2002 Ford Explorer Ratings
Getting firsthand information from an actual car owner is one sure way to get an idea of car performance once it leaves the lot. Autobytel features real consumer reviews that give the unbiased experience of a car.
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2002 Ford Explorer - Eddie Bauer 4x2
Pros: The many features of the Eddie Bauer.
Cons: None
Advice: Buyers will love the larger size of the newer modles.
I was immediately impressed with how Ford had upgraded the Explorer from the 1996 Explorer I had. The Eddie Bauer makes this Explorer especially nice! -
2002 Ford Explorer - XLS 4x2
Pros: the 3rd fold-down seat
Cons: It is very uncomfortable to drive
Advice: if your looking for a comfortable SUV to drive, look else where
This SUV handles very good. I took the family on a road trip and with five people and all our stuff it handled guite well. It had plenty of power for a V6 and drove quite well, 'BUT', if your looking for a comfortable SUV to drive, look else where!! It is very uncomfortable to drive!!! After being behind the wheel for more then 25 minutes your ready for a nap. 1. There's nothing and nowhere to rest your arms while driving and they fatigue quickly, 2. if your a Marine you'll love the leather seats because they are ROCK HARD, 3. the steering wheel obstructs your view of the dash gages, 4. the center consol is in such a position that when you open the lid you can't access the storage unit without almost breaking off the lid!!, 5. every time I move the gearshift arm from one gear to another I disengage the overdrive, 6. when using the cruse-control at night the in-use indicator light is so bright that it's blindingly distracting because it doesn't work off the dimmer switch, 7. while driving with the rear windows down the aerodynamics of the vehicle produces a horrid howling noise, 8. it's very weak in creature features, and 9. it's just plan uncomfortable to drive!! It looks nice, handles well, and I like the 3rd rear seat but that's all I can say I like about it. -
2002 Ford Explorer - Eddie Bauer 4x4
Pros: Interior is well laid out, very roomy.
Cons: Quality, if quality is job #1 at Ford, I'd hate to see what #2 is.
Advice: Buy anything else in the world, this car is junk, overpriced, and losses it value quickly
This Explorer drives and handles very well. Tight feel, even with 75K miles. Great brakes, quite, powerful with v-8. Engine knock at startup began at 25K, dealer claimed to not hear it (as it was loudly hammering 5 feet away). Fixed that by droping the low viscosity synthetic specified and switching to slighly heavier organtic oil. Still no knocks 50,000 miles later. Transmission has never shifted correctly. Frequently holds first gear so long that is goes to second and then immediatly to third. Dealer says nothing is wrong even though they have reprogrammed the computer twice. Shifts in all gears are very slow and hard. Inside window controls, door locks, and mirror controls work most of the time. Last summer the rear window exploded while open and stationary. Ford said we must have slammed it even though no one was touching it and then 3 months later we get a recall notice because there is a possibility that the rear window might explode for no reason due to loose hinges. Gas mileage is at 14 and dropping. Drivers seat is falling apart. Trip computer is very difficult to use and is poorly laid out. This is our third (and last) Explorer and Ford seems to be getting dumber and dumber. -
2002 Ford Explorer - Limited 4x2
Pros: None
Cons: The drive train
Advice: Buy anythning but a Ford
After 76,000 miles I have recently replaced the diferential, transmission and the rear air conditioning. I do not tow but yet have had very poor reliability of the drive train. -
2002 Ford Explorer - Limited 4x4
Pros: The heated leather seats.
Cons: The ride and it's many manufacturer defects that the service dept. can not figure out to fix.
Advice: Do not buy this vehicle. It has been unreliable and feels like it is about to fall apart.
The Ford Explorer has been a great disappointment. So much so that we will not buy Ford again. We are currently looking for something more reliable with a more knowledgeable service department. -
2002 Ford Explorer - XLS 4x2
Pros: Comfort and Look.
Cons: No light under hood to see engine at night and gas mileage with gas prices sky rocketing.
Advice: Do your homework before buying - and once you buy you'll be happy!
I've owned this vehicle for 2 yrs. now and had no problems, it rides great and maintenance is low. Love my Explorer will not buy another vehicle for a long time at least until my Explore gives out, which I hope to keep until at least 250,000 miles. I take very good care of all my vehicles so I see no problem having this vehicle for this amount of time. I don't know how people can complain about Explorer if they did there homework and test drove vehicle before purchasing they should be HAPPY! IT IS THE VEHICLE THEY SELECTED? -
2002 Ford Explorer - Limited 4x4
Pros: The seats are comfortable.
Cons: The entire Ford experience.
Advice: Don't buy an Explorer
I have owned this vehicle for the last year and a half. Durning this time I have had the following items repaired or replaced: differential(three repairs), transfer case replaced, transmission rebuild, musty odors from A/C system, defective factory tire, loose interior molding, defective gas sending unit (entire instrument cluster had to be removed). I would never buy from Ford Motor again!! Aside from the repairs, for the price, this vehicle has a poor interior design. There are far too may plastic parts in the interior. The computerized mile and info center is difficult to read on partly sunny days due to sun reflection off of the instrument panel. It is nearly impossible to access the change holder in the center console.