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:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,579 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.
Last summer 2007, I noticed a crack in the plastic panel beneath the rear window in my Ford Explorer. I took it into a body shop to ask how this could have happened and they told me that they had seen several Ford Explorer with the same defect and that the part had been recalled by the manufacturer. I looked up online the recall and saw that it was for the same year, make, and model of my Explorer so I took it to the dealership and they ran the VIN number and said that my particular car wasn't a part of the recall even though it is the same exact part and car. I then called the Ford national customer service line and filed a complaint and they did nothing about it. I was told by 2 autoshops that if I don't get the part replaced it could crack completely and the window can fall out of the car.
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT, a couple weeks ago I went to open the back lift glass, and the window fell, and combustion in thousands of little pieces, right in my face! I have pictures, anyway I proceeded to take my vehicle to Ford Motor Company in horseheads, NY, they replaced the window due to the explosion, and I have had my truck back there 4 times because they wired it wrong, and they refuse to fix this problem, if my wiring from the back windshield to the dash of my truck does not get fixed I am sorry to say that I will be forced to obtain an attorney for Ford! please help!!!!!!
: the contact stated there is a crack by the Ford symbol in the back. There are no dents or debris around the crack. The dealership and manufacturer were alerted.
Rear tailgate had a fracture about 10 inches long and the mold was touched up with paint prior to shipping or selling. It was cracked. Dealer stated that they had a service bulletin on this problem.
Manufacturer's defect with paint. Failure to properly apply under coat resulting in paint checking and oxidation. Entire car will need to be repainted.
Seats are rusted underneath, under dash metal rusting. Contacted local dealer where purchased, said they contacted Ford, condition normal. I contacted Ford, same answer. Concern is rust is a never ending condition and in time (what ever it may be) will cause failure. Having paid quite a large amount of money for vehicle, I find it hard to understand that this practice is safe and not a concern.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Las Vegas, NV, USA