2002 Ford Explorer Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 72about this part
- Share
- 2%of 3,295 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 72 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 3,295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 4 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“While trying to fill the gas tank at the fuel pumps, it takes sometimes up to 20 minutes to completely fill the tank. I can only squeeze the handle on the gas pump hose line slightly yet it keeps shutting off as if the tank is full. I know that it takes nearly 20 gallons to fill my tank yet the nozzle keeps shutting off every 10 - 12 seconds.”
NHTSA complaint #10468894, filed 2012-08, 89,000 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“I have a 2002 Ford Explorer, original plugs in it from dealer. Today I had a plug ejected from the engine resting on top of the head. Luckily I know about cars and had vehicle towed to repair shop. Incident is common in fords and could lead to possible injury, since ejected plug could lead up to excessive gasoline vapors which could be ignited by loose plug causing fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10378227, filed 2011-01, 108,000 miles“I do not know when the problem originated but I bought this vehicle in april 2016 and gas could not flow into the tank freely without stopping. It had to trickle in slowly. Also, the check fuel cap came on during this issue but when tested, passed as if nothing was wrong. Too many other owners report the same issue on Explorer forums for this to be an isolated occurrence. It seems this is faulty design or workmanship and owners should be informed and the vehicles recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10995434, filed 2017-06, 163,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10019379Jan 1, 2006Malfunction indicator lamp on with pcm diagnostic trouble code p0463 and/or ic diagnostic trouble code b1201 - fuel gauge drops to empty or slow to update after refueling.
- 10013388Oct 31, 2005Fuel gauge slow to update after refueling.
- 10017860Jul 1, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp coming on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0171, p0172, p0174 and/or p0175 (fuel system too rich or lean).
- 10011332Sep 1, 2004Fuel gauge slow to update.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 28 | 6% |
| 2020 | 42 | 3% |
| 2019 | 17 | 6% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 49 | 3% |
| 2016 | 112 | 5% |
| 2015 | 94 | 5% |
| 2014 | 72 | 4% |
| 2013 | 153 | 7% |
| 2012 | 34 | 4% |
| 2011 | 40 | 3% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 27 | 4% |
| 2005 | 66 | 13% |
| 2004 | 33 | 3% |
| 2003 | 11 | 1% |
| 2002 | 72 | 2% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 19 | 2% |
| 1999 | 34 | 3% |
| 1998 | 63 | 3% |
| 1997 | 56 | 3% |
| 1996 | 23 | 2% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 33 | 3% |
| 1993 | 12 | 1% |
| 1992 | 18 | 3% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
| 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 complaintsBrakes
132 complaintsWheels
78 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 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