One problem related to rear axle spindle has been reported for the 2002 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2002 Explorer.
Severe wheel bearing issues since day one. Hub assembly made loud noise and the wheels may have fell off because of poor design of bearing assembly. Mathews Ford assured us it was normal for 4x4 Explorers to make such noise, and have not revisited the problem from 2002 until now. Bearings were checked on routine maintenance on June 17 2008 and were found to be failing according to mathews Ford mechanic. At 52,000 miles the front wheel bearings and spindle were replaced due to this defect.