paid extra for it!) at 83k miles on oct 15, 2010 then feb 5, 2011 the same exact thing happens. The dealer cannot take the truck for another 5 days and refused to give me a loner car because it…
ODI 10381434
Air Bags · Automatic Transmission · Engine And Engine Cooling · Visibility
Long list of repairs made this summer including computer, airbag sensors, a/c whole system, main window controls and now my transmission. *tr
ODI 10347569
Engine And Engine Cooling
SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
ODI 10339589
Engine And Engine Cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving at approximate speeds of 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. She pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and the vehicle began smoking and caught on fire from under the hood. The vehicle was destroyed. The police and fire department arrived on scene however; the contact was unable to confirm if a fire or police report was filed. The failure…
Fire reported
ODI 10336286
Automatic Transmission · Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 4 x 4 ford explorer, while driving in rush hour traffic the timing chains went on this truck. Of course the engine stopped working and i had the huge problem of pushing it off this 3 lane busy highway. Did get it off and now waiting to raise enough money for replacement engine. Yes the oil was changed every 3200 - 3400 miles, default with the ford engines, plastic sprocks. So i am without a truck until money is…
ODI 10382738
Engine And Engine Cooling
My wife was driving her 2002 ford explorer to church sunday morning 4-18-10 when the engine blew without warning !! Bits of a piston and rod came right thru the block, leaving a hole big enough to put your fist in ! This explorer only has 63,000 miles on it, and has always been serviced regularly since i bought it with only 25,000 miles on it from a ford dealer. With all the problems this year and model have had,…
ODI 10326682
Engine And Engine Cooling
Timing belt plastic gears was slung off and cracked a rear valve. Had to replace valve and having to replace the plastic gears. Cost approximately $2000-3500, mostly in part because engine removal is necessary to access the timing chain. Many dealerships suggest buying a new engine. If not fixed, could potentially harm shafts, and/or other components of the timing belt/chain compartment and further replacement parts…
ODI 10344554
Engine And Engine Cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving his vehicle caught on fire without warning. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was available. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The ford manufacturer has not been notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10295580
Engine And Engine Cooling
August 10,2009 while driving notice smoke wasn't sure if it was me then pull over to notice when hood was lift up their was fire. I then call fire department along with police. My insurance nationwide then had it place in to auto body shop which it couldn't be fixed. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10290509
Engine And Engine Cooling
Maintaining a steady freeway speed. A loud pop emitted from the engine followed by a succession of small pops in relation to the engine speed. It was observed that the number 4 spark plug (passenger sided) had ejected from the engine. The car was towed to a service garage. A new threaded insert was installed in the spark plug hole along with a new spark plug and coil. *tr
ODI 10279866
Engine And Engine Cooling · Filler Pipe And Cap
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the service engine soon and check gas cap indicators illuminated and caused the vehicle to shut off. In addition, the gas tank was very difficult to fill up while placing fuel in the tank. The contact called the manufacturer regarding these issues. He feels that it is a safety hazard for the vehicle to shut off without warning. The vin was unknown.…
ODI 10277158
Engine And Engine Cooling
I have a 2002 ford explorer with a 4.6 liter v8 was driving to work this morning and the engine ejected a factory installed spark plug i have read on the internet that this is a common problem and was informed by the dealers there was no recall on it. *tr
ODI 10268167
Engine And Engine Cooling
My 2002 ford explorer burst into flames while we were moving, in it were some belongings. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10323925
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 ford explorer 74,000 miles. Heard a banging noise coming form motor. Took to repair shop - stated to me that this is a timing chain issue. Timing chain needs to be replaced and will cost $1500.00 - $2000.00. Dealer said that ford is aware of this issue and has had several complaints. (see car complaints.com). They said to call ford and see if they will rectify. To no avail ford said no. The dealer stated that…
ODI 10266212
Engine And Engine Cooling
I was driving home from a friends came to a stop sign. Began to accelerate, i was going 25 mph and all of a sudden my 2002 ford explorer sounded like my 4 wheeler. My spark plug had shot out of its threads and blew the coil to pieces. This is the second time this has happened in the last 6 months. *tr
ODI 10261364
Engine And Engine Cooling
Timing chain rattle on a 2002 ford explorer. Had the fronts replaced once under warranty at about 25,000 miles and again at 80,000 miles at my expense. Now the rear chain is making noise, this is after having the rear tensioner replaced last month at 94,000 miles. The rear cassette seems as if it is ready to go. I don't know how ford can get away with producing such a poor product. There a thousands of complaints…
ODI 10263328