Complaints
160
Crashes
12
Fires
7
Injuries
18
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#118 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:86,040 mi
#210 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:91,717 mi
#39 complaints
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
Avg mileage:74,000 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 18 | — | — | 86,040 mi | |
| Body Structure | 10 | — | — | 91,717 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments | 9 | — | — | 74,000 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 8 | — | — | 96,393 mi | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 7 | — | — | 75,208 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | 1 | 2 | 80,333 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 5 | — | — | 73,450 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | — | 1 | 100,000 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,040
Body Structure
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
91,717
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,000
Transmission / Drivetrain
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,393
Side/Rear Glass
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,208
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
80,333
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,450
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
100,000
Latches / Locks
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Sport Years
2002 Ford Explorer Sport — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 Ford Explorer Sport has 160 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 18 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (18 complaints, avg 86,040 mi); Body Structure (10 complaints, avg 91,717 mi); Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments (9 complaints, avg 74,000 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?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 84,981 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?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport include 12 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 2 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 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport 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?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer Sport reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Ford Explorer Sport
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