2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

160

Owner Complaints

12 Crashes 7 Fires 2 Deaths

5

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

16

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

The 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT has received a total of 160 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 16 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (18 complaints), Structurebody (10 complaints), and Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments (9 complaints).

Recalls for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, potentially affecting up to 18,223,409 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 06V114000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

| 8,585 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, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.

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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL...

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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

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

Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 18
Structurebody
Complaints: 10 1 Injury
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
Complaints: 9 2 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 8
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 7 2 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 6 1 Crash 2 Fires
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
Complaints: 5
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 5 1 Fire
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 4
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Structure
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 2 Injuries 1 Death
Suspension
Complaints: 4
Tires
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Visibility
Complaints: 4 1 Injury
Air Bags
Complaints: 3 3 Crashes 3 Injuries 1 Death
Seats
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Steering
Complaints: 3
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 2
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 2
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 2
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
Complaints: 2
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemhoseslinespipingfittings
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Equipment
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signalswitch
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelatch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Hubs
Complaints: 1
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 1
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 1
Seatsmidrear Assembly
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes
Complaints: 1
Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Structurebodytailgatehinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Arm
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfronthub
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11675907 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good
#11675907 | SUSPENSION | | N/A miles
Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good
#11675907 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good
#11045781 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 80,000 miles
REAR WINDOW HINGES FAILED ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE REQUIRING BOTH HINGES THAT HOLDS THE REAR WINDOW GLASS IN PLACE TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPAIR HINGES BUT THE REAR WINDOW IS NOW UNABLE TO BE OPENED DUE TO LATCH BEING DAMAGED BY HINGES AND DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE LATCH THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE REAR WINDOW. THEY REFERRED ME TO A GLASS REPAIR SHOP TO DO THE REPAIR.
#11033157 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 155,000 miles
I WENT TO OPEN MY BACK WINDOW AND IT BROKE I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY SUV I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT

View all Power Trainautomatic Transmission complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

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

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

Ford Motor Company has issued 16 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

0427 — STEERING

STEERING SHUDDER DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS - 4.0L ENGINE. *TT

17647 — STRUCTURE

PAINT PEELING AND/OR BUBBLING ON THE CENTER FINISH PANEL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TT

17376 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LACKS POWER/RUNS ROUGH/BLACK SMOKE CONDITION. *TT

17378 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INTERMITTENT ENGINE DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. VEHCLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BUILT BETWEEN 03/04/2002 AND 12/01/2002. *TT

17379 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ROUGH IDLE, HESITATION ON COLD ENGINE TIP-IN AND/OR HESITATION DURING A 5-3 DOWNSHIFT. *TT

17253 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

WATER LEAK NEAR THE ROOF OPENING PANEL. 2004 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC INCLUDED. *TT

17198 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

WEAR-THROUGH CONDITION ON THE ABRASION SLEEVE OF THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE NEAR THE AIR CONDITIONING ACCUMULATOR OR TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK. *TT

16624 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SLOW FUEL FILL CONDITION. *TT

16124 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME VEHICLES BUILT ON OR AFTER 3/4/2002 MAY EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT ENGINE DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. ENGINEER IS INVESTIGATING. *TT

15863 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

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

Showing 10 of 16 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

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

Other Model Years of the FORD EXPLORER SPORT

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Other FORD Models

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