Print this page

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.

5.8

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,695 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 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #12

Feb 182007

Explorer

  • miles

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

Paint is blistering and chipping on the hood and fender of my 2002 Explorer. ABS light comes on and airbag light stays on.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #11

Jan 012008

Explorer

  • miles
We own a 2002 Ford Explorer that we purchased used with 40,000 miles on it. Since purchase we have had 3 power window motors go bad, both rear bearings replaced, the back door panel is cracked, the A/C doesn't work, and now it looks as if the transmission is going bad. If so many people with this vehicle have all the same problems how can there be no recall?

- Ephrata, PA, USA

problem #10

Jan 012007

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
On my 2002 Ford Explorer SUV I have had to replace 3 of the 4 wheel bearings and hub assemblies(approx $250 each), with the 4th not far behind. I have also had to replace the 4-wheel drive module(approx $400-$500). I have had problems with the rear window motors going bad and having to replace these too. The air conditioning unit has stopped working. The passenger air bag dummy light has come on for no reason. The seat belt warning chime often comes on and will not go off, even though you have buckled your seat belt. You have to slam the buckle into place for it to go off and sometimes this does not work either. The transmission is now making a lovely clunking sound when shifting from park to drive and when you try to put it back into park, it does not want to. You have to put it up to park as far as it will go then go back to neutral and then into park from there. We have replaced the emergency brake shoes on both sides because they were completely worn off even though we do not use the E-brakes. These problems are just piling up one after another. I went to an internet site that has complaints about vehicles and found that there are hundreds of others with the same problems on their 2002 Ford Explorer of all kinds (XL, eddie bauer, special edition, etc.). why hasn't Ford done any recalls for these problems" does it require multiple injuries or even death for them to take responsibility??"

- Monroeville, OH, USA

problem #9

Sep 302006

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

: the contact stated while driving 55 mph, a burning odor was smelled coming from the A/C vents in the rear of the vehicle. When the vehicle was stopped, the rear vent was hot to the touch and a burning odor was evident. The service dealer and manufacturer had not been notified. Updated 10/30/2006 -

- Lido Beach, NY, USA

problem #8

Jul 232006

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles
Bought 2002 Explorer in 2003 with 12,000 miles. Servicng dealer replaced transmission and torque converter under warranty @ 32,000 miles after O/D light started flashing. Now needs another transmission @ 54,000 miles. Car has always been serviced, driven lightly, never towed, never abused. Dealer will not pay or help out one bit. Ford knows 2002 Explorer have defective transmissions and rear ends, is ignoring problem, leaving consumer to absorb cost! have also had to replace timing chain tensioner, rear windshield wiper assembly, air conditioning unit under warranty. Front and rear wheel bearings needed replacing- out of warranty. Rear end is making classic "humming" sound that Ford is also ignoring-pinion gears.

- Marcellus, NY, USA

problem #7

May 172006

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles
Horrible whining noise coming from rear differential of my 2002 Ford Explorer limited edition. Replaced twice already and now it's whining louder and louder everyday. I refuse to pay for the same repair a 3rd time. I have read many complaints on the web about this problem, along with many other similar complaints. Other popular defects for the new Ford Explorer are cracked rear coil over springs, along with transmission and A/C problems, etc, etc. How many more complaints is it going to take before Ford stands up to their design flaws..."??"

- East Aurora, NY, USA

problem #6

Jul 052005

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 212 miles

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

I brought truck on 02/27/2004. The salesman at bill heard Chevrolet made me sign some papers. In two weeks I had to go back to sign some more papers because they said they had made a mistake. They told me that I would finish paying for the car in three years the cost was supposedly $24,000. In two weeks after that I started having transmission problems. I told the dealership but they didn't want to fixed the problem so I had to pay out of my own money to fix the problem. After that they put an insurance on the truck which brought my payment to $518. My air conditioner didn't function since I brought it. My car has no direction at all. Also, when I run the truck more than 65 mph it just starts shaking. In three months after I brought the car I read the papers and realize that the truck did not cost 24,000 like they had told me it actually cost 37,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 092005

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving down the road the air conditioner quit working. I heard the coolant and compressor still working, but no fan blower on levels 1,2 and 3 level 4 still worked luckily. I also have a howling sound coming from the rear end under light acceleration and hard shifting when accelerating and letting off of the gas during a shift. The air conditioner was caused by a faulty resistor, the rest has yet to be determined. I notice a number of complaints on this site for the same symptoms, a recall should be issued.

- Durant, OK, USA

problem #4

May 202005

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
2002 Ford Explorer experiencing problems with the 4WD, the over drive light illuminates on the dashboard and the vehicle is giving off a rotten egg smell. There were front end problems. The 4WD module wasn't working. The driveshaft and both front wheel bearings were replaced. The rotors were out of round. The service engine light illuminated along with the over drive light. The transmission experienced the same problem on two occasions and possibly a third time. A large puddle of transmission was found under the vehicle. The torque converter was noisy. The acceleration pedal would pull back. When the vehicle was accelerated, it would whine. The left rear wheel bearing was gone and caused damage to the axle, brakes and the tire was barely holding on. The error code for the service engine soon light was due to the solenoid which had been changed before. The A/C was inoperative.

- Morris, PA, USA

problem #3

Jul 202004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,131 miles
13jan03-rear windshield washer inoperative reinstall rear washer hoses. 5nov03-clicking noise from rear A/C; replace motor assembly temperature blend. 5nov03&13nov03-L/R power mirrors inop; fuse blows; replaced mirror rear view outside sail mount 13nov03-fuel guage inop read 1/2 tank but tank was full; 20nov03-instrument cluster fuel gauge inop; 24nov03-removed and replaced instrument cluster; 18mar04-fuel guage inop & L/R power mirrors inop, fuse blows; could not duplicate problem at this time about fuel guage; tested bce for short, traced to mirror switch, replaced switch and blown fuse; 20 July 04-L/R power mirrors inop; replaced fuse; 20 July 04 - rear winshield washer inop; access washer hose and reconnect; 20 July 04- air conditioner not cooling properly; replaced blower motor for poor operation; motor assembly-heater-A/C blower replaced. 20 July 04 - mechanics broke the drivers door switch cover- 23 July 04 -reordered door panel and replaced drivers door switch cover.

- Hopewell, VA, USA

problem #2

Jun 092002

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer stated that every time he cuts on the air condition, it blows out a bad smell.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 172002

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer states of having problems with the air conditioner. Dealer was contacted.

- Shannee, KS, USA

Not what you are looking for?