Is the 2002 Ford Explorer a bad year?
3,291 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 1,500, 36× a quiet Explorer year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer were filed between 58k and 110k miles. You're at 81,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Explorer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 81,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 1,500 (46%) | 58k–110k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 486 (15%) | 42k–99k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 421 (13%) | 61k–95k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 78 (2%) | 60k–112k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 50 (2%) | 49k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 182 (6%) | 62k–135k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 162 (5%) | 44k–132k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 155 (5%) | 76k–130k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 152 (5%) | 40k–116k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 147 (4%) | 55k–130k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipers | 138 (4%) | 50k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 80 (2%) | 36k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 72 (2%) | 40k–117k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Tires | 40 (1%) | 37k–89k miles · around this mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 81,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 3,291 complaints: 144 mention a crash · 56 mention a fire · 149 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Over the past month my 2002 Ford explorer limited has begun to knock very hard when put into reverse and it also shifts badly once rolling forward, knocking and jerking.
The transmission sometimes slipped when we first bought the vehicle new. We were told that was normal. The vehicle now will not lock into second gear, told we needed a new transmission.
Vehicle out of warranty now at 114k miles. Transmission just replaced at my cost and now the rear differential is making a bad howling noise.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 81,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Ford Explorer: 10
The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn. A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as DOT-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles may not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to federal motor vehicle… In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(S) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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. If the hinge should fracture, there is a potential for the glass to fall and ultimately break and personal injuries could occur.
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… This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
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. Over time, the tire could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 2002 Ford explorer and Mercury montaineer sport utility vehicles. The brackets connecting the left cylinders to each side of the liftgate glass could rotate out of position if either the urethane bond or torque are not sufficient. Rotation of the brackets could potentially cause the lift cylinders to detach from the glass or, in some cases, could potentially cause the liftgate glass to break. Either condition is most likely to occur when the glass is being closed.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 1
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Ford Explorer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
NHTSA defect investigations: 7
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Vehicle rollaway allegations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Stuck engine throttle
Rear liftgate glass assembly
Neighbouring years
2001 Explorer: 375 complaints, keep it · 2003 Explorer: 1,131 complaints, consider selling.
Every Ford Explorer year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Explorer years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Ford Explorer a bad year?
3,291 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 1,500, 36× a quiet Explorer year. At 81,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer were filed between 58k and 110k miles. You're at 81,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Explorer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (1,500), body structure (486), suspension (421), wheels (78), latches and locks (50). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 58k–110k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Explorer have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Speed control (NHTSA 09V-399), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 07E104000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.