2002 Ford Explorer Sport: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 133 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (22% of complaints); the 2000 and 2003 and 2004 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 133 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2017
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2016
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2015
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2015
“Started my vehicle it made a clunking noise then died. The timing chain broke and broke all the valves off the motor. *js”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2014
“When I open the back glass window, one hinge broke off. I try to set the window, the other hinge broke. I have to tie a rope to keep the glass from falling off. *tr I find on line there is a recall for 2002 - 2003 ford explorer liftgate glass hinge and strut brackets, NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000. When I contacted ford dealer and ford company, they say my vehicle VIN is not covered by the recall. If other ford expolorers are covered, why my VIN is not covered? Is it because there are fewer ford explorer sport built, and less people complain about the problem? I think the recall should expand to cover all explorer build in 2002 - 2003.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2013
“While unloading items from back I had the half glass open, as I walked away the back glass just slammed down and shattered everywhere. *tr”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2013
“Lift gate window hinge broke scratching the paint and hurting my hand catching it so it would not break the other hinge. Called ford the first time this happen and they say its not part of the recall which I cant figure out since this is the third time this has happen to me since I'm the owner of my 02 explorer sport and found out this happen to the original owner once.something has to be done! I research this on line and see many other explorer owners with the same problems and the same story come on lets do something about this!!!! *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2013
“Body mount bushings complete failure. All mounts fail. Mounts fall completely apart and nothing left except for washers and bolts.this can causes body to move on frame..have made ford motor aware but no action taken. *js”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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 OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
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 MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN (03V281).
How other years compare
Check your exact Explorer Sport by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?
NHTSA has 133 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. The most complained-about area is power train (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Explorer Sport problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning tires:tread/belt. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.