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Used 2002 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars
387 reviews

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4 out of 5 stars

It's a Ford, not a Lincoln

leatherneck, 10/27/2002
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 2WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

So far no problems. My only concern is the so called maintenance free automatic 5-speed transmission. No dip stick to check fluid level. Love the Michelin tires. Drives smooth. It feels secure when driving on the highway. The V-6 feels like a V-8. The only other minor thing I should mention is the rear trim around the rear window. It seems to be separating. The vehicle is only 8 months old.

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2.13 out of 5 stars

Not a very good buy

bigrobrown, 12/11/2008
2002 Ford Explorer XLS 2WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Really regret buying this car. It was my first purchase and I was extremely excited about it and didn't think to ask many important questions. To be a V6 it got really bad gas mileage and maintance is insane. Have had it in the shop for serious repairs like two days after the warranty expired. It does look nice in my opinion but that's all this car has. Keep your money and buy something else

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2.63 out of 5 stars

Don't make a mistake!

Mom of 2 boys, 09/15/2006
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 2WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

We 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, you'll find so many owners with this same problem, and Ford won't fix it. They are simply interested in selling their cars, not having great customer service afterwards. Sorry to say, we're among the legions who have now sworn off Fords forever.

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4 out of 5 stars

Time to say goodbye to a faithful friend!

P L Meid, 06/22/2016
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

The height of the rear cargo floor off the ground saved my back for these many years. No bending over the trunk of a sedan anymore, to retrieve heavy grocery bags. Being able to slide onto the driver seat from a standing position was perfect. I was tall enough then. I'm shorter now. The solution.....a smaller SUV. I'm giving my big XLT to a friend. That big mean green machine still has a few good years left in her! That same friend, the day he takes ownership of my '02 Ford XLT is the day he parts with his '94 Ford XLT with over 250,000 original miles, and the original stainless steel exhaust system. There's a lot to say about the way some of the these vehicles were built 'back in the day'. Of course, proper care and maintenance is understood!

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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3.63 out of 5 stars

BIG time TRANNY issues/Bearings also

tracydeech, 04/28/2011
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 2WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

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).I'm going for a more economical vehicle now.

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