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.
It started with the side mirror light and dome lights not shutting off when i left my car, I would have to turn them off manually every night. 2 years later my drivers side window would not role down so i did some investigating. Sure enough I found 2 broken wires in the wiring harness coming from the engine compartment into the driver side door. I reconnected and whalla! everything works fine, until about 6 months ago my door ajar light will come on and off randomly. I'm guessing its the same problem. I'll let you know what i find. Also i have noticed not just mine but maybe 6 out of 10 explorers i see have the crack below the rear window...Where is the recall for that?!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It started with the side mirror light and dome lights not shutting off when i left my car, I would have to turn them off manually every night. 2 years later my drivers side window would not role down so i did some investigating. Sure enough I found 2 broken wires in the wiring harness coming from the engine compartment into the driver side door. I reconnected and whalla! everything works fine, until about 6 months ago my door ajar light will come on and off randomly. I'm guessing its the same problem. I'll let you know what i find. Also i have noticed not just mine but maybe 6 out of 10 explorers i see have the crack below the rear window...Where is the recall for that?!
- halligan, Billings, MT, US