141 complaints reported

2002 Ford Explorer VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
141
Crashes
27
Fires
9
Injuries
8

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Aug 2011

2002 FORD EXPLORER. THROTTLE STUCK WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP ACCELERATION. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO US AS WELL AS OTHERS. *LN UPDATED 11/09/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE RPM'S REVVED TO 4000-5000 AND IT CONTINUED TO MAKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE AS HE TRIED TO BRAKE. HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THEN ENGINE KEPT THE RPM'S OVER 4000 UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. UPDATED 11/10/11 UPDATED 11/17/11 UPDATED 12/08/11

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2011
Aug 2011 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE OF HIS RESIDENCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT BY THE TIME HAD ARRIVED, THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE WERE DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS DEEMED AS THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE CONTACTS DRIVEWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2010
Jul 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2010
Apr 2011 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND THEN SHIFTING THE GEAR IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR SCRATCHES ON THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,900.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2011
Jan 2011 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UP WITH HER FOOT BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A FEW SMALL TREES IN A WOODED AREA. THE DRIVER PREVIOUSLY SUFFERED FROM SPINAL INJURIES AND EXPERIENCED BACK AND HIP PAIN. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED BY A DOCTOR FOR THE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ UPDATED 10/05/11

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2011
Oct 2010 Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE RPMS WOULD RISE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT. NO POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP SO THE DEALER COULD INSPECT THE BRAKES BUT THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2004
Jul 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE OVER 80 MPH. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL YET THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN RESTARTING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS FROM 5,000 TO 6,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL COMPONENTS OF THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,200.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2010
Feb 2010

2002 FORD EXPLORER CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE CAR ACCELERATED EACH TIME AFTER TRYING TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I HAD TO RIDE THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. I SHUT THE RACING ENGINE DOWN AND TRIED TO RESTART AND FOUND THE ENGINE RACED AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED. IF WE WERE IN TRAFFIC, WE MAY HAVE CRASHED. I STAYED CALM BUT THINKING ABOUT MY WIFE AND SON DRIVING THE CAR AT TIMES, THEY MAY NOT HAVE REACTED AS I DID. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2010
Feb 2010

2002 FORD EXPLORER RECALL NOTICE*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS AND HAS BEEN THERE SINCE AUGUST 2009 DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE PARKED NEAR STRUCTURES AS A FIRE COULD OCCUR. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE LOWERED OR MOVED BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS LOOSE. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2009
Jan 2010

2002 FORD EXPLORER 1. GOING TO FULL ACCELERATION (PEDAL TO THE FLOOR) WHEN PASSING CAR OR ENTERING HIGHWAY FROM SIDE ROAD 2. ACCELERATOR PEDAL STAYS PRESSED ON THE FLOOR EVEN WHEN FOOT IS REMOVED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE ON THE LAST 2 TIMES THAT THE PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. 3. FAILURE IS AVOIDED BY NOT PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2009
Jan 2010 Fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE REAR TIRES WERE SMOKING AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL SHE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2010
Dec 2009 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF HIS DRIVE-WAY, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED INTO THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE GARAGE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO THE NEIGHBORS YARD, AND THEN KNOCKED OVER A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. HE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,264.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2009
Nov 2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL REACTIVATION PROBLEMS TO FORD TRUCK. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2007
Nov 2009

RECALL NOTICE 09S09 ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *NJ

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 1901
Jul 2009

I WAS ACCELERATING AWAY FROM WORK AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO COME TO A STOP I WAS UNABLE TO BECAUSE OF THE THROTTLE BEING STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A COLLISION BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 5 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AND THE THROTTLE CABLE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2009
Mar 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE MALFUNCTION WAS RELATED TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2008
Feb 2009

IT WAS AN EXTREMELY COLD DAY IN WISCONSIN AND MY SON WENT INTO TOWN, WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT THE GAS PEDAL ACCELERATED. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND IT KEPT ON ACCELERATING UNTIL HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY, ONCE AGAIN THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND THIS TIME HE KEPT TAPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE, ANY SUGGESTIONS TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2009
Feb 2009 Fire

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THERE WAS A SPARK, THEN A FIRE UNDER MY HOOD. THE FLAME IGNITED AND MELTED THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. AFTER SPEAKING TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC HE MENTIONED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PIECE AND WE SHOULD HAVE IT LOOKED AT BY FORD. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT BE COVERED. I SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD STATED. WHEN I ASKED HOW MY VEHICLE COULD HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALL #09S09 (SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL) BUT NOT BE INCLUDED, ALL THE REPRESENTATIVE WOULD REPEAT IS THAT THE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE SHE COULD DO. MY QUESTION IS THAT IF THIS IS THE SAME ITEM/ISSUE AS THE RECALL, THEN WHY ISN'T MY VEHICLE COVERED IN THE RECALL? CAN YOU PLEASE PROVIDE ME ANY ASSISTANCE ON RESOLVING THIS ISSUE? THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING AN ESTIMATE AND BEING REPAIRED AT ANCIRA FORD IN FLORESVILLE, TX. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2009
Feb 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER APPLIED MAXIMUM PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH SLOWED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2007
Feb 2009 Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-50 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A DIRT EMBANKMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL FAILURE AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT A FIRE COULD OCCUR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,522. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ THE COSNUMER STATED HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, HE APPROACHED A VURB, HE WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RELEASE. UPDATED 03/12/09. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2008
Sep 2008

ERRATIC OPERATION OF CRUSE CONTROL. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2008
Sep 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE HAS BEEN INFORMED EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER THAT THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2007
Jul 2008

I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE (PARTS AND LABOR). I HAVE CALLED MY LOCAL SERVICE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, SINCE AUGUST OF 2007. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND TO CALL BACK. I HAVE CALLED 5 TIMES, INCLUDING TODAY, 07 APRIL 2008. I DO HAVE A 2002 EXPLORER SPORTS TRAX. I AM HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING MY VEHICLE REPAIRED IN A REASONABLE TIME AND WITHOUT CHARGE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2007
May 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ACCELERATING TO 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARED AND BEGAN RACING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED OTHER VEHICLES TO SWERVE AROUND HER TO AVOID CRASHING. SHE ACTIVATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT EVEN WITH THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE STILL RACED FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 30 SECONDS UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT GRABBED HER CHILDREN, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND WAITED FOR SOMEONE TO COME PICK HER UP. SHE LATER CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER HOUSE. THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT HER RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,761. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2008
May 2008

FORD RECALL AUGUST 2007, FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL, 2002 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER. PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER MADE TEMPORARY REPAIR BY DISABLING THE CRUISE CONTROL. AS OF 2/5/2008 VEHICLE IS STILL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL. DEALER CLAIMS PARTS NOT PROVIDED BY FORD. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2007

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2002 Ford Explorer has 141 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL complaints on file. 27 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.