2002 Ford Explorer Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 152about this part
- Share
- 5%of 3,295 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 152 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 3,295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 32 of these say a crash was involved and 9 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While merging onto the interstate the accelerator continued to accelerate even after I took my foot off the pedal. The RPM's were in the red and nothing I did would correct the problem. The vehicle continued to accelerate. I had to apply both feet to the brake pedal and press as hard as possible to slow the vehicle down. I was able to pull off to the shoulder and jammed the truck in park and the engine stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #10559354, filed 2014-01, 125,000 miles“I got a knock on my door by the fire department telling me that my car set on fire I filed a claim with my insurance and they told me to file a claim with Ford because they have reason to believe it was the cruise control button that set the car on fire .”
NHTSA complaint #10703950, filed 2015-04, 220,000 miles“While driving home from work, attempted to pass a slower moving car. As I did so the gas pedal stuck to the floor. Causing me to brake to slow vehicle..finally able to free gas pedal by lifting it up with my foot...major safety issue..Ford said no recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10505575, filed 2013-04, 169,122 miles“I was accelerating away from work and when I attempted to come to a stop I was unable to because of the throttle being stuck in the on position. I was able to stop the vehicle and avoid a collision by shifting into neutral and applying the brakes. The temperature was 5 degrees fahrenheit. This was the first time I experienced the problem and the throttle cable required replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #10294777, filed 2009-12, 188,900 miles“While parking my car between two other cars, I shifted from reverse to forward to adjust my car to the middle of the parking space. I had my foot lightly on the brake so that the idle speed would inch my car forward a little. When I shifted to forward, my car lunged forward 2 to 3 feet. Because my foot was already on the brake, I was able to hit the brake hard. The car stopped within a few inches of the car in front of me.”
NHTSA complaint #10229907, filed 2008-06, 45,500 milesRelated recalls
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150…Covers: Ford Explorer 1995–2002, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 3% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 29 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 10 | 1% |
| 2017 | 21 | 1% |
| 2016 | 76 | 3% |
| 2015 | 16 | 1% |
| 2014 | 29 | 2% |
| 2013 | 38 | 2% |
| 2012 | 17 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 12% |
| 2009 | 5 | 15% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 28 | 4% |
| 2005 | 44 | 9% |
| 2004 | 76 | 6% |
| 2003 | 37 | 3% |
| 2002 | 152 | 5% |
| 2001 | 36 | 10% |
| 2000 | 113 | 12% |
| 1999 | 148 | 11% |
| 1998 | 281 | 14% |
| 1997 | 202 | 12% |
| 1996 | 148 | 10% |
| 1995 | 81 | 10% |
| 1994 | 51 | 4% |
| 1993 | 38 | 4% |
| 1992 | 14 | 2% |
| 1991 | 30 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Explorer
1,502 complaintsBody and structure
486 complaintsSuspension
422 complaintsEngine cooling
163 complaintsAir bags
162 complaintsSteering
155 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 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