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
I have not been involved in any accident, nor any incidences of property damage. It happens that on a saturday during the summer, i noticed a crack in the liftgate of my vehicle. It is a clean and totally straight crack directly under the glass, measuring approximately 6 inches long and 1 to 1/12 wide. While driving and everytime i see an explorer, i look to see if there is a defect in that particular area of their…
ODI 10252320
Body
2002 ford explorer - rear applique (plastic trim) under the rear window cracked, and a portion of it fell off the vehicle traveling 70mph. Same problem as reported at http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2002/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml. Ford has said it was temp related, however, i'm in florida, the vehicle never saw any temp below 40, freezing wasn't considered. Tsb 0485 if i'm…
ODI 10247717
Automatic Transmission · Body · Electrical System · Power Window Devices And Controls
Purchased a 2002 ford exp eddie bauer ed used with 35,000 miles. Transmission had to be repaired within 3 weeks due to 4wd malfunction covered by warranty. Passenger side window motor assembly has been replaced once, and window regulator has been replaced once, and is in need of a second replacement. Took to local dealership and was told window was not meant to be lowered halfway. The rear hatch has also cracked…
ODI 10237454
Automatic Transmission · Body · Rear
March '07: rear gate split under window december '07 through jan '08: rear differential rebuilt twice, rear axel hubs and bearings replaced; differential noise still loud june '08: torque converter replaced. *tr
ODI 10232338
Body
I have a 2002 ford explorer and the panel below the back window hatch has multiple cracks. I found on the internet that this seems to be a common problem for the 2002 ford explorer. I contacted ford and ford said that because it's out of warranty that they won't cover the repair. This seems to be the common answer that ford is giving to everyone that is experiencing this problem too. *tr
ODI 10254972
Body · Electrical System
I have a 2002 ford explorer xlt, a couple weeks ago i went to open the back lift glass, and the window fell, and combustion in thousands of little pieces, right in my face! I have pictures, anyway i proceeded to take my vehicle to ford motor company in horseheads, ny, they replaced the window due to the explosion, and i have had my truck back there 4 times because they wired it wrong, and they refuse to fix this…
ODI 10228291
Body
2002 ford explorer with cracked rear tailgate applique. Have seen many more on the road. Ford says there is no defect. They want $350 to fix. *tr
ODI 10269414
Automatic Transmission · Body
I took a trip from home in ok to canton, tx on return heard loud noise when i stopped to have the vehicle inspected i found out the front drive shaft was coming out. In march of 2008 i noticed a noise coming from the rear of the explorer. When i had it inspected i was told the rear end needed to be replaced. This cost me over $2000.00. My transmission is now slipping and after reading other complaints i fear the…
ODI 10274294
Body
On the 2002 ford explorer i have a crack on the back panel under the lift gate. I have done some researching and find that this is not uncommon. I believe it has to do with the liftgate hinge recall. I am afraid that the panel being broken may cause it to come off and hit a car behind me. I feel that this crack may cause serious problems if i was in a wreck. I feel that there are many people who are out there with…
ODI 10247924
Body
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the molding on the rear of the vehicle was cracked. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 77,000 and failure mileage was 65,000.
ODI 10247676
Body
Crack on rear hatch of vehicle, this is the second time that it has happened. First time it was replaced at our cost. *tr
ODI 10228608
Body
Rear gate plastic that is directly below the rear window snapped due to cold weather most likely. Don't know why there is glass underneath this section, the whole thing should be metal.
ODI 10237806
Body
Cracked tailgate applique (under rear glass). Dealer won't replace, car under extended warranty. Was never hit or abused. *tr
ODI 10253721
Body
Last summer 2007, i noticed a crack in the plastic panel beneath the rear window in my ford explorer. I took it into a body shop to ask how this could have happened and they told me that they had seen several ford explorers with the same defect and that the part had been recalled by the manufacturer. I looked up online the recall and saw that it was for the same year, make, and model of my explorer so i took it to…
ODI 10230535
Body
1. I took our 2002 explorer in for the recall of the back window. When they installed it they put a small crack in panel in the back below the window. 2. The crack grew until finally the whole panel cracked in half. The edge is quite sharp and the panel is a bit loose now. 3. Ford refused to fix it. We track 2002 explorers with this problem and have found that 1/6 have it. I saw another today prompting me to send…
ODI 10351605
Body · Hatchback/Liftgate
1. Due to a recall (ford recall no. 04s20. ), the liftgate glass operation system was replaced in 2005. Since early 2007, the same glass struts and hinges are apparently having problem -- first it took extra effort to raise the glass to the fully opening position, then while the glass is lifted open, it unexpectedly dropped down. I got hit 3 times at my head or hands by the sudden dropped glass and frame; it coursed…
ODI 10250968
Body
UNEXPLAINED CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH LID. *TR
ODI 10254823
Body
My 2002 ford explorer has 2 cracks from top to bottom in the back rear panel. I noticed the first on around january 2007 and the second one january 2009. *tr
ODI 10256558
Body
A cracked rear panel on my 2002 ford explorer. To date, i haven't had any safety issues, but i've checked other online sites and seen quite a few submissions from other owners with the same issue. I cannot afford to have it replaced, and according to other owners, the problem will probably reoccur (it seems to happen during cold weather). Ford has not listed it on their recall site. *tr
ODI 10234079
Body
2 CRACKS IN THE HATCHBACK ABOVE THE LOGO. *TR
ODI 10262387
Body
The back panel below the rear window has cracked. *tr
ODI 10384402
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatch was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the vehicle could be repaired but he could not guarantee that the failure would not recur. The manufacturer was contacted who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.
ODI 10384450
Body
The back panel below the rear window developed a 1/4 inch crack from running from top to bottom. *jb
ODI 10146747
Body
Dt*: the contact stated there is a crack by the ford symbol in the back. There are no dents or debris around the crack. The dealership and manufacturer were alerted.
ODI 10149577
Body · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Crack developed in area below lift gate glass. Now the door ajar light goes on and off, as well as the buzzer. The glass does not shut properly and is inoperable and the area below the glass has completely fallen away. *tr
ODI 10247792