Remember when the Explorer was king of the world, like Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Titanic? In 2020, the Explorer is bound to do well, but there was a time when it really resonated with the buying public. There was no way the Explorer could have maintained 400k annual units sold per year, as automakers like Honda and Toyota eventually got their act together and released competent three-row crossovers. Still, the trendsetter’s fall from grace was quite quick and not without drama. And the third generation Explorer presided over that decline. But was it responsible for the mass defections, or just a victim of circumstance?
When the third generation Explorer debuted in 2001 for the 2002 model year, it represented a massive paradigm shift for the nameplate. It ditched the old Ranger underpinnings for its own dedicated platform. And it now boasted three rows of seating, a configuration that continues to present day. Contrary to previously held personal beliefs, the third generation was not significantly larger than its predecessor. It was actually one inch shorter. In any event, the Explorer now offered a standard independent rear suspension.
Despite the significant changes to the Explorer, Ford kept one thing going: the Eddie Bauer trim level. Given the proliferation of subbrands, perhaps it should return? They could make it just as luxurious as the old models. Since our featured Explorer is an Eddie Bauer, it has a whole bunch of higher tier amenities like a leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, digital climate controls, heated mirrors, heated seats, power adjustable petals, and the patented Arizona Beige painted side moldings. It seems like the Eddie Bauer enhanced interior of this Explorer has held up pretty well.
Here is the seller’s description:
2002 explorer, the Eddie Bauer edition, with 2tone leather heated seats sunroof and 3rd row seating. It has rear AC and heat also. Has brand new catylytic converter, brakes, tires, tie rod ends. Yes i have the receipts. It’s 6 cylinders 4 x 4 and does great in the snow. The four wheel drive works perfect in high or low. The brakes and tires are about 6 months old. Engine and transmission are excellent still, even though it has 191 k on it. Has been well-maintained. No service engine soon lights on at all. It is a very very quiet SUV. And it always passes New York state inspection.
I haven’t had any accidents with my SUV either..$2400
Overall, it seems like this Explorer is in decent shape. Ford’s 4.0 SOHC V6 is under the hood, and as far as I know, was decently reliable. My friend’s dad bought an XLT in 2004 clad in the same Toreador Red as our featured Explorer. That’s the color I associate with these models. I got to spend a decent amount of time behind the wheel on a trip up to Canada and was pleased with the V6’s 210 horsepower and 254 Ib-ft of torque. The five speed automatic also performed well. He later had transmission issues with his, but I distinctly remember him saying he kept the Explorer in four-wheel drive when towing his boat, so I think those problems were self-inflicted. Then again, transmission problems are apparently an issue with this generation. I’m fairly positive the 4.6 liter V8 Explorers were the ones with the most problems, but I could be wrong.
Overall, I think the fallout of the Firestone recall and the rise of three row crossovers like the Toyota Highlander contributed to the decline of the Explorer. That’s not necessarily the fault of the SUV itself, because on the merits these seemed like very capable vehicles. Anyway, with 191k miles, is it worth the $2400 asking price? If the seller’s claims are true, then I think this is a pretty good winter beater and a reasonable deal.
Source: Hudson Valley craigslist
Forgotten? I don’t know… this generation is hardly forgotten here in the Northeast, as I still see a handful of them daily. I’d argue the fourth generation is the forgotten one, as its minor degree of visual styling change combined with its far lower sales than the third generation make it forgettable as a generation of its own and not merely a facelift of the third.
I mean forgotten in the sense that it’s rarely talked about by automotive media outlets, including CC.
Ah, I see.
All I think of is the cracked plastic panel below the rear window on the tailgate that seems to adorn every single one of these.
The early 2000s seemed to be a dark time for FoMoCo products, there were so many forgettable ones.
Yes, this one’s notable in that it doesn’t have the crack. IIRC, it has to do with said plastic panel being surrounded by metal or glass on all sides. Go through a year of typical Midwestern temps with the vehicle stored outside and a crack is inevitable.
Dealers learnt there was an XLT option package that made Explorers look similar to the Eddie Bauer package customers were looking for, but cost significantly less. Same color schemes, like dark green with gold stripes, just no EB script. These were heavily stocked by dealers and sold quickly. There were Eddie Bauer editions of Ford minivans back then too.
I’d say the 2002 to 2010 models (I know technically two generations) are largely forgotten though I see examples a few times per week. Given their four wheel independent suspensions these would be the ones to have from the BOF generations of Explorer (IMHO).
Question: how thoroughly did Ford really redesign the 2006 Explorer? They were sure pitching it as “all-new” back then, but it looks like at least the doors would interchange with the 2002-2005.
Please ignore this comment and picture. 🙂
The 2006-2010 was the fourth-generation. And much as how the second-generation looked like a facelift of the first, the fourth-generation was a modified version of the third-generation.
As I understand it, for the 2006, Ford redid the IRS, but the powertrains were mostly carryover. Front and rear fascias were new, as were the side cladding, and the interior was completely re-done. Still, all major portions of the body shell, doors and roof were the same.
As far as I’m concerned, it was a heavy facelift…akin to the 2009 vs 2010 Mustang changeover or 2010 vs 2011 Edge/MKX changeovers. Those were equally as comprehensive, but weren’t considered new generations.
Below is a picture of the 2002-2005 vs the 2006-2010.
Yeah the 06 is just a refresh, the basics of chassis, suspension, power train and main body components were unchanged.
The V8 switched to the 3V 4.6, I don’t recall much else otherwise
Ford’s 4.0 SOHC V6 is under the hood, and as far as I know, was decently reliable….
… I’m fairly positive the 4.6 liter V8 Explorers were the ones with the most problems, but I could be wrong.
Uhh, timing chains? The 4.0 OHC and it’s Rupe Goldberg chain design and its catastrophic failure mode is not more reliable than any 4.6 in any form, even with a leaky coolant crossover.
+1. That 4.0 is scary.
If this is the SOHC V6, MAKE SURE!!!!!!!!! the timing chain “cassettes” have been replaced!
There are THREE of them, one at the REAR of the engine. So you’re pulling it out of the vehicle to perform the repair.
This is one where the 4.6 V8 makes more sense. You can buy a lot of gasoline for the cost to remove, replace and reinstall those cassettes.
Came here to post this.
My brother had two customers with 4.0L Explorers, one with serial transmission problems, the other with the 4.0L that had both signs of a blow headgasket and some awful timing chain noise. Both trucks at about 160k. Solution? The customer with the transmission issues just wanted to get rid of his “Exploder,” so my brother swapped the transmission out of the truck with engine problems (it also reeked of cat pee and had a disgusting interior), into the truck with the blown trans but decent body and engine.
I love 2nd gen Explorers, but I’ve got very little love for the gen 3. Put a gun to my head and I’d buy one with the 4.6L+4R70 trans.
Good luck finding one with a 4.6 and a 4R7x transmission since they all came with the 5R55.
My mistake, For some reason I thought that Ford continued on with that from the 2nd gen (5.0L+ 4R70)
I drove one of these briefly and really loved it.
Transmissions were a weak point, in both V6 and V8 versions. Rear wheel bearings were also troublesome, they were pressed in, and often difficult to remove without destroying the knuckle and wheel hub. I also recall a propensity for the rear tie rod ends to wear out as well. The SOHC V6 was ok, but heaven forbid you ran into timing chain/tensioner issues, as this was a bastard child of the old pushrod cologne V6. The camshaft was replaced by a jackshaft that drove the left cam via chain at the front of the engine, and the right cam via chain at the rear of the engine. The cam gears on the cylinder heads were friction fit, no keyway involved (what could possibly go wrong there?). I think the gears on the jackshaft may have been friction fit as well, I can’t recall. I do remember setting up timing was a pain, and I believe the engines were interference style as well. The ride quality, however was leaps and bounds above the previous generations. The liftgates were under a safety recall, but many missed out on the repair. The recession and gas price spike around 2007/08 hit sales of these hard.
Everyone I knew with one of these either had a great experience or a terrible one, but never in between.
My Mom drove a 2006 Explorer for years. It was one of the cars I learned to drive in
It didn’t get any longer, but the Explorer did gain 2″ in wheelbase, 2″ in width, and 3-4″ in height going from the compact Ranger platform to the mid-size IRS platform. With a 111″ WB and 190″ OAL, the older Explorer was already the longest compact SUV of its time.
Yikes. I wouldn’t want anything to do with the timing chain cassettes on versions of that 4.0-liter V6.
Still, these were pretty nice. They made a more compelling argument for spending lots of money than any of the GMT3xx cars or the Durango/Aspen.
I never knew the 4th gen was the 4th gen and not a facelifted 3rd gen. To me, the 4th gen looks like they cut corners and just cheapened the whole thing. The subtle styling changes made an attractive SUV into something that looks like Ford was on a tight budget.
I had a 2002 Explorer. carcomplaints.com rates the 2002 Explorer as the worst vehicle. Everything on the list went wrong with my car, sometimes twice or three times. When it drove I liked it but really worst car I ever owned.
Please look up the “Lehto’s Law” episode titled “All Hail the Ford Explorer”. He talks about the flaws in that website’s claims – basically, the echo chamber effect of that website coupled with the number of Explorers on the road would convince you that the Daewoo Lanos is the best car because of the dearth of complaints – nobody would argue that! It’s unfortunate that you had a bad experience with your Explorer, but that doesn’t make the Explorer the “worst car ever” as that website claims.
I really liked the styling of these when they were new, and the design has held up well over the years. But I recall these as having their fair share of teething issues.
Today, around here, it’s more common to see a first-generation Explorer, or a 2006-10 model, than one of these.
Maybe it is too recent to be remembered?
Who is Eddie Bauer, and why is his name on YOUR car? I’ll see my self out now! LOL!! 🙂
I think he invented hockey skates.
I so want to love these.
It’s such a good looking truck.
But I hear so much bad about the running gear, and that’s just from co-workers who’ve had them, that I’ll probably never get one unless it’s a super deal.
But, damn good looking truck though, especially in that color.
My in-laws bought a base base base 2002 RWD Explorer at the end of ’02 for $18k IIRC, I’m still unsure of the reason, I think they just got the itch to buy something. It still drives around the greater LA area, now in the hands of my sister in law. Blue on gray cloth, lots of miles, a few dings and scrapes but no major issues at all that I am aware of. I drove it a few times over the years, it was…fine. Not inspiring or fun or anything but got/gets the job done which is all it needs to do.
I think crossovers killed it. When the trendy unibody variant arrived in 2011, annual sales more than doubled. It took the 4Runner another three or four years of recovering US economy to bounce back the way the unibody Explorer did in a single year.
I think this Explorer and its 2006 heavy refresh took the midsize BOF SUV about as far as it could go in mainstream appeal. Despite IRS it still rides and handles like a truck, it certainly drinks like one, and 210hp out of 4 liters was getting behind the curve by 2003–yet they kept it in there until 2010. Pretty good tow rating, though, probably its one saving grace.
I think the terrible economy and aging design put a huge hurt on it between 08-10 more than anything. Crossovers weren’t what they were now ten years ago and many SUV buyers were trading down to small cars. As successful as the D4 Explorer proved to be, it never came close to matching the 02 on an annual sales basis, I don’t think most buyers cared about ride and handling. MPG certainly, especially early on but I think that’s about the last thing on the Explorer buyer’s mind in the last 4-5 years
Just like everything else Ford was making at this time (besides the Focus and Mustang), I’ve always thought these were completely characterless. Even if it’s completely anonymous, I think the generation after this one was a far more charismatic product.
Personally I wouldn’t touch one with the V6 with a 10′ pole, though I suppose at this point the ones that remain has had the chains replaced. When I first saw this bastard of a design of a engine I knew it wasn’t for me which is why we went with the 4.6 in our 2003 Mountaineer. We went for the Premier, which had everything amenity wise the EB Explorer had, for a lower price plus AWD instead of 4wd which means the wife didn’t have to think about things. I also had to have the max tow package for its 2″ reciever, 3.73 gears and traction lock rear.
In the early years it was the family truckster racking up about 20k per year traveling all around the west, some midwest and southwest as well as daily driver duties. I towed many times over the years, including many times at its rated capacity. It now sees about 4-5k per year when it is the best tool in the box for the job at hand.
It will turn 160k this weekend and has been a good vehicle overall. Other than the typical tires, brakes, batteries and oil changes one would expect over 16 years and 160k miles the only repairs have been the transmission ~130k, a front wheel bearing ~100k and the rear ABS sensor~90k. I did do the u-joints while the driveshafts were out when doing the transmission.
However I’m starting to occasionally hear something that seams to be coming from the right rear wheel bearing and the front shocks or bushings are starting to squeak on certain speed bumps. It has been all over the West, towed towed many miles some at its rating.
The interior is all still good with minimal wear and a small spot of sun bleaching on the driver’s door panel. It does have the cracked panel on the glass and the clear coat is failing on the door pillar tops.
If I take the time to do a good cleaning it still looks very presentable and when the need for 7 pass capacity has presented itself I’ve taken clients out in it in the not to distant past.
If youve got one here its best if you like it and want to keep it becauswe as a friend found out they are very hard to sell, hers had the Eddie Bauer badge but had the V8 engine and while it went ok in a straight line or on motorways its thirst was something to behold, great for hauling stuff which is why she swapped her fiat for it but when that task was finished nobody wanted it.
I haven’t forgotten it. Anyway…..
In early 2003, we went shopping for a new SUV to replace our 1996 Blazer, which itself had been an ‘interim’ vehicle that we bought quickly to reduce some monthly obligations. So, in shopping for a new SUV, we really only checked out two vehicles – the 2003 Chevy Trailblazer, and the 2003 Ford Explorer. We wanted a fairly basic unit – 2WD, no leather, no moonroof, but with AC, a decent stereo, etc. The Chevy was first. The straight 6 seemed like a good engine, had plenty of power. The vehicle overall though seemed as if some of the parts weren’t screwed down tight. It gave off a slightly ‘loose’ impression in the way it sounded and felt going down the road. The handling of the vehicle seemed sprightly though.
Driving the Ford Explorer, everything seemed ‘tight’, well put-together. It was quieter than the Chevy. The Ford wasn’t quite as quick, but the performance was satisfactory. We bought the Explorer. Really, the only downside I experienced was when we loaded up the third seat with a couple extra people. The handling got a bit unsteady, and felt as if I REALLY didn’t want to get into an emergency lane-change with an extra load. For us though, that was very infrequent.
Absolutely a Deadly Sin. Totally destroyed what had been a cash cow for Ford and the nameplate didn’t recover until the obviously different Fifth Gens came out.
Not because of what it was but because of the poor execution of the especially critical first year of production. Rear axle gear whine, the overmatched 5R55 transmission (which itself was merely a reprogrammed A4LD that Ford couldn’t get to hold together behind 4 cylinder Mustangs a decade prior!), ALL the wheel bearings from the beginning, HVAC Recirculate and Mode door failures, that damnable crack, 4.0 rear timing chain guides and a host of other things too numerous to list. I mean, who ever heard of torque converter growl/rattle? Well, Ford found a way for the 2002’s.
But the most unforgivable thing is the ridiculous amounts of cabin boom when going over bumps. Supposedly fixed in the Fourth Gens, it a wonder that anybody thought it was even remotely ok in the Third.