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Cracked Panel Below The Rear Window
2002 Ford Explorer (Page 18 of 32)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
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)
- dealership replaced the entire panel (10 reports)
body / paint problem
Helpful websites
- 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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It's irritating that I have the worst vehicle in the world. It really hurts resale!! I can't believe that Ford is OK with having this kind of reputation!! Thought I was getting a reliable well-built SUV for over $30000 new. And yes I was stupid enough to pay sticker price for the POS. I've tried to sell it for KBB value but nobody wants to buy a vehicle with the kind of reputation that the 2002 Exploder has. YES my rear panel did crack and the only reason I got it replaced was to resale the thing...AND here I am stuck with it 3 years later. I feel fortunate to have made it as long as I have on the transmission it has. The thing clunks between gears now and will only go back into park if I wiggle the shifter. It's only a matter of time and I'll be dishing out $$ for that issue. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND A FORD TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN!
If you're considering purchasing an Explorer, consider this... Every issue in the complaint list on AutoBeef about 02 Explorers will happen to your Explorer... It's just a matter of when... And Ford isn't making an effort to rectify any of them.
Should have went with my instincts when I test drove it for the first time in 2002 - I should have purchased a Toyota 4-Runner instead. I will not make the mistake again.
Update from Nov 11, 2014: I ended up owning this vehicle from 2002 to 2014. During this time I had to replace wheel bearings 3 times on each wheel. 3 speed sensors. Rear main seal once, repaint of hood because of paint peeling, replacement of rear cracked panel 3 times, replacement of rear hatch hinges 2 times. All heat controls no longer worked, rear heat controls stopped working. AC developed a leak so needed regular recharge, dash controls stopped illuminating, cd changer jammed and no longer played cds. At 180k miles the timing chain started chattering and the transmission was slipping and clunking-still. I babied the heck out of its whole life and finally sold it at 200k. I will never buy a Ford again.
Update from Nov 11, 2014: I forgot to mention. The 2nd time my panel cracked, after about a month it actually fell off and hit a vehicle that was tailgating me... so it's not just cosmetic. This does post a safety concern to other drivers.
- btroy, Mitchellville, IA, US