ok i got this vehicle 11months ago apparently from a really bad car lot, the first thing i notice about 2hrs after driving this thing was a loud noise in the back that vibrated the whole truck, call the dealer brought it in diagnosis it as bad rear diff, he fix it apparently, the noise started back about 3days later, call the dealer brought it back diagnosis the noise (vibration gone now)as bad brakes repair the brakes quite the car somewhat, but the noise stater again so i took the truck to cv pros who stated that my u joints were rusty. a month pass i notice the noise again but this time it sounded like the truck needed tires but before i could get the tires change the right tire popped off while i was driving with my 2 children had the thing towed to a local car repair place was told that 4 lug nuts had popped off, they repair that but advise me that my rooters where not correct on the vehicle, so i called the dealer told him i almost die and that i wanted another vehicle or my money back, his reply was i can't do that but i well repair your brakes he did my brakes a total of 4times. The noise still c0ntiued so i took my vehicle to a local brake place and paid for a complete brake inspection the whole system was shot, i call the dealer and told him that if he didn't correct this problem i was going to make a complaint to the state. so i went to ford this time he paid for the assement and i sat right there in watch them order the parts, he refuse to let ford fix the brakes claiming that they were trying to rip him off and he didn't want any one else fixing the truck. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THE NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK WASN'T MY BRAKES IT WAS MY REAR DIFF (YEAH THE ONE HE CLAIM HE REPAIR) THAT'S GONNA COST ME $840 TO REPAIR PLUS THE SLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION FOR RIDING THE CAR WITH A BAD DIFF. I'M TOTALLY PISSED OFF MY WARRANTY IS OUT AND ANY REPAIRS ARE MINE SCREWING WITH THIS GUY!!! TRUST NO ONE THE MINUTE YOU FEEL SOMETHING NOT RIGHT IT'S NOT TAKE THE DAMN THING BACK NO EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROLLING HUMMING NOISE. SOUNDS LIKE IT'S THE TIRES. BOUGHT NEW GOODYEARS FOTERA SILENT ARMOUR. DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. TOLD IT WAS FRONT BEARINGS. CHANGED BEARINGS SAME PROBLEM. TOLD BEARINGS MUST BE BAD. CHANGED BEARINGS AGAIN. SAME PROBLEM. TOLD THAT THE TIRES MUST BE NO GOOD. GOT 4 NEW TRIPLE THREAD FROM GOODYEAR TODAY. STILL SAME NOISE. MADE APPOINTMENT WITH FORD DEALER FOR AUGUST 24TH 2007. WILL REPORT THEIR FINDINGS ON YOUR SITE. THANKS FOR POSTING ALL THOSE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT GAVE ME A HEADS UP. SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE THE COMMON DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM.

My story is similar to everyone else's regarding my 02 Explorer. I bought the car used without test driving the car over 50 mph. After a trip to the cottage and an oil leak on the drive I knew I had problems. I took it to Dean Sellers Ford in Troy, MI to have the leak, the whine and the rumble looked at. The service person acknowledged that this happened a lot and they would look at it. They gave me a quote of $1900.00 to fix the leak, rebuild the differential and replace the right wheel bearing. When I balked they offered 10% off. I took it elsewhere for the differential work ($1200) and had the right bearing done somewhere else ($320). It was still loud so I had the left wheel bearing replaced ($320). It was better but now I can a definite whine from the rear end again between 45-65 mph. A complaint to Ford got a response that this was "normal" for an "older vehicle". Screw these guys!

Where do I begin?! I have always considered myself a Chevy guy until I met my fiancee and started to drive her '99 Eddie Bauer Explorer. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and the durability of her SUV and decided to sell my '79 MonteCarlo to my 16 year-old brother. I purchased my '02 XLT on June 6, 2007 from Washington Chevrolet. The vehicle was in pristine condition and the asking price was only $11,995. "Not a bad deal", I thought to myself. The SUV had 72,428 on it and only one previous owner. I drove the truck to and from Pittsburgh weekly and soon, I began to notice the infamous "whine, groan, grind" that so many '02 owners are b---hing about.

With 1084 miles remaining on my 3k mile/3 month drive train warranty from Washington Chevrolet, I took it in looking for a remedy to the problem. I told the Chevy Dealer that I noticed several TSBs regarding this problem and that I wanted it fixed.

Obviously, Washington Chevrolet needed to contact the local Ford dealer to have them examine the vehicle to "see if there was indeed an issue with the rear differential." As I had previous experience with Washington Ford (with my fiancee's '99 Eddie), I was more than happy to take it there.

I left the vehicle with Washington Ford Monday morning at 7am and ended up picking it up Friday at 8am. This was mostly due to the b. s. that Chevy put Ford through (and ultimately me) during the warranty service authorization.

It started out with the rear differential ring and pinion gears needing replaced ($1204.75)and both rear wheel bearings & the left front wheel bearing ($811.30).

Originally, Washington Chevy attempted to say that GM's warranty would not cover the LF wheel bearing. That was until I got a hold of GM's warranty service by phone (Now where is that phone #?... Oh, heck, Google it!). I proceeded to explain the warranty details on the window tag to the representative and then explained that the '02 Explorer is a full-time 4wd vehicle, thus the LF bearing should indeed be covered by the power train warranty. He asked to take a moment to speak to his supervisor and then after 5 or so minutes, he reported that it was going to be covered. I was happy to hear this and quickly took down his name and rep ID #. Needless to say, Washington Chevrolet WAS NOT HAPPY absorbing this cost (as they thought they could weasel me out of it).

The repairs were finished Wednesday afternoon and I picked the vehicle up Friday morning. It drove like it was fresh off the assembly line, UNTIL my fiancee drove it to Pittsburgh for an interview. Upon returning home in Washington, she stated that, "something" was still not "exactly right" with the SUV.

I immediately took it back to Washington Ford to let a tech drive it with me in the vehicle to hear and feel the shudder/moan from the rear of the vehicle was producing during low-speed turns. Immediately, the technician shook his head and stated that I would need to return the truck to get the clutch packs replaced.

That's going to occur this Tuesday. We'll see how this pans out.

I will definitely say that the staff of Washington Ford has been outstanding despite all the b. s. from Washington Chevrolet. It is the manufacturer's problem and lack of responsibility in 'fessing up to their poor choice of parts or design.

Have been tolerating a noise in the rear of the vehicle for quite a while and it started to become even louder (sounded like a humming noise as if the rear-end had no lubrication in it -- dry as a bone!!!). I took my Explorer to FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY TEAM TOYOTA in Steubenville, Ohio where they told me that the left rear wheel bearing was bad and needed to be replaced. Also both rear springs were broken and needed to be replaced. $255.40 for the rear wheel bearing and $441.52 for the springs. Over $700 later, the noise is still present and sounds dryer than ever and is humming louder than I have ever heard it. After asking around, I found that there are many Explorer owners with the same noise. It appears that Ford has a problem and doesn't want to admit it, let alone make it good!!!!

I love the Explorer, but hate the "unsolvable" noise.

Very disappointed, angry and frustrated.

I don't have this howling noise that some of you are talking about, but I have seen my problem in this section, too. There is a weird feeling from vehicle while turning after coming to a complete stop (like it was locked in 4wd) or driving over rumble strips - it feels like it's grinding. It doesn't happen when the car is cold, but begins after driving for an hour, or so. I have already replaced front and rear wheel bearings, and brakes.

If anyone can tell me exactly what the fix is here, and give me an approx. dollar amount, please write back to me! Thanks!

I seem to have the same complaint almost everyone else does with the '02 Explorer. My rear diff has been making noise for the last 2-3 months and of course changing the fluid didn't help. Apparently it had been leaking because when I drained it there was only about .5-.75 liters of fluid that came out and it looked like mud. My next step is to try replacing the seals and if that doesn't work I guess I will try to track down a salvaged diff and see if maybe that will help. If none of that works I guess I trade it in on something else and just hope the dealer I take it to isn't aware of the problem.

I have had several service outlets notice the rear differential seal issue and each had one comment in common... 'this problem seems inherent to the differential engineering and Ford is no doubt aware of the problem, but seems reluctant to issue a recall.' This seems par for the course for Ford when it comes to such problems. Now I come across this significant list of complaints with each indicating Ford's intent to ignore rather than fix the problems and save customer relationships. I will vote with my feet if they refuse to address my issues.

Just the same as everyone else that owns a 2002 Explorer, the seals on the rear differential are bad... I've got it worse though, cause I have the same problem in the front. I was told by the dealer when took it in for a recall that it would cost about $1200 because they would have to remove the entire rear and front ends to reseal them. I don't know anything about cars, so I don't even know where to add differential fluid to make sure I'm not grinding the crap out of it. I need to figure THAT out at least... This is a serious issue that's costing Explorer owners serious cash, and Ford really needs to take responsibility for this. This, regrettably, is my second Explorer, and will be my last Ford. I had a lot of stupid little problems with the first one, and ended up with the second one because I was being offered a good deal when I had to make a quick decision. I'm going back to Jeep... those things run like champs!