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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.

2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,760 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 (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Mar 212011

Explorer

  • 200,000 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 that the vehicle failed state inspection because the rear coil springs were fractured. The vehicle was repaired by a local mechanic. The dealer was contacted and stated that there were no related recalls to the failure. The manufacturer was not been notified. The current and failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Madison Heights , VA, USA

problem #37

Jan 012010

Explorer

  • miles
2002 Ford Explorer. Consumer states problem with tires the consumer experienced a tire blow on the right rear tire. When triple aaa arrived, the consumer was informed the rear coil spring along with 3 lug nuts had failed. In July 2010, three more lug nuts broke again.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #36

Jul 012009

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact was rotating his tires when he noticed that the rear passenger coil springs had fractured. The contact replaced the coil spring. One year later while having the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic, the mechanic advised that the rear driver and front passengers side coil springs were also fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 139,994.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #35

Apr 272010

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 51,898 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 35 mph and attempting to make a sharp left turn and the rear of the vehicle swerved out of control. He was able to bring the vehicle to a stop without incident and noticed that the passenger's side rear tire was shredded which caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. The mechanic stated that the two rear coil springs were fractured which shredded the rear passenger side tire. The mechanic also replaced the two rear tires, spring set with standard suspension, pinion shaft seal, two rear rims and both rear coil springs. All repairs were made at the owner's expense. The failure mileage was 51,898. Updated 06/29/10. Updated 09/21/10

- Farmingldale, NJ, USA

problem #34

Apr 082010

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle was taken in for service at an authorized dealer when the mechanic noticed that the rear passenger side coil spring had fractured. The failure had occurred on three different occasions prior to the dealer's discovery of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 97,000. Updated 11/9/10 updated 11/16/10

- Salisbury, MA, USA

problem #33

Apr 142010

Explorer

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact heard a noise under the drivers rear side of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the coil springs were breaking off in pieces. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time when the complaint was filed. The current mileage was approximately 96,000. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Greenville, VA, USA

problem #32

Nov 092009

Explorer

  • 47,600 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. Her rear passenger coil spring has fractured. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. Since the warranty had expired, she was ineligible for a free remedy. The failure mileage 47,600.

- Bayside, NY, USA

problem #31

Apr 032009

Explorer

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While changing the brake pads, he noticed that the rear coil springs fractured. The vehicle was taken to a Ford dealer, and the axles bearings, the rack and pinion, and the rear coil springs were replaced at an expense of $2140.56. The failure mileage was 87000. The current mileage was 90000.

- Dover, OH, USA

problem #30

Jun 222009

Explorer

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact heard a loud noise outside of the vehicle. Upon reaching his destination, the contact discovered that the rear passenger side coil spring failed without warning. The vehicle is currently inoperable and has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 96,000.

- New Hartford, NY, USA

problem #29

Aug 272008

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. In the process of getting an oil change, it was discovered that both rear coil springs failed. The failure did not rupture the tires. The current and failure mileages were 140,000. Updated 10/14/08 updated 10/24/08.

- Graysonville, MD, USA

problem #28

Apr 232008

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,979 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving at any speed over a bump in the road, the contact could hear a rubbing sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. While the wheel bearings were being serviced, it was discovered that both the driver and passenger side rear coil springs failed. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 81,979. Updated 06/17/08.

- Somerset, PA, USA

problem #27

May 062008

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change, the mechanic found a crack in the rear coil springs. The contact did not notice any prior failures. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 106,000. Updated 6/9/08

- York, ME, USA

problem #26

Mar 152008

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,400 miles
Drivers side rear coil spring snapped and passenger side rear coil spring snapped in 4 places. Mechanic at midas told me they are seeing alot of these on the 2002 Ford Explorer. Wondering if Ford is doing anything about this. I called there customer service and didn't get anywhere with them.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #25

Mar 212008

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles
Both rear coil springs are cracked/fractured completely through. Spring coils are collapsed onto each other at the location of the fracture. This is should not happen. Springs/struts should lose tension over time but should not completely fail to the point they completely crack into two pieces. Some quick research shows that this is a chronic problem with the 2002 Explorer. This is a safety issue and should be addressed by the manufacturer.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #24

Mar 192008

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The back coil springs on my 2002 Ford Explorer have broken. My sister's, nephew's and a friends has also broken on the same make and model as mine. I would think that there is something wrong for all of us to have the same problem with the back coil springs. I am not for sure if any one else has had this problem or not" will there be a recall on these springs" we have all had to have these springs replaced and they have not been cheap.

- Piedmont, OH, USA

problem #23

Feb 262008

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,562 miles
Took my 02 Explorer to dealer for pa state inspection on 2-26-08. Vehicle logged 79,000 miles. Dealer found both rear coil springs broken at very top of each spring. This failure resulted in the failure of both rear shock absorbers which also had to be replaced. This, in turn, required the replacement of both rear insulators and brackets. This vehicle is not utilized for towing or "off road" activities.

- Cresson, PA, USA

problem #22

Feb 282008

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
Rear coil spring broke last week with only 65K miles on my 2002 Ford Explorer. It has never been off road. I'm told by several mechanics its a common Ford problem. Why is there no recall? I have piece of old spring showing rust. It cost me $500 to repair. Ford says no recall or cust sat program.

- Bethel, CT, USA

problem #21

Jan 172008

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles
Vehicle mileage: 69,000. Loud grinding noise from rear of vehicle while driving on the highway. No previous warning. Required tow. Replaced 2 cracked rear springs, 2 damaged struts, 2 rear wheel bearings. Unusual and dangerous incident for this mileage. We now know it is a "notorious problem" - old parts available.

- Medford, MA, USA

problem #20

Oct 052007

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. During a routine inspection, the mechanic stated that the rear coil springs broke. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the rear coil springs were defective. The mechanic replaced the rear coil springs and there had been no further occurrences. The current and failure mileages were 61,000. The dealer information is not available. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 11/06/07

- Windber, PA, USA

problem #19

Jun 012005

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,835 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The dealer informed the contact that the coil spring on the rear passenger side suspension failed. The dealer did not state the cause of the failure. As of August 1, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The contact stated that the coil spring on the rear driver side suspension failed June 2005. He also stated that the transmission failed at 79,835 miles. The current and failure mileages were 79,835. Updated 02-04-08. The consumer discovered he didn't have 3rd gear. Updated

- Stroudsburg, PA, USA

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