2002 Ford Explorer Sport Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 133 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 5% of the 133 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving at 60-65 miles hour,I saw the brake lights of the vehicle in front of me when I applied the brakes on my car ( Explorer Sport 2002 )for the first 15 feet my car partially slowed down then it felt like it lost traction and the back swung to the right,I got it going straight again and kept the pressure on the brake pedal but the car kept going at the same speed crashing on the other vehicle. Latter I saw streaks marks of fluid coming out of the right front wheel. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10000500, filed 2003-01, 2,800 miles“The Ford dealer has replaced the rotors and brake pads twice in 4 years due to rusting rotors. According to the dealer, the rust was too deep for the rotors to be turned and had to be replaced. The first replacement was at 15,857 miles and the second replacement of the rotors and brake pads at 29701 miles. I drive this vehicle under normal conditions, it is not used off-road or any other way to cause the rust. The first time, Ford paid for the replacement of rotors but not the brake pads. The second time, I had to pay $401.00 for the entire rotor and brake replacement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10191867, filed 2007-05, 29,701 miles“While braking at 35 MPH the front/rear wheels locked up temporally. This caused extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The consumer stated that he has had 5 instances of the vehicle sliding on pavement. The consumer stated that ABS works occasionally.”
NHTSA complaint #10111536, filed 2005-03, 58,600 miles“While driving 20 MPH and coming into a turn consumer started to brake. The brakes grabbed severely, and consumer lost control of the vehicle which collided with a guard rail on the right side, and bounced to the left, colliding with an embankment. Consumer struck her head on the left window, and then driver's side air bag deployed. Consumer sustained head injuries from the glass, and burns from the air bags. The police did arrived, and consumer was cited.”
NHTSA complaint #10079834, filed 2004-06, 32,000 miles“When attempting to stop from any speed brakes malfunctioned. As a result, consumer has to stand on them in order to stop the vehicle dealer stated the rotors had been cut and hot spots developed.”
NHTSA complaint #10088000, filed 2004-08, 36,181 milesBrakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport
32 complaintsBody and structure
28 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
8 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology