2002 Ford Explorer Fuel System Problems

I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED BUT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL 2016 AND GAS COULD NOT FLOW INTO THE TANK FREELY WITHOUT STOPPING. IT HAD TO TRICKLE IN SLOWLY. ALSO, THE CHECK FUEL CAP CAME ON DURING THIS ISSUE BUT WHEN TESTED, PASSED AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. TOO MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORT THE SAME ISSUE ON EXPLORER FORUMS FOR THIS TO BE AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE. IT SEEMS THIS IS FAULTY DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP AND OWNERS SHOULD BE INFORMED AND THE VEHICLES RECALLED.

GAS GUAGE REGISTRES EVERY NOW AND THEN - 97% OF THE TIME IT SAYS CHECK GUAGE -AND NOTHING ON THE FUEL GUAGE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL WORK FOR ABOUT 10 MIN., THEN IT GO BACK TO CHECK GUAGE

EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUOUSLY PUMP A FULL TANK OF GAS. IT TAKES ROUGHLY 25 MINUTES TO GET A FULL TANK. *TR

BROUGHT VEHICLE IN JAN 2014. EVERY SINCE FIRST DAY BROUGHT, HAD A PROBLEM WITH GETTING FUEL INTO VEHICLE WITHOUT FUEL PUMP CLICKING AS IF VEHICLE IS FULL. THIS HAPPENS AT ABOUT EVERY FUEL STATION I GO TO. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. BROUGHT PLENTY OF FORDS, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT DOES THIS. BEFORE I GET A FEW OUNCES OF FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE IT WILL CLICK AND CONTINUE DOING THIS AS LONG AS IM TRYING TO PUT IN FUEL. LOVE VEHICLE BUT HATE IT BECAUSE OF THIS. I READ ON OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP US ALL./ THIS IS DEFINITE A RECALL. [XXX] (RETIRED VET / RETIRED U. S. POSTAL SVC. ). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

IT HAS BECOME INCREASING MORE DIFFICULT TO FUEL THE VEHICLE. THE PUMP CLICKS AS IF THE TANK IS FULL AS SOON AS THE FUELING BEGINS AND TAKE A LONG TIME TO FILL THE TANK AS YOU HAVE TO CONTINUALLY PUSH THE TRIGGER ON THE GAS PUMP BECAUSE IT KEEPS SHUTTING AS IF THE TANK IS FULL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS HE WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,550.

THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY WHILE ON A TRIP LEFT US ALL STRANDED IN COLD! *TR

THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. WHEN YOU GO TO PUT GAS IN IT THE PUMPS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. SOMETHING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM IS TELLING THE PUMP THAT THE TANK IS FULL WHEN IT IS NOT. IT CAN TAKE 30 MINUTES TO PUT 10 GALLONS IN THE TANK. *TR

WHILE TRYING TO FILL THE GAS TANK AT THE FUEL PUMPS, IT TAKES SOMETIMES UP TO 20 MINUTES TO COMPLETELY FILL THE TANK. I CAN ONLY SQUEEZE THE HANDLE ON THE GAS PUMP HOSE LINE SLIGHTLY YET IT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL. I KNOW THAT IT TAKES NEARLY 20 GALLONS TO FILL MY TANK YET THE NOZZLE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF EVERY 10 - 12 SECONDS. *TR

FUEL GAUGE OFF - DID NOT WANT TO START - DEALER FIXED UNDER WARRANTY , CHANGED FUEL PUMP 20 DAYS LATER TOOK BACK AGAIN , STILL HAD TROUBLE START , BAD FUEL READING - CHANGED PUMP AGAIN, TOOK BACK 45 DAYS LATER , FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING - 3 DAYS LATER , FOUND BAD FUEL SENDER CARD [BOARD] ORDERING NEW BOARD AS I WRITE THIS. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE EXPLORER GAUGES SODIUM BUILDUP ON UNIT DUE TO THE CRAP 10% ETHANOL ADDED . ALL BEING FIXED UNDER WARRANTY , THANK GOD! MY DAUGHTERS 2005 EXPLORER STARTING TO HAVE FUEL GAUGE PROBLEMS ALSO 69,000 MILES. *TR

I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT MY GAS GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY WHEN I KNEW I HAD GAS, THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE ENGINE MY GAS GAUGE WORKED. FROM THAT DAY IT WORKS SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL GIVE OUT COMPLETELY ONE DAY AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WONDER WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL AS I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY HERE AS IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER AT 15000 MILES; BOUGHT TRUCK USED FROM MY BROTHER. HE NEVER DROVE IT BECAUSE HE HAD A COMPANY CAR. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IT HOME, DOOR AJAR LIGHT NEVER WENT OUT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON(SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT RIGHT BACK TO MY BROTHER).$650.00 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP, $100.00 TO FIX DOOR AJAR LIGHT(FIXED MYSELF), $600.00 TO FIX CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THAT PROBLEM WAS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHICH PLACE CHECKED THE ERROR CODES. NOW THE FUEL GAGE IS GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND VERY POOR MPG. WAS TOLD THE SENDING UNIT IS PROBABLE CAUSE. NOW THIS 2002 EXPLORER STILL UNDER 20,000 MILES. WHAT NEXT!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE READING BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED SUGAR WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP,CLEANED THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FUEL GAUGE CONTINUED TO READ EMPTY CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 09/20/2011 *LN *TR

FUELING SYSTEM/FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS MY SECOND 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE FIRST EXPLORER I HAD I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME. NOW THE CURRENT 2002 EXPLORER I HAVE NOW IS EXPERIENCE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I'M JUST AMAZED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER BUYERS AND IT STILL ISN'T CONSIDERED A RECALL. VERY FRUSTRATED! *TR

EXPLORER GAS WILL NOT PUMP. CLICKS EVERY FEW SECONDS . *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, ORIGINAL PLUGS IN IT FROM DEALER. TODAY I HAD A PLUG EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE RESTING ON TOP OF THE HEAD. LUCKILY I KNOW ABOUT CARS AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. INCIDENT IS COMMON IN FORDS AND COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE INJURY, SINCE EJECTED PLUG COULD LEAD UP TO EXCESSIVE GASOLINE VAPORS WHICH COULD BE IGNITED BY LOOSE PLUG CAUSING FIRE. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FUEL FILL PROBLEM.TANK WILL NOT FILL AND SPLASHES OUT EVERY TIME I TRY TO GET GAS COVERING ME WITH GAS AND SPRAYING OUT EVERY WHERE. FORUMS SHOW THIS IS VARY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SPORT TRAC. VARY UNSAFE. *TR

ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS HARD TO PRESS, RPM REMAINED HIGH 3000 - 4000. EVENTUALLY THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK - GO WAS GOING 70 MPH. HAD TO STRUT OF ENGINE MECHANIC REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE - NOTED CABLE WAS KINKED AND FRAYED - VERY DANGEROUS AND THAT I SHOULD REPORT IT. *TR

THE FUEL GAUGE, MOST OF THE TIME, DOES NOT WORK. *TR

EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS THE GAS GAUGE WILL GO TO "0" AND THE "CHECK GAUGE" LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE THE SENDER ASSEMBLY UNIT OF THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. THERE HAD BEEN ANOTHER 2002 EXPLORER BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT MORNING. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND IS ON BACK ORDER. THE PART COST $76.79 BUT THE LABOR WILL BE $270! THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR US TO PAY DUE TO AN FORDS ENGINEERING PROBLEM. ARE MANY OTHER 2002 EXPLORERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS? MANY TIMES, BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS CORRUPTED, IT WILL PUT TOO MUCH FUEL IN INJECTORS, WHICH HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO "BOG DOWN" ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS AND AT HWY ENTRANCE RAMPS. *TR

CAME HOME TO FIND STOING GASOLINE FUMES AND A STREAM OF GAS LEAKING ON THE DRIVEWAY FROM UNDER THE EXPLORER. CLIMBED UNDERNEATH IT TO FIND A HOSE LEAKING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME GASOLINE IS PUMPED INTO THE VEHICLE, FUEL WOULD SPEW OUT AND SPLASH ONTO THE CONTACT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $1,000, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

1) 2002 FORD EXPLORER WILL CRANK BUT NOT START WHEN WEATHER IS HOT (2) MANY TIMES AT HOME WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. CONSEQUENCES: UNABLE TO USE CAR FOR A MONTH. (3) FORD DEALER ($250) CHANGED FUEL IDLE BOX. DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM.(4) FORD NOW WANTS TO CHANGE FUEL PUMP FOR $1000.00 MILEAGE IS 12000 . *TR .

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM A HOSE AFTER REFILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ASSEMBLY LINE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,085.

MY FUEL TANK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, STATING THAT I NEED TO CHECK MY CAP. WHEN I CHECK THE CAP IT IS ON TIGHT AND HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE LIGHT COMES ON.. IT'S NOT ON ALL THE TIME... *TR

VEHICLE ID NO. 05S28 (FORD EXPLORER TRAM SPORT 2002) FORD RECALL FUEL CURRIER. THEY STILL NOT REPLY ME IN EMAIL SO LONG ALMOST ONE YEAR AND I HAD CONTACT THEM THREE TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS. I DON'T KNOW WHO WILL AUTHORIZE TO FIX MY TRUCK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I AM HEARING IMPAIRED AND I HAVE HARD TO CONTACT THEM. I GIVE YOU INFORMATION NAME OF DEALER AND LOCATION AS FOLLOW: SAM PACK'S FIVE STAR FORD JONATHAN PANKREZ HIS EMAIL IS JONATHAN.PANKREZ@5STARFORD.COM PLEASE CONTACT ME MY EMAIL SUBMARINE54@AOL.COM THANKS, DAVID *TR

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH ONLY 11,000 MILES ON THE CAR. COST $ 950.00 TO REPLACE THE PUMP AT DEALER. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. A FEW WEEKS EARLIER I NOTICED A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE WHEN THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 55 MPH BUT PROBLEM CORRECTED ITSELF. *TR

THE FUEL SYSTEM ON MY FORD EXPLORER WENT OUT COMPLETELY AT 40,000 MILES. ALSO, THE BLACK PANELS BETWEEN THE WINDOWS ARE FADED AND PEELING. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT FIRE HAZARD. FUEL LINE RETAINING CLIPS (50 CENT PART) ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM FORD IN A $200 FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY. NOT USING THESE CLIPS CAUSES TO MUCH SLACK IN THE FUEL LINE TO FILTER CONNECTION. THEIR INTENT TO ROPE THE CONSUMER INTO A $200 PURCHASE MAY CAUSE ALTERNATE, READ:UNSAFE SOLUTIONS BY THE CUSTOMER. THE FEELING IS THAT FORD IS EXTREMELY NEGLIGENT IN NOT MAKING THESE 'LOCKING R-CLIPS' AVAILABLE SEPARATELY AT THE DEALERSHIP PARTS COUNTER, OR IN THE AFTERMARKET FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ITEM. (FUEL FILTER). FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED TWICE REGARDING THIS OVERSIGHT ON THEIR PART AND REFUSE TO OFFER THE CLIPS BY THEMSELVES. *TR

THIS 2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER ABRUPTLY STOPS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR INDICATION THAT THE IGNITION WILL FAIL TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS AND ONE REPUTABLE AND ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP. THIS CAR WAS AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 30 DAYS AND THIS CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT STILL UNDIAGNOSED. NONE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED DEALERSHIPS COULD DETERMINE THE TRUE UNDERLYING PROBLEM. AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP A BRAND NEW STARTER WAS INSTALLED BECAUSE OF A NO START CONDITION SHOWING NO POWER TO THE STARTER AND BLOWN FUSES FOR THE INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, AND THE COMPUTER. THE SAME DEFECT SHOWED ITSELF ONE DAY LATER AFTER TRAVELING OVER 70 MILES WITH NO SIGN OF FAILURE. *TR

AT 74000 MILES OUR TRANSMISSION WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION! THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, SAID THAT "WE WERE THE ONLY ONE'S WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM" (YEAH RIGHT!) IT COST US $6000 OUT OF OUR POCKET TO FIX. AT 86000 MILES THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOW. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT. AGAIN, STAYTON FORD TOLD US THAT,"WE WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE." AT AROUND 85000, 95000 AND 105000 MILES, THE REAR SEALS LEAKED. WE WERE PROMISED EACH TIME THAT THEY WOULD LAST "FOR AT LEAST 50000 MILES." WE WERE ALWAYS A FEW MILES AWAY FROM GETTING THEM REPLACED FOR FREE SINCE THEY'RE LIMITED WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 10000 MILES. AT 111000 MILES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT "HAYWIRE." EVEN WHEN ALL OF THE DOOR AND HATCH ARE CLOSED, THE DOME LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF (MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT) BECAUSE IT SENSES THAT A "DOOR IS A JAR." SOMETIMES, THE KEY PAD THAT'S LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SETS OFF THE ALARM WHEN WE PUSH THE FIRST NUMBER ON THE KEY. TOTALLY UNRELIABLE VEHICLE THAT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE! *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SMELL OF GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, AND THE FUEL MILEAGE DECREASED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE ABOVE THE TANK. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB

AFTER A SHORT DRIVE TO AND FROM THE GAS STATION I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER. NOTICED WET SPOT ON THE DIVEWAY THE FOLLOWING DAY. A SHORT 6 DRIVE CONSUMED NEARLY A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AS OF YET. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE. ARE ANY OTHER REPORTS OF SUCH FAILURES? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR?

FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *BF THE CONSUMER HAS A REPORT WHICH STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A GAS LEAK. *JB *NM

IN MID APRIL 2005, AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HOME (HAD@32,000 MILES), THE CAR JUST DIED WITHIN 2 SECONDS. NO WARNING AT ALL. I LOST ALL POWER, THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED AND THAT WAS IT. FORD TOWED THE CAR (AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY) AND SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP WENT AND THAT CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE EVEN STARTED FOR ME. THANK GOD MY 3 YOUNG CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THAT I WASN"T HIT FROM BEHIND. AFTER THEY "FIXED " THE CAR AND AFTER WE PAID $600 FOR A 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE, 6 WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPPENS TO MY HUSBAND. HE'D JUST DRIVING ALONG, THE CAR LOSES POWER WITHIN SECONDS AND COMPLETELY DIES WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR EVEN ANY TIME TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!!! (THE CAR NOW HAS 33,500 MILES). IT IS CURRENTL STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING "FIXED". EE FEEL LIKE WE'VE ESCAPED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS TWICE NOW, AS WE COULD HAVE SO EASILY BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND BOTH TIMES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD AGAIN.

GAS GUAGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY AND THE DIGITAL READOUT WILL SAY THAT THERE ARE 0 MILES TO EMPTY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A QUARTER OF A TANK LEFT. IF I WAIT A LITTLE NIT IT WILL SLOWLY GO BACK UP TO WHERE IT BELONGS. I CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW NOTHING OF THIS DEFAULT AND DON;T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. I CAN NOT PUT GAS ON IT BECAUSE IT OVERFLOWS RAPIDLY AND THROWS THE GAS OUT OF THE TANK. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TANK BREADER AND IT WOULD COST AROUND $ 600.00 TO FIX IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE GAS COMES RIGHT BACK AT YOU AND CAN CAUSE A MAJOR FIRE. FORD SHOULD VOLUNTARY FIX THIS DEFECTIVE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE.*AK

THIS DISCREPANCY APPLIES TO A EXPLORER SPORT TRAC NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SEPT 2001. THE VEHICLE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE REACHED 15,000 MILES. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT IF THE LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT AFTER 3 CONSECUTIVE COLD STARTS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE WINDOW FOR SERVICING AT ITS 15,000 MILE CHECK-UP ANYWAY, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND SHOWED THEM THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. I EXPECTED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINISHED WITH ITS REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM FIXED IN A DAY OR TWO. I WAS WRONG, AND FROM READING SIMILAR PROBLEMS REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS, IT APPEARS THIS COULD BE A TREND FOR THE SPORT TRAC MODEL- IF NOT FOR THE ENTIRE EXPLORER GENRE. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND IT WAS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THEN I REMEMBERED THAT I HAD OFTEN NOTICED DROPS OF FLUID ON THE DRIVEWAY EACH TIME I BACKED OUT. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. I DIDN'T CARE WHAT IT TOOK TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER A WHOLE NEW GAS TANK, BECAUSE AS IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, THE FUEL PUMP WAS INTEGRAL TO THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS NOT IN STOCK AND HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM THE FACTORY. THE DEALER SUPPLIED A RENTAL CAR WHILE THE SPORT TRAC WAS BEING REPAIRED. IT TOOK 2 WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP. AFTER THEY RECEIVED IT, IT ONLY TOOK TOOK A COUPLE OF HOURS FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO INSTALL IT AND CHECK IT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY REPAIRED AND I NO LONGER SEE ANY DROPLETS ON THE DRIVEWAY, NOR IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MOST OF THE TWO WEEKS THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS DUE TO AWAITING PARTS. ANY FUEL LEAK SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CRITICAL FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. I ASKED THE DEALER'S REPRESENTATIVE IF THE TANK/PUMP PROBLEM WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MODEL AND THEY DENIED IT. *AK

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I JUST READ THE ARTICLE ON THE FORD ESCAPE (4/13/04) RECALL AT CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM. I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN SEPTEMBER 2002. THIS ENGINE STALLING/STUTTERING AND DYING IS EXACTLY WHAT MY FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC HAS BEEN DOING SINCE THE 2ND DAY (30 MILES) OF OWNERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, WITH DOCUMENTATION, AND THEY SAY THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE SENT SEVERAL LETTERS TO THE FORDS DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD. THEY STATED IN THEIR SUMMARY THAT I COULD NOT BE HELPED BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN INCONVENIENCED ENOUGH. I HOPE I CAN GET SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS. FORD HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST ME. MY VEHICLE, JUST TODAY, AGAIN HESITATED AND CHUGGED FOR SOME TIME. IT IS LIKE THE FUEL IS NOT GETTING TO THE CARBURETOR. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. LUCIUS (BUD) ANGELL

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY FOR TWO HOURS. THE DRIVER STOPPED AT A TOLL BOOTH. SUDDENLY WHITE SMOKE STARTED EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED BLACK SMOKE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN SECONDS AND WAS A TOTAL LOST. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE GAS LINE MAY HAVE MELTED THE MANIFOLD. PLEASE DESCRIBE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

FUEL INDICATOR READS INCORRECTLY. THE PART WAS REPAIRED ONCE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *NM

THE CONSUMER STATED THE GASOLINE FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED. *AK *SC

SEPTEMBER 2002: FUEL INJECTOR FOR #3 CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE SPRAYED OVER ENGINE. DISCOVERED IN DRIVEWAY DURING VEHICLE WARM-UP. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM EXCEPT FOR SMELL. OCTOBER 2003: FUEL INJECTOR FOR #3 CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE SPRAYED OVER ENGINE. FAILURE OCCURED AT SOME POINT DURING DRIVING. DISCOVERED ONLY DUE TO FUEL SMELL. NO OTHER INDICATION. DEALER FIXED BOTH TIMES. CONCERNED ABOUT OCCUPANT SAFETY -APPEARS AS THOUGH FIRE COULD EASILY IGNITE, AND LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. NO WARNING THAT SYSTEM HAS FAILED.

PROBLEMS WITH FUEL INJECTORS CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS SERVICING THE R.V WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A SOUND UNDER THE ENGINE COVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING. (CHATEAU MOTORHOME ON A FORD CHASSIS) *JB

FUEL SYSTEM HAS A LEAK THAT RESULTS IN FUEL SPILLS, ALLOWING FUMES TO ENTER PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK

SPITS OUT GAS WHEN I START TO FILL IT UP. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES BETWEEN 8/02-2/03 FOR A CUMLATIVE TOTAL OF 35 DAYS! IT'S RUNNING NOW, BUT FOR HOW LONG BEFORE IT GOES BACK IN THE SHOP IS ANYBODY'S GUESS. I ASKED ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER SPORT TRACS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, HE SAID NO. IF THAT WAS THE CASE, WHY WAS THE PART HE NEEDED TO FIX MY TRUCK ON NATIONAL BACKORDER? THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO EVERYONES ATTENTION THAT HAS A SPORT TRAC. GAS SPITTING OUT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN TO BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED! *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC-DURING FUELING GAS SPITS OUT OF THE FILLER. SERVICE MANAGER SAID TO ME THAT LOTS OF SPORT TRACS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND FORD CAN'T FIND THE ANSWER TO IT. THEY ARE NOT LETTING THIS OUT TO THE PUBLIC OR ON A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO IT! MY SPORT TRAC HAS BEEN IN THEIR FOR OVER A MONTH AND THEY HAVEN'T RESOLVED THIS YET!!!!!!!

CANNOT PUT GAS IN VEHICLE. GAS POURS ALL OVER VEHICLE, GROUND, AND PERSON IF STANDING CLOSE TO GAS INLET. PH

2002 FORD EXPLORE BOUGHT NEW IT HAS A SHAKING IN PARK OR IN WHILE YOU ARE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STUCK IN TRAFFIC NOW IT CUTS OFF WHEN YOU ARE READY TO GO THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES THE CALL IT RUNS ROUGH ITS BEEN BACK TO THEM 4 TIMES THEY SAY ITS NORMAL FIRST TIME THE SAID THEY PUT FORDS FIX,TO THE PROBLEM BUT THAT DID NOT FIX ?!@#$% .I ONLY GET 156 MILES TO THE TANK FULL,THEY SAID WHEN IT GETS 10,000 MILES ON IT THEN IL GET BETTER MILEAGE LIKE I BELIEVE THIS BS, IT ONLY HAD 503 MILES ON IT WHEN THEY SAID THAT SEEMS THE MORE MILES I GO THINGS GET WORSE. NOW THERE'S 5,345 MILES ON IT. *TR

I DRIVE A 2002 FORD SPORT TRAC WITH FOLLOWING PROBLEMS THAT CAN NOT BE CORRECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.1) THE FUEL TANK IS NOT PROPERLY VENTED, BECAUSE THE LAST 3-4 GALLONS COULD TAKE 3-4 MINUTES TO ACCOMPLISH WHILE REFUELING. 2) WHILE DRIVING BETEEN 60-65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND FOLLOWING THE DEALERSHIP'S INSTRUCTIONS, THE BEST THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISH IS 15-16 MPG. 3) THE OVER-HEAD TEMPERATURE CAN NOT BE CALIBRATED, IT REMAINS 4-5 DEGREES OFF.

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WILL RUN OUT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANK/VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL FUEL SPLASHES INTO THE VAPOR RECOVERY CANISTER AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. FORD ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 60-90 DAYS FOR A SOLUTION. IN THE MEANTIME I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE TANK 3/4 FULL OR LESS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS DESIGN PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IF IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THEN EVERY SPORT TRAC SHOULD BE EFFECTED. IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE 4 TIMES THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ME THREE OF THEM WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. EVEN FOR MYSELF , A LARGE MALE, I HAD TROUBLE COMPLETING THE TURN. I SHUDDER TO THINK BOUT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY 105 POUND DAUGHTER HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND IT HAD STALLED DURING A TURN. IF THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, THEN PEOPLE NEED TO BE WARNED WHEN THEY PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. NOT FILLING THE GAS TANK COMPLETELY DOES WORK, NO STALLS OCCUR. THANK YOU. TIM COLE. *NLM *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*768014

DRIVERS SIDE SAFTEY BELT HAS BROKEN TOO, AIR VENT HAS BROKEN TOO, SUNROOF DESIGN PROBLEM TOO, FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 14000 MI TOO

WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP OR FROM A STOP POSITION VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY HESITATE BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP THE TRUCK WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IT WILL JUST MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART. VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH AND CHANGES GEARS WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FORD TO EITHER FIX THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY, REPURCHASE OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE. *JG

FUEL FUMES WERE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK