CarModelProblems.com

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 2.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
144Complaints
4Recalls
7Crashes
3Fires
9Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (11.8% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 2.2× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train:automatic Transmission17 · 11.8%not available
Vehicle Speed Control11 · 7.6%RecalledRecall 07V336000
Engine And Engine Cooling10 · 6.9%not available
Electrical System10 · 6.9%not available
Structure:body10 · 6.9%not available
Power Train10 · 6.9%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION17 · 11.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11 · 7.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10 · 6.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10 · 6.9%
STRUCTURE:BODY10 · 6.9%
POWER TRAIN10 · 6.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7 · 4.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL7 · 4.9%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH6 · 4.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6 · 4.2%

Percentages are the share of the 144 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA campaign 07V336000 · 2007 · reported 08/03/2007

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:recliner

NHTSA campaign 03V281000 · 2003 · reported 08/05/2003

THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:tread/belt

NHTSA campaign 01X001000 · 2001 · reported 05/22/2001

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“O/D LIGHT FLASHING. NOW I HAVE TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. READ ALL THE COMP. AND LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I TOTALLY AGREE…”NHTSA complaint 10322737 — filed 03/29/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“MULTIPLE DEFECTS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DRIVE TRAIN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING CAUSING A HUGE SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS…”NHTSA complaint 10307740 — filed 02/09/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“VEHICLE HANGS UP IN PARK ALMOST EVERY TIME IT IS USED; VERY DIFFICULT TO GET IT INTO A DRIVE OR REVERSE GEAR; GENERALLY MUST BE…”NHTSA complaint 10293285 — filed 11/23/2009 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

5200682720081312201010122012452014252016222019112023

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?

Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 17 of 144 NHTSA complaints (11.8%), followed by vehicle speed control (11), engine and engine cooling (10), electrical system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?

144 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E026000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.