Complaints
190
Crashes
8
Fires
3
Injuries
13
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#117 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:67,117 mi
#211 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:92,722 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:1
#310 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:118,146 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 17 | — | — | 67,117 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | 3 | 1 | 92,722 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | — | — | 118,146 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | — | — | 46,412 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 10 | — | — | 117,434 mi | |
| Body Structure | 10 | 1 | 1 | 72,319 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | — | 12,691 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 7 | — | — | 48,800 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 6 | — | — | 32,109 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 6 | — | — | 59,880 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | — | — | 35,704 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,117
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
92,722
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,146
Engine & Cooling
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
46,412
Transmission / Drivetrain
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
117,434
Body Structure
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
72,319
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
12,691
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,800
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
32,109
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,880
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,704
Electrical System:Wiring
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Instrument Cluster
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Sport Trac Years
2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has 190 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 17 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (17 complaints, avg 67,117 mi); Unintended Acceleration (11 complaints, avg 92,722 mi); Electrical Faults (10 complaints, avg 118,146 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 69,343 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac include 8 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (automatic transmission) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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