Worst Vehicle Models: 2002 Ford Explorer

According to CarComplaints.com, the 2002 Ford Explorer is hands down the worst vehicle to own. The biggest contributing factor is the vehicle’s transmission. The average cost to replace the transmission on this vehicle is $3,000. Unfortunately, the 2002 Ford Explorer has an extensive record of transmission failure at under 100k miles!

In fact, the average mileage reported at which the transmission fails is 94,800 miles. Owners complain of difficulties with shifting and the transmission slipping as well, which makes the 2002 Ford Explorer one of the most unreliable vehicles on the road.

In addition to costly transmission problems, owners complain of a cracked panel below the rear window. While the typical repair cost is only $450, it is certainly an annoyance. Often times this crack affects the Ford logo. Over time, if not corrected, cracks in the exterior panel can lead to corrosion and other costly issues.

The 2002 Ford Explorer also has a number of interior/accessory problems. One of the most reported accessories problems is the gear shift lever falling off. The typical repair cost comes in at about $1,000. Some owner’s reported that the entire steering column had to be replaced in order to fix the problem.

Some owners complain that the vehicle’s Door Ajar Warning Alarm repeatedly goes off. The worst case scenario is having to replace the door sensors. Thankfully, this repair doesn’t usually cost more than $400.

Other than transmission failure, the other most severe repair for 2002 Ford Explorers is wheel bearing failure. The typical repair cost for this issue is $820. Wheel bearing failure can happen as early as 88,000 miles. Besides simply replacing the wheel bearing, owners may also have to replace the hubs and other surrounding parts.

If you own the 2002 Ford Explorer and you are out of your manufacturer’s warranty, you may want to look into a Vehicle Service Contract (VSC). These aftermarket warranties protect you from mechanical breakdowns after your other coverage has expired. VSC’s give you peace of mind and allow you to budget your money. The only cost you will incur with a Complete Car program, will be the cost of the program itself. There is no deductible for these programs.

Complete Car Vehicle Service Contracts also offer Roadside Assistance, so you won’t even have to come out of pocket for towing! All Complete Car programs are backed by insurance and have coverage in all 50 states. In the case that you have an issue away from home, you know you’ll be covered. Complete Car programs are fully transferable, so they can actually have a positive impact on the value of your vehicle. All Complete Car VSC’s have a 30 day review period and a prorated cancellation policy. Therefore, if you’re unhappy for any reason, you can cancel your program with zero penalties.