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.
6.5
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$450
Average Mileage:
79,300 miles
Total Complaints:
622 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
Ford should pay for it (396 reports)
not sure (86 reports)
paid to have rear panel replaced (48 reports)
file complaint with NHTSA to get a recall issued (26 reports)
start a class action suit and get damages reimbursed (17 reports)
Cracked Ford Explores - Visit and join this Facebook Group for an additional site where you can tell Ford about this annoying problem.
Class Action Lawsuit For This Issue - Looks like there is a class action lawsuit for this problem. I would sign up to show how many of us are having this issue.
Replacement Trim Panel At Lower Cost - Save money on a replacement part at Rock Auto. Use their parts search and drill down to Ford => Your Year => Explorer => Body => Rear. You will see several options listed there.
Just all of a sudden appeared one day... you know the upside down Y above your license plate slightly to the right?! I was informed by the Body Shop Manager at a Ford Dealership that this was actually a defect and he recommended that I did not get it fixed due to being over a $1,000 and in hopes that it would be recalled soon... HELLO FORD 5 years later.. STILL WAITING!?!?! Now I notice it on nearly every 02 Explorer I drive by, and the ironic part is they are all the EXACT same, same size, same spot, same point where it breaks off onto the other line...
Nice work Ford! At least your consistent with something...
Like many others I to have the crack under the rear window. But I am experiencing moisture on the inside and water does seem to come in. Whenever I close the window it makes an awful noise and I think the window is going to break. I did nothing to make this happen and if so many other people are experiencing the same thing it must be a factory problem. I have other problems with this model that I can't spend 500.00 on this too.
I bought this explorer feb 18 2009 and it was perfect absolutly no problems about the first of june I noticed a crack next to my ford emblem on the plastic fairing strip under the rear window needless yo say I was very upset at first I thought someone had hit it I just couldn't figure out how then I noticed all these other explorers with the same exact crack I asked one of the women I work with about hers she pretty much had the same story so I googled problems with ford explorers and thats how I got here hopefully this will help cause some action from ford.
this is only my 1st ford the rest have all been GM products, maybe what I stick to from now on if ford doesn't take responsibility for these defects!!!
I bought my Explorer used and last year I was getting some groceries out of the back. I thought something had dripped down the rear hatch; however, that was not the case. I could not believe it was broken. I thought something had hit it until I saw all of the rest of the Explorers around with same problem. I have always loved Ford products; therefore, I think they should step up to the plate.
- Tonya G.,
Chadbourn, NC, US
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the rear panel under the back hatch window also broke in my 02 explorer. everytime it rains i get water in the cargo area. i have seen countless other explorers that have the same problem. you would think ford would fix this problem, especially with the financial woes auto companies are going through these days.
I have the same problem as everyone else here, but am also getting a wet interior rear floor. Does anyone know where this is coming from ? I can't seem to find any signs of leaking from roof, or around gate seal. Rear window unlatches, panel cracked, gloss black paint wearing off, undetermined leaks, cd player has eaten 3 cds... This is my 2nd Explorer, and while the 1st one was a dream (1992), this '02 has been a nightmare. I will never buy another FORD. They don't stand behind anything.
i went to get some items out of my ford one really cold day in sunny miami and before i opened the back door i notice a crack on the body bellow the rear window, i first thought somebody had hit it or the wife had knocked something out but it didn't have any knick or dents then as time went on i kept looking at every explorer that passed me by 8 out 10 had the same problem, obviously ford did a s...a.. job on this area not to mention others, they should do the right thing and recall this problem because is not an isolated case and is not sheap to repair either
We have our 2002 Explorer and one day I noticed this small crack in the back of the hatch right under where the window is at. I thought someone had messed with it so I was somewhat upset. I was driving around town and noticed quite a bit of the same year Explorers that had the same crack in the same spot. As time went on it got bigger and seems to get worse when it is cold out. They really should fix this problem since it is a flaw in the design.
The plastic panel under the rear window cracked. I was concerned about water leaking in the tailgate and rusting the bottom out. I found out the the glass extends underneath the plastic so water would not have gotten in. So if you can live with the crack save yourself $500.
So I had to have the tires replaced due to Virginia Inspection Laws. I dropped my explorer off at the tire shop to have the tired put on and to the dealership to have the tires inspected. All of which was at night after dark. So inspecting the truck was the last thing on my mind I checked the tires and went on my way. Little to find at a day or two later that the back panel underneath the rear window next to the Ford Emblem is cracked.... Looks like crap, bugs me more than anything cause I want my car in good condition. Luckily havent opened the glass hatch just the main hatch to scared my window wont latch as many others have had happen to them. But with as many as my co workers and self have seen driving around this area it is Deffinatley a deffect in the vehicle if it has happen to so many of them. There should be a recall thats for sure!
Cracked and broken off trim under rear window. I've seen so many complaints regarding this problem that I'm not sure it's worth noting. My trim piece cracked off while in a carwash when it was being blown dry.
I wish there were some good solutions offered. I didn't see any that provided an econoical fix to this problem. I was hoping to see Ford step up and give some loyal customers a break on this chronic problem. Not sure what to do about fixing.
Update from Nov 11, 2014: Nothing has been done to fix the rear tailgate but just wanted to add some pictures.
Yet another complaint about the crappy work by FORD! No recall as of yet on the back panel cracking below the rear window. We started out with just one. It happened over night and we thought maybe someone had threw something damaging it at first, until we read up on it and found out others were having the same thing happen over night as well. The second crack showed up just a year after the first one did. With this happening to so many cars, why has Ford not recalled this as a defect? Never again will I or anyone I know be a Ford customer!
i cant believe that one day i walk up to my car and see this crack on my car.i start to freak out,what the hell is this? its an f-in nightmare.my car is in mint condition with 22in rims,and like a woman i treat her sweet n gentle as well as give her the attention my baby needs.but wait,the nightmare just got worse,are my eyes deceiving me.my eyes are seeing around six more cracks they are getting worse till this day.i cant believe this sh*t is happening to my car.ford needs to step up and man up to see that this is a recall that needs to be attended.heeeeeelp.....
I had the broken panel fixed under warranty the first time, back before 05. Then it happened again in 07. Called Ford and they said sorry not under warranty they won't fix it. I've seen so many of these panels cracked on Explorers, I don't know why this isn't a RECALL. Please Ford stand up and defend your product, fix this problem. Change the plastic to maybe an aluminum panel so it won't happen again. I like my Explorer, I've had very little problems with it. I've owned many many Ford vehicles and I am shopping for a new one. Don't make me go to some other automaker!!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Just all of a sudden appeared one day... you know the upside down Y above your license plate slightly to the right?! I was informed by the Body Shop Manager at a Ford Dealership that this was actually a defect and he recommended that I did not get it fixed due to being over a $1,000 and in hopes that it would be recalled soon... HELLO FORD 5 years later.. STILL WAITING!?!?! Now I notice it on nearly every 02 Explorer I drive by, and the ironic part is they are all the EXACT same, same size, same spot, same point where it breaks off onto the other line...
Nice work Ford! At least your consistent with something...
- Erika H., Madison, WI, US