• October 13, 2009Speed control

  Speed control deactivation switch/overheats

  NHTSA campaign 09V-399 · 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected · Vehicle speed control

  The defect: Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

  The risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

  The remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.

• September 13, 2004Body and structure

  Ford/rear liftgate glass

  NHTSA campaign 04V-442 · 955,732 vehicles potentially affected · Structure

  The defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the liftgate glass strut may become disengaged or the hinge may fracture allowing the glass to fall and possibly break.

  The risk: If the hinge should fracture, there is a potential for the glass to fall and ultimately break and personal injuries could occur.

  The remedy: Dealers will have the liftgate glass strut brackets and glass hinges replaced. For the vehicles built from august 1, 2000 through march 3, 2002, the dealers will replace the hinges and liftgate strut bracket. On vehicles built from march 3, 2002 through june 23, 2003, the dealers will only replace the hinges. The recall began on september 30, 2004. A postcard was sent to owners on december 27, 2004, advising them that parts are now available. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• March 7, 2003Body and structure

  Southern comfort/running boards

  NHTSA campaign 03V-094 · 3,674 vehicles potentially affected · Structure

  The defect: Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.

  The risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.

  The remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.

• May 24, 2001Tires

  Ford/tire

  NHTSA campaign 01V-171 · 52,000 vehicles potentially affected · Tires

  The defect: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The right side tires may have horizontal cuts on the edge of the tread that could have occurred during vehicle assembly.

  The risk: Over time, the tire could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

  The remedy: Dealers will inspect the tires and, if any slices are found, the cut tires will be replaced. Owner notification began june 7, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• April 10, 2001Visibility

  Ford/liftgate glass bracket

  NHTSA campaign 01I-010 · 50,224 vehicles potentially affected · Visibility

  The defect: This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 2002 ford explorer and mercury montaineer sport utility vehicles. The brackets connecting the left cylinders to each side of the liftgate glass could rotate out of position if either the urethane bond or torque are not sufficient.

  The risk: Rotation of the brackets could potentially cause the lift cylinders to detach from the glass or, in some cases, could potentially cause the liftgate glass to break. Either condition is most likely to occur when the glass is being closed.

  The remedy: Ford dealers will inspect the vehicles for the position of both the left and right liftgatge glass lift cylinder brackets. If the brackets are in the proper position, the bracket retainers will be tightened to a higher torque. In cases where the bracket is not properly position, the bracket must be re-aligned.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Explorer built in 2002. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Vehicle identification number Find my recalls

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Copy VIN and open NHTSA.gov

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

Other Ford Explorer model years

• 2026 14
• 2025 20
• 2023 15
• 2022 24
• 2021 26
• 2020 33
• 2019 6
• 2018 7
• 2017 13
• 2016 14
• 2015 8
• 2014 6
• 2013 11
• 2012 5
• 2011 6
• 2010 1
• 2008 1
• 2007 1
• 2006 1
• 2003 2
• 2000 9

Common questions

Does the 2002 Ford Explorer have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 campaigns for the 2002 Ford Explorer: 09V-399 (Speed control deactivation switch/overheats); 04V-442 (Ford/rear liftgate glass); 03V-094 (Southern comfort/running boards); 01V-171 (Ford/tire); and 1 more.

How do I know if my 2002 Ford Explorer has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Will the dealer charge to fix the 2002 Ford Explorer?

No. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge by Ford dealers. Quote the NHTSA campaign number when you book.