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.
We recently purchased this 2002 Ford Explorer. We brought it to a shop for some break work and found out the rear tie rod ends are shot. The mechanic called around for the parts and determined that the toe rods are a dealer only part!! and the dealers want $170 per side!!! They're tie rod ends!! And then we can't even get the parts because they're back ordered until at least November!! What the hell, this is a serious issue. If the tie rod were to completely fail you would loose control of the vehicle. This is the last Ford we'll ever purchase. Ridiculous. The engineers who design this crap should be fired on the spot. Idiots.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
We recently purchased this 2002 Ford Explorer. We brought it to a shop for some break work and found out the rear tie rod ends are shot. The mechanic called around for the parts and determined that the toe rods are a dealer only part!! and the dealers want $170 per side!!! They're tie rod ends!! And then we can't even get the parts because they're back ordered until at least November!! What the hell, this is a serious issue. If the tie rod were to completely fail you would loose control of the vehicle. This is the last Ford we'll ever purchase. Ridiculous. The engineers who design this crap should be fired on the spot. Idiots.
- John C., Negaunee, MI, US