2002 Ford Explorer
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At a glance

2002 Ford Explorer reference

Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.

Combined MPG14-39EPA range
EPA configurations17Engine and drivetrain records
Model campaigns10NHTSA records
NHTSA safetyNot ratedNo rating in record

2002 Ford Explorer MPG by engine and drivetrain

EPA combined ratings run from 14 to 39 mpg across 17 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.

EPA fuel economy, annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂
Engine / transmissionCityHighwayCombinedAnnual fuelCO₂
4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline14 mpg19 mpg16 mpg$3,850555.4375 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderManual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline15 mpg20 mpg17 mpg$3,600522.7647058823529 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline13 mpg18 mpg15 mpg$4,100592.4666666666667 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderManual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline14 mpg18 mpg16 mpg$3,850555.4375 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline14 mpg19 mpg16 mpg$3,850555.4375 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderManual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline15 mpg20 mpg17 mpg$3,600522.7647058823529 g/mi
4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline13 mpg18 mpg15 mpg$4,100592.4666666666667 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline15 mpg20 mpg17 mpg$3,600522.7647058823529 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderManual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline16 mpg20 mpg17 mpg$3,600522.7647058823529 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline13 mpg18 mpg15 mpg$4,100592.4666666666667 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderManual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline14 mpg18 mpg16 mpg$3,850555.4375 g/mi
4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline13 mpg17 mpg14 mpg$4,400634.7857142857143 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline13 mpg18 mpg15 mpg$4,100592.4666666666667 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderManual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline14 mpg18 mpg15 mpg$4,100592.4666666666667 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline14 mpg19 mpg16 mpg$3,850555.4375 g/mi
4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline14 mpg19 mpg16 mpg$3,850555.4375 g/mi
Electricity · 2-Wheel Drive · Electricity45 mpg33 mpg39 mpg$1,9500 g/mi
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05

Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.

2002 Ford Explorer annual fuel cost calculator

Start with the combined MPG for 4.0L 6-cylinder, Automatic 5-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.

Estimated result$3,155.25

Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price

Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile.

2002 Ford Explorer recall campaigns

NHTSA returned 10 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E049000

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · 07E104000

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 09E025000

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · 09V399000

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 09E012000

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E026000

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · 01I010000

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MONTAINEER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE BRACKETS CONNECTING THE LEFT CYLINDERS TO EACH SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS COULD ROTATE OUT OF POSITION IF EITHER THE URETHANE BOND OR TORQUE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.

Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE POSITION OF BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT LIFTGATGE GLASS LIFT CYLINDER BRACKETS. IF THE BRACKETS ARE IN THE PROPER POSITION, THE BRACKET RETAINERS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE. IN CASES WHERE THE BRACKET IS NOT PROPERLY POSITION, THE BRACKET MUST BE RE-ALIGNED.

STRUCTURE · 03V094000

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · 04V442000

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

TIRES:SIDEWALL · 01V171000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRES MAY HAVE HORIZONTAL CUTS ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND, IF ANY SLICES ARE FOUND, THE CUT TIRES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04

Decode a VIN and open the official recall check

2002 Ford Explorer NHTSA safety ratings

NHTSA ratings by tested vehicle variant
VehicleOverallFrontSideRollover
2002 Ford Explorer 4-DR.Not ratedNot ratedNot rated3/5
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05

Frequently asked questions

What is the 2002 Ford Explorer gas mileage?

EPA combined ratings run from 14 to 39 mpg across 17 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.

Are these real-world MPG figures for the Explorer?

These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.

Does the 2002 Ford Explorer have recalls?

NHTSA returned 10 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.

Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?

No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.

Compare similar vehicles

Sources and record dates

U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05

How we compile specifications and calculate running costs

Last updated