Upon inspecting our 2002 ford explorer for state inspection, I discovered the right rear coil spring to be broken. This is one of two broken on this vehicle to date, the first was the left rear discovered by the local ford dealer when in for a routine check, they replaced that spring, I replaced the right side & still have the pieces (3 to be exact) in my possession. We have also had all four axle bearings replaced. One of which became so hot, the left side rear hub cap melted & fell off the wheel. All four bearings were replaced by the dealer. None of the bearings or hub cap were under warranty so we were stuck with those & the rr spring expense. Knowing the type of part failures on our explorer it brings up a more crucial question of, could any of them have resulted in serious consequences. Rollover,swerving off of the road to possibly hit something or someone,etc. What could have happened if both rear coil springs broke around the same time? I've always enjoyed ford products, repaired many,hope they will take this and apply it to tougher test standards. Vehicles' current mileage is over 120,000 I understand other ford models have had other coil spring concerns also, such as a notice we received when we owned our '95 windstar.
2002 Ford Explorer suspension complaints
Page 5 of 15: complaints 101 to 130 of 422, newest first, as owners wrote them.
This complaint is concerning the wheel bearings on all 2002 ford explorers and the frequency in which they break or come lose causing lose of control of the vehicle. This has happened on my vehicle on 5 occasions, the last of which ford refuses to replace at their cost due to it being out of warranty. The first incident happened in february 2007 when my right front bearing broke while I was on an highway overpass driving at approximately 60 MPH and almost lost control of my vehicle as the wheel nearly comes off when this happens and the vehicle jerks. The truck was towed into the dealership for repair. The second incident happened in january 2008 when my left front wheel bearing broke. This time I was thankfully not on the expressway but once again the vehicle was towed into the dealership for repair as it was not drivable. When the vehicle was in for repair this time I requested that the rear bearings be checked and replaced if necessary and it was found that those two bearings also needed replacement. Now, in october 2009, once again my front left wheel bearing is lose and needs to be replaced. I called ford regarding the possibility that the bearings are faulty and that someone is going to be killed due to this issue but the customer service center just says to make a complaint. They also will not cover the cost of the repair as it is out of their 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty period. I have started researching this issue and have found 28 pages of complaints from people having the same issue and this is just one website. This seems to be a common occurrence with the bearings on 2002 explorers. This is supposed to be a sealed factory part that usually does not require repair and I am on my fifth repair. I am concerned for my own safety and the safety of others.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer . While changing the brake pads, he noticed that the rear coil springs fractured. The vehicle was taken to a ford dealer, and the axles bearings,the rack and pinion, and the rear coil springs were replaced at an expense of $2140.56. The failure mileage was 87000. The current mileage was 90000.
2002 explorer first rear end went and was replace only to find its gone again after 20,000 miles, then 4.6 v8 engine has a knock in it, ford is aware of it but wont replace or fix it, now both rear springs are broke which ford also knows and wont replace.
2002 ford explorer xlt. This SUV has a third seat, that's seldom used. Has a towing package that's been rarely used. Rear coil springs that tell me none of these extra options can be used. Without endangering everybody in the car, as well as everybody on the road. This car was driven daily, to and from work, and seldom used on the weekends. Parked on pavement, not gravel, or grass, and never off road. Why are they breaking? Does the general public have to be warned to avoid driving past one of these SUV's because they may randomly veer off the road with a tire blowout? This is typical of ford to send out recalls on the hatch, but not the much more serious (life safety) problem with it's rear coil springs.
I have had troubles with the wheel ends on my ford since I bought it in 2005. I didn't realize the problems that I am having are common in this vehicle. I started noticing more brake dust on some of the wheels than others. Then on my rear/passengers tire I hear a squeaking, grinding noise with a little wabble in the wheel. Take it back to the dealer -said they grinded something down. Didn't hear the noise anymore. My ABS light kicks on won't go off has something to do with defect in wheel end assembly apparently. Paid $150 to get it off comes right back on weeks later!! My entire wheel end almost falls off while on the hwy. Pull over all 4 studs had come completely off of the wheel except 1, the wheel was literally hangin. Had to have all studs replaced. Have had to have wheel studs replaced frequently at some point on all four tires. Paid to have rear passenger wheel bearings replaced finally $300+. Front, drivers wheel bearings went out while driving 70-80 MPH on hwy, loss control, barely made it off hwy in the middle of nowhere! 1-2months later front passengers wheel bearings go bad have to be replaced-$300+ each time. Had front brakes & rotors replaced march '07, rear brakes & rotors jan '08. This month sept '09 had to have rear brakes & rotors replaced. Could only afford to have brake pads replaced. Only put 30,000miles on it since had b/r changed in '08. Why am I having to have them both changed a year later. Something in the wheel end assembly is causing increased wear & tear on rear brakes, rotors and everything else! Now my brake pads are burning insanely crazy, alot of smoke comes from the wheel. New brake pads shouldn't burn that fast even with somewhat bad rotors. (that shoudn't be bad), have to go back to the shop this week. All are common issues apparently. Please review link w/complaints on this '02 model. & they tell me my ball joints are going out! Thank you. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/wheels_hubs/wheel_bearing_failure.shtml.
I own a 2002 ford explorer. While having my tires rotated the mechanic told me that my rear drivers side coil spring was broken. I am waiting for the dealer to order new springs as it appears both need to be changed. I was made aware of this on 9-9-09. So I don't know when it broke. I did not hear any noise or notice any difference in handling.
Have a 2002 ford explorer have had several problems, but while I was out driving today my car began to pop as I turned the wheel. I have gotten my tie rods replaced and there seems to continue to be a problem with my vehicle. My husband drove the car home for me slowly but will not drive for fear that the wheel may pop off. Contacted ford and am waiting on a response, this problem has been noted on the internet by several owners of this model and year. This is a suspension problem and I would like this further investigated so that noone is riding down the highway with their children in vehicle and the wheel pop off. I was very lucky that my child was not in the truck with me at the time this incident happened.
I took my car in for a simple oil change and inspection and they noticed 2 rear coil springs broken and bad rear right wheel bearing. I feel this is a major repair/recall ford motor company should take care of before someone seriously gets injured or dies. I drive this vehicle to and from work locally with 2 small children under the age of 6. I'm glad we didn't get into a major accident with this happening.
Noticed a noise from rear of vehicle. Upon inspection, I found both rear coil springs were broken. Springs were replaced with new. Old parts have been disposed of but do have photos.
In may 2005, the car would not go into reverse. The o/d light had been going on and off for a number of days. Transmission has to be replaced at a cost of $4500. Car had approximately 60000 miles. In january of 2008, the engine had to be replaced due to because the timing belt went at a cost of $3000. Car had 75000 miles. In august 2009, both rear spring were discovered to be broken when the car was taken in for a whining in the rear, which was the rear axle bearing. The car had 94000 miles, cost of repair was $1200.
After hearing several different noises coming from the explorer, I took it in to have it checked out. I was told that the front struts were broken and needed replaced. I paid to have those replaced. After leaving, I continued to hear a second noise. I took the vehicle back to have it checked out again. I was told that they couldn't find any problem. After another week I didn't hear the noise anymore. I then started having problems with a chugging occurring in the engine. While having this serviced, I was told that the rear springs were broken and the struts also need replaced. The first estimate for the rear springs and struts was $780! So far on the 2002 explorer I have had to have the transmission rebuilt (50k miles), od sensor replaced (45k miles), ABS sensor replaced (45k miles), rear control arm replaced (75k miles), front struts (78k miles), and rear latch replaced (recall). The emergency brake (75k miles) also needed replaced. When the control arm was replaced, the emergency brake crumbled apart. I was told by the dealership that I am luckily the broken spring did not pierce the tire and cause a blowout. The springs/struts and the transmission are common problems and should be recalled. Between paying out of pocket and the issues covered by an after market warranty, over $5000 have been spent on a vehicle 7 years old with only 79000 miles. This vehicle has never towed anything or been driven off road.
I was changing the rear brakes on my mothers 2002 ford explorer and found that the left rear coil spring was broken in 2 places and cracked quite some distance through the center of the spring. I looked online to see if this is a common problem and it turns out it is a huge problem. The first link I clicked on lead me to a forum with 92 threads were people have had broken springs on their 2002 explorer. This is clearly a widespread issue. I do have the old spring, but am missing one part because it must have fallen out while driving.
I took my car to have the tires replaced. When the mechanic put the car on the lift he informed me that both of my rear springs were crumbling. One of the springs was broken in 3 places, the other was broken in two places. The mechanic claims in his 30 years of experience he has never seen a broken spring at 51,000 miles, when the vehicle is only used as a family car and had not been a result of an accident. He said how lucky I was that the spring did not come apart killing myself and my family on the highway. We contacted ford, hoping that they had recalled this fault after we saw hundreds of complaints about the same problem on the internet. Ford said there was no recall and we were responsible for repairs. This repair is going to cost over $500. I guess it is a small price when my family could have been killed. I am hoping the government can contact all ford explorer customer to warn them of this problem and hopefully prevent a certain death.
When in a ford dealership for lube, oil & filter change, the mechanic noticed that both rear coil springs were broken.
Rear coil springs failed on 2002 ford explorer. Vehicle only has 4,100 miles on it. This was found while oil was being changed at the dealer. It appears this is a very common problem with this vehicle. Ford need to be held accountable with this many vehicles having the same problem. Now I'm facing a 500.00 repair bill.
While rotating the tires on my 2002 ford explorer I found that both rear springs are broken. I believe this is caused due to sub standard materials as my car has never been used for off road or towing. My car has only 62,000 miles. Both springs and struts will have to be replaced.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise outside of the vehicle. Upon reaching his destination, the contact discovered that the rear passenger side coil spring failed without warning. The vehicle is currently inoperable and has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 96,000.
Broken rear coil springs on 2002 ford explorer xlt, 85000 miles. Also need front and rear wheel bearings, seat belt tensioner, emergency brake repair.
Broken rear coil springs were discovered during routine brake replacement. Truck had been handling poorly, was brought to dealership for brakes & shocks. Service advisor advised of discovery of cracked springs, had to keep vehicle overnight for repair/replacement.
Driving from parking lot, heard a loud thump from the rear. Upon inspecting, the rear coil spring is broken in two places.
Passenger side rear coil spring broken in half near top portion. Apparently it is a common problem with this year of explorer, but nothing has been fixed yet.
I drive a 2002 ford explorer with 86,000 miles. The driver side rear coil spring broke.
Flat tire; after taking tire off I noticed that the coil spring was broken in half and the wheel bearing was bad, causing the wheel to wobble. There was no apparent reason for the part failures. After consulting others with the same vehicle type this is a very common problem for 2002 ford explorers - wheel bearings and coil spring failure. Ford may want to recall these before it causes accidents.
Just like thousands of other 2002 ford explorer owners both of my rear coil springs are broken at the top of the spring and need to be replaced because they rusted from the inside out (poor quality) I also had to replace both rear wheel bearings. Obviously this year vehicle has rear end issues that need to be addressed by ford. I just cannot understand why there is no coil spring recall? Ford must know there's a problem with them, all you need to do is search the web to see that several other owners have the same problems with the rear end. This should be dealt with because it's clearly a safety issue. Please help get this issue addressed before some family who isn't aware of the issue gets injured or killed.
Heard a grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle, had brakes changed, noise continued. Found out it was the driver side wheel bearing and the passenger side front both going bad. Repairs not done too expensive.
Rear coil spring failure on 2002 ford explorer.
I own a 2002 ford explorer, purchased new in 2001. First a few years after the vehicle was purchased, my o/d light stated flashing. I brought the vehicle to my local ford dealer as it was still under warranty. The transmission was overhauled and haven't had a problem. In 2008 I had routine brake replacement done on my vehicle at a local garage and when this was done the technician working on the vehicle noticed that my rear coil springs were broken and nearly fell out. I had this problem replaced with new shocks and springs and did not think something like this would happen because the vehicle had low mileage. Now just recently with 61000 miles on my vehicle the o/d light began to flash again, I had problems shifting from park to reverse, their was a definite slip, and also noticed a few days before the light came on that their was a shudder when upshifting from 4th to 5th gear. I brought the vehicle to my local ford dealer and they determined that I needed to replace the transmission. Due to the cost of this being over $4000.00, I decided to bring it to a reputable transmission repair facility. I did get a lower quote and authorized the repair. I spoke to the owner of the business and he advised me that the transmission needed to be remanufactured and they also found water or coolant in the transmission fluid. The owner also advised me of the fact that their is a vent for the transmission and it was plugged with some sort of plug which should not be their.
Rear coil spring broke after only 76,000 miles. Light driving most times.
I own a 2002 ford explorer with 65,000 miles on it, have never towed anything or used it for hauling heavy loads. I take my small children back and forth to school and drive 15 miles round trip to work 3 days a week. Both rear coil springs are rusted and broken - passenger side broken in 3 spots, driver's in one spot. This has ruined the rear struts. Car is now dangerous to drive.
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