What is my SQL query blowup?

[PhilS]

I am using VBA to query an Access database for a search and replace function in Word. My query works fine most of the time but when the following characters are in the access database it goes up my query. [], (),  , *, [snip], {snip} and ^m.

I don't see any reason why these characters would create problems with this SQL query.
However, at least the ^ character in combination with other characters is used by Word to identify special formatting marks in find/replace operations, which might cause unexpected results of your find and replace action in Word.

If this doesn't help, please describe the problem you are facing more clearly.