A lot of problems with '02 Explorer XLT

[carolinadoc]

Two months ago I purchased an '02 Explorer XLT with 31000 miles. To this day it has been in the shop 6 times for various repairs. The transmission shifts hard and the timing chain has been replaced twice to reduce the noises that it makes. It is now in the shop having the 4x4 module replaced because four wheel drive would not engage. I am not all that familiar with cars (what is a 4x4 module?), but this seems like an excess of problems. Have any of you heard of an '02 having this much trouble, and do you think I should just bite the bullet and trade it in?Thanks.

 

[X~FACTOR]

It must be very frustrating for you. I know I would be. Once in a while you get a bad one. The bright side is everything is being repaired while it is still under warranty. Most of the time the truck waits until AFTER the warranty expired before all the repairs show up.

 

[IAmTodd]

Ours has been in for the tranny, rear end whine, rusting parts, deap rear wiper motor. Boss had the wiper moter go twice. And has had the 4X4 module replaced. These sound like they are fairly common.

 

[Crankcase]

Welcome to the site!

2002 was the first year of a redesign, so it will have a few bugs.

 

[X~FACTOR]

More and more I read about the '02's problem the more I start to think it has more than its share of the normal "new redesign bugs". Enough to stay away completely from '02 all together when considering buying a new used Explorer.

 

[rugger0215]

Sending unit in the gas tank went

The only major problem I've had was the sending unit in my '02 XLT. Replaced at 32K miles. Other than that a few minor electical issues that have come and gone.