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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.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
109,500 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
2002 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #2

Nov 232015

Explorer LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

can't get my back hatch to open keep having problems with open and closing of locks

- sweetalways4you, beaumont tx, TX, US

problem #1

Jun 052007

(reported on)

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

This evening my Explorer has failed again. This time it is the tail gate that won't open. Something electrical? Something manual? A switch? A fuse? I don't give a dang. I'm buying a Honda Pilot tomorrow and that is the end of Ford for me.

- Nancy B., Pearland, TX, US

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