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.
2.6
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,888 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.
I heard like a airplane right over the head of my truck and it ended up being my hub bearings, the Ford dealer said we have alot of these problems with the 2002 Ford XLT Explorer. He told me as many as these that he gets in it should be a recall. He proceeds to tell me your tire can fall off and there can be serious accident someone can get killed or hurt really bad. Now I had to shell out 1,0000. At a local dealer to get this problem fix. I finally got done paying for the [xxx] car and now I have to throw money in constantly first it was my rear end 10 days after warranty expired now its hub bearing what's next maybe Ford would be # 1 if they made a better truck. That is why the american consumer are buying foreign cars and trucks because at least they do recalls and the cars and trucks last. Maybe our economy would be better if people bought american stuff but as you see why when you have to shell out money all the time to fix it! plus warranty's on foreign cars are better too 10 yrs or 100,000miles.see american companies like Ford don't have a warranty like that because they know there crap will break before 10 yrs. I feel bad to complain but I supported Ford for along time and anything I buy usually has some kind of problem and the sad thing I always buy new. This is my 3rd new Ford I bought just to keep the money in United States. There should not have to be a death or crash for a recall! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Recently purchased a 2002 Ford Explorer for my 17 year old daughter, it has 79,000 miles on it. Within the first three months of owning the vehicle I have had to replace 3 of the 4 wheel bearings. The tire was practically falling off the vehicle by the time it made enough noise for anyone to notice.
I heard a whining sound coming from the front of my SUV. Took it to a friend who works on Ford and he said it was the left front wheel bearing. He fixed that and the sound continued, so he replaced the right front. The sound went away. Two days later same sound coming from the rear. My SUV only has 51,000 miles on it. This is a major safety issue especially since I am driving with 3 children. I see that this is way too common. I am lucky that I was not driving my kids when the bearings totally failed and a tire fell off. I still have to old parts, I am considering sending them to Ford. They told me in order for them to acknowledge there is a problem I must put the bad parts back on my car and take it to a dealership. Risk my life and the lives of my children so I can take it to a dealership? no thanks. I will send them the parts so they can see how bad they are.
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!
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4X4, I have been getting a humming sound. I have replaced one front wheel hub bearing and both rear will bearing hub. One at a time, couldn't afford to do all. Humming still being heard. I have 125,000 miles and its in good shape. I bought it in 2002 a certified vehicle. Ford needs to recall rear of 2002 Explorer.
- Chicago, IL, USA
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1. I noticed a humming type sound that would increase as I sped up. I thought I had a wheel out of alignment, or tire off balance. I was due for my 36,000 mile maintenance check, so I took it to the dealership to have everything checked out. They performed a $400 maintenance package to my vehicle on May 4, 2004, of which I thought included inspecting tires, wheels, etc. They returned my vehicle to me and as I drove home, noticed the humming sound was still occurring, but I just had everything checked, and thought it was just a noise that was normal. 2. the noise continued on, getting worse (louder) and was bothersome, so I took it to a local mechanic for a second opinion. Upon review of my vehicle, he suggested replacing the right rear wheel hub assembly and bearings. 3. on July 3, 2004 the rr hub assembly and bearings were replaced at a cost of $360.52. The problem was solved. I don't believe the old part is still available. But, after speaking with other mechanics, I have heard this has been a problem with several vehicles of this type and wanted to let someone know I had a problem with this too.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Catskill, NY, USA