2002 ford explorer both rear coil springs broke.
2002 Ford Explorer suspension complaints
Page 14 of 15: complaints 371 to 400 of 422, newest first, as owners wrote them.
1) could hear high pitch noise while driving. 2) jacked up rear of explorer and rear wheel(s) could wobble on the axle. 3) by 70,000 miles, both left and right rear wheel bearings have now failed and have been replaced by a ford dealer. I now have 77000 miles on the explorer and I am beginning to hear the high pitch sound again.
Both rear coil springs broke on both sides of ford explorer. *ts
We noticed a humming noise and a small oil leak coming from the rear axle. We took the vehicle to the ford dealer and were informed that the rear differential was in need of repair and that this was a known problem with explorers. We were given a discounted rate for the repair. Two weeks later the left rear wheel bearing went out (with only 59,000 miles) and were told that this had nothing to do with the rear differential repair and would cost a total of $700 for both rear wheel bearings.
On routine inspection, it was discovered that the left rear spring on my 2002 ford explorer was broken. This vehicle has 55,000 miles on the odometer. Fortunately, it was probably not broken long since I inspect my vehicles regularly. When I went to the local ford dealer, they initially wanted me to pay the full repair bill for replacement of the spring; however, after negotiation, they offered replacement if I paid half of the bill, or $78.00. I agreed to this offer, and had the spring replaced. I feel, and expressed this opinion to the ford agency, that this spring should not break after only 55,000 miles. In addition, I am now concerned about the other rear spring, and what would happen if I was traveling at highway speeds and it broke.
We recently learned from that ford coil spring problems may not be limited to windstar minivans. " ford coil spring problems may not be limited to windstars washington, jan. 31, 2001 -- the national highway transportation safety administration (the federal safety agency) has upgraded its investigation of 926,000 ford windstar minivans after reports that a spring in the suspension system can break and puncture a tire. " we own a 2002 ford explorer, [xxx], which has two (2) broken rear coil springs, both occurring at the same time. The springs broke for no apparent reason and the truck is seldom used for hauling; has never been overloaded. The service manager at the local ford dealership admitted he has seen this before on windstar and other ford vehicles, but would not do anything about it, other than repair it at my cost. The cost for the repairs & replacement coil spring(s) was $ 535.00. The truck was out of commission for three days. The ford dealership is: irwin motors union & bisson avenue laconia, nh 03246 thank you for accepting this information and for any assistance you may provide in forcing the manufacturer to stand up to this issue, an issue worthy of a recall due to the safety hazard - the broken coils can cut the tires during travel. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] . *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
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 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.
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear bearing went out on 9-6-05. The consumer is unsure if it was on the right or the left. She did not hear a noise prior to this but reported that the vehicle felt sluggish. The contact said that the vehicle was not steering properly and it was pulling all over the road. She reported that steering was very sloppy and she could not control the vehicle. She called ford motor company and they took a complaint from her and said they would evaluate it within 3-5 days.*ak
Both rear coil springs are broken - mileage 50,000. Just noted while doing undercarriage inspection.
Broken rear springs
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer xlt. The contact has been having a problem with the rear end. The rear end made an extremely loud roaring sound. Took the vehicle the vehicle to three different repair shops. One said it was the tires, and the other two maintained that it was an expensive rear end problem. She talked to other people with this same type of vehicle and they all had this problem. Also, had a ring and pinion replaced in the rear end not long after she purchased the vehicle. Currently, they told her that this what was needed to be replaced again along with other parts , including the rear axle. This noise originally started at 55-65 MPH, and now it was making noise at 40-70 MPH. After going over 70 MPH could not hear it as badly. Also, the vehicle was leaking fluid from the ring and pinion. A strange sound that was coming from under the hood, like a buzzing sound that sounds like transmission. In addition, the hatchback glass fell on the contact's head. It just popped out. This happened twice. They do not even attempt to open the glass in the hatch. The dealership where she purcahsed her vehicle still has records of what was replaced on vehicle.
Abs light came on at 19,518 miles, 22,071 miles, and 27,078 miles. More importantly, however, are my issues with the 2002 explorer rear end. 10/1/03: 27,078 miles ABS light came on, the dealer replaced the assembly. Rear differential was leaking, dealer replaced the seals. 7/28/04: 40,541 miles rear end leaking again. Half shafts were worn. Rear locking diff was slipping. The dealer had to replace both halfshafts, seals, and clutch packs. 9/22/04: 43,203 miles rear axle chattering. Replaced whole rear axle assembly. 2/25/05: 54,960 miles rear diff making more noise. Left rear axle bearing was noisy. Replaced left rear axle hub and assembly. On test drive, the dealer found that the bearing they just installed was bad, so they had to replace it again. 8/11/05: 68,000 miles leaking fluid from rear end. The dealer performed the following maintenance: replaced diff seals, replaced timing chain, replaced right front hub assembly, replaced ring and pinion, replaced front end tie rods, replaced both lower ball joints, performed front end alignment. All told, I have had my explorer in the shop at least 10 times. My warranty is about to expire (7,000 more miles) and I'm going to try to get ford to buy the vehicle back. From what I've heard, this is not an easy process and apparently doesn't happen often with such 'high mileage' vehicles. If they don't buy it back I will be forced to take a huge loss on the vehicle. I will then purchase anything but a ford.
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.
Dt: consumer states vehicle has defective wheel bearings, mainly in the rear, but he also had to replace one on the front. The vehicles wheels started grinding and they became loose on the axle. He took the vehicle to a local mechanic, who stated that all of the wheel bearings on this particular model were going bad. The consumer tried to notify the manufacturer but they were unresponsive.*ak
1. Inspection of vehicle 2. Rear coils springs broken 3. Repalcement
Dt: contact states there was a humming noise coming from the vehicle. The rear passenger wheel bearing was bad, the service dealer stated this was a safety concern, and to bring the vehicle in right away. The wheel bearing has been replaced.
Dt: problem with back end, took vehicle to the dealer,and dealer said they fixed axle, then, took back vehicle to the dealer, and they fixed hub, and replaced the rear wheel bearings. In last 3 months vehicle has been in shop 3 times. Currently, in the shop. Went to get oil change last friday, and mechanic noticed oil was leaking from the axle. Currently vehicle in shop trying to figure out what was wrong with it. This happened before. They gave consumer an extra 5 yr warranty because of the transmission, and this was 8 months after purchasing the vehicle. Dealership kept saying vehicle was safe even though didn't know what was wrong with it.
2002 ford explorer experiencing problems with the 4wd, the over drive light illuminates on the dashboard and the vehicle is giving off a rotten egg smell. *mr there were front end problems. The 4wd module wasn't working. The driveshaft and both front wheel bearings were replaced. The rotors were out of round. The service engine light illuminated along with the over drive light. The transmission experienced the same problem on two occasions and possibly a third time. A large puddle of transmission was found under the vehicle. The torque converter was noisy. The acceleration pedal would pull back. When the vehicle was accelerated, it would whine. The left rear wheel bearing was gone and caused damage to the axle, brakes and the tire was barely holding on. The error code for the service engine soon light was due to the solenoid which had been changed before. The A/C was inoperative. *sc
Dt: contact took vehicle to a service dealer, and they informed him that the rear coil spring broke.
Bought the car in july 2004 at around 50,000 miles. Heard a loud noise coming from rear of the truck. Currently, the noise has proceeded to the front. I have not replaced anything because I really don't know what I am going to have to change. I was wondering if there is going to be a recall on this truck.
I took my 2002 explorer in for recall on rear door. They told me that both rear springs broke. This vehicle has less than 44,000 miles on it, and has the tow package although nothing was ever towed. The springs that broke are at the very top and hard to find. Mechanic would have had to know to look there to find it. This LED me to believe that there have been others with the same problem.
I am the fleet manager of the buffalo grove park district and we own four ford explorers two of the four a 2002, and a 2003, explorer 4x4 xlt have had numerous expensive problems such as wheel bearing failures three failures on the 02 explorer and one on the 03, rear strut failure,seals leaking converter clutch failure,rear axle noise gear whine,clutch pack noise,all these problems on vehicles that are out of warranty by mileage but only a couple two or three years old. This year jan 04 to jan 05 3,500 in repairs for these two vehicles, not including the rear axle problems on the 03, this is "not acceptable" p.s. The mileage 72,000 on the 02, and 51,000 on the 03
After several months of hearing a "whooshing" tire sounds from the back of the 02 ford expl xlt, and dealers telling us that nothing was wrong, took vehicle to a local service center and had to have rear suspension/axles replaced (4/04) and also had to replace the 2 back tires because of the damage. Now, 1/05, same noise is present and wear on back tires, we are now being told that the back suspension/axles are bad again and need to be replaced. Less than one year and we have the same problem. Obviously ford needs to look into this problem. Vehicle had 78k miles on it.
Rear bearing failure of 2002 ford explorer. Took vehicle to dealer because of rear end noise and was told the bearing was about to explode and could have lost an axle.
While driving 30 to 40 MPH a crunching sound was heard. The dealer stated the front wheel bearing failed. Please provide additional information. *jb this is the second front wheel baring failure.
When driving 30 MPH vehicle vibrated in the rear. Also, consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the rear. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.
Intermittently when turning corners there was a loud popping sound coming from the front end of vehicle. The problem occurred three times in the last six months. Consumer determined that upper ball joints were worn out.
Steering wheel vibrated while driving at highway speeds. Dealer attempted to repair the vehicle, but was not able to remedy the problem. Dealer did not inform the consumer of the repairs that were made.
While turning around corners vehicle would shake, making it difficult for consumer to control the vehicle. Driver had contacted dealer on three separate occasions, and problem was still recurring.
While driving (65 MPH) on I 95 through richmond virginia, at 12:30 after midnight, my 2002 ford explorer (62,000 miles) developed a vibration. I made it to the ford dealer and left it for repairs. The rear end bearing, axle shaft, cv joint failed. Four (4) days later I was on the road. It was a very frightening experience. Ford would not accept responsibility. There is no maintenance on the rear axle bearings. This is a new design and I bought an early unit.
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