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:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
105,461 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.
While parking my 2002 Explorer, I went to shift it into park and felt a 'pop'. the gear shifter completely broke off in my hand. Luckily it didn't shift out of park and I was able to drive it to a mechanic to look at. However this happened on a Saturday, so there was no way to get it fixed. I did some research online and found this seems to be a common problem with this year and model. I'm very upset that a part so critical is made so poorly. I feel that this is a major safety concern and feel that Ford should do something about the issue. This is going to cost me alot of money to fix....money that I don't have. The quote from my local dealership is $1600 because they have to replace the entire column! so in the meantime I'm stuck at home without a ride. Please look into this issue. Thank you.
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer limited that has had continuous rear axle leaking and operating issues. I have had the bearings replaced three times, the shaft axle seal replaced, the knuckle assembly replaced and the spindle replaced. I had this work done at cortese auto group in henrietta NY (585-475-1211) in June of 2007 and April of 2008. I just noticed differential fluid leaking from the rear axle assembly area on March 16, 2009 and called the cortese group to see if they would honor their previous repair. They advised me that I was beyond the "original problem" 2007 repair date and the cost was on my own. To repair this leaky axle seal will cost me in the neighborhood of $400 and considering this has been an ongoing issue with this vehicle, I feel Ford Motor Company or cortese should fix this problem with no cost to me. I have done some research online and it appears this problem is very common among Ford Explorer (had I known that at the time of my purchase, I would have reconsidered buying from Ford). If this problem is very common among Ford Explorer and is a safety issue, why is it not considered a recall and repaired by the manufacturer of the vehicle? please advise me what my rights are and if anything can be done on behalf of other affected consumers. After all, in this tough economy, who has $400 to throw at a problem that was a known deficiency to Ford and one that should have been addressed by the company...
36,006 miles rear axle seals started leaking, had new set put on. Not even 10,000 miles & that set started leaking. Had third set put on. 61,500 miles & leaking again! mechanic says I have a broken rear coil spring. Could the springs have been faulty all long causing the rear axle seals to leak?
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer. It appears they are selling cars with a defect gear shift. Yesterday as I shifted from reverse to drive the gear shift broke off. It simple came off. I've never heard of such a problem. Apparently this is a systemic problem and Ford has not issued a recall. Other Explorer owners have experienced the same problem and reported it on internet auto complaint blogs. According to the tow truck driver he has picked up 6 or 7 Explorer in the san antonio area with the same problem in recent months. Based on internet reports I have to spend a $1000 I really can spare at this time to fix Ford's problem.
Gear shift lever broke off. While parking my 2002 Ford Explorer, the gear shift lever sheared off in the steering column, leaving the vehicle stuck in reverse gear. A quick search with google reveals a significant number of identical failures, indicating a common manufacturing defect. Ford have not issued any form of recall or other assistance for this problem. Had the failure happened while driving (perhaps while shifting up or down on a mountain road) it could have caused an accident. Given the age of the affected 2002 model vehicles, it is only a matter of time until this does occur. My vehicle has not yet been repaired; the broken part is currently available for inspection.
- Foothill Ranch, CA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer that have at least 66,000 mileage on this car. I have a very weird accident on September 24,2008. I was on my way home from work when the accident happen. I was in the parking lot of the va medical center in East orange NJ. At around 5:45 pm I came to my car and found my car have dead battery so va police gave a jump start and the car start. So after 2 minutes the car running I started to change the gear from park to reverse with my foot on the brake. As soon as I change the gear the car went off by itself with a very high speed hitting a park vehicle and ended up inside one story building. My foot was still on the brake when the car stop. I hurt myself resulting to a big surgery. I have a cervical fracture from that accident. My car was still parked in my driveway still untouched because I don't know who to send the car fro investigation. I filed a claim to Ford motor but I did not hear from them yet. I contacted the lawyer and advised me to contact this facility and since my lawyer cannot represent me from this accident. I was advised that I don't need a lawyer to file a claim. I hope you can help me with this matter.
Had bought 2002 Explorer used, noticed noise from rear end. Told rear differential needed to be replaced, cost for used $1500. But possibility that used could have same issues as this is a very common problem with 02-04 Explorer. My mechanic does several a month. After visiting numerous web sites and forums on the subject, I have seen that it is a very common problem and there is a very real safety concern as the rear end could seize while driving. I believe the dept of highway safety is wrong in not considering this problem to be a safety issue and I think a recall should be issued based on the very large numbers of vehicles that have the exact same problems. And Ford knows about this problem as they have released service bulletins on the subject they know the problem exists, but they do not issue a recall because they want the owners to pay the extravagant costs of the repairs.
Gear shifter broke off steering column in 2002 Ford Explorer. When putting vehicle in park the gear shifter broke off, leaving the vehicle inoperable. It was towed to the dealer and then driven to our home. Learned form internet search of at least 26 similar complaints regarding 2002 Ford Explorer automatic.
On the day in question I was pulling out of the staff parking lot from the prison that I work at as an adult corrections officer, upon shifting the automatic gear shift stick from park to drive the shifter snapped and broke right into my hand hanging by a wire. Was able to drive home and park it but had to disconnect the battery terminals to get my key out of the ignition. Upon removal of the under steering column cover I could see where the connecting bolt that connects the gear shift stick to the steering column had broken off. The mental connecting piece appears to be made of soft aluminum. The cost to repair I know will be expensive !!! I think its a defect and there should definitely be a recall on this and Ford should cover the repair and or replacement cost for its loyal Ford customers, thankyou !!!!
Within four months from date of purchase my 2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD start having problems. They are: 1. vibration inside including physical movement inside when driving with rear window crack over 30 mph. The faster you drive the grater the vibration. I took the Explorer to several dealers, they inform me that this is normal and it's refer to as helicopter effect. 2. the digital keypad stop working. 2. the keys don't open the door 3. the transmission slip, kick and delays when put in drive or reverse. 4.transmission delays going into overdrive. 5.the passenger side quarter panel glass shatter twice, at first I taught someone had broke it and my son reported it to the police. The insurance company replace it and few months later in my garage it shatter again and that's when it all came together. This time my son fix it for me. 6.theres also a winding some coming from under the SUV and my son thinks it have something to do with the diff, keeping the vibration in mind. 6. the latch that secure the rear where the jack handle is located broke.
I pulled into the driveway at my house and went to put my 2002 Ford Explorer XLT into park when the gear shift lever broke off in my hand. I still cannot believe that anyone with any sense would engineer and/or design a product that gets so much use out of such shoddy material. If you want to know why our auto companies are going out of business - ask Ford engineers.
Overdrive light blinking on 2002 Ford Explorer XLT. Then service engine light came on. Went to mechanic who said transmission died. This should not happen to a car with less than 80K miles. Ford needs to fess up and issue a recall. This is happening to too many people.
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT with approximately 98,700 miles on it. While driving down the road there is a whining noise coming from the rear end. When I took it to a Ford dealer in mcconnellsburg pa I was informed that the rear end was failing, as well as the front bearings of the SUV were failing. The bearings had previously been replaced 2 years ago. I was also advised by the dealership that Ford Motor Co, knows about the problem with the rear drive train and all its components, as they have published several service advisory on it. Ford Motor Co, however will not recall the vehicle(s) to fix the problem which can cost the consumer out of pocket anywhere form $1,200 to $1,800. Ford Motor Co, does not feel that this is an issue and refuses to address it as such. I guess they will wait until people start dying from accidents that they know can happen.
Rear differential does not allow speed differences between wheels. Car turns like it has a locked or fixed axle. Causes a shudder when turning. Could results in control problems with the vehicle during sudden maneuvers. Issue is due to faulty clutch pack in the Ford factory differential or incorrect differential fluid specification from factory. Not really sure which. Solution was to replace the clutch pack. Ford has also specified a different differential fluid from the factory installed fluid in one of their technical service bulletins.
2002 Ford Explorer XLT, 79,409 miles, placing car into park from drive and the gear shift breaks off in my hand. The transmission is now between reverse and park with no way of me being able to turn the car off. I used the emergency break so that it would not roll out of the parking spot (because of course I was on an incline) and the car ran for one hour and twenty minutes before it got to the dealer and they were able to turn it off. It is costing $1000 to fix. I found out that I am not the only one that this has happened to. Not from my dealer who said they have seen nothing like this but from carcomplaints.com.
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with 103,000 miles on it. The rear end of the SUV has started making a humming noise. I took it to my mechanic and they said the entire rear differential and wheel bearings will need to be replaced. After some research I have discovered many many 2002 Ford Explorer owners have the same problem. This problem will cost over $1000 to fix. If it is not fixed it is an issue that will seriously put my family in danger when riding in this car. This problem needs to be made a recall. Please advise me what to do.
Differential on my 2002 Ford Explorer XLT has been rebuilt twice under warranty, and needs recalled again. Third incident happened two days after extended warranty expired. Ford says tough.
My wife drives a 2002 Ford Explorer which as already had extensive rear end repair. It makes a roaring sound whenever the car is moving and it is leaking what I believe is transmission fluid from the rear end. Ford denies having problems with that particular car though I have found hundreds of complains on line about transmission and drive train failures in this particular model. A reliable mechanic has told me that the drive train can seize up an any time. If this happens on an interstate doesn't this qualify as a safety concern?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lawrenceburg, IN, USA