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.
I tried to fix myself first time had so much problems getting to the converter to put new one in, definitely pain in ass to do yourself had all torn apart and still ended up taking to dealership. It decides when it will work always seems not to when its 20 degrees outside. Again this winter doing same thing so disappointed that didn't even last a year.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I tried to fix myself first time had so much problems getting to the converter to put new one in, definitely pain in ass to do yourself had all torn apart and still ended up taking to dealership. It decides when it will work always seems not to when its 20 degrees outside. Again this winter doing same thing so disappointed that didn't even last a year.
- Dianna D., Fletcher, NC, US