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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:
1 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
123,166 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #49

Nov 232023

Explorer

  • 88,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to coast off the freeway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called an independent mechanic, but the mechanic declined to service the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #48

Mar 012022

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel intermittently seized while driving at various speeds without warning. After finding a replacement part at a salvage yard, the contact had the steering wheel replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that an abnormal ticking noise was coming from the engine with the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #47

May 282019

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
Was driving on hwy and my vehicle just shut down as I was turning off the main road, lost all control of steering. When I raised the hood I saw my radiator smoking and all of a sudden it popped. Had to have it towed in to the shop and was told that the radiator had exploded and the engine seized up! how could this happen? I never even had it to over heat or the light never even alerted me. Just blew up and left me stranded. I was told after the fact that there is a recall on the radiator!

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

problem #46

Oct 252018

Explorer

  • 205,890 miles

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

The radiator started going out on me. I had to fix it twice. The breakes I keep having the continued fixing them every 4 months. Recently October 25, 2019 it started smelling like burnt rubber came thru the air vents. Things with the electricity oe a shortage. With the tires they put wrong tire size. They told me to sign and go because they didn't have my actual tire size. Its always on the smalls streets and on freeway or. Highway it smells like burnt rubber. The owner didn't notify me or bother to tell me it was on recall already.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #45

Jan 222019

Explorer

  • 200,000 miles
I was driving down the highway I went to make a left hand turn when smoke started coming out of the grill, so I pulled over to check under the hood, smoke started boiling out from under the hood

- Morganton, GA, USA

problem #44

May 012019

Explorer

  • 212,349 miles
Motor is over heating after driving for about 30 mins on highway

- Rockwood, TN, USA

problem #43

Sep 102017

Explorer

  • 25 miles

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

The timing belts broke and damage the engine. Truck has less than 100,000 miles.

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #42

Oct 242016

Explorer

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was idling at a stop light, the overdrive warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled several times. In addition, the vehicle was difficult to shift into second and third gear as well as drive, which was when the intermittent stall failure occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was parked and unable to be driven due to the intermittent failures. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Proctor, AR, USA

problem #41

May 042017

Explorer

  • 163,000 miles
Transmission out for 3rd time

- Mccordsville, IN, USA

problem #40

Dec 282016

Explorer

  • 126,000 miles
Door ajar light is always on and alarm goes off constantly from it. Seat belt light is always on even when seat belts are in use. ABS light is always on and off. Always issues with heat and coolant.

- Maspeth, NY, USA

problem #39

May 022016

Explorer

  • 120,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed an abnormal noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Caldwell, TX, USA

problem #38

Apr 112016

Explorer

  • 108,000 miles
Transmission failure.

- Rockland, NY, USA

problem #37

Mar 012016

Explorer

  • miles
Check engine light came on went to a auto repair shop and was given oem code P0442 (evaporative emission system). The scent of gas was present. I changed the fuel cap and issue still remains. Gas fuel tank vapor vent check valve is defective and must be replaced.

- Queens Village, NY, USA

problem #36

Mar 112016

Explorer

  • 123,076 miles
Turned car on to drive it would not start after sever rainfalls until finally when I did the last time after a jump, battery new. It started to make this awful noise like a clanking sound like a chain sound. I took it to a mechanic and he did not know what the problem was, called a mobile mechanic and he said the same thing said it could be a valve or piston problem. From what I hear sounds like a chain. Before this happening the rear window regulators for the rear passenger windows right and left sides broke. Had left side fixed right side not fixed, glass still held with a board inside door.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #35

Feb 112016

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles
I was driving my Ford on the highway and the next thing I know my feet were really hot and black smoke started coming up. Then the black smoke started coming from the engine and I nearly crashed trying to get to the edge of the highway before the fire took over the whole front of the car. Luckily the fire department was right there for another accident. It was incredibly disturbing experience. Luckily my 3 small children were not in the car.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #34

Dec 162015

Explorer

  • 215,000 miles
Car stalled on busy street, then was restarted and lost power. Then fire in engine compartment. Cause is unknown. Car was well maintained. Total loss was not covered by insurance

- Lakeville, MA, USA

problem #33

Apr 142015

Explorer

  • 119,000 miles
My truck began to shake when I stop at stop signs and lights. The service engine soon light came on and would not go out. I got a code reading, there were many fuel ejection issues. I got a diagnostic test today, and was told it could be the fuel pump. When I put gas in, the gas pump gets stuck inside sometimes. Does not come out smoothly. What is going on?

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #32

Jul 112009

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
In 2009 on the way to our family vacation our transmission failed. We had it towed and the transmission replaced with a Ford rebuilt transmission with a warranty purchase. In 2012 this rebuilt transmission failed and we had it taken to a Ford dealer and the transmission replaced with another transmission. This current transmission is exhibiting the same symptoms as the last two did prior to failure.

- Mclean, VA, USA

problem #31

Jan 202015

Explorer

  • 191,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, the temperature gauge displayed signs that the vehicle was overheating. The contact shut the vehicle off, and restarted it but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that there was a crack on the intake manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure was 191,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #30

Dec 182013

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
My 2002 Ford Explorer, since 2013 have blew out sparks plugs three times. The threats of the head are damage.

- Spring Glen, NY, USA

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