2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

190

Owner Complaints

8 Crashes 3 Fires

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

19

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

The 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC has received a total of 190 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER. 19 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (17 complaints), Vehicle Speed Control (11 complaints), and Electrical System (10 complaints).

Recalls for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, potentially affecting up to 18,214,824 vehicles.

Recall 07V336000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

| 3,600,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 61,944 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 03V281000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

| 1,552,880 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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...

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Recall 01X001000 — TIRES:TREAD/BELT

| 13,000,000 vehicles affected

Defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE...

Consequence: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

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Owner Complaints for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

190 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 17
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 11 3 Crashes 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 10
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 10
Power Train
Complaints: 10
Structurebody
Complaints: 10 1 Crash 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 7
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 7
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 6
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 6 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 5
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 4
Suspension
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 3
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 3
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 3
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 3
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 3 1 Injury
Seats
Complaints: 3
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 2
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
Complaints: 2
Seat Belts
Complaints: 2
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Service Brakes
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 2
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Tires
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical System12v24v48v Batterycables
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1
Engine
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signalswitch
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systeminjectors
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestorage
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherdelivery
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherdeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherstoragetank Assemblyfillingcharging
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steering
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Structurebodybumpers
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcables
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11535514 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | | 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following day it was discovered that the cruise control switch located on the steering wheel had overheated and melted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.
#11337884 | TIRES | | 187,675 miles
I WAS DRIVING ON I-65 SOUTH BOUND ON I-65 IN GOODLETTESVILLE, TENNESSEE WHEN MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE HAD PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT AND APPARENTLY THE STEEL BELTS CAME APART AND BLUE OUTWARD.
#11277193 | SERVICE BRAKES | | 168,177 miles
IN THE MORNING OR WHENEVER DAMP MY FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING, THEN STOPPING..
#11252562 | SEATS | | 170,000 miles
RE: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. IT APPEARS THAT THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, HAS FRACTURED AND THE SEAT BACK IS PERMANENTLY IN THE RECLINED POSITION. THIS MAKES DRIVING VERY CUMBERSOME SINCE I HAVE NO BACK SEAT SUPPORT WHILE I AM DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. LUCKILY, AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. I JUST DISCOVERED THAT A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM SO I CONTACTED FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 AND ENTERED THE RECALL ID 03S04 AND THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THE RECALL ID DID NOT EXIST. CAN I STILL GET MY SEAT FIXED VIA THIS RECALL? NOTE THAT THE DATE SUBMITTED FOR THE INCIDENT IS AN APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE.
#11024731 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
OD LIGHT FLASHING, REBUILDS TRANSMISION AND NOTHING CHANGE, I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS PROBLEMS ON EXPLORERS, RANGERS AND MUSTANGS

View all Power Trainautomatic Transmission complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

Ford Motor Company has issued 19 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

04213 — SUSPENSION:REAR

SQUEAKING NOISE FROM REAR SWAY BAR LINK. *TT

03235 — STRUCTURE:BODY

BED EXTENDER COMPONENT REPLACEMENT SERVICE TIP. *TT

17231 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) LIGHT FLASHING WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B2477 AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS MODULE. *TT

0322 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

STREAMLINED DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE FOR VEHICLES WITH MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0401, P0402, P1400 OR P1401, OR RUNS ROUGH, LACKS POWER, SURGE, POOR FUEL ECONOMY, AND THE ABOVE LISTED DTCS WITHOUT MIL. *TT

16424 — STRUCTURE:BODY

NEW TONNEAU COVER LOCK CYLINDER RETAINER CLIPS RELEASED FOR SERVICE. *MJ

02173 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

ELECTRICAL-RADIO-SPEAKER WHINE NOISE-VEHICLES WITH ULTIMATE PIONEER RADIO SYSTEM PRODUCED ON OR AFTER 3/4/2002 ONLY. *MJ

16253 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

EQUIPPED WITH A HARD TONNEAU COVER. * MJ

16121 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT UNEVEN AND / OR PREMATURE FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR, PARTICULARLY THE FRONT INSIDE PAD. *TT

15898 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START / NO START CONDITION DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE BLEED DOWN. *TT

0283 — POWER TRAIN

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

Showing 10 of 19 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

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