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2002 Ford Explorer User Reviews

2002 Ford Explorer Review Ratings

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Average Ratings from 35 reviews

  • Performance:4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars 4 / 5
  • Appearance:4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars 4.2 / 5
  • Build Quality:4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars 4 / 5
  • Overall:4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars 4.3 / 5

Review Highlights Click to filter reviews below

PROS
"ride" 10 reviews
"power" 9 reviews
"comfortable car" 5 reviews
"fuel economy" 5 reviews
"suspension" 4 reviews
CONS
"fuel economy" 16 reviews
"ride" 3 reviews
"transmission" 2 reviews
"window" 2 reviews

User Reviews

Displaying 1 - 10 of 35 reviews 1234 Next
Kelly writes:
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD Review
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Pros

Good gas mileage, LOVE the ride the independent rear suspension provides, dependable, LOVE driving it in the snow before the streets are plowed.

Cons

The cloth interior, the fading back window posts. I mean, if Dodge can make those panels fade-free, why can't Ford??

85

Love My Explorer. — Goes through the snow like hot knife through butter even without the 4-wheel drive!! This is my second Explorer, and I bought it on the reputation of the first one, which, with 210,000 miles, is still going strong! (I still own the first one, a '92, and will keep it until it begs for mercy.) A few cons - the soft plug is very expensive to replace on the 4.0 liter engine. It looks like an 89-cent part, but due to its location, cost $270 in labor charges to get to it. I'm not happy with the cloth interior as everything sticks to it like velcro. And the posts between the rear side windows and back window are getting dull, a problem that has been happening since 1992 apparently. I will most likely always drive an Explorer. They're roomy, comfortable, dependable and easy for everyone to get in and out of.

Primary Use: Family transportation

4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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longnail412 writes:
2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD Review
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Pros

Main reason I have this vehicle is ex-spouse wouldn't take it

Cons

Reason to avoid this particular car, it guzzle the gas like water.

longnail412
35

Would Be Okay If It Was A Had A Smaller Engine And The Previous Owner Took Better Care Of It — Don't like the fact it's a gas guzzler. Drives well, but too many mechanical problems after only having the vehicle two and half years (one small problem after another). Haven't had any extremely major problems. Overall like the truck since it's my first, but think I'll go with something other than a ford next time (now that i'm experience in driving suv). like the feeling of high riders.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Matthew writes:
2002 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD Review
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Pros

Good V-8 Power

Cons

Battery needs replacing often

35

Explorer — The performance of the car is very good. Has good power and the handling is good,m even off-road. My car has a black paint job with gray leather interior and looks really nice. Maintenance is not too bad, but the battery dies easily especially if you leave a light on for an hour or so.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Darin83 writes:
2002 Ford Explorer XLS 4WD Review
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55

The Beast — Gas millage isn't really that bad and the tank holds a great deal, so I don't complain! Great for vacations and long distance driving!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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seeborn writes:
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD Review
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Pros

looks

Cons

the motor

seeborn
25

Its A Nice Body Style — i really like how nice my suv looks, i also like how much my faimly like it when we use to take long trips out of town with it the space we all have as well we just looked good in it

Primary Use: Family transportation

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aatomicdawg36 writes:
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD Review
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Pros

Very solid feel in bad weather, rides quite nice when weather is good too!

Cons

Early production quality issues in the drive-train and axle areas.  Most problems showed up in the 50-60K mile range.

aatomicdawg36
25

2002 Ford Explorer - Decent Suv That Has Stood The Test Of Time. — Very solid SUV that has stood the test of time. I mostly use this vehicle for family travel and for hauling trash and yard clippings to the dump and the recycling area. Good Cargo area, solid build, you can really get down and get brown with this vehicle, then wash it down, and head out on the town and you will arrive in style.

Primary Use: Family transportation

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redman02 writes:
2002 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD Review
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Pros

Great ride, tight steering, independent suspension w/little body roll, hauls good, great in snow & mud, comfortable, V-8 good power, great high & low 4x4 system, shift 4x4 on the fly,  brakes are great even with a load behind you, no over - steer.

Cons

One negative has been some have transmission issues that can be costly. Change your tranny fluid and filter every 36K ($90.)  If you have it rebuilt take the 3 - year 36K warranty you don't want to pass on it, trust me.

MPG is not nice: 13 city stop & go, 17-18 hwy. But if MPG is what you want you don't want a SUV full size. In my opinion the explorer is the best of the full size. But cost to run them is high keep that in mind.

redman02
45

Great Vehicle Other Than Possible Tranny Problem. — Great ride, tight steering, independent suspension w/little body roll, hauls good, great in snow & mud, comfortable, V-8 good power, great high & low 4x4 system, shift 4x4 on the fly, brakes are great even with a load behind you, solid feel on the road, smooth shifting even under load, good sight from drivers seat, seat adjust great with memory, seats fold up for hauling bigger items, in and out of it is nice better than my car. "Great Vehicle".

Primary Use: Family transportation

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vanessa2155 writes:
2002 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD Review
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Pros

My truck has been so reliable. It looks great and has plenty of room.

Cons

I cant think of anything.

vanessa2155
25

I Love My Truck But It Wont Last Forever. — I now have 193,000 miles on my Explorer and have never had a major problem with it. Just normal maintenance for me. It still looks great and still drives great. I actually want to buy another one when this one dies. Same body style too so I'm looking for a 2010 blue flame explorer.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Alex writes:
2002 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD Review
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Pros

third row for 8 passangers

Cons

gas mileage only 13 miles per gallon city 17 highway

25

It Is A Ford Dont Expect Much — Very nice truck ,very bad in gas mileage already three transmissions 8 wheel bearings ,three window regulators ,two alternators rides very nice,like new has a third row which is very convenient when people come and visit .Maintenance is not bad unless you need major work.

Primary Use: Family transportation

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JustIn writes:
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD Review
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Pros

Trucks a great preppy truck.

Cons

Need more style  but nothing a little aftermarket cant fix

35

2002 Ford Explorer Xlt — Truck runs great, tranny was replaced before i bought it truck has 152,000 miles on the engine but no signs of giving up, But the truck sounds funny sometimes like an engine electrically sound but it clears up after the truck warms up, until you get on the highway you hear it also.

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 35 reviews 1234 Next
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Cost $10,999 Average Instant Market Value $6,527 Average Instant Market Value $8,352 Average Instant Market Value
Gas Mileage (highway) 21 19 20
Horsepower 203 232 210
Crash Test Rating 5 8
Front Leg Room (inches) 42.40 41.1 42.4

Reviews From Other Years

2012 Ford Explorer Reviews

First Ford, So Far So Good. By codemannwo

I've only had the SUV for 24 hours, so only time will tell. I will keep posting updates with my impression of this vehicle as I drive and use more of it's expansive features. Just wondering if I nee... Read More

Read all 2012 Ford Explorer reviews

2011 Ford Explorer Reviews

Super Fun, Sporty Suv With The Looks To Boot! By gacowgirl79

So far this is my most favorite SUV I have ever owned. I have owned an explorer before but it was nothing compared to this one! With this one, I am just looking for a reason to get behind the wheel ... Read More

Ford Explor By BradMathiowetz

Great car overall, recommend. The MPG could be a little better, but it doesn't lack at all in the power category, we topped it out at 120 MPH which is astonishing for a car of this size, great buy for... Read More

Read all 2011 Ford Explorer reviews

2010 Ford Explorer Reviews

Lots Of Toys On The Limited Awd By goldy

Accelerator responsiveness with the 6 speed transmission and the v8 is lousy. The 6 speed wants to be in 2nd when starting and shifts very quickly to 6th even when going only 30mph.6 speed is only goo... Read More

Best Mid-sized Suv Out! By Billy

This is my 2nt Ford Explorer and definitely not my last! This vehicle is built Ford tough and is fun to drive. Comfortably seats 7 and the 3rd row seat is very roomy for a mid-sized SUV. I wish I wa... Read More

Read all 2010 Ford Explorer reviews

2009 Ford Explorer Reviews

This Is My 5th Explorer, Need To Down Size To Escape For Parking Situation By jsteve555

I have no complaints regarding car. I am selling it because of my parking limitations and I dont need a car with a tow package...I am planning to stay with Ford and go to an Escape size SUV, The car h... Read More

Good By Carlos

cost efective, space, confort, space, cargo area, tree rows, good gas millage,good apparence interior and exterior, exellent suspension,good braking, i lke separet controls for the a/c, it need a outl... Read More

Read all 3 2009 Ford Explorer reviews

2008 Ford Explorer Reviews

Good Show..!! By IRoq

Good Show..!! I Haven't Made A Repair Yet. Its Fun, & Has Pretty Good Pick Up. I Have A 4WD V6 & I Love Him.. MPG's Are Bad, But That's The Sacrifice You Make With A Big SUV. Visibility Is Great.... Read More

Great Family Car! By Explorer39

Overall, a very good SUV. Great power/performance, very good towing capacity/capability, lots of interior room, nice styling. It's great SUV because it has everything I need. The V6 is just enough for... Read More

Read all 9 2008 Ford Explorer reviews
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