Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Odometer when the failure occurred
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Power train
Body & structure
Glass & wipers
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE09020 opened Apr 2009 | closed Aug 2009 | Steering | VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM... |
| DP05005 opened Sep 2005 | closed Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE... |
| PE05037 opened Jul 2005 | closed Nov 2005 | Vehicle Speed Control | STUCK ENGINE THROTTLE ON JULY 7, 2005, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STUCK THROTTLE COMPLAINTS IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE STANDARD AVAILABLE... |
| PE04045 opened Jun 2004 | closed Sep 2004 | Structure | REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLY - led to recall 04V442000 COMPLAINTS REPORT FAILURE OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SUPPORT WHILE THE OPERATOR IS OPENING OR CLOSING THE GLASS.THE FALLING GLASS CAN STRIKE THE OPERATOR OR BYSTANDER.THE INJURIES REPORTED ARE BRUISES TO THE HEAD, NECK OR BACK, CUTS TO THE FACE, ARM OR... |
| PE03020 opened May 2003 | closed Sep 2003 | Seats | FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT - led to recall 03V281000 BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 4, 2003, FORD NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07V336000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 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. | Normally free |
| 06V114000 | Seats | 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. | Normally free |
| 03V281000 | Seats | 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. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019420 2019-08-21 | Other | 5,327 | Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. |
| 2009292 2009-10-14 | Other | 492,877 | On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is in operation. |
| 2007258 2007-08-07 | Electrical | 165,447 | On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears to be different than that of Recall 2005028 (05S28). |
| 2006079 2006-04-18 | Seats And Restraints | 366 | On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac vehicles, the upper bolt on the driver's high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame could fracture. |
| 2004328 2004-09-10 | Other | 24,918 | On certain 2002 model year vehicles, the ball stud bracket located on the rear liftgate window could rotate out of position on the glass. |
Show 2 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003190 2003-08-11 | Seats And Restraints | 56,363 | On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac vehicles, the upper bolt on the driver's high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame could fracture. |
| 2001125 2001-05-28 | Other | 2,176 | On certain vehicles, the right side tires may have horizontal cuts on the edge of the tread that could have occurred during vehicle assembly. Over time the tire could fail increasing the risk of a crash. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0427 Oct 2005 | Steering | STEERING SHUDDER DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS - 4.0L ENGINE. *TT | |
| 18719 Jul 2005 | Fuel System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMING ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0171, P0172, P0174 AND/OR P0175 (FUEL SYSTEM TOO RICH OR LEAN). *TT | |
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT | |
| 030508 Apr 2005 | Power Train | FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD. *TT | |
| 05310 Feb 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04189 Dec 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 042419 Dec 2004 | Suspension | REVISED PROCEDURE FOR ADJUSTING ALIGNMENT ON ALL SUSPENSIONS - NEW RIGHT HAND UPPER CONTROL ARM DESIGN FOR TORSION BAR FRONT SUSPENSIONS. *TT | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 020801 Aug 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | RATTLE NOISE FROM PRIMARY CHAIN DRIVE AREA 2000-3000 RPM - 4.0L SOHC ENGINE. *TT | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 04133 Jul 2004 | Exterior Lighting | MOISTURE IN HEADLAMP. *TT | |
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 04111 Jun 2004 | Electrical System | STREAMLINED DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE FOR VEHICLES WITH MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0401, P0402, P1400 OR P1401. ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE RUNS ROUGH, LACKS POWER, SURGE, POOR FUEL ECONOMY. *TT | |
| 02M01 Jun 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 02M01 SUPPLEMENT #4. CERTAIN FORD 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TUBE-MOUNTED EGR PRESSURE SENSOR - ADDITIONAL EGR PRESSURE SENSOR WARRANTY COVERAGE. *TT SUPPLEMENT #3. *MJ SUPPLEMENT #6. *TT | |
| 17647 Mar 2004 | Structure | PAINT PEELING AND/OR BUBBLING ON THE CENTER FINISH PANEL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TT | |
| 031912 Feb 2004 | Steering | STEERING SHUDDER FELT WHEN TURNING, DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR AT STOP. *TT | |
| 17544 Feb 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | GENERATOR NOISE IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *MJ | |
| 03223 Jan 2004 | Electrical System | STREAMLINED DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE FOR VEHICLES WITH MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0401, P0402, P1400 OR P1401. ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE RUNS ROUGH, LACKS POWER, SURGE, POOR FUEL ECONOMY. *TT | |
| 02138 Nov 2003 | Power Train | LOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT), SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS WITH POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0732, P0733, P1762 SET ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/1/2001. *TT | |
| 17376 Nov 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | LACKS POWER/RUNS ROUGH/BLACK SMOKE CONDITION. *TT | |
| 17378 Nov 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INTERMITTENT ENGINE DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. VEHCLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BUILT BETWEEN 03/04/2002 AND 12/01/2002. *TT | |
| 17379 Nov 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ROUGH IDLE, HESITATION ON COLD ENGINE TIP-IN AND/OR HESITATION DURING A 5-3 DOWNSHIFT. *TT | |
| 03203 Oct 2003 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 OR P1442 OR A CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DTC P0457 FOR THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 17253 Oct 2003 | Structure | WATER LEAK NEAR THE ROOF OPENING PANEL. 2004 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 17254 Oct 2003 | Steering | CLICKING/POPPING NOISE FROM UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING. 2004 E SERIES AND EXPLORER SPORT TRAC ALSO INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 17280 Oct 2003 | Electrical System | GENERATOR WHISTLE/HOOT NOISE IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TT | |
| 031912 Sep 2003 | Steering | STEERING WHEEL SHUDDER DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. 2004 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17167 Sep 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MULTIPLE VEHICLES WITH 3.0L OR 4.0L ENGINES LACKS POWER/RUNS ROUGH/BLACK SMOKE. 2004 SPORT TRAC INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 17198 Sep 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | WEAR-THROUGH CONDITION ON THE ABRASION SLEEVE OF THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE NEAR THE AIR CONDITIONING ACCUMULATOR OR TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK. *TT | |
| 17231 Sep 2003 | Service Brakes | ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) LIGHT FLASHING WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B2477 AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS MODULE. *TT | |
| 17055 Aug 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | LACKS POWER / BLACK SMOKE / RUNS ROUGH, USUALLY WITH NO MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. *TT | |
| 03148 Jul 2003 | Power Train | NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 0398 May 2003 | Fuel System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457, P1442 OR CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457. *TT | |
| 16735 Apr 2003 | Suspension | VARIOUS NOISE ISSUES FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING. *TT | |
| 16776 Apr 2003 | Exterior Lighting | SERVICING MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WIRING INTERFERENCE. *TT | |
| 16810 Apr 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ROUGH IDLE AND/OR CHECK ENGINE LAMP DUE TO CLOSURE HOSE WHICH BECOMES LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED AT THE RIGHT HAND CAM COVER. *TT | |
| 0361 Mar 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH OR WITHOUT ROUGH RUNNING, LACK OF POWER, SURGE OR POOR FUEL ECONOMY WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0401, P0402, P1400, P1401. *TT *JB | |
| 0358 Mar 2003 | Power Train | FLUID MAY LEAK OUT OF THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT *JB | |
| 0335 Feb 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 0322 Feb 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | STREAMLINED DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE FOR VEHICLES WITH MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0401, P0402, P1400 OR P1401, OR RUNS ROUGH, LACKS POWER, SURGE, POOR FUEL ECONOMY, AND THE ABOVE LISTED DTCS WITHOUT MIL. *TT | |
| 16610 Feb 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | NO START, NO COMMUNICATION WITH POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) USING WDS/NGS OR A MISS/BUCK/JERK WHILE DRIVING. *TT | |
| 16623 Feb 2003 | Fuel System | EXCESSIVE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATION WHILE DRIVING (QSF). *TT | |
| 16624 Feb 2003 | Fuel System | SLOW FUEL FILL CONDITION. *TT | |
| 0258 Nov 2002 | Power Train | INOPERATIVE OR INACURRATE SPEEDOMETER, 4X4 LAMP ILLUMINATD, AND / OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1635 OR P1639. *TT | |
| 02222 Nov 2002 | Power Train | NOISE-GEAR WHINE NOISE IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR ONLY-VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5R55E TRANSMISSION AND 4.0L ENGINE ONLY. *MJ | |
| 16402 Nov 2002 | Service Brakes | FRONT BRAKE WEAR - UNDER INVESTIGATION. *MJ | |
| 16437 Nov 2002 | Service Brakes | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) C1233 & C1234 - REPLACE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM EUC. *MJ | |
| 02216 Oct 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXCESSIVE SULFUR SMELL FROM EXHAUST. *EH | |
| 870197 Oct 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INCORRECTLY INSTALLED GEAR DRIVEN CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR SYNCHRONIZER ASSEMBLIES CAUSING SURGE, LOST OF POWER, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1336, P1309 AND P0340. *TT | |
| 02176 Sep 2002 | Exterior Lighting | LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ | |
| 16113 Aug 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 03/04/2002 AND EQUIPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A HARD TO SHIFT CONDITION. *TT | |
| 16121 Aug 2002 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT UNEVEN AND / OR PREMATURE FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR, PARTICULARLY THE FRONT INSIDE PAD. *TT | |
| 16124 Aug 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES BUILT ON OR AFTER 3/4/2002 MAY EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT ENGINE DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. ENGINEER IS INVESTIGATING. *TT | |
| 16134 Aug 2002 | Exterior Lighting | INFORMATION ON SERVICING THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TILT STEERING COLUMN. *TT | |
| 16021 Jul 2002 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURES) IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. *TT | |
| 16038 Jul 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A GEAR WHINE TYPE NOISE IN 1ST AND / OR 2ND GEARS ONLY. *TT | |
| 16040 Jul 2002 | Steering | EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT | |
| 15859 May 2002 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURE). *TT |
Showing 60 of 102 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- Run the wipers and washers, and test every window.Slow or stuck regulators, streaking wipers, and windshield cracks are this vehicle's visibility complaints.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Explorer Sport →