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 31 through 40 of 372.00-
Worst transmission Fords ever built - 2002 Ford Explorer
By bottechia - December 6 - 2:33 pmMy transmission first stated to delay going in reverse, you know the 3-4 second wait before it engages. Then the transmission would not change into second gear so I took it in to Ford. I was told I needed a new transmission at the cost of $3100.00 and I only had 38,000 miles on it. Ford knows with this many transmission problems with 2002 and up Explorer they should recall them to keep customers happy.
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At Ford, Quality is Job None - 2002 Ford Explorer
By Andrew - November 24 - 5:06 amStay away from the 02 Explorer. Its a repair bill waiting to happen. My last two visits were $1100 a pop, and this after having all of the regularly scheduled maintenance done at Ford dealerships. A major bungle by the engineers. From ball bearings to shattering trim, this things a mess. I wonder if Ford built it on the cheap in order to get business for their service depts. Thats where they apparently rake in the dough. Im done with Ford.
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Bearing(s) Down - 2002 Ford Explorer
By chennung - November 3 - 7:34 pmWhen I moved to the US in 2002, I was so proud I bought an American SUV, contrary to my friends who bought Japanese cars. True, the first 5 years were without any problem. Last month, noise from the front drew me to the dealer. Diagnosis: front AND rear hub bearings worn out, diff pinion and bearings also to be replaced -- total $ 2750. I wish I had read the reviews before...hub bearings issue definitely bearing down on Ford Explorer. If this is such a widely known issue, am not sure why Ford is not replacing it for free -- ...one would think that an SUV would have strong bearings. My second car which I bought this month is definitely not a Ford. Ford has lost its bearings.
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Tranny and Rear Differential Blues-20K in 4 yrs - 2002 Ford Explorer
By John - October 5 - 8:33 amBought this wonderful driving vehicle new for around $29K and smiled. Rear differential and tranny failed at 60K: $1,300 for the rear diff, $3,600 for the tranny. Appealed to Ford to stand behind their product and correct these obvious design defects: Ford says "Sorry, out of warranty". Do a search on "02 Explorer Problems" and you can spend the afternoon reading about people with the same mechanical failures who received no support from Ford. Car is now worth about $9K trade in. Im sick. Worst part is, this is a nice car ... if only Ford would stand behind it. This is my 4th Ford. As patriotic as I am, I will not throw more money into another depreciation dog with ridiculous reliability problems.
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Rear End Noise - 2002 Ford Explorer
By panman - January 21 - 2:26 pmRear end started making noise at 36K miles. Went to dealer with 36,600 miles. 600 miles out of warranty. $1200 rear end rebuild. Fought Ford and I paid $300. Started making noise again at 55K miles. Went back to dealer. Only wanted to sell me tires and brakes. I have driven it with noise for the past 50K miles. Ford knows they have a problem and they do not care. Wonder why they are in trouble and not selling cars?
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Love and Hate it - 2002 Ford Explorer
By WHITFOC - October 15 - 2:16 amI have had a 98 and an 02. I have had a number of problems with the 02. The rear seals and wheel bearing have been replaced twice, 10K miles apart. The transmission has been in four times. The filter assembly changed twice and now it is in for a new tranny at 43K. Luckily I paid for an extended warranty. Life span of rotors is horrible, same as 98. Sunroof, front wheel bearings, and drivers seat cover replaced. The truck is great. The reliability is horrible. This will be the last Explorer. Too bad they cant make quality job 1 anymore. First model year, but should not have had this many problems.
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Dissatisfied repeat customer - 2002 Ford Explorer
By clista0204 - June 20 - 10:00 amVehicle is a V8 XLT. It has been a thorn in my side since it was leased and I cant wait to get rid of it. All of its problems have been repetative. Compass has been replace 4times. Sway bar bushings have been replaced 4 times. Vehicle had stalling problem which went undiagnosed by the dealers that I dealt with for 2 years until it left me stranded. Trans needed work from day one, and has been adjusted two times. I do a lot of highway driving and I need a reliable vehicle. This one is not. Also sloping roof always causes a lot of water to constantly travel down the front windshield. This can be very inconvenient
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Think Twice - 2002 Ford Explorer
By Kevin Kolff - November 18 - 7:53 amI have owned three Explorers since 1991 and I can guarantee this will be my last Ford Vehicle. I have had so many problems with my 2002 Explorer, where do I start. AC went out at 38K, tranny replaced at 60K, rear tailgate plastic strip cracked at 39K, clear coat on all plastic parts gone, interior door material coming unglued, power steering pump replaced 71K, power lock motor replaced 66K. These are only the major problems; the list of the smaller problems is too long to list.
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Dont make a mistake! - 2002 Ford Explorer
By Mom of 2 boys - October 22 - 5:53 pmWe bought our 02 Explorer used in 04, thinking that since we were buying from a Ford dealer, we would have Ford standing behind its product. Wrong. The car looks good, but it is a piece of junk. The rear differential has been fixed twice already (at $1000 a pop), and it still has the roaring coming from the rear end that these 02 Explorers have become famous for. Ford really should issue a recall about this. If you do your research, youll find so many owners with this same problem, and Ford wont fix it. They are simply interested in selling their cars, not having great customer service afterwards. Sorry to say, were among the legions who have now sworn off Fords forever.
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Poor Steering - 2002 Ford Explorer
By louie - January 18 - 10:00 amThis is a 2003 XLS. When parking, an extreme turn of the steering wheel causes it to bind in that position and car has to be mamhandled into space. Testing in empty park lot shows that the stuck steering wheel will remain in that position up to three full circles at low speed before beginning to unbind by itself. Also, power steering appears not to help much in parking. Original dealer said nothing was wrong. J.O.Williams dealership changed rack and pinion, but that did not solve problem. I have driven several other new Explorers at dealership and they all appear to have same problem.
