During normal operation the rear spring assembly has broken. They have been replaced once before and the ones installed are now broken. This is very hazardous as the spring could puncture the tire while vehicle is in motion causing and accident.
2002 Ford Explorer suspension complaints
Page 6 of 15: complaints 131 to 160 of 422, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The coil spring on my 2002 ford explorer snapped off at the top and now rests atop my sway bar. I have read of several complaints of this happening since it has happened to me.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact noticed that the rear of the vehicle was lower to the ground than usual. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a ford dealer and they both verified that the rear coil springs failed. The failure mileage was 68,000.
I was driving home when all of a sudden I heard a loud clang from the rear of the car. I felt the back of the car drop. Luckily, I was only about 100 yards from home so I drove it home. Looking under the car once I got it home it was immediately noticeable that the driver side rear coil spring had just snapped. This car has never been used for towing or going off road; it is strictly a highway vehicle. This is an unacceptable problem, had I been on a highway or the turnpike it could have blown out my back tire causing a wreck. Both rear coil springs and struts will have to be replaced now.
Rear coil springs broke on 2002 explorer for unknow reason.
2002 ford explorer xlt. Whining from the rear has grown to a loud roar at any speed over 10mph. We don't drive this car very often, so we ignored the problem thinking it was the tires. From all I have read and heard, this can only end in a bad situation since it involves the rear differential and wheel bearings. This problem should be labeled as a recall and ford should have to pay for the repairs. This is a serious safety recall issue.
36,006 miles rear axle seals started leaking, had new set put on. Not even 10,000 miles & that set started leaking. Had third set put on. 61,500 miles & leaking again! Mechanic says I have a broken rear coil spring. Could the springs have been faulty all long causing the rear axle seals to leak?
Have had several incidents with my ford explorer attempting to run off parkway at 65 MPH after wheel bearing failure. Have had to replace wheel bearings 6 times from 100,000 to 102,000 miles.this problem is extremely dangerous due to failure of control of vehicle with no prior notice of any mechanical problems concerning the bearings until complete failure . Even the replacement parts after installation have failed after less than 1000 miles.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle began bouncing abnormally. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear passenger coil spring was fractured. She is in the process of having the vehicle repaired and notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 91,000.
This is my wife"s 02' 4x4 v8 explorer,we brought it new and now have 78,000 miles in it,at first I heard some noise I thought it came from the tires that pretty worn out so I went to change out the new tires while I was in the shop and wait I ask the guy can I go in there to check out the brake pads I notice the rear springs broke???? The more searching I did the more thing I find out, wheel bearing??? No more ford.......
I was hearing a loud sound from the rear-end, thought it was the tires so I replaced them. Brought the vehicle in because I believe the bearings were going, which they were, at which time they stated the rear spring was snapped. The car is in the shop now getting repaired and I am unsure how this happened because I never felt anything that seemed like a spring snapping. I was also informed by the mechanic that it is a common problem in fords and mercurys.....
I took my 2002 ford explorer in for new tires(82k miles) and the mechanic told me one of my rear coil springs was broken in 3 places. I hadn't noticed any "knocking" or noises as I drove my truck, and I don't use it off-road or take it anywhere where there's great stress put on the suspension system. To my knowledge the struts weren't damaged due to the spring failing, but I didn't have another $300 to replace both rear springs after getting new tires. I've noticed that an alarming number of people are seeing this problem with their '02 explorers. Ford should be doing something about this.
After getting my rear tires replaced, the mechanic told me that I had a crack in my right rear spring for my suspension.
O/d light began flashing diving on a major highway - RPM's ran at 3rpm's no matter what speed I traveled. Transmission shifts very hard and I am experiencing a terrible clunking noise - piece of'!@#$% transmission - will have to replace the transmission according to the dealer and I have heard it is happening very frequently with the 2002 explorers.
Looks like this is a fairly common complaint. I have a 2002 ford explorer, with 84k miles. I have been told that both rear coils are broken. Based on what I am reading on misc blog sites, a great number of 2002 ford explorers have had these issues. Obviously there is a defect on these rear coils and it seems like ford should step up and offer free replacements. I am going to try to replace myself as the garage wanted $850 for the work, but, after seeing the work involved, I'm not wondering if it might be easier to sell the truck and get a reliable vehicle.
After failing inspection because both rear coil springs were broken. Vehicle has never towed or carried heavy loads.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving approximately 50 MPH on normal road conditions, the contact heard a loud noise outside of the vehicle. The vehicle vibrated excessively. The check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and remained lit until the engine was turned off. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the rear driver's side wheel bearing was cracked. The vehicle was repaired. Recently, the front passenger side wheel bearing exhibited a crack. In addition, the overdrive warning indicator illuminated while traveling on the highway. Also, the automatic transmission was slipping out of gear. The mileages were unknown.
Found part of my rear spring for my 2002 explorer lying on the floor of the garage. Upon inspection I see the driver's side spring and the top that holds the spring are broken and crumbling. The passenger side spring and top has several cracks. This is at 101,000 mi, never driven off road and only light towing. I believe this is a serious safety issue because it could very well fail with a fully loaded vehicle on the highway leading to loss of control.
Had to have both front wheel bearings replaced.
During a service the rear spring was foind to be broken in two places. The first two coils of the righ rear coil spring were broken.
Broken coil springs-car is not used for towing or other activities. Many such reports of premature coil breakage. My car has 66k miles on it--no third seat. Both coils broken.
2002 ford explorer with broken coil spring, crack under rear window, and transmission slip, broken parking brake shoes in assembly. Same complaints that seem to be common. And same with everyone else, no help from ford.
2002 ford explorer xlt. When having brakes replaced mechanic informed me both rear springs were broken. In checking web this appears to be a common problem with various ford products. Approx. Mileage 78,000. Mechanic said the springs can break apart while driving, causing a blowout. Again, if this is a known, common problem with fords, why hasn't there been any recall regarding this? Luckily no accident/incident because the problem was discovered prior to one occurring.
Only 83,000 miles on my 2002 ford explorer and I am faced with a bill of around $2,500 for repairs. The rear wheel bearings and hubs need to be replaced. The rear struts need to be replaced. The front stabilizer bar bushings need to be replaced. When the car is driven you can hear noises like a whining sound. It sounds almost like a plane is landing in my back seat.
2002 ford explorer 4x4 eddie bauer. Left rear suspension hub/bearing failure. Vehicle located and driven in southeast michigan (detroit area) where roads are salted in winter. Vehicle in service date (12/12/2001). Incident date (12/10/2008 - 108845 miles). Right rear suspension hub/bearing failure at an earlier date.
2002 ford explorer 4x4 eddie bauer. Right rear suspension hub/bearing failure. Vehicle located and driven in southeast michigan (detroit area) where roads are salted in winter. Vehicle in service date (12/12/2001). Incident date (03/08/2006 - 69216 miles). Left rear suspension hub/bearing failure at a later date.
2002 ford explorer 4x4 eddie bauer. Left rear suspension coil spring fracture. Vehicle located and driven in southeast michigan (detroit area) where roads are salted in winter. Vehicle in service date (12/12/2001). Incident date (12/10/2008 - 108845 miles). Right rear suspension coil spring fractured at an earlier date.
2002 ford explorer 4x4 eddie bauer. Right rear suspension coil spring fracture. Vehicle located and driven in southeast michigan (detroit area) where roads are salted in winter. Vehicle in service date (12/12/2001). Incident date (03/08/2006 - 69216 miles). Left rear suspension coil spring fractured at a later date.
I took the vehicle to a dealership to have the struts looked at and they told me that the right rear wheel bearing was in need of repair and both rear coil springs were broken. I have noticed on other chat rooms that this is a common occurrence for this make/model of vehicle and I was referred to this site.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the air bag indicator remained illuminated. The dealer stated that the seat belt latch system does not work and they are charging him to diagnose and repair the failure. The contact stated that it is a safety hazard that the seat belt does not work. The failure and current mileages were 47,600. Updated 12/10/08 *cn both of the rear springs broke and the rear axle bearing was bad. Updated 12/16/08.
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