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.
I HAVE CHANGED ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS ON THE MODEL TWICE IN 6 MONTHS. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD TO DO THIS. I KNOW OF 5 DIFFERENT PEOPLE DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOR LIVING CHECK TO CHECK IT IS REAL HARD TO GET THIS FIXED EVERY TIME YOU THINK YOU ARE AHEAD OF THE GAME. I HAVE OWN EXPLORERS FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS AND THIS IS ONE HAS BEEN GIVING ME THE MOST PROBLEMS AND IS EMPTYING OUT THE BANK FAST. IT IS LOOKING LIKE I NEED TO CHANGE MY MAKE OF SUV I DRIVE IF NOTHING IS GOING TO BE DONE AND MY WHOLE FAMILY DRIVES FORDS, ALWAYS HAVE. BUT TIME WILL TELL IF WE ARE CHANGING.
Here we go with bad wheel bearings!!!! Why am I not surprised that now it's the front wheel bearings? Because it has just got to the point to when something breaks on this POS FORD, I'm just not shocked anymore.
I found out that my right front bearing was bad when I took the Explorer in for my two week check up on my rebuilt transmission and they told me after my test drive that the right front bearing was shot. Are you kidding me? Is this even possible? Oh yes it is because it's another one of Fords great ideas gone bad. Someone needs to hold this company accountable. So I have two new bearings sitting out in my garage for installation from the hubby this week. I hope. I checked out all the bearings and settled on Timken brand. I have read that if you buy cheap bearings you will get what you paid for and most likely replace them again soon. Oh and if you buy one you might want to purchase two for the front. They recommend to do both sides, and it makes sense.
- intamernet,
West Valley City, UT, US
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We are always replacing the wheel bearings about every 2 years. They just don't last. Every wheel bearings on this piece of junk has been replaced 2 or 3 times and they are not cheap to replace. If I could afford to buy a different vehicle I would but I can't. I definitely won't buy another Explorer. I currently have one bad and don't know how I am going to get it fixed.
I purchased my 2002 Ford Explorer in 2007 with under 50,000 miles. I have replaced 8 wheel bearings in the last 5yrs. I don't expect to by a new auto & have to replace wheel bearings every year!!! This auto only has 140,000 on it now. Why hasn't Ford done a recall is what I want to know? I will get rid of it because of what I have read it will be the transmission next!!
To start with, my dad told me not to buy that junk but i did .paid too much . It started with the front wheel bearings then the rear then the ball joints. That was just a year ago and it is happening again .ford needs to step up and be accountable for the junk they sell
If you suspect it's a bad bearing, replace is asap. Or the entire thing could fall apart and you are litterly steering with a tire only attached to your ball joint which will through you all over the road with no control. Fun fun. Will def scare the sh*t out of you!
Both rear hub bearings failed causing loud growling noise while driving. Noise increased with speed to a point you could not hear the radio on the freeway.
Not only did I have to pay $400 for the repair. The dealership only fixed ONE!!! My mom picked up the car for me and when I drove to work the next day still had the problem. Because they only replaced ONE!!! All four are bad. The rear not as bad as front but was given about a months time before they catch up. UNBELIEVABLE !!
Ford messed this up with the 2002 as well. From what my mechanic said, it is a regular issue with the Explorer. I guess I will count my lucky stars I got the manual transmission and dodged a HUGE bullet with the abysmal auto transmission. My wife and I were about to buy a new Expedition as well. After reading about the issues with the 5.4 V8, NO WAY. I can't believe Ford will not recall that issue or the auto transmission on his model Explorer. I liked the features and feel of the Expedition too. My money is going to get a GMC Yukon now. Ford will never see another dime of my money.
OMG FORD I have had to replace all of my wheel bearing not once but twice in the three years i have owned my explorer I baby my vehicles so i know it is not my driving!!! I believe the 02 explorer has got to be the worst year ever, were you all sleeping when u built all these vehicles? I have had nothing but problem after problem after problem... I have spent more money in repairs than what I paid for the vehicle I have to say i will not buy ford again until ford actually becomes FORD TOUGH again!!!!!!!!!!!
this was the first time and didn't realize this was a major complaint until i looked online. I am going to be posting a separate complaint for the second time i am now replacing the bearings at 117,000 miles as well as having to replace the tranny @ 95,000 miles. UGH!!!!
Another problem with the vehicle... no wonder everyone callsit the Ford Exploder!!! Thought your engineers could fix some of the common problems,maybe you should pay them another bucket of money!!!
This is not the first time this has happen i am on my 8th repair on all four hubs it's costing me 600.00 for each side i do. the amount of money spent on this vehicle i could had a new vehicle. I have called the manufacture up on the problem and they told me there is no recall on it. I told them what i have to do get killed "which i almost did lucky i was able to pull over" before there is a recall. A state police officer said they had the same problems and my mechanic said the same this that is all he repairs. Who the hell is going to pay for the damage done and when the hell someone is going to get off their lazy ass and start doing something before you have a serious accident. I am getting pissed off knowing i have to pay out all this money and nobody will lift a damn finger to help.
Update from Feb 8, 2012: As of 2/7/11 i just replaced the left hub bearing assembly, now i have to replace the right side. what the hell is going on with these bearing that it keeps going like this. I can't keep dishing out money like this.
This truck sucks I had all wheel hubs replaced, the rack in pinon replaced 2 times of I can see once but twice, this truck never costs under 400 when i take it to the shop. recently went for inspection and now nee tie rod, ball joint, coil spring, and 2 tires.
very dangerous, wheel felt like it was going to fall off when it suddenly started making noise and no longer had control over the vehicle. replaced bearing on the side of the road at a hotel.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have now replaced ALL the wheel bearings on my Explorer and it sounds like I am hearing another go bad again.
- marlenew, Numa, IA, US