2002 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 132about this part
- Share
- 4%of 3,295 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 132 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 3,295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,500 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Rear pads and rotors failed june 8, 2015. O/d light blinking with check engine light on, on june 12, 2015. Transmission shop got the codes and stated I don't have 2nd and 5th gears. $2000.00 cost. Please force recall! Help! Many other repairs including u-joints, tie rods, front axle, front rotors with pads etc. Since I bought it in april 2013.”
NHTSA complaint #10726347, filed 2015-06, 118,000 miles“At 51,894 we were surprised to find that our rear wheel bearings and hub assembly had to be replaced this started as a whine and clicking noise total charge to fix approx 750.00 -- according to others on this site this could have caused an accident. At this time we also had a very loose parking brake, but was told by the dealer that it couldn't be tightened until the grooves wore out?”
NHTSA complaint #10226111, filed 2008-04, 51,894 miles“Continuous problems with transmission, and e-brake. E brake replaced and bad again. Had transmission repair at dealership a 400 miles before 75,000 mile warranty ended. Taken back 100 miles later transmission problem again. Past warranty now and still having problems. I will not buy Ford again, it has been a nightmare. Also air bag light keeps coming on. -please ignore equipment part of this complaint, I misunderstood.”
NHTSA complaint #10224168, filed 2008-04, 74,719 miles“Brake pedal fades and goes clear down to floorboard while stopped at a stop light or stop sign. Problem is getting worse. I have taken to dealer 5 times and last time the service manager told me this is normal. He said that some others (not all)do the same thing. Mine started this at about 28,000 miles. I currently have 35400 miles on vehicle. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10002834, filed 2003-01, 28,000 miles“As I was driving home from work my fuel gauge went from full to empty and the check gauge light came on then the vehicle died and I lost power steering and the power brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #10458608, filed 2012-05, 135,000 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 19 | 18% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 24 | 5% |
| 2020 | 88 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 11 | 2% |
| 2017 | 22 | 1% |
| 2016 | 19 | 1% |
| 2015 | 34 | 2% |
| 2014 | 27 | 2% |
| 2013 | 40 | 2% |
| 2012 | 21 | 3% |
| 2011 | 28 | 2% |
| 2010 | 15 | 13% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% |
| 2007 | 12 | 6% |
| 2006 | 41 | 7% |
| 2005 | 18 | 4% |
| 2004 | 53 | 4% |
| 2003 | 45 | 4% |
| 2002 | 132 | 4% |
| 2001 | 33 | 9% |
| 2000 | 64 | 7% |
| 1999 | 69 | 5% |
| 1998 | 94 | 5% |
| 1997 | 96 | 6% |
| 1996 | 132 | 9% |
| 1995 | 80 | 9% |
| 1994 | 261 | 22% |
| 1993 | 244 | 26% |
| 1992 | 99 | 16% |
| 1991 | 123 | 20% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Explorer
1,502 complaintsBody and structure
486 complaintsSuspension
422 complaintsEngine cooling
163 complaintsAir bags
162 complaintsSteering
155 complaintsVehicle speed control
152 complaintsElectrical system
148 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
138 complaintsWheels
78 complaintsFuel system
72 complaintsEquipment
60 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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