ok so i bought my 2002 ford explorer used...since then my timing assembly went out first...that was 700$ due to the fact there is 3 timing chains in this motor..and 50$ hr at 17.5 hrs!! then the roaring and whining noise started..took it to ford they said i needed a new rear end..and b both back wheel bearings were bad...they gave me a 1800$ estimate...instead we bought a new rear end put it in our selves and 2 NEW BEARINGS...replaced it all...and talk about pain in the ass well bearings have to be pressed and all that good sh*t...after all that the noise it still friekin there....so looks like more money for this junk crap car...i used to LOVE it...looks like ill switch to another dealer next time...ILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD!!!!

Well it appears I'm not alone! Its amazing to me, through a simple search on Google, to find this wonderful site with sooooooo many people with the same complaints as myself. I feel like I could of written the majority of them. We have had a humming noise coming from the rear differential for over a year now, and it is slowly getting worse. I did replace the replace the oil with the recommended synthetic, however it has not made any difference in the noise level, which is extremely annoying. The four wheel drive stopped engaging around 100000 miles. I also have went through the wheel bearing nightmare. the pressed bearing is such a pain in the ass to repair! I would like to meet the engineer who had the great idea of putting a steel bearing in an aluminum block. the corrosion from electrolysis was so bad, that we had to attach a cum along to a large oak tree and apply ALOT of tension while trying not to pull the exploder off the jack stands, (Sounds ridiculous, but it worked!) I have replaced all four wheel bearings, the rear being the worst, and one of the front ones twice. I have always loved fords and have owned several of them, however, never again. Quality just isn't in the game plan for them anymore. I have learned to hate our explorer with a passion!!!!! Oh and don't get me started on the window motor failures, the vent selector knob for the AC/Heater, the flickering dome lights etc................

To say the most of my life the 2002 FORD EXPLORER has been a pain in my Side I will never buy another ford that vehicle has cost me money a new transmission at 54,636 miles i Still have my invoice thats asham that people buy a vehicle thats america made ford need to recall . Remind myself never to buy a ford tell my family, friends the Ford manfacturers I am very disappointed very poor QUALITY. With other problems like coolant leaking replace water pump replace gasket replace belt the noise underneath. very unhappy ford warranties suck ....

My wife drives this 2002 Ford Explorer (purchased brand new) to school and back home (12 whole miles) 5 days/9 months per year. Pampered, service regularly, maintained to the hill and garaged the entire life. Rear differential start leaking on the garage floor about 6 months ago, paid a local garage about $180.00 to relace some seals. About 3 months ago (67000 miles) a slight whinning noise started when the accelerator or cruise were engaged. I thought it was a fuel pump thing or tires. I took it to my local Ford garage Friday and was shocked when they told me the rear end ring and pinion bearings were going bad. There repair estimate - $1900.00 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said don't touch it and picked the car up yesterday (no service people available on Saturday) and found the diagnostic charge for that problem to be $137.50 !!!!!!!!!!! A TEST DRIVE! Pretty bad considering Ford knew about this issue since 2005. I have contested the charges and will be at Ford tomorrow to complain.

TRIED REPLACING REAR END OIL AND ADDITIVE WITH NO RESULTS. I SAW THAT SOMEONE HAD DONE THE SAME THING AND SAID THAT CHANGING OIL/ADDITIVE WORKED. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE RESULT WAS INSTANTANEOUS? IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD WOULDN'T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON, HOWEVER IT WILL PROBABLY JUST MEAN THAT MIDDLE AMERICANS WILL GET CRAPPED ON AGAIN AND HAVE TO TAKE IT.

ALSO ON THIS VEHICLE,THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BURN WHEN THEY WANT AS LONG AS IT WANT.

THE PANEL ON THE BACK BELOW THE REAR GLASS SPLIT WIDE OPEN (SEEN MANY MORE OF THE SAME ON OTHER EXPLORERS)! THE VENT CONTROLS INSIDE THE CABIN BLOW THE AIR WHERE IT WANTS TO.

I'M NOT POSITIVE BUT I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A LEMON. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS JUST BE SATISFIED KNOWING THAT THE CEOS AND OTHERS RUNNING HENRY'S BUISNESS WILL KEEP GETTING RAISES AND HUGE BONUSES!!

I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO FEEL GOOD!!

My Explorer has been having the same exact problem, with the roaring and what not coming from the rear end. I recently got my front brakes done and the mechanic who drove it said that I was going to need my rear end replaced soon, and that he sees that a lot with Explorers. So yeah I'm pretty upset about the whole situation and now that I've witnessed so many complaints here and in life I wish someone would call Ford or a lawyer about this, and let me know.

Also, I'm going to try and that replacing the gear oil with the 75/145 heavy duty stuff and see how that works. I'm driving up the east coast soon and I hope this isn't gonna be a problem. I really don't think it will but....

This is a low mileage "city car", never driven hard, no abusive driving, 67000 miles, bought from original owner at 27000 miles. Noticed a whining/roaring inside the cab coming from the rear. Took to Metro Ford in Tupelo MS, after investigating they said it would require replacing the ring and pinion gear set - $1300+. I have to drive it out of town immediately so I agreed. I spoke with the service manager who agreed it was a known problem. He recommended I retain the receipts in case Ford decided to refund the money. I see where there may be a class action law suit against Ford being formed. I hope so, this is ridiculous....

I bought this 2002 Explorer from an estate...the vehicle had always been babied and I knew the previous owner well.. Basically like buying a new vehicle... The rear end is a problem and still making noise...The previous owner had just replaced the transmission before he passed away. / It is a shame that the rear ends are such a proble...This is not the first Explorer I have owned... I have always known about the transmission problems with them.. The replacement or rebuild seems to last for ever, but the originals always give out in short order. (personal experience twice and my brother's experience too and everyone I know that owns/owned an Explorer with over 100,000 Kilometres on it).I still loved the Explorers though and bought again. Last year I was hit side on by a Chrysler, in my 1999 Explorer. The Accident was caused by the other driver going way too fast in bad conditions and loosing control The car went under the Explorer ripping out the rear end and rolling us over.. My dog and I survived with bruises and some minor cuts.. more than could be said for the other driver..The investigators said that it was the Explorer that saved our lives. Thus I bought another..It is a disappointment to have to expect a transmission and now rear end problem when looking for an otherwise great vehicle...My advice is to buy cheap, because they are a great and safe vehicle, but if these parts are original, they will need replacing in short order,, That applies to all years of the vehicle, not just the 99's and 02's....it is a common problem... If you have a vehicle with replace trans and rear end, then they are fine.....rebuilding the rear end will not solve the problem....after market replacement will though....

We had a really bad noise coming from the rear end. sounded like the tire was rubbing at slow speeds while turning.

Decided to take it down to the dealer who informed us that we would need a new rear end (not covered, of course)

I looked around and found a guy that said he fixed the same problem by changing the oil in the rear end. Worked like a charm at 20% of what Mr. Ford Dealer wanted.

This was the same place I bought the car new. You would assume at least some sort of customer loyalty.