Skip to content
AnyRecalls

2002 Ford Explorer recalls

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

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

For the 2002 Ford Explorer. 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 recalls, newest first

October 13, 2009NHTSA 09V3990004,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control

Summary
Ford 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 through E-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 F53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Consequence
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E02500042,540 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting › Headlights

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Dope, Inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dope, Inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, Inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 7, 2009NHTSA 09E01200016,270 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 11, 2007NHTSA 07E1040001,657 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility › Glass, side/rear

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp Inc., identified as dot-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles may not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 205, "glazing materials."
Consequence
In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.
Remedy
Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their customer's glass. Wholesale customers can contact safelite's wholesale division, service autoglass toll free at 1-888-246-6298. The recall began on January 15, 2008.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 24, 2006NHTSA 06E04900027,176 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the 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
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

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

September 13, 2004NHTSA 04V442000955,732 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments

Summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the liftgate glass strut may become disengaged or the hinge may fracture allowing the glass to fall and possibly break.
Consequence
If the hinge should fracture, there is a potential for the glass to fall and ultimately break and personal injuries could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will have the liftgate glass strut brackets and glass hinges replaced. For the vehicles built from August 1, 2000 through March 3, 2002, the dealers will replace the hinges and liftgate strut bracket. On vehicles built from March 3, 2002 through June 23, 2003, the dealers will only replace the hinges. The recall began on September 30, 2004. A postcard was sent to owners on December 27, 2004, advising them that parts are now available. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 7, 2003NHTSA 03V0940003,674 vehicles potentially affected

Structure

Summary
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, Inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Consequence
This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began March 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 24, 2001NHTSA 01V17100052,000 vehicles potentially affected

Tires › Sidewall

Summary
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The right side tires may have horizontal cuts on the edge of the tread that could have occurred during vehicle assembly.
Consequence
Over time, the tire could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the tires and, if any slices are found, the cut tires will be replaced. Owner notification began June 7, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 3,295 complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
144
Fires reported
57
Injuries reported
187
Deaths reported
5

Most complained-about components

  1. Power train › Automatic transmission887
  2. Power train286
  3. Suspension › Rear192
  4. Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments166
  5. Power train › Driveline › Differential unit160

Other Ford Explorer years

Other 2002 Ford models

Most recalled 2002 vehicles

  1. 2002 Honda Civic (24 recalls)
  2. 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee (16 recalls)
  3. 2002 Honda Accord (16 recalls)
  4. 2002 Honda CR-V (16 recalls)
  5. 2002 Chevrolet Silverado (15 recalls)
All of 2002’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2002 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
9 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: vehicle speed control, exterior lighting, visibility, structure, tires. 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 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?
3,295 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.