Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Ford Explorer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Ford Explorer has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3,293 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09V399000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E104000 CURVED TEMPERED AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V442000 FORD/REAR LIFTGATE GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V094000 SOUTHERN COMFORT/RUNNING BOARDS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V171000 FORD/TIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01I010000 FORD/LIFTGATE GLASS BRACKET NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 1,502 complaints
- Structure 485 complaints
- Suspension 421 complaints
- Air Bags 162 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 162 complaints
- Steering 155 complaints
Of the 3,293 complaints on file, 144 report a crash and 57 a fire; across all 3,293 complaints, owners report 187 injuries and 5 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Ford Explorer has a considerable number of powertrain and structural complaints, among others. Frequent issues with speed control and several recalls highlight potential risks and ownership concerns. While it may offer adequate performance, reliability concerns and repair costs contribute to its below-average rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| powertrain | 90,000–120,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | very common |
| suspension | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| structure | 80,000–110,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| steering | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$900 | occasional |
| electrical system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotation and inspection
- Transmission fluid check
- Coolant system flush
- Drive belt inspection
- Spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual vibrations or noises
- Transmission slipping
- Brake system warnings
- Excessive body roll
- Electrical system failures
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Ford Explorer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.