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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.

8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$660
Average Mileage:
95,300 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. new replacement (11 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
2002 Ford Explorer wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2002 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #13

Aug 202010

Explorer XLS 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I HAD MY EXPLORER FOR THREE YEARS & IT ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT. THEN AT AROUND 70,000 MILES I STARTED HAVING SMALL PROBLEMS WITH IT THEN THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WERE FIRST AND IT SEEMS ALL THE PLASTIC PARTS BREAK SO EASILY DRIVER DOOR HANDLE ETC.THE AIR CONDITIONING HEATER DIAL WONT SWITCH IT BACK FROM AIR,TO HEAT VICE VERSA,,SENTINAL LIGHT WONT GO OUT OR COME ON ,CONSOLE LATCH BROKE,HEADLIGHT SWITCH PANEL BROKE,HEADRESTS BROKE,THIS ISSSSSS THEEEEE BIG ONE REAR HUB BEARINGS ARE BEING REPLACED ,FRONTS ARE NEXT AND LET ME ADD REAR STRUT SPRINGS WERE CRACKED HAD TO REPLACE BOTH STRUTS,REAR WIPER ASSEMBLY SPRING POPPED OUT , THIS AINT A CRY FOR HELP BUT I AM DUMPING IT BEFORE TRANSMISSION GOES LOOKING FOR A1991 F-150 OR AN 87 SILVERADO GOOD LUCK TO ALL US FORD OWNERS .AND THATS ALL I GOT TO SAY ABOUT THAT.LOL

- John D., Pittston Twp., PA, US

problem #12

May 162008

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

have had humming noise in rear of truck for 2yrs now. while driving and backing up. rear hub assembly is 120 bucks ea. if i do it my self. thought it was the rear diff going out but talked to mechanic and he suggested the hubs were bad. replaced both front hubs, $ 320 and put on myself( wasn't that hard) just needed torque specs. now that im going to replace rear hubs cant find the torque specs...? truck now has 88000 miles on it. bought used in 07 with 32000 miles. a very well maintained truck just minor problems... but trans jums into 4th gear. hopefully nothing major just flush it out...

- josmantx, Texarkana, TX, US

problem #11

Oct 012009

Explorer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,138 miles

For months this noise has been bothering me. I was convinced it was the rear coil springs I just had replaced acting up again, but it wasn't instead it was the wheel bearings and hub that needed replaced 330 FN dollars. Okay I got it fixed now the other one needs to be fixed. This Explorer and its problems is really thinning out my bank account!!

- Dorine W., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #10

Nov 052007

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This Explorer has been a joke. After about 92,000 the rear passenger hub ceased and I had to have it replaced. No mechanic around here could figure out what it was for months!!!

- Tracy C., Grantsville, WV, US

problem #9

Sep 292008

Explorer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

My 17 yr old daughter complained of a shimmy in the car and said she needed an alignment. (We had just purchased the vehicle several weeks before). We were going to make an appointment. A few days later she was driving to the store with a friend who heard a noise in the rear. On the return trip from the store the girls heard a brief noise and felt the back end of the car go out of control. Needless to say she could not keep it under control and rolled across the interstate and into the median. Thankfully the was no other traffic at the time, both were wearing seatbelts and had only minor injuries. I provided this information to the insurance company, but since was a single car accident the adjuster must not have been too concerned with the cause. So as far as I have been informed they assume the tire blew out. And did not look any further into the cause. Therefore, I can not say with 100% certainty that it was a hub problem but it sure sounds similar to the other complaints I have read here. My concern is the next person to have this problem will not be as lucky and may not walk away with minor injuries.

The car was totaled and disposed of by the insurance company.

- unknownwv, Wheeling, WV, US

problem #8

Oct 232004

Explorer 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

It was just starting should of gotten rid of it. I bought it used I see why the other owner got rid of it

- unknowns_1999, Oshkosh, WI, US

problem #7

Aug 102008

(reported on)

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had right-rear bearing replaced at 84,500 mi, left rear bearing and both rear springs at 90,000. Now have a right front bearing going at 114,000 mi. May as well replace both since it sounds like the left will go soon as well. Looks like it will cost me around $300 just for parts since I will fix them myself. Seems I got a little more mileage out of the fronts than most though. Just getting ready for that transmission to fail.

Some other issues I've had are (bought the vehicle new with extended warranty): A leaky rear hatch window since day one (never really fixed), 2 new rear wiper motors replaced under warranty (2nd one is starting to fail), power window switch failure (fixed under warranty), sun roof shade is stuck/out of track (never repaired), 3 noisy/squeaky engine belts replaced (also one tensioner and alternator related to this problem replaced under warranty), broken hood release handle (replaced under warranty), rear hatch window unlatches on its own since day one (never fixed), parking brake failure at 85,000 mi. Why they went out I'll never know, Don't think I used my brake more than half a dozen times.

Whew, I think that's enough. I be thinking long and hard before I buy another Ford. Unfortunately my wife is a Ford person (her Dad is a retiree) so it may be a little tough.

- boofman, Redford, MI, US

problem #6

Apr 022008

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,600 miles

Replaced both left side wheel bearings, front had the complete hub/bearing kit.$875

Back right side was done a month earlier (just bearing $300) The back right started out as a humming, like a bad tire, I couldn't find anything wrong. Then metal to metal grinding. The wheel wobbled as it was ready to fall off.

As soon as I heard the humming on the left side , I took it in.

There should be a recall.

- daniellohio, Kent, OH, US

problem #5

Nov 182005

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Just the beginning, thought it was all good, Only kidding myself.

- Nancy D., Wellston, MI, US

problem #4

Feb 292008

Explorer 4WD 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

well, my complaint is the same as most on here. in 2004 I bought a 2002 explorer with 34000 miles on it. 6 months into ownership replaced left front hub assembly under extended warranty. 12 months later replaced right front hub assembly. 2007 replaced right front hub assembly. 2008 replaced right rear hub assembly. I can only imagine next year I will be replacing the left rear hub assembly. How what would I do if I didn't get that extended warranty. I would would be out 2500 dollars at least. The truck has barely 75000 miles on it. so nearly 40000 miles and 4 years and 3 hubs and counting not to mention it was a dangerous situation to have hub assembly fail while driving.

- cwilsonpa, Glenside, PA, US

problem #3

Feb 162007

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

we set out for a nice trip to Florida and at about half way in fayetteville Virgina we noticed growling sound then the whole back end broke loose i had my two year old and pregnant wife in the car and i had all i could do to hold the truck to the road and not flip it over thank you ford for almost causing the loss of my family. not to mention three day hotel stay in Virgina the nascar capitol on daytona week end. I couldn't get a mechanic any where till Monday at may i add a extensive rate.it cost me 875.00 out of our vacation fund.

- David S., Mattydale, NY, US

problem #2

Dec 102006

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

I've had a repair done 1 yr ago when almost losing control of my explorer w/ my family w/ me. the rear tire hub was broken off and told that if not for the brakes holding them on we would not have had a great end result on te freeway. well after a yr i just checked my rear hub again because i was goin to change my brakes and would you believe the same thing has just occurred. i could move my tired in and out so much i was sickened by what could have happened. i'm just now goin back to see y i still have this problem.

- Jc M., Arlington, TX, US

problem #1

Aug 252007

(reported on)

Explorer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

I have a Ford Explorer with 67,000 miles on it. In less than 9 months I have had to hace the rear tires fixed. All three time I was driving worth my NOW 3 year old daughter. Each time while driving I heard a strange sound, & experienced a difficult time keeping the truck stable. I have had this truck repaired each tome by a reputable mechanic tha t has been in business for over 30 years. Each time they have fixed third problem with only ford genuine parts. I can no longer feel safe either driving this car or selling it. When I call my dealer, they seem to be very lax in their solutions, & are very unsympathetic. I need to get as much feed back as possible from anyone experiencing the same problems. I am in contact with my attorney , as the dealership is aware of, & obviously noy concerned. Any information is greatly appreciated.

Regards, & drive safe.

Michel Sherman. Pearl River, NY

- Michael S., Pearl River, NY, US

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