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EnginePart report

2002 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

Complaints
49about this part
Share
1%of 3,295 total for the year
Median mileage
134,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 3,295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My truck began to shake when I stop at stop signs and lights. The service engine soon light came on and would not go out. I got a code reading, there were many fuel ejection issues. I got a diagnostic test today, and was told it could be the fuel pump. When I put gas in, the gas pump gets stuck inside sometimes. Does not come out smoothly. What is going on?”

NHTSA complaint #10705713, filed 2015-04, 119,000 miles

“In 2009 on the way to our family vacation our transmission failed. We had it towed and the transmission replaced with a Ford rebuilt transmission with a warranty purchase. In 2012 this rebuilt transmission failed and we had it taken to a Ford dealer and the transmission replaced with another transmission. This current transmission is exhibiting the same symptoms as the last two did prior to failure.”

NHTSA complaint #10702092, filed 2015-03, 80,000 miles

“Was driving on hwy and my vehicle just shut down as I was turning off the main road, lost all control of steering. When I raised the hood I saw my radiator smoking and all of a sudden it popped. Had to have it towed in to the shop and was told that the radiator had exploded and the engine seized up! How could this happen? I never even had it to over heat or the light never even alerted me. Just blew up and left me stranded. I was told after the fact that there is a recall on the radiator!”

NHTSA complaint #11300581, filed 2020-01, 20,000 miles

“I was driving my Ford on the highway and the next thing I know my feet were really hot and black smoke started coming up. Then the black smoke started coming from the engine and I nearly crashed trying to get to the edge of the highway before the fire took over the whole front of the car. Luckily the fire department was right there for another accident. It was incredibly disturbing experience. Luckily my 3 small children were not in the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10837161, filed 2016-02, 130,000 miles

“I was driving down the highway I went to make a left hand turn when smoke started coming out of the grill, so I pulled over to check under the hood, smoke started boiling out from under the hood”

NHTSA complaint #11271276, filed 2019-10, 200,000 miles

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026614%
202587%
202415%
2023109%
20223011%
20215011%
20201179%
2019196%
20189613%
201724114%
201638216%
201522713%
201419812%
201322510%
20127910%
2011837%
20101412%
2009412%
20082114%
20072813%
2006589%
2005173%
2004443%
2003222%
2002491%
200162%
200091%
199940%
199860%
199740%
199620%
199520%
199310%
199230%

Other parts of the 2002 Ford Explorer

Transmission and drivetrain
1,502 complaints
Body and structure
486 complaints
Suspension
422 complaints
Engine cooling
163 complaints
Air bags
162 complaints
Steering
155 complaints
Vehicle speed control
152 complaints
Electrical system
148 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
138 complaints
Brakes
132 complaints
Wheels
78 complaints
Fuel system
72 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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