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 don't understand how this could happen. I live in Southport, NC. I rarely gets cold here. I wake up and notice that my panel under the rear glass is cracked all the way. Had to call the dealer because afraid that the window might fall out or the window will crack also because the thing that held it in place will fall apart.
The panel under the the rear window (the one they have a recall on because it can fall out) has an eight inch crack from top to bottom. Cracked for no reason. This has to be a factory defect and because not enough people have complained about it they won't fix it. Said it will cost me 350.00.
- tsmgrant,
Chesterfield, MO, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I don't understand how this could happen. I live in Southport, NC. I rarely gets cold here. I wake up and notice that my panel under the rear glass is cracked all the way. Had to call the dealer because afraid that the window might fall out or the window will crack also because the thing that held it in place will fall apart.
- Shelley W., Southport, NC, US