Problems with 2002 Ford Explorer SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The anti lock brakes malfunctioned. as a result the abs sensor light continued to stay on. *ak

Anti-lock brake system failure, inability of ford to repair. the abs warning light comes on, second time it has been to dealer for repair. dealer tells me they have no fix, i called to ford customer service, they say they are aware of the problem but don't have a fix. vehicle is drivable but i don't have the anti-lock brakes, light is still on. a check with a troubleshooting web site: http://www.ford-auto-and-parts.com/troubleshooting/answers/id-1224.html indicates that this is a common problem with the explorers. nhsta needs to look into this and force a repair or recall. *la

Abs sensor light stayed on. dealer stated oil leaked onto the sensor. there was no solution, and abs system disengaged. *ak

While driving the truck, the abs light would appear intermittently. the consumer has made contact with the dealership on six separate occasions and the problem still occurs. please add any additional information. *ph vehicle has experinced seven occurences where abs light has illuminated on dashboard after slightly engaging brake equipment. abs light has also illuminated while driving with the cruise control engaged.*mr

Abs system is defective on 2002 explorers. abs light came on many many times within a 1 year span since i bought the vehicle new. took the vehicle to the dealer 3 times and they stated the fault was from the rear speed sensor assembly and replaced it every time. *ak other problems encounter include hose disconnect on rear washer (repaired by dearler), cracked third brake light (replaced by dealer), defective rear view mirror (3 incidents, eventually replaced it myself with an aftermarket part), rear seat belt would not stay buckled (assembly replaced by dealer), climate control leak to lower even if set to upper vent (design flaw, dealer stated this was normal), stereo will intermittently not turn on (cannot get dealer to verify), brake petal location relative to accelarator petal causes undue strain on leg, floor vent expells hot air directly at calf, fit and finish is horrible on a $30k+ vehicle! i have no confidence in ford's product or there service network. i can safely say this will be the last ford i will ever buy.

Purchased a 2002 ford explorer in 2003 with 30,000 miles on it. almost instantly a humming noise came from what i think is the front driver side, may be more areas, and was unsure what to do with it. replaced brakes a few years later and mechanic told me bearings were warped and needed to be replaced. i asked the mechanic what the consequence would be if no repairs were made and he stated none. i read a message board about the 2002 explorer and this seems to be an issue for many owners. i also researched the consequence of a bearing not being replaced and the consequences can result in death. please take the time to research this issue before someone really gets hurt. *tr

Abs light comes on intermittently, the brakes seem to stick and smell like they are burning. i have had the vehicle in for service 3 times for the same problem but the problem happens intermittently, so 2 of the 3 dealerships said that there was no problem. my brake pads are now pre-maturely worn and the latest dealership has claimed to have replaced a sensor on the differential that will "fix" the problem. after being told that there wasn't a problem, next that the rear brakes were worn out, and then that the sensor was bad. my vehicle has 25,000 miles on it and about 30% left on the rear brakes and 40% on the front brake pads. i have made 4 round trips from chicago to new orleans, and 1 round trip from chicago to las angeles totaling about 13,000 of the 25,000 miles on the vehicle. i have never had a vehicle that needed brake pads replaced after 25,000 let alone a vehicle with over half of its miles from interstate driving. ford refuses to take responsibility for the pre-mature wear of my brakes. after reading several of the similar complaints on this website, i doubt that ford dealers have a clue about what the actual problem is and how to fix it. *jb

Repeated failure of abs system on 2002 ford explorer. abs has been repaired 5 times since january 2002. latest failure included water in rear differential with no know reason. failure of abs has been rear sensor cable and once a computer module. latest date shown. *nlm

Consumer took vehicle in to the dealer for regular maintenance, and and dealer indicated rotors were warped. consumer indicated that vehicle was no longer under warranty, so he had to pay for this. vehicle only had 18,000 miles. *ak

1. engine stalls erratically when under acceleration ie: when entering freeway, etc. ford acknowledges the problem, states does not know how to fix it. 2. brake failure in stop and go traffic. vehicles currently has less than 10,000 miles on them. both have same problems. *nlm

Abs warning light came on/off, and the abs brakes engaged prematurely. also, there was vibration in the front end when braking. vehicle had been serviced 3 times. dealer replaced the rotors once, and abs rear sensor twice. the abs warning light came on again. *ak

While driving, the vehicle's abs light would come on intermittently. the consumer had come in contact with the dealership. *ak the first time the abs light had come there was no unusual effect. the second time the abs light had come, there was a difference in being able to brake smoothly. the third occasion occurred at the light when there were no other vehicles. the vehicle finally stopped and the consumer was able to drive home. *scc *jb

While driving at a slow speed the rear left axle started smoking and became red hot. the paint also peeled off. the vehicle was towed to the dealership who indicated that the rear left brake had locked up. the brake was replaced. the rear differential seal was leaking also. the seal and fluid was replaced. since the brake failure there was a whining noise in the rear axle at speeds off 50-55 mph. *jb

The roof rack (which was factory equipment) separated from the roof of the vehicle. the consumer felt that the rack was liable to come off and cause damage to motorist driving behind his vehicle. also the abs light illuminated intermittently and stayed on. the consumer had the abs problem repaired several times already. the manufacturers was aware of the problem. *jb

The roof rack (which was factory equipment) separated from the roof of the vehicle. the consumer felt that the rack was liable to come off and cause damage to motorist driving behind his vehicle. also the abs light illuminated on intermittently and stayed on. the consumer had the abs problem repaired several times already. the manufacturers was aware of the problem. *jb

Nar 06/19/2003. *mr there is a reccurring problem with the brakes on the consumers 2002 ford explorer. the series of incidents occurred nov 2, 2002, feb, 2003, may 5, 2003, and the last time was may 17, 2003 to date. it is evident to the consumer that there is an consistent problem and needs to be fixed. the dealership can't seem to find the source of the problem. please do further investigations. *cb the consumer stated when he applied the brakes t he vehicle accelerated and continued to move forward *jb

Consumer states that when trying to apply the brakes they will simultaneously hit the accelerator pedal and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. dealer notified. mr

Braking failure. soft pedal. entire vehicle appears to be under braked. multiple abs systems failure. rear wheel lock up and drag. water entering connector for abs wheel sensor at differential. water entering differential. complete denial by ford motor company situation has potential for injury. cavalier and arrogant attitude of ford motor company customer service center. actually told me not to write them any more about the problem. dealer has done all it can and continues to replace parts. dealer agrees ford has something to hide. dealer confirms a very high failure rate specific to wet climates and the pacific northwest. the only good news dealers in the area stock large quantities of replacement parts.

2002 ford explorer xls 4wd. at 33,000 miles abs sensor warning light came on & rear abs unit was replaced. since then the abs unit has failed ever 2,500 to 8,000 miles. i now have 87,000 miles on vehicle. *la

While approaching an intersection applied brakes and pedal went all the way to the floor. vehicle ran on a curb and hit a fire hydrant. dealership was aware of problem.*ak

Letter from landy johnson, iii (ca) concerning brake system failure. consumer requested a full refund. *jb......*ak

The consumer stated that the brakes failed.*scc

Brakes failed!!. the brake pedal moved over and on top of the gas pedal. the pressure from the brake pedal caused the explorer to move on it own, towards a group of people in the dallas convention center parking lot.s. i pressed on the brakes, fast and hard, and then the explorer stopped. moreover, the explorer picked up speed until i stepped on the brakes. the 2002 explorer was repaired under warranty by prestige ford in garland texas . i asked a reason for the brake to fail in a new explorer. i stated that my family are afraid for lives and no longer want the suv. rick baker at pasadena ford offered safety inspection, i in turn took to suv in for an safety inspection, now safe .per ford , i also stated my family i are afraid of explorer, and want other explorer drivers warned before lives are lost. pasadena ford dealer, brad wilson said that he will submit my complaint to fords motors corp. and mail a copy to me. to date not a no copy of the letter, or remibursment for out of pocket expense. the trip caused extreme financial hardship unable to pay leaseing company. to the leasing company is taking the explorer for none payment. please help. i mailed nhtsa a certified letter aug.28, 2002, no response to as oct. 14, 2002 mr

The brakes failed and the vehicle started moving on its own. consumer pressed on the brakes fast and it was hard to stop vehicle. when consumer checked the brakes, it was noticed that the brake pedal moved over on top of the accelerator pedal. the pressure form the brake pedal caused the vehicle to move on its own. the brake lights remained on and in turn damaged the battery. consumer would like for ford to buy back the vehicle. *jg

When the consumer applied the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. *nlm *ak *scc. the vehicle experienced failure on 3 separate occasions, the dealer replaced the calipers and the front and rear rotors. *jb

while driving calipers are not catching onto brakes, making it hard for consumer to stop. dealer notified.*ak

Car was on a family trip when abs light came on for no reason. dealership can not get the light back on. car was started in the morning and air bag light flashed and then stayed on and the dealership said it was due to a short. day after it was in the shop for the air bag light the car would not start. would not turn over. it will be in the shop again. for the third time in 6 months.*ak

Dt: the abs light illuminated on the dashboard panel without any accident. the owner's manual stated if the light illuminated the abs was not working. has not been to a dealer for this issue at this time. no problems with the brakes, but was concerned the light for the abs was on and could not be working. this happened in the past, there was a repair on the axle speed sensor of the abs. this lasted a year, and later vehicle had to be taken back to the dealer for this and the sensor mount, contact point was cleaned, and cleared" the fault warning code on the computer. now the abs light was on again. *ak

Brake pedal fades and goes clear down to floorboard while stopped at a stop light or stop sign. problem is getting worse. i have taken to dealer 5 times and last time the service manager told me this is normal. he said that some others (not all)do the same thing. mine started this at about 28,000 miles. i currently have 35400 miles on vehicle. ts

Inside of the parking lot while traveling the pedal went all the way down to the floor. the dealership is aware of the problem corrective measure had been met. nlm

Consumer rearended another vehicle due to brake failure at 20 mph. upon impact, neither airbag deployed. no injuries. vehicle at dealership at this time.*ak

Consumer applied brakes at 20 mph and pedal went to the floor. there was no braking action, and he rearended another vehicle. no injuries. vehicle at dealership at this time. *ak

Vehicle would intermittently have extended stopping distance. brake would squeal ,and pedal would be soft when applied. dealer contacted. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

Vehicle experiences periods of stalling at low speeds. applying brakes there is a loss of brakes and steering. no prior warning before stalling. existing problem 5 times, taken into the delaer. *ak dealer replaced fuel pump, main control valve body, transmission oil pan, idle air control valve and programmed pcm. vibration like anti-lock brake system is kicking in. dealer could not duplicate. overdrive comes in and out at odd speeds. no problem found.

While traveling at approximately 30 mph on wet pavement had to apply brakes hard to bring vehicle to a stop. this hard braking engaged anti-lock system and brought vehicle to a complete stop. however, when consumer attempted to accelerate, brakes would not release, and brakes were grabbing. consumer had to release brakes by pulling brake pedal up with his foot. dealership could not reproduce this problem. *ak *jb