2002 FORD EXPLORER Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT NHTSA WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LOCAL DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUB ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SQUEALING NOISE AND BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FROZEN AND THAT HE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON THEM UNTIL THEY FRACTURED, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE FROZEN TO THE AXLE, AND THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CONTACT HEARD A BUZZING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WOBBLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE HUB AND THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE WHEEL BEARING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BARELY AVOID CRASHING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAD BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS THE SIXTH FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER FOUND THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FAILING. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ACCORDINGLY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 80,000.

2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHEELS NEARLY FELL OFF DUE TO FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS. NEEDED REPLACED AT ONLY 70,000 MILES. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON THREE OF THE WHEELS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 01/12/10 *BF UPDATED 01/14/10.*JB

RIGHT REAR WHEEL MAKING NOISE AND IS LOOSE. WHEEL HUB/BEARING IS LOOSE AND WOBBLY. PARKING BRAKE PADS WORN COMPLETELY OFF FROM WHEEL BEING TILTED. FAILED WHEEL BEARING!!! 106,000 MILES. 2002 FORD EXPLORER. ALSO REPLACED BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUBS FOR SAME REASON AT ABOUT 95,000 MILES (NOISY AND ROUGH BEARING). *TR

FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. SHOP SAID IF IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN MUCH FURTHER THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE COME OFF. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED LAST YEAR AND FORD WILL NOT HELP. THIS IS EVIDENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND COULD LEAD TO DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT. *TR

MY VEHICLE HAS 79K MILES ON IT AND I HAVE ALL FOUR OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ONCE AND THE LEFT REAR BEARING REPLACED TWICE. I HAVE NEVER TOWED A TRAILER, DRIVEN THROUGH STANDING WATER OR OVERLOADED THE VEHICLE AT ANY TIME. THE COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET WOULD INDICATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2002 EXPLORER. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS ON OTHER VEHICLES AND I SUSPECT THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEALER WAS VERY GOOD. I DO NOT HOLD JOE COTTON FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DEFICIENCIES WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING AND ROARING SOUND. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. AS OF APRIL 10, 2008, THREE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,306 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

FRONT DRIVER WHEEL BEARING REPLACED TWICE IN 1.5 YEARS. RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ONCE ALREADY NEED TO REPLACE AGAIN. *TR

I HAVE FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE REPLACED THREE OF FOUR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES IN 3 YEARS. EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP I WAS TOLD THE WHEEL WAS CLOSE TO COMING OFF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE POOR CONDITION OF THE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY( BEARINGS). *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WITH UNDER 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND NOW BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS DUE TO FAILURE. THE FIRST WAS A REAR HUB ASSEMBLY IN 06 THEN A FRONT IN 07 AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE REAR IN 08. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD DEALER THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A TSB ADDRESSING IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME IF NOT CAUGHT SOON ENOUGH THE TIRES COULD ACTUALLY COME OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING. WHILE THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN MY CASE THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. ALSO THIS VEHICLE HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT UNDER 70,000 MILES AND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE AS FOUND BY SEARCHING THE WEB FOR...

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOT AT 80K MILES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS VISITING HIS SISTER IN A DIFFERENT STATE. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO REPAIR HER VEHICLE AND RENTAL COST THEM $600.00 OUT OF POCKET. *KB PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONSUMER ASKED THE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD A LIST OF DOCUMENTATION RELATING TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO GET A JUMP SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN FIRST STARTING UP. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE ALTERNATOR AND WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. *JB

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE FOR THIRD TIME ALMOST FLIPPED TRUCK I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN. *TR

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD REAR AND FRONT HOWLING NOISES SIMILAR TO A JET DURING TAKE OFF. ALSO WAS VERY UNSTABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. FORD DEALERSHIP FOUND BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS NEED REPLACING. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HAD SUCH A WOBBLE THAT IT WOULD DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. JUST THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS COST ME ALMOST $600. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY FOUND THE FRONT HUBS AND RING AND PINION NOISY AND ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE TOTAL FOR THESE REPAIRS IS NEARING $3000. NO WONDER FORD IS HEADING INTO BANKRUPTCY! THIS VEHICLE STILL HAS WELL UNDER 100,000 MILES, HAS NEVER TOWED, PLOWED OR USED OFF-ROAD, ALL HIGHWAY MILEAGE. IS THIS WHY THEY SAY FORD IS FIX OR REPAIR DAILY? MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL NOT BE FORD FOR SURE. FORD NEEDS TO HAVE THESE ISSUES RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS...

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

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MY PROBLEM FIRST STARTED WITH THE 4X4 CASE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED. A MONTH OR SO LATER MY TRUCK BEGAN DOING THE SAME THINGS, WEIRD NOISE WHEN DRIVING NOW I HAVE TO GET THE WHEEL BEARING CHANGED ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THAT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED. $600.00. *TR

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

NOISE LIKE UNBALANCED TIRE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT TIRE/WHEEL. NOISE INCREASES UNTIL IT BECOMES A ROAR LIKE AN AIRPLANE TAKING OFF. STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO VIBRATE. FEELS LIKE WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF CAR. MECHANIC TELLS ME LEFT FRONT HUB AND BEARINGS MUST BE REPLACED. THE THREE OTHER WHEELS ARE ALSO SYMPTOMATIC BUT NOT AS IMMEDIATELY PRESSING AS LEFT FRONT HE DOES NOT THINK BUT WON'T KNOW UNTIL REPAIR IS COMPLETED LATER TODAY. REPAIR BALL PARK COST AT THIS TIME IS $600-$700. STILL, OTHER THREE WHEELS BEARINGS/HUBS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS 70,000 MILES, HAS RECEIVED ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE AND HAS HAD CITY DRIVING. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT IT. THEY SAY THAT ONLY YOU CAN ISSUE A RECALL. THERE IS AN INTERNET BOARD AT THIS LINK HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WHEELS_HUBS/WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML WHERE 47 OTHER CONSUMERS OF THIS ISSUE MODEL HAVE FACED THE...

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AFTER HAVING MY FRONT BEARINGS DONE ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE BACK OF MY TRUCK. IT FELT AS THOUGH MY LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS GOING FALL OFF. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $705 DOLLARS. I COULD HAVE DIED FROM THIS AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE BEARINGS. WITH A VERY LIMITED BUDGET I AM NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE PART FIXED AND THIS WILL LEAD TO ME MISSING TIME AT WORK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE FORD REFUSES TO DO SO AND THERE IS GOING BE A SERIOUS INJURY FROM THIS. PLEASE LETS NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE WHEN WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 EXPLORER XLT WITH ONLY 65K MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEED OF A REBUILD BECAUSE IS SLIP FROM TIME TO TIME. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS ARE LEAKING. THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A HUMMING NOISE SO I SUSPECT THAT A REAR BEARING IS GOING BAD. NOT TO MENTION THE 4WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT IT A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. I'VE HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ALSO THE BACKUP ALARM SYSTEM. THERE IS NOTHING BUT POOR WRITE-UPS ABOUT THIS TRUCK ALL OVER THE INTERNET. ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS I'M EXPERIENCING ARE PROBLEMS MANY OTHER DRIVERS HAVE ALSO HAD. *TR

WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURES-4 IN A 6 MONTH PERIOD OF TIME-COST OVER 1700.00 TOO HAVE THESE REPAIRS-FORD WILL NOT HELP OUT AND THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS A JOKE. I HAVE A CHILD THAT IS ALWAYS WITH ME AND 2 TIMES IT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD. *TR

I BOUGHT AN 02 EXPLORER. WAS DRIVING AND STARTED MAKING WEIRD GRINDING NOISES. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND ITS COSTING ME 1000! DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE WHEEL HUBS AND BEARINGS. HE SAID THE WHEEL ON THE BACK WAS READY TO FALL OFF! *TR

FRONT AND REAR BEARING FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER FAILS WHILE DRIVING. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL UNTIL YOUR APPROVAL, REPAIRS ARE MADE AT THE OWNERS COST....PLEASE HELP. *TR

HAVE REPLACED 3 WHEEL BEARINGS AT THE COST OF $400 A PIECE. *TR

WHEEL BEARING DEFECTIVE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. VEHICLE HAS @ 57K MILES ON IT. WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS FACTORY SEALED AND SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACING THIS QUICKLY. NORMAL LIFETIME OF WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD BE OVER 100K? *TR

I STARTED HEARING SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED SIMILAR TO A HAVING A LOW OR BAD TIRE. TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING SOUND. AFTER HEARING THAT THIS WAS THE EXPLORER'S DOWNFALL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS, I RESEARCHED THE TOPIC ONLINE TO NOW SEE THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE I WILL BE TRYING TO REPLACE ALL BEARINGS MORE THAN LIKELY. AS DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS, WHEN ONE BEARING GOES, THEY ALL SEEM TO GO. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE YESTERDAY AND HE SAID THE WHEEL POPPED, GRINDED, AND STARTED SQUEAKING; ASSUMING THE BEARING WENT OUT COMPLETED, THE VEHICLE IS PARKED TO GET FIXED. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY THAT IS SUGGESTED BY OTHER OWNERS TO FIX THIS VEHICLE. IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS AT THIS MILEAGE, WHICH SEEMS TO HAPPENS AROUND 70,000-80,000 MILES; THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING THE LIVES OF OWNERS....

I HEARD A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY SUV. TOOK IT TO A FRIEND WHO WORKS ON FORDS 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...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE ROARING NOISES WHILE DRIVING. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

HAD TO REPLACE THREE WHEEL BEARINGS AT THE SAME TIME. ONE WENT BAD WHILE ON VACATION. LUCKILY WE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY FOR A BREAK AND HEARD A LOT OF GRINDING. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WIGGLED THE TIRE LIKE A LOOSE TOOTH. TECHNICIAN SAID THE WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO COME OFF AND COULD HAVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WITH ONLY 67,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE COST ME AND MY FAMILY OUR LIVES! NOW I AM TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

REAR AXLE SEALS AND WHEEL BEARINGS. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR AXLE SEALS ON JUNE 4, 2004 WITH 4, 000 MILES, AND ON JUN 16, 2006 WITH 69.600 MILES. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE REAR HUB BEARINGS AND ASSEMBLY ON APRIL 17, 2007 WITH 74,000 MILES. *AK THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A RECURRING ISSUE, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON EXPLORER PROBLEM. ALL WORK ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY REPUTABLE FORD AUTHORIZED DEALERS/SERVICE, AND WOULD EXPECT WORK TO LAST LONGER THAN 1-2 YEARS.

REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 80,000 MILES, BOTH REAR BEARINGS. *JB

2002 FORD EXPLORER TWO ISSUES 1/1/07 - GRINDING OF REAR WHEEL. 1/2/07 - O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, WITHIN 7 MILES SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL LETTING OFF THE GAS. 1/2/07 - CALL AAA TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALER. FORD QUOTED $5,100 FOR REPAIRS. WE DENIED REPAIR AT FORD. DUE TO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WE HAD A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP DO THE REPAIRS. WE DID NOT WANT TO GIVE FORD ANY MORE MONEY SINCE WE WERE TOLD BY SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS. THE LOCAL SHOP INDICATED THERE WERE TSBS PUBLISHED AND THEY HAD TO BUY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FROM FORD TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. IF COMPANIES ARE BUYING SPECIAL TOOLS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON, ISN'T THERE A PROBLEM? WE ALSO INVESTIGATED MANY NUMEROUS WEBSITES TO READ ABOUT MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT...

A WHINING SOUND COMES FROM THE FRONT END END OF THE VEHICLE, UPON FIRST INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC A BAD TIRE WAS FOUND AND BLAMED ON THE NOISE. AS IT WAS BEARABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WE IGNORED IT TRUSTING THE DIAGNOSIS. WE PLANNED ON PURCHASING TIRES SOON AND BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED. NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE AND THE SAME SOUND CAME FROM THE FRONT END MOST NOTICEABLY 45-65 MPH. NOW WE ARE TOLD IT IS A WHEEL BEARING AND THE COST FOR THE PARTS ALONE IS $350.00 NOT TO MENTION THE $55/HR. LABOR. WE ALREADY HAD THE REAR END REPLACED FOR NOISE AND NOW WE ARE TOLD THAT A DANGEROUS SITUATION INVOLVING ANOTHER PART OF THE DRIVETRAIN IS LOOMING. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I WOULD HOPE THAT FORD WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM THAT THE VEHICLES HAVE AND REMEDY IT. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS...

BEARINGS. NOTICED A CLUNKING COMING FROM THE FRONT. WAS TOLD I NEED NEW BEARINGS AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1200. ONLY 55K MILES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HUB BEARINGS ARE WEARING OUT LOCKING THE WHEEL UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE ROAD. THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BOTH WEARING OUT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS NO WAY OF CHECKING THE HUB BEARINGS. BECAUSE HUB BEARINGS ARE SEALED, THEY CAN'T BE GREASED, OR SERVICED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE SERVICE FOR THE HUB BEARINGS, THEREFORE THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN, AND CREATE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT.*AK

ON NEW YEARS EVE 2005-2006 THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE DRIVER'S REAR BROKE WHILE I HAD MY FAMILY WITH ME. THE WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 WITH 80000 MI. ON IT. NO WARRANTY. ON 5/21/06 WHILE DRIVING INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL BEARING BROKE AND STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND GET OFF THE INTERSTATE. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AND FOUND ALL BUT ONE STUD HAD BEEN SHEARED OFF. THE WHEEL NEARLY FELL OFF A 65 MPH. I HAD HEARD A NOISE EARLIER AND STOPPED TO CHECK, BUT FOUND NOTHING. I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD FALLEN FROM THE ROOF. MY FAMILY WAS AGAIN WITH ME. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING EXCEPT ENTER IT INTO THE FILE. I MADE A COMPLAINT AND...

IN FEB OF 2006 WITH 65,995 MILES ON MY CAR I HEARD A WHIRRING/GRINDING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE DRIVING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY MECHANIC FOR LATER IN THE WEEK (~4 DAYS) TO HAVE THE NOISE LOOKED INTO. 1 DAY PRIOR TO TAKING MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC THE NOISE GOT MUCH WORSE AND I TOOK IT IN IMMEDIATELY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING EXPLODED AND DAMAGED THE BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAD THIS REPAIRED AND CHALKED IT UP TO BAD MICHIGAN ROADS. IN MAY OF 2006 THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING ALSO ERODED/WORE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (ONLY 68,368 MILES AT THE TIME). THE WAREHOUSE/RETAIL OUTLET WHERE MY MECHANICS PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT WHEEL BEARINGS TOLD ME THE PERSON WORKING THE COUNTER COMMENTED ON HOW MANY REQUESTS FORD HAS HAD FOR WHEEL BEARINGS AS OF RECENT. MY MECHANICS (AS...

NO START NO SPARK FORD COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT, 1200.00 IT WAS A FAULTY MAIN WIRING HARNESS ALSO LOUD NOISE IN REAR END NO HELP FROM FORD, BROKEN WHEEL BEARING. SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN. *NM

WHILE CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AT THE FORD DEALER FOR MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 60,000 MILES, THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM MY REAR LEFT WHEEL, THE BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER 2002 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, THAT BEARINGS WERE GOING BAD WITH MILEAGE THAT IS BELOW THE NORMAL NEED FOR BEARING REPLACEMENT. IF YOU HEAR FROM OTHERS ON THIS PROBLEM, IT MAY BE TIME FOR A FACTORY RECALL. *NM

AFTER 60,000 MILES TWO WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *NM

ON JANUARY 16, 2006 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED A SHAKING FEELING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. THERE WAS ALSO LOUD NOISE. I SLOWED DOWN AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2006 I BROUGHT FORD EXPLORER 2002 TO A FORD DEALER FOR THEM TO DRIVE AND TAKE A LOOK. THE RESULT WAS VEHICLE ALL OVER THE ROAD, WAS UNSTABLE AND NEEDED ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS, UPPER REAR BALL JOINTS. REPLACED. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE FOR VERY LONG, MUST GO SLOW AND A $3,000 APPROXIMATE COST TO REPAIR. I CONTACTED FORD TO COMPLAIN AND TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP OUT BY REDUCING THE COST OF FIXING IT FOR FREE. THEIR RESPONSE WAS SORRY BUT THEY COULD NOT HELP. I CANNOT SEE HOW FORD CAN TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO WHEN EVERY MECHANIC I HAVE SPOKEN TO SAID IT WAS UNHEARD FOR ALL 4...

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 $400.00 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...

DT: THE VAN WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAD 32,000 MILES ON IT AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAS ALREADY FAILED. IT WAS MAKING A ROARING NOISE EVERY SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR. TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THEY TOLD HER THE BEARING WAS BAD. *AK