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.
'02 Explorer Transmission Fix - Serious leak of transmission fluid between pin and bore of the overdrive servo (piston). check line pressure from pump, under 500 psi you have a leak. the pin of the servo is hardened steel and the case of the transmission is soft aluminum. Brass bushings must be inserted which means you also have to bore. Lory transmissions in florida has the manual and parts. It's not just the 02's that have this problem
I own a 2002 EB Ford Explorer. Last summer it began to give me problems. I would get to a red light or a stop then when I would accelerate it would not go. I tried checking the transmission fluid and couldn't find where to check or add fluid so I took it to a mechanic who said it sounded like the exhaust? I let him fix it and it appeared to be working then two months later it started up again, $800 down the drain! Two months after that it overheated and there I was stranded with 4 kids the youngest 3, I was furious! So I took it to another mechanic, another $600 and it seemed to be fine again except now the "service engine soon" light is on. Now $1400 and entire year later the darn thing is still doing the same thing.
After shifting from park to drive the engine revs to 3000 rpms before the car starts to move. As the car warms up the problem goes away. My understanding is that Ford has a huge problem with the 2002 explorer transmission and nothing has been done by the Company to resolve the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I own a 2002 EB Ford Explorer. Last summer it began to give me problems. I would get to a red light or a stop then when I would accelerate it would not go. I tried checking the transmission fluid and couldn't find where to check or add fluid so I took it to a mechanic who said it sounded like the exhaust? I let him fix it and it appeared to be working then two months later it started up again, $800 down the drain! Two months after that it overheated and there I was stranded with 4 kids the youngest 3, I was furious! So I took it to another mechanic, another $600 and it seemed to be fine again except now the "service engine soon" light is on. Now $1400 and entire year later the darn thing is still doing the same thing.
- E S., Immokalee, FL, US