Does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport have any recalls?

4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: vehicle speed control, seats, exterior lighting. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Ford dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport?

133 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Ford been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport recalls, newest first

August 3, 2007NHTSA 07V3360003,600,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control

Summary: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Consequence: This could result in an underhood fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected October 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on August 13, 2007, and mailing completed by September 19, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 10, 2006NHTSA 06V1140008,585 vehicles potentially affected

Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion.
Consequence: The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. The recall began on April 10, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. This is a supplement to a previous recall campaign (03V281).

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 23, 2006NHTSA 06E02600061,944 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 5, 2003NHTSA 03V2810001,552,880 vehicles potentially affected

Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion.
Consequence: The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. Owner notification began on August 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 133 complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 10
Fires reported: 7
Injuries reported: 14
Deaths reported: 1

Most complained-about components

Power train › Automatic transmission18
Structure › Body10
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments9
Power train8
Side/rear7

Other Ford Explorer Sport years

Other 2002 Ford models

Most recalled 2002 vehicles

2002 Honda Civic (24 recalls)
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee (16 recalls)
2002 Honda Accord (16 recalls)
2002 Honda CR-V (16 recalls)
2002 Chevrolet Silverado (15 recalls)

All of 2002’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport have any recalls?: 4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: vehicle speed control, seats, exterior lighting. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Ford dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport?: 133 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.