9.1
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$900.00
Average Mileage:
106,012 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (4 reports)
- had to replace entire steering column (2 reports)
- replace shift lever (2 reports)
- sell it if you can (1 reports)
accessories - interior problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Explorer gear shift lever (prndl) fell off
2009Feb 28
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
I am a 40 year old male who has owned at least 10 cars and I've never experienced this problem. Last night as I was shifting my gear from reverse to drive the gear shift came off. I couldn't believe it!!!! After reading all the other complaints maybe I should believe it. I can't believe Ford has not stepped up to the plate and addressed this problem. According to the tow truck driver that towed our car he has picked up at least 6 or 7 other Explorers in the San Antonio area with the same problem in the last 6 months. This appears to be a systemic problem. This is our only car and it looks like I will need to pay $1000 that I can't spare to fix this problem. Ford Explorers owner BEWARE!!!!
2009Jan 30
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 165,000 miles
This is the second time I have to replace the gear shifter on my car. I also had a "bumper to bumper" warranty that I purchased to cover my car when the dealership warranty ran out. When I brought my car into the dealership to have it repaired the first time, they took it apart and told me the repair bill would be over $800. I then told them that I had that "bumper to bumper" warranty (what a joke) and was told that the policy that I purchased didn't cover that problem. I then asked which policy that they offered, did cover this problem and was told that none of them cover the gear shifter snapping off in ones hand. The service dept. told me he had NEVER heard of this happening before.
I was able to locate a steering column from an auto yard (never thinking that this is a chronic problem) and for about $300 had the whole thing repaired.
2 nights ago, while rushing to the emergency room to be with my 2 yr old granddaughter, I stopped to get a little gas so as not to run out on the highway. Guess what snapped off in my hand when I tried to start the car? First, the key would not turn and the wheel was locked, so I attempted to move the shifter and that's when it snapped off in my hand. Ford has a real problem with the strength and reliability of the metals that they use or used in the creation of the gear shifter.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 02
Explorer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 143,000 miles
The same thing happened to me. My wife was putting it in park and what the hell the gear shift lever fell off. I have never heard of that before and I have been a mech for 40 years. The problem is it's made out of cheap pot aluminum and the hole with the spring in it was not centered when it was drilled. So it is thin on one side and thicker on the other. I can't believe it*))&$#E(&^(*_. Never if my life... You should see the funky way this is engineered. And as you found out you have to buy the whole steering column to replace this piece called the plunger. That's what breaks"The Plunger". They could have easily made it so the plunger is held in by four screws and splits in half for replacement. I am lucky I work in a shipyard because the machinist saw it and made me a new piece out of a solid , that's right"SOLID" piece of aluminum and I am just fine tuning it now. It's beautiful and you can get the old one out despite what ford says. Good Luck and pray....Anyone want a new piece made?????
2008Dec 21
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 102,000 miles
My Explorer has broke down again. This time the gear shift lever fell off . I had parked the explorer and was getting out of the truck when I heard a snap, after getting back in I grabbed the gear shift lever and it was just hanging by the boot that covers the ignition switch. I have had it with ford!!!! I have had 5 Ford Vehicles since 1992 but this is the last one. I have spent over $4000.00 on several repairs. Enough is Enough never again! American car makers wonder why they have a hard time selling cars well this complaint is just another one they just tun a blind eye to. At first glance it looks like cheap metal and or bad casting.
2008Jun 18
Explorer XLS 4.0L Dohc
- Automatic transmission
- 100,108 miles
This is the third in a series of failures in this vehicle. The metal in a pressed in piece that connects the shift lever and the shift cam in the steering column broke. The only fix is to replace the entire steering column per Ford. The dealer and many used part dealers say they have heard about many of the same things happening. The Ford customer service people refuse to take any action as is par for them. There is clearly a materials/engineering flaw here. Wrong cast thickness for wrong type of metal.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jan 12
Explorer Eddie Baurer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 67,000 miles
I can't believe I bought an Eddie Bauer 2002 about 3yrs ago and something like this happens. I have never heard of a gear shifter on the column, breaking off when you try to put it in park. unbelievable. What the hell kind of steel or metal do the use on these car's. companies use now a day's.
2007Jul 11
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 89,000 miles
So the saga continues. The dream car we bought in 04 has been in the shop 4 times in 2.5 years and has cost me around $3000 in repairs. Last night my wife called me to come help her as the gear shift lever on the steering column just broke off in her hand. You gotta be kidding . No idea how much this will cost but for a car with under 100,000 miles Ford should be ashamed of their product and expect their customer loyalty from me and everyone I come in contact with to diminish. They are too big for their own good and should consider going into another line of work. You are a bunch of losers FORD unless you count success by how many cars you can put out and not satisfied customers.
I've been a loyal Ford man for 35 years and this is the last Ford I will ever own. But I already know you don't give a crap about your buyin public. Shame on you
2007Jul 21
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
I'm back at it again, repairs that is. Two weeks ago I got a call from my wife who was stranded in a parking lot after she attempted to put the Exploder into reverse and the gear shift broke off the steering column and was hanging by a wire. Are you kidding me????? Of course Ford says it isn't under warranty and I'm on the hook for another $1000. Why in sam hell does this have to be under warranty for Ford to be a stand up company and stand up for their product. Unbelievable. If I ever treated one of my patients with this kind of arrogance I would lose my professional license. If you think I'm expendable as a customer and want me to go away, then away I'll go, with everyone I know and everyone that will listen.
I happened to see one of Fords new posters the other day something about a rear view mirror and "never looking back" That part they've gotten right............ Leave us stranded Ford and don't look back
MartyP
Leicester, NC
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 29
Explorer V6
Wonderful News! It's great when you try to put The 2002 Ford Explorer into gear, you know.... because you want to drive it, and the gear shift brakes off! That is freekin' Awesome. I recommend everyone go out and buy an Explorer A.S.A.P
I AM NOT SO HAPPY. If there are others out there who have had this problem, I am sorry to hear it, but if you could email me the easiest way to get this fixed I would love to hear it. Yes I know, have the junk yard come pick it up, but I mean REALLY fix it, I would appreciate any advice.
Thank You.
lavajohn925@gmail.com
John L.
Riverside, CA, USA
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