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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.

2.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,000 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2002 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #1

Sep 152005

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

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

We recently learned from www.NHTSA.gov/ that Ford coil spring problems may not be limited to Windstar minivans. " Ford coil spring problems may not be limited to Windstar Washington, Jan. 31, 2001 -- the national highway transportation safety administration (NHTSA) has upgraded its investigation of 926,000 Ford Windstar minivans after reports that a spring in the suspension system can break and puncture a tire. " we own a 2002 Ford Explorer, [xxx], which has two (2) broken rear coil springs, both occurring at the same time. The springs broke for no apparent reason and the truck is seldom used for hauling; has never been overloaded. The service manager at the local Ford dealership admitted he has seen this before on Windstar and other Ford vehicles, but would not do anything about it, other than repair it at my cost. The cost for the repairs & replacement coil spring(s) was $ $535. The truck was out of commission for three days. The Ford dealership is: Irwin motors union & bisson avenue laconia, nh 03246 thank you for accepting this information and for any assistance you may provide in forcing the manufacturer to stand up to this issue, an issue worthy of a recall due to the safety hazard - the broken coils can cut the tires during travel. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx]. updated 07/18/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Gilford, NH, USA

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