Engine coolingPart report

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Engine cooling Problems

Complaints: 7about this part
Share: 5%of 133 total for the year
Median mileage: 5,600miles
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 5% of the 133 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,600 miles. 1 a fire, 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.

“My father-in-law has the same problem. He bought his 5 days after me, his stalled 5 times to this date. Remember the news, (fog and major pile up with numerous deaths) what was the reason ? I don't want this to be our accident waiting to happen. Intermittent , couldn't reproduce the problem. Not good enough to keep my family safe. Please help. Dt”

NHTSA complaint #769257, filed 2002-11

“I have been smelling anti-freeze. I just noticed that my radiator hose has been rubbing on the oil fill and made a nice big hole on that side as well as on the other side from another mechanism under the hood. Nice assembly. I owned my truck for 8 months now.”

NHTSA complaint #10033039, filed 2003-08

“Riding in a car in cold weather...all we can figure at this time is that there is some kind of exhaust leak..in the Ford explorer....the passenger shared with the drive the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning...the driver larger in stature was getting drowsy and not thought much about since it was after midnight, but the other person ended up getting in another car traveling with them and ended up stopping three or more times due to the symptoms....”

NHTSA complaint #10252524, filed 2008-12

Related service bulletins

10011150Aug 9, 2004Rattle noise from primary chain drive area 2000-3000 rpm - 4.0l sohc engine.
10013064Oct 28, 2002Excessive sulfur smell from exhaust.

Engine cooling: other model years

Year	Complaints	Share of year
2003	4	6%
2002	7	5%
2001	21	11%
2000	9	13%
1999	10	11%
1998	12	10%
1997	8	22%

Other parts of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport

Transmission and drivetrain
32 complaints Body and structure
28 complaints Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaints Electrical system
8 complaints Latches, locks and linkages
8 complaints Seats
8 complaints Suspension
8 complaints Vehicle speed control
7 complaints Brakes
6 complaints Air bags
4 complaints Exterior lighting
4 complaints Steering
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 28, 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