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)
REAR END MAKING NOISE. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WHEN CAR WAS PUT ON LIFT, BACK LEFT TIRE WAS MOVING ALL AROUND. TOLD IT WAS WHEEL BEARINGS-HAD TO ORDER-FIXED THE NEXT DAY. WHEN PICKED UP TOLD THAT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE A SEALED FACTORY PART WHICH DOES NOT USUALLY REQUIRE SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT. ALSO WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE 4TH ONE THEY HAD SEEN IN A 2002 EXPLORER,. MY CAR HAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
Had to replace Front L and Rear R wheel bearings. Problem came quickly, once the problem appeared we brought it to the repair shop within 5 days and the repair man said we were very lucky because the problem was so severe we could have easily had an accident. We could not drive it until it was fixed. Have written Ford about reimbursement and we also have to replace one of the brake pads due to the problem.
Ford. Fix Or Repair Daily. What a piece of . I am done with buying American. I hate to say that because I have ALWAYS bought American vehicles. First problem - front passenger wheel bearing went out - had to buy the entire assembly. Second problem - passenger side rear axle bearing - replacing that today. Then, there is the loud ass whistling noise when travelling at 65+ on the Interstate on a windy day - what's that all about??? I don't even want to know what that is. Also - cracked front windshield. I have seen with my own eyes multiple 2002 explorers with the EXACT SAME CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. It's got to be a defect. Nothing hit mine and it was cracked one morning when I got in the truck -- I park inside. I have to tell you - Ford has lost a customer for life. One that would have been faithful til the end. Hmmm. FORD - Screw 'em.
I just had to replace three wheel bearings at the same time. One went bad while on vacation. Cost over $400 for one. The repair man said as bad as the bearing was it could have fell off going down the highway. Luckily we pulled over for a stop and then heard all the grinding. Both from bearing went bad too. Got that humming noise and knew I was in for a painful experience. I did the work myself and took me two days and about $350. Only got 67,000 miles of light driving. Now the transmission is going out. I service my vehicles religiously and don't tow anything! I wouldn't sell a Ford to Osama!
- M J.,
Muskegon, MI, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Well I wish I would have read all the complaints before I bought this money pit of a suv. I really liked this truck until a few days ago I was in the poconos pa. over 100 miles from my home in new york, on my way back just getting on the highway when I heard this thumping and rubbing noise coming from my rear drivers side wheel . I pulled over thinking the tire had something the size of a grapefruit in it but there was no sign of anything. This noise got worse at around 50 mph but not knowing that the bearing had failed I just when on thinking it was a brake noise. The next day to my surprise after the shop I brought it to told me a few more miles and the wheel would have fell off. The cost to do the two rears is 800.00 dollars well after reading all the complaints I told them to replace the two rears. Never thought that ford would be so cheap as to buld a vehicle with so many defects that are life threathing...
Front wheel bearing hub assembly. Heard some bad noise from the front end so I jacked it up and the right front wheel was definitely crunchy. Fortunately my friend owns a repair shop and had a open service bay that I could do the work myself. Upon inspecting things the drivers side was bad also. This vehicle does not have many miles for a problem like this. I am waiting for the rears to go next. Luckily I did the repair myself or it could have been very costly.
On my way home, hit a pothole -thought nothing of it. They're everywhere. The next day, I started to hear a low noise, like something was caught in the wheel. I checked nothing there. 2 days of this noise on/off turned into a constant grinding noise. Sounded like a metal crunching. I made an appointment for it to get checked. On the way to the repair shop, the passenger rear tire started to shimmy. I was only 3 blocks away. I barely made it. When they drove it in to look at it, the instant they put in on the lift the passenger tire fell off and was hanging by the brakes. The hub bearing, knuckle, brake pads, rotors all needed to be replaced. Cost me $1200+ to fix. The messed up part is I was going to trade it in at the end of the week. Never will I buy a Ford again.
This is the 4th wheel bearing I have replace in 3 years. I have sent letters and emails to Ford. Of course there has never been a response. EVERYONE I meet that has a '02 Explorer has had these issue with the bearings going bad. My family works for Ford and I know I will be disowned, but I will never by a Ford again. "Built Ford Tough".... yea right!
Just like everyone else--- 80000 miles rear wheel bearings failed. Going down the road back noise sounded like a rock crusher! Both bearings are shot, dry as a popcorn fart! I don't have the extended warrantey, I have to fix myself. I didn't even bother going to the dealer, they are useless and glueless!! I need to make a long trip (1200 miles one way) and I have to take my old be up 89 toyota with 240000 miles on it because its so much more reliable. I spent about 4 hours yesterday getting both sides apart. Parts alone looks to be near $400.00. I had to do one of the front ones last year and I also got rear end noises and leaks! Now I know why the lions can never win!!
Front left wheel bearing assembly replaced in July of 2006 - $350. Now (April of 2007) the front right and rear right bearings are bad. Another $700. Bought in 2002 with 3,600 miles. Now a little over 80,000 miles. Some repairs include sway bar bushings, emergency brake shoes/springs/cable, 4x4 module, rear wiper motor, 2 window motors.... and I'm sure some I forgot. Probably somewhere around $3,000 in repairs. LAST F*##**ING FORD EVER!!
I know why I love the auto makers from Japan. I try to buy American cars and get bit. There was not 1 thing I could have done as a consumer to prevent this problem from happening. Thanks to Ford "cost engineering" this problem was built into my vehicle and I purchased the problem the day I did business with Ford Motor Company. I have had every bit of overpriced service the dealer has told me to have done and still I get 1000 dollar bills for poor parts quality. Thanks Ford.......... This is the 2nd bearing I have had fail, two more to go. Im waiting for the tranny to sign off next, judging from the others I see. Cant wait.
Same as my other complaint except that was the rear passenger and this was the rear driver. The mechanic said I was lucky to be alive because my tire was dangling on the axle... never again Ford.
Same complaint as others. Sounds like an airplane taking off in the rear. Then it sounds like dragging a metal box under car. Then metal on metal clicking/scraping noise. The wheel bearings came unpacked and we could wiggle the tire when up on the hoist. This is the last Ford I will ever buy.
We had been hearing a noise in our Explorer for several weeks. Usually hubby discounts noises, but I was starting to take our other vehicle to work and leave him with this one. The noise was getting gradually louder. It kinda came and went. Eventually it progressed to the point where we thought we were dragging a box beneath the vehicle! I was REALLY scared to drive it. We took it to a national discount store who said they would be happy to take a look at it, until we got there. Then they refused to take a look it. We ended up taking it to a national? tire chain (with a yellow sign) who put it on the hoist. He was able to wobble the rear driver's wheel. That repair, if it hadn't been under extended warranty, would have set us back $550. It was only 6 months later we developed $880 problems with the rear end. I have already posted that complaint.
My passenger side wheel hub went out and I had to get the car towed 50 miles to the dealership. Estimated to cost $900 I went ahead and fixed it. The dealership called and said that the drivers rear wheel bearing was out also. Which brought the bill to $1727. They then called and said the ring and pinion in the rear was bad and that would be another $1300. I declined the ring and pinion and am battling Ford to pay for the repairs. So far Ford is taking the stand that there is no recall so they will not pay. It seems really strange that both rear wheel bearing would go out. The dealer said that there will probably be a recall for the ring and pinion. Looks like a lot of people had a problem with the 2002 explorer rear end. I am about ready to trade this car in.
66,000 miles and I am having the same damn problem as everyone else loud whinning. Not sure what it is yet but reading all the abve I have a good idea. I am about to get screwed. This will be my last ford and will encourage everyone i know not to purchase a ford product. If they can not come out and fix these problems then hell with them. I just wish I could shout everyones frustrations from the highest tree tops.
While traveling with my wife and kids and two of their friends on our way to a new year's eve party, our car pulled off to the right suddenly while going at a speed of 50mph. This car has had issues since we purchased it in January of 2003. We have been to the dealership where we purchased it so many times I can't remember with many different issues. A constant squeaking, rear window issues, the ABS light constantly flickering off and on.
In May of this year, while on the interstate, again with my family, I suddenly lost control of the car without any warning. Thankfully, I was able to get it under control. We were 45 minutes from home and had to have the vehicle towed for $150.00 back up our way. Four of the five studs had completely snapped off and the tire was being held on only by one stud. I made a complaint to Ford and they said, "some one MAY call you back". They never did. We had it repaired by a very reputible mechanic and have had it check numerous times since the incident.
Well, last week (October, four months after the studs broke off), the exact same thing happened again, same tire and everything.
I am quick disgusted with the continuous problems and want resolution. I do feel as though we purchased a LEMON. We have conveyed that to the dealership more than once and they just laugh. I think they think we're being picky. I don't think so, seems how my family's life has been jeopardy three times now.
At 62000 miles our rear hub bearings was whirring very loudly. I replaced them and the noise went away, but I also noticed the rear differential was leaking, now at 64000 miles I have this whirring coming from the front wheel bearings and the ABS light is on. This among other problems is why this is the last Ford I will ever own and also why Toyota will surpass Ford in sales and Customer Service.
Let me just start by saying that I will never buy a Ford again. I bought the vehicle used with 35,000 miles and around 55,000 the problems began and have since not ended. The transmission was just replaced at 87,000 miles and cost $2500. Then I took it to get an oil change and the service man tells me that both the front and rear differential are leaking and the rear hub was once again in need of repair. In one year I replaced one rear hub twice and another once. Approximately 1 week later, the check engine light comes back on after I just had the mechanic repair a low voltage problem that caused the light to come on and spent around $3500 to get the vehicle back on the road. I will honestly say that I do not know much about cars but I do know that the above problems should not be happening at such mileage when the vehicle is one of the best selling vehicles year after year. The reason Ford Explorers are so cheap is because they are made cheap.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
REAR END MAKING NOISE. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WHEN CAR WAS PUT ON LIFT, BACK LEFT TIRE WAS MOVING ALL AROUND. TOLD IT WAS WHEEL BEARINGS-HAD TO ORDER-FIXED THE NEXT DAY. WHEN PICKED UP TOLD THAT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE A SEALED FACTORY PART WHICH DOES NOT USUALLY REQUIRE SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT. ALSO WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE 4TH ONE THEY HAD SEEN IN A 2002 EXPLORER,. MY CAR HAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
- Tari S., Philadelphia, PA, US