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:
25 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
25 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,734 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 driving at 45 mph on icy road consumer lost control of the vehicle, and it collided head on with an embankment. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Consumer was wearing seat belts. Consumer's head struck the steering wheel, requiring several stitches. Police arrived, but no one was cited.
The consumer rear ended another motorists while driving 25 mph. This resulted in severe front end damage upon impact. The interior panel was also crushed. None of the frontal air bags deployed upon impact. The consumer sustained injuries to the neck, shoulder, back, and knee.
Air bag serviced 3X, but air bag light continued to illuminate. Dealer repaired a loose wire connection, deleted a code in history and repaired the passenger side wiring harness.
While traveling about 60mph on highway consumer was blinded by the sun. Consumer pulled over to the shoulder and hit an aluminum meridian strip. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy. Ph.
While traveling about 65mph on highway another vehicle made a U turn. Upon impact, airbags didn't deploy. Dealership was aware of problem. Consumers vehicle hit other vehicle broad side. Air bags did not deploy with the direct frontal impact, there was one injury in the accident.
While driving at 45mph, was involved in a rear end collision. Upon impact, none of the air bags deployed. The sensor was bent up and sideways. The seat belt allowed consumer to slide under. Both knees hit the dashboard. Consumer suffers from upper and lower back pain and sore knees. Consumer is not sure if there is an airbag in the vehicle.
While driving 25 to 30 mph, vehicle broadsided another car, during the crash, both frontal air bags failed to deploy, vehicle has not been inspected by dealership to determine a possible cause for this problem, both occupants sustained injuries.
Consumer rearended another vehicle due to brake failure at 20 mph. Upon impact, neither airbag deployed. No injuries. Vehicle at dealership at this time.
Consumer was traveling about 75mph on highway and another vehicle jumped into her lane. She veered off the road, and had control of vehicle. Went by onto lanes, and other vehicle hit her from behind. She jerked vehicle off road, and front rear Goodyear tire exploded. Upon impact, dual airbags deployed halfway. Dealership was aware of problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sterling, VA, USA