2002 Ford Explorer Body Problems
- 108
- 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 108 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- rear window · 20 records
- panel below · 13 records
- rear hatch · 11 records
- failure mileage · 11 records
- rear panel · 11 records
- below rear · 11 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 32 |
| 100–150k mi | 28 |
| 30–60k mi | 16 |
| 150–400k mi | 11 |
| 1–30k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard an abnormal rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver's side upper hinge was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. Perry ford of santa barbara ([redacted], santa barbara, ca 93105, [redacted]) was contacted by phone and informed of the…
ODI 11269990
Body
The rear window exploded. It was unoccupied parked in the carport.
1 injury
ODI 11118034
Body
Rear hatch panel applique cracked for no apparent reason
ODI 11090795
Body · Door
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a failure on the rear door handle. The contact noticed a crack between the door handle and glass. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.
ODI 11073837
Body · Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a loud abnormal noise and noticed that the sun roof was detached. The vehicle was taken to an unknown independent mechanic who stated that the manufacturer discontinued the part. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the sun roofs were discontinued. The approximate failure mileage was…
ODI 11040441
Body
The rear liftgate mount broke off and window fell on my daughters head and bent the other mount and broke left strut off. Can't line it up to get it to close and latch shut. Can't drive the car or liftgate will fall off. Going to get some rope and try to tie it on. It was in front of house with the whole hatch open to get groceries out
ODI 10954043
Body
After loading my luggage i closed my trunk and the whole back window completely shattered the struts broke and the little black thing that holds the window up top broke too. I got a cut on my hand, glass went everywhere. So stressed..
ODI 10909661
Body · Power Train
My 2002 ford explorer 4.6l is having major transmission problems at only 110k miles. It hesitates shifting gears and slips while driving. The vehicle also stalls when stopping at a red light or stop sign. It has the infamous crack down the back hatch. Both are problems thousands of customers have complained about yet ford does nothing. The transmission problem is a very expensive cost to repair and it shouldn't be…
ODI 10853758
Body · Electrical System · Engine
I was driving my ford on the highway and the next thing i know my feet were really hot and black smoke started coming up. Then the black smoke started coming from the engine and i nearly crashed trying to get to the edge of the highway before the fire took over the whole front of the car. Luckily the fire department was right there for another accident. It was incredibly disturbing experience. Luckily my 3 small…
Fire reported
ODI 10837161
Body
Column gear shifter broke off when putting in gear. Could not remove key or put in park
ODI 10818524
Body · Engine
Car stalled on busy street, then was restarted and lost power. Then fire in engine compartment. Cause is unknown. Car was well maintained. Total loss was not covered by insurance
Fire reported
ODI 10816411
Body · Interior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While entering the vehicle, the interior lighting remained illuminated and leaked water into the vehicle. The contact noticed water stains by the visors. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,748.
ODI 10789529
Body
Liftgate glass hinge and ball bracket is broken/disengaged. It is no longer working properly. It can fall, brake and/or cause injury. This part has been replaced during a recall. It did not fix the problem.
ODI 10965960
Body
Liftgate glass hinge and ball stud bracket is coming apart. The bracket has disengaged. Glass is potentially going to fall, brake and/or cause injury. It is no longer working properly. This part has been replaced during a recall but did not fix the issue.
ODI 10965953
Body
Vehicle leaks transmission fluid from what a appears tobe the trans bell housing and was told by experts after taking vehicle to investigate,main seal tranny damaged and trans needs tobe pulled,costing hundreds to fix.was in first accident in 30yrs because tranny would not engage,shift to proper torque for speed when needed.causing sluggish late shift to almost stop,and causing crash. Can you…
Crash reported
ODI 10760108
Body
Vehicle parked in stall when gear selecter was shifted from drive to park with foot on brake said vehicle experienced wide open throttle surged forward knocking down light pole only coming to stop ontop of fire hydrant or vehicle would of kept going as wheels were still spinning!
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10715556
Body · Glass, Side/Rear
The rear window shuttered into 100 pieces during the driving. The rear panel has cracked. *tr
ODI 10706551
Body
My daughter went to open my rear hatch and the window fell. The hinge completely detached from the car. I went to ford to have them look at it they stated that it was a recall item but that it had already been fixed in 2005. I asked if it had been fixed why would the same problem occur. They couldn't give me an answer. All they said was that they only pay for the first occurrence not and subsequent occurrences. My…
ODI 10648620
Body
Paint job on engine hood is bubbling up. Suv has been regularly washed and waxed; so one would not expect problems with the paint job. Based upon internet research, ford has paint job issues with vehicles sold from 2000-2005. *tr
ODI 10637740
Body
Shortly after purchasing my ford explorer from the dealership i noticed a small crack in the rear hatch around the ford emblem. This part of the hatch is also connected to the rear glass window that lifts open. I took my vehicle back to the dealership and they told me it was a manufacturers defect and will be recalled eventually so i should keep checking back. The recall never happened and after 10 plus years the…
ODI 10595637
Body · Service Brakes
Over the past year i have noticed that this particular vehicle is experiencing severe rust issues on various components including lower body work, specifically under the driver and passenger doors in addition to emergency brake components. When i first noticed the issue i took immediate action to repair the damaged body work areas by using anti-rust treatments and applying new paint as recommended by a certified…
ODI 10587856
Body
Got home and noticed a crack all the way thru panel below window on liftgate. *tr
ODI 10567101
Body
Rear lift gate fiberglass trim below window cracked for no apparent reason. Vehicle was sitting still in driveway and when i went out to start it this is when i noticed the crack. *tr
ODI 10564214
Air Bags · Body · Seat Belts
I was traveling in stop and go traffic. As soon as space opened between me and the vehicle in front of me, i accelerated. While gaining speed i looked in my right rear view mirror to see if i could change lanes. While looking in my mirror the vehicle in front of me stopped. I hit the back of his vehicle with the front of mine. The problem i have is that my airbag(s) fired but did no deploy. You could clearly smell…
Crash reported
ODI 10562358
Body
Rear lift gate plastic panel cracked, allowing water to enter. I have noticed many ford explorers with the same issue. Why has ford ignored this defect, i see many complants on-line with the same flaw by other explorer owners.. *tr
ODI 10628731