CarOutlay

2002 Ford Explorer vs 2016 Ford Explorer

Same-model NHTSA complaint comparison: raw complaints, recalls, top component families, and reported harm mentions.

Pending review: this curated compare page is generated from two real NHTSA rows and excluded from the sitemap until sampled. Data through 2026; reviewed June 2026.

2002 Ford Explorer

Full vehicle record
NHTSA source
Complaints
4,096
rank #6 of 4,194
Recalls
0
campaigns on record
Top component
Power Train
1,333 complaints (33%)
Reported harm
178 crashes / 211 injuries
6 deaths; 71 fires

2016 Ford Explorer

Full vehicle record
NHTSA source
Complaints
2,993
rank #24 of 4,194
Recalls
13
campaigns on record
Top component
Steering
500 complaints (17%)
Reported harm
57 crashes / 84 injuries
0 deaths; 21 fires

Largest differences in this pair

Complaint gap

1,103

2016 Ford Explorer has the lower raw complaint count

Recall gap

13

2002 Ford Explorer vs 2016 Ford Explorer

Top component overlap

Different families

Power Train vs Steering

2002 Ford Explorer problem mix

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 887
  • POWER TRAIN 286
  • SUSPENSION:REAR 192
  • STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS 166
  • POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT 160

2016 Ford Explorer problem mix

  • STEERING 500
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 421
  • ENGINE 379
  • STRUCTURE 360
  • POWER TRAIN 198

Frequently asked questions

Which has fewer NHTSA complaints, the 2002 Ford Explorer or 2016 Ford Explorer?

2016 Ford Explorer has fewer raw NHTSA consumer complaints in this dataset (2,993 vs 4,096). This is not a defect rate and is not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Does this mean the 2016 Ford Explorer is more reliable?

No. These are unverified consumer reports and recall campaigns, not production-normalized reliability scores. Use the comparison as one research signal and check a specific vehicle's history before buying.

These are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle, and not financial, safety, or purchasing advice. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).