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.
8.7
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,090
Average Mileage:
113,450 miles
Total Complaints:
81 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace rear windshield (36 reports)
ford should pay for it (28 reports)
not sure (15 reports)
had it repaired for $400 from dealer (1 reports)
i have had to replace all these items with ford replacements (1 reports)
tonight i was opening the rear lift window when it suddenly exploded. In searching the internet i have found that many have found this window cracked . Now I will never know!! tomorrow I am taking it to the dealer who actually did something to this possibly in 2002 as part of a recall. I do not recall the reason behind the recall but suspicious that this may be related. My car is out of warranty but cannot attribute this to wear and tear. My car is always in the garage and protected from the weather extremes. I am curious to this having had with other SUV lift windows
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
tonight i was opening the rear lift window when it suddenly exploded. In searching the internet i have found that many have found this window cracked . Now I will never know!! tomorrow I am taking it to the dealer who actually did something to this possibly in 2002 as part of a recall. I do not recall the reason behind the recall but suspicious that this may be related. My car is out of warranty but cannot attribute this to wear and tear. My car is always in the garage and protected from the weather extremes. I am curious to this having had with other SUV lift windows
- Geoffrey G., Plano, TX, US