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 1 through 10 of 372.00

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  followup 3 year 88000 - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By coloradobell1 - October 22 - 12:19 pm

  no problems. New tires this years but that given. 3 Colorado winters 5 passes no problems. We take our Explorer in every June for yearly its oils, transmission changes. We just brought small camping trailer and you cant even tell you towing the thing. heading up Yellowstone next summer. cant wait. 58000 to start, now 88000. In 27 years of marriage its still best car hubby & I have owned.

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  184,000 miles and doing GREAT - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By benzcrazy1 - October 16 - 7:31 pm

  Have owned this car since 2004. Bought with 45k miles, have right at 184k miles on it now and is still driven daily. It has never left me stranded. Decent gas mileage for an older SUV, keep it serviced at the Ford dealership and have had to put the usual front hubs and upper contol arms on it, which they are known for but aside from that, just routine maintenance. Great looking, relaible and reasonable cost to own!

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  a follow up on a earlier post - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By coloradobell - May 9 - 5:13 pm

  Just finished our first winter with out 02 Ford Explorer. No problems. We are taking trip to NV in June. I went down to the dealership and had the transmission flushed and transmission housing oil changed. The cost for both was $299.00. When returned the mechanic noted that the engine was in excellent shape..he did say the coolant should be changed, and the right rear seal has small leak.if they do it 299.00.l hubby say he plans to changed coolant and oil same time before the trip. my husband also he will take of seal when we get back.. They also fixed the airbag wiring problem under the driver seat, that kept coming unplug when seat got moved up @ NO Charge! 64000 miles

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  moving on up from 81 chevy blazer,first luxury car - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By coloradobell - October 16 - 4:46 pm

  we just brought our explorer from dearship, its only had 58000 mile on the engine. By looking at you would think it just came off the assembly line. We love it. This are first luxury suv in twenty five years of marriage. I am married to retired car parts salesman and he didnt say one word about the cost of parts for explorer. Believe me first time ever!! Every other suv I thought about buying never ending. My husband now refuses to drive the old chevy which we still have.Hes in love with our car. its is gas hog, but after driving uncomfortble suv for nearly 15 years. The trade up was well worth it. Now I know we have dependable car going over colorado winter passes

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  Excellent SUV for family travel - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By skarland - September 23 - 8:47 pm

  This is my first SUV. I bought in 2010 with 96,000 miles. Now it has 125,000 miles. Things I have done: brakes, a set of new tires, regular motorcraft oil change every 3k miles. No major repair. For people complains the transmission problems, its better to customize it with an external ATF filter and extra big ATF cooler. You should check the ATF level regularly and also its temperature (I also add a temp gauge). Because ford put a sealed transmission with this SUV, there is no way for regular person to check the ATF fluid level. With all these done, you wont have a failed transmission. Recently I drove this car from Austin Texas all the way to Buffalo NY, and back to Austin, never failed.

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  My Baby (a 2002) has over 200,000 miles! - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By nikkio - October 27 - 2:47 pm

  I have to tell you .. this is a reliable family vehicle! I have a 2002 Ford Explorer 4.0 (4x4). We have the third seat. We purchased it in 2002 with about 18K miles on it. I am a mother of 3 & 510". I have total confidence in this vehicle! You will always have slight issues with vehicles but, this vehicle held out for many years! I have over 200,000 miles and have only done the following: - basic tune ups - brakes -oil changes every 3,000 miles (Motorcraft synthetic blend) - all four wheel barrings (But at 200,000 miles!) - Replaced the lower housing unit - it started to overheat (at 200,000 miles!) Im getting a new truck after the holidays and will be getting a new Ford Explorer!

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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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  Fantastic SUV - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By susy - July 25 - 9:40 pm

  I love my explorer. So far, no problems. Im better satisfied with this Ford than I have with all of my former purchases. Exactly what I was looking for and couldnt be happier.

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  very dependable - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Craig - May 15 - 12:43 pm

  vehicle has 72,000 miles on it and Ive only replaced the tires and rear brakes...this SUV has been good to me but, then again, I dont drive like a maniac and change the oil every 4,000 miles.

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  Great Mid-size SUV - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By KCAttorney - February 6 - 12:26 am

  Bought this SUV with V6 in summer of 2007 with 95K miles on it. Sold it in November 2009 with 130K miles to a friends daughter who just turned 16. It still looks great, interior & exterior. Only repairs during that time were 2 rear wheel bearings and the rear AC door actuator. Other people complain about having to repair items like wheel bearings at "only" 90K miles. Come on, be realistic. Once a car gets over 50K miles, its going to need repairs from time to time. This SUV offers a great overall package. Ive had 3 Explorers now and had good luck with all 3. They arent perfect, but Ive had several other SUVs also, and the Explorer is a great truck. Thats why Ive owned 3.