2002 Ford Explorer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 138about this part
- Share
- 4%of 3,295 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 138 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 3,295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,750 miles. 2 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“We opened the rear window to get something out of the trunk, lifted the window and the window exploded and crashed on my husband's head. It seems as if the hydrolics failed on each side of the rear window. Glass just shattered and was everywhere. My husband's hands were cut and his head was banged up.”
NHTSA complaint #10497794, filed 2013-02, 98,559 miles“I have a 2002 Ford Explorer and for the past 5 years that I have owned it, the windshield wipers have been erratic! The front ones will come on whenever they want and alot when the turn signal is used. As of late they come on very often and is very distracting while driving. Today they were so unpredictable that they almost caused an accident with me and my 2 small children in the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10344617, filed 2010-07, 40,000 miles“Placed an item into the rear storage area of my 2002 Ford Explorer. Window didn't stay up, so I gave it another push with my hand. I didn't push hard. The window exploded in my hand. Glass flew everywhere. Ford had a recall on this which I had fixed early on in my ownership of the vehicle. I ended up with glass slivers in my hand and now I have a vehicle with no rear window.”
NHTSA complaint #10254069, filed 2009-01, 128,734 miles“All 4 windows on my 2002 Ford Explorer no longer work properly. You either can hear they are going to soon fail or have already failed (the driver's side window has already failed and I had to spend over $500 for the repair and now my passenger-rear window has failed and will no longer go back up).”
NHTSA complaint #10331037, filed 2010-05, 81,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10013303Jan 24, 2005Rear power window(s) inoperative.
- 10016832Jan 1, 2005Backglass difficult to close and an intermittent door ajar lamp.
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10011159Aug 9, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 13 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 11 | 10% |
| 2022 | 31 | 11% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 69 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 3% |
| 2018 | 27 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 68 | 3% |
| 2015 | 45 | 2% |
| 2014 | 53 | 3% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 3% |
| 2005 | 26 | 5% |
| 2004 | 112 | 9% |
| 2003 | 62 | 5% |
| 2002 | 138 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 5% |
| 2000 | 46 | 5% |
| 1999 | 217 | 16% |
| 1998 | 108 | 6% |
| 1997 | 90 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 71 | 6% |
| 1993 | 56 | 6% |
| 1992 | 46 | 7% |
| 1991 | 32 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
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 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