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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:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2002 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #2

Jul 182002

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

While driving at highway speeds headlights went out. Dealer has replaced head lamp control and head lamp relay.

- Glenn Heights, TX, USA

problem #1

Sep 012001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, headlights tend to be dim, making it difficult to view front of vehicle, mechanic has adjusted headlights twice; however, headlights tend to set back in dim mode.

- Dozer, AL, USA

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