Ford Explorer Sport Recalls

The Ford Explorer Sport has been recalled 5 times across the 2000–2002 model years. The most recent recall, from August 3, 2007, covers the vehicle speed control. Recall repairs are free at any authorized Ford dealer.

5recalls
0do not drive / park outside
3model years affected

What gets recalled

  • Speed control & acceleration
    240%
  • Seats
    240%
  • Body & structure
    120%

2002 Ford Explorer Sport recalls (3)

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA recall 07V-336 · Aug 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected…

Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

NHTSA recall 06V-114 · Apr 10, 2006 · 8,585 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt.

Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

NHTSA recall 03V-281 · Aug 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt.

2001 Ford Explorer Sport recalls (5)

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA recall 07V-336 · Aug 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected…

Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

NHTSA recall 06V-114 · Apr 10, 2006 · 8,585 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt.

Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

NHTSA recall 03V-281 · Aug 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt.

Vehicle speed control › Cables

NHTSA recall 03V-280 · Aug 5, 2003 · 448,005 vehicles

On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0l sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable May bind when the speed control is activated.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began August 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Show 1 more recall

Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments

NHTSA recall 00V-394 · Nov 28, 2000 · 137,700 vehicles

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue fractures. If the hood striker fractures, the hood could fly open while the vehicle is being driven.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood striker.

2000 Ford Explorer Sport recalls (1)

Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments

NHTSA recall 00V-394 · Nov 28, 2000 · 137,700 vehicles

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue fractures. If the hood striker fractures, the hood could fly open while the vehicle is being driven.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood striker.

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the Ford Explorer Sport have?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the Ford Explorer Sport across 3 model years.

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

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN decoder & recall check or on nhtsa.gov/recalls. Dealers fix recalls for free, even if you are not the original owner.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.