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.
8.1
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$820
Average Mileage:
88,900 miles
Total Complaints:
181 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace wheel bearing (78 reports)
replace bearing and hub (45 reports)
replaced wheel bearings (34 reports)
not sure (14 reports)
replaced causual part, and surrounding parts (3 reports)
replaced the following wheel bearings, tyrod, caliper, rotor (3 reports)
I had my front wheel bearing and my back wheel bearing go bad at the same time. This ended up being my birthday present from parents. Nice, huh? If only I had known that my car had a birthday surprise in store for me of the a/c quitting maybe I would have saved my present for that. WORST CAR EVER. And to make matters worse, NO ONE wants this car. Not even the dealerships. I have been offered between $5000-5500 as trade in value. Too bad I still owe over $8000. Never, never, never again. I only hope this forum will help others in the future to steer clear of this horrible piece of machinery. I bought this car used from a private seller and she informed that a month prior to me purchasing it she had the transmission completely rebuilt and gave me the receipt for over $800. Unfortunately, that should have been a tell tale sign right there.
I got a 2002 Ford Explorer 4x4 AWD and got it in March of 07. Well, the beginning of January I had to go pick up my paycheck on 37th N. and Rock Rd and on my way home (Hoover and MacArther) my car started wobbling really bad. So I had to get off K-96 and go all the way through Wichita going 30 mph which seemed like it took forever (knowing how fast I drive...lol...). Anyways, I barely made it home and then found out it was the passenger side back tire...(for those of you who know about cars, it was the knuckle, hub, and wheel bearings). I called around and they were about and was told it was 265.00 brand new for all the parts I needed so I went to Mel Hamilton Ford and ordered it cuz that was the cheapest I found. (It also took a while for me to order it cuz I had no money to fix it). It sat in my garage for 2 months before I got it fixed. Well, come to find out the 256.00 was JUST the knuckle (which has to be ordered from the dealership, the auto parts stores don't sell them and the salvage yards didn't have them all over Kansas, I know, cuz I called every salvage yard in Wichita, Wellington, Haysville, Wenfield and they checked in the computers. The part that came in was not the right part plus it wasnt all I needed that I was told, So the manager got the parts I needed at no additional cost. Thank God! Cuz I got the parts home and checked the prices and it came up to over $600.00 for the actual parts I needed! So I came out good on that.
Well, Monday (yesterday) I took Garrett to school and on my way home it starts to freakin wobble again.... (I knew that it was the front driver side but was not sure, but when Gary changed the brakes Saturday he couldn't find anything wrong with the driver side) Anyways, as I was saying, it was wobbling again. I had to go under 30 and he goes to school at South and so it was about 10 miles and took me again forever to get home. Anyways, when I got home I looked under the carriage and found out it was actually the front passenger side. Gary got the tire off and thank God.... we don't need another knuckle just the hub and wheel bearing assembly (in laymens terms, not that expensive). So we'll see how much I have to pay for the hub and wheel bearing assembly. Usually the front is more expensive than the back. Oh, I might need an ABS dilly cuz Gary smashed the wire, so I don't know how much more that will cost me. Dorky guy!
Anyways, that's all I got to bitch about on that, for now. If you got any hints or suggestions, let me know.... All suggestions except for trading it in (cuz we will end up doing that at a later time), or buy anything other than Ford (cuz that is what we are gonna NOT get next time), or go to a different dealership (which that's what I'm planning on doing...lol...). Before Gary and I got divorced in 2004 we went to this place and got a Bonneville and within a year the damn motor blew, and now this Explorer breaks down within a year.... jeesh!
I couldn't believe it when it was one thing after another on this car. Especially for only being 5 years old! Took the car in for one sound and got a call for the fix being 2400 dollars. I thought what the hell. Turned out all four wheel bearings and the four wheel drive module needed to be replaced. We didn't even have 85000 miles on the car. I had a 92 explorer and never even replaced the bearings. This is a piece and needs to be recalled. The mechanic at Ford even admitted that this was a problem with this year and model. It makes me so mad that Ford knows about this and does nothing. Now the transmission is slipping so I am sure that will go out soon. Obviously it will take gross negligence and a fatality before anything is done about this safety issue. Pathetic!!!!!!!
Replaced complete hub assemblies and bearings both rear sides!!! My mechanic is ready to strangle me. He is begging me to drive this car off a bridge. The car continues to sway and by June 2007 I am buying the rear sway links to match my bearing set. This car is the pits. It is just plain dangerous to drive. Do not buy an Explorer.
- Nancy D.,
Wellston, MI, US
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Replaced the right wheel bearing due to noise (roaring sound) in January 2008 and today (03/03/08) I am being told I need to replace the left wheel bearing. What are the chances of that. I was just told only my right bearing was the problem in January.
summer 07 replaced both front bearings and hub, brake pads and rotors due to
rolling grinding sound. Had already replaced all 4 tires. 2 weeks later had to replace
left rear wheel bearing and hub. About $4500 so far. February 08 noise from rear . Replaced both rear wheel bearings and hub and brake and rotors. Another $1800 at
Ford. Now 4 wheel drive control module no good. Replacing tomorrow about $500.
Will keep for now based on the fact that I can never recoup $$$ for repairs. NEVER
This bearing is the rear left. Estimate $500. Three weeks ago it was the Front Left bearing $500. Last June it was the Rear Right - $900. I'm told that I ought to replace the Frond Right. The Explorer has 95000 on it. I'm going to try to sell it before I dump more money into this dreaded car. Unless Ford comes up with a way of making these issues right I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN.
here i am again almost a year to date right wheel bearing gone again cant be warrantied because went bad last time on trip to florid. I cant have it towed to Virgina. again my whole family in the car going to benefit breakfast we didn't make it there !!!! thanks ford for not recalling you problem. you put my family in harms way for the last time!!!! when I get the truck back from service i will be trading it in ,but guess what I won't be buying a new ford and i will tell all my friends and customers about you failing to do your part to keep my family safe. I hope many people read this not only to hurt you but mainly to keep them safe.
HEARD LOUD ROARING NOISE COMING FROM BACK REAR TIRES. HAD EXPLORER CHECKED TO FIND OUT THAT RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS ALMOST READY TO COME OFF EXPLORER. AFTER DOING SOME LOOKING AROUND ON THE WEB I FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ARE ALSO HAVING THESE HUBS/BEARINGS WEARING OUT VERY EARLY (50-70K MILES). THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE EXPLORERS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. AS A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER I AM REALLY PISSED THAT FORD ISN'T RECALLING THESE WEAK BAD BEARING/HUBS. I WAS TOLD EVERYONE SHOULD PUT IN A COMPLAINT TO THE http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ WEB SITE TO GET THEM TO RECALL THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. IF FORD DOESN'T STEP UP AND RECALL THESE EXPLORERS THEY ARE GOING TO EVEN LOSE THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS LIKE US. PLEASE GO TO THE http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ AND POST YOUR PROBLEMS.
i have one side fixed and now the other sides are doing the same thing. Ive driven 25 miles since i had it done , I've asked if there's a recall and no one seems to know here in my hometown. so i called and didn't have time to talk so got on internet. I saw there's been recalls on hubs and bearings. i have little kids and don't want them in the car 'cause i cant replace lives, but can a car. I want help cause I've found more things on here that have recalls and I've never been told about them. Local dealerships don't even tell me about them. SO WHAT DO I DO TO GET HELP GETTING THIS TAKEN CARE OF?
I was surfing the web for 2002 Ford Explorer Wheel Bearings and immediately found this web page. To my surprise I see I am not the first nor will I be the last complaining about wheel bearing issues. I read all of the bearing complaints and mine is very similar to the one issued on 9/24/07 #28. My first failure happened in August 2007 with the vehicle under extended warranty. The left front and rear failed. This is my wife's car and, as always, we take excellent care of our vehicles. Now the repair was done at the Ford shop where we bought the vehicle. Today 12/13/2007 the Explorer is back in the shop for the right side bearing replacements and the vehicle is out out of warranty. I agree with the
complaints made about these wheel bearings. My concern is putting new OEM parts
Left front tire has been making noise. Seemed like tire out of balance. Kept getting worse over a few months until it sounds like a plane taking off and the steering wheel began to vibrate. Took to private mechanic this morning. Left front bearing/hub assembly is shot. 2 hours to disassemble so far. Part is about $300 from Ford dealer. Mechanic tells me the other wheel bearings are also loose. Right now he says we can limit repair to left front but must do the other three ASAP. We also need brake pads on front and estimate is $600-$700 for both but could be more. Mechanic says front is aluminum and bearings are cast...and that the bearings AND the brakes are not sufficient in design to handle the weight of the vehicle. We have never towed, we have done all recommended maintenance and we have driven lightly. We did NOT hit potholes etc. Our third party extended warranty MAY cover it...the dealership does not know. I am on the way to the NTSB site to file a complaint with them and reference links to every internet site with complaints about this problem. If only NTSB can issue a recall I think they should be pressured until they do! I think I'll buy a Toyota next. Never again another Ford.
My truck has been making this AWFUL noise for approx. 4 months now and I just figured out what it is. I dont have the money to fix this part. So hopefully ford will do some sort of recall.
Gee, and I thought I was the only one with a wheel bearing problem! I just replaced my third wheel bearing (lf, lr, rr) and will more than likely replace the remaining one.
Almost lost the left rear wheel the last time. If this is a significant trend, then Ford
should do something about it. I am considering this vehicle with a Honda pilot.
Got back from Afghanistan, took one trip to NYC and the left front wheel bearing went. I was able to make it back to upstate NY, but spent 475 to get it fixed. With the low mileage, it should have never happened. FORD... Fix Or Repair Daily!!
Wife drove to Olean to visit family. I was flying down the next day. Half way there the left rear wheel bearing went.(my previous complaint was for the left front). She was able to make it to Olean. When I got there I took it for a drive and thought the rear end was going to blow up. Paid another 475 to get it fixed and while that was going on, they found even more problems... on to suspension.
There is a technical service bulletin issued by Ford (TSB 05-25-8, and 051710) which clearly describes the bearing issue to mechanics. Unfortunately Ford refused to address the issue.
While driving vehicle, on a daily basis, noise and vibration began to appear. As time progressed, it got worse, much worse. Took it to a trustworthy transmission shop and it was just as I suspected, bad wheel bearings. Now, $806 later I have it back. Just last year, it was the right rear wheel bearing and axle at a cost of $900. This thing is a money pit. Although my wife loves it, I would never buy another one. Probably never buy another Ford. They know they have wheel bearing problems with this vehicle and they just do not give a damn about taking care of it, Or their loyal customers for that matter. Maybe people need to complain to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration about it. It is a serious safety issue. Someone could get hurt or killed. File your complaint at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I had my front wheel bearing and my back wheel bearing go bad at the same time. This ended up being my birthday present from parents. Nice, huh? If only I had known that my car had a birthday surprise in store for me of the a/c quitting maybe I would have saved my present for that. WORST CAR EVER. And to make matters worse, NO ONE wants this car. Not even the dealerships. I have been offered between $5000-5500 as trade in value. Too bad I still owe over $8000. Never, never, never again. I only hope this forum will help others in the future to steer clear of this horrible piece of machinery. I bought this car used from a private seller and she informed that a month prior to me purchasing it she had the transmission completely rebuilt and gave me the receipt for over $800. Unfortunately, that should have been a tell tale sign right there.
- Heidi K., Wilmington, NC, US