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.
4.0
definitely annoying
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
93,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
just replaced the oil in the clutch pack/rear def (1 reports)
Count me in, I will never ever own another FORD!! I bought the Eddie Bauer series for $50,000, and I think Ford owes me another vehicle because I think I have spent just about that much in repairs. This vehicle has had everything replaced!! I have replaced the transmission, 4 wheel bearings, rear differential bearing, the back door has cracked and been replaced twice so far, all door locks have been replaced, the rear wiper motor has been not working properly for the past 3/4 years but I refuse to replace till absolutely necessary, the exterior paint trim is fading (always kept in a garage in winter), there are more believe me but just last week I had the noise in the rear end - thought the rear end was falling out! Had the oil replaced and hoping that this will correct the problem (mechanic says it takes a week or two for the oil to lubricate, so I am trying to be patient). Please include me if I can recoup some of my hard earned dollars that I have put into this piece of junk - I truly do not feel safe in this vehicle!!
If you are ever trying to recreate the problem so that your mechanic does not think you are crazy - take him/her for a ride and turn a corner till it happens!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Count me in, I will never ever own another FORD!! I bought the Eddie Bauer series for $50,000, and I think Ford owes me another vehicle because I think I have spent just about that much in repairs. This vehicle has had everything replaced!! I have replaced the transmission, 4 wheel bearings, rear differential bearing, the back door has cracked and been replaced twice so far, all door locks have been replaced, the rear wiper motor has been not working properly for the past 3/4 years but I refuse to replace till absolutely necessary, the exterior paint trim is fading (always kept in a garage in winter), there are more believe me but just last week I had the noise in the rear end - thought the rear end was falling out! Had the oil replaced and hoping that this will correct the problem (mechanic says it takes a week or two for the oil to lubricate, so I am trying to be patient). Please include me if I can recoup some of my hard earned dollars that I have put into this piece of junk - I truly do not feel safe in this vehicle!!
If you are ever trying to recreate the problem so that your mechanic does not think you are crazy - take him/her for a ride and turn a corner till it happens!!
- Cyr K., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada