2002 Ford Excursion: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 129 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 129 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Large patches of paint topcoat peeling from vehicle roof, absolutely no evidence of primer having bonded/ adhering to separated topcoat, peeled paint is identical on both sides, obviously primer intended to integrate topcoat with substrate was faulty and not acceptable.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2021
“Had a b f goodrich lt315/75r16d all terrain ko, dot: bfauhx111211, front left tire explode without any warning, was driving north on highway 65, about 16 miles south of branson, mo. I was traveling around 65 mph in the right hand lane on a clear dry day with minimal traffic. The tires were purchased on 4-23-11, sam's club #6361, vehicle had 91,461 miles. The incident happened on 5-8-18, the vehicle had 136,896 miles. (45,435 miles). When the tire exploded it severed the front left brake line resulting in the loss of control of the vehicle, causing major damage to the vehicle, resulting in the vehicle being totaled.”Owner report · Wheels · May 2018
“While backing the vehicle I felt a pop and then there was no steering control. I looked under the vehicle and found that the tie rod connection to the pitman arm had snapped.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford excursion equipped with toyo open country r/t tires (na), size: lt285/75/r16. While driving 65 mph, the rear passenger tire experienced tread separation. Prior to the failure, the rear driver's tire was replaced by allen tire (located at 1725 superior ave, costa mesa, ca 92627, (949) 646-5236) due to a bulge in the tire. The contact stated that there was damage to the vehicle. The set of tires were a replacement set. The tire was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14t014000 (tires). The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 170,000 and the tire failure mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford excursion equipped with sunfull mont-pro ht781 tires, size: lt265/75/16. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear passenger side tire tread separated, which caused a bubble in the tire. Within less than a thousand miles later, the front driver's tire also experienced the failure. The retail facility where the tires were sold and installed was not contacted. The tire manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 166,000 and the tire failure mileage was approximately 4,999.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2017
“I started my truck after sitting for 36 hours and what sounded like bad exhaust leak ..after being checked out by mechanic found that a spark plug and coil has been spit out of motor ..I had them repace spark plug and coil on top which repaired the problem ..today I was driving to town 10 miles and after stoppi g to get gas the noise started again !”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford excursion. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, she applied the brakes to disengage the cruise control and the vehicle continued to accelerate independently. The contact was able to get the vehicle to stop after several minutes. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 176,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2013
“On 6/5/2013, I was driving on freeway at approx. 70mph and tread separated from rt. Rear tire causing vehicle to swerve into adjacent lane. Damage to quarter panel and running board. This is the second tire failure in the past 45 days.the tires are bfgoodrich 265/75r/16 commercial ta load range e. The four new tires were installed on 2/28/2011 and have approx. 14,300 miles of wear at time of failure. The other tire (left front) failed on 4/19/2013. Because of strong front end vibration, I inspected the front tires. I found that it was out of round due to belt separation. The dealer replaced this tire also. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2013
“The spark plug blew out of the cylinder head (cyl #3), damaging the thread, the spark plug, the spark plug boot and the ignition coil. This is the second time this has occurred in this vehicle in the last two years. The first was approximately 2 years ago and that was the plug in cylinder #5. The same damage occurred. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2012
“#4 spark plug blew out of engine head, threads destroyed. Ford dealer service department told me this is a known defect in the ford 5.4 triton engine head and that ford is doing nothing about it. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
How other years compare
Check your exact Excursion by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Ford Excursion reliable?
NHTSA has 129 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford Excursion. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Excursion problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,050 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Ford Excursion have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.