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.
8.0
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$300
Average Mileage:
101,100 miles
Total Complaints:
87 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace window motor (28 reports)
not sure (25 reports)
replaced faulty regulator and faulty switch (13 reports)
replace master switch (9 reports)
I won't buy Ford again (7 reports)
find break in red power wire at door hinge and add jumper (2 reports)
This morning I opened my front windows because it was warm outside, and when i got to my destination I closed the windows. When I turned the car back on and tried to open the windows again, none of them would open. I tried the passenger switch, and that one didn't work either. I waited about 5 minutes, and then the two front windows opened after trying them again. So I thought it was fixed, a one time deal. NOPE. now none of them open or close. I suspect the fuse, but in that case, the windows shouldn't have opened after they were dead. I'll check the fusebox, but after reading all the other complaints, I'm not expecting to find anything more than poor Ford manufacturing. Already disappointed in how american car companies run their business, now stooping to new lows by not offering a recall on something that is obviously recall-worthy.
I have replace the driver side regulator twice, the last time was 2 months ago. Now none of the windows will roll down. I am very frustrated. The Ford dealer said these are not related and wants $80 just to look at it. I think it is time for a trade in.
I was at a drive up window, when I realized the window didn't work, so I tried the other windows and guess what, NONE of the windows worked all four went out at once. There was no noise, nothing to contribute to this problem and I was so embarrassed. I had to pull around and go inside. We were not sure about buying a Ford in the first place and well look what we got. I have three small children and one of my concerns is if I get into an accident I just might need to open up a window. I had several auto stores check the fuses they were all good. I thought since there was no recall on this matter I was alone, "till I found this. OMG, we need to file a petition to have Ford pay for this problem. It is NOT our fault this has happened, it is their poor quality manufacturing. My husband works making auto parts and would NEVER let an auto part go through if there was a potential it would hinder the vehicles performance, I just wished he worked with Ford...Ford, I am very displeased with your lack of acknowledgment to this problem being your responsibility. Fess up and make it a "RECALL." You know maybe we could forgive this matter.
- Bob C.,
Crawfordsville, IN, US
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The passenger rear window stopped working and wouldn't go up or down, motor shot. Paid for repair. A few months later the other rear passenger window broke, same thing. We paid for repair. A few months later the driver's side window wouldn't go up or down, motor shot. We paid for that repair. A few months later the passenger front window wouldn't go up or down, motor shot. We paid for that repair. See a pattern here? Nothing was covered!
I was putting my window down one morning to clear the dew away and it got stuck down. I took it to my mechanic and had him put it up for me, but I have to get the motor fixed. I am not a person who have a lot of extra money to spend on car problems, especially when I still making a monthly payment on the vehicle. I will NEVER own another Ford again.
Bought this used, and within one month of purchasing the driver's window quit working. Additional problems besides window motor includes cracked rear panel, wheel bearings ing front and back have needed replaced, jerking or pulsing when accelerating (4WD sensor/module), and other issues outside of new tires, brakes, etc.
Just turned 50,000 miles on my wife's 2002 Explorer... and guess what? The driver's window stopped working. After reading the other 17 complaints, shame on me for buying my third Ford. Never again.
Last year (during the winter) the front drivers side door window regulator (the part that makes the window go up and down) blew up. I could hear piece just explode inside the door. I guess the reason it does that is because there is a cable that can let loose and parts fly loose inside. Anyways, I spent $150 to get that fixed at the Ford dealership. They told me that it would have a 12 month/12000 mile warranty on the new regulator. I noticed after I got the vehicle back there was a rattle in the door. They forgot a part inside my door so I had to go back and have them re-tare my door apart. Then, after I got it back again I noticed the window would barely go up in the cold weather. I mentioned it to them and they told me to come back if it got worse. This winter it was getting so it would take about 20-30 seconds for the window to go up. I was waiting for my next service visit to go in and have them look at it. Before that happened my drivers rear regulator exploded...now they said it would be $200. Stupid Ford design. So I was on my way to the dealership, stopped by the bank first, and went to put my window up and the front was REALLY slow...so I will have them work on that at the same time. However, I guess that last time before I got there the window up/down button fried. So now not only do I have 2 regulators bad but also a switch. Final tally, $150 for the first fix, $200 for the other window, $100 for a switch (they won't cover that, just the regulator, even though it broke because of the bad regulator), and many trips back to the dealership. What a rip off. Ford service sucks!! Never again will I go to them. I have never had such poor service from a car dealership. You'd think you could trust them to be the best at working on Fords...I guess not.
P.S. When they told me that the switch was bad and I needed a new one, I decided to take it apart myself and look at it. The tabs on the bottom were broke off and glued together. They are the only ones to ever work on it so that means they broke it and hid the damage the first time they tore the door apart.
This is the second window motor that has gone bad on this vehicle. The first was the passenger side window that I had fixed for $400.00. Now it is the rear driver side window. Before I fix this one I will trade it for a Honda or Toyota. I have had fords all my life starting with a 1966 Mustang and all purchased new. I have had nothing but problems with Ford since 1994 when I bought my first explorer when the tires almost fell off and now with my 2002 explorer with the windows, transmission, and rear panel crack. Ford you have lost me as a customer. Thanks for the memories and good bye...
I live in the desert now & it is entirely too hot to have the rear driver side window slide down when the air conditioner is on. Gas prices don't help as I hear when the air is on, it burns gas. So I'm wasting money in a lot of ways because of this! The other problem is the damn body has cracked below the rear window in 2 places. I HATE THIS SUV!!!! I've only had it for 2 years & this sucks!
this is the 4th window now that does not work. how do all of the windows stop working and there is no recall? The back window doesn't work either the piece that holds the window up just came off.
all four of the windows stopped working all within a few months of each other and the rear window doesn't work either the entire piece that holds the window open has come completely off.
All 4 of the power windows do not work and all went out within a few months of each other. and the back window doesn't work either the entire piece that holds the window up just came off.
On a cold day I rolled my window down to pour out water from a bottle I needed to use. When I went to roll the window back up...nothing. So I had to drive with the window down, felt like I was in a freezer. Had to turn the heater all the way up and turn all the vents on myself. Once I got home I played with the wiring harness that runs from the body into the door and managed to get the window up, but wouldn't work at all after that. Dealer wants $50 just to look at it.
Ok... so a couple years ago both rear windows quit rolling down. Annoying but I have no kids and rarely have rear seat passengers so I didn't get it fixed. Recently the passenger rear window started working again but yesterday the passenger front window quit working when it was down so I had to have it fixed because it is October and it is starting to get cold. The passenger front window cost $382 and the quote to fix the driver rear window was $335. I only fixed the one that wouldn't roll out.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
can someone out there tell me what you did to fix power windows that just stop working all four. is there a fuse? Relay.
ohh yes.. and'll i'll never buy a piece of crap like a ford.. no wonder american car co. are hurting so bad
- Graham B., Anch, AK, US