2002 Ford Explorer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (779) · Power Train (219) · Suspension:rear (183)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Explorer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
2,523 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (258)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal 2009-05-01 · TSB-08-19-3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle lube leak. *pe
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2007-10-01 · 07212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes f-53 motorhome chassis. updated 2/23/10. *pe
Electrical System 2006-04-29 · 19091 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
low oil pressure indication/warning, a/c compressor inoperative and/or no crank condition on 4.6l equipped vehicles. *tt
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System 2006-01-01 · 05213 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
malfunction indicator lamp on with pcm diagnostic trouble code p0463 and/or ic diagnostic trouble code b1201 - fuel gauge drops to empty or slow to update after refueling. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 258 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-09 · Wheels“the rear toe arms came unhinged or disconnected from their placement and sank down to continuously rub a groove in the inner rim. the suspension was affected, the steering was effecting especially when turning, it made the brakes stick, and made loud crunching and rolling noises. it is quite frankly dangerous. it was through no fault of mine that t…”
2026-07-20 · Air Bags“i was driving down the road and my airbag instantly deployed in my face without cause or notice. i became completely disoriented as it hit my hand and face with severe force and was extremely loud and shocking. i thank god that i had just let off the gas and didn't hurt anyone else. if i had panicked or was going through an intersection, experienci…”
2025-07-09 · Unknown Or Other“september 2, 2023 at about 6 pm i pulled over to grab a couple water bottles from the rear of my 2002 ford explorer sport cause my engine was overheating. i got out walked to the rear of my vehicle pushed my unlatch button on the tailgate and i lifted the glass part of the rear hatch. both air hinges were not working correctly to keep it up so i g…”
2024-06-14 · Air Bags · 118,583 mi“the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the contact stated that while her fiancé was driving 45 mph, the driver’s side and passenger’s side air bags inadvertently deployed without an impact or a crash, causing the contact’s fiancé to swerve and drive down into a ditch. no warning lights were illuminated. the front bumper, windshield, and passenger’s…”
2023-11-30 · Engine · 88,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle shut off. the contact was able to coast off the freeway. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact called an independent mechanic, but the mechanic declined to service the vehicle. the local dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed…”
2022-09-09 · Steering“the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the contact stated that the steering wheel intermittently seized while driving at various speeds without warning. after finding a replacement part at a salvage yard, the contact had the steering wheel replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted. the contact also stated that an abnormal …”
2022-07-08 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch · 137,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the hood latch independently released, causing the hood to strike the windshield. the contact was able to get to the side of the roadway and closed the hood. the contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. the manu…”
2022-06-14 · Power Train“overdrive light flashes after driving a little bit hard shifting doesn't shift into overdrive 4x4 lights indicate that it's working when the buttons are pushed but doesn't go into 4x4…”
2022-03-30 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal · 115,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. the contact stated while entering the highway at approximately 45 mph and accelerating to overtake the next vehicle, the accelerator pedal went to the floorboard however, the vehicle did not respond. the contact was able to pull over safely off the highway. there were no warning lights on the instrument panel.…”
2021-06-22 · Air Bags“the light form air bad juts got on when i was driving …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.