9.6
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$3,964.00
Average Mileage:
107,308 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace engine (8 reports)
- rebuild engine (1 reports)
engine problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Explorer engine knocking sound
2009Apr 22
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 96,000 miles
Just got the automatic transmission rebuild, not even three months later the engine starts knocking. I believe Ford should recall all 2002 Explorers to take care of this problem. This is unfair since they used a thin metal dish as the tensioner which bends easily and snapped one of the pistons. Don't but a 2002 Explorer.
2008Sep 15
Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 122,000 miles
This is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned! I have always been a Ford lover but this vehicle has sure changed my mind!! First of all, I had to replace the transmission at 108,000 miles, the the rear hub just a few months later. Shortly after all of this, the engine started knocking. I am only assuming the oil pump was going out and the motor blew!! Blew real bad too. It's going to cost about $4,600 to fix. As soon as I get a motor put in, this Explorer is going down the road! Total Junk!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 28
Explorer XLT 4L 6 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 141,317 miles
Sounded like a diesel. Just had the transmission replaced about 4 months ago. So took it back to the shop that did the work (not the dealer) and all they could tell me was that it was the engine and not the transmission. The next day on the way to an engine shop (not the dealer) the engine quit and made a grinding sound when cranked. Repair shop said I needed a new engine, but had not opened it up to diagnose the problem. They use Jasper engines with a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty. Quoted me $5,100 to complete the replacement, including the tow bill. I have had to replace both the front and rear wheel bearings, rear springs, air bag switch in the steering column, and now the engine. I have been a "Ford man" since I was grown up enough to have an opinion not anymore. The next vehicle I buy will be a Toyota or Honda. Bail out money, my ass. Let 'em go bankrupt.
2009Jan 22
Explorer XLT
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
All I can say right now is I am really mad. Just got this vehicle and now I can't drive it. Woke up one morning to take my son to school and it started knocking, smelling and would not stay running. Had it looked at and I need a new motor. No warning light, no over heating problems before this. And no Ford for me!
2007Aug 11
Explorer XLT 4.6L
- Automatic transmission
- 103,000 miles
worst vehicle a person could own !!!!! I have always owned fords but now I may change
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Feb 27
Explorer XLT 4
- Automatic transmission
- 145,000 miles
Looking over other issues with this car, had to have front wheel bearing replaced, many annoying electrical problems, including window issues, door sensor defects, airbag sensor, check engine light sensor. Started having transmission slips very early after purchasing. but in the last month we started to hear a engine tick which just got louder and louder and it finally stopped ticking when both camshafts blew and a chain. New engine will cost 5400. I will never buy another Ford.
2008Jan 01
Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 49,000 miles
Bought a Ford Explorer from new in 02. Car had done 48,000 miles when the engine failed catastrophically. As the engine failed you could hear the sound os metal thrashing round inside. Sounded like it could be a broken timing chain. The vehicle was 6 months out of warranty. Ford agreed to help by paying $1200 towards the cost of a refurb engine. The car is otherwise in A1 condition, so I have little choice but to pay for the rest of the engine replacement. I understand that this item has been a probelm on previous Explorer's where they have eventually agreed to doing recalls. I hate being cynical, but I suspect that Ford know there is a problem here. It is a design problem that is not easily fixed (the part costs about $56, but replacing it involves taking out the engine >$1000. I'm sure they have done their math and know that the failure is unlikely to occur within the warranty period. So they can blow it off with what they regard to be a good will payment. Well I have made it my persoanl mission to never buy a Ford again and to advise everyone I can about the appalling design and poor customer aftercare. In case you wondered about misuse or abuse of the vehicle. This was a typical soccer Mom's car. Nothing heavy- services always completed on time. I hope someday that Ford want to grow back to bein the great manufacturer they once were. Making second rate goods and then p******g off the customers dumb enough to buy them is not the way forward.
2006Jan 02
Explorer XLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 71,458 miles
i have a annoying engine knocking noise in my 2002 Ford explorer XTL,I made an appointment with the dealer to fined out what was wrong I was so upset when the dealer tell me that I need a new engine. I take good care of this car and only have it for 3 years now cost me $5000 for a rebuilt engine, after spending $5000 2 m later the wheel bearing 7 m after the heater stop working transmission start to slip what is going on here. I have a 1993 Volkswagen Jetta for so long and no problems.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 28
Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L V8
Problems started right away. We've owned the truck for just about 3 years now. Bought it with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.
1. Passenger Door completely off track - wouldn't close - covered under warranty.
2. 4X4 failed. Loud creaking noises when turned on 4X4 high - covered under warranty.
3. 1st Spark plug spit out of engine - not covered under warranty. Didn't have Ford replace due to high cost - found effective spark plug rethreader kit at auto part store that worked - total cost to fix $250.
4. Wouldn't stay on - problem with the accelerator - which caused us to drive the truck like a 5 speed, with a foot on the gas and the break at the same time. Found a simple solution - banging a wrench on it worked! Something was junking up in there and needed to be pushed along - however, the shop wanted to charge me about $500 to fix!
5. 2nd Spark plug spit out of engine - not covered under warranty. Didn't have Ford replace due to high cost - found effective spark plug rethreader kit at auto part store that worked - total cost to fix $250.
6. 3rd Spark plug spit out of engine - not covered under warranty. Didn't have Ford replace due to high cost - found effective spark plug rethreader kit at auto part store that worked - total cost to fix $250.
7. 4th Spark plug spit out of engine - not covered under warranty. Didn't have Ford replace due to high cost - found effective spark plug rethreader kit at auto part store that worked - total cost to fix $250.
8. O/D Light started blinking - then trouble switching gears - then trouble going in reverse - transmission failed - not covered by warranty - total cost for a Rebuilt transmission - $1300.00
9. 5th Spark plug spit out of engine - not covered under warranty. Didn't have Ford replace due to high cost - found effective spark plug rethreader kit at auto part store that worked - total cost to fix $250.
10. Rocking noise heard after correcting 5th sparkplug incident. (Currently at 118,000 miles) Found out that Piston Arm was bent and would cost thousands to replace - so, NEW ENGINE (one with 72,000 miles) was purchased. Total cost - $1750.00 (This is currently being worked on)
Lucky for us - a very good friend is our mechanic and does the majority of the work for us - with the exception of rebuilding the tranny. He warned us at the beginning to get rid of the truck - but owing so much on it, there was no way to do so. When the tranny was going, we looked into trading it in and the most we could get was about $3000 - considering we owed $7,500 at the time - it was impossible - now, we owe about $6,200 so, it's still not an option. Hopefully with the new engine - we'll be in the clear for a while.
Brian D.
Lawrence, MA, USA
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