2002 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
144 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
48,104 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 106 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 144 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 31 | 21.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 18.1% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 11.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 4.9% |
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 | 17 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 7 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 17; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Electrical System: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 10; Power Train: 10; Structure:Body: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 31 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 31; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 9
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (31). 38 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 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 24 |
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 24; 2004: 19; 2005: 12; 2006: 5; 2007: 6; 2008: 22; 2009: 12; 2010: 8; 2011: 7; 2012: 8; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 26 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 17 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002758 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
I DRIVE A 2002 FORD SPORT TRAC WITH FOLLOWING PROBLEMS THAT CAN NOT BE CORRECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.1) THE FUEL TANK IS NOT PROPERLY VENTED, BECAUSE THE LAST 3-4 GALLONS COULD TAKE 3-4 MINUTES TO ACCOMPLISH WHILE REFUELING. 2) WHILE DRIVING BETEEN 60-65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND FOLLOWING THE DEALERSHIP'S INSTRUCTIONS, THE BEST THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISH IS 15-16 MPG. 3) THE OVER-HEAD TEMPERATURE CAN NOT BE CALIBRATED, IT REMAINS 4-5 DEGREES OFF.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,642 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004731 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
SEAT BELTS DIFFICULT TO DISENGAGE AND SECURE. *JB NAR 1/21/2002
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004739 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
THERE IS A "LINE OF SEPARATION" BETWEEN HEADLINER ALONG THE TOP OF FRONT WINDSHIELD. CAN FEEL AIR COMING INTO INTERIOR CABIN. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED GLASS MAY ENTER INTERIOR IF HIT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004740 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
THERE IS A HOLE IN FRONT BUMPER WITHOUT A FRILL OR GUARD WHICH ALLOWS DEBRIS TO ENTER DIRECTLY INTO VEHICLE'S RADIATOR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006955 · 2002-10-02 (October 2, 2002)
THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANK/VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL FUEL SPLASHES INTO THE VAPOR RECOVERY CANISTER AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. FORD ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 60-90 DAYS FOR A SOLUTION. IN THE MEANTIME I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE TANK 3/4 FULL OR LESS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS DESIGN PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IF IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THEN EVERY SP…
Owner-reported narrative. 33 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007551 · 2003-02-15 (February 15, 2003)
I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AND TRUCK WOULD BARELY STOP. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007712 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)
2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC-DURING FUELING GAS SPITS OUT OF THE FILLER. SERVICE MANAGER SAID TO ME THAT LOTS OF SPORT TRACS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND FORD CAN'T FIND THE ANSWER TO IT. THEY ARE NOT LETTING THIS OUT TO THE PUBLIC OR ON A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO IT! MY SPORT TRAC HAS BEEN IN THEIR FOR OVER A MONTH AND THEY HAVEN'T RESOLVED THIS YET!!!!!!!
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008112 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
SPITS OUT GAS WHEN I START TO FILL IT UP. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES BETWEEN 8/02-2/03 FOR A CUMLATIVE TOTAL OF 35 DAYS! IT'S RUNNING NOW, BUT FOR HOW LONG BEFORE IT GOES BACK IN THE SHOP IS ANYBODY'S GUESS. I ASKED ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER SPORT TRACS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, HE SAID NO. IF THAT WAS THE CASE, WHY WAS THE PART HE NEEDED TO FIX MY TRUCK ON NATIONAL BACKORDER? THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO EVERYONES ATTENTION THAT HAS A SPORT TRAC. GAS SPITTING OUT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN T…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,865 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008112 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V281000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
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.
Consequence: THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2007-08-03 (August 3, 2007)
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.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗