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
Typical Repair Cost:
$650
Average Mileage:
130,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
valve spring had to be replaced in cylinder #4 (1 reports)
hooked it up to the diagnostic computer at parts store. Showed fault on #4 cylinder. Replaced coil, then plug, then wire. Still showed fault, still misfiring, still shaking like the engine was going to blow. Ended up at dealer, removed valve cover & the spring was broken. Dealer said "rare event".
Oh, & ran like crap when returned to us. Dealer had forgotten to hook back up the exhaust tube! Seems okay now....just some lifter noise which is new.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
hooked it up to the diagnostic computer at parts store. Showed fault on #4 cylinder. Replaced coil, then plug, then wire. Still showed fault, still misfiring, still shaking like the engine was going to blow. Ended up at dealer, removed valve cover & the spring was broken. Dealer said "rare event".
Oh, & ran like crap when returned to us. Dealer had forgotten to hook back up the exhaust tube! Seems okay now....just some lifter noise which is new.
- Mike & Sue H., St James, MO, US