Dt*: the contact stated while traveling on the highway at 60 MPH, suddenly control of the vehicle was lost. The contact thought the vehicle's tire blew out, because both rear tires began wobbling. The vehicle was traveling on a normal flat surface at the time of the incident. The failure occurred under normal driving conditions, and was driven about 20 miles to the contact's residence. Two weeks prior to the incident, the contact observed a low grade deep drum noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection prior to the incident and the dealer notified the contact that both rear bearings were wearing out and needed to be replaced. After the incident, the vehicle was inspected and determined that both bearings were shot and the rear driver spring was broken. Both rear bearings and the rear driver spring are permanently damaged and must be replaced.
2002 Ford Explorer suspension complaints
Page 13 of 15: complaints 341 to 370 of 422, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The rear wheel bearing on the passenger side locked up while my wife was driving home from 150 miles away. Lucky she heard a weird noise and slowed down prior to it seizing the tire up.
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 a mother' day card, actually scribbled when it shuddered, if that makes any sense. She was po'd at me asking me why did I do that and now her card was ruined. We have had the transmission in for service and were told nothing was wrong. We had the transmission fluid changed and the truck worked fine for about 2 weeks and then back to the same old problems. My husband and I are seriously considering trading this piece of crap vehicle off and we have decided that it will only be imports from now on. Ford needs to wake up and start fixing all of these problems or they will be finding themselves bankrupt in no time. I was brought up as a kid in fords; 67 t-bird, ford ltd, 1/2 ton truck, 3/4 ton truck, 78 ford t-bird, ford taurus, my first car being a mercury lynx, then a 93 ford festiva, hubby owned a 93 ford ranger 4x4, 98 windstar, my mom owns a 96 explorer and so on. My friend just got rid of her 2000 explorer which she lovingly named her 'ford exploder'. Thanks for listening to my rant and I really hope that with everyone's input that something can be done about this.
2002 ford explorer's rear springs cracked. *ts
I own a 2002 ford explorer xlt. The bearings in the rear end differential are going out. This type of problem should not be occurring in a vehicle with less than 100,000 miles. From what I understand, many ford explorers have this problem ford should take a second look at this problem because it should not be happening. I don't have a warranty, but still this is too common of a defect in the ford explorers for it to not be a manufacturer problem.
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.
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 requested a supervisor call me back even though I was told repeatedly that nothing more could be done and the operator couldn't even give me another person whom I could talk with concerning the matter. This is unacceptable and obviously a ford problem. I paid $150 for a tow and I'm waiting for the wheel to be fixed.
Major noise from rear end escalated quickly requiring service. Independent service garage diagnosed and replaced right rear wheel hub assembly and left rear tie rod. This was the third of the four wheel hubs replaced on this vehicle between 70,000 and 86,000 actual odometer miles. The other two were both the fronts. Very honest mechanic showed me failed parts and three other explorers in the shop that same day with the same wheel hub assembly replacement requirement. There is obviously a defective design on this vehicle. Vehicle is a highway driven car only, not off road.
Horrible whining noise coming from rear differential of my 2002 ford explorer limited edition. Replaced twice already and now it's whining louder and louder everyday. I refuse to pay for the same repair a 3rd time. I have read many complaints on the web about this problem, along with many other similar complaints. Other popular defects for the new ford explorer are cracked rear coil over springs, along with transmission and A/C problems, etc, etc. How many more complaints is it going to take before ford stands up to their design flaws...????
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 well as friends and family) told me I should contact ford as well as the federal safety agency with this information since the component failure effected the emergency braking system. I am following through on that request and have placed a letter in the mail to ford motor company and am awaiting their reply. I would appreciate an independent 3rd party's evaluation of this situation since I have been told by my mechanic as well as others the auto repair and industry that wheel bearings should last throughout the life of the automobile (or at least to 100,000 miles.
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.
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.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated after having rear axle pinion seal repaired at a local independent repair shop the mechanic noticed the rear suspension coil springs were broken and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was consulted.
Dt*: the contact stated while turning the vehicle at low speeds, not exceeding 10 MPH, the vehicle vibrates. The dealership determined the clutch basket and rear axle seal needs to be replaced.
Grinding noise sounding like it is from front end, especially on accelerating at low speeds, and turning slow. Told to replace tires and front hub. Both done and still making same noise. Cannot figure what is wrong. Think the sound is from transmission or rear end. Also having problems with the transmission. The truck does not switch gears properly. It takes to long and sometimes reaches 4 rpms before finally switching on flat road surface.
First of all I have a humming sound coming from the rear of the vehicle I notice it most when we are traveling on the hwy at at least 55 MPH or more. In oct. My brake light came on for no reason and now in feb. My air bag light came on for no apparent reason.
2002 ford explorer. Failed transmission, starter, rear wheel bearings, airbag, pinion, electric window. Now loud sounds from rear of car.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 30 MPH, the rear passenger side tire began to wobble. The vehicle was pulled over and the contact noticed the wheel bearings in the road. The vehicle was driven to an independent repair shop where the wheel bearing and hub was replaced.
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 dealer there is nothing they can do. Ford has not indicated a fix other than to check fluid level, replace rear axle seals, and/or the rear unit. This is a significant hazard since in most cases the vehicle owner will not know there is a pending failure due to the fluid leaking down the rear axle drive shaft toward the brake/wheel assembly. The whining noise will increase as fluid level decreases with risk failure and loss of control. This problem is far more common than reported due to the difficult nature of observation of leakage. One has to crawl under the rear transaxle and carefully inspect the two axle seals to look for signs of corrosion and fluid leakage.
2002 ford explorer rear coil spring was defective, consumer wants to be reimbursed. *ts
2002 explorer rear coil springs broke at 76,000 miles. *ts the front brake pads were replaced.
Rear end hum and leak back tire was loose due to rear wheel bearings deteriorating, took it apart and bearings fell apart. There was no grease on them. This '02 explorer has 30,000 miles on it.
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 it is to late and causes a child's life. Thank you.
Funny thing, my explorer only has 30,000 mile, there was no event, one day it was fine the next day come the whine and grind.
After 60,000 miles two wheel bearings needed replacement.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at speeds of 20mph or more there was a roaring noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle. Initially the contact suspected the tires needed replaced. The vehicle was inspected by an independent tire repair shop. The repair shop mechanic suggested the vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer because it was determined there were no problems with the tires. The mechanic suggested the noise could possibly be associated with the rear suspension. Updated 7/13/2006 -
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 wheel bearings to go at the same time, especially with only 73,000 miles on the truck. I drive my 6 year old sun to school, left to ford I'm supposed to take my chances with his safety while driving one of their poorly made vehicles. All this after I had to replace the transmission in october when than went while I was on vacation in new hampshire.
I bought my explorer brand new in may 2002. I have had problems with the rear end differential twice, rear end sensor, and my latest problem is the rear end sealer (pinion). All within 3 years of owning the vehicle.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history