Ford Explorer Sport complaints by model year
736 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 65 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 133 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| 2001 | 188 | 18 | 11 | 5 |
| 2000 | 71 | 6 | 10 | 1 |
| 1999 | 93 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| 1998 | 121 | 5 | 13 | 0 |
| 1997 | 37 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| 1993 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →
Problem areas by model year
Complaints that name each component, 1993–2005. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.
| Component | 1993 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 11 | 2 |
| Power train | 0 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 26 | 32 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 0 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 21 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 0 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 33 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 0 | 1 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0 | 33 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Ford Explorer Sport recalls (5)
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Explorer Sport model year, newest first.
| Campaign | Filed | What | Model years | Repaired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07V336000 | Aug 3, 2007 | SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH | 2001, 2002 | — |
| 06V114000 | Apr 10, 2006 | HIGH BACK SEATS | 2001, 2002 | — |
| 03V280000 | Aug 5, 2003 | FORD/SPEED CONTROL CABLE | 2001 | — |
| 03V281000 | Aug 5, 2003 | FORD/HIGH BACK SEATS | 2001, 2002 | — |
| 00V394000 | Nov 28, 2000 | FORD/HOOD | 2000, 2001 | — |
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.
Check on NHTSA ↗Fuel economy by model year
EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Where to next
Ford Explorer Sport FAQ
How many recalls has the Ford Explorer Sport had?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns that cover at least one Ford Explorer Sport model year from 1993 to 2005. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.
Which Ford Explorer Sport year has the most complaints?
Among the last 10 model years with settled counts, the 2001 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (188) and the 1993 the fewest (5). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.
What are the most common Ford Explorer Sport problems?
Across the 1993–2005 model years, owners most often name the structure, power train, engine and engine cooling in complaints filed with NHTSA.
What mpg does the Ford Explorer Sport get?
EPA rates the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport at 15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.