suspension problem
7.5
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$420.00
Average Mileage:
73,241 miles
Number of complaints:
15 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace coil spring (15 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Explorer rear coil spring failure
2008Oct 25
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,350 miles
The challenge I have with this piece of JUNK is that there has been no recall on it, but I've found another site that says that we should submit complaints to the Safety Board. I do agree with this, as there are "original" manufacturer parts and they are made to go off road, take the bumps, as well as water that might get "stuck" in their. When we went to our mechanic to have it fixed they told us "This happens a lot." Called 2 dealers and they say "We don't ever see that problem." Now someone is just LYING through their teeth or they don't want to have to pay for the problem. These are definite safety issues and I think it needs to go further. Had an explorer in the past and didn't have this problem before. The cost to fix includes the strutts! What a bogus piece of junk and I let the dealer know.
2008Sep 17
Explorer XLT 6 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
My Explorer has a lot of bounce to it. With about 70,000 miles, I figured it is time for new shocks. This animal takes struts all away around, so my mechanic checked them out. While checking the struts, he found a broken coil spring on the right rear side. His estimate to replace all 4 struts and front realignment is $720. He said the springs need replaced in pairs (rear axle). So, with the two coil springs included will have me a bill of about $1200 (which includes the struts and alignment).
Last week I just had the emergency brakes replaced (they fell apart in the drum). This past June I had to have the transmission (a real piece of junk) rebuilt. Now worn out shocks and a broken spring too !!!
This WAS a great SUV to own until now. I owned many vehicles in my lifetime (many Fords too), but never had so many problems at once with only 70,000 miles. If Ford had any honesty or pride, they should contact us and offer to rebate some of the costs for such a poorly built/designed vehicle (or the parts they used). If Ford or other automakers expect the public to continue buying "American Made" vehicles, then they better start backing up their product and treat their customers better.
I wish someone would start a class-action suit against Ford on this Explorer model to wake them up!!!!
2008Jun 11
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 48,500 miles
i took the car in for a pre road trip check up and had to have brakes replaced; when removing wheel they found i had a broken rear coil spring, never had that happen before;
additionally i had to have the rear bearings replaced as well. i have never had that happen before, (spring) and with only 49000 miles on the car it doesn't make sense. no off road or heavy hauling, this is a family car
2006Nov 22
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
One night when I was driving over to a friends house, I went over a Speed bump... A SPEED BUMP! next thing I know I feel the whole back right end of the car drop, the spring had broken but was still drivable so I ended up driving home and the next day taking it to a shop, they said BOTH of the coils were crumbling into nothing... wtf?? I never towed anything, never went off road with it, just highway driving...
I'm so glad I got rid of that POS!!
2008Jul 10
Explorer XLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
I find it hard to believe that this massive spring would fail. I don['t do any off road driving just primarily on normal paved roads. The US government National Highway & Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA ) has about 30 complaints for rear coil spring failures listed on their site. If you want to file your complaint their the website is http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints
It's free.
2008Jun 03
Explorer XLS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 71,000 miles
Well, we have been getting a lot of road noise.
The tires looked poor, so I sent [I was working] the wife to get new tires,
and change the oil while she is at a shop.
Well after $440.00 for tires, they say for $660.00
they will replace the rear struts[1 leaking] , and the 2 broken rear
coil springs.
So, new tires, we still have the humming noise.
After some Internet searches, I find the Hubs seem to go out a lot on this make, and model.
So now next weekend, I need to get the Jack out and fix this junk Wagon.,
No way am I paying $300.00 in labor ..
I told the Wife Fords Sucked, and she shouldn't get this Explorer.
Now I bet she wishes she listened.
2008May 14
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
china is destroying this country with their junk ass steel ford should learn to stop dealing with this country along with the rest of us
2008Jan 14
Explorer XLT 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
Took the vehicle to the dealer to have three power window fixed, the ABS sensor replaced and the rear window latch replaced all costing about $1,300 They then told me the rear springs are cracked and need to be replaced!
I have gone from a happy Explorer owner to hateful one within a month. I can't believe the quality issues this vehicle has had and judging from this website it is not an isolated incident. My wife and I have only owned Fords and have had 12 of them over the last 28 years and this Explorer has had the most problems. I will be purchasing another make for my next vehicle this summer unless Ford does something to convince me otherwise. Ford, pony up and pay for your mistakes!
2008Mar 20
Explorer Eddie Bauer
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
strictly a soccer mom SUV, broken springs make no sense at all. Have yet to try to get ford to help with this.
2008Jan 01
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
At 95,000 miles, Ford Service advised both rear springs were broken. After having replaced most of the drivetrain by now, this was over the top. The vehicle is used to shuttle kids and has been well cared for and never overloaded. Looking closely, yes the springs are literally crumbling starting at the top. As an engineer, my assessment is this is a design flaw or material flaw. Well beyond warranty, but FORD SHOULD ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL or they will have another Firestone class action on their hands. WHY IS FORD IGNORING THIS SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW? Everyone please check your springs to protect life of you and your family. Advise Ford in writing. Maybe they will wake up. No more Fords for me (Fork Over Repair Dollars).
2008Feb 20
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 62,758 miles
I noticed a noise from the rear axle of the vehicle and it turned out to need both rear bearings. While repairing these, the mechanic noticed both rear coil springs broken. No apparent reason for breakage as the car is driven mainly by my wife and has never been overloaded or used for off-road driving. My mechanic advised that there were recalls for other Ford vehicles with rear coil springs but there apparently is none for this model. This is not the first Explorer that he has seen this problem on. I have never used this vehicle for heavy hauling or towing. I own a heavy duty pickup which does all that type of work. NO WONDER NORTH AMERICANS ARE BUYING NON-NORTH AMERICAN BUILT VEHICLES. This vehicle is supposed to be built for heavy duty work.
2007Jul 21
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 59,000 miles
during the replacement of my left rear wheel bearing, the mechanic found that both rear coil springs were broke. This is bull sh*t. Ford needs to pull their head out of their ass and build a decent product instead of sticking it to everyone with junk. Until this piece of sh*t, I have owned nothing but Chevrolet. I should have never switched.
2007Nov 05
Explorer XLT 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 50,500 miles
Went to a local auto shop to get new pads and rotors. When he took the rear passenger wheel off, he found the broken spring. He was at a loss as to how this could have happened, other than design flaw in the part, since I don't load thousands of pounds inside the car, and don't tow anything heavy.
2007Nov 04
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 36,500 miles
coil spring broke on top was told due to cold and snow,salt come to find out the springs are made in China can only get as of now at Ford
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your suspension problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Sep 18
Explorer XLS Unk
I heard a noise from the car, which happened to be the wheel bearing. I took it to Wal-Mart in Council Bluffs, IA who put it on the hoist, looking for a bad tire. He found the rear coil springs, 2, had broken. I took this to my local mechanic, All Pro in Omaha, who fixed this and the wheel bearing along with all 4 of my brakes all at once. OUCH!
Carol M.
Crescent, IA, USA
SEND A COMMENT »