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:
24 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,424 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.
Nar 06/19/2003. There is a reccurring problem with the brakes on the consumers 2002 Ford Explorer. The series of incidents occurred Nov 2, 2002, Feb, 2003, May 5, 2003, and the last time was May 17, 2003 to date. It is evident to the consumer that there is an consistent problem and needs to be fixed. The dealership can't seem to find the source of the problem. Please do further investigations. The consumer stated when he applied the brakes T he vehicle accelerated and continued to move forward
When the brakes were depressed, the vehiclesurged forward. This also occurs when the acceerator pedal is being depressed. The vehicle was serviced several times but the technician was unable to determine the cause. Please provide any additional information.
While driving speedometer would be off by 6 mph. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The vehicle was not in compliance with federal law 49 cfr chapter III section $393.82 for the speedometer which states reasonable accuracy is within +/- 5 mph at a speed of 50 mph. The consumer notified Ford customer service of the problem and asked them to comply with the above code. The customer was denied this service.
I was getting onto I90, floored the accelerator to catch up to speed. The accelerator got stuck in that position, and I couldn't get it to stop. I had both feet on the brake, and my truck was still doing 80 mph. I couldn't get it to stop. I finally put the vehicle into neutral, pulled over to the side, and finally got my vehicle to stop. While I was in the stopped position, my speedometer still was reading 80. Finally it quit on its own. I definitely do not feel safe driving it anymore.
While driving 50 mph, the throttle pedal became stuck in the open position. The driver slammed on the brakes but the vehicle continued to accelerate up to 65 mph. The driver tapped on the throttle pedal until it released and was able to stop the vehicle without incident. The dealer mechanic could not determine the cause of the problem but will further assess the problem by trying to duplicate the problem.
- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA
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My husband was driving home and the car started accelerating on its own. The gas pedal was stuck and he tried braking and it would not stop. He even tried the emergency brake and it would not stop. It finally popped up and stopped. He was very frightened by the incident. We have two small children and he refused to let them ride in it again. Then next day we traded it in on a new car at a huge loss to us. I now find out that Ford has this problem and refuses to do anything about it. The rug did not catch it was nowhere close to it. They won't do anything until many people die and they get sued. Please investigate this before others are hurt.
On one occasion the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration, and the second occasion, while driving at highway speed the vehicle all of a sudden shut down.
While pulling into parking space (right) in parking garage my Explorer experienced a sudden accleration-at full throttle (snapping the steering wheel to the right) (extremely loud revving, whining and another sound like a bad belt screech all at the same time) before the crash. No brakes (pedal went to the floor). Crashed into steel I-beam bending it and cracking concrete pillars. No airbag on impact.
While pulling into parking space (right) in parking garage my Explorer experienced a sudden accleration-at full throttle (snapping the steering wheel to the right) (extremely loud revving, whining and another sound like a bad belt screech all at the same time) before the crash. No brakes (pedal went to the floor). Crashed into steel I-beam bending it and cracking concrete pillars. No airbag on impact.
My family and I were traveling on vacation on July 20,2002. We were driving our new Ford Explorer XLT. I stopped for fuel and was re-entering the interstate. Traffic was heavy so I had to accelerate to about 60mph to enter the traffic. As I made my entrance, I let off the accelerator as I was between two 18 wheelers. I removed my foot from the accelerator and the vehicle continued at full speed almost rear ending the semi. I was applying my brake with all my strength to no avail. The vehicle charged ahead. I steered to the shoulder avoiding the semi and began stomping the accelerator at which time it finally released. My family and I were terrified. I got the vehicle back to my dealer in lexington where it was examined and the position taken that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. "the problem couldn't be verified". I was told to come and get my vehicle that nothing is wrong with it. My wife and daughter are terrified of the vehicle and we can get no relief from Ford. I did contact Ford in detroit and got the same answer-nothing wrong with the vehicle.
Vehicle experiences periods of stalling at low speeds. Applying brakes there is a loss of brakes and steering. No prior warning before stalling. Existing problem 5 times, taken into the delaer. Dealer replaced fuel pump, main control valve body, transmission oil pan, idle air control valve and programmed PCM. Vibration like anti-lock brake system is kicking in. Dealer could not duplicate. Overdrive comes in and out at odd speeds. No problem found.
Consumer has had vehicle in the shop 4 times for the rear window. When the vehicle was coming to a stop it would surge forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to help the consumer with the problem.
While driving 45 mph consumer applied brake, however vehicle would not slow down, cruise control stayed on. Consumer then depressed accelerator pedal, then the brake throttle released.
Consumer stated that the vehicle experienced an acceleration problem, consumer started to brake, however the vehicle would not stop, it started to buck and jerk for about 4 car lengths and then went back to normal.
Consumer stated that the vehicle experienced an acceleration problem, consumer started to brake, however the vehicle would not stop, it started to buck and jerk for about 4 car lengths and then went back to normal.
After removing foot off accelerator pedal, vehicle continues to accelerate, causing extended stopping distance when brakes are applied. Dealer and manufacturer were notified.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Charleston, WV, USA