- September 25: Ford Recalls 2024 Explorer Hybrids Over Fire Risk recalls | 1 days ago
- September 22: Ford Maverick Radio Problems Kill the Backup Camera Images recalls | 4 days ago
- September 16: Ford Mustangs Recalled Over Fractured Rear Suspension Knuckles recalls | 10 days ago
- September 7: Ford Issues Transit Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Recall recalls | 19 days ago
- September 7: Dimple Patel, 23, Charged in Fatal Ford BlueCruise Crash news | 19 days ago
Cracked Panel Below The Rear Window
2002 Ford Explorer (Page 24 of 32)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
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)
- dealership replaced the entire panel (10 reports)
body / paint problem
Helpful websites
- 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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Same problem as all the others, two cracks on each side of the plastic panel. I have no intention of paying to have this fixed am just worried that water damage might occur. Ford will not pay for it. This vehicle has been out of service for extended periods of time for numerous driveline / transmission issues (transmission out & rebuilt 3 times). Thank God we bought the extended warranty (It has still cost us over $600 for the small deductible each time a repair is made. This will be the last Ford that I buy.
- T G., Monroe, CT, US