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:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,178 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 ABS engaged which caused the vehicle to jerk, as a result, the vehicle was rear ended. No injuries reported. This would occur even though the brakes were not touched.
The roof rack (which was factory equipment) separated from the roof of the vehicle. The consumer felt that the rack was liable to come off and cause damage to motorist driving behind his vehicle. Also the ABS light illuminated intermittently and stayed on. The consumer had the ABS problem repaired several times already. The manufacturers was aware of the problem.
The roof rack (which was factory equipment) separated from the roof of the vehicle. The consumer felt that the rack was liable to come off and cause damage to motorist driving behind his vehicle. Also the ABS light illuminated on intermittently and stayed on. The consumer had the ABS problem repaired several times already. The manufacturers was aware of the problem.
ABS warning light came on/off, and the ABS brakes engaged prematurely. Also, there was vibration in the front end when braking. Vehicle had been serviced 3 times. Dealer replaced the rotors once, and ABS rear sensor twice. The ABS warning light came on again.
While driving, the vehicle's ABS light would come on intermittently. The consumer had come in contact with the dealership. The first time the ABS light had come there was no unusual effect. The second time the ABS light had come, there was a difference in being able to brake smoothly. The third occasion occurred at the light when there were no other vehicles. The vehicle finally stopped and the consumer was able to drive home.
Repeated failure of ABS system on 2002 Ford Explorer. ABS has been repaired 5 times since January 2002. Latest failure included water in rear differential with no know reason. Failure of ABS has been rear sensor cable and once a computer module. Latest date shown.
Brake pedal fades and goes clear down to floorboard while stopped at a stop light or stop sign. Problem is getting worse. I have taken to dealer 5 times and last time the service manager told me this is normal. He said that some others (not all)do the same thing. Mine started this at about 28,000 miles. I currently have 35400 miles on vehicle.
Car was on a family trip when ABS light came on for no reason. Dealership can not get the light back on. Car was started in the morning and air bag light flashed and then stayed on and the dealership said it was due to a short. Day after it was in the shop for the air bag light the car would not start. Would not turn over. It will be in the shop again. For the third time in 6 months.
Vehicle would intermittently have extended stopping distance. Brake would squeal, and pedal would be soft when applied. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.
While approaching an intersection applied brakes and pedal went all the way to the floor. Vehicle ran on a curb and hit a fire hydrant. Dealership was aware of problem.
Vehicle experiences periods of stalling at low speeds. Applying brakes there is a loss of brakes and steering. No prior warning before stalling. Existing problem 5 times, taken into the delaer. Dealer replaced fuel pump, main control valve body, transmission oil pan, idle air control valve and programmed PCM. Vibration like anti-lock brake system is kicking in. Dealer could not duplicate. Overdrive comes in and out at odd speeds. No problem found.
Consumer applied brakes at 20 mph and pedal went to the floor. There was no braking action, and he rearended another vehicle. No injuries. Vehicle at dealership at this time.
Consumer rearended another vehicle due to brake failure at 20 mph. Upon impact, neither airbag deployed. No injuries. Vehicle at dealership at this time.
When applying ABS brakes pedal goes to floor causing extended stopping distance. Problem becomes more pronounced when vehicle is driven on wet pavement. Pleaser give any further details.
While traveling at approximately 30 mph on wet pavement had to apply brakes hard to bring vehicle to a stop. This hard braking engaged anti-lock system and brought vehicle to a complete stop. However, when consumer attempted to accelerate, brakes would not release, and brakes were grabbing. Consumer had to release brakes by pulling brake pedal up with his foot. Dealership could not reproduce this problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Albertville, AL, USA