Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FUEL FILL PROBLEM.TANK WILL NOT FILL AND SPLASHES OUT EVERY TIME I TRY TO GET GAS COVERING ME WITH GAS AND SPRAYING OUT EVERY WHERE. FORUMS SHOW THIS IS VARY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SPORT TRAC. VARY UNSAFE. *TR
VEHICLE ID NO. 05S28 (FORD EXPLORER TRAM SPORT 2002) FORD RECALL FUEL CURRIER. THEY STILL NOT REPLY ME IN EMAIL SO LONG ALMOST ONE YEAR AND I HAD CONTACT THEM THREE TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS. I DON'T KNOW WHO WILL AUTHORIZE TO FIX MY TRUCK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I AM HEARING IMPAIRED AND I HAVE HARD TO CONTACT THEM. I GIVE YOU INFORMATION NAME OF DEALER AND LOCATION AS FOLLOW: SAM PACK'S FIVE STAR FORD JONATHAN PANKREZ HIS EMAIL IS [email protected] PLEASE CONTACT ME MY EMAIL [email protected] THANKS, DAVID *TR
I PURCHASED THIS 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORTTRAC IN OCTOBER OF 2003, WITH 25,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR OCCASIONS THAT MY VEHICLE HAS RUN OUT OF GAS, WITH THE GASOLINE GAUGE READING BETWEEN 1/4 AND 1/2 TANK READING ON THE GAUGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DONLEY FORD IN GALION, OHIO AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER. I WAS WONDERING WHY THIS ITEM WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I MUST DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED? THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND I WILL HOPEFULLY HEAR FROM YOU.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
THIS DISCREPANCY APPLIES TO A EXPLORER SPORT TRAC NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SEPT 2001. THE VEHICLE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE REACHED 15,000 MILES. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT IF THE LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT AFTER 3 CONSECUTIVE COLD STARTS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE WINDOW FOR SERVICING AT ITS 15,000 MILE CHECK-UP ANYWAY, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND SHOWED THEM THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. I EXPECTED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINISHED WITH ITS REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM FIXED IN A DAY OR TWO. I WAS WRONG, AND FROM READING SIMILAR PROBLEMS REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS, IT APPEARS THIS COULD BE A TREND FOR THE SPORT TRAC MODEL- IF NOT FOR THE ENTIRE EXPLORER GENRE. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND IT WAS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THEN I REMEMBERED THAT I HAD OFTEN NOTICED DROPS OF FLUID ON THE DRIVEWAY EACH TIME I BACKED OUT. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. I DIDN'T CARE WHAT IT TOOK TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER A WHOLE NEW GAS TANK, BECAUSE AS IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, THE FUEL PUMP WAS INTEGRAL TO THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS NOT IN STOCK AND HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM THE FACTORY. THE DEALER SUPPLIED A RENTAL CAR WHILE THE SPORT TRAC WAS BEING REPAIRED. IT TOOK 2 WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP. AFTER THEY RECEIVED IT, IT ONLY TOOK TOOK A COUPLE OF HOURS FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO INSTALL IT AND CHECK IT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY REPAIRED AND I NO LONGER SEE ANY DROPLETS ON THE DRIVEWAY, NOR IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MOST OF THE TWO WEEKS THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS DUE TO AWAITING PARTS. ANY FUEL LEAK SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CRITICAL FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. I ASKED THE DEALER'S REPRESENTATIVE IF THE TANK/PUMP PROBLEM WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MODEL AND THEY DENIED IT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 65 AND ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FAILED TO GO INTO PASSING GEAR. ENGINE STALLED AND CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. ONCE OFF THE ROAD CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TOT HE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, GAS TANK AND AIR FLOW SENSOR. SO FAR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING AS IT SHOULD. THE HEAT SHIELD UNDER THE VEHICLE RATTLED. THE DEALER ADJUSTED IT. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS. *NM
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I JUST READ THE ARTICLE ON THE FORD ESCAPE (4/13/04) RECALL AT CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM. I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN SEPTEMBER 2002. THIS ENGINE STALLING/STUTTERING AND DYING IS EXACTLY WHAT MY FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC HAS BEEN DOING SINCE THE 2ND DAY (30 MILES) OF OWNERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, WITH DOCUMENTATION, AND THEY SAY THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE SENT SEVERAL LETTERS TO THE FORDS DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD. THEY STATED IN THEIR SUMMARY THAT I COULD NOT BE HELPED BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN INCONVENIENCED ENOUGH. I HOPE I CAN GET SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS. FORD HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST ME. MY VEHICLE, JUST TODAY, AGAIN HESITATED AND CHUGGED FOR SOME TIME. IT IS LIKE THE FUEL IS NOT GETTING TO THE CARBURETOR. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. LUCIUS (BUD) ANGELL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DIES OUT, BUT WILL RESTART. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE FUEL SYSTEM. *AK THE FIRST TWO FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STARTED UP IN 3 TO 5 MIN. THE THIRD FAILURE, THE MOST SERIOUS, IT TOOK APPROX. 10 MIN. TO START IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. CONSUMER TOOK TO DEALER. TWO MONTHS LATER, VEHICLE QUIT RUNNING AT 45 MPH. CONSUMER LIMPED HOME AT 5 MPH, LET IDLE FOR 10 MIN. THEN IT RAN FINE AGAIN. *PH
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH GAS SPEWING OUT OF TANK WHEN REFUELING. THIS IS MY SECOND SPORT TRAC. FORD BOUGHT BACK MY FIRST ONE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIX ONGOING ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT STARTED OFF AS A ROUGH IDLE PROBLEM. THEY EVEN REPLACED THE ENGINE, AND SURPRISINGLY THAT MADE THINGS WORSE. I HAVE HAD MY NEW VEHICLE SINCE THE END OF JULY AND HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ROUGH IDLE PROBLEMS RECENTLY.*JB
DRIVING IN THE RAIN CAUSES DEBRIS AND WATER TO GET INTO THE FUEL TANK WHICH LEADS TO A FUELING PROBLEM. IF YOU TRY TO FUEL THE CAR AT ANY SPEED OF THE GAS PUMP, GASOLINE SPITS BACK AT TREMENDOUS PRESSURE. IT COVERS THE CAR, THE FUELING PERSON AND FORD IS NOT LETTING THIS SECRET OUT TO THE PUBLIC. I TALKED TO TWO MECHANICS AT THE DEALERSHIP MY CAR IS IN (THE CAR HAS BEEN THERE FOR A MONTH, THIS TIME) AND THEY SAID IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT CAUSED BY TWO CANISTERS THAT ARE TO KEEP RAIN AND FEUL OUT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION!!!!!!!!!!! I'VE SEEN PEOPLE WITH CIGARETTES IN THEIR HAND WHILE REFUELING. IF THIS HAPPENS TO THEM THEY ARE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUT OF FUEL THAT SPITS BACK. I'VE FILED FOR THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE I DON'T WANT A CAR THAT DOES THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE ONLY REPLACING THE SAME PART.*JB
SPITS OUT GAS WHEN I START TO FILL IT UP. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES BETWEEN 8/02-2/03 FOR A CUMLATIVE TOTAL OF 35 DAYS! IT'S RUNNING NOW, BUT FOR HOW LONG BEFORE IT GOES BACK IN THE SHOP IS ANYBODY'S GUESS. I ASKED ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER SPORT TRACS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, HE SAID NO. IF THAT WAS THE CASE, WHY WAS THE PART HE NEEDED TO FIX MY TRUCK ON NATIONAL BACKORDER? THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO EVERYONES ATTENTION THAT HAS A SPORT TRAC. GAS SPITTING OUT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN TO BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED! *JB
2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC-DURING FUELING GAS SPITS OUT OF THE FILLER. SERVICE MANAGER SAID TO ME THAT LOTS OF SPORT TRACS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND FORD CAN'T FIND THE ANSWER TO IT. THEY ARE NOT LETTING THIS OUT TO THE PUBLIC OR ON A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO IT! MY SPORT TRAC HAS BEEN IN THEIR FOR OVER A MONTH AND THEY HAVEN'T RESOLVED THIS YET!!!!!!!
I DRIVE A 2002 FORD SPORT TRAC WITH FOLLOWING PROBLEMS THAT CAN NOT BE CORRECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.1) THE FUEL TANK IS NOT PROPERLY VENTED, BECAUSE THE LAST 3-4 GALLONS COULD TAKE 3-4 MINUTES TO ACCOMPLISH WHILE REFUELING. 2) WHILE DRIVING BETEEN 60-65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND FOLLOWING THE DEALERSHIP'S INSTRUCTIONS, THE BEST THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISH IS 15-16 MPG. 3) THE OVER-HEAD TEMPERATURE CAN NOT BE CALIBRATED, IT REMAINS 4-5 DEGREES OFF.
THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANK/VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL FUEL SPLASHES INTO THE VAPOR RECOVERY CANISTER AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. FORD ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 60-90 DAYS FOR A SOLUTION. IN THE MEANTIME I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE TANK 3/4 FULL OR LESS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS DESIGN PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IF IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THEN EVERY SPORT TRAC SHOULD BE EFFECTED. IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE 4 TIMES THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ME THREE OF THEM WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. EVEN FOR MYSELF , A LARGE MALE, I HAD TROUBLE COMPLETING THE TURN. I SHUDDER TO THINK BOUT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY 105 POUND DAUGHTER HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND IT HAD STALLED DURING A TURN. IF THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, THEN PEOPLE NEED TO BE WARNED WHEN THEY PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. NOT FILLING THE GAS TANK COMPLETELY DOES WORK, NO STALLS OCCUR. THANK YOU. TIM COLE. *NLM *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*768014
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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