2002 Ford Explorer Sport vs 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Ford Explorer Sport | 2003 Ford Explorer Sport |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 133 | 65 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 102 | 50 |
| Investigations | 5 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 10 | 4 |
| Fire reports | 7 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 15–17 | 15–17 |
| Median reported mileage | 72,500 mi | 88,250 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer Sport | Ford Explorer Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 28 | 25 |
| Power Train | 32 | 4 |
| Visibility | 16 | 10 |
| Suspension | 8 | 5 |
| Electrical System | 8 | 3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 4 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | 1 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 5 | 6 |
| Shifting problems | 5 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 5 | 0 |
2002 Ford Explorer Sport
2003 Ford Explorer Sport
Compare all Ford Explorer Sport vs Ford Explorer Sport years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.