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:
33 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
36 / 2
Average Mileage:
82,932 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.
Problems with the transmission, rear axle and seatbelts. (nar) transmission problem was found out to be a problem in the rear differential. Vehicle was serviced also for parking brake not locking in position. Also, consumer encountered a problem with right rear hatch guide for door pin coming apart, and trim on driver's seat bottom was coming loose. In addition, air bag light on dash kept coming on and stayed on.
Anti-lock brake light comes on and you lose anti-lock brakes. The brake pedal pushes to floor was repaired 4 times already. In addition, the airbag is not operating, 2002 Ford Explorer XLS.
Airbag light was staying on. Dealership states they deactivated the airbag system as they indicate no repair is available at this time. The connector is getting moved around and the pins are being spread causing poor contact drivers side.
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.
Car was on a family trip when ABS light came on for no reason. Dealership can not get the light back on. Car was started in the morning and air bag light flashed and then stayed on and the dealership said it was due to a short. Day after it was in the shop for the air bag light the car would not start. Would not turn over. It will be in the shop again. For the third time in 6 months.
Consumer states that while traveling at 40 mph, consumer hit another vehicle that failed to stop at a light. Consumer states none of the vehicles airbags deployed.8jb
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Arlington, TX, USA