Research · 2 model years

Ford Explorer SportEvery model year, 2002–2003

Across the 2 model years we’ve synced, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 4,926 owner complaints for the Ford Explorer Sport. The 2002 model year has the most complaints (3,613).

01 —Model years

Ford Explorer Sport years compared

Recalls, complaints, NCAP overall and EPA combined MPG per year

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	NCAP overall	MPG comb.
2003	1	1,313	69	Not rated	16
2002	5	3,613	163	Not rated	16

Data from NHTSA recalls, complaints & NCAP; EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026

02 —Complaints by year

NHTSA complaints per model year

Newer years have had less time on the road

3,613

1,313

View as table

Model year	NHTSA complaints
2002	3,613
2003	1,313

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026

03 —Recent recalls

Latest recalls for the 2003 Explorer Sport

1 campaign

06E-026

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 23, 2006NHTSA 06E026000

All 2003 recalls

Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026

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