2002 Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2002

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2002 Ford Explorer repairs by problem area

Engine (24%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (26%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (22%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (18%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (1%)

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Chart based on 211 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Ford Explorer.

2002 Ford Explorer transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (15%)

$1000 - $2499 (30%)

$500 - $999 (11%)

$100 - $499 (15%)

< $100 (28%)

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Chart based on 53 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Ford Explorer

Engine not specified

88000 mi

US $2600
Bad torque converter. Replaced transmission at transmission shop. 
131000 mi

US $1900
Transmission was going for the last three years and finally had to get it rebuilt. Chose this because the trans had lasted this long and worried about an unknown transmission. Still bangs slightly when I back up. 
235000 mi Stalling at stop signs. 
145000 mi

US $2500
Transmission went out completely at 145,000 miles. Terrible transmission in this car. I am replacing to sell it. 
70000 mi

US $3000
Third gear clusters out on 5-speed automatic transmission. Common occurance on 2002 Explorers with this particulr transmission. 

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2002 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic RWD

107000 mi

US $2200
Replaced transmission 
109000 mi

US $2200
Transmission shifting very roughly, had to be rebuilt 
129000 mi Rear end of the vehicle making loud whining noise above 30 mph, research says might be differential or wheel bearings but had not had it diagnosed at time of sale. 
76000 mi

US $1200
4x4 not working. discovered in middle of blizzard. after hours of troubleshooting, determined needs new part that may or may not completely fix problem. decided not to throw more money away in this car leaking differential. not worth fixing 

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2002 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range

175000 mi

US $2500
Rear differential has made noise since new. Was repaired under warranty few years ago. At 178,000 rear finally went - car barely drivable. Drove to dealer and traded in for new Honda. 
10300 mi

US $150
4x4 Light flashing. Replaced 4x4 computer module behind glovebox. 
58440 mi

$50
4X4 selector malfunctioned 
179180 mi

C $3200
Transmission failed at 288,000 km. Bores worn, overdrive planetary gear destroyed. Rebuilt. 
220100 mi Replaced U-Joints Rear differential failed. Has been howling for 250,000 km and finally died. 
121825 mi

US $1402
Differential fluid replaced - Front 

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2002 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed manual 4WD w/low range

164300 mi

US $175
Rear diff. Pinion seal. 
85000 mi

US $600
gear failed in transfer case - rear wheels could not drive engine in engine braking mode - also very noisy clutch engagement - so replaced a gear and 2 other small parts in transfer case. 
92000 mi

US $1124
4wd module in dash failed needed to be replaced 
59000 mi

US $1200
transmission rebuild was told transmission case servo bore worn and needed to be bored an sleeved,bad pressure valve, planitary and input shaft worn and torque converter needed to be replaced 
67000 mi

US $2800
full transmission rebuild on privious repair they did not bore and sleeve transmission case servo bore or replace pressure valve wich I was told was cause of original failure and the reason for second failure 

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2002 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

154000 mi

US $7000
car started slipping, jerking and lurching. brake band was discovered broken in half along with most of the gears and plates worn out.Repair shop repaired the transmission by replacing the worn out and broken components. 
119000 mi

US $900
Replace rear end, later fix seal leaks on new rear end. 
122000 mi

US $1250
Transmission failure, replaced with rebuilt transmission. 
142000 mi When sold had some noise coming from the rear end, a high pitched whining sound when accelerating, but we didn't do anything about it. 
103000 mi

US $2400
1st, 2nd and reverse gears were all damaged by a failed pin-bearing in the transmission. A complete overhaul was required. 
140000 mi Past transmission overhaul failed at 40,000 miles. Shop covered the second overhaul for free. 
32000 mi rear seal on rear differential 
2400 mi rear seal on transfer case leak 
35000 mi Rear seal on differential leak 
52000 mi

US $250
rear seal on differential leak 
72000 mi

US $1250
Rear seal on differential leak, noise in rear end. Replaced the bearings in the rear, brakes also and the seal AGAIN!!! Drove home much quieter. Have had a grinding noise in the engine when cold for about 40000 miles, according to forums it's a timi 
76000 mi

US $1200
Replaced clutch in rear differential. complained about cruise control, everything checked out and dealer said he couldn't repair it. Still doesn't work 
89000 mi

US $500
Rear end howling. Was told by dealer couldn't be fixed. It's a factory defect problem and I ended up shimming the pinion in the rear end myself. 
92000 mi

US $100
Replaced the rear differential oil in an attempt to shut up the rear end which failed. 

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2002 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range

120000 mi

US $700
4x4 high and 4x4 low lights flashing 3x / 5 mins. No ability to shift in / out of 4x4 / 4x2 mode. Replaced 2 4WD control modules. Did not fix. Required trip to shop to repair / replace transfer case actuator motor. 
106020 mi Transfer case I'm told was toasted. I think it was/is a culmination of electrical and transfer case and electronics. 
163000 mi

US $1875
Rear-end noise checked for excessive noise. Turned out bearings were shot. Rear-end needed complete rebuild. 
174300 mi

US $300
Replaced front axle seal; after looking to see what kind of effort repair would entail, decided to let mechanic fix. 
175100 mi

US $365
Replaced rear axle seal; had replaced rear differential fluid which leaked out; decided to let mechanic replace the seal. Noted fluid still leaking after seal replacement; would need to take vehicle back to repair again. 
176000 mi 2nd attempt to R&R rear axle seal; this time, dealer procured revised 1pc assembly and repair seems to be successful - no further leakage noted. 
145000 mi

US $440
Bad valve in transmission at 146K miles OD light flashing 
125000 mi transmission started slipping, for sale as-is. 
132000 mi

US $800
transmission shift lever does not always engage drive, or may pop out while driving, but this was not repaired successfully 
167000 mi

US $1875
Lost transmission 
84000 mi transmission was stuttering and surging nearing failure when traded. 
207700 mi

US $4000
Had to have the transmission completely rebuilt 
212000 mi

US $2100
rebuilt rear end 
103000 mi

US $1800
Broken band, drives but won't shift properly. 
100300 mi Over the last 3 years I have paid around $6,500 to repair this truck. Replaced transmission, front and rear wheel bearings, rear seals, differential including gears and bearings and more that I can't remember. Never hit & garage kept. 
65000 mi

US $1800
Had the differential rebuilt. The 8.8" rearend is notorious for failing, just like the transmission which I had replaced 2 years ago. 
125000 mi

US $1850
I'm on my 3rd transmission now. Dealer had fixed the trans 10 years ago, and it, all of a sudden, started slipping. The transmission has NO dipstick to check the fluid level by the writer fluid level was low and had burned up trans, $5k. 
60000 mi

US $272
front pinion seal replaced 
140000 mi

US $900
Transmission failure 

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2002 Ford Explorer Transmission Problems

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