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.
3.4
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,981 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.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a failure on the rear door handle. The contact noticed a crack between the door handle and glass. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Door ajar light and beeping sensor is always going off. Causing the doors to unlock while driving and also causing the inside dome light to turn on and off. I have done some research and alot of Ford Explorer are having this problem.
2002 Ford Explorer lift gate clip on applicator is and has been splitting from top to bottom every time some one closed the lift gate I saw this on many other Ford Explorer and it cost {us -S 300 dollars to install a new one at the dealers shops to repair. Some thing need to be done Ford manufacture need to reimburse to fix this problems now and in the future I cannot afford to fix my Explorer so I am waiting to see if Ford can fix this problem for me and others like me who cannot afford to fix the problem I believe something should be done. Please for a reply at my email thank you sincerely E J.
- Schenectady , NY, USA
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My door was frozen shut, I pulled it open and now I cant close it. It "bounces" off the door hinges when I try. It happened when I got out of work at midnight and I drove all the way home with my car door opening and closing as I was driving. Good thing it happened in the middle of the night because no one was driving around. If someone was I probably would have hit them with my door. I had to hold my door shut with the window down while driving. I had to drive 10 mph the whole way to my house. Taking turns was very hard because even though I was holding the door, it still was opening. What happened to me was very dangerous. I could've hurt myself and others. Hopefully this is something to get fixed quickly because I have finals this week and I wont be able to get the school without my car.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact heard a loud noise while driving in reverse. Three days later, she discovered a crack below the window of the rear door. The dealer stated that they have three other vehicles on location with the same failure. The Ford manufacturer stated that nothing could be done because her vehicle is not under warranty and it was not serviced with Ford. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 59,000 and failure mileage was 58,750. Updated 02/01/08. Updated 02/01/08
: the contact stated while shifting gears, the automatic transmission made a clunking noise and the vehicle displayed a jerking motion. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and the solenoid housing of the automatic transmission was replaced. Afterwards, the problem persisted and the solenoid housing was again replaced by the dealer. The front pads were replaced. The drivers side door would pop open. There was a delay when shifting gears, and then the vehicle would slam into gear. Updated 04/06/06.
Mud, snow, dirt, debris and exhaust fumes was entering the vehicle from under the door. Ford is already aware of the problem and currently investigating.
The doors were not properly sealed which could have resulted from debris on the road/weather corroding the door. The manufacturer and dealership were aware of the problem, but did not have a remedy.....
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hayward, CA, USA