Total Complaints
160 filings
FORD EXPLORER SPORT · model year
160 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002FORDEXPLORER SPORT carries 160 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 7 fires, 18 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 EXPLORER SPORT is power train:automatic transmission with 18 filings, followed by structure:body (10) and structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2002 EXPLORER SPORT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
160 filings
Crashes Reported
12 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 18 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 10 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN | 8 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| TIRES | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 4 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 4 |
| STRUCTURE | 4 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 4 |
| VISIBILITY | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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 WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MA
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, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good
Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good
Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good
REAR WINDOW HINGES FAILED ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE REQUIRING BOTH HINGES THAT HOLDS THE REAR WINDOW GLASS IN PLACE TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPAIR HINGES BUT THE REAR WINDOW IS NOW UNABLE TO BE OPENED DUE TO LATCH BEING DAMAGED BY HINGES AND DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE LATCH THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE REAR WINDOW. THEY REFERRED ME TO A GLASS REPAIR SHOP TO DO THE REPAIR.
Mileage: 80,000
I WENT TO OPEN MY BACK WINDOW AND IT BROKE I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY SUV I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT
Mileage: 155,000
REAR WINDOW EXPLODED OVERNIGHT WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. WE LIVE IN SOUTHERN CA AND IT WAS A RARE COLD NIGHT WITH LOWS IN THE 30'S. SECURITY CAMERA'S VERIFIED NO ONE OR NO OBJECT DAMAGED THE WINDOW. IT JUST EXPLODED WHILE PARKED THE GLASS WAS STREWN ACROSS A 3 CAR DRIVEWAY.
Mileage: 142,000
BODY MOUNTS HAVE DETERIORATED , MECHANICS I HAVE HAD LOOK AT THIS SAID , SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN , IS UNSAFE AND THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL ALSO HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK WHEN I APPLIED HARD BREAKING.
FORD EXPLORER CRACKED READ PANEL
Mileage: 89,000
I NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW LIFT GATE WAS SLIGHTLY AJAR, SO I CLOSED IT, AND SUDDENLY THE HINGE BRACKET ON THE RIGHT SIDE, CONNECTING THE WINDOW AT THE ROOF, POPPED LOOSE, EXTENDING THE WINDOW LIFT SUPPORT, MAKING IT NOW IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE BACK LIFT GATE GLASS. I CHECKED INTO THE ISSUE, AND FOUND A RECALL, CAMPAIGN # 04V442000. THIS HINGE HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED. I WANT TO HAVE THIS FIXED UNDER RECALL.
Mileage: 77,816
AFTER ADJUSTING STEERING WHEAL UP AND DOWN THE HARNESS WAS BROKEN DUE TO SHORT HARNESS UNDER DASH I DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL SYS FAILED
Mileage: 67,000
THE TRANSMISSION OF OUR 2002 EXPLORER STARTED SLIPPING, JUMPING, JERKING' SURGING, REFUSING TO SHIFT, SHIFTING SLOWLY AND OTHER ASSOCIATED THINGS APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY, IT DOES IT WHENEVER IT WANTS, REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE, DRIVING DISTANCE. I FEEL FORD OWES ME A NEW, REDESIGNED TRANSMISSION WITH INSTALLATION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT FORD IS DOING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR EXPLORERS.
Mileage: 110,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR INTERIOR CHILD LOCKS FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Mileage: 50,000
DISPATCHED FOR CAR FIRE INSIDE GARAGE. 1213 ARRIVED AND REPORTED THE CAR WAS OUTSIDE, NEXT TO THE HOUSE, AND THE SIDING ON THE HOUSE WAS MELTING. 1281 ARRIVED AND ASSUMED COMMAND AT [XXX]. FIRE WAS NOW EXTENDING UP THE EXTERIOR OF THE NORTH SIDE OF THE STRUCTURE. A 2ND ALARM WAS REQUESTED AND CONSUMERS ELECTRIC WAS REQUESTED TO THE SCENE. THE HYDRANT WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND 1213. 1213 CREW STRETCHED A 1.75" HAND LINE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE AND THEN THE FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. 1211 CREW ASSISTED 1213 AND ALSO MADE CONTACT WITH ALL OCCUPANTS AND VERIFIED THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR MISSING. 1212 CREW WAS ASSIGNED INTERIOR. VENTILATION WAS REQUESTED FOR THE INTERIOR. FM HENSON ARRIVED ON SCENE AND WAS ASSIGNED INVESTIGATION. COMSTOCK 911 CREW WAS ASSIGNED TO ASSIST 1213 WITH EXTERIOR OVERHAUL. 1212 CONDUCTED INTERIOR OVERHAUL AND REPORTED MINOR CHARRING AT PEAK OF ROOF ON THE INTERIOR BUT NO FURTHER EXTENSION. EXTERIOR OVERHAUL WAS COMPLETED. FM HENSON DETE
Mileage: 100,000
STARTED MY VEHICLE IT MADE A CLUNKING NOISE THEN DIED. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND BROKE ALL THE VALVES OFF THE MOTOR. *JS
Mileage: 80,000
STARTED MY VEHICLE IT MADE A CLUNKING NOISE THEN DIED. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND BROKE ALL THE VALVES OFF THE MOTOR. *JS
Mileage: 80,000
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. MY REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THE CAR HAD BEEN ON FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, WARMING UP. I LOADED MY ITEMS INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE TAILGATE WINDOW. WHEN I WAS DONE, I CLOSED THE WINDOW. BEFORE IT WAS EVEN CLOSED, THE WINDOW EXPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES. THERE WAS GLASS ALL OVER. THE WINDOW WAS RECENTLY REPLACED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR
Mileage: 116,677
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. MY REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THE CAR HAD BEEN ON FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, WARMING UP. I LOADED MY ITEMS INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE TAILGATE WINDOW. WHEN I WAS DONE, I CLOSED THE WINDOW. BEFORE IT WAS EVEN CLOSED, THE WINDOW EXPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES. THERE WAS GLASS ALL OVER. THE WINDOW WAS RECENTLY REPLACED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR
Mileage: 116,677
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR GLASS HINGES WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE TAILGATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,260.
Mileage: 215,260
BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. PROBLEM TRACED TO TILT STEERING AND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS. BROKEN RETAINER CLIP ALLOWS WIRES TO BE PULLED FROM CONNECTOR BREAKING CONNECTION FOR BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL. ONCE TILT STEERING IS ENGAGED CONNECTION IS BROKEN AND WIRES DO NOT STAY CONNECTED AND LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL IS THE RESULT. THIS COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT, INJURY AND OR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM HAD ELUDED ME UNTIL I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET WHICH RESULTED IN HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF PEOPLE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLING THE FORD DEALER AND PROVIDING THE PART NUMBER (E6DB14489DA) ON THE CONNECTOR PROVED FUTILE IN HAVING THEM EVEN IDENTIFY THE PART YET I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART ON THE INTERNET JUST BE A GOOGLE SEARCH. AT THIS POINT, I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT PART SO I AM FORCED TO HOT GLUE THE WIRES INTO THE BROKEN CONNECTOR IN ORDER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. *TR
BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. PROBLEM TRACED TO TILT STEERING AND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS. BROKEN RETAINER CLIP ALLOWS WIRES TO BE PULLED FROM CONNECTOR BREAKING CONNECTION FOR BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL. ONCE TILT STEERING IS ENGAGED CONNECTION IS BROKEN AND WIRES DO NOT STAY CONNECTED AND LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL IS THE RESULT. THIS COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT, INJURY AND OR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM HAD ELUDED ME UNTIL I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET WHICH RESULTED IN HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF PEOPLE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLING THE FORD DEALER AND PROVIDING THE PART NUMBER (E6DB14489DA) ON THE CONNECTOR PROVED FUTILE IN HAVING THEM EVEN IDENTIFY THE PART YET I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART ON THE INTERNET JUST BE A GOOGLE SEARCH. AT THIS POINT, I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT PART SO I AM FORCED TO HOT GLUE THE WIRES INTO THE BROKEN CONNECTOR IN ORDER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. *TR
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.