Noise and fluid leakage in rear diagnosed by local mechanic as failing wheel bearing and differential seal. Replaced differential seal and one rear wheel bearing at 57,000 miles. At 69,000 replaced one front wheel bearing because of noise. At 80,000 mechanic reported that both rear springs had corroded at their upper ends and cracked through. Both these issues are common on 2002 models based on the number of complaints in the data base.

- Uxbridge, MA, USA

2002 Ford Explorer limited, 4WD, 4.6L - 84,000 miles: Rear differential unit whining/roaring for a few months and getting progressively worse. I have mechanical background and looked at the vehicle on rack with mechanic. Rear differential is obviously very bad and I am lucky I did not take my family on vacation with this problem as if the wheels would have locked at highway speed it could cause serious accident/injury. I have not heard of problems such as these with regular/easy use at such low miles and with proper maintenance (as I have done). I have also replaced left front wheel bearing and am suspicious of right rear wheel bearing, which will be evaluated after repair of rear differential.

- Omaha, NE, USA

Had to have torque converter replaced and now or still have a whine that I fear is coming from the rear end.

- Beaver Dams, NY, USA

At 75,000 miles, the vehicle started to make an extreme grinding noise in the rear. Took to a car repair shop and they indicated the rear differential was shot. All the bearings in all four wheels were shot. The car repairman indicated that he has seen many of Explorer come in with this exact same problem. To make matters even worse, the parts are not engineered to repair economically. You must buy all new assemblies just to repair bearings. The total cost of the repair is $2,500.

- Avon Lake, OH, USA

It started around 78,000 miles. My transmission started to slip as I was driving up a hill. The tranny was slipping between 1st and 2nd gear. I took the vehicle into the dealership - had to replace the whole transmission ($3400). Transmission again at 137,000 miles slipping between 1st and 2nd gear again - warranty expired - Ford could only give me a warrant for 36,000 miles or 3 years - I'm under my 3 yrs but not mileage. Took to the dealership again, now its my transmission band ($2100) but with all the wear on the transmission and the cost. I will have to replace the transmission again. During this time that my transmission problems, I also had the right (I believe it was the right) rear axle went out twice my overdrive light came on. I think there is a correlation with the overdrive system and the tranny.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

Transmission slippage, rear end clunks when the tranny finally shifts to another gear, rear end whine at 60-70mph. Hasn't been fixed but the dealership estimates $2K for the rear end and $3K for the tranny.

- Laramie, WY, USA

When I start my Explorer first thing in the morning, the 4 wheel low and 4 wheel high lights will come on and the Explorer will not shift into reverse or drive. It's like the car is neutral and when I go to put it back into park, there is a grinding noise that sounds like grinding gears.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

Rear end is making a horrible rubbing noise....thought it might be the tires but I just replaced all 4 tires with the same exact tires they come from factory with and still have the problem.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

O/D light went on then check engine light, lost third and fifth gear.

- Longmont, CO, USA

The noise was the indication of a problem, took the car in for noise coming from the wheels. Was told by Ford garage all four wheel bearings needed to be replaced I was very shocked. When Ford mechanic said this was a recurring problem and common in this year and model I was angry. Not soon after that the four wheel drive module went out and needed replaced. This car is five years old with at the time 82,000 miles on it. Now the transmission is slipping. Earlier we had to replace the automatic driver's window power motor which was also expensive. Had to replace rear axel bushings too.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Loud noise coming from rear of vehicle. Let off gas and is fine. Took it to the shop and have to have a new rear end and new housing. I am sorry but a 2002 vehicle should not be having these problems. It is the worst vehicle Ford has ever designed. They just lost another customer.

- Nashville, TN, USA

: the contact stated while the vehicle was in park, it jumped gears, accelerated forward and hit a tree. The vehicle was identified to be still in park after the accident. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who could not determine or duplicate the problem. The dealer recommended that the contact should use the parking brake in the future.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

2002 Explorer has problems picking up speed and over use of gas. The consumer also had problems with the transmission, gear adjustment, difficult high altitude driving even after gear change, air suction into the engine and transmission, accelerator and ses light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they refused to provide any assistance. Updated 07/06/06.

- Cypress, CA, USA

2002 Ford Explorer rear end noise when accelerating between 50-65 mph (a loud howling sound). When I let off of the accelerator the noise goes away. Took it to a mechanic and they replaced the bearings, but the noise is still there. They said it was the rear end gear ratio. This sound is too unbearable. The rear end gear ratio should be fixed under a recall.

- Lanesville, IN, USA

Horrible whining noise coming from rear differential of my 2002 Ford Explorer limited edition. Replaced twice already and now it's whining louder and louder everyday. I refuse to pay for the same repair a 3rd time. I have read many complaints on the web about this problem, along with many other similar complaints. Other popular defects for the new Ford Explorer are cracked rear coil over springs, along with transmission and A/C problems, etc, etc. How many more complaints is it going to take before Ford stands up to their design flaws..."??"

- East Aurora, NY, USA

Whining noise from rear end of my 2002 Ford Explorer XLT. Small drips in garage from rear end. Dealer said rear differential was leaking but no big deal. Now my overdrive light is flashing which per the owners manual says get to a repair shop right away as my transmission in trouble.

- Celina, TX, USA

Rear-end whines excessively when driving at 45-65 mph. Very load. I am concerned because as I researched it on the internet it is apparent that I am not the only one suffering from this type of problem.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

2002 Ford Explorer XLS. At 24,000 miles, transmission would not shift into gear:transmission needed to be rebuilt. At 26,000 miles, load whining heard from rear of vehicle. Brought to dealership on three occasions to complain and was told they "could not duplicate the noise" and "it is how it is supposed to sound". on the third return, I produced seven pages of documented complaints from other owners found on this web site and others. They decided that now they might know what the problem is and replaced the rear differential and drive shaft. Problem was fixed for the next 30,000 miles but is now displaying the same noise and is "clunking" in to drive and reverse. Separate problem with the daylight running lights, they flash like an emergency vehicle till I turn the head lights on. I did not notice till I was pulled over by a sheriff and questioned as to why I had emergency lights installed on my vehicle. On a positive note, I do get through traffic jams a lot faster now.

- Marietta, NY, USA

2002 Ford Explorer experiencing problems with the 4WD, the over drive light illuminates on the dashboard and the vehicle is giving off a rotten egg smell. There were front end problems. The 4WD module wasn't working. The driveshaft and both front wheel bearings were replaced. The rotors were out of round. The service engine light illuminated along with the over drive light. The transmission experienced the same problem on two occasions and possibly a third time. A large puddle of transmission was found under the vehicle. The torque converter was noisy. The acceleration pedal would pull back. When the vehicle was accelerated, it would whine. The left rear wheel bearing was gone and caused damage to the axle, brakes and the tire was barely holding on. The error code for the service engine soon light was due to the solenoid which had been changed before. The A/C was inoperative.

- Morris, PA, USA

There is a loud droning sound from underneath the car and vibrations in the floorboards.

- Sterling, VA, USA