2002 Ford Expedition: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 340 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (27% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 340 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Cruise control deactivation switch. I was getting in my truck on my way to work in the early morning. as I walked by the hood I could smell what seemed like burning wire, so I opened the hood & right as I got it all the way up flames started shooting up. I put the fire out and had to wait to call my mechanic he came and told me it was definitely the deactivation switch that had caught fire.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2024
“2002 expedition mfg date 12/2001 right front brake separated at swagged fitting to short tubing to caliper. had just parked, stopped fine. next day all fluid had drained through separated hose.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2022
“My spark plugs are going bad, I bought three tires. But now I'm having to take it to the shop because it's weird noises coming from the tire it may be the wheel baring or sway bar link and bushing the mechanic say.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have replace the drive belt 2 times this month. The belt keep messing up now I have get another belt because it is twisted around the tensioner. I don't know hiw it happen I drive all that day.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
“Two weeks before this problem happen ,the truck starts making tomuch noise and air supention didn't go up no more . And stop making noise .”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2019
“Takata recall during an inspection of my suspension for worn bushings, I noted severe corrosion on my rear trailing arms for the rear axle. The lower arm on the passenger side actually had a quarter size hole in the inboard side of the web. This obviously greatly reduces the strength of the arms and could cause axle separation from the vehicle and an obvious control hazard.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2017
“Two spark plugs blew out of the head. Pain in the butt to fix. Ford needs to stand behind its name and fix the known problem.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2017
“The seat belts front, passenger side unlock by themselves while in motion. It can happen during city or highway driving. This has not been repaired by anyone and is factory original. Seems like a danger to passengers.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2017
“Just want to add my car to the list of ford expedition 5.6l engines that have experienced the spark plug ejection issue. Thankfully, this occured when starting the vehicle, so it did not cause any accident or injury. This is our son's car and we intended it to be the vehicle our 15 year old used as well. However, now that we know about the spark plug problem, we no longer feel it's safe and hope to trade it in. It's extremely disappointing and disheartening to know that ford has not taken responsibility for this issue. Our vehicle had all original factory-installed spark plugs.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford expedition. While the vehicle was parked in a residential driveway, the engine compartment erupted into flames without warning and a loud explosion sound emitted from the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was completely burned and part of the garage was damaged. The police and fire departments filed reports. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)
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.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
How other years compare
Check your exact Expedition 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 Expedition reliable?
NHTSA has 340 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford Expedition. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Expedition problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 84,450 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Ford Expedition have open recalls?
4 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.