Vehicle Data Hub

2002 Ford Explorer engine problems

207 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2002 Ford Explorer, which is 5% of all its NHTSA complaints.

At a glance

Complaints
207 5% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
91,000 miles 156 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
3 and 16
Injuries and deaths
5 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2002 Ford Explorer Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 91,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 4 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 20 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 16 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 28 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 20 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 17 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 19 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 9 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 6 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 9 complaints 200k+ miles: 8 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 91,000 miles
Based on 156 complaints that include mileage. 26% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles4
20k to 40k miles20
40k to 60k miles16
60k to 80k miles28
80k to 100k miles20
100k to 120k miles17
120k to 140k miles19
140k to 160k miles9
160k to 180k miles6
180k to 200k miles9
200k+ miles8

What the data shows

Of the 156 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 91,000 miles, and 26% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 3 crashes, 16 fires, 5 injuries.

What owners wrote

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle burst into flames and the contact crashed into an embankment. The contact suffered injuries to the back. The vehicle was destroyed during the crash. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. The fire department stated that the fire had started from the engine. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was not available.

Reported at 180,000 miles, August 2013 CrashFireInjury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while traveling 45 MPH, the vehicle made a loud popping noise and the vehicle shook. The also contact stated that the check engine light, over drive, and message centers lights illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle had not been to the dealer or a mechanic. The failure and current mileages were 126,000.

Reported at 126,000 miles, February 2013

Other problems reported for the 2002 Ford Explorer

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Ford models