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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
24 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,424 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford Explorer engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #83

Apr 032013

Explorer

  • 169,122 miles

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

While driving home from work, attempted to pass a slower moving car. As I did so the gas pedal stuck to the floor. Causing me to brake to slow vehicle..finally able to free gas pedal by lifting it up with my foot...major safety issue..Ford said no recall.

- Pine Hill, NJ, USA

problem #82

Dec 182012

Explorer 8-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
Like many other frustrated Ford owners, I have had transmission problems with my Explorer. Its really frustrating when you take it to the repair shop and they don't even need to see it to know the transmission needs to be rebuilt, due to the track record of the faulty parts Ford has used. Its really sad when they know the transmission where not good and continued to install them for more years. I hope sooner or later they own up to their faults and do the right thing and recall the faulty transmissions. We spent good money for a quality american made car and did not expect to have to invest almost $3,000 in a new transmission the next year. Ford will lose a lot of loyal customers over this and needs to address this problem.

- Honeoye Falls, NY, USA

problem #81

Nov 212012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 93,200 miles
Cruise control electrical disengage switch failed. Cruise control could only be disengaged by stepping on the brake very hard or by manually turning off the cruise control on/off switch.

- Midland, MI, USA

problem #80

Dec 072012

Explorer

  • 210,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the accelerator pedal became jammed. The contact tried depressing the brakes but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact immediately shifted to park and shut the ignition off. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 210,000. The VIN was not available.

- Kiowa, CO, USA

problem #79

Nov 202012

Explorer

  • 147,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford explored. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle suddenly emitted a burning odor. The vehicle then stalled without warning as the vehicle proceeded to roll-backward and crashed into a phone pole. The vehicle then crashed into a residential home. The contact sustained injuries to the shoulder and mouth. The front seat passenger sustained lacerations and a bruised tail bone. The person seated in the rear passenger side of the vehicle sustained injuries to the back and lacerations to the feet. The rear driver's side passenger sustained head injuries. A police report was filed of the incident. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) however, the contact never received notification of the recall. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and the current mileage was 147,000.

- Revere, MA, USA

problem #78

Aug 252012

Explorer

  • 175,500 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while traveling 70 mph the vehicle speed suddenly increased up to 90 mph. The contact stated that the brake pedal was very stiff and failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact had to shift into park in order to get the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 175,550.

- Milwalkee, WI, USA

problem #77

Apr 242012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Went to back out carport, when gas pedal was push it went to floor and stuck !, auto traveled out drive way circled a field come back and hit tree, after traveling approx 1500 ft more or less, knocked unconscious, broke dentures, neck and back injuries, concussion, total the auto a 2002 Ford Explorer...

- White Plains, KY, USA

problem #76

Mar 232011

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
2002 Ford Explorer transmission died for the second time after I had the dealership replace it, 75,000 miles ago. I am now sitting at 156000 and it is doing the same things again. This gives me such a bad taste toward Ford, and I have been a die hard Ford guy.

- Arcadia, FM, USA

problem #75

Jan 282012

Explorer

  • 157,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 35 mph, the over-drive warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle began to unexpectedly increase acceleration. The vehicle failed to slow down even though the brake pedal was engaged several times, as a result the contact loss control and crashed into a tree. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a safe location. The vehicle had not been towed or repaired for the extensive front end damage. The manufacturer was notified of the unintended acceleration. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.

- Missouri City , TX, USA

problem #74

Dec 212011

Explorer

  • 160,000 miles
I am a single mother of 4 driving 55mph in heavy traffic on a 4 lane highway, with my children in the vehicle when the O/D light flashed a few times and then the transmission just stopped working, as though the vehicle was in neutral I coasted safely to a stop thank god. I took it to a Ford service center and they said it was caused by the servo boar"???? never herd of this. It used to be a seperate line that could be replaced now it is built into the transmission and the whole transmission has to be replaced. Is what I was told to me by the certified Ford service man and that there was not a problem with the old style lines but he hears of this often with the newer transmissions. Was this changed just for profit by Ford Motor Company" because with this happening without warning someone could get into an accident and be seriously injured or killed depending on the situation. I am very upset that my family was put in this situation but we got lucky. If we were only lucky enough to have the money to fix it now, it is $2,400 for the new transmission and labor.

- Bardstown, KY, USA

problem #73

Oct 102011

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles

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

At a stop, began accelerating to enter highway, accelerator pedal became stuck and car continued to accelerate up to 90 mph at full throttle before I shut vehicle off and put it in neutral. Has happened on several occasions, all exactly the same. Vehicle accelerates at full throttle and has to be shut off before an accident occurs. Only way to correct problem is to exit vehicle and push gas pedal several times; start vehicle and see if engine is still at full throttle.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #72

Jan 042012

Explorer

  • 184,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse and applying the accelerator pedal, the pedal depressed to the floor and the vehicle surged backward. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. Both the dealer and manufacturer were notified and were in the process of assisting the contact with an investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileages were 184,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Santa Claus, IN, USA

problem #71

Dec 172011

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
While driving my car to work, I came to a stop sign at the end of my road, like I do every morning. However, on this morning, as I tried to accelerate from a complete stop, my car bogged down which left me in the road for seconds longer then was safe. There was a car speeding around the curve, and my car would not accelerate like it should. Finally, and thank god, it jammed into gear, and me and my one year old son were not injured. Also, on that same day, my car starting skipping while in first gear, which also was a safety hazard because it was jerking so hard, it was hard to keep in under control, plus it also slowed my progression across highly congested areas down, which also put my safety at risk. We took my car to the shop, and the repairman stated that my transmission was having problems with first gear and overdrive. There had been no previous warning or indicators that something was wrong with my transmission until the day of. We had the fluid checked and the engine checked. Nothing was wrong that we could have prevented.

- Webb, AL, USA

problem #70

Jul 262011

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving 55 mph the accelerator pedal would not disengage. The driver attempted to pull the accelerator pedal up with her foot but was unsuccessful brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle slowed down. The driver was able to maneuver the vehicle off of the road and crashed into a few small trees in a wooded area. The driver previously suffered from spinal injuries and experienced back and hip pain. The driver was treated by a doctor for the injuries. A police report was filed. The insurance company had the vehicle towed to an independent repair shop for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 09/21/11 updated 10/05/11

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #69

Jul 122011

Explorer 8-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
2002 Ford Explorer-transmission failure-130,000 miles-July 12, 2011 transmission rebuilt at 119,000 miles on Jan. 13, 2010 by a local Ford dealer- both failures consisted of the transmission slipping in and out of gear during normal driving. In heavy traffic this is a very dangerous situation. The vehicle suddenly loses speed and passengers are subject to rear end impact or sudden surges of speed when the transmission slips back into gear, causing a possible rear end impact with another vehicle. In addition, the transmission sticks in one gear and will not shift. Ford Motor Company has been aware of the problems with this type of transmission since 2002. My local dealer says that fmc figures revealed that 30% of vehicles equipped with this transmission experienced failure of some type. However fmc offered very little relief to its customers. I believe that it is time for an immediate forced recall of this transmission.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #68

Apr 242011

Explorer

  • 59,900 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving in reverse and then shifting the gear in park, the vehicle accelerated backward and crashed into a fence. No one was injured but the vehicle sustained minor scratches on the rear passenger and driver sides. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 59,900.

- Floyds Knobs, IN, USA

problem #67

Dec 312010

Explorer

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked outside of his residence. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire but by the time had arrived, the vehicle and the contacts residence were destroyed. There were no injuries. The origin of the fire was deemed as the vehicle speed control. A fire report was available. The vehicle remained in the contacts driveway. The manufacturer was not contacted to report the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

- Bennettsville, SC, USA

problem #66

Dec 052010

Explorer

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving 25 mph the engine surged and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. When the brakes were depressed and the gear shifted into neutral the rpms would increase excessively. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test but could not duplicate or determine the cause of failure. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle and they offered no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 76,000.

- Provo, UT, USA

problem #65

Dec 262010

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
Accelerator pedal was hard to press, RPM remained high 3000 - 4000. Eventually the car would not stop, accelerator was stuck - go was going 70 mph. Had to strut of engine mechanic replace accelerator cable - noted cable was kinked and frayed - very dangerous and that I should report it.

- Victor, NY, USA

problem #64

May 182004

Explorer

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when he depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The rpms would rise when the failure occurred. Because of the failure, the contact was involved in two accidents. There were no injuries as a result. No police reports were filed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership so the dealer could inspect the brakes but the dealer could find nothing wrong. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 43,500. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

- Arlington, VA, USA

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