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.
6.5
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$450
Average Mileage:
79,300 miles
Total Complaints:
622 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
Ford should pay for it (396 reports)
not sure (86 reports)
paid to have rear panel replaced (48 reports)
file complaint with NHTSA to get a recall issued (26 reports)
start a class action suit and get damages reimbursed (17 reports)
Cracked Ford Explores - Visit and join this Facebook Group for an additional site where you can tell Ford about this annoying problem.
Class Action Lawsuit For This Issue - Looks like there is a class action lawsuit for this problem. I would sign up to show how many of us are having this issue.
Replacement Trim Panel At Lower Cost - Save money on a replacement part at Rock Auto. Use their parts search and drill down to Ford => Your Year => Explorer => Body => Rear. You will see several options listed there.
I'm glad I found this sight, because I thought it was my fault! I just noticed today, that the cracked has spread. It was at first just one crack, and now it's divided into three! I can't believe that Ford hasn't done a recall when there are this many complaints!
I purchased my 2002 Ford Explorer used from a local Toyota dealership in Jan.2007.
It was in perfect condition inside and out,42500 one owner miles(verified by a complete car-fax report).
On July 27th,2007, while washing it on my driveway I noticed a 1/8" wide crack from
the bottom of the rear hatch glass to under the blue oval Ford emblem. Being out of warranty, I just filled in the crack with glossy black silicon caulk,matching the black paint
and decided to live with it .
Then,on Sunday, Jan.6th, 2008, I observed the crack had increased in length from under the blue oval emblem all the way down to the bottom of the plastic panel,with a second smaller crack about an inch to the left. the silicon caulk in the original crack has separated and the new cracks are about 1/8" wide.
After doing a google search and reading many of your similar experiences, it has become very apparent this is just another example of an AMERICAN car maker
selling an inferior product and then, when confronted with it CHOOSES to DENY
2 car manufacturer to Toyota. With their nose in the air attitude, it won't be long
until the Ford Explorer won't be the best selling SUV
Plastic panel below rear window cracked for no good reason what so ever. I know I am not the only one with this issue...I read them on the net and see them on the road.
Why won't Ford take responsibility for all of the complaints that keep coming up time and time and time again?
'02 Ford Explorer rear hatch trim panel cracked yesterday. Wife noticed and called to ask if I'd backed into anything. I had not and upon looking at rear hatch, the panel has multiple cracks at left of emblem. The car is pretty dirty at the moment and there were clearly no marks indicating it had been hit or touched. Only my fingerprints!
While washing my explorer in colder temperature I noticed this crack below the window on the rear panel. A pretty substantial crack. I noticed it practically closes up in warmer temperature. But, thats not the point, this definitely should be Ford's repair. I have garaged this car from day one, I live in Southern California and the temperatures are mild, no salt. This is a joke. I am seriously doubt I will buy another ford after the amount of issues I have had with this one. Frustrating!!!!!
noticed crack in the back and was extremely pissed off because of the fact that it was'nt therea couple of hours before. The crack was very huge any way the weather did get extremely cold but I'll have to wait to see what the Dealer will do, when I called them and reported the problem they said to bring it in to see if Ford would be willing to pay for it. Hoping they will it's a 2002 ford Explorer. Have had it for two years now and I hope that it doesn't become a real pain in my pocket.
I purchased a used 2002 ford explorer in 2004. low millage 18,000 to be exact. that November i noticed a crack on the panel below the rear window. it extended all the way down to the ford emblem. Called my dealer said it was not covered. called ford customer service main office. I was told it was not covered and there was not a recall on it. I was told there were no other complaints of that problem. I suggest they look at the internet on sites like yours how many owners were having the sto see same problem. i was told that what is put on sites is not considered complaints, they are usually people just sounding off. I then said well i am call you and i want something done about this. I was told to add a complaint and it will go into the data base. that i did and still nothing is being done. Now in 2007 i have another crack and they fill with water when it rains ..... one only knows what it is doing to the inside of the lift gate. Ford should make good for this with a redesigned panel since i see that others who have had them repaired are expierencing it again with a another crack in the new panel.If there is a class action in the making please let me know ...... this is not a cheap vehicle.
Cold weather set in one night and when i woke up my panel was cracked. A line starting from the middle of the back glass down to the right side of the ford symbol to the end of the panel then stops. My whole back part of my car fell off one day too and they didnt fix the recall right. If thats not bad my freaking transmission blew up, but thats a different complaint. POS car!
We've had the same problem with the cracked panel under the rear window. Extended warranty did not cover and it happened after I brought my car in for the recall. The cracks are identical on both sides and recently cracked to the bottom and are very wide. It's very unattractive and at first I thought somebody had tried to break into my car! In addition to this problem the check engine light and overdrive lights are constantly flashing or on even after getting them checked out! I really wanted to purchase a Ford Expedition next but there is no way Ford will be receiving my business again. Please contact me if there is a class action suit.
I am very upset that the BODY of the Ford 2002 is only under warranty for 36,000 miles. I will never buy another FORD. This should be recalled. There are antique cars out there whose bodies are intact--why is mine falling apart after 5 years and being garage-kept?
Same problem as everyone else. The piece gets cold (and wet from the rear glass cleaner) and the plastic makes a huge Y-Crack. I talked to the Ford dealership and they gave me an estimate of $350. Talked to Ford customer service and they said they knew of no problems and there are no recalls on the vehicle. The real reason they won't recall it is because there are so many of them to fix.
This is crazy that this many people are having the same problem and Ford hasn't done a recall yet. I haven't done anything with it yet. I guess I should start complaining to Ford. I've had so many problems with this 2002 Explorer, I will never buy another Ford product. My first and last!
I have been watching/reading the autobeef complaints. I also have 2002 explorer with a cracked rear panel under the rear glass. This is utterly ridiculous and an obvious Ford goof and defect. I am in the market for another vehicle, guess what? It will never be another Ford. It is no wonder they are loosing the auto market. Have you driven a ford lately? What a joke. Class action, yes.
As with many of you that may have the same problem Ford will not repair it out of warranty. I took my truck to the dealer, who sent me to his body manager. I began to tell the manager I have a 2002 Explorer and the back window (he stopped me and said it
cracked and the bad news is if your not under warranty you have to pay to have it repaired). It would cost me $300.00 + for them to repair it and they won't guaranty it will not crack again. My truck has 73000 miles and no dents, dings or scratches. He also told me that he has many customers come in with the same problem. Ford will not own up to the problem and won't give the dealer the authority to repair it at no cost to the dealer.
I think Ford should repair this even though it is not a safety issue but there may not be that many owners that have this problem which is a defect in design or material so it woiuld cost them all that much. It is a problem that Ford should own up to and repair it.
Just noticed the other day that the rear panel was cracked completely through. I'm fed up enough with this car that I'm about to get rid of it and buy a Honda before the transmission fails. Of course this issue happens just as I'm about to get it appraised for the trade value.
Ford has lost me as a potential customer with this and other issues. Until I can log into this site, and see 2 complaints for a Ford as I do with Honda/Toyota's, I'm going to be buying those brands.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
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Rear hatch broken at 58,000 miles, no wrecks or bumps, (accident free), bought new in Oct. 2001.
- Gary B., Clintwood, VA, US