2002 Ford EXPLORER SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
133 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
71,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 101 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 133 complaints (13.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 16.5% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 7.5% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | 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 |
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
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 27 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 27; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 32 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2002: 5; 2003: 13; 2004: 12; 2005: 15; 2006: 3; 2007: 16; 2008: 11; 2009: 9; 2010: 18; 2011: 6; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2014: 4; 2015: 5; 2016: 2; 2017: 5; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007193 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF HOW TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL OR HOW TO ADD TRANSMISSION FLUID.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007193 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111752 · 2005-02-17 (February 17, 2005)
NHTSA RECALL 04V442000 ON THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS. NO PARTS AVAILABLE SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2004. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE SHIFTER BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000500 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 60-65 MILES HOUR,I SAW THE BRAKE LIGHTS OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON MY CAR ( EXPLORER SPORT 2002 )FOR THE FIRST 15 FEET MY CAR PARTIALLY SLOWED DOWN THEN IT FELT LIKE IT LOST TRACTION AND THE BACK SWUNG TO THE RIGHT,I GOT IT GOING STRAIGHT AGAIN AND KEPT THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING AT THE SAME SPEED CRASHING ON THE OTHER VEHICLE. LATTER I SAW STREAKS MARKS OF FLUID COMING OUT OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079834 · 2004-06-24 (June 24, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND COMING INTO A TURN CONSUMER STARTED TO BRAKE. THE BRAKES GRABBED SEVERELY, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COLLIDED WITH A GUARD RAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AND BOUNCED TO THE LEFT, COLLIDING WITH AN EMBANKMENT. CONSUMER STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE LEFT WINDOW, AND THEN DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES FROM THE GLASS, AND BURNS FROM THE AIR BAGS. THE POLICE DID ARRIVED, AND CONSUMER WAS CITED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054822 · 2004-01-24 (January 24, 2004)
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING ON 495 CAPITOL BELTWAY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL AND COLLIDE INTO GUARDRAIL AND UTILITY POLE. COLLISION CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND INJURY TO DRIVER. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104741 · 2004-12-29 (December 29, 2004)
LEFT TURN SIGNAL INOPERABLE AT TIMES. BULB REPLACED BUT DID NOT HELP. DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT CONNECTOR @ MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH DID NOT KEEP GOOD CONNECTION IN STEERING COLUMN. UNIT IS 2002 MODEL WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES. COST OF REPAIR EXCESSIVE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 44,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162078 · 2006-07-11 (July 11, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE OPENING THE BACK WINDOW, THE LEFT SIDE HINGE FELL OFF. THE WINDOW WAS HANGING BY ONE HINGE. AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO SECURE THE WINDOW, BUT WHILE THE WINDOW WAS BEING ADJUSTED, THE RIGHT HINGE FELL OFF. THE WIRING FROM THE BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER HELD THE WINDOW IN PLACE AND KEPT THE WINDOW FROM FALLING TO THE GROUND. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED AND DETERMINED THE HINGES WERE STRIPPED. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED A REPLACEMENT HINGE KIT TO REPAIR THE WINDOW.
Owner-reported narrative. 81,853 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200791 · 2007-08-26 (August 26, 2007)
FORD RECALL 05S28-SIRS, YOUR WEBSITE RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT THE AFFECTED VEHICLES SHOULD BE RETURNED IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER FOR DISCONNECTION OF THE PROBLEM SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WHILE AWAITING AVAILABILITY OF REPLACEMENT WIRING PARTS, HOWEVER, THE RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED THIS WEEK DOES NOT MENTION THIS, NOR DID THE DEALER WHEN I CALLED HIM. HAS THIS INTERIM REPAIR BEEN CANCELED? THANK YOU, WRL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10200791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011110 · 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280960 · 2009-08-19 (August 19, 2009)
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN I SLOW DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR TO MAKE A TURN THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND I LOOSE ALL POWER. I HAVE TO KEEP ONE FOOT ON THE GAS TO KEEP IT IDLING AND ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280960 at NHTSA ↗