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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 1 of 6)

problem #103

Oct 012020

Explorer

  • 0 miles

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

The issues that I'm having is the exhilaration (picking up speed) on a public street as well as in the expressway it hesitates to do so. When the vehicle is parked and I go to switch gears it does not want to switch. The gauge indicator comes on and the gas idle be stuck on empty when it has a full tank of gas. While the vehicle is in motion the radio volume goes up and down on its own. And the vehicle did not want to start for me one day the very next day it started right on up (like it want to start but didn't catch). All of this started happening at the beginning of October 2020

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #102

Apr 052018

Explorer

  • 163,000 miles
Vehicle accelerated to maximum RPM's on a city street and would not stop, even after brake applied. Tried downshifting, would not work. Ran through a red light, fortunately no one was in front of us or going the other direction. Had to put it into neutral and turn the key off to get it to stop. Merged over and parked. When restarted, RPM's still at maximum until hood was opened and throttle cable was moved around. Scary situation as won't drive it until it is fixed. Appointment scheduled with mechanic. Should have been a recall on this with as many complaints as I have read about with this very situation. We could have killed someone or been killed.

- Porterville, CA, USA

problem #101

Jun 062017

Explorer

  • 108,742 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. On several occasions, while driving, the 4WD auto high or low failed to operate. While accelerating, the contact attempted to use the cruise control and, although the green cruise control indicator illuminated, the vehicle failed to engage. A dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,742.

- Laona, WI, USA

problem #100

Jan 012017

Explorer

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #99

Nov 252016

Explorer

  • 139,514 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving 50 mph, the accelerator pedal seized without warning. The vehicle's speed increased up to 90 mph and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the head and neck, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 139,514.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #98

Feb 112013

Explorer

  • 30 miles
My power steering stuck caused a wreck!!

- Hot Springs Village, AR, USA

problem #97

Nov 202015

Explorer

  • 47,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While pulling into a parking space at a very low rate of speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and surged forward before crashing into a building. The driver sustained injuries to the left arm, hip, head, and neck. Medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 47,000.

- Garfield, NJ, USA

problem #96

Nov 202015

Explorer

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While pulling into a parking space at a very low rate of speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, surged forward, and crashed into a building. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage; however, the air bags did not deploy. The driver suffered injuries to the left arm and hip, head, and neck. Medical attention was received and a police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 47,000.

- Garfield, NJ, USA

problem #95

Jul 232015

Explorer

  • 194,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while traveling less than 5 mph, the vehicle's throttle became stuck without warning which caused the vehicle to accelerate to a speed above 40 mph. The vehicle crashed thru a fence and into the rear of a motor home causing the front driver's side tire to fracture. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The contact sustained whiplash, neck and back pains from the failure. A police incident report was filed and the vehicle was to be towed to a yard until it would be able to get inspected and diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000.

- Shoemakersville, PA, USA

problem #94

Nov 282014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 220,000 miles
I got a knock on my door by the fire department telling me that my car set on fire I filed a claim with my insurance and they told me to file a claim with Ford because they have reason to believe it was the cruise control button that set the car on fire.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

problem #93

Jan 222015

Explorer

  • 75,000 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 35 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Chicago , IL, USA

problem #92

Dec 092014

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while in reverse, the vehicle accelerated independently. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and the steering wheel seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed into trees then went forward independently crashing into shrubs, a fence, and a building. In addition, the air bags failed to deploy and smoke started to emit from the front of the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruise and neck and head injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #91

Dec 102014

Explorer

  • 217,000 miles
Drove car to tire dealer for wheel alignment. Parked and left for them to work on. The next day, Dec 10,2014, the service tech drove the car for a test ride to check the alignment before he adjusted. He then drove into the bay and applied foot pressure to the gas peddle to get onto the alignment ramp. The peddle stuck at high rpms, 4000+,. as such the car ran off of the ramp, he applied brakes, to no avail, shut car off at same time. Which stopped the car, but not before it crashed into the alignment machine and tires. Car was hung up on part of the ramp had to be jacked off of ramp. Front bumper damaged, cross member under trans pan bent, left rare lower control arm bent..tire dealer has sent the car to Ford dealer, on Dec 11,2014 I spoke with Ford dealer and the have never had a problem like this before. Told him of your report PE 05037 and your letter to Ford.. since your letter to Ford the internet has at least 25 reports of this same problem most with accidents. There may only be 240,000 of this cars, as your report notes, but this problem can cause a death.this car was made with in the time period stated in you report. The fix is to replace the cable. I told Ford that I would not accept the car unless the cable was replaced. On the other hand I would expect you to follow up on this deadly problem.

- Newton, NJ, USA

problem #90

Oct 302014

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) and the contact indicated that an authorized dealer replaced the wiring harness but did not inspect the ABS control module connector to determine if the vehicle needed to be remedied for the recall. The contact reported the safety concern to the manufacturer and they would not comply. The vehicle was not fully repaired under the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the safety concern and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was not available.

- Lovington, MI, USA

problem #89

Oct 142014

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles
When braking vehicle accelerates. Could not stop had to put in N and it stalled before hitting a store front and a second time on the way home at a red light.

- Novi, MI, USA

problem #88

Feb 282014

Explorer

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward forcefully and crashed into another vehicle. There were no personal injuries. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a collision facility. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #87

Jan 102014

Explorer

  • 125,000 miles
While merging onto the interstate the accelerator continued to accelerate even after I took my foot off the pedal. The RPM's were in the red and nothing I did would correct the problem. The vehicle continued to accelerate. I had to apply both feet to the brake pedal and press as hard as possible to slow the vehicle down. I was able to pull off to the shoulder and jammed the truck in park and the engine stopped.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #86

Dec 262013

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact smelled a burning odor while sitting at a traffic stop, and then noticed that there was smoke and flames coming from the engine without warning. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injury. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic but there was no diagnostic performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control ). the vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure and current mileage was 130,000.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #85

Aug 202012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 147,000 miles
Car leaking unknown fluids.. there are outstanding recalls on my vehicle. Recall id 09509.

- Thomasville , AL, USA

problem #84

May 212013

Explorer

  • miles
Letter from congressman shimkus on behalf of constituent re wiring harness fire on her recalled Ford vehicle the consumer stated when she called the dealer to inquire about a recall, she was informed there was a recall. However, the vehicle had already been repaired in another state in December 2010. The consumer stated the vehicle has been no further than West than Missouri. The consumer referenced recall # 09V399000.

- Willow Hill, IL, USA

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