2002 Ford Explorer Differential Unit Problems
- 160
- 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.
What owners report
- rear differential · 86 records
- coming rear · 15 records
- whining noise · 14 records
- noise rear · 12 records
- noise coming · 10 records
- needed replaced · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 63 |
| 60–100k mi | 44 |
| 1–30k mi | 21 |
| 100–150k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Differential Unit
I have 68k miles on my 2002 explorer and felt i was in need of new brakes and dropped off the vehicle at midas. I was contacted by the mechanic that afternoon and was advised: "sir i'm happy to report that your brakes are in excellent condition; however, i'm sorry to be the bearer of very bad news. Your rear differential seals are bad and leaking and the differential is close to 'falling off' of your vehicle! He…
ODI 10164606
Differential Unit
Classic rear differential. Humming at speeds between 55 to 65 mph under load and leaking seals and my vehicle has 57k miles on it. It is a ford defect.*jb
ODI 10164277
Axle Assembly · Differential Unit
Dt*: the contact stated that there was a roaring noise coming from the vehicle's rear axle. The dealership determined the differential was leaking and there were also metal flakes in the differential.
ODI 10163954
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
Differential Unit
REAR END NOISE ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *NM
ODI 10164023
Differential Unit · Engine And Engine Cooling
I just bought a 2002 ford explorer with 74,000 miles on it. I have had it for just long enough to discover a few problems with it, and have done enough research to know that i am not the only one by far with the same problems. I am not sure what causes the problems that i am experiencing, i just know that lots of other people are also having these problems. First of all, there is a leak in my rear differential. My…
ODI 10162301
Automatic Transmission · Differential Unit
2002 ford explorer transmission and rear differential failures, reported well before 100,000 warranty expiration and ignored by ford! *jb
ODI 10204100
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
Automatic Transmission · Differential Unit
2002 ford explorer xlt, 56,000 miles. Whining from rear differential between 40-60 mph. Whining goes away if pressure is reduced from accelerator or if speed is greater than 60 mph. Some leaking of rear differential fluid around driveshaft pinion seal. Also had transmission rebuilt at 54,000 miles due to rough shifting from 3 to 4. Transmission was not covered under 36,000 mile warranty. In my research, i have…
ODI 10160723
Differential Unit
WINDING AND ROARING NOISE FROM REAR END. *JB
ODI 10200062
Differential Unit
At 43000 miles on my 2002 ford explorer xlt 4x4 the rear differential started making a loud whirring whining noise. I was informed by the dealer that the rear end needed rebuilt. I was also told by the dealer and learned via internet bulletin boards that this is a very common problem with this year at very low miles, as the local dealer has had to rebuild quite a few. *jb
ODI 10159247
Differential Unit · Rear
I own a 2002 ford explorer xlt. The bearings in the rear end differential are going out. This type of problem should not be occurring in a vehicle with less than 100,000 miles. From what i understand, many ford explorers have this problem ford should take a second look at this problem because it should not be happening. I don't have a warranty, but still this is too common of a defect in the ford explorers for it to…
ODI 10158733
Differential Unit
Purchased the vehicle new at 2002. It always has a little bit oil on the parking lot but i did not pay attention. Now i found out it is the rear differential leaking. Apparently it has been leaking for a long time. *tr
ODI 10209328
Differential Unit
2002 ford explorer - 60,000 miles - took to dealership for noise in rear of vehicle- dealership want to rebuild rear end for $1,300. Never checked fluid or asked any additional questions. I believe ford has big problem - with explorers - i would like ford to address this problem. Nm
ODI 10158582
Differential Unit
Rear differential housing leaking fluid. Problem was fixed once under warranty but is now leaking again. Dealer refuses to fix again since it is 12 months past original repair and vehicle warranty has expired. *jb
ODI 10156120
Differential Unit
I have a roar in the differential in my ford explorers. It started just after the 36000 warranty. I now have 60000 and the roar is very load. *jb
ODI 10155721
Differential Unit
2002 ford explorer xlt - may 2005 had loud roaring noise from right rear wheel. Replaced right rear bearing/pinion/etc. April 2006 had loud roaring noise from left side. Replaced left front and left rear bearing/pinion/etc. Requests to dealer and directly to ford co. To cover 2nd & 3rd replacements denied. *jb
ODI 10155110
Axle Assembly · Differential Unit
The rear end on my car was causing a loud humming noise above 40 miles per hour. *jb
ODI 10155328
Differential Unit
I have a 2002 ford explorer that was making loud rear end noises. I took it to a friend who rebuilds rear ends and he had to replace most of the parts in the rear differential. Unfortunately, the vehicle was out of warranty, but i am complaining as this is a typical problem with the 2002 ford explorer. *jb
ODI 10159983
Differential Unit
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at no particular speed, the rear wheels shook. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The mechanic determined the rear differential unit shown signs of extreme wear and would need replaced. The manufacturer was alerted. *ak
ODI 10154278
Differential Unit
My 2002 ford explorer has been in the shop 3-4 times for rear end noise / vibration. It has been replace, re lubricated and adjusted. The car has 85000 miles on it and the noise is back again. Any time you are accelerating and reach 55-60 mph, there is loud whine the comes from the rear end. Let off the gas and it goes away.*jb
ODI 10153543
Differential Unit
Vehicle out of warranty now at 114k miles. Transmission just replaced at my cost and now the rear differential is making a bad howling noise. I suppose that will end up needing replacement out of warranty. I'm having a real problem understanding why the vehicle is having such bad/expensive problems at just over 100k miles. Are they really building garbage ??? *jb
ODI 10153406
Axle Hubs · Differential Unit · Rear
Rear end hum and leak back tire was loose due to rear wheel bearings deteriorating, took it apart and bearings fell apart. There was no grease on them. This '02 explorer has 30,000 miles on it. *jb
ODI 10153141
Differential Unit
Ford explorer transmission rattled and dealer investigated and indicated that the transmission clutches needed to be replaced which was common on the explorer according to the local ford dealer. I had two sales representatives, whose fleet explored, and they both had the same problems. I believed that if the nhtsa would investigate ford explorer transmission repairs with fleet companies you will discover that there…
ODI 10191218
Differential Unit
I brought my 2002 ford explorer into mossy ford because the ac was not working and there was a whining coming from the front right side. I was told that the ac problem could not be found and that the whining was due to the tires. I was also told that another sound was noticed by the technician coming from the rear differential. I was charged $200 to diagnose it and was told that a new differential package was needed…
ODI 10151409