MYRModel Year Report

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:35:08.694Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Sport Trac Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1997: 6 complaints 1997 1998: 5 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 3 complaints 2001: 167 complaints 2001 2002: 144 complaints 2002 2003: 78 complaints 2003 2004: 86 complaints 2005: 66 complaints 2005 2006: 5 complaints 2007: 100 complaints 2007 2008: 23 complaints 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2010
2002: 144 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19976
19985
19990
20003
2001167
2002144
200378
200486
200566
20065
2007100
200823
20096
201030

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 17 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE STALLS MOSTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR. VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST 20 TIMES, TAKEN TO DEALER 8 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY, FORD WAS BUYING VEHICLE BACK.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20011123

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND A JERKING MOVEMENT WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MOVE ERRATICALLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120313

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND THE ENTIRE ROOF COLLAPSED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLES BODY WAS WEAK. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20040819

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP WHERE A MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DETECTED A MALFUNCTION IN THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120320

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20010604 — tires

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERN

Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 144
I 20030521 — PE (closed 20030905)

FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT

R 20030829 — seats

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY TH

Campaign 03V281000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070813 — vehicle speed control

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, S

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION

Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090421 — PE (closed 20090819)

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V281000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ● 2005 ● 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ● 2007 ● 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.