Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train32
- Structure28
- Visibility16
- Suspension8
- Electrical system8
- Seats8
- Latches/locks/linkages8
- Vehicle speed control7
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 14 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport failed the safety check 1.51% of the time — 25% less often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 145,058 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 15.4–15.6 L/100 km (about 15 mpg US), CO₂ 354–359 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 16.9 | 13.5 | 15.4 |
| Explorer Sport 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 17.8 | 12.9 | 15.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637924 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3L, 3.0L OR 4.0L ENGINE AND 5R44E OR 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A FLUID LEAK AT THE TRANSMISSION SERVO COVERS IN COLD CLIMATES. *TT |
| 637922 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS. *TT |
| 637920 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 SOHC (SINGLE OVER-HEAD CAM) ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A PRIMARY TIMING CHAIN RATTLE NOISE. *TT |
| 637843 | SOME VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A ROUGH IDLE, LOW SPEED ENGINE QUIT, HESITATION ON COLD ENGINE TIP-IN AND / OR HESITATION DURING A 5-3 DONWSHIFT. *TT |
| 637803 | CONCERNS WITH BRAKE VIBRATION, ROUGHNESS AND / OR GRINDING NOISE, AND EXCESSIVE BRAKE ROTOR CORROSION. *TT |
| 637794 | SUBJECT REGARDING PIONEER TREMOR / ULTIMATE 450 WATT AUDIO SYSTEM WHINE NOISE. *TT |
| 637781 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START / NO START CONDITION DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE BLEED DOWN. *TT |
| 637755 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO). *TT |
| 637726 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT SOFT CLUTCH PEDAL WHICH MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING GEARS (A NOTCHY FEEL). *TT |
| 637719 | SUBJECT REGARDING A WHINE NOISE CONDITION FROM THE SPEAKERS WHEN USING THE RADIO OR THE CD WITH THE PIONEER TREMORE / PIONEER ULTIMATE 450 WATT AUDIO SYSTEM. *TT |
| 637710 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURE). *TT |
| 637584 | RUNNING CHANGE FOR THE UPPER RADIATOR SIGHT SHIELD. *TT |
| 637478 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5R55E/5R44E TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A WHINE NOISE IN 1ST GEAR THAT GOES AWAY AFTER THE 1-2 OR 1-3 SHIFT IS COMPLETED. *TT |
| 637460 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF STEERING WHEEL LEATHER PEELING. *TT |
| 637452 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT WIND NOISE AROUND THE FRONT DOORS, NEAR THE TOP REAR-WARD PORTION OF THE DOOR / GLASS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR IN A CROSS WIND. *TT |
| 636395 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINE AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT STUMBLE DURING DECELERATION AND / OR AT STOPS WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. *TT |
| 636366 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT ADHESIVE EXTRUDING FROM THE HEADLINER MATERIAL AROUND THE MOONROOF. *TT |
| 636324 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EITHER A VERY HARD OR VERY SOFT CLUTCH PEDAL FEEL. *TT |
| 636235 | EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 636233 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A GEAR WHINE TYPE NOISE IN 1ST AND / OR 2ND GEARS ONLY. *TT |
| 636212 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURES) IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. *TT |
| 636161 | INFORMATION ON SERVICING THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TILT STEERING COLUMN. *TT |
| 636147 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT ON OR AFTER 3/4/2002 MAY EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT ENGINE DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. ENGINEER IS INVESTIGATING. *TT |
| 636143 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT UNEVEN AND / OR PREMATURE FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR, PARTICULARLY THE FRONT INSIDE PAD. *TT |
| 636135 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 03/04/2002 AND EQUIPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A HARD TO SHIFT CONDITION. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
STUCK ENGINE THROTTLE
REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLY
FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation