The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while entering the highway at approximately 45 MPH and accelerating to overtake the next vehicle, the accelerator pedal went to the floorboard however, the vehicle did not respond. The contact was able to pull over safely off the highway. There were no warning lights on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 00V422000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
2002 Ford Explorer acceleration problems
152 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 65,000. 32 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 152
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 65,000
- crashes
- 32
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal25
- Cruise control17
- Cables8
- Linkages3
- Springs1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Explorer acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Ford Explorer acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
- 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.
Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details
Related investigations
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 4.0l sohc v6 engine.at that time, odi was aware of 15 complaints that alleged stuck engine throttle causing unwanted vehicle acceleration and 1 alleged crash as a result.six complainants reported that throttle control cable replacement remedied the alleged stuck throttle condition.additionally, odi was aware of a technical service bulletin issued by the manufacturer that referred to an accelerator cable design change.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on july 18, 2005 requesting certain information about these vehicles. According to ford, approximately 234,092 subject vehicles built from august 14, 2000 (?job 1?) through october 31, 2001 used a particular accelerator cable known as a 16 lay wire design.this design is comprised of the throttle cable surrounded by a conduit made of several concentric layers including a teflon liner, a nylon tube extruded over the teflon liner, 16 lay wires wrapped around the nylon tube, and finally a nylon jacket extruded over and around the lay wires. Ford reports that throttle control concerns related to the accelerator cable are likely caused by a migration of the inner teflon liner out of the conduit at the dash panel fitting.should the teflon liner migrate outward sufficiently to contact the accelerator pedal arm it could interfere with the pedal?s ability to return to idle.in november 2001, ford began using a new 12 lay wire design accelerator cable.this change was implemented to allow for installation of optionally available power-adjustable pedals. Field data suggests that the condition with the subject cable is more prevalent in cold (winter) climates.of the 396 warranty claims related to the alleged defect, nearly 68% occurred in winter months and most warranty claims are associated with vehicles sold in the northeastern, northern interior (midwest), and rocky mountain regions of the united states.this seasonal trend appears to be in decline with fewer warranty claims paid in winter 2005 than in previous winters.there are no known crashes related to the alleged defect on the subject vehicles, the complaint rate is low after approximately four years in service (3.0 incidents per 100,000 vehicles) and the failure trend is declining.there have been no new complaints since january 2005.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.odi will continue to monitor its complaint database and will receive updated complaint and warranty data from ford in spring 2006 to verify the trend analysis.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
PE05037
What 2002 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The issues that I'm having is the exhilaration (picking up speed) on a public street as well as in the expressway it hesitates to do so. When the vehicle is parked and I go to switch gears it does not want to switch. The gauge indicator comes on and the gas idle be stuck on empty when it has a full tank of gas. While the vehicle is in motion the radio volume goes up and down on its own. And the vehicle did not want to start for me one day the very next day it started right on up (like it want to start but didn't catch). All of this started happening at the beginning of october 2020
Vehicle accelerated to maximum RPM's on a city street and would not stop, even after brake applied. Tried downshifting, would not work. Ran through a red light, fortunately no one was in front of us or going the other direction. Had to put it into neutral and turn the key off to get it to stop. Merged over and parked. When restarted, RPM's still at maximum until hood was opened and throttle cable was moved around. Scary situation as won't drive it until it is fixed. Appointment scheduled with mechanic. Should have been a recall on this with as many complaints as I have read about with this very situation. We could have killed someone or been killed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. On several occasions, while driving, the 4wd auto high or low failed to operate. While accelerating, the contact attempted to use the cruise control and, although the green cruise control indicator illuminated, the vehicle failed to engage. A dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,742.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal seized without warning. The vehicle's speed increased up to 90 MPH and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the head and neck, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 139,514.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While driving approximately 50 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle would not disengage from the cruise control while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle spontaneously accelerated to 70 MPH, the emergency brake did not work, and the cruise control was still active. The vehicle was shifted into park and pulled into a parking lot. The vehicle was left there. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
My power steering stuck caused a wreck!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While pulling into a parking space at a very low rate of speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and surged forward before crashing into a building. The driver sustained injuries to the left arm, hip, head, and neck. Medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. While pulling into a parking space at a very low rate of speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, surged forward, and crashed into a building. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage; however, the air bags did not deploy. The driver suffered injuries to the left arm and hip, head, and neck. Medical attention was received and a police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Questions about the 2002 Ford Explorer acceleration
Does the 2002 Ford Explorer have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 152 complaints about the acceleration of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Explorer acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 65,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Ford Explorer acceleration?
Yes, 1 recall: 09V399000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have the most acceleration problems?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1998 (280 complaints), 1997 (202 complaints) and 2002 (152 complaints).
Other 2002 Ford Explorer problems
Transmission 1,502Body 486Suspension 422Engine 213Airbags 162Steering 155Electrical 148Visibility 138Brakes 132Wheels 78Fuel system 72Locks 50Tires 38Seat belts 34Seats 30Lights 25Driver assistance 4
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