Menu

2002 Ford Explorer SportProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 133 owner complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport
40
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Explorer Sport median · #2 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints13330 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage88kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 24, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport has problems

133 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
Structure285
Visibility163
Electrical system85
Seats81
Suspension80
Latches/locks/linkages80
Vehicle speed control72
Engine and engine cooling72
13 other systems339

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

3 recalls

2002 Ford Explorer Sport 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 06V-114 · Apr 10, 2006 · 8,585 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 →

–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?

88kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 30 power train complaints. 73% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles22under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Explorer Sport 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 median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Ford Explorer Sport safety ratings

2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Ford Explorer Sport side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 2 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 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. REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLYPE04045 · closed Sep 28, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-442
  4. STUCK ENGINE THROTTLEPE05037 · closed Nov 2, 2005
    No recall
  5. VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONSPE09020 · closed Aug 19, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What Explorer Sport owners report

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

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…
Complaint 10763399 · Sep 13, 2015 · 110,000 miles
STARTED MY VEHICLE IT MADE A CLUNKING NOISE THEN DIED. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND BROKE ALL THE VALVES OFF THE MOTOR. *JS
Complaint 10681880 · Feb 7, 2015 · 80,000 miles
WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT CAR FROM DRIVE INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN AND FELL OF IN MY HAND. THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. TO REPAIR THIS LINKAGE PART, THE ENTIRE…
Complaint 10493130 · Jan 15, 2013 · 138,156 miles

Own a 2002 Explorer Sport?

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