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.
I had the problem as "radracer3580" a few days ago. When attempting to start my Exploder (spelled this way on purpose) all the gauges would fluctuate wildly and the vehicle made a rapid clicking noise.
Problem was related to the battery which had less than 200 cold crank amps on a full charge. Replaced the battery and now all is well.
while driving today all of a sudden the abs light came on then the airbag light came on minute later , after that the radio was going nuts it was turning on and off, the power windows were very slow to go up, the truck would not accelerate , was losing power then battery light came on and engine died , tried to restart and only got heavy clicking , had it jumped it started up fine , abs and airbag lights still on but no battery light but when I went to turn the lights on it died again . i just had a brand new battery put in few months ago and never had a problem like this before.
I called my brother the mechanic but he is out of town and cant look at it. should i just go and replace the battery and alternator ??
- radracer3580,
Staten Island, NY, US
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I had the problem as "radracer3580" a few days ago. When attempting to start my Exploder (spelled this way on purpose) all the gauges would fluctuate wildly and the vehicle made a rapid clicking noise.
Problem was related to the battery which had less than 200 cold crank amps on a full charge. Replaced the battery and now all is well.
- Brent H., Syracuse, UT, US