Front Suspension Wheel Bearing problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer - part 2

This is my wife's vehicle so I do not drive it often. When I did I noticed the loud roar and asked how long it had been there. She said a couple months. I replaced 3 of the 4 wheel bearings. Had I not drove it myself the wheels could have fallen off!!! she has my two children in there also. Thanks Ford!! this is not an old vehicle. Less than 80,000 miles. If there is no recall on these bearings and someone gets killed I hope Ford is sued so bad they go under. Recall your piece of crap bearings like you should.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer and replaced the right rear wheel bearing in 2004, again in oct. Of 2006, and now in Feb. Of 2008. The right front was also replaced in Dec. Of 2006.

My complaint is that I've had to replace all four wheel bearings on my 2002 Ford Explorer. . . . It only has 90,000 miles on it and it is a very costly repair. It seems to me that these bearing are defective and if I don't replace them the car would be in serious jeopardy of an accident.

Wheel bearing failure for third time almost flipped truck I have had it repaired again.

02 Ford Explorer, bad wheel bearing, go on internet and find out very high failure rate of these bearings that could cause wheel to come off and potentially kill someone. Ford will not recall these bearings.

Recently purchased a 2002 Ford Explorer for my 17 year old daughter, it has 79,000 miles on it. Within the first three months of owning the vehicle I have had to replace 3 of the 4 wheel bearings. The tire was practically falling off the vehicle by the time it made enough noise for anyone to notice.

2002 Ford Explorer XLT replacing 3rd wheel bearing in 2 years.

All four wheel bearings needed replaced on my 02' Ford Explorer prematurely in my opinion and this seems to be a common complaint on internet chat rooms and web sites. The rear wheel bearings can be dangerous when they fail due to the tire wobbling on the axle without warning. These repairs are extremely expensive also and hard to do for the average person if they want to save money.

I own a 2002 Ford Explorer, and I have had it for nearly 3 years. I recently started hearing a familiar noise from my truck, another wheel bearing needs replacing! this is the third one over the past year and a half! Ford has to fix this problem, there is no reason a vehicle should have this many problems with the bearings!.

I bought my 2002 Ford Explorer in Jan 08, it is now April 08 and I have already replaced the r front wheel bearing, and both rear wheel bearings. It has cost me around $1,200. 00 and it only has 60,000 miles on it. Once a month I am putting more money into something that I believe should have been a recall. I can count more than 60 complaints about this problem on this particular year and model of vehicle and it amazes me that Ford motor company is so naive to such a dangerous problem. Are they really insensitive enough to wait until someone dies or gets injured from this? I believe that whatever parts they used when manufacturing these vehicles were defective and I am to do whatever it takes to make them see, even if it means getting a lawyer. Between all of us out there I believe we would have a pretty good case if we all get together. So anyone who sees this most recent complaint and agrees with me, I can be contacted at (865)-585-6874 which is my cell number, or you can e-mail me at dyllie@verizon. Net and my name is fayann manning. Awaiting everyone else's call who feel like they have been screwed over!!!.

Potential lost left wheel due to failing wheel bearing.

Vehicle mileage: 69,000. Loud grinding noise from rear of vehicle while driving on the highway. No previous warning. Required tow. Replaced 2 cracked rear springs, 2 damaged struts, 2 rear wheel bearings. Unusual and dangerous incident for this mileage. We now know it is a "notorious problem" - old parts available.

While driving home from work after having my front bearings done on my 2002 Ford Explorer I heard a grinding noise from the back of my truck. It felt as though my left rear wheel was going fall off. Took the car to the dealer and they want to charge me $705 dollars. I could have died from this and there are a number of people who have the same problems with the bearings. With a very limited budget I am not able to have the part fixed and this will lead to me missing time at work. Please look into this problem because Ford refuses to do so and there is going be a serious injury from this. Please lets not wait until someone loses their life when we can do something about this.

Wheel bearing went bad.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer v6 and in the past 2 years I have replaced both left and right rear wheel bearing and about to replace the one on the right side again. I called Ford and they told me they could only recall a vehicle if you ladies and gentle call for a recall. I have spent over $1200 dollars on this problem and about to spend another $600. I checked on line and realized I was not the only one with this problem. Hundreds of others have had this problem with the Explorer but still no recall. I was just wondering what should I do about my problem. I'm tired of spending money on a truck that barely six years old and had less than 70,000 miles when this problem first occurred.

Front and rear bearing for the 2002 Ford Explorer fails while driving. Ford is aware of the problem but will not recall until your approval, repairs are made at the owners cost. . . . Please help.

Wheel bearing defective.

I started hearing something that sounded similar to a having a low or bad tire. Tires were replaced and the vehicle is still making sound. After hearing that this was the Explorer's downfall, the wheel bearings, I researched the topic online to now see that in the near future I will be trying to replace all bearings more than likely. As documented by other owners, when one bearing goes, they all seem to go. My husband was driving the vehicle yesterday and he said the wheel popped, grinded, and started squeaking; assuming the bearing went out completed, the vehicle is parked to get fixed. I do not have the money that is suggested by other owners to fix this vehicle. If this is a problem with the Explorers at this mileage, which seems to happens around 70,000-80,000 miles; this is a safety issue that is affecting the lives of owners. Why is the product not recalled? I drive this vehicle with my 4 and 6 year old children in the back seat, if I do get this bearing fixed, what happens when the others go out. I am just very disappointed in Ford motor company. My granddad and dad both retired from Ford motor company and I have always upheld their name and value; but this is a disgrace and a huge disappointment. . Read more...

I own a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT. Vehicle has @ 57k miles on it. Wheel bearings had to be replaced. My understanding this is factory sealed and should not need replacing this quickly. Normal lifetime of wheel bearings should be over 100k?.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer and my problem first started with the 4x4 case. The dealership stated it was covered under the warranty and it was fixed. A month or so later my truck began doing the same things, weird noise when driving now I have to get the wheel bearing changed on the left side and that is not covered by warranty. The cost for this repair is estimated. $600. 00.

I heard a whining sound coming from the front of my SUV. Took it to a friend who works on Fords and he said it was the left front wheel bearing. He fixed that and the sound continued, so he replaced the right front. The sound went away. Two days later same sound coming from the rear. My SUV only has 51,000 miles on it. This is a major safety issue especially since I am driving with 3 children. I see that this is way too common. I am lucky that I was not driving my kids when the bearings totally failed and a tire fell off. I still have to old parts, I am considering sending them to Ford. They told me in order for them to acknowledge there is a problem I must put the bad parts back on my car and take it to a dealership. Risk my life and the lives of my children so I can take it to a dealership? no thanks. I will send them the parts so they can see how bad they are.

2002 Ford Explorer XLT. Whining from the rear has grown to a loud roar at any speed over 10mph. We don't drive this car very often, so we ignored the problem thinking it was the tires. From all I have read and heard, this can only end in a bad situation since it involves the rear differential and wheel bearings. This problem should be labeled as a recall and Ford should have to pay for the repairs. This is a serious safety recall issue.

1. Rear wheel bearing failure, manufacturer sealed part 2. Failed 3 times, passenger tire broke free from wheel while driving down road with 2 young children in the car. 3. Fix both rear wheel bearings three times at a cost of $800 each time totaling $2400 in wheel bearings. This part is not suppose to fail. . . . I have been told it is a manufacturer's sealed part, but I have 6 different ones for this vehicle and they all fail!!! all bought at the dealership, but no warranty applies as they last long enough to out live that!.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle made roaring noises while driving. A mechanic stated that the wheel bearings failed. No repairs were made. The VIN, engine size, and speed were unknown. The current mileage was 93,000 and failure mileage was 85,000.

2002 Ford Explorer 4. 0 has excessive wheel bearing noise. I have read of many wheel bearing issues with this model which signifies a manufacturers defect. A recall should be instituted.

2002 Ford Explorer was in an accident because of wheel bearing problems** transferred to dad * the consumer was told the wheel bearing failed due to wear, however the consumer stated there was no noise prior to the accident.

This complaint is concerning the wheel bearings on all 2002 Ford Explorers and the frequency in which they break or come lose causing lose of control of the vehicle. This has happened on my vehicle on 5 occasions, the last of which Ford refuses to replace at their cost due to it being out of warranty. The first incident happened in February 2007 when my right front bearing broke while I was on an highway overpass driving at approximately 60 mph and almost lost control of my vehicle as the wheel nearly comes off when this happens and the vehicle jerks. The truck was towed into the dealership for repair. The second incident happened in January 2008 when my left front wheel bearing broke. This time I was thankfully not on the expressway but once again the vehicle was towed into the dealership for repair as it was not drivable. When the vehicle was in for repair this time I requested that the rear bearings be checked and replaced if necessary and it was found that those two bearings also needed replacement. Now, in October 2009, once again my front left wheel bearing is lose and needs to be replaced. I called Ford regarding the possibility that the bearings are faulty and that someone is going to be killed due to this issue but the customer service center just says to make a complaint. They also will not cover the cost of the repair as it is out of their 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty period. I have started researching this issue and have found 28 pages of complaints from people having the same issue and this is just one website. This seems to be a common occurrence with the bearings on 2002 Explorers. This is supposed to be a sealed factory part that usually does not require repair and I am on my fifth repair. I am concerned for my own safety and the safety of others.

Have replaced 3 wheel bearings at the cost of $400 a piece.

Rear wheel bearing failure at 80,000 miles, both rear bearings.

In April of 2005 my 2002 Explorer with just over 40,000 miles started making grinding noise in the right rear. Took it to a mechanic and then to the Ford dealership, both said the right rear wheel bearing needed to be replaced, had it replaced on 5/11/05. Within 2 weeks, the left rear wheel bearing also started making a grinding noise, had it replaced on 5/25/05. Called Ford customer care who said they could do nothing. In October, 2006, at 80,000 miles (mostly e-way miles, no off-road driving, only one driver and I am the original owner), the right rear wheel bearing needed to be replaced again and one of the front bearings is going as well. Called Ford customer care again to report the failures, and they still aren't interested. Have been told by several mechanics that this is a know defect with 2002 Explorers, wheel bearings should last well over 100k miles. Ford has no plans to recall or even redesign the defective wheel bearings. After reading complaints from others, who have had the bearings explode while driving, I suspect that it is only a matter of time before the deaths from accidents due to the defective wheel bearings start getting reported. I personally do not feel safe driving this vehicle. Due to Ford's lack of concern regarding this very expensive and dangerous defect in their vehicles, the next new vehicle I purchase will not be a Ford. *.

Bearings. Noticed a clunking coming from the front. Was told I need new bearings and it would cost approximately $1200. Only 55k miles.

: the contact stated the hub bearings are wearing out locking the wheel up causing the vehicle to lose control on the road. The front and rear wheel bearings are both wearing out. The dealer determined there was no way of checking the hub bearings. Because hub bearings are sealed, they can't be greased, or serviced. The contact expressed that the vehicle can't be service for the hub bearings, therefore there is no way to determine when this might happen again, and create a potentially fatal accident.

On new years eve 2005-2006 the wheel bearing on the driver's rear broke while I had my family with me. The wheel bearing had to be replace. The vehicle is a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT v6 with 80000 mi. On it. No warranty. On 5/21/06 while driving interstate speeds, the passenger rear wheel bearing broke and steering wheel jerked to the right. I was able to keep the vehicle under control and get off the interstate. I removed the wheel and found all but one stud had been sheared off. The wheel nearly fell off a 65 mph. I had heard a noise earlier and stopped to check, but found nothing. I thought something had fallen from the roof. My family was again with me. I called Ford customer service, but was told that they would not do anything except enter it into the file. I made a complaint and requested a supervisor call me back even though I was told repeatedly that nothing more could be done and the operator couldn't even give me another person whom I could talk with concerning the matter. This is unacceptable and obviously a Ford problem. I paid $150 for a tow and I'm waiting for the wheel to be fixed.

While changing the transmission fluid at the Ford dealer for my 2002 Ford Explorer with 60,000 miles, the technician mentioned that there was a loud noise from my rear left wheel, the bearing had to be replaced. Doing research, I have found numerous other 2002 Ford Explorer owners with similar complaints, that bearings were going bad with mileage that is below the normal need for bearing replacement. If you hear from others on this problem, it may be time for a factory recall.

- the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While driving 50 mph he heard a loud noise coming from the rear wheels. The mechanic stated that the wheel bearings were rusted and should be replaced. The dealer made the repair. The failure mileage was 83,000 miles at the time of the repair. There had not been any other occurrences since the repair. The vehicles current mileage was 95,000 miles. Updated 07/03/07.