2002 Ford Explorer Sport Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 133 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the seats of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 6% of the 133 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“Front driver side seat has been broke with recliner problem since the recall on it in 2003, they never corrected the problem and tried to charge me when the mailed me the recall. Additionally, there was a new recall as of april 2006 on the same exact thing that they will not honor.”
NHTSA complaint #10168082, filed 2006-09, 28,000 miles“Took vehicle in to have NHTSA action number pe03020 - bolt replace due to back of seat falling backwards during driving. Bolt broke allowing the seat back to fall backwards. Was informed by airport Ford (dealership) that due to the broken bolt that the seat frame was damaged and I would have to pay $350 to get the frame fixed. Ford dealer indicated that they could not replace bolt due to damage to seat frame - which was caused by the bolt breaking. Called Ford motor co and they said that as far as they knew the damaged seat frame caused the bolt (which was on the recall) to break. …”
NHTSA complaint #10353210, filed 2010-08, 160,893 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. When the contact entered the vehicle, the back of the seat reclined and would not remain upright. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03v281000 (seats: front assembly: recliner). The current mileage was 67,477 and failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 10/31/07.”
NHTSA complaint #10205364, filed 2007-10, 55,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. While driving at an unknown speed, the left side of the driver's seat detached from the base, causing the contact to fall back against the rear seats. Prior to the failure, he noticed that the seat would only recline in one vertical position. There was no crash involved and the vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 85,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10229735, filed 2008-06, 85,000 miles“Consumer received recall# 03v281000 notice concerning high back seats. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer who kept the vehicle all day. Upon returning to dealer to pick up vehicle consumer realized that dealer did no repairs because the parts were not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10040460, filed 2003-09Related recalls
- 06V114000Apr 10, 2006On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism…Covers: Ford Explorer Sport 2001–2002
- 03V281000Aug 5, 2003On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism…Covers: Ford Explorer Sport 2001–2002, Explorer 1998–2001, Mercury Mountaineer 1998–2001 +1 more
Seats: 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 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