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Other or unknownPart report

2002 Ford Explorer Other or unknown Problems

Complaints
44about this part
Share
1%of 3,295 total for the year
Median mileage
91,800miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 3,295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,800 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“When I turn my windshield wipers on they stay on low and will not go off unless I turn the truck off with the wipers in off position. My o/d off light started blinking when I was driving down the road when I turn the truck off for a few minutes it goes off, but comes on a little bit later while driving.”

NHTSA complaint #10854990, filed 2016-04, 206,000 miles

“Backing into parking space and gearshift handle on column fell off in my hand. I could not shift out of gear. Had to shut off engine on a hill with car stuck in reverse. Could not get key out and car started to roll downhill. I had to call a friend to block tires rather trust emergency brake on a hill.”

NHTSA complaint #10715534, filed 2015-05, 117,044 miles

“Over the years we have had repeated problems with the transmission. It jerks and struggles to change gears. When you travel at freeway speeds it whines and jerks when it changes gears and when you're stopped at a light it makes weird noises and hesitates when you put your foot on the gas. We have repeatedly had the transmission repaired over the years.”

NHTSA complaint #10394595, filed 2011-03, 190,782 miles

“The radiator started going out on me. I had to fix it twice. The breakes I keep having the continued fixing them every 4 months. Recently october 25, 2019 it started smelling like burnt rubber came thru the air vents. Things with the electricity oe a shortage. With the tires they put wrong tire size. They told me to sign and go because they didn't have my actual tire size. Its always on the smalls streets and on freeway or. Highway it smells like burnt rubber. The owner didn't notify me or bother to tell me it was on recall already.”

NHTSA complaint #11278383, filed 2019-11, 205,890 miles

“I just had my car serviced for a recall at cherokee Ford in woodstock ga. Just 3 days later, my vehicle stopped working in the middle of a very busy street and I was unable to restart it. I was very lucky not to be hit. It would have been tragic.”

NHTSA complaint #10462232, filed 2012-06, 164,703 miles

Related service bulletins

Other or unknown: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261126%
20251918%
2024419%
20232623%
20225821%
20219020%
202021217%
20194816%
201816823%
201737422%
201643418%
201540722%
201434320%
201335116%
201210813%
201111810%
201098%
2009618%
2008128%
200752%
2006244%
2005163%
2004373%
2003484%
2002441%
2001123%
2000273%
1999272%
1998432%
1997402%
1996332%
1995162%
1994161%
1993111%
199251%
1991163%
199018%

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