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:
No data
Average Mileage:
76,350 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (2 reports)
fix it by manufacturing it properly the first time (1 reports)
First, it's rediculous that this part failed at 55,000 miles. Worse is the fact that Ford seems to no longer make a replacement seat motor. I couldn't find them on line and my mechanic can't find a new one and told me Ford quit making them. We may have to replace the seat moving mechinism with a non-powered one.
THIS MAY BE WHY FORD IS MAKING MONEY. THEY AREN'T MAKING THE PARTS WE NEED. I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD!!!!!!! My wife has driven an explorer since 1992 and I drive a Taurus. Never again. When this if fixed I will have spent at least $4,500 in repairs on this vehicle since December 1, 2011.
I don't know what to say. Every area of my vehicle has been defective. Who is in charge of quality control at the car plant? Horrible. Or is it the engineers who are to blame for producing products that are flawed? More junk is all I gotta say.
- highwayman,
Lemoore, CA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
First, it's rediculous that this part failed at 55,000 miles. Worse is the fact that Ford seems to no longer make a replacement seat motor. I couldn't find them on line and my mechanic can't find a new one and told me Ford quit making them. We may have to replace the seat moving mechinism with a non-powered one.
THIS MAY BE WHY FORD IS MAKING MONEY. THEY AREN'T MAKING THE PARTS WE NEED. I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD!!!!!!! My wife has driven an explorer since 1992 and I drive a Taurus. Never again. When this if fixed I will have spent at least $4,500 in repairs on this vehicle since December 1, 2011.
- dwhitt, Aurora, CO, US