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 am very upset that my vehicle will just crack without any reason other than FORD makes bad vehicles. Ford should be more careful and test their products before they put them out in the market and if they do fail they should be liable for the repair. This is the last time I will ever ever buy anything Ford. Ford got me twice, I will not let them get me a third time.
Well... here we go again! After swapping my explorer out with another explorer 2 months after purchasing the first one. I had a terrible time getting an exhaust issued resolved.
Just another example of a poorly engineered vehicle. What idiot designs a plastic panel that adheres to a glass panel that expands and contracts with seasonal changes. Duh.... Ever heard of molecules stupid and what they do when heated or contracting? I have seen three explorers in my neighborhood alone that have the identical vertical crack from the bottom to top just across the ford emblem.
Seems kinda ironic huh. "Ford coming apart from top to bottom"
Well fellas looks like you have manged to build another POS that you refuse to accept has flaws.
Oh by the way.... if you think this isn't a problem then why are all of the new model explorers not designed in the same manner?
Anyone else think we can attribute this to the altercation of the hinges that were recalled earlier in 2004?
I found a crack on the rear panel under the window of my 2002 ford explorer.... Ehen I called the dealer they told me there is nothing Ford can do for me, but that they will fix it and it will cost me $200. I feel Ford should take care of it.
I just discovered the same crack that everyone else has. Some how all of us effected should compile a list of VIN's on these cars. If ford was presented a list that had a very close range of Vin's we could get them to do something about the problem. Having restored older Fords you find problems can be traced if a pattern of VIN's is established.
- Robert C.,
Marietta, GA, US
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I just turned my car into the dealer with the cracked back panel under the window. I refused to pay for it. They told me it wasn't under warranty and there was no recalls on it but KNEW the problem. The part is $60.00 but wanted to charge me $284.00 to replace it. I told them I would fight it with Ford Motor Credit. So any of you who are returning the vehicle with this problem I suggest you get it fixed on your own so you can pay less unless you are willing to fight the with the credit company.
Same problem as the others, two cracks one on each side of the center line of the rear plastic door panel. Each starts at the top and extends down. The passenger side is about 6-7" and the drivers side is about 4-5". This started about 2 years ago and has continues to grow. Because of frustration dealing with Ford on several other issues with this vehicle I never dealt with the dealer on this one. Mainly, because every time I go to the dealer with problems, I leave there with an elevated blood pressure! I figured I should post though, since so many others have the same problem. Frankly, I just can't wait for another year or two (if it lasts that long) to get rid of it and buy a real SUV. For me, this is the last Ford I will ever buy in my lifetime.
This is the second time this panel has cracked. The first time happened about the time of the recall on the latch. Now this time was on January 29, 2007, 3 months after my extended warranty ended. I have never owned a car that just cracks for no reason. Doesn't that seem defective to you? I began searching for a place to complain or ask questions, and then I found this site and there are 64 other complaints to date for this exact problem. I have posted my issue online with www.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov. Everyone needs to register their complaint so it can be investigated as a defect from the manufacturer. I can't believe after paying $37,000.00 for an Explorer Limited and owning it just 5 years now with 45,950 miles, this should have happened to this vehicle.
Noticed crack Jan 30 2007. It is below the window and to the right of the Ford insigna. Took it to Ford dealer and was told they would nothing about it and it would cost about $400.00 to have it fixed and they just happened have the part in the shop[1l2z-78402a30-captm] some other poor ford customer had ordered the part and found another way to fix it. I told them with that type of Quality it was easy to see why ford is in deep trouble. My salesman showed up and I as he knows me from buying Fords for the past 30 years wondered what the problem was, I told him and Reminded him I had planned on buying 2 cars this year but sure as HELL would not be Fords
The panel below the rear window cracked top to bottom and separated about an 1/8 of an inch. No way to fix has to be replaced. Rear door and window have not been opened in weeks. Got to about 10 degrees in St. Louis last night. I came out side and the crack was there, visible as can be.
The Ford Service guy told me they see it all of the time. When I asked him if Ford was going to fix it, his comment was "What do you think".
A body panel should not separate into 2 pieces on a modern car. I am an engineer and can think of no term other then design flaw to describe this. I have photos, the estimate from the Ford Dealer and a letter set to go off to Ford executives. I do not expect a response.
Ford Should not expect me to respond by buying my next car with them.
Paul A. Young
Senior Vice President and Director of Operations
LDP Engineering
16476 Chesterfield Airport Rd
Suite 140
Chesterfield, MO 63017
636-787-0032 x12
The plastic applique panel below the glass on the liftgate has developed two vertical cracks, approx 1/8th" in diameter running the length of the panel (approx 5 inches) to the left and to the right of the "Ford" emblem. These developed spontaneously over time one after another. There was no collision or other trauma to trigger these cracks. I noticed the same condition on several other 2002 ford explorers simply driving around town. Ford should repair, free of charge, this problem which is most obviously a manufacturer defect.
I reported my cracked panel to the dealership (Lilliston Ford in Vineland) and directly to Ford. Both insist that because my vehicle is no longer under warranty, the cost (571.60) is my responsibility. WRONG! This is clearly a design flaw and Ford's responsibility. My car now sports two colorful placards denouncing my dealership. I am also in the process of contacting the consumer complaints depts. of every local tv station, the better business bureau, and anyone else who will listen. I guess my dealership thinks it's more costly to fix my vehicle than to repair the negative publicity I intend on generating. We'll see...
I live in Colorado and discovered a vertical crack on the right side of the Ford logo on the rear lift gate. Two weeks later another one appeared on the left side of the rear lift gate. I was told by a local dealer that this was common but I had to pay to get it fixed. This is ridiculous -- especially since this was replaced in a recall two years ago!
Ford Explorer in the cold climate of Atlanta........ what's the deal Ford??? You know you have an issue an literally 1000's of dis-satisfied customers - FIX YOU PROBLEMS or take a further downward shift to your annual sales. How can the cold effect a body panel like this with the modern materrials that you have to hand, whoops, of coarse, a good quality material may cost an extra few cents right??? I actually work for a company who supply you parts, I know how you work, try looking after your damn customers if you want to keep any. As for me, has anyone taken a look at the new Tahoe? What a fine example of REAL engineering, you couldn't shove an Explorer far enough up your a$$ for me!
Ok, like all the others. I bought my Explorer 1 1/2 years ago used, had this fixed before I agreed to purchase it, now it is back again. Of course, dealerhsip says nothing they can do. Unlike some of the other complaints, I have had several Fords. Older models, no problem. This one just keeps continually having unexplained problems that Ford will not deal with. If I had bought it new, would probably be a different story. I love the car, but wish it didn't have all of it's problems. By the time I have it for 2 years I might as well have paid for a brand new one!
The problem is my 2002 Ford Explorer rear window liftgate, my panel below the rear window is cracking for no reason, I do not use is part of the liftgate, after doing some research on the internet I found over 100 owners with the same problem. This is a design, material and engineering Safety problem that will allow the rear window to fallout or explode when operating the door or normal driving of the vehicle . Ford Motor Company should replace the panels at no charge to the owner of 2002 and up Ford Explorer with this tailgate design. To all with this problem please contact the National Highway Traffic Administration at nhtsa.com, Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc. gov and Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.com.
I'm having the same problem, my panel below the rear window is cracking. This is a design and engineering problem from Ford Motor Company. Ford should replace the panels at no charge to the owner of 2002 and up Ford Explorer with this tailgate design.
02 Explorer. Cracked panel in the back under the window. Inverted Y shape. A so-called "stress crack". Called insurance company and got quote and waiting. Will be taking to Ford this weekend, not hopeful though. Entire family and extended family has traditionally bought from Ford. No more Fords for any of us with the problems I've had and the non-response from the Ford dealership.... (Regan Ford, Inc. in Haverhill, MA)
CLASS ACTION!!!! Anyone know how we go about it? Please respond with websites and/or phone numbers. Let's all badger them until it's an official recall. This is absurd.
It seems this is endemic for I have seen several vehicles with similar problem on the streets. I decided to check on the internet thinking I would be alone but much to my surprise it seems there is a design flaw in the liftgate panel.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Not sure how it happened but after coming out of the car wash I noticed a crack below my rear window on the passenger side below the hatch window
- Janice C., Cincinnati, OH, US