2002 Ford Explorer

3,295 complaints on file, page 1 of 165.

1. Filed Sep 9, 2026Failure Aug 12, 2026Greenville, SCService brakes, Suspension, 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 this happened, just weak design. I took it to a shop and they charged me all my money, but nothing was fixed.

   NHTSA complaint 11763182
2. Filed Jul 20, 2026Failure Jul 4, 2026New Port Richey, FLAir bags1 injured

   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, experiencing a turn, coming to a stop, or someone in front of me stopped I could have struck another vehicle or object and caused death or injuries. I have not brought the vehicle anywhere to be checked out yet. My insurance refuses to cover it. There were no warning signs of this airbag deployment.

   NHTSA complaint 11751609
3. Filed Jul 9, 2025Failure Sep 2, 2023Central Point, ORBody, Unknown or other1 injured

   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 gently rested the glass on my hair that was put up in a bun and just a little bit of the glass was resting on the very top of my head where my hair was slicked back for my bun so my hands were free to grab the bottles of water. (My hair was the softest of resting place's). As I reached in the back to grab the water bottles I heard the loudest bang and hundreds of little pieces of glass fell everywhere around me. I was in so much distrot that I actually thought someone had shot at me with a fire arm but missed me and hit the rear glass instead. The top of my head was stinging and it felt like I had just been smacked with a tree branch and the glass had went all over me causing a few minor cuts and scrapes as I fell to my knees in shock my heart racing faster than I had even imagined a heart could beat while histaraclly crying from the trauma that just occurred I fell to the ground and for a full 15 minutes i sat there surrounded by glass and tears in so much shock, dazed and confused before I stood up and looked around at everything that then I only realized I WASN'T shot at because there was no bullet or bullet hole nor did a vehicle drive by nor was there any people closer than a mile to me when I realized that the glass had shattered for some UNKNOWN reason ON ITS OWN that it scared me so bad it traumatized me. After that day I was pulled over multiple times by numerous police agency's (sheriff, Medford PD, Central Point PD and State Police) because I didn't have the money to fix it let alone have the knowledge that it had a recall so I could get it replaced. I have pictures but it will not allow me to upload them.

   NHTSA complaint 11672158
4. Filed Jun 14, 2024Failure Jun 14, 2024118,583 milesLewisburg, TNAir bags

   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 side taillight were cracked. No injuries were sustained. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,583.

   NHTSA complaint 11594472
5. Filed Nov 30, 2023Failure Nov 23, 202388,000 milesDetroit, MIEngine

   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 or repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11557714
6. Filed Sep 9, 2022Failure Mar 1, 2022Houston, TXEngine, 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 ticking noise was coming from the engine with the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

   NHTSA complaint 11483635
7. Filed Jul 8, 2022Failure Jul 6, 2022137,000 milesChicago, ILLatch

   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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11472938
8. Filed Jun 14, 2022Failure Jun 14, 2022Calhoun City, MSPower 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

   NHTSA complaint 11469181
9. Filed Mar 30, 2022Failure Mar 29, 2022115,000 milesLakeside, CAAccelerator pedal

   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. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V422000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11458942
10. Filed Jun 22, 2021Failure Jun 22, 2021Bridgeport, CTAir bags

    The light form air bad juts got on when I was driving

    NHTSA complaint 11421822
11. Filed Apr 19, 2021Failure Apr 16, 2021261,765 milesBronx, NYAir bags

    I WAS ON MOTION WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURN ON BUT I WENT TO CHECK AND THEY SAY I HAVE TO TAKE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR

    NHTSA complaint 11412884
12. Filed Feb 25, 2021Failure Feb 13, 2021100,000 milesPhilipsburg, PAPower train

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTING WITH A CLUNKING NOISE PRESENT COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR RATIO WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER JACOB GEORGE FORD LOCATED AT 125 SPRING ST, HOUTZDALE, PA 16651 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11397933
13. Filed Dec 11, 2020Failure Dec 10, 2020Alexandria, VATires

    TL* THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEN DRIVING A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRE, TIRE LINE SOLARIS AS, TIRE SIZE 225-70-R16, DOT INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WALL BLEW AND THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE VIN, MILEAGE, INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

    NHTSA complaint 11383029
14. Filed Nov 27, 2020Failure Oct 1, 2020Chicago, ILElectrical system, Power train, Vehicle speed control

    THE ISSUES THAT I'M HAVING IS THE EXHILARATION (PICKING UP SPEED) ON A PUBLIC STREET AS WELL AS IN THE EXPRESSWAY IT HESITATES TO DO SO. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND I GO TO SWITCH GEARS IT DOES NOT WANT TO SWITCH. THE GAUGE INDICATOR COMES ON AND THE GAS IDLE BE STUCK ON EMPTY WHEN IT HAS A FULL TANK OF GAS. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE RADIO VOLUME GOES UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN. AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO START FOR ME ONE DAY THE VERY NEXT DAY IT STARTED RIGHT ON UP (LIKE IT WANT TO START BUT DIDN'T CATCH). ALL OF THIS STARTED HAPPENING AT THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER 2020

    NHTSA complaint 11376670
15. Filed Sep 8, 2020Failure Sep 6, 2020184,000 milesRoseville, CAHatchback/liftgate1 injured

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE REAL LIFT GATE, THE REAR LIFT GATE GLASS WINDOW SUDDENLY SHATTERED. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE PERSON SUSTAINED A FACIAL LACERATION WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (FUTURE FORD LOCATED AT 650 AUTOMALL DR, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11353727
16. Filed May 25, 2020Failure May 25, 2020Newburgh, NYElectrical system, Body

    SUMMER,SPRING WEATHER, ALL FOUR, CLEAR, GLASS WINDOWS DO NOT SLIDE UP OR DOWN THROUGH ITS' POWER BUTTON, ELECTRONICALLY.

    NHTSA complaint 11325882
17. Filed Apr 11, 2020Failure Mar 12, 2020189,000 milesFoley, ALExterior lighting, Seats, Suspension

    MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN A BUMP IS HIT DRIVER SIDE SEAT STOP WORKING

    NHTSA complaint 11320858
18. Filed Mar 9, 2020Failure Mar 2, 202095,474 milesModesto, CAExterior lighting, Steering, Suspension

    THE CAR ALWAYS FEELS LIKE IS ABOUT TO JUMP OFF THE ROAD OR THE LANE IM IN WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER ANY ROUGH ROAD OR POT HOLES. %ģ

    NHTSA complaint 11316967
19. Filed Feb 18, 2020Failure Jan 12, 20193,200 milesPrestonsburg, KYFuel/propulsion system, Wheels

    I HAD HAD THIS 2018 JEEP RENEGADE NOT EVEN 2.5 MONTHS AND IT NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE AND THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT THEY WERE EVERY ONE SLICK AS COULD GET AND DANGEROUS. I CALLED THE DEALER BECAUSE THE TIRES WENT BAD AND I HADN'T HAD THE FIRST 50K MILES ON IT YET AND THEY DID NOTHING. CALLED THE TIRE COMPANY THEY DID NOTHING. SO I REPLACED THEM AND ANOTHER ALMOST 3 MONTHS GO BY AND THE TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND SLICK AGAIN. THIS HAS REPEATEDLY HAPPENED EVERY 2-3 MONTHS TO WHERE THEY ARE SO DANGEROUS YOU EITHER DRIVE 30 MPH OR GET THEM CHANGED. 3 TIMES I'VE REPLACED THE TIRES AND AND THE OIL GOES SO FAST. AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH THIS VEHICLE I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY THESE PRICES FOR A 30K VEHICLE THAT'S NOT WORTH 10K.

    NHTSA complaint 11309890
20. Filed Jan 20, 2020Failure May 28, 201920,000 milesJonesboro, ARElectrical system, Engine

    WAS DRIVING ON HWY AND MY VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN AS I WAS TURNING OFF THE MAIN ROAD, LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING. WHEN I RAISED THE HOOD I SAW MY RADIATOR SMOKING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT POPPED. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IN TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR HAD EXPLODED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? I NEVER EVEN HAD IT TO OVER HEAT OR THE LIGHT NEVER EVEN ALERTED ME. JUST BLEW UP AND LEFT ME STRANDED. I WAS TOLD AFTER THE FACT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE RADIATOR! *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11300581