Differential Unit problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer - part 2

2002 Ford Explorer rear end whines.

I bought a 2002 Ford Explorer 4x4 new. After 30,000 miles the rear gasket was leaking. Was fixed under warranty. 50,000 miles later it was leaking again. Came to find out it was the seals leaking. After tearing into it needed new gear set, traction clutches and bearing failed. Was this the problem to begin with? why with such a common failure were we, the owners, not notified? there was also slipping and popping noise in the rear.

My problem is with the rear differential as well as the hub bearing assembly in the 2002 Ford Explorer, 60,000 miles on the vehicle. Terrible grinding sound in rear wheels, both rear bearings in wheels were bad, as well as differential noise and leaking of fluid, e no recall on these issues, but I have found thousands of complaints for this same issue. It was a safety violation not to recall these. If the rear wheels lock it would send vehicle into a spin, or travel off the road, why have you not remedied this with Ford? you were taking a great legal risk, by not looking out for the safety of consumers.

2002 Ford Explorer, rear end humming and made a great deal of noise. Mechanic said rear end needed to be replaced. Claimed this was a common problem, where was the recall?? now I am supposed to eat the $3000. 00 to repair, I should have bought the highlander. I tried to support USA and got burned, not again!!.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer that began making excessive road noise from the rear of the vehicle. My mechanic told me the seals on the differential needed to be replaced. I have become aware that this is a recurring problem with these vehicles.

Rear differential failure.

2002 Ford Explorer xls 4x4 man trans. Rear differential noises. Fluid change did not help.

Explorer xl, v6, automatic transmission, with 88,000 miles. Differential problem. Our mechanic determined that the bolt broke on a piece of metal holding the pinion in place. We were going down the interstate, 70 mph, the speed limit. All of a sudden we heard a noise. The sound resembled a flat tire. We pulled off on the shoulder and looked at all 4 tires. No flat. We then called aaa to tow to our first mechanic. He looked and discovered our parking brake shoe, yes, parking brake shoe, had fallen off. He replaced it, $130. He drove it out, and still heard the noise. He suspected the rear end. He couldn't fix that type of problem. We took it to our second mechanic. It took a week to get the lengthy repair done, to get it to fit into his schedule. After the repair was done, ($885) the abs brake system kicked in whenever we stopped. The pedal thumped!so we took it back and he said when the pinion was damaged, that also ruined the speed sensor in the rear end. He fixed it for free, feeling sorry for us that we had two expensive car repairs on our Ford within 2 days. The mechanic said if we had driven much longer with that problem, the car could have seized (my words), and "thrown us through the windshield. " (yes, we wear seat belts. ).

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he had to rebuild his transmission and replace the rear differential bearings. The vehicle failed while driving 70 mph. He stated that the vehicle shut off when he shifted into reverse. He had to wait a few minutes before the vehicle could be restarted. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 80,000 and failure mileage was 67,117.

I began hearing an odd noise coming from the rear of my 2002 Ford Explorer. We took the vehicle to our mechanic and requested that he check the brakes. He said our brakes were ok, however we had a real problem with the rear differential. We were on the verge of losing our wheels. Because of the severity of this issue and the possibility of injury had we not discovered the problem, we requested that our mechanic keep the old parts.

TSB 05-12-6 rear-end noise in a 2002 Ford Explorer. I have found that there are thousands of others with the same situation. This is a known defect and obviously a flaw on Ford's part. The cost of this fix should clearly be placed on Ford.

Noise coming from rear differential on 2002 Ford Explorer.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT with 96,000 miles on it and around 60,000 the noise started. First the front right wheel started to vibrate and then the hub went. While driving my front tire just collapsed. 2nd issue the rear end started to make noise is more like vibraing. And after searching on google, I find that im not the only one with this issue. This is a very expensive issue $1200. Just to start the Ford company is aware of this issue and nothing is being done about it. This is not a joke, this is serious, someone can get hurt. Maybe that's what it will take for the Ford company to resolve the issue, the issue that Ford is aware of. Please help!.

Drive train problems, holing noise from under vehicle, rear differential problems and transfer case noises, rough shifting from 2wd to 4wd. Have checked on line for a long time and heard nothing but the same problems, why wasn't anything done to Ford to get these things put on a recall. We buy their product and now they didn't care about any of our problems. Something has got to be done.

My 2002 Ford Explorer has a rear differential which has worn out. The vehicle boards online are filled with complaints regarding this particular problem, if there is any relief available by Ford for this problem, I would like to be made aware.

Fix for chattering and rear whine on 02 Explorer. When the car was new 25,000 the dealer replaced the rear pumpkin, very loud whine. . Last month with 85,000 miles on the car, during a turn the rear would chatter and shake the car. I was told the rear needed a special lube for the rear to keep the rear clutches free, I had a local shop replace the rear differential oil with a special blend and it has been fine since.

Well. . . . Here is the 2nd complaint that I'm filing on my vehicle. I purchased my Explorer brand new with only 10 miles. I thought I would get the brakes checked since I had 68,000 miles only to find out the rear differential was bad and needing repair. Ford dropped the ball on that!!! now I discovered that the rear panel has cracked. I will never buy another Ford again!!! there needs to be a class action lawsuit filed against them!!!.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with 52,000 miles on it and the rear differential is starting to whine very loud. The whining started at about 30k miles. It has the 3. 73 limited slip differential. I have talked to other Explorer owners and they told me about this site to file a complaint as this seems to be a growing problem.

Ford Explorer 2002. Rear differential whining and leaking axle seals. The seals have been replaced once already and now it is back in the shop to have replaced again. 66,000 miles on vehicle.

2002 Ford Explorer. Whining noise from rear differential. Whining goes away if pressure is reduced from accelerator. There was a lot leaking around the rear axle seals, it was fixed under warranty the first time at 17500 miles and was just fixed again at 54500 miles on my dime. Have uncovered many other 2002 Explorer owners with similar rear differential issues. Would seem that since there are many others having the same issue that there is some design/materials flaw in the rear end gearbox causing this issue. This is a definite safety issue and should prompt a safety recall due to potential of the differential locking up.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer that had a noise in the rear end within the 1st 30,000 miles. Ford refused to do anything. They said it was the tires. We replaced all tires and the noise continued. After 3 rear ends/differential being replaced and paid for by myself, I think it is time to start a class action suit against Ford motor com.

At roughly 45k miles, my 2002 Explorer also had the whining noise from the rear end at 55-65 mph, oil drip marks on the driveway - took it to the dealer and they stated that I needed a right wheel bearing, replaced for $800. Next time was just this summer (76k miles) - again had the whine return, drips on the driveway and this time it was the entire rear end - all bearings were shot. Spent another $1600. On repairs, plus rental vehicle costs to travel on vacation. Few days ago (78k miles), had "check gauge" lamp light when oil pressure gauge dipped to zero, then recover immediately. This happened three other times before I got home, with no flutter in the engine or anything that would indicate a real problem. Next evening we started the vehicle, it made a evil racket and quit almost immediately, never to start again. Aaa towed to dealer. Dealer left message (on my voice mail at home - I had to save it) that the engine needs to be replaced for roughly $5,000. Plus tax. I really need to speak to an attorney. This is what I paid $34,000 for 4 years ago? perfect condition trade value today is 9,200?.

Rear end roar at highway speed and reduced gas mileage.

At 80,000 miles the vehicle had 'whine' or 'roar' from rear end. I decided it was not worth fixing and 'lived with it'. The vehicle now has 136,000 miles, still 'roars', and has two seals (that reside in differential case) that are now leaking. I will now have to spend at least $1200 to fix and have already spend $200 to diagnose.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with about 57,000 miles. I recently had an oil change at a place called the oil well and they noticed oil leaking from the rear differential and advised I should take it to the dealer as it appeared that the seals were leaking. The oil well advised that I take it to the dealer to get the seal replaced but the leak did not appear to be bad. I just took my Explorer to the dealer on Aug 4, 2006 and was told it was leaking badly and they replaced the seals. After waiting several hours , I was told the car was ready but the is a whining noise coming from the rear which they advised that the rear differential bearings are bad and that it will cost about $1400. 00 to repair. It appears I am not alone in this problem which I am told by the dealer if it is not fixed that the rear could lock up and then I could have even worst problems. It appears that the 2002 Ford Explorer had a rear differential problem that Ford needs to correct judging by the other complaints for the same exact problem.

I have 68k miles on my 2002 Explorer and felt I was in need of new brakes and dropped off the vehicle at midas. I was contacted by the mechanic that afternoon and was advised: "sir I'm happy to report that your brakes are in excellent condition; however, I'm sorry to be the bearer of very bad news. Your rear differential seals are bad and leaking and the differential is close to 'falling off' of your vehicle! he further states, "he has been an authorized mechanic for 25 years and feels this is an inherent flaw from Ford as this is not the first one he has seen and that I proceed to the nearest Ford service department for them to correct this dangerous "safety issue. " the mechanic also gave me a copy of the TSB from Ford. I called a local Ford service department the same day in a state of panic! a service manager assured me that not only was the mechanic who alerted me of this "flaw" not authorized by Ford, but he was only over-reacting! I took my Explorer in today with the notice printed by midas and it was only discounted as being a "service bulletin for technicians. " I paid $55 for them to run the same tests as midas had done, was told by the service manager; "the right rear bearing needs replacing, the seals of the differential needs are bad and leaking and need replacing, there was no recall on my vehicle, you're out of warranty, and the repairs would be $700+ and service should be done very soon as the damage will worsen. No one at the dealer would admit that this was a recall. I paid a $55 diagnosis charge for them to tell me what parts had failed which I already knew. I declined the repairs, advised the service manager I would be calling my attorney for further instruction. I am now seeking legal advice as I see I am not the only person who has experienced this "inherent Ford flaw" and will do my best to see that Ford addresses this safety issue. This is a serious flaw from Ford!.

Classic rear differential. Humming at speeds between 55 to 65 mph under load and leaking seals and my vehicle has 57k miles on it. It is a Ford defect.

Rear end noise on 2002 Ford Explorer.

2002 Ford Explorer transmission and rear differential failures, reported well before 100,000 warranty expiration and ignored by Ford!.

Explorer makes whining noise in rear end at speeds between 45 and 70 mph. The abs light stays lit continuously even after having the brake system services. Have also had front wheel bearings replaced all this since the vehicle reached 60,000 miles it now has 86,000 and mechanic says it need a new rear end.

Winding and roaring noise from rear end.

Overdrive light began to flash, then shifting became very difficult becoming increasingly worse to the point of not shifting at all. Noticeably jerks when shifting into reverse. Lots of whining noise from under the vehicle. Also rear differential makes loud whine/roar at speeds above 30 and at acceleration. I understand these are very common complaints among Explorer owners and can be very costly. Most transmission repair people tell me that it is a manufacturing defect and that Ford should fix it.

At 43000 miles on my 2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 the rear differential started making a loud whirring whining noise. I was informed by the dealer that the rear end needed rebuilt. I was also told by the dealer and learned via internet bulletin boards that this is a very common problem with this year at very low miles, as the local dealer has had to rebuild quite a few.

I own a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT. The bearings in the rear end differential are going out. This type of problem should not be occurring in a vehicle with less than 100,000 miles. From what I understand, many Ford Explorers have this problem Ford should take a second look at this problem because it should not be happening. I don't have a warranty, but still this is too common of a defect in the Ford Explorers for it to not be a manufacturer problem.

Purchased the vehicle new at 2002. It always has a little bit oil on the parking lot but I did not pay attention. Now I found out it is the rear differential leaking. Apparently it has been leaking for a long time.