CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 Ford Explorer is hands-down our worst vehicle on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.
Another common problem for the 2002-2003 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
When starting the Explorer, the radio takes up to 30 seconds to turn on. None of the buttons worked. I know it doesn't seem like a long time, but it should come on instantly when the truck is started.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
When starting the Explorer, the radio takes up to 30 seconds to turn on. None of the buttons worked. I know it doesn't seem like a long time, but it should come on instantly when the truck is started.
- matrix_tx, San Antonio, TX, US