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.
Without any neglect on my part, a crack appeared on the rear tailgate panel directly below the tailgate glass, next to the Ford emblem. I contacted the Ford dealer where I had just purchased the car only 2 months prior to see if Ford would stand behind their product. They told me this is not covered and that I would have to pay over $350 (back in 2004) to have it fixed. I refuse to pay for something that Ford should cover. I choose to drive my Ford with the crack so that "alike" owners will see the same problem and those considering a Ford will see it, too. I see many Fords with the same problem, so it is reasonable to say that there are many of us. I am furious at Ford for not replacing the panels. I would like to see the government hold Ford accountable. As long as they do nothing about this, I will not say anything favorable about my Ford SUV and I refuse to buy a Ford in the future.
I have had so many problems with this vehicle that I will never buy a Ford again!
Master Cylinder, Stereo (bad second time), Clicking noise in rear AC (fixed once under warranty and now it is bad again) driver door trim cracked and fell off door (have to replace entire door interior just to fix that issue.
I hardly drive my Ford, I only have 48,000 miles on it. And I take good care of it.
It is a shame that Ford does not care, and you know what? I don't care anymore for Ford.
This is the second time I will have to replace the rear panel on the back liftgate of my Explorer because it has cracked. I paid the dealership $200.00 19 months ago and they replaced it with another defective panel. It has cracked again. I have only put 12,000 miles on the vehicle since it was replaced and it is kept under covered parking. The dealership wants another $300.00 to replace it. I pitched a fit and they suggested I call Ford Customer Service. What a joke they are! Their canned response is that the part is only warranted for 12 months so they can't help me. I swear if we spend my tax dollars to bail out the automotive companies, I am going to refuse to pay income taxes! I'd rather go to jail then pay those crooks a red cent!
- Allcorn L.,
San Antonio, TX, US
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I think this sums it up that ford explorers are pieces of sh t , they were supposed to recall the rear on them and they didnt, im glad we had the extended3 year warranty, it probably had about $6000 done to it in that 3 yr time ,including rebuilt transmission, wheel seals , wheel bearing , i had to do 2 myself, chain tensioned for timing chain twice and its bad again, and now the hood paint is no good and all peeling, and amazingly the value of the vehicle isnt work sh*t. i cant get rid of it any how , and now i have the crack below the rear window. ford , your company will fail just like gm is currently.
I'm a used dealer and we have had probably 10 Explorers on our lot since I bought the place. 9 of them have had the large cracks. 1 of those caused the back window to shatter. It is definitely a Ford Issue. They have had issues with the adhesive they used on these and their Expeditions around 2002 and 2003. It is a defect and should be fixed for free by your Ford dealer.
Same Problem as all the others. Two cracks 4 inches long on opposites sides of panel just appeared about the same day. Dealer won't touch it. Ford 800 number said they won't pay for it. No wonder your stock price is 1.80.
Same problem as Everyone Else. I thought this was an isolated case, until I saw another Explorer last week with an identical crack. Now I see there are hundreds of people with this problem. This will be my last Ford!!! I'll look into Dodge or Toyota.
Parked my car over night at a McDondalds, came back the next afternoon to pick it up and the plastic over the ford emblem was just crack all the way down on the rear hatch. That was definitely a surprise to just have the plastic crack, there was no scratches or dents where it happened either.
From what I have seen on various web sites, there must be thousands of cars with this problem. One web site alone had over 400 complaints. I have also been watching for 2002 Explorers, which are easy to spot because the paint on the roof rack is peeling on most of them. There are a lot of cracked rear panels here in Wisconsin. I think, it's time that Ford steps up to the plate and admits that this is more than "an isolated problem".
Ok I wouldn't have thought too much of this except that like everytime I am in a large parking lot, I see AT LEAST 1 Explorer with the exact same crack on the back panel. Why does the consumer have to pay for these kinds of things when it is clearly a defect? (compared to all the serious safety problems with this car, I guess I shouldn't even complain about this cosmetic one... but it still bugs)
A long crack is visible underneath the back window of my explorer. From closing the back window the pressure (over time) created a small crack. I stopped shutting the back window when I saw the crack. But, the crack has expanded to the biggest size it could be from the constant movement of the vehicle.
Add me to the list!! This real panel crack is disgusting! My brother has a body shop, and says he sees these all the time- and that they will crack again because of the defect-
My husband thought i "did something" to make it crack, and I almost believed him (although I couldn't think of anything I did that would make it crack). Then a lady approached me in a parking lot and asked me if my Explorer was a 2002, and she said hers cracked, and that she has been noticing other ones cracked and always tries to talk to the owners to see if they have complained to Ford. She said she has been complaining for a year, but nothing happens in the way of recall. We bought this used from a dealer about a year ago, but it was fine at 56,000 mileage. Can't believe we didn't look it up before purchasing! Had no idea there had been so many problems with the Explorer. We also have continuing issues with cruise control not working all the time.
My husband is a die-hard Ford guy- maybe this will open his eyes...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This plastic body panel under the rear window has CRACKED for the second time.
1/8 inch gap in a vertical crack right under the wiper motor.
Dealer blames my wife for hitting it or slamming the window closed too hard.
- Jim S., Leesburg, VA, US