2002 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 155about this part
- Share
- 5%of 3,295 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 155 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 3,295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had just pulled in to my customers lot and went to put the car in park, as I did the gear shift lever broke off in the steering column and was just dangling. I put the parking brake on as the SUV was rolling, I could not get the keys out. I had to have it towed to interstate Ford in dayton. Oh.”
NHTSA complaint #10511353, filed 2013-05, 96,562 miles“While my wife was backing up in my son's driveway, the gear shift broke on my 2002 Ford Explorer. The charge to repair by a Ford dealer was roughly $2,000.00 (including tow charges). After doing research on this issue, it apparently is way too common, however Ford refuses to acknowledge responsibility or issue a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10408581, filed 2011-06, 100,000 miles“I have a 2002 Ford Explorer and while trying to put my truck in park the gear shift arm broke off in my hand. I had to leave my car in reverse and I was unable to remove my keys from the ignition. My car is completely un-drivable. I have had it towed to a repair shop, but they are charging me $550 to replace the whole steering column with a used steering column.”
NHTSA complaint #10314560, filed 2010-02, 93,000 miles“When I tried to put my 2002 Ford Explorer into reverse the gear shifter snapped off in my hands. I have never seen this happen before but have been researching this on the internet and it seems to be a real issue with the Ford Explorer design of the shifter mechanism. My vehicle has 90,000 miles on it. This also seems to be consistent as to when most break.”
NHTSA complaint #10272384, filed 2009-05, 90,081 miles“I went to put my 2002 Ford Explorer into park and the gear shift broke off. I had to call a wrecker and had the vehicle towed to my mechanic. The total cost was $1100 because the entire steering column had to be replaced. This appears to be a defect in the metal based on the broken part and also poor design that you have to replace the entire steering column for.”
NHTSA complaint #10225274, filed 2008-04, 75,182 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 9 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 9 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 28 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 76 | 4% |
| 2016 | 532 | 22% |
| 2015 | 347 | 19% |
| 2014 | 500 | 30% |
| 2013 | 836 | 37% |
| 2012 | 360 | 43% |
| 2011 | 742 | 62% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 13 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 41 | 3% |
| 2003 | 27 | 2% |
| 2002 | 155 | 5% |
| 2001 | 21 | 6% |
| 2000 | 40 | 4% |
| 1999 | 38 | 3% |
| 1998 | 70 | 4% |
| 1997 | 33 | 2% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 52 | 6% |
| 1994 | 24 | 2% |
| 1993 | 19 | 2% |
| 1992 | 25 | 4% |
| 1991 | 10 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Explorer
1,502 complaintsBody and structure
486 complaintsSuspension
422 complaintsEngine cooling
163 complaintsAir bags
162 complaintsVehicle speed control
152 complaintsElectrical system
148 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
138 complaintsBrakes
132 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 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