2002 FORD EXPLORER Suspension Problems

HAD TO HAVE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. *TR

WHEEL BEARINGS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER ARE WEARING OUT WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. I NEVER HAD A CAR THAT EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SEVER PROBLEM AS I DRIVE MY SMALL CHILDREN AROUND IN. KNOWING THAT A WHEEL COULD EVENTUALLY COME OFF SCARES THE LIFE OUT OF ME. THERE IS NO RECALL FROM AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER, WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT (PRE-MATURELY AS ON THOUSANDS OF THIS MODEL CAR)AND AIRBAG DISCONNECTED (FORD MADE CABLE TOO SHORT UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT.) LUCKY WE CAUGHT IT BEFORE WHEEL FLEW OFF AND AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY! *TR

PREMATURE FAILURE OF ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AS WELL AS THE PINION GEAR AND CLUTCH PACKS WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. *TR

BROUGHT MY 2002 EXPLORER (59K MILES) TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED I HAD A BROKEN REAR SPRING. ON DISCUSSION BOARD ON-LINE FOUND ALLOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM. VERY COSTLY TO FIX CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY SPRING WOULD BREAK ON LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORE EXPLORER XLT 10/2004 WITH 69,500 MILES. I NOW HAVE 17,500.00 MILES. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROX 4 YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS FOR ALL 4 WHEELS. THE FIRST TIME WAS 12/05. ALL FOUR TIMES THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY OFFER NO REASON WHY THIS MIGHT HAPPEN. THIS WAS MY FIRST FORD VEHICLE. *TR

FIRST THE BACK (BOTH) WHEEL BEARINGS WENT. SOUNDED LIKE A NASTY GRINDING NOISE, VERY LOUD. I HAD THEM REPLACED AT 750.00 TO REPLACE THEM AND THAT WAS NOT INCLUDING THE FACT THAT THEY DESTROYED MY BRAKES AND THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO..VERY EXPENSIVE.. NO WARRANTY..THAN REPLACED THE DRIVERS FRONT BEARING AND NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE BEARING IS GOING..WILL REPLACE VERY SOON. *TR

I'M READING MANY, MANY, MANY AND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THINGS FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. MAINLY THE WHEEL BEARINGS GOING WHICH CAN CAUSE THE WHEELS TO FALL OFF WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL GOING OUT. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THIS MATTER! *TR

WHEEL BEARINGS ERODED AFTER ONLY 75K MILES; TIRES IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF. *TR

WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS WITH MOST 2002 MODEL FORD EXPLORERS ALL TRIM LEVELS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 HAS EXCESSIVE WHEEL BEARING NOISE. I HAVE READ OF MANY WHEEL BEARING ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL WHICH SIGNIFIES A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. A RECALL SHOULD BE INSTITUTED. *TR

NOISE AND FLUID LEAKAGE IN REAR DIAGNOSED BY LOCAL MECHANIC AS FAILING WHEEL BEARING AND DIFFERENTIAL SEAL. REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL SEAL AND ONE REAR WHEEL BEARING AT 57,000 MILES. AT 69,000 REPLACED ONE FRONT WHEEL BEARING BECAUSE OF NOISE. AT 80,000 MECHANIC REPORTED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAD CORRODED AT THEIR UPPER ENDS AND CRACKED THROUGH. BOTH THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON ON 2002 MODELS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN THE DATA BASE. *TR

REAR HUB BEARINGS SHOT AND VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. THIS IS HAPPENING ON 2002 FORD EXPLORERS IN GREAT NUMBERS AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY A RECALL. PLEASE REFER TO HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WHEELS_HUBS/WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML WHERE AMONG OTHERS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ARE POSTED. *TR

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT WE PURCHASED USED WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE PURCHASE WE HAVE HAD 3 POWER WINDOW MOTORS GO BAD, BOTH REAR BEARINGS REPLACED, THE BACK DOOR PANEL IS CRACKED, THE A/C DOESN'T WORK, AND NOW IT LOOKS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. IF SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS HOW CAN THERE BE NO RECALL? *TR

SEVERE WHEEL BEARING ISSUES SINCE DAY ONE. HUB ASSEMBLY MADE LOUD NOISE AND THE WHEELS MAY HAVE FELL OFF BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN OF BEARING ASSEMBLY. MATHEWS FORD ASSURED US IT WAS NORMAL FOR 4X4 EXPLORERS TO MAKE SUCH NOISE, AND HAVE NOT REVISITED THE PROBLEM FROM 2002 UNTIL NOW. BEARINGS WERE CHECKED ON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON JUNE 17 2008 AND WERE FOUND TO BE FAILING ACCORDING TO MATHEWS FORD MECHANIC. AT 52,000 MILES THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND SPINDLE WERE REPLACED DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER- A NIGHTMARE OF PROBLEMS THAT KEEP GETTING WORSE. IT HAS 56K MILES ON IT AND I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. FUEL PUMP , 2 REAR SPRINGS, 2 WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. NEITHER OF THE 2 REAR WINDOWS ROLL DOWN AND THE BACK HATCH LIFT REPLACE ON RECALL IS BROKEN YET AGAIN. THIS IS THE BIGGEST HUNK OF JUNK ON 4 WHEELS. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING. THANK GOD I DIDN'T BUY IT NEW BECAUSE THAT REALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A RIP OFF. *TR

ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACED ON MY 02' FORD EXPLORER PREMATURELY IN MY OPINION AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT ON INTERNET CHAT ROOMS AND WEB SITES. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN THEY FAIL DUE TO THE TIRE WOBBLING ON THE AXLE WITHOUT WARNING. THESE REPAIRS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE ALSO AND HARD TO DO FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON IF THEY WANT TO SAVE MONEY. *TR

WELL, THE WIFE BOUGHT THIS PRE OWNED 2002 FORD EXPLORER. 10 MONTHS AGO. WE STARTED GETTING ROAD NOISE AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. I THOUGHT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR TIRES BEING CUPPED, AND PLACED ON THE FRONT. WE LET THAT GO, I THEN TOLD THE WIFE TO GO GET NEW TIRES. THEY TELL HERE AFTERWARDS, THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN, AND WOULD BE $660.00 DOLLARS TO FIX. SO I TOLD HER, TO JUST BRING THE EXPLORER TO ME, ILL FIX IT. SO AFTER A DAY OF WEB SEARCHES I FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL, JUST LIKE THE MAN AT TIREMAN SAID. AND THESE COIL SPRINGS ARE OF COURSE MADE IN CHINA. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS, I ALWAYS FELT THE REAR END SWAY WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS AT 10 MPH. AND NEVER KNEW THE SPRINGS WERE...

TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD INTO 2ND GEAR FROM DAY ONE, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL, WHINING IN REAR END ALSO SAID NORMAL. HAD TO REPLACE 2 WHEEL BEARINGS, 2 MORE BAD NOW, REPLACED WHEEL HUB, NOW TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT. *TR

FAILURE OF WHEEL BEARINGS, CAUSING LACK OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE WHEEL LOSS. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ON FORD EXPLORER 2002. *TR

ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SUV I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUB ASSEMBLIES(APPROX $250 EACH), WITH THE 4TH NOT FAR BEHIND. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE MODULE(APPROX $400-$500). I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR WINDOW MOTORS GOING BAD AND HAVING TO REPLACE THESE TOO. THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DUMMY LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR NO REASON. THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME OFTEN COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE BUCKLED YOUR SEAT BELT. YOU HAVE TO SLAM THE BUCKLE INTO PLACE FOR IT TO GO OFF AND SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT WORK EITHER. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW MAKING A LOVELY CLUNKING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK, IT DOES NOT WANT TO. YOU HAVE TO PUT...

2002 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4L V6 AUTO TRANS I HAD MY EXPLORER INTO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE LAST JANUARY AND THEY MENTIONED THAT MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL SEAL WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED BUT NOT RIGHT AWAY. I WAITED FOR THE NEXT OIL CHANGE IN APRIL AND SCHEDULED IT IN FOR A WHEEL SEAL REPLACEMENT -- $190. NO MENTION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END. NOT 90 MILES LATER I HEAR A LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND AND MANAGED TO LIMP BACK TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THE SAME RIGHT REAR HUB THEY JUST REPLACED THE SEAL ON HAS A BAD BEARING/HUB. THEY REPLACED THE HUB AND BEARING AT A COST OF $899 ($533 PARTS). GIVEN THE EXPLORERS HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL (FIRESTONE BLOWOUTS) CAUSING ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS I THINK FORD WOULD TAKE THIS PROBLEM SERIOUSLY. IF HAVING A TIRE FAIL...

WHEEL HUB AND BEARING BAD. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN JAN 08, IT IS NOW APRIL 08 AND I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE R FRONT WHEEL BEARING, AND BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. IT HAS COST ME AROUND $1,200.00 AND IT ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. ONCE A MONTH I AM PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I CAN COUNT MORE THAN 60 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE AND IT AMAZES ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS SO NAIVE TO SUCH A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. ARE THEY REALLY INSENSITIVE ENOUGH TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES OR GETS INJURED FROM THIS? I BELIEVE THAT WHATEVER PARTS THEY USED WHEN MANUFACTURING THESE VEHICLES WERE DEFECTIVE AND I AM TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE THEM SEE, EVEN IF IT MEANS GETTING A LAWYER. BETWEEN ALL OF US OUT THERE I BELIEVE...

THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE SO I DO NOT DRIVE IT OFTEN. WHEN I DID I NOTICED THE LOUD ROAR AND ASKED HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN THERE. SHE SAID A COUPLE MONTHS. I REPLACED 3 OF THE 4 WHEEL BEARINGS. HAD I NOT DROVE IT MYSELF THE WHEELS COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF!!! SHE HAS MY TWO CHILDREN IN THERE ALSO. THANKS FORD!! THIS IS NOT AN OLD VEHICLE. LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. IF THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE BEARINGS AND SOMEONE GETS KILLED I HOPE FORD IS SUED SO BAD THEY GO UNDER. RECALL YOUR PIECE OF CRAP BEARINGS LIKE YOU SHOULD. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT- ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARING HAVE GONE BAD WITHIN 1 YEAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH OWNERS AND DEALERS. THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF FORD EXPLORER HAS BAD BEARINGS AND HUB ASSEMBLIES. FORD IS HAPPY TO COLLECT THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IT COST OWNERS TO REPLACE THESE FAULTY PARTS BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. ONE BEARING ACTUALLY BROKE ON MY VEHICLE AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE. I HAVE A FRONT AND REAR BEARING OUT AGAIN. *TR

THIS IS MY SECOND FORD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 80K MILES AND ON BOTH, ALL WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE HAD FAILURE. AND ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION FOR A SINGLE BEARING. IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTS AT APPROXIMATELY $500 PER WHEEL, AND IS AN OBVIOUS MECHANICAL AND SAFETY HAZARD. TWICE I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A CHILD IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE WHEEL HAS ALMOST CAME OFF. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTS AT THEIR EXPENSE TO HAVE THEM CONTINUALLY FAIL OVER AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD IF THEY CANNOT AGREE TO A RECALL, SINCE THERE ARE CERTAINLY WELL ENOUGH PEOPLE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE LOST ANY AND ALL INTEREST IN THIS MANUFACTURER AND WILL NOT CONSIDER AN AMERICAN MADE CAR IN THE FUTURE. *TR

THE NOISE WAS THE INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, TOOK THE CAR IN FOR NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS. WAS TOLD BY FORD GARAGE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED I WAS VERY SHOCKED. WHEN FORD MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND COMMON IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL I WAS ANGRY. NOT SOON AFTER THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODULE WENT OUT AND NEEDED REPLACED. THIS CAR IS FIVE YEARS OLD WITH AT THE TIME 82,000 MILES ON IT. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. EARLIER WE HAD TO REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER'S WINDOW POWER MOTOR WHICH WAS ALSO EXPENSIVE. HAD TO REPLACE REAR AXEL BUSHINGS TOO. *TR

LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM FRONT AND REAR WHEELS, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED ALONG WITH THE FRONT CARRIER BEARINGS WERE SPUN REPLACED THEM AT 82,000 MILES AND AT 86,000 MILES THE REAR DID THE SAME THING BUT THE REAR DID NOT SPIN THE CARRIER BEARINGS (NOT YET ANYWAYS) THE FRONT REPAIR COST ME AND MY WIFE OVER 600 DOLLARS (WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER 900.00 IF I DIDN'T DO THE WORK MY SELF) THE REAR WE HAD TO BUY THE PARTS FROM THE INTERNET TO SAVE MONEY AND IT COST US 350 FOR THE NEW WHEEL ASSEMBLY'S AND 62 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE NEW BEARINGS INSTALLED TO THE SPINDALS. AGAIN IF I WOULD HAVE HAD FORD DO THE WORK IT WOULD HAVE COST US AROUND A 1,000.00 THAT IS A TOTAL OF 1,025.00 TO DO IT MY SELF AND 2,000.00 TO HAVE FORD DO THE WORK. I DO STILL HAVE ONE...

I, TOO AM APPARENTLY A FORD EXPLORER LOOSE WHEEL BEARING VICTIM. UNLIKE MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ, I ONLY HAVE 42,000 MI. ON MY TRUCK. MY MECHANIC ALSO INDICATED THAT HE'S SEEING MANY OF THESE CASES AND THAT FORD SHOULD BE STEPPING UP IN THE NAME OF SAFETY TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE ITEM BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS AND THE TSA SHOULD BE FORCING THEM TO DO SO. IT IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT A PART THAT SHOULD LAST A MINIMUM OF 100,000 MI IS GOING TO COST ME IN EXCESS OF $700! IS FORD SIMPLY USING LESS EXPENSIVE PARTS BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE DO NOT CARRY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AFTER 5 YEARS? IN ADDITION TO FILING A COMPLAINT HERE, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY ARE A MUCH LOUDER VOICE SINCE THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY OUT UNNECESSARY CLAIMS. FORD DOES NOT WANT TO ALERT...

1. HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE, WENT TO DEALER GOT IT LOOKED AT DEALER SAID IT WAS HUB ASSEMBLY IN 3 OF FOUR WHEELS THAT NEEDED REPLACED. 2. ASKED IF I COULD DRIVE IT UNTIL I HAD THE MONEY, WAS TOLD IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED BECAUSE (IF) (WHEN) IT FAILS COMPLETELY IT COULD DAMAGE THE BRAKING SYSTEM OR THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF, SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND CAR-COMPLAINTS.COM AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS EXPLORER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING ABOUT THE WHEEL FALLING OFF. 3. WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLES WILL BE REPLACED, I COULD GET THE OLD PARTS BACK IF REQUESTED. JUST KIND OF SCARY THAT THE WHEEL COULD FALL OF WHEN THIS PART FAILS, AND IT FAILED ON 3 OUT OF 4 WHEELS. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, AND I HAVE HAD IT FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS. I RECENTLY STARTED HEARING A FAMILIAR NOISE FROM MY TRUCK, ANOTHER WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACING! THIS IS THE THIRD ONE OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF! FORD HAS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THERE IS NO REASON A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BEARINGS! *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I'VE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER....IT ONLY HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THESE BEARING ARE DEFECTIVE AND IF I DON'T REPLACE THEM THE CAR WOULD BE IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

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. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT REPLACING 3RD WHEEL BEARING IN 2 YEARS. *TR

POTENTIAL LOST LEFT WHEEL DUE TO FAILING WHEEL BEARING. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT. BACK RIGHT WHEEL BEARING FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE AXLE, BREAKS AND WHEEL DRUM. FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. IN BOTH OCCASIONS NOISES WERE HEARD. IN REGARDS TO BE BACK WHEEL BEARING THE TIRE ALMOST CAME OFF AND THE WHEEL FROZE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 65 MILES AN HOUR. BACK WHEEL BEARING, AXLE, DRUM AND BRAKES REPLACED AT A FORD DEALER, COSTING OVER $1700 DOLLARS. FRONT WHEEL BEARING BEGAN MAKING A THUMPING NOISE AND WAS REPLACED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC COSTING $500. IN CONTACTING FORD I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. A SEARS MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR. THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 92,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE REAR COIL SPRING WERE WEAK. THE END BUSHING WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/08/07. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN IT STARTED TO GET VERY COLD, MY EXPLORER, THAT I JUST BOUGHT, STARTED TO NOT WANT TO GO INTO GEAR. IT WOULD GRIND AND SLIP. THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. IT WAS FROM THE COMPUTER THAT RUNS THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE 4 LOW BUTTON WOULD JUST KICK IN BY ITS SELF. THEN IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. AFTER A WHILE OF TRYING TO GET IT INTO GEAR IT WOULD GO. IT WOULD ONLY ACT UP WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD OUT (10 TO -5 DEGREES) IT DID THIS TO ME FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN IT JUST STUCK INTO 4 LOW AND NOW WON'T COME OUT. THERE WAS A SMELL THIS LAST TIME OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRE AND SMOKE. NOW MY EXPLORER WON'T DRIVE AND HAS A ELECTRICAL SMOKE SMELL STUCK IN IT. I NOW...

THUMPING NOISE FROM DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END IN THE WHEEL AREA. THE NOISE IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH DURING ACCELERATION. IT ALSO BECOMES A HUMMING NOISE AS THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED AND THE CAR IS COASTING OR DECELERATING. HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON THEN NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. NOTHING FIXED THE PROBLEM. TALKED TO MY BROTHER, ANOTHER LOYAL EXPLORER OWNER, AND HE HAD SAME PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS A BEARING NEEDING REPLACING. HE ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT A LEAK ON HIS GARAGE FLOOR IN THE REAR MIDDLE OF THE CAR WHERE THE REAR AXLE IS. I TOLD HIM I HAVE SAME EXACT SPOT OF SOMETHING LEAKING ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. WE READ ABOUT ALL THE SEAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AXLE AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. HE SPENT OVER $1000 ON THE FRONT BEARINGS AND NOW IN FOR ANOTHER BIG BILL FOR THE SEAL PROBLEM. I...

FIX FOR CHATTERING AND REAR WHINE ON 02 EXPLORER. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW 25,000 THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PUMPKIN, VERY LOUD WHINE.. LAST MONTH WITH 85,000 MILES ON THE CAR, DURING A TURN THE REAR WOULD CHATTER AND SHAKE THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THE REAR NEEDED A SPECIAL LUBE FOR THE REAR TO KEEP THE REAR CLUTCHES FREE, I HAD A LOCAL SHOP REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL WITH A SPECIAL BLEND AND IT HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. *JB

EXPLORER MAKES WHINING NOISE IN REAR END AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 AND 70 MPH. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS LIT CONTINUOUSLY EVEN AFTER HAVING THE BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICES. HAVE ALSO HAD FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ALL THIS SINCE THE VEHICLE REACHED 60,000 MILES IT NOW HAS 86,000 AND MECHANIC SAYS IT NEED A NEW REAR END. *JB

BOUGHT 2002 EXPLORER IN 2003 WITH 12,000 MILES. SERVICNG DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER UNDER WARRANTY @ 32,000 MILES AFTER O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. NOW NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION @ 54,000 MILES. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED, DRIVEN LIGHTLY, NEVER TOWED, NEVER ABUSED. DEALER WILL NOT PAY OR HELP OUT ONE BIT. FORD KNOWS 2002 EXPLORERS HAVE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AND REAR ENDS, IS IGNORING PROBLEM, LEAVING CONSUMER TO ABSORB COST! HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY, AIR CONDITIONING UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACING- OUT OF WARRANTY. REAR END IS MAKING CLASSIC "HUMMING" SOUND THAT FORD IS ALSO IGNORING-PINION GEARS. *NM

MY 2002 EXPLORER IS ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY NOTED BY OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS. THE WHINING WHEN REACHING 50-60 KM/HR, WHICH GOES AWAY WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS, THE SLIPPING AND SHUDDERING OF GEARS AND SOMETIMES PASSING GEAR NEVER KICKS IN, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON (USUALLY AFTER THE TRUCK HAS WARMED UP AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS REALLY COLD), THE ABS IS NOW STARTING TO ACT UP, WHEREIN IT RANDOMLY ACTIVATES ITSELF EVEN WHILE ON DRY PAVEMENT AND THE BRAKES FEEL MUSHY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. NOW THE LOCKS ARE RANDOMLY NOT WORKING. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ONE INSTANCE ABOUT THE PASSING, SHUDDERING, SLIPPING WAS WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS, I PULLED OUT TO PASS, AND WHEN I STEPPED ON IT THE TRUCK SHUDDERED SO HARD, THAT MY DAUGHTER, WHO WAS COLORING...

TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE FROM PARK AND THE COLUMN SHIFTER BROKE OFF. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION BUSINESS. COST TO REPAIR IS $1300. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2004 USED. I'VE HAD THE REAR TRANSMISSION SEALS, SHOCKS, TIRES, FRONT WINDOW AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. *JB

2002 EXPLORER WITH 95K MILES: POWER WINDOWS, AIRBAG AND FRONT/REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. DEALER WAS NOT SURPRISED BY THESE PROBLEMS AT ALL. $3K ESTIMATED REPAIR COST. *NM

THREE INSTANCES OF WHINING NOISE AT 50+ MPH AND FLUID LEAKAGE FROM REAR AXLE SEAL 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE FIRST ONE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY. DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE SINCE REAR TRANSAXLE FLUID LEAKS DOWN DRIVE SHAFT TO BRAKE ASSEMBLY. I NOTICED SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF BRAKE ASSEMBLY WHERE FLUID IS RUNNING INTO THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. ONLY WHEN LEAK IS SIGNIFICANT WILL FLUID DRIP ONTO SURFACE BELOW REAR AXLE. DEALER NOTED FORD ENGINEERS ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. FIRST REPLACEMENT OF REAR AXLE SEALS AT 30000 MILES; SECOND AT 460000 MILES AND THE THIRD AT 62000 MILES. THESE SEALS SHOULD LAST LONGER. SECOND INSTANCE HAD VIBRATION WHEN ENGAGING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND LOUD WHINING NOISE/ VIBRATION FROM REAR; THEN FLUID LEAKAGE. MY DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT MANY EXPLORERS (2002-2005) HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY ENGINEERS ARE EVALUATING; AS A...

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, WITH 69.000 MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE EVER WHEEL BEARING ON MY CAR, THE WHEEL HAVE COME LOOSE, AND THE BEARING WERE SCRAPING. THE COST FOR THE BEARING AND THE LABOR WAS OVER $1,400 , I AM ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE MY TIRES BECAUSE OF THIS, WHEN I CONTACTED FORD ON THIS MATTER, THERE COMMIT WAS "THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THERE IS NO REASON ALL 4 WHEEL BEARING WOULD HAVE GONE BAD WITH NO MORE MILES THAN THERE IS ON THE CAR. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT KNOW IN TIME THAT THERE IS FLAW IN THE BEARINGS AND MAY HAVE A WHEEL COME OFF. THIS SHOULD BE A VERY BIG SAFETY CONCERN. THIS COULD CAUSE SOMEONE THERE LIFE. I HOPE I CAN GET SOMEONE TO LISTEN BEFORE...

I BROUGHT THIS SUV LAST YEAR AT BILL HEARD CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A NEW VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD PAY THIS CAR IN THREE YEARS BUT IN REALITY IT WAS FIVE YEARS. I SIGNED ALL THE PAPERWORK I HAD TO BUT THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY PAPERS WHEN I LEFT. HOWEVER WHEN I WENT TO APPLY TO BUY ANOTHER CAR THEY DIDN'T ACCEPT MY APPLICATION BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS ALREADY BEING FINANCE A CAR FOR FIVE YEARS. THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUST MAKE REALLY LOUD NOISES WHEN I DROVE THE SUV; THE TRANSMISSION WAS SIMPLY NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR 60 MPH OR MORE THE VEHICLE WOULD JUST START VIBRATING. I CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO MAKE A COMPLAINT BUT THEY SIMPLY JUST IGNORE MY COMPLAINT. *NM