Does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, the most recent reported on August 3, 2007 (Vehicle speed control). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (32 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (23).

How many 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac complaints mention a crash or fire?

7 of 144 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls and problems

2 recalls and 144 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.

recalls

144

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA campaign 07V336000 · reported August 3, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
The fix: 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.

Seats: front assembly, recliner

NHTSA campaign 03V281000 · reported August 5, 2003 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,552,880 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Power train32
Engine and engine cooling23
Electrical system21
Vehicle speed control19
Structure16
Service brakes, hydraulic15
Fuel system, gasoline10
Latches/locks/linkages9
Exterior lighting7
Fuel system, other5

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 31, 2023 · Vehicle speed control · 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following day it was discovered that the cruise control switch located on the steering wheel had overheated and melted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…

Jul 7, 2020 · Tires · 187,675 miles
I WAS DRIVING ON I-65 SOUTH BOUND ON I-65 IN GOODLETTESVILLE, TENNESSEE WHEN MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE HAD PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT AND APPARENTLY THE STEEL BELTS CAME APART AND BLUE OUTWARD.

Oct 30, 2019 · Service brakes · 168,177 miles
IN THE MORNING OR WHENEVER DAMP MY FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING, THEN STOPPING..

Aug 31, 2019 · Seats · 170,000 miles
RE: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. IT APPEARS THAT THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, HAS FRACTURED AND THE SEAT BACK IS PERMANENTLY IN THE RECLINED POSITION. THIS MAKES DRIVING VERY CUMBERSOME SINCE I HAVE NO BACK SEAT SUPPORT WHILE I…

Sep 20, 2017 · Power train
OD LIGHT FLASHING, REBUILDS TRANSMISION AND NOTHING CHANGE, I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS PROBLEMS ON EXPLORERS, RANGERS AND MUSTANGS

Explorer Sport Trac model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	1	3	1	0
2001	4	167	15	9
2002	2	144	7	3
2003	0	78	5	6
2004	0	86	14	1
2005	0	66	5	1

Across all years, the 2001 Explorer Sport Trac has the most complaints (167). All Ford Explorer Sport Trac years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, the most recent reported on August 3, 2007 (Vehicle speed control). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?: Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (32 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (23).
How many 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac complaints mention a crash or fire?: 7 of 144 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 31, 2023.