Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Ford Explorer. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS
- Summary
- FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- Consequence
- A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
- Remedy
- 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 ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD/REAR LIFTGATE GLASS
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
- Consequence
- IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- 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 THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
SOUTHERN COMFORT/RUNNING BOARDS
- Summary
- CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
- Consequence
- THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
- Remedy
- 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 1-800-745-6096.
FORD/TIRE
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRES MAY HAVE HORIZONTAL CUTS ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.
- Consequence
- OVER TIME, THE TIRE COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- 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 AT 1-800-392-3673.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (3,295)
3,295 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 3,295 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 1,502 | 45.6% |
| Structure | 486 | 14.7% |
| Suspension | 422 | 12.8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 163 | 4.9% |
| Air bags | 162 | 4.9% |
| Steering | 155 | 4.7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 152 | 4.6% |
| Electrical system | 148 | 4.5% |
| Visibility | 129 | 3.9% |
| Service brakes | 116 | 3.5% |
How 2002 compares with other Explorer years
Best and worst Explorer years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1,959 | 9 |
| 1999 | 1,348 | 9 |
| 2000 | 952 | 9 |
| 2001 | 375 | 6 |
| 2002 | 3,295 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1,131 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1,304 | 0 |
| 2005 | 497 | 0 |
| 2006 | 630 | 1 |
| 2007 | 208 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 39 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $1,950
- CO₂ tailpipe
- —
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 39 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric · | 2-Wheel Drive | 45 / 33 / 39 | $1,950 | — |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2002 Explorer for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2002 Ford Explorer FAQ
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control), 04V442000 (structure), 03V094000 (structure), 01V171000 (tire). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2002 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners filed 3,295 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (1,502), Structure (486), Suspension (422) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2002 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates the Electric · version at 45 city, 33 highway and 39 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2002 Explorer compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2007 Ford Explorer model years at least five years old, the 2007 drew the fewest complaints (208) and the 2002 the most (3,295). The 2002 drew 3,295. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
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.