MYRModel Year Report

2002 Ford Explorer Sport

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Ford Explorer Sport
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:44:29.786Z

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 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1993: 5 complaints 1993 1997: 37 complaints 1998: 121 complaints 1998 1999: 93 complaints 2000: 71 complaints 2000 2001: 188 complaints 2002: 133 complaints 2002 2003: 65 complaints 2004: 18 complaints 2004 2005: 5 complaints 2005
2002: 133 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19935
199737
1998121
199993
200071
2001188
2002133
200365
200418
20055

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 10 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAS A REAR HATCH THAT INCLUDES A GLASS SECTION THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO BE OPENED TO LOAD ITEMS INTO THE TRUNK AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THREE SEPARATE TIMES THE REAR WINDSHIELD HAS BLOWN OUT AS IT HAS BEEN OPENED / CLOSED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131202

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 5%

5% of complaints: visibility — 7 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAS A REAR HATCH THAT INCLUDES A GLASS SECTION THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO BE OPENED TO LOAD ITEMS INTO THE TRUNK AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THREE SEPARATE TIMES THE REAR WINDSHIELD HAS BLOWN OUT AS IT HAS BEEN OPENED / CLOSED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131202

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: 133
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 20040602 — PE (closed 20040928)

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLY

I 20050707 — PE (closed 20051102)

STUCK ENGINE THROTTLE

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 20060410 — 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. I

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 06V114000 — 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 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (9 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 06V114000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1997 ▲ 2003 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ◆ 1998 ● 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport have?

5 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.