Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While parked in my driveway the back window (lift gate window) was raised to remove things from the back of the vehicle as soon as the window was being closed about halfway down it exploded and sent glass flying all around outside and inside the vehicle. The bottom piece of the window with the wiper was hanging from the electrical cord everything else was gone. There was no force on the window and nothing obstructing it the whole thing just exploded for no apparent reason. It was very scary and could have caused serious injuries. Luckily no one in this situation was injured. My family have spent hours removing all of the shattered glass from the driveway and yard. It sent glass flying as far as to the front of the vehicle.
After starting the ignition on my 2002 Ford Explorer, my husband and I noticed an obnoxious smell in the car. My husband pulled over and looked under the car and did not see anything. I looked at the driver's door and saw smoke coming from the power window buttons. My husband turned off the ignition. He felt the buttons and they were very hot. Eventually the smoke subsided. He later on removed the fuse that correlated with the power windows. He drove the car home without incident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a loud abnormal noise and noticed that the sun roof was detached. The vehicle was taken to an unknown independent mechanic who stated that the manufacturer discontinued the part. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the sun roofs were discontinued. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked, the rear hatch window was closed and it shattered. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000. The consumer stated after the window was replaced, she received a recall letter for the exact issue. Updated 03/21/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. Upon opening and closing the rear hatch, the rod on the driver side fractured which caused the glass to shatter. The vehicle was parked at the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,043. Updated 1/15/16
When I turn my windshield wipers on they stay on low and will not go off unless I turn the truck off with the wipers in off position. My o/d off light started blinking when I was driving down the road when I turn the truck off for a few minutes it goes off, but comes on a little bit later while driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the rear windshield shattered without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
On my 2002 Ford Explorer SUV I have had to replace 3 of the 4 wheel bearings and hub assemblies(approx $250 each), with the 4th not far behind. I have also had to replace the 4-wheel drive module(approx $400-$500). I have had problems with the rear window motors going bad and having to replace these too. The air conditioning unit has stopped working. The passenger air bag dummy light has come on for no reason. The seat belt warning chime often comes on and will not go off, even though you have buckled your seat belt. You have to slam the buckle into place for it to go off and sometimes this does not work either. The transmission is now making a lovely clunking sound when shifting from park to drive and when you try to put it back into park, it does not want to. You have to put it up to park as far as it will go then go back to neutral and then into park from there. …
Re NHTSA # 04v-442. 2002 Ford Explorer. Liftgate glass hinge sheared and glass fell on me. I was told by service dept that Ford recall 04s20 (performed in 2004) was only warranteed for 1 year, so I purchased new hinge kit (2l2z-78420a68-aa) and installed myself. After examining old parts, I noticed significant redesign. After discussion with a Ford service manager it appears that initial recall repairs were insufficient and by his estimate the hinges last about 3 years. There were several modifications to the recalled parts and procedures since 12/04. My vehicle was repaired 12/20/04 so the most recent procedure was not followed at the time and most recent parts were not installed. Ford will not compensate for additional expenses once any recall repair was completed. I was not injured because I was opening the hatch slowly and had not let go before the hinge broke and the glass fell. …
At 74000 miles our transmission went out completely while we were on vacation! The dealership where we bought the vehicle, said that "we were the only one's who have had this problem" (yeah right!) it cost us $6000 out of our pocket to fix. At 86000 miles the rear window cracked right below the window. Ford and the dealership refuses to fix it. Again, stayton Ford told us that,"we were the only people who have had this particular issue." at around 85000, 95000 and 105000 miles, the rear seals leaked. We were promised each time that they would last "for at least 50000 miles." we were always a few miles away from getting them replaced for free since they're limited warranty is only good for 10000 miles. …
Window & Wiper complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2002 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 131 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 4% of the model year's 3,295 complaints. The component named most often is glass, side/rear (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Explorer window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2002 Ford Explorer, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Explorer window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 19 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.