2002 Ford Explorer Sport Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 133 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 6% of the 133 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles.
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.
“Rear door glass hatch hinges came off.this was my wifes vehicle driven very little until she passed away 2009.then it was driven even less. Back hatch glass was never used as far as I know. She always used the metal door. I drove it to grocery store,put groceries in back using large door. When I got home I just grabbed glass hatch handle by mistake,it came off in my hand.both hinges were broken. …”
NHTSA complaint #10616693, filed 2014-07, 69,464 miles“I own a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. As I drove the vehicle into a parking lot I heard a clanking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. After I parked the vehicle, I looked at the lift gate and saw no damage. I opened the back deck of the vehicle. When I closed it, the rear window fell out. The hinges on the rear glass separated from the vehicle causing the rear gas to fall out. I had my vehicle towed to the nearest Ford dealer, fearing that driving the vehicle would cause the rear glass to break. The dealer told me the cost of repair would be $407.00. …”
NHTSA complaint #10341594, filed 2010-07, 92,000 miles“The rear doors will not open from the inside. Also, the rear windows will not go up or down. Dealer made repairs that temporarily fixed the windows. The problem returned about two months after the repairs were done.”
NHTSA complaint #10046421, filed 2003-11, 6,000 miles“Intermittently hatch back lever when pulled up to open the hatch failed to release and went back down. When this occurred the hatch back would not close.”
NHTSA complaint #10052032, filed 2003-12, 11,000 miles“I own a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport and rear glass hinge fractured/broke and caused glass to fall on one side and hurt daughters wrist. Took to local Ford dealership and they said no recall and it would cost $300-$400 to fix and then hydraulics probably would not work and glass could break increasing the cost to $700 - $800 or more. I searched and found numerous complaints on web. I contacted Ford by phone and was told no recall so to have fixed and keep receipt in case there was a recall. They said nothing they could do because no recall. No concern for safety was shown.”
NHTSA complaint #10347794, filed 2010-08Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport
32 complaintsBody and structure
28 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBrakes
6 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