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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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 #3

Jul 262012

Explorer

  • miles

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

Parked on hill or flat ground it happen before, but the gear shift gets stuck. You can turn the steering wheel right, left to get it to unlock but it want, no locked brakes.but I kept on trying to get my truck in gear to point of doing dangers things as of sticking one foot out of the door and rocking it back and forth.to get the lock to brake but that did not work then I tried again and the gear shift broke a aluminum part on the inside broke and I have saw three more like this and some more reports of this and nothing has been said or done about this, that I am not the only one.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #2

Aug 212014

Explorer

  • miles
I was in a accident on August 21, 2014. Two or more deer's ran out in front of my 2002 Ford Explorer and I ran off the road hitting a pole. It crushed the whole front end and my airbag never deployed. My truck is a total loss and I did have on my seat belt but the airbag should of deployed.

- Georgia, GA, USA

problem #1

Oct 282007

Explorer

  • miles
2002 Ford Explorer lift gate clip on applicator is and has been splitting from top to bottom every time some one closed the lift gate I saw this on many other Ford Explorer and it cost {us -S 300 dollars to install a new one at the dealers shops to repair. Some thing need to be done Ford manufacture need to reimburse to fix this problems now and in the future I cannot afford to fix my Explorer so I am waiting to see if Ford can fix this problem for me and others like me who cannot afford to fix the problem I believe something should be done. Please for a reply at my email thank you sincerely E J.

- Schenectady , NY, USA

Not what you are looking for?