2002 Ford Explorer Wheel Bearing Problems
- 56
- 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 56 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- wheel bearings · 30 records
- wheel bearing · 30 records
- rear wheel · 13 records
- front wheel · 11 records
- only miles · 6 records
- bearing replaced · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 29 |
| 30–60k mi | 11 |
| 100–150k mi | 2 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Rear · Wheel Bearing
Front and rear bearing for the 2002 ford explorer fails while driving. Ford is aware of the problem but will not recall until your approval, repairs are made at the owners cost....please help. *tr
ODI 10209703
Wheel Bearing
WHEEL BEARING DEFECTIVE. *TR
ODI 10208427
Wheel Bearing
I started hearing something that sounded similar to a having a low or bad tire. Tires were replaced and the vehicle is still making sound. After hearing that this was the explorer's downfall, the wheel bearings, i researched the topic online to now see that in the near future i will be trying to replace all bearings more than likely. As documented by other owners, when one bearing goes, they all seem to go. My…
ODI 10207055
Rear · Wheel Bearing
I own a 2002 ford explorer xlt. Vehicle has @ 57k miles on it. Wheel bearings had to be replaced. My understanding this is factory sealed and should not need replacing this quickly. Normal lifetime of wheel bearings should be over 100k? *tr
ODI 10207490
Wheel Bearing
I have a 2002 ford explorer and my problem first started with the 4x4 case. The dealership stated it was covered under the warranty and it was fixed. A month or so later my truck began doing the same things, weird noise when driving now i have to get the wheel bearing changed on the left side and that is not covered by warranty. The cost for this repair is estimated. $600.00. *tr
ODI 10217049
Hub · Wheel Bearing
I heard a whining sound coming from the front of my suv. Took it to a friend who works on fords and he said it was the left front wheel bearing. He fixed that and the sound continued, so he replaced the right front. The sound went away. Two days later same sound coming from the rear. My suv only has 51,000 miles on it. This is a major safety issue especially since i am driving with 3 children. I see that this is way…
ODI 10206203
Automatic Transmission · Wheel Bearing
Had to replace three wheel bearings at the same time. One went bad while on vacation. Luckily we pulled off the highway for a break and heard a lot of grinding. Took it to a repair shop and they wiggled the tire like a loose tooth. Technician said the wheel was about to come off and could have at highway speeds. With only 67,000 miles on this vehicle this must be a manufacturers defect that could have cost me and my…
ODI 10198527
Wheel Bearing
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle made roaring noises while driving. A mechanic stated that the wheel bearings failed. No repairs were made. The vin, engine size, and speed were unknown. The current mileage was 93,000 and failure mileage was 85,000.
ODI 10202768
Electrical System · Switch · Wheel Bearing
2002 ford explorer caught fire. Consumer stated that the vehicle caught fire while his mother was visiting his sister in a different state. No attempt was made to repair her vehicle and rental cost them $600.00 out of pocket. *kb prior to the fire, the consumer asked the mechanic to inspect the vehicle, because warning lights were coming on and going off intermittently. The consumer had a list of documentation…
Fire reported
ODI 10219460
Hub · Seal · Wheel Bearing
Rear axle seals and wheel bearings. We have had to replace the rear axle seals on june 4, 2004 with 4, 000 miles, and on jun 16, 2006 with 69.600 miles. Also had to replace rear hub bearings and assembly on april 17, 2007 with 74,000 miles. *ak this is obviously a recurring issue, and i have been told this is a common explorer problem. All work on this vehicle has been performed by reputable ford authorized…
ODI 10188228
Axle Hubs · Axle Shaft · Wheel Bearing
Wheel bearing failures-4 in a 6 month period of time-cost over 1700.00 too have these repairs-ford will not help out and there customer service is a joke. I have a child that is always with me and 2 times it could have been bad. *tr
ODI 10212996
Wheel Bearing
Have replaced 3 wheel bearings at the cost of $400 a piece. *tr
ODI 10208504
Automatic Transmission · Wheel Bearing
2002 ford explorer two issues 1/1/07 - grinding of rear wheel. 1/2/07 - o/d light started flashing, within 7 miles service engine light came on. Car would not accelerate until letting off the gas. 1/2/07 - call aaa to have car towed to local ford dealer. Ford quoted $5,100 for repairs. We denied repair at ford. Due to out of pocket expenses we had a local transmission shop do the repairs. We did not want to give…
ODI 10178657
Axle Hubs · Wheel Bearing
A whining sound comes from the front end end of the vehicle, upon first inspection by a mechanic a bad tire was found and blamed on the noise. As it was bearable at highway speeds, we ignored it trusting the diagnosis. We planned on purchasing tires soon and believed the problem would be solved. New tires were purchased and an alignment done and the same sound came from the front end most noticeably 45-65 mph. Now…
ODI 10173096
Wheel Bearing · Wheels
Rear wheel bearing failure at 80,000 miles, both rear bearings. *jb
ODI 10184282
Wheel Bearing
Bearings. Noticed a clunking coming from the front. Was told i need new bearings and it would cost approximately $1200. Only 55k miles. *nm
ODI 10162962
Wheel Bearing
Dt*: the contact stated the hub bearings are wearing out locking the wheel up causing the vehicle to lose control on the road. The front and rear wheel bearings are both wearing out. The dealer determined there was no way of checking the hub bearings. Because hub bearings are sealed, they can't be greased, or serviced. The contact expressed that the vehicle can't be service for the hub bearings, therefore there is…
ODI 10163001
Wheel Bearing
On new years eve 2005-2006 the wheel bearing on the driver's rear broke while i had my family with me. The wheel bearing had to be replace. The vehicle is a 2002 ford explorer xlt v6 with 80000 mi. On it. No warranty. On 5/21/06 while driving interstate speeds, the passenger rear wheel bearing broke and steering wheel jerked to the right. I was able to keep the vehicle under control and get off the interstate. I…
ODI 10158064
Wheel Bearing
While changing the transmission fluid at the ford dealer for my 2002 ford explorer with 60,000 miles, the technician mentioned that there was a loud noise from my rear left wheel, the bearing had to be replaced. Doing research, i have found numerous other 2002 ford explorer owners with similar complaints, that bearings were going bad with mileage that is below the normal need for bearing replacement. If you hear…
ODI 10157247
Wheel Bearing · Wiring
No start no spark ford could not figure it out, 1200.00 it was a faulty main wiring harness also loud noise in rear end no help from ford, broken wheel bearing. Should not have been. *nm
ODI 10157565
Wheel Bearing
After 60,000 miles two wheel bearings needed replacement. *nm
ODI 10150656
Hubcap/Cover · Multi Piece · Wheel Bearing
In feb of 2006 with 65,995 miles on my car i heard a whirring/grinding noise from the passenger side while driving. I made an appointment with my mechanic for later in the week (~4 days) to have the noise looked into. 1 day prior to taking my car to the mechanic the noise got much worse and i took it in immediately. I was told that the right rear wheel bearing exploded and damaged the brake and emergency braking…
ODI 10157643
Automatic Transmission · Lower Ball Joint · Upper Ball Joint · Wheel Bearing
On january 16, 2006 while driving on the highway i noticed a shaking feeling under the driver's side floor. There was also loud noise. I slowed down and continued to drive. On saturday, january 21, 2006 i brought ford explorer 2002 to a ford dealer for them to drive and take a look. The result was vehicle all over the road, was unstable and needed all 4 wheel bearings, upper rear ball joints. Replaced. Not safe to…
ODI 10148962
Wheel Bearing
Dt: the van was only 3 years old and only had 32,000 miles on it and the left front wheel bearing has already failed. It was making a roaring noise every since purchasing the car. Took it to dealer for inspection, and they told her the bearing was bad. *ak
ODI 10132584
Wheel Bearing
Dt: consumer states vehicle has defective wheel bearings, mainly in the rear, but he also had to replace one on the front. The vehicles wheels started grinding and they became loose on the axle. He took the vehicle to a local mechanic, who stated that all of the wheel bearings on this particular model were going bad. The consumer tried to notify the manufacturer but they were unresponsive.*ak *jb
ODI 10129449