2002 Ford Sport Trac: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Sport Trac years.
One of the Ford Sport Trac years to avoid. All Sport Trac years
3,622 owner complaints, most about power train. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Sport Trac?The 2002 Ford Sport Trac has 3622 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and structure. Owners most often flag fuel system issues: cracked fuel sending units, failing fuel pump driver modules, and stalling problems (especially on 2002 models) are commonly cited.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Ford Sport Trac vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sport Trac years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the Sport Trac?
Across the 8 Sport Trac model years we track, complaint volume runs from 6 (2009) to 3,622 (2002). With 3,622 complaints, the 2002 Sport Trac sits above the model's median of 568.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 Sport Trac
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN 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.
vehicle speed control
Campaign 07V336000ON 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.
seats:front assembly:recliner
Campaign 03V281000ON 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. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.
tires:tread/belt
Campaign 01X001000THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation and powertrain.
- RecurrentFuel system issues
Cracked fuel sending units, failing fuel pump driver modules, and stalling problems (especially on 2002 models) are commonly cited.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sport Trac. See the full Sport Trac owner picture and every model year.
Other Sport Trac model years
Compare every Sport Trac year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sport Trac against its rivals
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