2002 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems
- 113
- 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 113 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- Rear · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 37 |
| 100–150k mi | 21 |
| 30–60k mi | 15 |
| 150–400k mi | 9 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train · Suspension
Noise and fluid leakage in rear diagnosed by local mechanic as failing wheel bearing and differential seal. Replaced differential seal and one rear wheel bearing at 57,000 miles. At 69,000 replaced one front wheel bearing because of noise. At 80,000 mechanic reported that both rear springs had corroded at their upper ends and cracked through. Both these issues are common on 2002 models based on the number of…
ODI 10232656
Suspension
2002 ford explorer 4.0 has excessive wheel bearing noise. I have read of many wheel bearing issues with this model which signifies a manufacturers defect. A recall should be instituted. *tr
ODI 10233713
Suspension · Wheels
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…
ODI 10290126
Suspension
Read strut springs fail and crack. This issue has been reported in the past and many owners have experienced the same issue. This has happened on both the rear driver and passenger side of the vehicle. Ford has been notified many times with no response. I have been doing a lot of research into this issue, and realized that hundreds of owners ar claiming the same problem.
ODI 10396506
Interior/Under Dash · Suspension · Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
I have a 2002 ford explorer. When it started to get very cold, my explorer, that i just bought, started to not want to go into gear. It would grind and slip. There was a clicking sound coming from under the dash. It was from the computer that runs the [redacted]. The 4 low button would just kick in by its self. Then it would not go into gear. After a while of trying to get it into gear it would go. It would only act…
ODI 10181839
Suspension
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…
ODI 10221832
Air Bags · Air Conditioner · Automatic Transmission · Parking Brake · Power Window Devices And Controls · Seat Belts · Suspension
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…
ODI 10225925
Differential Unit · Suspension
Fix for chattering and rear whine on 02 explorer. When the car was new 25,000 the dealer replaced the rear pumpkin, very loud whine.. Last month with 85,000 miles on the car, during a turn the rear would chatter and shake the car. I was told the rear needed a special lube for the rear to keep the rear clutches free, i had a local shop replace the rear differential oil with a special blend and it has been fine since.…
ODI 10177522
Seal · Suspension
Thumping noise from drivers side front end in the wheel area. The noise is most noticeable at between 40 and 60 mph during acceleration. It also becomes a humming noise as the gas pedal is released and the car is coasting or decelerating. Had new tires put on then new brake pads and rotors. Nothing fixed the problem. Talked to my brother, another loyal explorer owner, and he had same problem diagnosed as a bearing…
ODI 10178461
Air Conditioner · Automatic Transmission · Axle Assembly · Differential Unit · Rear Window Wiper/Washer · Suspension
Bought 2002 explorer in 2003 with 12,000 miles. Servicng dealer replaced transmission and torque converter under warranty @ 32,000 miles after o/d light started flashing. Now needs another transmission @ 54,000 miles. Car has always been serviced, driven lightly, never towed, never abused. Dealer will not pay or help out one bit. Ford knows 2002 explorers have defective transmissions and rear ends, is ignoring…
ODI 10163211
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · Differential Unit · Suspension
Explorer makes whining noise in rear end at speeds between 45 and 70 mph. The abs light stays lit continuously even after having the brake system services. Have also had front wheel bearings replaced all this since the vehicle reached 60,000 miles it now has 86,000 and mechanic says it need a new rear end. *jb
ODI 10163920
Column · Column Shift · Suspension · Tires
Tried to put the vehicle into reverse from park and the column shifter broke off. Vehicle could not be driven and was towed to a transmission business. Cost to repair is $1300. I bought this vehicle in 2004 used. I've had the rear transmission seals, shocks, tires, front window and the entire steering column replaced. *jb
ODI 10158201
Abs Warning Light · Automatic Transmission · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Suspension
My 2002 explorer is also having the same problems which have been previously noted by other explorer owners. The whining when reaching 50-60 km/hr, which goes away when you take your foot off the gas, the slipping and shuddering of gears and sometimes passing gear never kicks in, the abs light comes on (usually after the truck has warmed up and it doesn't seem to happen when the weather is really cold), the abs is…
ODI 10159199
Air Bags · Power Window Devices And Controls · Suspension
2002 explorer with 95k miles: power windows, airbag and front/rear wheel bearings. Dealer was not surprised by these problems at all. $3k estimated repair cost. *nm
ODI 10157208
Axle Assembly · Suspension
Three instances of whining noise at 50+ mph and fluid leakage from rear axle seal 2002 ford explorer. The first one caused loss of control when accelerating on highway. Difficult to determine since rear transaxle fluid leaks down drive shaft to brake assembly. I noticed significant corrosion of brake assembly where fluid is running into the wheel assembly. Only when leak is significant will fluid drip onto surface…
ODI 10155476
Suspension · Wheels
I own a 2002 ford explorer, with 69.000 miles on it. In the last few months i have had to replace ever wheel bearing on my car, the wheel have come loose, and the bearing were scraping. The cost for the bearing and the labor was over $1,400 , i am also have to replace my tires because of this, when i contacted ford on this matter, there commit was "that is your problem it is out of warranty, there is no reason all 4…
ODI 10152861
Suspension
I purchased a 2002 fore explorer xlt 10/2004 with 69,500 miles. I now have 17,500.00 miles. I have owned this vehicle for approx 4 years and have had to replace the wheel bearings for all 4 wheels. The first time was 12/05. All four times the repairs were done at a ford dealership. They offer no reason why this might happen. This was my first ford vehicle. *tr
ODI 10241350
Automatic Transmission · Suspension
I brought this suv last year at bill heard chevrolet dealership. Even though this was a new vehicle. When i went to the dealership they told me that i could pay this car in three years but in reality it was five years. I signed all the paperwork i had to but they didn't give me any papers when i left. However when i went to apply to buy another car they didn't accept my application because they told me that i was…
ODI 10150365
Suspension
Wheel bearing problems with most 2002 model ford explorers all trim levels. *tr
ODI 10234231
Accelerator Pedal · Air Conditioner · Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train · Rotor · Solenoid · Suspension
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…
ODI 10122656
Suspension
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle began to vibrate. A sears mechanic diagnosed the failure as the front wheel bearings and performed the repair. The left front and left rear wheel bearings were also replaced. The current mileage is 92,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. The rear coil spring were weak. The end bushing were replaced. Updated 06/08/07. *jb
ODI 10190183
Suspension
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.*ak
ODI 10037975
Axle Assembly · Differential Unit · Engine And Engine Cooling · Rack And Pinion · Suspension
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,…
ODI 10133133
Hinge And Attachments · Suspension · Switch
The vehicle's tailgate glass exploded while the consumer attempted to close it. The dealer was notified. *nlm broken liftgate glass and wiper motor and arm were replaced. There were squeaks when going over bumps. Sway bar bushings replaced. Ignition switch hard to insert key at times. Cylinder and tumbler rekeyed. Bottom door molding (passenger side) peeling off. Rubber grommet on antenna base off. Resecured rubber…
ODI 10015263
Catalytic Convertor · Suspension
Two problems. There is a strong rotten egg smell in my explorer. I had the vehicle checked while under warranty, but was told there was no problem. Since the warranty expired the smell has become stronger. I had it checked, and the ford service department said it would cost $600 to repair. The other is a shimmy at 40 miles per hour. The service department just rotated and balanced my tires. I had this done a month…
ODI 10014386