Front Suspension Wheel Bearing problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer - part 1

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was at a local dealer for routine service, the front wheel bearings and hub assemblies were replaced. After the repairs, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. While driving 60 mph, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Air bag wiring harness to short : every time you move the seat the air bag light would come on $683. 00 repair service technical service bulletin from Ford no compensation for repairs miles 22,000. Front wheel bearing failure left and right 60,000 miles. Rear spring failure 75000 miles front spring failure 75000 miles. Fuel tank registers 1/4 tank when tank is empty 45000 miles transmission cellinoid failure 28000 miles and 800000 miles heater control module 70000 miles. Intake leak 80000 miles. Rear wheel bearing and axle seals 100,000 miles. Other than that great car. If Ford cared about its customer it would have fixed the transmission problems they had six flaws from day one of production from 1990 ---- why Ford if you had a real transmission it would make up for all the other failure built into this car. You make great real trucks like the f150 other than that your entire fleet is junk.

The rear suspension is broken on either side of vehicle, the rear passenger side bearings were replaced, now the drivers rear wheel bearings are shot.

My name is[xxx] and I own a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT (v6). I have owned it for almost a year now (will be in Jan 2012) and loved every minute of it until recently. About 4 months ago, I heard a strange loud whining noise. I immediately took it to my mechanic and found that rear wheel bearing was going. I was also told that if I would have took the interstate to work that evening I could have possibly died or caused serious injuries to others on road. Very scary! mind you this bearing went with no warning. Immediately after I heard the noise I took it in. Well the bearing got fixed and I couldn't have been happier. However, about a month ago I was on the interstate with my two year old daughter doing about 70mph when my truck began to shake violently. I assumed I was in the process of having a tire blow-out and began slowly breaking and losing control of the vehicle. Luckily I made it onto the shoulder of the interstate. My tire however was not as lucky. All 5 studs on my right rear tire snapped causing the tire to completely fly off and proceed down the road at a fast speed just passing the turn ramp and missing several other vehicles. In the process of losing the tire, it also caused damage to rear end of my SUV. It looked as if the tire got caught and caused the rear to dent in. Replaced studs and everything seemed fine. Today (Dec. 15th) not even an entire month later, vehicle started shaking again. Oh how I remembered that scary shake. Examined tire and once again, studs snapped. 2 this time with a third one missing the cap. The tire was only held by 2 studs. Thank the lord I noticed this problem before going onto the interstate and once again having my tire fly off! I have been doing research this evening to find that this is a common problem with the 02-04 Explorers. Please make a recall Ford and others help me to get one made! this is a scary and dangerous situation! it can cause the loss of many lives as it has almost done mine and my daughters. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I recently had the dealer install 2 new rear wheel bearings (2nd time in 2 years) and was told that both rear springs are broken. I was told that the broken pieces can come out while driving and puncture the tire. I did an internet search and found over 100 complaints of the same broken springs on other Explorers.

Rear springs both cracked-front & rear wheel bearings bad needed to be replaced Ford should recall these vehicles before someone seriously if not already has been hurt or killed in an accident.

Left rear "permanently sealed" wheel bearing failure.

2002 Ford Explorer. Wheels nearly fell off due to faulty wheel bearings. Needed replaced at only 70,000 miles. A recall is needed for public safety.

Took the truck into have a vibration and noise checked out coming from the rear of the vehicle. Turned out to be a failure of passenger rear knuckle assembly and wheel bearing. Went on car complaints. Com to see if a recall was issued for this. There were report of the same type of failure with the wheels actually coming off.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The wheel bearings on three of the wheels have to be replaced. A representative from the manufacturer stated since the warranty expired, he was ineligible for a free remedy. The failure mileage was 61,000. Updated 01/12/10 updated 01/14/10.

I have had troubles with the wheel ends on my Ford since I bought it in 2005. I didn't realize the problems that I am having are common in this vehicle. I started noticing more brake dust on some of the wheels than others. Then on my rear/passengers tire I hear a squeaking, grinding noise with a little wabble in the wheel. Take it back to the dealer -said they grinded something down. Didn't hear the noise anymore. My abs light kicks on won't go off has something to do with defect in wheel end assembly apparently. Paid $150 to get it off comes right back on weeks later!! my entire wheel end almost falls off while on the hwy. Pull over all 4 studs had come completely off of the wheel except 1, the wheel was literally hangin. Had to have all studs replaced. Have had to have wheel studs replaced frequently at some point on all four tires. Paid to have rear passenger wheel bearings replaced finally $300+. Front, drivers wheel bearings went out while driving 70-80 mph on hwy, loss control, barely made it off hwy in the middle of nowhere! 1-2months later front passengers wheel bearings go bad have to be replaced-$300+ each time. Had front brakes & rotors replaced March '07, rear brakes & rotors Jan '08. This month sept '09 had to have rear brakes & rotors replaced. Could only afford to have brake pads replaced. Only put 30,000miles on it since had b/r changed in '08. Why am I having to have them both changed a year later. Something in the wheel end assembly is causing increased wear & tear on rear brakes, rotors and everything else! now my brake pads are burning insanely crazy, alot of smoke comes from the wheel. New brake pads shouldn't burn that fast even with somewhat bad rotors. (that shoudn't be bad), have to go back to the shop this week. All are common issues apparently. Please review link w/complaints on this 02 model. & they tell me my ball joints are going out! thank you. . Read more...

Flat tire; after taking tire off I noticed that the coil spring was broken in half and the wheel bearing was bad, causing the wheel to wobble. There was no apparent reason for the part failures. After consulting others with the same vehicle type this is a very common problem for 2002 Ford Explorers - wheel bearings and coil spring failure. Ford may want to recall these before it causes accidents.

Have had several incidents with my Ford Explorer attempting to run off parkway at 65 mph after wheel bearing failure. Have had to replace wheel bearings 6 times from 100,000 to 102,000 miles. This problem is extremely dangerous due to failure of control of vehicle with no prior notice of any mechanical problems concerning the bearings until complete failure . Even the replacement parts after installation have failed after less than 1000 miles.

Had to have both front wheel bearings replaced.

Wheel bearings on 2002 Ford Explorer are wearing out without any notice. I never had a car that experienced this issue. This is a sever problem as I drive my small children around in. Knowing that a wheel could eventually come off scares the life out of me. There is no recall from as this is a manufacture defect.

Premature failure of all four wheel bearings in my 2002 Ford Explorer as well as the pinion gear and clutch packs with less than 50,000 miles.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while traveling at unknown speeds, the wheel bearing failed on the vehicle causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The contact was able to barely avoid crashing with another vehicle. She stated that the wheel bearings had been replaced five times. The most recent failure was the sixth failure. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.

Right rear wheel making noise and is loose. Wheel hub/bearing is loose and wobbly. Parking brake pads worn completely off from wheel being tilted. Failed wheel bearing!!! 106,000 miles. 2002 Ford Explorer. Also replaced both front wheel hubs for same reason at about 95,000 miles (noisy and rough bearing).

Wheel bearings eroded after only 75k miles; tires in danger of falling off.

Front wheel bearing on my 2002 Ford Explorer had to be replaced at 65,000 miles. Shop said if it had been driven much further the wheel would have come off. My extended warranty expired last year and Ford will not help. This is evidently a very common problem with this model year and could lead to death or serious injury please issue a recall before anyone gets hurt.

First the back (both) wheel bearings went. Sounded like a nasty grinding noise, very loud. I had them replaced at 750. 00 to replace them and that was not including the fact that they destroyed my brakes and they had to be replaced also. . Very expensive. . No warranty. . Than replaced the drivers front bearing and not the passenger side bearing is going. . Will replace very soon.

Rear wheel bearings worn out on Ford Explorer. Looks to be a huge problem with them. It should be a recall item to be fixed. Luckily no accident/or injuries!!!.

My vehicle has 79k miles on it and I have all four of the wheel bearings replaced once and the left rear bearing replaced twice. I have never towed a trailer, driven through standing water or overloaded the vehicle at any time. The comments on the internet would indicate that this is a common problem on the 2002 Explorer. This problem could cause loss of control of the vehicle. I have not had to replace wheel bearings on other vehicles and I suspect that Ford motor company is well aware of this issue. My experience with the dealer was very good. I do not hold joe cotton Ford responsible for any deficiencies with my vehicle.

Wheel bearing failure on Ford Explorer 2002.

Failure of wheel bearings, causing lack of control and possible wheel loss.

My 2002 Ford Explorer XLT made a loud tinging, screeching noise on a Tuesday morning ,especially noticeable when turning the wheel. It was not a consistent sound. My husband lubricated the bushings that night, thinking that was the problem. Next day, the sound was progressively worsening, I even heard it when I was driving in a straight path, but the noise still was not consistent. It did seem louder with a clanking sound in the rear of the vehicle. That day on the highway coming home from work the noise was intermittent until I had slowed down for traffic and it began to vibrate and shake. Fortunately, I was at my exit and was two blocks from home. I was absolutely frightened. There was a rubbing sound now that was at the rear rt side of the car. Later, that evening we were told it was probably the bearing. First my husband went out and purchased the bearing from a Ford dealer. Then he came to find out that the entire kit was needed, as well as, a special tool to get the bolt off which took hours to loosen and release. Today he is still trying to replace the rt rear wheel bearing with the kit from an auto store since Ford is not open and this is our one means of travel for the family. Please include this complaint with any others as a "near miss" for an accident that could have occurred on the beltway in rush hour traffic. This could have been worse. I feel very lucky, but I want Ford to know about this incident and to consider this a safety recall for others. As I have done some research I have heard that this is happening far too often and is a serious hazard to other Ford Explorer owners and the public. The car wheel could have come off as well as the drive shaft could have broken. I have also read that this is not something that should occur on a 2002 vehicle. There have been reports of the left side having problems not too long after the rt or vice versa. Please notify me of any updates on this issue. Thank you.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving at speeds of 40 mph, the contact could hear a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer found that both the driver and passengers side rear wheel bearings were failing. The wheel bearings were replaced accordingly. The VIN was not available . The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current was 80,000.

Failed rear wheel bearing. Car swaying side to side, possible rollover if at high speed.

Front driver wheel bearing replaced twice in 1. 5 years. Right rear wheel bearing replaced once already need to replace again.

I own a 2002 Explorer, with only 74k miles on it. I began making a severe humming noise while driving. Took into dealer and I was told that my right rear wheel bearing was bad and this I need to get this fixed right away. I had it in within a day, while they fixed my right rear, they noticed that one of my front wheel bearing is going bad. From what I am hearing Ford is aware that on the 2002 Explorers there are issues with the wheel bearings. I am glad Ford recognizes that. . . . . Considering this seems to be a dangerous scenerio, especially as I travel with my 5 year old in the vehicle. Ford needs to do a recall on 02 Explorer's wheel bearings.

My rear passenger wheel bearing is going out. . . This had happened to many other Explorers drivers and I do not think it is safe. . . . . Wheel could fall off to unknown driver.

I have Ford Explorer and have replaced three of four wheel hub assemblies in 3 years. Each time I took the car to a repair shop I was told the wheel was close to coming off the car because of the poor condition of the wheel hub assembly( bearings).

Front wheel bearings shot at 80k miles.

This is my second Ford vehicle with only 80k miles and on both, all wheel bearings have had failure. And on more than one occasion for a single bearing. It is very costly to repair these defects at approximately $500 per wheel, and is an obvious mechanical and safety hazard. Twice I have been stranded on the highway with a child in the car because the wheel has almost came off. Consumers should not have to repair these defects at their expense to have them continually fail over again. I would like to see to the possibility of a class action lawsuit against Ford if they cannot agree to a recall, since there are certainly well enough people with these problems. I have lost any and all interest in this manufacturer and will not consider an american made car in the future.

I, too am apparently a Ford Explorer loose wheel bearing victim. Unlike most of the complaints I've read, I only have 42,000 mi. On my truck. My mechanic also indicated that he's seeing many of these cases and that Ford should be stepping up in the name of safety to recall this defective item before serious injury occurs and the tsa should be forcing them to do so. It is outrageous that a part that should last a minimum of 100,000 mi is going to cost me in excess of $700! is Ford simply using less expensive parts because most people do not carry an extended warranty after 5 years? in addition to filing a complaint here, I strongly encourage you to discuss this with your insurance company. They are a much louder voice since they do not want to pay out unnecessary claims. Ford does not want to alert the public to a safety issue prior to someone being killed, nor do they voluntarily wish to assume this expense if the public simply goes out and pays $700 to fix it. I'm so fired up, I may attempt to reach out to the media. Ford & tsa. My insurance company just called back and they are concerned that claims are being paid out on this and it's neither the owner's nor the insurance companies fault. Please take the time to do what's right here.