Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Explorer, most frequently naming the airbags, body & structure and brakes categories. 62 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 2 |
| Jan 2003 | 1 | 3 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 4 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 6 |
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 7 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE VEHICLES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STICKS IN THE GEAR IT'S CURRENTLY IN OR HESITATES WHEN CHANGING GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED PARTS IN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK
THE VEHICLE PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT AND THE RIGHT WHEEL SPINDLE DROPPED OFF WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. *NLM
THE INSIDE DOOR PAD HAD FALLEN OUT THE PLASTIC MATERIAL. *JB
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 55MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. TS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
WHILE DRIVING AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON , AND CAN BE USELESS IN EVENT OF A CRASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
POWER TRAIN
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.