2002 Ford FORD TRUCK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
56,645 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 37 complaints (18.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 29.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 8.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.7% |
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 | 7 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Power Train: 3; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Structure: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 13 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 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2002: 4; 2003: 1; 2005: 14; 2007: 12; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2014: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10011920 · 2003-04-04 (April 4, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, THE PAINT WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THE RUNNING BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED. THE BACK BED ON TRUNK NEEDED TO BE REALIGNED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DID NOT CLOSE PROPERLY EVEN AFTER REPAIR.*PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126050 · 2005-06-21 (June 21, 2005)
PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER NEW. WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. CAR NOW HAS LESS THAN 65000 MILES AND THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACE. FORD WILL NOT OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. RAPHAEL
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131163 · 2005-08-02 (August 2, 2005)
TURNED CAR INTO PARKING LOT, HAD FOOT ON BRAKE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. FINALLY, WITH MUCH PUMPING OF THE BRAKE, IT FINALLY STOPPED. NEARLY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 54,290 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131163 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10185998 · 2007-03-23 (March 23, 2007)
74400 MILES. NOISE COMING FROM REAR END AND FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE DRAGGING WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE NOISE WAS WORSE WHEN ENGAGING THE 4-WD HIGH. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD TRANSFER CASE ASSEMBLY. WAITED 2 DAYS BECAUSE THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE HAD TO APPROVE THE REPAIR. WAS TOLD THE MAIN SHAFT HAD CRACKED AND WAS ENGAGING THE 4-WD EVEN THOUGH IT DID NOT SHOW UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE IT SEEMED TO BE BETTER EVEN THOUGH NOT COMPLETELY GONE. MY MISTAKE FOR NOT RETURNING THE TRUCK BECAUSE IT STARTED…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10185998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124886 · 2005-06-10 (June 10, 2005)
I AM THE OWNER 2002 FORD EXPLORER THAT I PURCHASED FROM METRO MOTORS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN AUGUST 2002. ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2004, WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED COMPLETELY FROM THE AXIS OF THE VEHICLE. I DROVE OFF FROM THE STOP LIGHT. WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL TURN SHARPLY TO LEFT AND THE WHEEL BUCKLE. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I FELT A TUG ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THEN I FELT THE WHEEL BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED TO SUDDEN STOP. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE FRONT DRIVER''S SIDE WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192081 · 2007-05-30 (May 30, 2007)
I TOOK THE KIDS TO THE BABYSITTER AND WENT TO PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A PLACE WHERE THE SHIFTER LEVER WOULD KIND OF CATCH BETWEEN REVERSE AND PARK AND YOU HAD TO WIGGLE IT WHEN PUTTING IT INTO PARK . I WAS TOLD IT HAD TO HAVE A NEW STEERING COLUMN THAT IS $500+ NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I THINK THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IF IT HAPPENED GOING DOWN THE ROAD OR WHEN MY 15 YEAR OLD [BEGINNER DRIVER] WAS DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10192081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131926 · 2005-08-08 (August 8, 2005)
MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER, AT APPROX. 62,000 MILES WAS MAKING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. I TOOK IT TO A GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER & WAS TOLD THEY'VE SERVICED AT LEAST 6-7 OF THE 2002 EXPLORERS FOR THE SAME ISSUE- SOME WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS POOR DESIGN ON FORD'S PART OF THE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY? IT COST ME OVER $300 TO FIX THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY- THEY HAD TO REPLACE A ROTOR IN THE PROCESS BECAUSE WATER GOT IN WHERE THE SEAL BROKE AND RUSTED TO THE ROTOR AND HAD TO BE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10131926 at NHTSA ↗