2002 Ford Explorer vs 2002 Toyota 4 Runner
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Ford Explorer | 2002 Toyota 4 Runner |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 3,294 | 32 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 258 | 8 |
| Investigations | 7 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 144 | 7 |
| Fire reports | 57 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 14–17 | 16 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 79,300 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer | Toyota 4 Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 1,502 | 3 |
| Structure | 486 | 0 |
| Suspension | 421 | 6 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 163 | 5 |
| Air Bags | 162 | 3 |
| Steering | 155 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 152 | 3 |
| Electrical System | 148 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 138 | 0 |
| Shifting problems | 111 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 98 | 6 |
| Hesitation / surging | 77 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 74 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 66 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 61 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 47 | 0 |
2002 Ford Explorer
2002 Toyota 4 Runner
Compare all Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4 Runner years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.