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.
4.0
definitely annoying
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
134,250 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
install a neg. battery terminal disconnect (1 reports)
This vehicle is only on the road because of me! I am the one that fought F.O.R.D. and I am the one that keeps fixing all of the stuff that breaks on this vehicle! Five major transmission failures ($3,200.00 ea.) Over a dozen wheel bearing replacements! ($350-$400 each) I do my own repairs now. (parts and labor - all me) If I can't fix it then it stays broken. Nothing that stops the vehicle from moving so far. Tons of other electrical failures! This vehicle was purchased new and is a spare, not a daily driver. It gets used more frequently than anyone would ever imagine. The towing package (flat trailer) is the real gem of this vehicle. IT STILL RUNS!
The negative battery disconnect (part) from Harbor Freight works but requires a tie wrap to hold the bottom connecting plate in place. If you don't use a tie wrap to hold the plates together then when you use the wheel to disconnect the power from the battery then the plate will slip due to gravity and make an unintentional connection. There is a nylon spacer in there to separate the plates. Harder to explain in words but this part/device, works well when the tie wrap is added. This disconnect will prevent all unwanted parasitic draw that will kill the battery over time. A conductance battery tester helps to know where the health and state of charge of the battery. A smart charger is a must to keep the battery charged over time.! By disconnecting my battery with the turn wheel as my vehicle sits it saves my battery from continually discharging. It stops all battery draw.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This vehicle is only on the road because of me! I am the one that fought F.O.R.D. and I am the one that keeps fixing all of the stuff that breaks on this vehicle! Five major transmission failures ($3,200.00 ea.) Over a dozen wheel bearing replacements! ($350-$400 each) I do my own repairs now. (parts and labor - all me) If I can't fix it then it stays broken. Nothing that stops the vehicle from moving so far. Tons of other electrical failures! This vehicle was purchased new and is a spare, not a daily driver. It gets used more frequently than anyone would ever imagine. The towing package (flat trailer) is the real gem of this vehicle. IT STILL RUNS!
The negative battery disconnect (part) from Harbor Freight works but requires a tie wrap to hold the bottom connecting plate in place. If you don't use a tie wrap to hold the plates together then when you use the wheel to disconnect the power from the battery then the plate will slip due to gravity and make an unintentional connection. There is a nylon spacer in there to separate the plates. Harder to explain in words but this part/device, works well when the tie wrap is added. This disconnect will prevent all unwanted parasitic draw that will kill the battery over time. A conductance battery tester helps to know where the health and state of charge of the battery. A smart charger is a must to keep the battery charged over time.! By disconnecting my battery with the turn wheel as my vehicle sits it saves my battery from continually discharging. It stops all battery draw.
- DM W., Ann Arbor, MI, US