2002 Ford Explorer Wheels Problems
- 57
- 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 57 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- wheel bearing · 22 records
- wheel bearings · 16 records
- rear wheel · 13 records
- passenger side · 7 records
- bearings replaced · 7 records
- common problem · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 21 |
| 100–150k mi | 14 |
| 30–60k mi | 8 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving 15 mph the wheels locked; which caused the vehicle to stop without prior warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, but the technician could not duplicate the failure. The current and failure mileages were 59000.
ODI 10289899
Wheels
We have owned a 2002 ford explorer xlt for about two years now. On october 13, 2009 my husband was driving on a side street, thankfully at a slow speed, he turned a corner and realized that something was seriously wrong with the car, thought it was a flat tire. So he slowed down and started to pull over, he then looked out the window to see the tire rolling off the car and down the street. The rear driver-side tire…
ODI 10288722
Wheels
Wheel bearing failed, was left stranded in snow outside jackson, wy. No warning of failure. *tr
ODI 10295512
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Wheels
I was on the highway doing 65 as posted, i started to feel shaking from the tires and it got to the point i couldn't control the vehicle, lucky i was able to get off the side of the highway and call aaa for a tow, a state police officer pulled behind me and said let me guess hub bearing. The police dept also has the same problem. This is my 8th repair i am doing and next week i am doing the opposite side. It is…
ODI 10446821
Suspension · Wheels
I have had troubles with the wheel ends on my ford since i bought it in 2005. I didn't realize the problems that i am having are common in this vehicle. I started noticing more brake dust on some of the wheels than others. Then on my rear/passengers tire i hear a squeaking, grinding noise with a little wabble in the wheel. Take it back to the dealer -said they grinded something down. Didn't hear the noise anymore.…
ODI 10284681
Wheels
I had been told that my drivers side bearing was going bad and had it fixed and my car was still making a funny noise but was told by the mechanic that it was my brakes going bad and that they would need replaced, so we went and bought brakes and rotors to put on ourselves. As we were putting them on we noticed that my wheel was close to falling off!!! Now we have to replace the bearing in the passenger side rear…
ODI 10275169
Suspension · Wheels
Flat tire; after taking tire off i noticed that the coil spring was broken in half and the wheel bearing was bad, causing the wheel to wobble. There was no apparent reason for the part failures. After consulting others with the same vehicle type this is a very common problem for 2002 ford explorers - wheel bearings and coil spring failure. Ford may want to recall these before it causes accidents. *tr
ODI 10272542
Automatic Transmission · Wheels
I recently had to have the bearings replaced due to problems that many have experienced with the same make, model, and respective years. Once the bearings were replaced i noticed more issues with the "slipping" transmission that many many many more have already lodged complaints against. What is being done? When can we expect answers? *tr
ODI 10262518
Automatic Transmission · Wheels
Wheel hubs especially the rear - constantly going bad usually 12 months or less- rear differential vented with hose over rear tire. Causes water to get into gears - major problem. I keep catching the problem but only because i now look for them but it has been close - recently i had to have it taken to the repair site as it was too dangerous to drive. *tr
ODI 10262612
Automatic Transmission · Wheels
2002 ford explorer(xls)one by one each wheel(bearing) hub had to be replaced!the wheels on my truck were actually about to fall off it was scary and very dangerous! It starts out with a squeaking sound like the brakes need to be replaced but no it wasn't the brakes which repairs and parts together range from $60 to $90 it was the wheel bearing which repairs and parts together range from $300 to $400!i had to get…
ODI 10289319
Wheels
Left rear wheel bearing failed doing 65mph, wheel lost stability, almost lost control of the car. Right rear wheel bearing also failed 5/3/2010. *tr
ODI 10328966
Wheels
Rear bearings go out on vehicle while driving on the interstate - no crash occurred, but it very well could have in heavier traffic. *tr
ODI 10259446
Wheels
I purchased a 2002 explorer new late in 2001. Every wheel bearing has failed and now my passenger front has failed a second time so i am on my 3rd set of wheel bearings if you include the factory bearings and i only have 112k on the car. The bearings are clearly defective on these cars and if left alone are also a safety hazard. *tr
ODI 10259244
Frame And Members · Wheels
This 2002 ford explorer has only 62,153 miles and the wheel assembly hubs have failed. The problem is in the design of this part because it has no axle and is assemble to the frame by three bolts. If this part goes bad on the interstate and the wheel will come off , god help the driver and the people on the same path. This suv needs to be recall! *tr
ODI 10256141
Suspension · Wheels
Had to have both front wheel bearings replaced. *tr
ODI 10256559
Wheels
Purchased a 2002 ford explorer for my 17 yr old daughter. A few weeks later she drove home from college and said she thought it needed an alignment because car vibrating. She had scheduled an appointment to have this done. A couple days later she was driving at 70 mph on the interstate when her and the passenger heard a loud noise in the back passenger side of the car. The car than began to shake very hard and loose…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 10262541
Wheels
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving 75 mph, the contact heard a grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The mechanic stated that the noise was due to the routers from the brakes, and advised the contact not to worry. As the contact left the mechanic, the sound from the rear of the vehicle continued. The contact took the vehicle to another mechanic and was informed that the wheels were…
ODI 10235182
Automatic Transmission · Wheels
Transmission in 2002 ford explorer failed w/o warning. Directly (3 days) after getting it back from transmission shop, both rear hub assemblies went. Again, seemingly overnight. My wife said, "it feels like the wheels are going to fall off." service shop said, "it's a wonder the wheels didn't fall off." did this thing just self-destruct or what? Ford needs to be held accountable for these untimely failures. I have…
ODI 10231462
Wheels
I heard a humming sound coming from the front tires about a year ago. I thought it was the tires humming because i had a brake job and tires rotated and i noticed the humming some time after that. Now i find out it wasn't tires but the wheel hub bearings went bad in the front. It is at the dealer now being repaired. *tr
ODI 10284153
Wheels
Felt a wobble while driving, found out that the right front wheel bearing is out. Had to order a front wheel bearing and hub assembly. If bearing went out while driving, the wheel will come off. This could result in an accident and possible death. Ford is aware of the issue but declines to take action.114 other complaints listed at carcamplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/wheels_hubs/wheel_bearing_failure.shtml. *tr
ODI 10260998
Automatic Transmission · Equipment · Suspension · Wheels
Transmission shifted hard into 2nd gear from day one, took it to dealer and they said it was normal, whining in rear end also said normal. Had to replace 2 wheel bearings, 2 more bad now, replaced wheel hub, now transmission will not shift. *tr
ODI 10226355
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
Wheel Bearing · Wheels
Rear wheel bearing failure at 80,000 miles, both rear bearings. *jb
ODI 10184282
Wheels
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph, a noise was heard and the rear driver wheel fell off. The vehicle was maneuvered off the road and towed to the dealer who could not determine the cause of the failure.
ODI 10170635
Wheels
Chrome wheels disintegrating. Was told by dealer that it was cosmetic at the time. Now the aluminum has become porous and i believe it to be a safety issue. *tr
ODI 10353420