We are in the process of replacing the left rear outer tie rod and which the mechanic says displays excessive wear and movement. Also replacing rear gas charged struts (displays excessive wear and movement), rear coil springs (bent, cracked, and loose), and rear strut mounts. $1100.00 on a car with 61109 miles on it. This vehicle is never used to haul or tow anything. We have trucks for that. I'm sick to see all of these complaints on the same problem - it can't be a coincidence.
2002 Ford Explorer suspension complaints
Page 9 of 15: complaints 221 to 250 of 422, newest first, as owners wrote them.
At 51,894 we were surprised to find that our rear wheel bearings and hub assembly had to be replaced this started as a whine and clicking noise total charge to fix approx 750.00 -- according to others on this site this could have caused an accident. At this time we also had a very loose parking brake, but was told by the dealer that it couldn't be tightened until the grooves wore out?
Wheel bearing failure on ford explorer 2002.
On my 2002 ford explorer SUV I have had to replace 3 of the 4 wheel bearings and hub assemblies(approx $250 each), with the 4th not far behind. I have also had to replace the 4-wheel drive module(approx $400-$500). I have had problems with the rear window motors going bad and having to replace these too. The air conditioning unit has stopped working. The passenger air bag dummy light has come on for no reason. The seat belt warning chime often comes on and will not go off, even though you have buckled your seat belt. You have to slam the buckle into place for it to go off and sometimes this does not work either. The transmission is now making a lovely clunking sound when shifting from park to drive and when you try to put it back into park, it does not want to. You have to put it up to park as far as it will go then go back to neutral and then into park from there. We have replaced the emergency brake shoes on both sides because they were completely worn off even though we do not use the e-brakes. These problems are just piling up one after another. I went to an internet site that has complaints about vehicles and found that there are hundreds of others with the same problems on their 2002 ford explorers of all kinds (xl, eddie bauer, special edition, etc.). Why hasn't ford done any recalls for these problems? Does it require multiple injuries or even death for them to take responsibility???
We have had problems with the rear differential since buying our vehicle in 2003. The first time we had it fixed was two weeks after buying it. It has been fixed 3 times and we are about to fix again. After some research I found that this is a problem with hundreds of owners of 2002 ford explorers. There is no recall because they say it is not a safety issue, however; the mechanic said if not fixed the rear wheels could lock up causing an accident. I consider this a safety issue, especially when my children are in the car.
2002 ford explorer eddie bauer 4l v6 auto trans I had my explorer into the dealer for an oil change last january and they mentioned that my right rear wheel seal was leaking and needed to be changed but not right away. I waited for the next oil change in april and scheduled it in for a wheel seal replacement -- $190. No mention of any problems with the rear end. Not 90 miles later I hear a loud crunching sound and managed to limp back to the dealer to find out that the same right rear hub they just replaced the seal on has a bad bearing/hub. They replaced the hub and bearing at a cost of $899 ($533 parts). Given the explorers history of problems with the right rear wheel (firestone blowouts) causing rollover accidents I think ford would take this problem seriously. If having a tire fail can lead to rollover accidents imagine what happens when you lose the entire wheel!
Heard loud roaring noise coming from back rear tires. Had explorer checked to find out that right rear tire was almost ready to come off explorer. Hubs/bearings wearing out . This is a very dangerous problem and ford needs to recall these explorers before someone gets hurt.
2002 ford explorer with slightly less than 130,000 miles with near incident of rear passenger wheel falling off at highway speed.
Wheel hub and bearing bad.
I purchased my 2002 ford explorer from a ford dealer in april 2005, with approximately 45,000 miles on it. I immediately noticed a humming noise coming from the rear and thought that I needed to replace the tires. After purchasing all four new tires, the noise continued to worsen. By 60,000 miles the noise was unbearable and I was told by a local garage that the right rear hub seal was the problem and that the wheel could fall off if I didn't replace it. The entire housing needed to be replaced, due to rust fusing the parts together. Surprisingly, the noise continued (although somewhat more muffled this time), but I was afraid to drive it. I do alot of local on and off highway driving and I was afraid of losing a wheel at higher speeds. I took it into a ford dealer and both rear hubs needed to be completely replaced. I now have 105,000 miles on this vehicle and the problem has not re-occurred. I just can't believe though that ford has not owned up to this wide-spread problem by making these ford-owners whole after they're made to spend anywhere from $500 to $1500 (like I did) to repair a problem that surely they must know could potentially cost them another headline!
My 2002 ford explorer xlt made a loud tinging, screeching noise on a tuesday morning ,especially noticeable when turning the wheel. It was not a consistent sound. My husband lubricated the bushings that night, thinking that was the problem. Next day, the sound was progressively worsening, I even heard it when I was driving in a straight path, but the noise still was not consistent. It did seem louder with a clanking sound in the rear of the vehicle. That day on the highway coming home from work the noise was intermittent until I had slowed down for traffic and it began to vibrate and shake. Fortunately, I was at my exit and was two blocks from home. I was absolutely frightened. There was a rubbing sound now that was at the rear rt side of the car. Later, that evening we were told it was probably the bearing. First my husband went out and purchased the bearing from a ford dealer. Then he came to find out that the entire kit was needed, as well as, a special tool to get the bolt off which took hours to loosen and release. Today he is still trying to replace the rt rear wheel bearing with the kit from an auto store since ford is not open and this is our one means of travel for the family. Please include this complaint with any others as a "near miss" for an accident that could have occurred on the beltway in rush hour traffic. This could have been worse. I feel very lucky, but I want ford to know about this incident and to consider this a safety recall for others. As I have done some research I have heard that this is happening far too often and is a serious hazard to other ford explorer owners and the public. The car wheel could have come off as well as the drive shaft could have broken. I have also read that this is not something that should occur on a 2002 vehicle. There have been reports of the left side having problems not too long after the rt or vice versa. Please notify me of any updates on this issue. Thank you.
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.
Drivers side rear coil spring snapped and passenger side rear coil spring snapped in 4 places. Mechanic at midas told me they are seeing alot of these on the 2002 ford explorer. Wondering if ford is doing anything about this. I called there customer service and didn't get anywhere with them.
I bought my 2002 ford explorer in jan 08, it is now april 08 and I have already replaced the r front wheel bearing, and both rear wheel bearings. It has cost me around $1,200.00 and it only has 60,000 miles on it. Once a month I am putting more money into something that I believe should have been a recall. I can count more than 60 complaints about this problem on this particular year and model of vehicle and it amazes me that ford motor company is so naive to such a dangerous problem. Are they really insensitive enough to wait until someone dies or gets injured from this? I believe that whatever parts they used when manufacturing these vehicles were defective and I am to do whatever it takes to make them see, even if it means getting a lawyer. Between all of us out there I believe we would have a pretty good case if we all get together. So anyone who sees this most recent complaint and agrees with me, I can be contacted at (865)-585-6874 which is my cell number, or you can e-mail me at [email protected] and my name is fayann manning. Awaiting everyone else's call who feel like they have been screwed over!!!
This is my wife's vehicle so I do not drive it often. When I did I noticed the loud roar and asked how long it had been there. She said a couple months. I replaced 3 of the 4 wheel bearings. Had I not drove it myself the wheels could have fallen off!!! She has my two children in there also. Thanks ford!! This is not an old vehicle. Less than 80,000 miles. If there is no recall on these bearings and someone gets killed I hope ford is sued so bad they go under. Recall your piece of crap bearings like you should.
Failure of both rear springs on 2002 ford explorer. 95,000 miles, normal duty (never overloaded). Springs literally breaking apart starting at top. Suspect design or material flaw. Internet search indicates this is not isolated incident. Suspect further spring failure could lead to loss of control/roll over. Please investigate -- in my opinion this should be serious safety recall item.
Problems with this explorer over my ownership include: -rear glass replaced -front brakes replaced -rear wheel bearings have required replacement, -parking brake issues, -new tires, etc.
Failed rear wheel bearing. Car swaying side to side, possible rollover if at high speed.
My rear passenger wheel bearing is going out... This had happened to many other explorers drivers and I do not think it is safe..... Wheel could fall off to unknown driver.
I purchased my 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer in 2006, there is a roaring sound and from other responses from the internet I see that alot of people are having this same problem and a mechanic that works for ford said that it could be very dangerous and the back wheels could lock up at anytime that is very dangerous to me. Please consider a recall on this for it very important to me and alot of other people. The rear end (axle) is very important.
Both rear coil springs are cracked/fractured completely through. Spring coils are collapsed onto each other at the location of the fracture. This is should not happen. Springs/struts should lose tension over time but should not completely fail to the point they completely crack into two pieces. Some quick research shows that this is a chronic problem with the 2002 explorer. This is a safety issue and should be addressed by the manufacturer.
The back coil springs on my 2002 ford explorer have broken. My sister's, nephew's and a friends has also broken on the same make and model as mine. I would think that there is something wrong for all of us to have the same problem with the back coil springs. I am not for sure if any one else has had this problem or not? Will there be a recall on these springs? We have all had to have these springs replaced and they have not been cheap.
2002 ford explorer xlt- all four wheel bearing have gone bad within 1 year. This is a known problem with owners and dealers. This year and model of ford explorer has bad bearings and hub assemblies. Ford is happy to collect the hundreds of dollars it cost owners to replace these faulty parts but will not do anything to fix the issue. One bearing actually broke on my vehicle and now I am afraid to drive it because I do not want to be stranded somewhere. I have a front and rear bearing out again.
Front driver wheel bearing replaced twice in 1.5 years. Right rear wheel bearing replaced once already need to replace again.
Took my 02 explorer to dealer for pa state inspection on 2-26-08. Vehicle logged 79,000 miles. Dealer found both rear coil springs broken at very top of each spring. This failure resulted in the failure of both rear shock absorbers which also had to be replaced. This, in turn, required the replacement of both rear insulators and brackets. This vehicle is not utilized for towing or "off road" activities.
I own a 2002 explorer, with only 74k miles on it. I began making a severe humming noise while driving. Took into dealer and I was told that my right rear wheel bearing was bad and this I need to get this fixed right away. I had it in within a day, while they fixed my right rear, they noticed that one of my front wheel bearing is going bad. From what I am hearing ford is aware that on the 2002 explorers there are issues with the wheel bearings. I am glad ford recognizes that.....considering this seems to be a dangerous scenerio, especially as I travel with my 5 year old in the vehicle. Ford needs to do a recall on 02 explorer's wheel bearings.
I have had the rear bearings replaced 4 times and the complete rear hub assemblies and bearings replaced once (total 5 times) the car is dangerous to drive and sways going down the road. The sway links have been replaced twice. The problems keeps recurring. I have all parts bills dating back to 11/2005 when problems started and continue to date.
Rear differential gears had whining noise replaced gears three times...still whining. Front hub bearings making grinding noise at 80,000 miles, told they are 1500 to replace, cant afford repair. Told if the bearings fail when driving at highway speeds could be a serious safty issue. Bearing should not need to be replaced at 80k. Have researched on the web and found this to be a pattern on the 2002 ford explorers. Something needs to be done on this issue.
This is my second ford vehicle with only 80k miles and on both, all wheel bearings have had failure. And on more than one occasion for a single bearing. It is very costly to repair these defects at approximately $500 per wheel, and is an obvious mechanical and safety hazard. Twice I have been stranded on the highway with a child in the car because the wheel has almost came off. Consumers should not have to repair these defects at their expense to have them continually fail over again. I would like to see to the possibility of a class action lawsuit against ford if they cannot agree to a recall, since there are certainly well enough people with these problems. I have lost any and all interest in this manufacturer and will not consider an american made car in the future.
Rear coil spring broke last week with only 65k miles on my 2002 ford explorer. It has never been off road. I'm told by several mechanics its a common ford problem. Why is there no recall? I have piece of old spring showing rust. It cost me $500 to repair. Ford says no recall or cust sat program.
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