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:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,755 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 am very concerned at all of the transmissions complaints that the NHTSA has had on the Ford 2002 Explorer and nothing is being done about this. I have sent in 1 of many complaints because of course I am one of the unlucky citizens of the U.S. who believed that the Ford Explorer was a very dependable vehicle. Hello is it going to take someone actually getting killed for this vehicle to be recalled for the transmission. I almost got rear ended and just in the past 4 months there has been complaints of people going in ditches, running off the side of the road, do you think that someone could really research this [xxx] issue and get this [xxx] vehicle recalled before someone does get hurt or at least make Ford replace the transmissions and reimburse anyone who has had their transmission replaced. Oh they might as well just give everyone a new vehicle because from what I am reading all 2002 Ford Explorer have had transmissions problems. Why isn't anyone doing anything about this. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
It started around 78,000 miles. My transmission started to slip as I was driving up a hill. The tranny was slipping between 1st and 2nd gear. I took the vehicle into the dealership - had to replace the whole transmission ($3400). Transmission again at 137,000 miles slipping between 1st and 2nd gear again - warranty expired - Ford could only give me a warrant for 36,000 miles or 3 years - I'm under my 3 yrs but not mileage. Took to the dealership again, now its my transmission band ($2100) but with all the wear on the transmission and the cost. I will have to replace the transmission again. During this time that my transmission problems, I also had the right (I believe it was the right) rear axle went out twice my overdrive light came on. I think there is a correlation with the overdrive system and the tranny.
Transmission shifted hard into 2nd gear from day one, took it to dealer and they said it was normal, whining in rear end also said normal. Had to replace 2 wheel bearings, 2 more bad now, replaced wheel hub, now transmission will not shift.
Transmission would rev before shifting into 3rd gear, had it replaced at a Ford dealership with Ford parts, 17 months later same thing and Ford will not back it up, a transmission should last longer than 17 months, this has cost me a total of $4,000 dollars, and due to this defect the cars book value is $4,500 because it is a known fact that the factory parts and the replacement parts are no good. 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty, when the standard is 36 month, 36,000 miles. This truck sucks!!!!!!!!! Ford needs to do something about this problem!!
- Louisville, OH, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
2002 Ford Explorer XLT rear window lift panel cracked (dealer replaced once due to small stress fractures was the explanation given me) replacement panel cracked within 6 months, same place as first crack, but extending all the way through panel. Dealer and Ford Motor Company contacted and refused to replace. This posses a danger if the panel flies off during vehicle operation. I have seen many other Ford with the same defect and Ford should offer a recall. Please advise.
This is my second Ford vehicle with only 80K miles and on both, all wheel bearings have had failure. And on more than one occasion for a single bearing. It is very costly to repair these defects at approximately $500 per wheel, and is an obvious mechanical and safety hazard. Twice I have been stranded on the highway with a child in the car because the wheel has almost came off. Consumers should not have to repair these defects at their expense to have them continually fail over again. I would like to see to the possibility of a class action lawsuit against Ford if they cannot agree to a recall, since there are certainly well enough people with these problems. I have lost any and all interest in this manufacturer and will not consider an american made car in the future.
2002 Ford Explorer XLS, with 86,000 miles. O/D light began blinking. 4 days later complete transmission failure. Car towed to tranny mechanic. Entire transmission needs to be replaced.
The key ignition switch keeps on getting ground and had to disconnect the battery to pull the key out of the ignition switch. This will be the third time I have to replace the switch.
Vehicle started to hesitate when shifting, whining noise from rear end as well. Over drive light on, then finally vehicle stopped engaging gears. 2002 Explorer has been sitting in driveway for one year due to transmission failure. Ford not willing to fix the problem. Vehicle has 58000 miles. Prior to this incident rear hatch window blew out two times with the second time glass blew off so violently it damaged paint on new vehicle (dealer and Ford manufacturer refused to pay for repair and instructed me to file insurance claim) damage to other car was clearly due to defect in window hatch mechanism and they should pay. Nothing has been done.
On or about November 3, 2005, I purchased a break model used Ford Explorer XLT 2002 from norm reeves Honda car dealer in cerritos, ca. The car had 78,000 miles on it at the time of purchase. I signed the papers and took the possession of the car. It has not been more than 2 months that the car started giving me trouble on the pick up of the speed, transmission, gear adjustment, over use of the gas, difficult high altitude driving even after change of gears, air suction into the engine and transmission, accelerator and signs like service engine soon on the front panel, although I have been getting regular lube and tune on the car after every 3000 miles. While driving the, occasionally, the car gives a thundering noise on the tires as if it is dragging itself and running on the road. This makes me fear that my car is not safe for me to drive! the norm reeves Honda super store car dealer knew that the car is defective and they simply wanted to get rid of a used 2002 Ford Explorer XLT vehicle from the fleet as they primarily sell Honda cars and similar vehicles. Despite repeated requests, the norm reeves Honda super store and their sister company Ford of cerritos refused to provide service on the car since I stopped payments on the car loan. Other Ford car dealers have test driven this car and observed the same defects as I have mentioned. My purpose of writing this complaint with the NHTSA is to request the intervention of NHTSA immediately as the questioned vehicle is likely to endanger my life on the local roads and/or on highway/freeways. Due to major defects in the car, I can meet with a serious accident and can be crippled or suffer such pecuniary losses that are irreplaceable and/or I can die also with out any fault of mine. Please recall Firestone tires V. Ford Motor Company case law. Criminal charges against norm reeves Honda, Ford of cerritos and their ceos to follow. Please contact me and the dealers asap. Respectfully submitted, amardeep singh gill.
I have had my transmission in my 2002 Ford Explorer rebuilt by a local Ford dealership at 53,000 miles and a Ford re-manufactured transmission installed at this dealership at 69,000. This local dealership has replaced the transfer case twice, drive axle, and universal joints between 69,000 and 74,000 to correct an ongoing reported shifting problem with the transmission. My transmission failed at 109,000, again, much to my dismay. The dealership responded that it was a manufacturer's issue and suggested that I contact Ford. Upon contacting Ford Motor Company, I was told that it was a dealership issue as the dealership had installed the transmission and may had done so incorrectly. I took my vehicle to an independent transmission specialist who replaced the transmission and indicated that the previous transmission was, in fact, defective.
I own a 2002 Ford Explorer XLS bought new from the dealership. There was a recall issued in October 2004 for the rear lift glass hinge (04S20). I have been waiting over 2 months for parts to be available. It was finally repaired on 1/6/05 at keating Ford dealership. Today 1/9/05 my wife had driven to the gym and was called to the front desk. Crackling had been heard by fellow gym members prior to the rear glass shattering to pieces and metal frame is buckled. No evidence of vandalism was present. The new parts must have been defective or installed improperly. I have filed a claim with my insurance company, Liberty mutual. The representative stated she had a call a few days ago about a similar incident from another Ford Explorer owner. I have contacted my dealer and left a message but unfortunately, being a Sunday, it is closed.
My Ford Explorer transmission it was at 36000 miles, my car was tuned and serviced as shudule, and it cost a total of $1700 to fix. Which the car is only 2 year old. The air condition stop working in December of 2003 and at the time my car was barely 1 year old thier has been many other concern with my Explorer that I am making $500 payment on. I belived I have purchase a defected car.
October 2001, I purchased a new 2002 Ford Explorer from don reid Ford maitland, Florida. I experienced one problem after the other with my windows and doors. First, the back half door came open and refused to close. The dealer repaired it. Next, the replacement refused to work; the dealer ordered the part and repaired it. Next, the entire back window, crashed to the ground. I placed the dragging part in the back of my truck and stopped at greenway Ford. Greenway refused the repair and sent me where I purchased it. Don reid kept the truck a few days and repaired it. Next, screws on the passenger side door came out, that door wouldn't close. Fed up with repeated trips to don reid I had my husband fix it, the door came loose again. I'm at the limit on what I'll endure from a vehicle I'm paying nearly $500/mo for. It's not worth the pain I am experiencing. I almost died on August 26, 5:30 to 6:00 pm, when the locked driver's door suddenly swung open and closed on my arm. I was leaning on the armrest. The seat belt kept me from being thrown. I nearly ran off the road. My arm hurt and started to swell. The door refused to latch. I held the heavy door shut with my swollen arm and controled the truck with the other. I crawled 35 minutes to orlando. My hand was numb and I was scared to death. I pulled over to rest my numb arm. I pulled into winn dixie's parking lot and a customer, reversed into the back of my truck, adding to it's damages. Still holding the door, I made it home. Don reid, whom I had previously called, had closed. My arm hurts more than it did yesterday. Fortunately, some of the swelling went down. My adjuster asked me to keep the truck. He's making towing arrangements. I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow for stronger meds. As a graduate I cannot afford time off. The door cannot close or lock. My husband has to leave work early to collect our daughters from school. Enough is enough!
The automatic gear shift broke. Could not change gears. Electric windows stopped working both driver and passenger. Air conditioner broke - air conditioner clutch make rubbing noise when engaged.
The rear axle seals at the gear case have failed twice causing axle fluid to leak. The dealer has replaced each time saying that "Ford has an issue" with these seals but they do not have a lasting repair. Not all 2002 Ford Explorer have this problem.
The smell of mold is coming out of the A/C. all the dealership did was deodorize the vents. The musty odor persists. I have read that others have the same problem with their 2002 Ford Explorer.
Vehicle runs at idle for approximately 20 with ac on either auto or recycled air. The external temperature starts to count down to 50 degrees and stays there until vehicle is traveling again. This causes the auto temp to adjust.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Leander, TX, USA