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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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
42 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,565 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 3 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #126

Feb 112006

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

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

: the contact stated the vehicle's lift gate strut disengaged, it fractured the glass and the glass shattered. There was a recall on the NHTSA campaign #04V442000, concerning the lift gate and attachments. The recall work was preformed; although, the remedy did not repair the problem. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for inspection and repair.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

problem #125

Dec 042005

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles
The contact had NHTSA recall campaign 01I010000 repairs performed on the rear liftgate glass in February 2005. Then, the rear liftgate glass shattered when he shut the liftgate. He contacted the dealer and manufacturer, and they offered no free remedy.

- Blue Bell, PA, USA

problem #124

Nov 232005

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ford replaced hinges on back window 3 times per safety recall before getting it right. Now, the panel on the bottom of the window is cracked in several places, the service department claims it is not related. Ford body shop says it is.

- Sykesville, MD, USA

problem #123

Oct 032005

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

I was driving my 2002 Explorer at a low rate of speed and the back window blew out. Just spontaneously blew up, sending glass throughout the vehicle. In April 2005, the car was recalled for a back gate glass problem. The dealer says it was fixed. Now, six months later, the glass just blows up and causes damage to the back gate. This is odd and frightening. Had my children been in the third seat, they would have been sprayed with glass and injured. Luckily, I had just left them off at school. Please look into this matter for us.

- Laguna Hills , CA, USA

problem #122

Jul 072005

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles
Consumer stated he received a recall 04520 in 10-04. Consumer called the dealer numerous times. They put him on a list and indicated they would call him back. In 2-05 he received a card from Ford stating dealer could now order parts for his vehicle. He called the dealer, and they said they didn't have the parts, and they will order them. The dealer said again he would be put on a waiting list. The recall was on liftgate back window brackets. That was six months ago and they still haven't called consumer.

- Barnesville, PA, USA

problem #121

Jun 242005

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rear hatch hinges popped off of bolts, known problem, recalled some vehicles, did not notify every owner. Will not pay for repairs.

- Dayton, TX, USA

problem #120

Jun 172005

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Contact stated there was a recall on the liftgate strut, and repairs were done. But on three different occasions the part popped off, on the fourth occasion the part broke again. Ford refused to pay for another repair.

- Lawrence, KS, USA

problem #119

Jul 012003

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
The complained started in 10/04. Received a recall notice. Took the vehicle to the dealer, and parts were on back order. Called the dealer numerous times to check on the parts. The liftgate busted on the vehicle due to not having the parts installed. Dealer didn't have the parts on 12-30-2004. December 31, 2004 consumer went to the dealer, and the dealer wouldn't get the consumer a rental car.so they stapled plastic over the back of the vehicle. Consumer made several phone calls to Ford asking for a rental car. They wouldn't give one to consumer. The glass was replaced in March, but still was not fixed correctly. A light appeared indicating a door was ajar, and it was always the liftgate. And couldn't open the driver's side door. Consumer could not get the dealer to help fix the vehicle correctly because it cost the dealer too much to fix the vehicle the first time.

- Stapleton, GA, USA

problem #118

Mar 312005

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was parked in front of the residence and driver lifted up the liftgate and glass shattered. Driver took the vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the liftgate glass needed to be replaced.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #117

Dec 152004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Recall campaign 04V442000 concerning rear liftgate glass. Consumer was unable to get the dealer to honor this recall since mid December 2004. Dealer kept insisting that no parts were available.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #116

Oct 012004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

The consumer received recall campaign #04V442000 in October of 2004 regarding the liftgate. She continued to contact the Ford dealer and the manufacturer. The recall repairs had not been performed as of yet because there were no parts.

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #115

Jan 012005

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Recall campaign: The consumer received a recall notice on the strut mounting brackets (04S20) but hasn't been able to have them replaced due to lack of parts. (recall# 03V094000)

- Amboy, IL, USA

problem #114

Dec 202004

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
NHTSA recall campaign 04V442000; Ford issued a rear liftgate recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but the vehicle was not repaired in a timely manner. As a result, the liftgate broke. Manufacturer was contacted by owner.

- Jonesborough, TN, USA

problem #113

Sep 142004

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The panel that holds the back glass up is in the liftgate cracked. This may cause the glass to fall out while driving. Dealer was notified.

- Newburyport, MA, USA

problem #112

Oct 202004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
NHTSA recall campaign 04V442000 concerning rear liftgate glass. No parts available.

- New Hartford, CT, USA

problem #111

Feb 022005

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
NHTSA recall campaign 04V442000/rear concerning liftgate glass. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. However, both hinges were fractured, and the glass fell out of position.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #110

Oct 212004

Explorer

  • 51,000 miles
No parts were available for recall 04V442000 concerning rear liftgate glass. Sarasota Ford, 941-366-3673.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #109

Oct 012004

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
Consumer stated a recall for the liftgate has was issued. When the consumer attempted to set up an appointment dealer stated the part was not available, and they did not know when it will be available.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #108

Oct 152004

Explorer

  • miles
The parts to perform the rear liftgate recall 04V442000 has'nt been available for 3 months, and the dealership didn't know when they would become available.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #107

Dec 302004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Crack in rear liftgate due to the misalignment of the hinges which led to the window not being able to close correctly.

- Selma, NC, USA

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