2002 Ford Expedition Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Expedition years
- More complaints than other years 11th of 33 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 340 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Expedition. That ranks 11th out of 33 Expedition model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (95 complaints, 28%), typically at around 95,800 miles. Complaints mention 19 crashes, 69 fires, 27 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 340owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 19complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 Ford Expedition problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 95 | 28% | 95,800 | “spark plug” (71%) | $5,050 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 58 | 17% | 63,000 | “cruise control” (31%) | — |
| Electrical System | 46 | 14% | 84,500 | — | — |
| Engine | 27 | 8% | 129,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 26 | 8% | 38,400 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 20 | 6% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 5% | 54,943 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 16 | 5% | 41,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 | 5% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 15 | 4% | 60,946 | — | — |
| Structure | 14 | 4% | 59,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 14 | 4% | 95,501 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 2% | 155,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 2% | 117,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 6 | 2% | 95,800 | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 1% | 99,908 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 1% | 155,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 1% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 1% | 41,408 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 1% | 57,535 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | 102,000 | — | — |
| Firerelated | 1 | 0% | 146,457 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | 29,300 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Ford Expedition recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.
Fix: 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)
Structure
Problem: 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.
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Spark plug ejection from cylinder head (DP05005) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 4, 2006.
- Engine compartment fires (EA05005) — opened Mar 22, 2005, closed Aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V388000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
The contact's fiancée owns a 2002 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the driver's side front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that while his fiancée was attempting to drive the vehicle the following day, the brake pedal was depressed but was firm, requiring…
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.
re: IR 11467550. See attached photo.
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.
Other Ford Expedition years
← 2001 Expedition · 2003 Expedition →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Expedition | 0 | 2 |
| 2026 Expedition | 10 | 2 |
| 2025 Expedition | 37 | 6 |
| 2024 Expedition | 77 | 7 |
| 2023 Expedition | 65 | 8 |
| 2022 Expedition | 115 | 12 |
| 2021 Expedition | 237 | 12 |
| 2020 Expedition | 423 | 18 |
| 2019 Expedition | 516 | 11 |
| 2018 Expedition | 378 | 14 |
| 2017 Expedition | 357 | 4 |
| 2016 Expedition | 217 | 3 |
| 2015 Expedition | 164 | 3 |
| 2014 Expedition | 72 | 0 |
| 2013 Expedition | 92 | 0 |
| 2012 Expedition | 118 | 3 |
| 2011 Expedition | 71 | 0 |
| 2010 Expedition | 58 | 0 |
| 2009 Expedition | 28 | 1 |
| 2008 Expedition | 146 | 3 |
| 2007 Expedition | 215 | 2 |
| 2006 Expedition | 299 | 2 |
| 2005 Expedition | 315 | 0 |
| 2004 Expedition | 296 | 0 |
| 2003 Expedition | 615 | 1 |
| 2002 | 340 | 2 |
| 2001 Expedition | 578 | 6 |
| 2000 Expedition | 890 | 7 |
| 1999 Expedition | 946 | 5 |
| 1998 Expedition | 836 | 5 |
| 1997 Expedition | 853 | 7 |
| 1996 Expedition | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 Expedition | 1 | 0 |
See all Ford Expedition problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
Similar Ford models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Expedition?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control, electrical system problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 95 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Ford Expedition?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 Ford Expedition a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Expedition model years, the 2002 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.