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 bought this vehicle with a cracked rear panel. I have owned it for 1 1/2 years and now it has 4 large cracks from top to bottom.
FORD TELLS ME THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO BE FIXED CORRECTLY, or it can be repaired for $250. In my opinion this is a very poor design and will continue to be a problem.
Update from Nov 13, 2014: I fixed the back panel that cracked on 9/13/2007 with an out of pocket expense of $250. This panel at the bottom of the glass on the rear hatch cracked again within a year.
there is no reason for that rear panel to break . i love the style and appearance of my explorer , but this problem and other relatively minor problems that ford won't stand behind makes it easy to mistake this well built vehicle for a piece of junk.
So I am not the only one with a cracked panel below the rear window. Very interesting. This is my second explorer and I do like them but I am not sure about future purchases. I was probably going to buy a Focus and a Ranger in the next 12 months but am not sure now.
A crack on the back panel. I called Ford to report the problem and they said there are not many complaints to have it recalled. When I go down the road I see a Ford explorer I look at the back and there is the crack. People out there start complaining about it.
- tinkraft,
Dover, PA, US
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We have been back and forth with ford dealerships to try and have this fixed - they suggested it was our problem and caused from closing the hatch too hard - well then I guess a lot of people close their hatch too hard! what jerks!
THEY SHOULD RECALL AND FIX IT - it it obviously a defect - duh!!!!!
Came into this site to report problem with my transmission but noticed that others also had the panel under rear window crack - another Ford Quality Part - Go Ford
The 2002 Ford explorer that my wife and I own was purchased new. A crack developed from top to bottom on the panel under the rear window about 3 inches to the left of the Ford emblem. No damage or abuse caused this "defect." My dealer and Ford Corporate will do nothing. I am willing to join any class action suit to resolve this problem as Ford continues to deny that this is a defective part.
Same situation as everyone else has mentioned. Crack appeared out of nowhere, dealer will only fix if I pay for it, Ford won't help. At Ford Motor Company, "Quality is Job 1" - what a bunch of garbage. No wonder this company is going down the crapper. Apparently the company is run by a bunch of myopic morons.
About a year a go I noticed some small lines on the panel below the rear window. Today there are at least 5 cracks that are very visible. I am in total agreement with everyone here. Class action suit is an altervative. I live in Hawaii with a temp. of 60 to 90 degrees and have seen multiple explorers with the same problem. Shouldn't happen in such a mild climate or any climate at that. Called Ford consumer help line and was told to get an estimate from a dealer and that they have been recieving numerous calls on this problem. Went to one of the local dealers for a quote and they didn't even call me back. Looks like this might be my last Ford!
This is just getting silly at this point. You would expect by now there would be someone intelligent enough at Ford to say: "Hey, this small plastic panel could actually result in us losing real money from future car buyers." So, why don't we display the impact that their inaction could potentially have? I'd be willing to start and circulate a petition that lists names, addresses and dollar amounts shelled out to purchase our flawed vehicles. The total that FMC would be losing next time (not to mention, years to come) we go looking for vehicles might shake someone in a decision-making capacity into reality. Please let me know if you'd like to participate.
A year ago I noticed that the back panel under the window had broken. I called Ford and they said that it is not covered under anything and had not been recalled. Mine is sort of jagged and I'm afraid we will get cut on it. Since ours I have noticed about 1 out of 10 explorers I see on the road now have the same problem. I talked to the dealer again in May of 2007 and he said it might be recalled in a few months.
I agree with everyone and we should definitely start a class action suit, I have a 2002 XLT with the cracked panel and I have noticed many other ford's same year and model with the same cracked panel. Need to research on how to get a class action suit started! Let me know if anyone has proceeded and I will keep you all posted on what I find out
After getting the back hatch recall fixed finally in October 2006 I noticed in April 2007 I had 3 vertical cracks from the glass downwards about 3-4" long. This is very frustrating as it is a defect and should be fixed by ford.
... cracked basically the same as everyone else. Mine first stared small when it was 11 degrees out after closing the lift-gate and quickly grew into 3 splits from the top of the panel, around the emblem, to the bottom of the panel.
This crack showed up out of blue and is all the way across the panel. The panel is cracked in two. This is obviously a factory defect and Ford needs to own up to it!
A second crack in the back panel of my lift gate appeared while my vehicle was being simultaneously serviced for the RECALL on the lift gate hinges.
I am ONE FORD vehicle OWNER who REFUSES to accept FORD MOTOR VEHICLES' FAILURE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE NUMEROUS OTHER FAILURES, IN MY OPINION, THAT FORD CONTINUES TO MAKE EVERY DAY.
Not only is the windows $ucked up now the piece of sh*t ford exploder has a crack below the rear window on the panel like i reported before DONT BUY FORD PRODUCTS THERE SH*TTY AND DONT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT!
I am somewhat relieved that other people are having similar issues. I was surprised to just come back one afternoon from dirt bike riding to find this panel cracked. I know i did not drop anything against it. Just the other day it cracked the rest of the way down the panel. It would have been nice if these things came painted. I would be somewhat inclined to replace it, but the hassle factor of finding someone to paint it seems hardly worth while. I guess I could experiment and shoot it myself. At least I know that there will not be any water issues since this panel is just covering a piece of glass.
This is another example of why US auto manufacturer are losing market share to the foreign manufacturers. Take some of the fat bonuses that the top executives are getting and use the money to repair these obvious defects in design and workmanship, i didn't read where Ford was honoring a lapsed warranty to repair these at no expense to owner
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought this vehicle with a cracked rear panel. I have owned it for 1 1/2 years and now it has 4 large cracks from top to bottom.
FORD TELLS ME THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO BE FIXED CORRECTLY, or it can be repaired for $250. In my opinion this is a very poor design and will continue to be a problem.
Update from Nov 13, 2014: I fixed the back panel that cracked on 9/13/2007 with an out of pocket expense of $250. This panel at the bottom of the glass on the rear hatch cracked again within a year.
- Rick P., Hamilton, OH, US