2002 Ford Explorer: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 4095 complaints
4095
Total Complaints
79,000mi
Median Mileage
Automatic Transmission
Top Issue
178
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

51,809 25th Percentile
79,000 Median Mileage
108,037 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Automatic Transmission
887
Power Train
286
Rear
192
Hinge And Attachments
166
Differential Unit
160
Electrical System
115
Suspension
115
Hatchback/Liftgate
112
Steering
110
Body
110

Severity Assessment

178
Crashes
71
Fires
211
Injuries
6
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"PLUNGER THAT HOLDS HATCHBACK WINDOW OPENED/ FELL OFF DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT, CAUSING WINDOW TO COME CRASHING DOWN ON CONSUMER, RESULTING IN HEAD AND NECK INJURIES.*AK PE04045.PCO"
"WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT HAD TO APPLY BRAKES HARD TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. THIS HARD BRAKING ENGAGED ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM AND BROUGHT VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. HOWEVER, WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, BRAKES WOULD NOT RELEASE, AND BRAKES WERE GRABBING. ..."
"THERE IS A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN STEERING COLUMN. MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER , AND DEALER REFUSED TO FIX VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PURCHASED THERE. *AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Automatic Transmission 887 complaints
25th: 58,760 mi Median: 80,200 mi 75th: 105,728 mi
Power Train 286 complaints
25th: 93,574 mi Median: 120,000 mi 75th: 146,000 mi
Rear 192 complaints
25th: 65,000 mi Median: 80,000 mi 75th: 92,625 mi
Hinge And Attachments 166 complaints
25th: 30,167 mi Median: 43,000 mi 75th: 73,000 mi
Differential Unit 160 complaints
25th: 40,000 mi Median: 55,000 mi 75th: 75,000 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 348 NY: 302 PA: 252 TX: 213 MI: 211 OH: 208 FL: 188 NJ: 178 IL: 155 NC: 152

Who Files Complaints?

25.3%
Original Owners
74.7%
Second+ Owners

Ford Explorer — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

YearComplaintsCrashes
199176470
199284854
1993115198
19941531124
19951048107
19961818248
19972149180
19982374219
19991737143
20001203115
200150082
2003136870
2004164769
200560430
200678818
200727114
20082158
2009498
201015513
2011148148
2012101314
2013275761
2014201148
2015213852
2016294056
2017192753
201881923
20193062
2020154450
202149221
202230825
202312611
2024210
202511111

Active Recalls (10)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E049000 | 24/05/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Glass, Side/Rear
Campaign 07E104000 | 11/12/2007
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER
Headlights
Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Vehicle Speed Control
Campaign 09V399000 | 13/10/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E026000 | 23/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Glass, Side/Rear
Campaign 01I010000 | 10/04/2001
ROTATION OF THE BRACKETS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFT CYLINDERS TO DETACH FROM THE GLASS OR, IN SOME CASES, COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO BREAK. EITHER CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE GLASS IS BEING CLOSED.
FORD DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE POSITION OF BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT LIFTGATGE GLASS LIFT CYLINDER BRACKETS. IF THE BRACKETS ARE IN THE PROPER POSITION, THE BRACKET RETAINERS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE. IN CASES WHERE THE BRACKET IS NOT PROPERLY POSITION, THE BRACKET MUST B
Structure
Campaign 03V094000 | 07/03/2003
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-60
Hinge And Attachments
Campaign 04V442000 | 13/09/2004
IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE
Sidewall
Campaign 01V171000 | 24/05/2001
OVER TIME, THE TIRE COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND, IF ANY SLICES ARE FOUND, THE CUT TIRES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD

Extend Your Transmission Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

  • Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
  • Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
  • Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
  • Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
  • Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately

Compare Ford Explorer

vs Chevrolet Tahoe → vs Jeep Grand Cherokee →

Vehicle Rankings

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28