Overview & Reviews

The 2002 Ford Explorer has been overhauled in an attempt to make it more carlike than ever before. Among the improvements are a 2.5-inch-wider stance and 2-inch-longer wheelbase for improved handling and roominess, a new independent rear suspension that improves ride and handling, while at the same time accommodating an optional third row of seats, larger door openings with a lower step-in height, an optional side curtain airbag system and an optional Reverse Sensing System.

• Available third-row seating, independent rear suspension, powerful engines, attractive new exterior design.

• Everyone and his uncle has one, driving characteristics are still pretty truck-like.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 372.00

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  2002 Ford Explore Limited 4.6L V8 - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By carguy03 - July 9 - 10:08 pm

  Purchased this vehicle in October 2010, and really liked it, but after I drove it for a while, I realized that I didnt have enough leg room, Im 64". The Explorer had a lot of power, and would get you where you needed to go!

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  Great until it hit 100k miles! - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By chase2634 - June 9 - 5:34 pm

  Bought mine used in 2004 with around 30k miles. Aside from general maintenance this vehicle was great until it 100k miles. Wheel bearings, cracked rear panel out of the blue due to design flaw and now at 150k miles the transmission is on the way out. Just got the dreaded blinking over drive light and found out my new trans will cost about 2k.

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  BIG time TRANNY issues/Bearings also - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By tracydeech - April 28 - 9:48 am

  Mine was a demo when I bought with few miles on. Absolutely loved it for the first 6 years. 09 is or 08 is when I saw problems. The heat/AC went out. And then the wheel bearing started going (every 6-8 months one would need fixed) It has around 120k miles on it. Tranny died 3 weeks ago!-and on top of that 2 more wheel bearings need fixed on it plus tie rods. AND it is a gas guzzler! Its paid off but it is still costing me lots to keep it! So I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with my explorer. Goes GREAT in snow(only reason why I would consider keeping).Im going for a more economical vehicle now.

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  good in formula bad in practice - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By tompnoid - March 29 - 11:09 am

  Ford has built a truck with all wheel drive to help with horse power and grip when riding on wet roads awesome right?? no... a great idea in a lab isnt always practical in real life mine has 89k on it and needs a new transmission i went to a shop the other day and asked a guy about price said i have a 2002 ford explorer he goes wait look over there see all those boxes those are transmissions for 2002 ford explorers. you cannot build a full time 4 wheel drive vehicle that is this heavy and have only a 4.0 l v6 powerplant. this would of been a great vehicle with better gas milage and no trannsmission issues had they only put in a button to let u disengage the 4 wheel drive.

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  STOP DOGGING THIS GREAT VEHICLE!!!! - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By woodysh7 - January 8 - 12:25 pm

  i am so sick of seeing so many people putting down this vehicle. i have owned this vehicle for a year now and absolutely love it. it drive great, performs flawlessly, i bout it cheap and feel good about the purchase all together. i feel that alot of people dont like this vehicle because they are just plain stupid and dont know how to get a great deal. so, please people . stop it now!!! i have had no transmission problems, no bearing problems, no electrical problems, no problems at all!! i think there are some ford haters on here just putting down the vehicle for no reason. this vehicle drives great, so go out and buy one today!! dont let all these haters on here make you believe their crap!!

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  Well is this it? - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By vue5531 - January 1 - 2:50 am

  I have a 2002 Explorer Limited, but I have the V-8 model, and all I can say is that I absolutely hate this vehicle. The interior is of poor build quility, its not roomy, comfortable, or very attractive. I am 67 and also have a Saturn Vue and it has so much more interior room.The ride is absolutely terrible. You feel every bump and crack in the road. The transmission has gone out twice since Ive owned the car, electronics work when they want to. I think that if your going to spend near $43k like I did (brand new), you can buy so many other vehicles that are much better and cheaper, and with less problems. The only good thing is the power the V-8 produces.

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  Reliable SUV - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Louise - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought it used in 2007 with 112K, few things had to be tuned, one ball joint replaced. Since 2007 only had to change battery and tires. CD changer does not work right, climate control has a mind of its own. Currently got 155k, rides OK. I drove it across the country several times, comfortable, enough room for everything.

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  Switched to a Chevy - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Switched to a Chevy - October 21 - 2:00 am

  This was the 2nd Explorer that I had owned. Traded my 2000 in because I liked the body style of the newer Explorers. Never had any issues with the old one. I absolutely loved the 2002 Explorer, at first! It is a piece of crap. Looks and rides nice but replaced numerous wheel bearings and the transmission was clunking and shifting so hard at around 25 mph that my kids kept asking me what I was doing. CD player stopped ejecting CDs. Driver side window motor needed replaced. Leg room in back for 3rd row seat very cramped. If this vehicle would have held up I would have kept it forever. Got rid of it before we had to replace the transmission. Got a Chevy Tahoe, which I LOVE!

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  Only had two problems - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By only one problem - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV. love the 4x4. use it all the time. Only had 2 problems. 1) Passenger side external rear wheel bearing went out. $400 fix. 2) Brake pedal position sensor. $200 fix. No problems with tranny. I do pull a 1000 pound utility trailer a few times a month. I spend the time and money to have all maintenance done on schedule. I have about 117,000 miles on my 2002 explorer xlt. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

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  160,000 & like new - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By George - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought this truck with high miles & you would never know it had that many miles. Fun to drive, tons of room, reliable & looks good on me. Plastic trim inside & out is faded. Easy fix with a few cans of plastic seal matched color paint. Fine machine.