2002 Ford Explorer Acceleration Problems

Which parts fail

• Accelerator pedal
  25
• Cruise control
  17
• Cables
  8
• Linkages
  3
• Springs
  1

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1313%
• 25k–50k
  2020%
• 50k–75k
  2222%
• 75k–100k
  1212%
• 100k–150k
  2222%
• 150k+
  1212%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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 NHTSA 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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while traveling less than 5 MPH, the vehicle's throttle became stuck without warning which caused the vehicle to accelerate to a speed above 40 MPH. The vehicle crashed thru a fence and into the rear of a motor home causing the front driver's side tire to fracture. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The contact sustained whiplash, neck and back pains from the failure. A police incident report was filed and the vehicle was to be towed to a yard until it would be able to get inspected and diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000.

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.

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 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.

I got a knock on my door by the fire department telling me that my car set on fire I filed a claim with my insurance and they told me to file a claim with Ford because they have reason to believe it was the cruise control button that set the car on fire .

My cars cruise control failed to disengage when I applied the footbrake, pushed the off switch, the gear shift would not move and the key would not turn off. The car was checked by police and when it was tested they were unable to find a fault in the failsafes however they are still suspicious of the vehicle. I had to call police and was in a runaway car on the freeway for 30mins. When I hit a median strip I lost enough speed to be able to use the little braking power I had left, as each time I applied the brakes the engine would accelerate back to the set sped and the brake pedal became hard to push. When I stopped I also pulled the handbrake as ordered by the police over the phone to avoid a headon, the left shoe of the handbrake snapped and the car skidded to a stop. The police disconnected the battery when they did testing. …

2002 Ford Explorer transmission failure and uncontrollable accelerator. The transmission had been shifting hard for months but it is considered by Ford to be a "sealed" unit and it is not recommended that the customer maintain the fluid level, so there was nothing I could do. In jan 2010 the accelerator stuck while entering the freeway and we were out of control, I thought I was going to die and had to turn of the car on the freeway with no shoulder after brushing the guard rail and was subsequently rear ended. The o/d off light began blinking that day and it was tough to reach 60mph. Service engine light came on and I shopped around for diagnostic. Independent trans. Guy said it needs complete rebuild, Ford dlr agrees but for twice the cost. New parts are not available. …

Drove car to tire dealer for wheel alignment. Parked and left for them to work on. The next day,dec 10,2014, the service tech drove the car for a test ride to check the alignment before he adjusted. He then drove into the bay and applied foot pressure to the gas peddle to get onto the alignment ramp. The peddle stuck at high rpms , 4000+, . As such the car ran off of the ramp , he applied brakes, to no avail, shut car off at same time. Which stopped the car, but not before it crashed into the alignment machine and tires. Car was hung up on part of the ramp had to be jacked off of ramp. Front bumper damaged, cross member under trans pan bent, left rare lower control arm bent..tire dealer has sent the car to Ford dealer, on dec 11,2014 I spoke with Ford dealer and the have never had a problem like this before. Told him of your report pe 05037 and your letter to Ford. . …

I had just left work with my mother and noticed a smell of burning rubber or wires. We drove for approx. 4 blocks still smelling this. We rolled down the windows thinking it was coming from outside. I even turned off my air conditioning thinking it was pulling the odor in from outside. We then decided we should turn around and go back to my place of employment and have the mechanics check it out. I turned the corner and smoke starting coming out from under the hood. We then pulled over to call our wrecker. The smoke got worse, so we got out of the vehicle and moved away. We then called the fire department. After about 5 minutes flames started coming out from under the hood. Then, there was a small explosion and there was a hole blown in the center of the hood close to the windshield. The flames were then shooting about 6 to 8 ft in the air. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Acceleration complaints in other Explorer years