2002 Ford EXPLORER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3,294 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 2,529 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 886 of 3,294 complaints (26.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1,098 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 327 | 9.9% |
| Steering behavior | 187 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 78 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 74 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 27 | 0.8% |
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 | 886 |
| Power Train | 286 |
| Suspension:Rear | 192 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments | 166 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 160 |
| Electrical System | 115 |
| Suspension | 115 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 112 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 886; Power Train: 286; Suspension:Rear: 192; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments: 166; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 160; Electrical System: 115; Suspension: 115; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 112
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 173 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 379 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 590 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 598 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 568 |
| 150,000 and above | 221 |
Under 25,000: 173; 25,000 to 49,999: 379; 50,000 to 74,999: 590; 75,000 to 99,999: 598; 100,000 to 149,999: 568; 150,000 and above: 221
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (598). 765 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 36 |
| 2002 | 134 |
| 2003 | 165 |
| 2004 | 240 |
| 2005 | 340 |
| 2006 | 280 |
| 2007 | 308 |
| 2008 | 493 |
| 2009 | 320 |
| 2010 | 377 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 100 |
| 2013 | 66 |
| 2014 | 80 |
| 2015 | 57 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2001: 36; 2002: 134; 2003: 165; 2004: 240; 2005: 340; 2006: 280; 2007: 308; 2008: 493; 2009: 320; 2010: 377; 2011: 181; 2012: 100; 2013: 66; 2014: 80; 2015: 57; 2016: 51; 2017: 23; 2018: 13; 2019: 10; 2020: 9; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1,098 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 327 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 187 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 10000738 · 2003-01-05 (January 5, 2003)
EXCESSIVE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION JERKING, AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS, PURCHASED VEHICLE AS BRAND NEW AFTER 4 MONTHS CONTACTED DEALER WHERE CARE WAS PURCHASED REGARDING PROBLEM. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE PROBLEM WAS FOUND.THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED HAS SINCE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS, VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING, CD PLAYER POWER SHUTS OFF. RATTLING WHEN HITTING BRAKES. FILED A COMPLAINT DEALER REFUSES TO BUY CAR BACK ASK ME TO TRADE CAR IN WITH MORE MONEY DOWN. THE DEALER REPAIR PERSONS CONFIRMED THAT THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000738 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003391 · 2003-01-25 (January 25, 2003)
SINCE THE VEHICLE PURCHASE, THE TRANSMISSION HAS PERFORMED ERRATICALLY, AND HAS DEGRADED OVER TIME. THERE ARE THREE MAIN ISSUES, FIRST THE VEHICLE TENDS TO FUNCTION LIKE IT DROPS INTO NEUTRAL DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION. SECONDLY, AND MORE OF A CONCERN, THE VEHICLE CREEPS MANY FEET WHEN PLACED INTO 'PARK', WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, WHEN PARKED ON A GRADE. FINALLY, IT TAKES UPWARDS OF 30 SECONDS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 'PARK' TO ANY GEAR FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY ENGAGE, IT GIVES THE FEELING OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,192 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003391 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002730 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX. AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE IS CONSTANTLY MAKING A TICKING NOISE. SOMETIMES WHEN MAKING A COMPLETE STOP THE TRUCK WILL STALL AND THEN JERK FORWARD WHEN I AM TRYING TO PUSH ON THE GAS TO GO. THIS HAPPENS SO MUCH AND I HAVE SENT IT IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS AND NO SOLUTION. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TWICE ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HAD TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES TO STOP QUICKLY THE TRUCK LOCKED UP FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN JERKED FORWARD. I STILL HAVE TO D…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005808 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE (RIGHT) IN PARKING GARAGE MY EXPLORER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCLERATION-AT FULL THROTTLE (SNAPPING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT) (EXTREMELY LOUD REVVING, WHINING AND ANOTHER SOUND LIKE A BAD BELT SCREECH ALL AT THE SAME TIME) BEFORE THE CRASH. NO BRAKES (PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR). CRASHED INTO STEEL I-BEAM BENDING IT AND CRACKING CONCRETE PILLARS. NO AIRBAG ON IMPACT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005808 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005871 · 2003-02-15 (February 15, 2003)
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE (RIGHT) IN PARKING GARAGE MY EXPLORER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCLERATION-AT FULL THROTTLE (SNAPPING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT) (EXTREMELY LOUD REVVING, WHINING AND ANOTHER SOUND LIKE A BAD BELT SCREECH ALL AT THE SAME TIME) BEFORE THE CRASH. NO BRAKES (PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR). CRASHED INTO STEEL I-BEAM BENDING IT AND CRACKING CONCRETE PILLARS. NO AIRBAG ON IMPACT.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010190 · 2003-03-09 (March 9, 2003)
THE ENGINE STALLED TWICE IN 3 DAYS, LAST FRIDAY I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED AND I HAD TO MOVE OVER 3 LANES TO STOP AT THE SHOULDER, CALLED THE POLICE, POLICEMAN CHECKED THE BATTERY, NO PROBLEM, THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T START, HE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK. I GOT CURIOUS, TRIED STARTING THE CAR, IT STARTED BACK UP. I THEN DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE TECHNICIAN SAID NO ERROR CODE AND THEREFORE NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. TODAY (SUNDAY), MY CAR STALLED AGAIN, THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CAR STARTED BACK UP. WHAT IS CAUSIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021670 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
AIR BAG SERVICED 3X, BUT AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. DEALER REPAIRED A LOOSE WIRE CONNECTION, DELETED A CODE IN HISTORY AND REPAIRED THE PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034414 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN HE HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE AND HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ROD FAILED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN JULY. IN AUGUST THE CONSUMER MADE A TURN AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE GLASS IN THE REAR HATCH RATTLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062853 · 2004-03-10 (March 10, 2004)
WHILE FILLING UP AT THE GAS STATION THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE FUEL TANK REGISTERED A FULL TANK, BUT 12 HOURS LATER, A FALSE READING OCCURRED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062853 at NHTSA ↗