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2002 Ford Explorer Sport TracProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 144 owner complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
43
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the Explorer Sport Trac median · #2 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints14415 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage69kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 31, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Sfoskett~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has problems

144 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train320
Engine and engine cooling230
Electrical system211
Vehicle speed control194
Structure162
Service brakes, hydraulic152
Fuel system, gasoline100
Latches/locks/linkages91
Exterior lighting70
13 other systems303

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 03V-281 · Aug 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 vehicles

Risk. THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

69kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 27 power train complaints. 63% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
5under 30k miles17under 100k miles10100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Explorer Sport Trac year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer Sport Trac median. How we score

'97'98'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac safety ratings

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENTPE03020 · closed Sep 5, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-281
  3. VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONSPE09020 · closed Aug 19, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What Explorer Sport Trac owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

OD LIGHT FLASHING, REBUILDS TRANSMISION AND NOTHING CHANGE, I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS PROBLEMS ON EXPLORERS, RANGERS AND MUSTANGS
Complaint 11024731 · Sep 20, 2017
ON FEB.12 2016 STILL NO DASH WARNING LIGHTS MY FORD TRAC..I LEFT MY HOME IN DRIVE MOVED ONTO HIGHWAY 66, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT AS I TRIED TO INCREASE MY SPEED UP ONTO THE 66 HIGHWAY THE RPM RAN UP ONLY, I HAD TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR TO GET OFF ROAD DROVE BACK HOME. NOW THE TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE…
Complaint 10838947 · Feb 29, 2016 · 123,242 miles
THERE WAS NOT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH, TRUCK SLOWED DOWN THEN ENGINE RACED UP ALL ON ITS OWN TURNED I TURNED OFF ROAD SHIFTED TO NUTRAL AND SAT UNTIL THE RACING STOPPED CONTINUED ON TO AUTO PART STORE WHERE THEY PLUGGED INTO ENGINE IT READ STRANGE CODES..
Complaint 10838936 · Feb 29, 2016 · 123,023 miles

Own a 2002 Explorer Sport Trac?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.