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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.

5.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$200
Average Mileage:
54,250 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. dealer covered the repair (1 reports)
  2. naveljelly (1 reports)
  3. not sure (1 reports)
  4. should have been covered under warranty (1 reports)
2002 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #4

Jan 092008

Explorer XLT 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Seems they shouldn't have exposed metal on them but they do and are not properly protected from the elements.

- Trent W., Saint Paul, MN, US

problem #3

Oct 172007

(reported on)

Explorer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

rust tranmisson eletric ford needs a recall on this truck

- Matthew D., Elkhart, IN, US

problem #2

Dec 092006

(reported on)

Explorer Sport 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

RUNNING BOARDS RUSTED BY SECOND YEAR. STILL UNDER WARRANTY FORD DID NOTHING.

- Scott S., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #1

Jan 092007

(reported on)

Explorer XLT 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

There were so many things wrong with the vehicle that they replaced the running boards. They should have fixed the transmission instead as it failed 3,000 miles later for the third time.

- Daniel M., Howell, MI, US

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