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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

144Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
7Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
11Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control19 complaints

19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 07V336000.

Fuel and Propulsion System17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats5 complaints

5 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V281000.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V281000Reported August 5, 2003 - 1,552,880 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on August 5, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 1,552,880 vehicles across all affected models.

07V336000Reported August 3, 2007 - 3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on August 3, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 3,600,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03020Opened May 21, 2003 - Closed September 5, 2003

FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT. Resulted in recall campaign 03V281000.

PE09020Opened April 21, 2009 - Closed August 19, 2009

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09020Opened April 21, 2009 - Closed August 19, 2009

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09020Opened April 21, 2009 - Closed August 19, 2009

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20012
20022
200324
200419
200512
20065
20076
200822
200912
20108
20117
20128
20134
20143
20152
20163
20171
20192
20201
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.