Ford / Explorer Sport / 2002
2002 Ford Explorer Sport problems
Owners have filed 160 complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 20.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of structure at 18.1%.
Complaints160
Crashes12
Fires7
Injuries18
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Power train 20.6% · 33
Structure 18.1% · 29
Visibility 10.0% · 16
Electrical system 5.0% · 8
Suspension 5.0% · 8
Latches/locks/linkages 5.0% · 8
Seats 5.0% · 8
Vehicle speed control 4.4% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire, 18 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 5 model years of the Ford Explorer Sport in this data, 2002 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2001 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 22 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,500 miles.
In owners' own words
O/d light comes on and care will not go into gear (transmission). Pulling off from a stop light is a major problem and on the highway the car does not seem to want to go. Cars are flying by and all I can do to keep from causing an incident was to let up off the gas and press down on the gas hoping it will change the gear. I almost caused and accident on the first experience with the transmission. Power train · reported at 133,000 miles
Transmission o/d light started coming on and blinking periodically with hard shifting or slipping and car lurching forward before shifting. O/d stops working after o/d light starts blinking. Had transmission solenoids adjusted last year but only helped slightly then back to slipping again. Only have 88,000 miles on vehicle with good care and no towing ever. Power train · reported at 88,397 miles
My 2002 Ford explorers transmission just completely stopped working at 94,000 miles. Reading forums online led me to this site, after reading many, many others' exact same experiences with this car. Ford will do nothing about it and my family does not have the money to replace a transmission! Ford needs a recall on transmissions for this make and model! Power train · reported at 94,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…