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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.
9.2
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,520
- Average Mileage:
- 127,600 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 8 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (5 reports)
- replace transmission (3 reports)
transmission problem
Helpful websites
- No one has added a helpful site for this 2002 Explorer problem yet. Be the first!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
For some months now, I noticed that the gear shifting especially from Park to 1st (D) or Park to Reverse was somewhat jerky. The engine revs without any movement, and then it would suddenly engage.
The real problem happened last week, (12/11) the OD light kept blinking, and then suddenly it made a huge noise as if something broke and dragging on the floor, but nothing had come apart externally, but something must be loose or come apart inside the transmission enclosure.
The mechanic said the best option would be to replace it. I searched on the internet and lot of Explorer owners seem to complain about the same thing.
http://www.fordproblems.com/trends/transmission-failure/explorer.shtml
- Ravi F., Santa Clara, CA, US