Problems with 2002 Ford Explorer TIRES

Driving nd steering wheel fell apart brake switch stopped working 3 times had new transmission put in had to have 3 different sets of tire put on back window shattered while sitting at red light. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer with cooper discovery htp tires, size: 235 70 r16 (n/a). the contact was traveling 65 mph when the front and rear driver's side tires blew out, causing the steering wheel to shake and the contact to lose control of the vehicle. the contact crashed into a side rail and was transported to the hospital for treatment of severe whiplash injuries. the vehicle was destroyed and was not inspected for the cause of the failure. the failure mileage was not available.

Cpsc# i11a0238a. 2002 ford explorer. studs for vehicle rear right tire completely snap in half. *ln

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the vehicle was equipped with goodyear wrangler sra tires. the contact was driving approximately 50 mph and the front passenger tire exploded. the vehicle was driven to the side of the road. the front passenger tire was replaced with a spare tire. the failure and current mileages were 100,000.

New tire blows off after driving for about 5,000 to 7,000 miles. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the vehicle has continental sportiva tires, size 275-60-r17 (na). while driving approximately 40 mph, the contact noticed that the tires were not balanced properly. he took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the front passenger side tire had a bubble. the mechanic stated that he was sold an old tire. the tire mileage was unknown. the vehicle current and failure mileages were 140,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the vehicle has nexen ht suv owl tires (na), size 235/70r/16 (na). the vehicle was driven to a local tire shop for inspection and the mechanic stated that the front driver's side tire was defective. the mechanic rebalanced, rotated, and placed four new nexen tires on the vehicle. a week later, the contact noticed that all four tires were making a high pitched noise and also hydroplaned during wet road conditions. the dealer called the mechanic and they stated that they would notify the manufacturer on his behalf. the manufacturer has not yet been notified. the tires have not been replaced. the current mileage was 55,000 and failure mileage was 54,000. updated 01/09/09.*lj updated 01/12/09. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the vehicle has tech international, model tr413 valve stems. after the vehicle had been parked for approximately 20 minutes, the contact noticed that his front passenger side tire was completely flat. a replacement bridgestone dueler ht tire was purchased and the valve stem was replaced in october of 2007. the vehicle was driven to a dealer and they replaced the valve stem because it was split at the point where it meets the rim. the serial and part numbers were unknown. the current mileage was 67,000 and failure mileage was 66,500. updated 09/10/08. *lj updated 09/16/08. *jb

Problems with this explorer over my ownership include: -rear glass replaced -front brakes replaced -rear wheel bearings have required replacement, -parking brake issues, -new tires, etc. *tr

Rear end is making a horrible rubbing noise....thought it might be the tires but i just replaced all 4 tires with the same exact tires they come from factory with and still have the problem. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the vehicle has goodyear wrangler rt/s, size p265/70/r16 tires. while driving between 45-50 mph, the rear passenger side tire failed. the mechanic stated that there were severe cracks around the sidewall of the tires and they all needed to be replaced. the first tire that failed had severe tread separation. the dot number was unknown. the current mileage was 75,481 and failure mileage was 48,562. updated 02-12-bf08 * the consumer stated ford replaced all four tires with wrangler goodyear rt/s dot md70 d5hr, mts p245/75r16 and charged $100 for the new tires. updated 02/12/08 *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the vehicle has firestone destination, size lep23570r16 xl107t tires (na). while changing lanes at 60 mph, the tires would swerve and shake. he returned the tires from where they were purchased and was informed that the failure could have been due to the alignment. the tire shop mechanic inspected the vehicle and found nothing wrong, however, he rotated the tires. two days later, the contact's wife was driving the vehicle at approximately 60 mph. she switched lanes and the vehicle began to swerve, causing her to lose control. as a result, the vehicle rolled over twice and landed on its tires. she was not injured and the vehicle was towed. the current and failure mileages were 58,200. missouri police report. updated 10/18/07 *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the vehicle has goodyear tracker ii (na), size p235/70r16 tires. while driving approximately 65 mph, the driver side rear tire blew out and the vehicle began to fishtail. the contact regained control of the vehicle and pulled over. aaa arrived and changed the tire. the tire has not been inspected. the current and failure mileages were 61,840.

Tire stem failure on 3 of 4 stampede radial suv tires. i got 2 flat tires in the span of 5 days and caught the 3rd stem before a flat tire occurred (it was cracked at the base). *tr

I bought a used 2002 ford explorer from evergreen ford in issaquah washington. the salesmen told me the car had great tires and they would not need to be replaced for a while. when i took the car to get serviced for the first time (about a month after i bought it) i was told the tires were bald and the car was deemed unsafe to drive - they could not believe i was driving around with such bad tires. when i called the dealership they were abusive and extreamly rude over the phone, they would take no responsibility. *nm

I have a 2002 ford explorer xlt with 96,000 miles on it and around 60,000 the noise started. first the front right wheel started to vibrate and then the hub went. while driving my front tire just collapsed. 2nd issue the rear end started to make noise is more like vibraing. and after searching on google, i find that im not the only one with this issue. this is a very expensive issue $1200. just to start the ford company is aware of this issue and nothing is being done about it. this is not a joke, this is serious, someone can get hurt. maybe that's what it will take for the ford company to resolve the issue, the issue that ford is aware of. please help! *tr

Ongoing shifting and slipping within the transmission. also a loud shrill at the end of the acceleration. the transmission converter has been replaced multiple times and the transmission leaked out fluid at highway speed. after the repair of a stripped transmission line connector and a pile of glue to fix a broken electrical connector the vehicle was returned to service by the dealership and the warranty company. the converters are "remanufactured" which have been known to fail. the glob of glue on the electrical connector will be reviewed by the state as to the proper repair procedure. a law suit may follow due to separate repairs including a tire with a nail, where a new tire was purchased and a used on was installed (bf goodrich). the tire was also not balanced and was off by 1.5 oz. there was also a gasket removed from the cooling system that caused antifreeze to spill out onto the engine. the cooling system had been serviced two months prior and was never leaking until the day the vehicle was returned. there was also the discovery of the positive electrical harness to the starter having exposed wires due to the oil filter drain housing made of plastic rubbing against the wires. there are three wires exposed and there may be the potential for fire. *nm

On or about november 3, 2005, i purchased a break model used ford explorer xlt 2002 from norm reeves honda car dealer in cerritos, ca. the car had 78,000 miles on it at the time of purchase. i signed the papers and took the possession of the car. it has not been more than 2 months that the car started giving me trouble on the pick up of the speed, transmission, gear adjustment, over use of the gas, difficult high altitude driving even after change of gears, air suction into the engine and transmission, accelerator and signs like service engine soon on the front panel, although i have been getting regular lube and tune on the car after every 3000 miles. while driving the, occasionally, the car gives a thundering noise on the tires as if it is dragging itself and running on the road. this makes me fear that my car is not safe for me to drive! the norm reeves honda super store car dealer knew that the car is defective and they simply wanted to get rid of a used 2002 ford explorer xlt vehicle from the fleet as they primarily sell honda cars and similar vehicles. despite repeated requests, the norm reeves honda super store and their sister company ford of cerritos refused to provide service on the car since i stopped payments on the car loan. other ford car dealers have test driven this car and observed the same defects as i have mentioned. my purpose of writing this complaint with the nhtsa is to request the intervention of nhtsa immediately as the questioned vehicle is likely to endanger my life on the local roads and/or on highway/freeways. due to major defects in the car, i can meet with a serious accident and can be crippled or suffer such pecuniary losses that are irreplaceable and/or i can die also with out any fault of mine. please recall firestone tires v. ford motor company case law. criminal charges against norm reeves honda, ford of cerritos and their ceos to follow. please contact me and the dealers asap. respectfully submitted, amardeep singh gill. *nm

Tried to put the vehicle into reverse from park and the column shifter broke off. vehicle could not be driven and was towed to a transmission business. cost to repair is $1300. i bought this vehicle in 2004 used. i've had the rear transmission seals, shocks, tires, front window and the entire steering column replaced. *jb

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford explorer. the contact stated that while driving at 35 mph in the rain, the rear passenger side tire blew out and caused the vehicle to flip over three times. the contact suffered injuries to the back and neck, but did require medical attention. a police report was filed. the vehicle was destroyed. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 01v171000 (tires: sidewall). the failure mileage and tire information were unknown. ma 08/11/15

After owning for a week and a half, had to have the g ears in the rear end replaced. later informed that the tires were not evenly worn which was causing the rear end to pop. after replacing the tires, the four wheel drive would not work. the 4 x 4 module and the wiring need to be replaced, costing $1000.00. that is not including the driver window switch needing to be replaced as well as the window regulator. now there is an electrical problem coming from the dash. unable to figure out what it is yet. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. he noticed deep worn areas on the tire. the dealer has not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause. the current mileage on the vehicle was 104,000. the contact was unable to provide the tire details. the failure mileage was unavailable. *ak

2002 explorer, started to notice a bit of a lag from 2nd to 3rd gear, then a big lag and lurch, followed by o/d light flashing followed by check engine light. had solenoid pack replaced for $320 lasted five weeks and failed again, with o/d flashing and car lurching and grabbing hard between 2nd and 3rd shift on an automatic transmission. also noticed after first repair , hard to shift from drive to park, would hang up trying to get in park. *jb

2002 4x4 explorer limited with v8. at 7390 miles (3/12/03, invoice # w40836) two issues; the transmission never shifted properly and it started leaking fluid everywhere. two weeks later the dealer admitted they didn''t know the cause and replaced the transmission with a new one. engine severely overheated (invoice 3w47852). at 20k miles the truck will once in a while stop (as if i hit something) as i start to back out of the garage - problem discovered at 31k brake job - rear shoes on parking brake broke loose on drivers side (both) and only one on passenger side. loose shoe on pass. side would wedge with good one and lock up wheels when moving slow. lot's of arguments and ford finally replaced shoes (4/25/05 invoice # 99323). at 26k (11/05, no invoice) one tire went flat and upon inspection by a tire shop, that tire and a second tire had tread separation - running goodyear''s. ford quickly replaced both tires without any questions. at 29k, my family and i moved from mi to ga. each time i stopped for gas the explorer sounded like the front end was grinding metal to metal on the gears. the 4x4 was in auto for the trip and once i got back on the highway above 20 mph the noise went away. however, it continued to shift poorly and it started to surge (shake) or thump like something was catching in the drive train every time i would let off the gas pedal and allowed the truck to decelerate without braking. even after new brakes and rotors, the problem got worse and worse - now at 34k, (5/30/05, invoice # w50821) the truck is in the dealership for the 3rd time on this issue. the first time, they replaced the "module-transfer sh" which did pretty much eliminate the shifting issue. they also replace the "drive shaft flange per ssm 16824" whatever that means. but a major problem in the drive train still exists and it still unresolved. here's my point, ford has a major drive train problem with the redesigned 2002 explorer.

Problems with defective michelin tires on the 2002 ford explorer.***no answer required***. *mr on two occasions, noise was heard while going speeds of 40-45 mph. the brakes felt heavy and it was difficult to slow the vehicle down. on one occasion, the steering wheel was uncontrollable and a few minutes later, the consumer was able to control the vehicle again. the consumer found that the tire treads and wire were separated as if they were cut. recall campaign #01v171000. *sc *jb

Around march 2005 on a spring break, took my 2002 ford explorer in about 15 miles out my town, one of the tires, the rubber just separated from the tire , causing the truck to move in different directions, but thank god i was able to steer to the right side of the road since i just started to speed up the vehicle it did not flip the truck,but caused damaged inside the truck where the wheel is located, all because a piece of the rubber separated from the tire. the expense was less than $200.00 but the drama was priceless, and the kids all were crying .i need information on the recall tires of my truck. thank you. *jb

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 what our home dealership said...of course the dealership denied this...anyway...home dealership installed new part...veh ok....then wheel bearings had to be replaced in front 1st left side-then right. (this was after the rear end was replaced) boy, was that a major fight with the home dealership! now! the transmission is gone!!!!! isn't there something we can do? ford has been using defective parts!!!!and now asking for government money???!!!!ford should be paying for this! *tr

While driving 15 mph,the spare tire cable broke, causing the spare tire to fall off into the street from underneath the truck. dealer was notified. dealer informed consumer that part was not covered under a recall. *ak

The front and rear tires developed cuts on the side. vehicle was taken to dealer for replacement tires. *ak updated *eh *jb

While driving front tire tread separated. dealerships mechanic was notified, but had not resolved the problem. michelin, size p235/70r16. *ak

While driving at an undetermined speed right rear tire fell off the vehicle. consumer was able to pull off the road,and call for a tow truck. vehicle was towed to the dealer. *ak

2 of my cousins were involved in a ford explorer tire blow out outside of raleigh nc on august 16th. amal muaraka, a pediatric surgeon was killed instantly and summeet murarka was placed in icu as the non-bridgestone tire blew out on the ford explorer and the vehicle flipped 5 times when the tire blew out. what will it take for the government to act on ford's malicious deceit. ford's history is plagued with serious issues such as the pinto that blew up and this time it was the governments inaction and fords cover-up that prevented my cousin from living a full life at only the age of 33. i can only hope that the government will immediately recall the ford explorer line even if it causes serious costs and financial burden to ford to save lives and prevent so many from the pain of tragedies such as the one that we have experienced. again - it is my belief that it is the fatal design flaws in the ford explorer that caused this wreck and the death of my cousin - he is survived by his wife, and 2 daughters. please stop ford from murdering others!!!! *nlm

Tire blow out on 2002 ford explorer. *mr ford refused to reimburse the consumer for the tire blow out along with the body damage that occurred due to the incident. the consumer requested reimbursement. *scc *jb

While driving and with no warning the passenger front tire blew out. dealer notified. *nlm

Tire pressure in 2002 explorer still set too low. the door panel on my 2002 explorer says to inflate front tires to 30 psi, rear 35 psi. while spin balancing i was able to witness the "cupping" of the tire while it was spinning on the machine. this showed uneven wear. this was only on the front tires, which, according to the owners manual and the door panel, needed only 30 psi of air. i called the manufacturer (goodyear) and they said never go below 35 psi on all four tires. i have 16 inch ap tires. how far is ford willing to go? smoothness of ride over safety of occupants?

The tire blew out of the explorer going 75 mph on a major route in massachuetts. there were no injuries, but i feel i should report this due to 6-month old vehicle with less than 10,000 miles. the conditions that day were very hot, it was about 90 degrees when the tire blew out need to report. dt

I have the warranty and they will not cover. i am driving without a spare tire.*ak

While driving 70mph right rear tire deflated. tire had a cut in it. contacted dealer , michelin tire.please add tire size and dot. *ak

Whenever vehicle hits a bump it's hard to control, goes all over road. contacted dealership, but dealer refused to look at vehicle.*ak consumer has replaced the michelin tires at their cost, p235/70r16, dot e20291511, vehicle and tires only had 470 miles. *slc