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2002 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3,295 owner complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2002 Ford Explorer
24
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.1× the Explorer median · #1 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3,295350 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Ford Explorer has problems

3,295 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 train150233
Structure48661
Suspension4225
Engine and engine cooling16312
Air bags16268
Steering15513
Vehicle speed control15239
Electrical system14822
Visibility12919
22 other systems58545

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

4 recalls

2002 Ford Explorer 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

Hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments

Recall 04V-442 · Sep 13, 2004 · 955,732 vehicles

Risk. IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

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?

80kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 1,276 power train complaints. 66% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
88under 30k miles843under 100k miles433100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

235 owners mentioned a cost

$2,300median

Middle half: $1,250 – $3,060

Suspension

39 owners mentioned a cost

$800median

Middle half: $500 – $1,945

Steering

26 owners mentioned a cost

$1,233median

Middle half: $925 – $1,500

Structure

25 owners mentioned a cost

$700median

Middle half: $450 – $948

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Explorer 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 median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Ford Explorer safety ratings

2002 Ford Explorer 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Ford Explorer frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Ford Explorer side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. MIS-ASSEMBLED AIRBAG CLOCKSPRINGEA02010 · closed Feb 25, 2003
    No recall
  3. Vehicle Rollaway AllegationsEA09013 · closed Feb 12, 2013
    No recall
  4. REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLYPE04045 · closed Sep 28, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-442
  5. STUCK ENGINE THROTTLEPE05037 · closed Nov 2, 2005
    No recall
  6. VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONSPE09020 · closed Aug 19, 2009
    No recall
  7. INOPERATIVE AIR BAG SYSTEMSQ01015 · closed Jul 2, 2002
    No recall
In owners' words

What Explorer owners report

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

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 are pushed but doesn't go into 4x4
Complaint 11469181 · Jun 14, 2022
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTING WITH A CLUNKING NOISE PRESENT COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR RATIO WAS…
Complaint 11397933 · Feb 25, 2021 · 100,000 miles
THE ISSUES THAT I'M HAVING IS THE EXHILARATION (PICKING UP SPEED) ON A PUBLIC STREET AS WELL AS IN THE EXPRESSWAY IT HESITATES TO DO SO. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND I GO TO SWITCH GEARS IT DOES NOT WANT TO SWITCH. THE GAUGE INDICATOR COMES ON AND THE GAS IDLE BE STUCK ON EMPTY WHEN IT HAS A FULL…
Complaint 11376670 · Nov 27, 2020

Own a 2002 Explorer?

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