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.
6.5
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$450
Average Mileage:
79,300 miles
Total Complaints:
622 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
Ford should pay for it (396 reports)
not sure (86 reports)
paid to have rear panel replaced (48 reports)
file complaint with NHTSA to get a recall issued (26 reports)
start a class action suit and get damages reimbursed (17 reports)
Cracked Ford Explores - Visit and join this Facebook Group for an additional site where you can tell Ford about this annoying problem.
Class Action Lawsuit For This Issue - Looks like there is a class action lawsuit for this problem. I would sign up to show how many of us are having this issue.
Replacement Trim Panel At Lower Cost - Save money on a replacement part at Rock Auto. Use their parts search and drill down to Ford => Your Year => Explorer => Body => Rear. You will see several options listed there.
I called the dealership and was told that it has happened before to other vehicles of the same year, make and model and that to fix the problem it would be around $473.00. I have seen two other explorers of same color (red) that had the same problem. The split I have is about 2 inches from the ford oval on the right. It extends from the window to the bottom of the panel.
Same thing. Started as one crack vertically, now it is traveling horizontally the length of the window and getting longer, wider and uglier. I am surprised Ford is not acknowledging this as THEIR issue. This is my 4th explorer and this clearly happened after a cold snap we had here but now the start of summer has made it worse. If someone has any info of were I can complain to Ford let me know.
OUrs has 2 cracks, 1 running horizontally & 1 vertically. It happened a few months ago, and I think it was caused by the cold. I'm worried it'll get worse as the summer heats up, so I'm going to get it repaired. Nice to know Ford is so responsive to customers. No wonder the US car industry is in such trouble. I'll update once i settle on a COA.
WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FORD PEOPLE, WE HAVE OWNED A TOTAL OF 13 FORDS OF WHICH WE STILL HAVE 5. WE HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH, UNTIL NOW I WAS SO HAPPY TO GET MY DREAM CAR MY 2002 EXPLORER LIMITED. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CARS INSIDE AND OUT SERVICING EVERY 3000 MILES IT HURTS TO SEE NOT ONLY THE CRACK PANEL UNDER THE BACK WINDOW BUT PART OF IT FALL OF. I CALLED FORD LIKE MANY OF YOU I WAS TOLD PRETTY MUCH THAT I SOL THE REPAIR WAS ON ME. I LIKE MANY OF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS MAKING ME RETHINK BUYING ANY MORE FORD CARS
I OWN A FORD 2002 EXPLORER, AFTER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH USED CARS I MADE THE CHOOSE TO BUY A NEW CAR. I LOVE MY CAR UNTIL THE PEOPLE WHICH BUILT IT WILL NOT FIX A CRACK PANEL. I HAVE HAD NO CRASH, REALLY DON'T OPEN IT. MY HOBBY IS MUSIC AND PLANNED TO KEEP MY EXPLORER AND AID SPEAKER, IPOD, STEREO AND SUB WOOFERS. THEN I NOTICE A CRACK IN THE PANEL AND CALLED FOR HELP. I CALLED 1-800-392-3673 AND WAS TOLD IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A RECALL ON 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. I WAS SENT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY HAVE 2 OF THESE PROBLEMS A WEEK. I WENT HOME AND CALLED THE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CALLED BACK IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. I WAS LEFT A MESSAGE AND CALLED THEM BACK THAT NEXT MONDAY AND WAS SPOKEN VERY BAD AND TOLD WHERE NOT FIXING THIS BECAUSE ITS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALL, DEFECT AND OVER 75,000 OR NO EXTEND WARRANTY. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE IN ENGINE AND BODY WARRANTY. NOW I KNOW NOW HOW A TENNIS BALL FELLS AND FORD WILL NEVER HAVE ME AS A CUSTOMER FOR 5 YEARS AGAIN.
cracked panel below rear window, same as everyone else. called ford customer service, they said get estimate ($302.89)at local ford dealer and call customer service back. I did so. but, like 99% of you I'm sol. Not sure if i would buy another ford again. too bad. By the way FORD, your customers are not made of $. It's a real eye sore, not what I would consider good advertising for FORD. Extremely unhappy in Schenectady NY
I'm so relieved to have discovered this website! I just noticed this problem on my Explorer and, because it is one of many, I'm fed up! I have two cracks under the rear window on either side of the Ford logo. Haven't had it checked out with the dealer yet but I will. I felt so much better when I discovered that others have had this problem too. My Explorer overall has been one thing after another. But this issue in particular needs to be fixed by Ford. I wonder if anyone from the Ford Motor Co. monitors sites like these. I figure the more people who enter complaints the better!
2002 ford explorer 40,000 miles just noticed large crack under rear window. My son works at a body shop and says there has been many complaints of this defect.
After reading all complaints already logged for this problem I feel this will be my 4th and last Ford explorer, if Ford doesn't step up to the plate. Dealer says $600.00 to replace, so it will happen again---I don, t think so!
I started developing a crack on the rear panel beneath the window about a year after purchase. It started slow, but was progressive and has now gone through the entire panel. I guess the stress has been relieved by the crack. This was poor workmanship on Ford's part. Ford should go ahead and recall the panel, just make a bunch up in the most popular colors (others available for something like a dollar). I would tolerate a slight variance in paint color vs. the stupid crack. I always figured it was my own car until I started seeing them. This will probably be as common as the sagging rear bumper on prior models.
I like many others have a large crack in the back of my 2002 Ford Explorer. It is next to the right of the emblem and spans all the way through the shell from glass to top hatch opening. This happened a couple weeks ago and I have been watching for other explorers and am starting to see more of this.
About a month ago my wife thought something hit the roof. It was actually the sound of the panel splitting from top to bottom.
I sent an email to Ford, but they pretended not to know what the problem was. They want me to send pictures. Judging from previous complaints, Ford will probably reply with "the out of warranty defense".
I have notice since, several Explorers and Mountaineers with the same damage. There is no doubt this is a Ford flaw and they should be responsible.
Crack in the plastic panel below the lift window cracked during cold weather. I first noticed the crack while the vehicle was parked in our attached garage. Have taken the vehicle to a Ford dealer and will check on wararnty coverage and repair costs.
I love my Explorer. I rolled my last one and, YES I GOT ANOTHER ONE.. It has a crack under the back window on the back hatch. I am very disappointed. I can't afford to have it fixed and it is very noticeable. I have seen several just in my home town that have the same crack. I think Ford should recall this problem.
I can't believe this isn't a recall. I have seen this so many times, I almost thought that Ford Intentionally had them split like that. But no.... it's a crack, they all have it in the same rough area. Sadly, mine isn't centered properly, its about 2/3 inches off center, so it looks pretty harsh.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I called the dealership and was told that it has happened before to other vehicles of the same year, make and model and that to fix the problem it would be around $473.00. I have seen two other explorers of same color (red) that had the same problem. The split I have is about 2 inches from the ford oval on the right. It extends from the window to the bottom of the panel.
- Angie S., Orange, TX, US