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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,612 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.
I opened the rear window on my 2002 Ford Explorer and the left shock came loose. Went to a car dealership to have it fixed. It has come undone twice since that time. Eeds to be on a recall.
While opening the rear door hinges broke. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the hinges and struts needed to be replaced, and replaced them. However, a few months later while closing the rear door the glass broke. No one was injured. Vehicle was taken back to dealer, and the mechanic replaced the window.
I own a 2002 Ford Explorer 4 door. The rear left window was failing to go down, and when it did it would take time for it to go back up again. My mother purchased a 2003 Ford Explorer as well and my niece and they too experienced the same problem. I also had problems with my air leaking and was informed that some form of an invisible gas was leaking into my vehicle. I have an infant daughter and was concerned that she was breathing this.
- Tampa, FL, USA
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Front passenger side window exploded while vehicle was stopped at a traffic light. When this occurred a piece of glass hit the consumer. Passenger side was unoccupied at the time of the incident. The cause of the widow exploding was yet to be determined.
Rear window on hatch door suddenly emploded when the driver pushed automatic button. Glass shattered immediately with metal molding flying inside compartment all the way up front to driver.
Power rear window has only 3 positions, fully open, open 1" from top, fully closed, once activated there is no emergency stop until the 1" from top position. Window drive motor is very powerful, no waring in place. Could result in crushing of hand and other serious injuries.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Oakland, CA, USA