2002 Ford Explorer Suspension

BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. MY FORD SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BROKEN REAR SPRINGS ON EXPLORER'S AS WELL AS OTHER FORD'S. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE DRIVER HAS LOST THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE TRUCK. MINE BROKE WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY DAUGHTER AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I THOUGHT A TIRE BLEW. $800 TO FIX, FOR JUST THE 2 REAR SPRINGS, BUT SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD RECOMMEND REPLACING THE FRONTS AS WELL. UNTIL I CAN GET TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AS THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING LANDED ON THE REAR SUSPENSION AND MAY CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AS IT RUBS. I DROVE TRUCK SLOWLY HOME AS THE TRUCK NOW LEANS TO THE RIGHT (SIDE THAT FAILED) AND I HAVE DEFINITELY LOST THE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS TO THIS TRUCK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE DEALER'S DISCOVERY OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 11/9/10 *CN UPDATED 11/16/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE DRIVERS REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS WERE BREAKING OFF IN PIECES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ON THE VEHICLE BROKE WHICH THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF DURING A BRAKE INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS WERE THE SAME USED ON THE FORD TAURUS MODEL AND THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURES WITH THE SPRINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 250,000.

BROKEN REAR SPRINGS CAUSING STRUTS TO FAIL

2002 FORD EXPLORER BEARING AND HUB FAILURE. *TR

TL* 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.

TL* 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SHARP LEFT TURN AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL. HE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS SHREDDED WHICH CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TWO REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED WHICH SHREDDED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE MECHANIC ALSO REPLACED THE TWO REAR TIRES, SPRING SET WITH STANDARD SUSPENSION, PINION SHAFT SEAL, TWO REAR RIMS AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS. ALL REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,898. UPDATED 06/29/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/21/10

ON 01/29/2010, I TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 TO KILL BRAKE & WHEEL TO HAVE NEW TIRES PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN/MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE LEFT REAR SPRING FOR THE VEHICLE WAS BROKE, BUT SITTING IN THE CENTER. I CALLED TIFFIN BRAKE & WHEEL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE SPRINGS REPLACED. I WAS ADVISED BY AN EMPLOYEE THAT THE BUSINESS HAS HAD "A LOT OF EXPLORERS HAVE THEIR SPRINGS REPLACED." THE EMPLOYEE ALSO MENTIONED THAT A COMPLAINT SHOULD BE FILED, BECAUSE A RECALL MAY BE IN ORDER DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF EXPLORERS WITH BROKEN SPRINGS. I AM CONCERNED WITH THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OFF ROADED AND/OR ABUSED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE ACTUAL DATE WHEN THE SPRING BROKE IS UNKNOWN. *TR

THE BROKEN REAR SPRINGS (BOTH) ON OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT ON VETERANS PARKWAY IN BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS. THE SPRINGS COMPLETELY SHATTERED AND WERE BROKEN ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR MAKING THE SUV MUCH LESS STABLE IN LANE CHANGES. WHEN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY SLOWED, WE ALMOST LOSS CONTROL WHEN WE TRIED TO CHANGE LANES. IT WAS A MIRACLE THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE BAD STEEL IN THESE SPRINGS FOR YEARS AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2002 TO 2005 FORD EXPLORERS. WE ARE HAVING TO PAY OUT OF OUR POCKETS ABOUT $700 FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 LIMITED WITH 2 BROKEN COIL SPRINGS 127,000MI. *TR

I BROUGHT MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE I NOTICED A VERY LOUD RUBBING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR COILS WERE CRACKED. MY VEHICLE IS A "SOCCER MOM" CAR AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE COILS, REAR ROTORS AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE FROM THE COILS. MY VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000 MILES. *TR

WHEN I TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER V8 INTO THE SHOP TO GET NEW TIRES I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD WITH MY VEHICLE AND ONLY DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR MY VEHICLE AND I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT. I HAD NO IDEA IT BROKE OR HOW IT DID BUT MY CAR STARTED LEANING TO ONE SIDE. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE IN A SAFE AND DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A REALL DONE FOR THIS ISSUE BEFORE THERE IS SERIOUS INJURIES. MY VEHICLE HAS 115K MILES.

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR COIL BREAKAGE.. WAS DRIVING AND MY BACK END DIPPED NO NOISE JUST LEANING. WENT TO MECHANIC AND REALIZED COILS HAVE JUST RUSTED OUT, ARE YOU SERIOUS. EXPLORER ONLY HAS 87K. PARTS JUST RUSTED OUT AND BROKE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE COMPLETLY RUSTED AND BROKE IN SEVERAL PLACES..I REALIZE THAT MY VECHILE IS NOW 8 YEARS OLD AND HAS 100,000 MILES BUT I'VE READ ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE SPRINGS BREAKING AND BLOWING TIRES. NOW IM PAYING CLOSE TO 400 DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS REPLACED. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AND STOP NEGLECTING THEM BUYING CHEAP MATERIAL AND PLAYING WITH PEOPLE LIVES AND SAFETY. THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND FIX ALL VECHILES OF THIS YEAR...

TL* 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 *BF UPDATED 01/14/10.*JB

I TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH 67K MILES ON IT TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL. THEY OFFERED A FREE INSPECTION OF WHICH THEY INFORMED ME THE RIGHT REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION IT WAS BROKEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SO THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN IT BROKE. THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE SPRING. NO IMPROVED SPRING PART NUMBER WAS AVAILABLE FOR FORD, SO I EXPECT IT TO BREAK AGAIN IN ABOUT 70K MILES IF I BUY A NEW FORD SPRING. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN IN HALF NEAR TOP PORTION. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OF EXPLORER, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED YET. *TR

AFTER FAILING INSPECTION BECAUSE BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. VEHICLE HAS NEVER TOWED OR CARRIED HEAVY LOADS. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR SPRINGS BROKE , PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *TR

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE ON 2002 EXPLORER. THIS WAS NOTICED DURING INSPECTION WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED. IT APPEARS TO BE BAD STEEL AS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS ON THE INTERNET. FORD SHOULD RECALL AND PAY FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THESE REPLACED. MY TAKE ON THIS IS IT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTN.(IN THE FORM OF A RECALL FROM FORD) TO SAVE LIVES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR COIL SPRINGS . I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MANY EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY REPORT THAT THEIR REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BREAKING AND CRACKING PREMATURELY! AS OF NOW, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND AS I CHECKED UNDER THE REAR END OF MY EXPLORER TODAY, BOTH REAR COILS ARE BROKEN AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT. AS I UNDERSTAND, THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT ONLY EXIST IN 2002 MODELS, BUT OTHERS ALSO. *TR