2002 Ford Explorer Rear Problems
- 192
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 192 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- rear coil · 58 records
- coil springs · 42 records
- both rear · 34 records
- coil spring · 34 records
- rear springs · 24 records
- springs broken · 18 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 108 |
| 30–60k mi | 28 |
| 100–150k mi | 25 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Rear
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. *tr
ODI 10252023
Rear
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. *tr
ODI 10252019
Rear
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. *tr
ODI 10251283
Rear
After getting my rear tires replaced, the mechanic told me that i had a crack in my right rear spring for my suspension. *tr
ODI 10259510
Rear
Vehicle taken to dealer for state inspection. Both rear suspension coil springs were cracked through. Parts are being replaced by dealer. Old parts are available. *tr
ODI 10246718
Parking Brake · Rear
2002 ford explorer used for non business driving. No heavy loads or trailers. No off road use. No incidents with objects in road, pot holes, obstacles etc. Both rear suspension springs broken. One spring broken in 3 places. Noticed @ 56,500 miles. Springs had been broken for a while(rust on breaks). Didn't notice it until recently broken spring on other side asymptomatic. The only immediate consequences to me were a…
ODI 10245719
Frame And Members · Rear
On 10-14-2008, took vehicle in for routine nys veh inspection. Midas mech informed me that a 5 inch piece snapped off at the bottom of the pass side rear coil spring . You could see that the coil spring wasn't seated right anymore. Vehicle mileage was approx 66,400. Never used off road. Mech informed me that 2002 ford explorers are notorious for defective wheel hubs (which is true because i recently just replaced…
ODI 10246002
Rear
My 2002 ford explorer rear springs broke just the other day. Mine had rusted out and broke at the bottom and top of the springs from rusting out. *tr
ODI 10245463
Rear
2002 ford explorer badly rusted cracked rear coil springs. While doing brake job noticed how rusted and cracked rear coil springs where. Car has less than 75,000 miles on it never towed no heavy weight springs should not crack like that. Could have shot out and caused major damage (ie shot through tire or gas tank loss of control of vehicle etc.) *tr
ODI 10245170
Rear
Normal driving car with very little light towing had rear coil spring failure. I was able to drive the car to the mechanics to get fixed however there is absolutely no reason this part should fail at only 80,000 miles. I have driven cars with factory springs that had 200k on them. And someone could have been hurt, including myself. *tr
ODI 10244608
Rear
Brought our 2002 ford explorer xlt into the dealer with 75,000 miles on it to check out a noise in the rear end. Was told it needed a new wheel bearing. This is the second wheel bearing that we've had to replace. The dealer also found that both rear coil springs were broken. Said they may have been broken for some time. Will cost $250 for the wheel bearing and $500 for new springs. Was told ford will not pay for the…
ODI 10244165
Rear
Rear coil spring broke and damaged the strut. Dealer repaired both at cost to consumer, also suggested i replaced the other side before it fails. This ford explorer has never towed anything or has never been off road. All four wheel bearings have been replaced on truck at 50,000 miles. But truck was under extended warranty. *tr
ODI 10243469
Power Train · Rear
Rear spring broken on 2002 ford explorer with 80,000 miles. *tr
ODI 10242014
Rear
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. There was a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle which caused the back wheel to fail. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated that the rear differential system, rear wheel and back hub needed to be replaced at a cost of $3,600. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted but stated that there were no recalls and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not…
ODI 10377042
Rear
Rear spring breakage both rear springs were broken vehicle not used for rough duty the dealer it was purchased from said there was no recalls or campaigns but parts manager stated he has sold seven sets of springs for theses vehicles i believe this needs to be addressed being it is a safety and handling issue. *tr
ODI 10238793
Rear
Vehicle was purchased in november 2007 where a complete inspection was made of the vehicle and its components. Since that time, the vehicle was not driven off-road, had any heavy loads, towed anything, or an unusually hard driving. Strange noise was heard coming from the rear suspension, found to be the rear coil springs both snapped at the top. The vehicle is kept outside during new england winters.
ODI 10237803
Rear
Just found out rear coil springs are both broke. With simple search on web, found numerous other owners of 2002 ford explorers have same issue. This is a factory defect, i shouldn't have to pay for it. Plus, its unsafe! *tr
ODI 10236219
Rear
Both rear springs are broken at the top. Also, driver rear tire blew out on inside sidewall with about 50% tread left (suspect broken spring gouged the tire). Also had to replace right rear wheel bearing (noisy and wobbly) and parking brake shoes (completely worn off from tilted axel hub). 110,000 miles. Also both front wheel bearings were replaced at 95k miles (making noise). Where is the safety recall? *tr
ODI 10235937
Rear · Wheel Bearing
Right rear wheel making noise and is loose. Wheel hub/bearing is loose and wobbly. Parking brake pads worn completely off from wheel being tilted. Failed wheel bearing!!! 106,000 miles. 2002 ford explorer. Also replaced both front wheel hubs for same reason at about 95,000 miles (noisy and rough bearing). *tr
ODI 10235696
Rear
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. After a routine inspection, the mechanic stated that both rear coil springs failed. After being informed of the diagnosis, the contact remembered hearing clunking noises and odd suspension-related behavior. He called ford to find out if his vehicle was included in any recalls and was informed that there were none. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage…
ODI 10235320
Rear
Heard grinding noise which mechanic diagnoses as rusted and broken rear coil spring. Shortly after, the other rear coil spring broke into several pieces. Metal used in coil springs seem to be defective and should not need to be replaced after 5 years. No off road driving. Normal use. *tr
ODI 10242538
Rear
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. *TR
ODI 10234537
Rear · Suspension
First the back (both) wheel bearings went. Sounded like a nasty grinding noise, very loud. I had them replaced at 750.00 to replace them and that was not including the fact that they destroyed my brakes and they had to be replaced also..very expensive.. No warranty..than replaced the drivers front bearing and not the passenger side bearing is going..will replace very soon. *tr
ODI 10238898
Automatic Transmission · Body · Rear
March '07: rear gate split under window december '07 through jan '08: rear differential rebuilt twice, rear axel hubs and bearings replaced; differential noise still loud june '08: torque converter replaced. *tr
ODI 10232338
Rear
Rear wheel bearings worn out on ford explorer. Looks to be a huge problem with them. It should be a recall item to be fixed. Luckily no accident/or injuries!!! *tr
ODI 10231531