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.
I kept hearing a noise coming from the rear wheels that sounded like a marble dropping on a floor. This was most noticed when driving through a parking lot and maybe 5mph. I first suspected that maybe a CV joint was going bad, so I took it to a garage. The mechanic pulled the rear wheels and the emergency brakes fell out in pieces. The noise is now gone but the cost to replace the brakes was about $191.00
Now I need all 4 struts and the mechanic just found a broken rear coil spring.
Back in June, I had to have the entire transmission rebuilt ($2,100). This suv was great for the first 4 years of ownership and I didn't have to spend a dime for anything except the yearly inspection. Now everything is going bad. Owned many Fords in my lifetime and this might be my last.
Not covered under any insurance, so I am driving without an emergency brake! I wish I would have heard about this site... my son joked today that I was dumb, because lemons cost much less at a grocery store than ford.
- Jest S.,
Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I kept hearing a noise coming from the rear wheels that sounded like a marble dropping on a floor. This was most noticed when driving through a parking lot and maybe 5mph. I first suspected that maybe a CV joint was going bad, so I took it to a garage. The mechanic pulled the rear wheels and the emergency brakes fell out in pieces. The noise is now gone but the cost to replace the brakes was about $191.00
Now I need all 4 struts and the mechanic just found a broken rear coil spring.
Back in June, I had to have the entire transmission rebuilt ($2,100). This suv was great for the first 4 years of ownership and I didn't have to spend a dime for anything except the yearly inspection. Now everything is going bad. Owned many Fords in my lifetime and this might be my last.
- garrettpa, Huntingdon, PA, US