2002 Ford Explorer
This year had more than double the complaints of 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1991 | 616 |
| 1992 | 640 |
| 1993 | 944 |
| 1994 | 1231 |
| 1995 | 843 |
| 1996 | 1450 |
| 1997 | 1731 |
| 1998 | 1959 |
| 1999 | 1348 |
| 2000 | 952 |
| 2001 | 375 |
| 2002 | 3294 |
| 2003 | 1131 |
| 2004 | 1304 |
| 2005 | 497 |
| 2006 | 630 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1196 |
| 2012 | 824 |
| 2013 | 2229 |
| 2014 | 1674 |
| 2015 | 1771 |
| 2016 | 2443 |
| 2017 | 1677 |
| 2018 | 720 |
| 2019 | 291 |
| 2020 | 1198 |
| 2021 | 412 |
| 2022 | 257 |
| 2023 | 106 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2026 | 29 |
| 2027 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
48% of complaints: power train — 1583 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.
CRASH FIRE INJURY15% of complaints: structure — 490 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hinge and attachments and hatchback/liftgate.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
September 2, 2023 at about 6 pm I pulled over to grab a couple water bottles from the rear of my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport cause my engine was overheating.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250709
Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. IT WAS UNOCCUPIED PARKED IN THE CARPORT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180806
WHILE OPENING THE REAR TOP HATCHBACK, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED IN MY WIFE'S FACE WHILE MY 4 YEAR OLD SAT IN THE REAR SEAT. MY WIFE RECEIVED MINOR SCRATCHES FROM THE FLYING GLASS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020823
14% of complaints: suspension — 460 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and wheel bearing.
CRASH FIRE INJURY5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 165 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I LOOKED BACK IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING OUT THE BACK OF MY CAR. I PULLED OVER. MY HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE FRONT. I SMELLED FIRE AND HE SAID IT'S ON FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120530
5% of complaints: air bags — 164 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
I was driving down the road and my airbag instantly deployed in my face without cause or notice. I became completely disoriented as it hit my hand and face with severe force and was extremely loud and shocking.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260720
MY TRUCK ROLLED AT 35 MPH 2 TIMES AND DID A 180 THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF. CAUSING ME TO SUFFER INJURIES TO MY HEAD CHEST AND LEGS. MR
NHTSA ODI report, 20021022
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL INJURIES. *AK *YH
NHTSA ODI report, 20020925
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRES MAY HAVE HORIZONTAL CUTS ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND, IF ANY SLICES ARE FOUND, THE CUT TIRES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREE
Campaign 01V171000 — check if this car was fixed
INOPERATIVE AIR BAG SYSTEM
MIS-ASSEMBLED AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO
Campaign 03V094000 — check if this car was fixed
REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT
Campaign 04V442000 — check if this car was fixed
STUCK ENGINE THROTTLE
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
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
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM
Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CO
Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MONTAINEER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE POSITION OF BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT LIFTGATGE GLASS LIFT CYLINDER BRACKETS. IF THE BRACKETS ARE IN THE PROPER POSITION, THE BRACKET RETAINERS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE.
Campaign 01I010000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (1583 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (490 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (460 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 01I010000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V171000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V094000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V442000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2002 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Ford Explorer is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Explorer have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.