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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 1
Average Mileage:
30,650 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.
The contact stated the when driving a 2002 Ford Explorer at approximately 20 mph, equipped with cooper tire, tire line solaris as, tire size 225-70-R16, dot information was not available. The front passenger tire wall blew and the tire separated from the rim. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The vehicle VIN, mileage, information was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted.
Driving nd steering wheel fell apart brake switch stopped working 3 times had new transmission put in had to have 3 different sets of tire put on back window shattered while sitting at red light.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer with cooper discovery htp tires, size: 235 70 R16 (N/a). The contact was traveling 65 mph when the front and rear driver's side tires blew out, causing the steering wheel to shake and the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The contact crashed into a side rail and was transported to the hospital for treatment of severe whiplash injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and was not inspected for the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was equipped with Goodyear Wrangler sra tires. The contact was driving approximately 50 mph and the front passenger tire exploded. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The front passenger tire was replaced with a spare tire. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.
- Edinboro, PA, USA
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Tire stem failure on 3 of 4 stampede radial SUV tires. I got 2 flat tires in the span of 5 days and caught the 3rd stem before a flat tire occurred (it was cracked at the base).
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The vehicle has Continental sportiva tires, size 275-60-R17 (na). While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact noticed that the tires were not balanced properly. He took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the front passenger side tire had a bubble. The mechanic stated that he was sold an old tire. The tire mileage was unknown. The vehicle current and failure mileages were 140,000.
It started very early after buying the 2002 Ford Explorer...electrical prob..couldn't get veh started...100 miles away from home dealership....towed to closest Ford dealership...fixed; or so we thought. Same thing happened a week later. Home dealership advised us that the other dealership installed the wrong part and it could have caused life-threatening problems....we contacted the other dealership and advised them what our home dealership said...of course the dealership denied this...anyway...home dealership installed new part...veh ok....then wheel bearings had to be replaced in front 1st left side-then right. (this was after the rear end was replaced) boy, was that a major fight with the home dealership! now! the transmission is gone!!!!! isn't there something we can do" Ford has been using defective parts!!!!and now asking for government money??"!!!!Ford should be paying for this!
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The vehicle has nexen ht SUV OWL tires (na), size 235/70R/16 (na). The vehicle was driven to a local tire shop for inspection and the mechanic stated that the front driver's side tire was defective. The mechanic rebalanced, rotated, and placed four new nexen tires on the vehicle. A week later, the contact noticed that all four tires were making a high pitched noise and also hydroplaned during wet road conditions. The dealer called the mechanic and they stated that they would notify the manufacturer on his behalf. The manufacturer has not yet been notified. The tires have not been replaced. The current mileage was 55,000 and failure mileage was 54,000. Updated 01/09/09. Updated 01/12/09.
Problems with this Explorer over my ownership include: -rear glass replaced -front brakes replaced -rear wheel bearings have required replacement, -parking brake issues, -new tires, etc.
Rear end is making a horrible rubbing noise....thought it might be the tires but I just replaced all 4 tires with the same exact tires they come from factory with and still have the problem.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The vehicle has Firestone destination, size lep23570R16 xl107T tires (na). While changing lanes at 60 mph, the tires would swerve and shake. He returned the tires from where they were purchased and was informed that the failure could have been due to the alignment. The tire shop mechanic inspected the vehicle and found nothing wrong, however, he rotated the tires. Two days later, the contact's wife was driving the vehicle at approximately 60 mph. She switched lanes and the vehicle began to swerve, causing her to lose control. As a result, the vehicle rolled over twice and landed on its tires. She was not injured and the vehicle was towed. The current and failure mileages were 58,200. Missouri police report. Updated 10/18/07
After owning for a week and a half, had to have the G ears in the rear end replaced. Later informed that the tires were not evenly worn which was causing the rear end to pop. After replacing the tires, the four wheel drive would not work. The 4 X 4 module and the wiring need to be replaced, costing $1000. That is not including the driver window switch needing to be replaced as well as the window regulator. Now there is an electrical problem coming from the dash. Unable to figure out what it is yet.
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT with 96,000 miles on it and around 60,000 the noise started. First the front right wheel started to vibrate and then the hub went. While driving my front tire just collapsed. 2nd issue the rear end started to make noise is more like vibraing. And after searching on google, I find that im not the only one with this issue. This is a very expensive issue $1200. Just to start the Ford company is aware of this issue and nothing is being done about it. This is not a joke, this is serious, someone can get hurt. Maybe that's what it will take for the Ford company to resolve the issue, the issue that Ford is aware of. Please help!
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The vehicle has Goodyear tracker II (na), size P235/70R16 tires. While driving approximately 65 mph, the driver side rear tire blew out and the vehicle began to fishtail. The contact regained control of the vehicle and pulled over. Aaa arrived and changed the tire. The tire has not been inspected. The current and failure mileages were 61,840.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. He noticed deep worn areas on the tire. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause. The current mileage on the vehicle was 104,000. The contact was unable to provide the tire details. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Ongoing shifting and slipping within the transmission. Also a loud shrill at the end of the acceleration. The transmission converter has been replaced multiple times and the transmission leaked out fluid at highway speed. After the repair of a stripped transmission line connector and a pile of glue to fix a broken electrical connector the vehicle was returned to service by the dealership and the warranty company. The converters are "remanufactured" which have been known to fail. The glob of glue on the electrical connector will be reviewed by the state as to the proper repair procedure. A law suit may follow due to separate repairs including a tire with a nail, where a new tire was purchased and a used on was installed (bf goodrich). The tire was also not balanced and was off by 1.5 oz. There was also a gasket removed from the cooling system that caused antifreeze to spill out onto the engine. The cooling system had been serviced two months prior and was never leaking until the day the vehicle was returned. There was also the discovery of the positive electrical harness to the starter having exposed wires due to the oil filter drain housing made of plastic rubbing against the wires. There are three wires exposed and there may be the potential for fire.
Around March 2005 on a spring break, took my 2002 Ford Explorer in about 15 miles out my town, one of the tires, the rubber just separated from the tire, causing the truck to move in different directions, but thank god I was able to steer to the right side of the road since I just started to speed up the vehicle it did not flip the truck, but caused damaged inside the truck where the wheel is located, all because a piece of the rubber separated from the tire. The expense was less than $200 but the drama was priceless, and the kids all were crying.I need information on the recall tires of my truck. Thank you.
On or about November 3, 2005, I purchased a break model used Ford Explorer XLT 2002 from norm reeves Honda car dealer in cerritos, ca. The car had 78,000 miles on it at the time of purchase. I signed the papers and took the possession of the car. It has not been more than 2 months that the car started giving me trouble on the pick up of the speed, transmission, gear adjustment, over use of the gas, difficult high altitude driving even after change of gears, air suction into the engine and transmission, accelerator and signs like service engine soon on the front panel, although I have been getting regular lube and tune on the car after every 3000 miles. While driving the, occasionally, the car gives a thundering noise on the tires as if it is dragging itself and running on the road. This makes me fear that my car is not safe for me to drive! the norm reeves Honda super store car dealer knew that the car is defective and they simply wanted to get rid of a used 2002 Ford Explorer XLT vehicle from the fleet as they primarily sell Honda cars and similar vehicles. Despite repeated requests, the norm reeves Honda super store and their sister company Ford of cerritos refused to provide service on the car since I stopped payments on the car loan. Other Ford car dealers have test driven this car and observed the same defects as I have mentioned. My purpose of writing this complaint with the NHTSA is to request the intervention of NHTSA immediately as the questioned vehicle is likely to endanger my life on the local roads and/or on highway/freeways. Due to major defects in the car, I can meet with a serious accident and can be crippled or suffer such pecuniary losses that are irreplaceable and/or I can die also with out any fault of mine. Please recall Firestone tires V. Ford Motor Company case law. Criminal charges against norm reeves Honda, Ford of cerritos and their ceos to follow. Please contact me and the dealers asap. Respectfully submitted, amardeep singh gill.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Alexandria, VA, USA