2002 Model Year

Ford Explorer

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
3,568
Recalls
3
Crashes
161
Severe
400

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

09V399000 Oct 2009

Other

No consequence data available

01V171000 May 2001

Other

No consequence data available

01I010000 Apr 2001

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 2025

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 overheat...

SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 2025

Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good

Air Bags
Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her fiancé was driving 45 MPH, the driver’s side and passenger’s side air bags in...

Engine
Nov 2023

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to coast off the freeway. T...

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following day it was discovered that the crui...

STEERING,ENGINE
Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel intermittently seized while driving at various speeds without warnin...

Latches/Locks
Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the hood latch independently released, causing the hood to strike...

Power Train
Jun 2022

Overdrive light flashes after driving a little bit hard shifting doesn't shift into overdrive 4x4 lights indicate that it's working when the buttons a...

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while entering the highway at approximately 45 MPH and accelerating to overtake the next veh...

Air Bags
Jun 2021

The light form air bad juts got on when I was driving

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 2002 Ford Explorer has 3568 complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Power Train. 161 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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