RoadVitals

2002 Ford Expedition Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
340
Latest Jul 20, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
88
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 31, 2002

What this page shows

Our database holds 340 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Ford Expedition. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 340 · page 1 of 14

Driver assistance
Filed Jul 20, 2024
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11603537
Incident
Jul 17, 2024
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 6, 2024

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 the contact's fiancée to step on the brake pedal to drive. The brake pedal remained on the floorboard and was inoperable, causing the contact's fiancée to shift to park(P) to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the speed control deactivation switch (SCDS) connectors had burned, and the brake fluid had leaked from the brake fluid reservoir. The dealer replaced the SCDS sensor and harness under NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The dealer declined to perform repairs for collateral damages. The contact stated that he was an auto-electrician mechanic who owned an auto shop. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's auto repair shop, where mechanics replaced the brake master cylinder and cleaned the brake fluid off the engine bay. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 163,745.

NHTSA ID
11592816
Incident
May 29, 2024
Mileage
163,745 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jun 23, 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.

NHTSA ID
11470581
Incident
May 12, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jun 7, 2022

re: IR 11467550. See attached photo.

NHTSA ID
11467956
Incident
May 31, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11467550
Incident
Jun 2, 2022
Driver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 5, 2022
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught fire. The fire started from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with water. An independent mechanic came to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control) however, the contact did not receive notification of the recall. The mechanic informed the contact that the speed control deactivation switch caused the fire that damaged the hydraulic control unit and the pigtail. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the failure was related to the recall. However, the dealer denied the recall repair since the recall was open for many years but was left unrepaired. The contact stated that she had owned the vehicle for a couple of months and was not aware there was a recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,457.

NHTSA ID
11446373
Incident
Dec 20, 2021
Mileage
146,457 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 19, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11388908
Incident
Jan 15, 2021
Mileage
256,547 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 24, 2019

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DISCONNECTS AT RANDOM TIMES.

NHTSA ID
11282042
Incident
Nov 23, 2019
Fuel systemSeat beltsSuspension
Filed Sep 7, 2019

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 .

NHTSA ID
11253901
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Mileage
153 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 3, 2017

CRUSE CONTROL NOT WORKING AND NO HORN

NHTSA ID
11052067
Incident
Nov 26, 2017
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 10, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CROWLEY FORD LINCOLN (225 NEW BRITAIN AVE, PLAINVILLE, CT 06062) WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A DIAGNOSIS, BUT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER MULTIPLE TIMES TO DETERMINE WHAT FORD SHOULD COVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS12637815 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000. UPDATED 09/07/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
11004132
Incident
Jun 30, 2017
Mileage
183,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 4, 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.

NHTSA ID
10983475
Incident
Apr 25, 2017
Engine
Filed May 3, 2017

I WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD BY WORKER AT SHOP THAT EVERYTHING UNDER HOOD WAS RUSTY AND CHANCES ARE THAT THIS TRUCK WAS IN THE NEW ORLEANS FLOOD (KATRINA) IT WAS DOWN HILL FROM THEN. EVERYTHING STARTED TO MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID
10983319
Incident
Jun 2, 2009
Mileage
170,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 29, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10981416
Incident
Apr 28, 2017
Mileage
240,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Mar 2, 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.

NHTSA ID
10958288
Incident
Feb 21, 2017
Mileage
170,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 31, 2016

THIS IS ABOUT A BLOWN OUT SPARK PLUG. THE BLOWN OUT SPARK PLUG (#4 ON PASSENGER SIDE)) HAPPENED WHEN MY FAMILY & I WERE TRAVELING IN HIGHWAY NEAR STOCKTON CA AT AROUND 5 PM. THERE WAS NO SHOP OPEN AND I HAD TO CALL AAA TO TOW THE 2002 FORD EXPEDITION TO OUR FRIEND'S HOUSE ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY. IT WAS ALSO A VERY COLD NIGHT AND WE WAITED FOR ABOUT 1 HR FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. IT WAS INCREDIBLY INCONVENIENT FOR THIS INCIDENT TO HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY/HIGHWAY. I HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE OLDER EXPEDITION WITH TRITON ENGINE. I LOVE FORD TRUCKS/SUVS AND I HOPE THEY CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. I WOULD RATHER WANT TO SEE A RECALL THAN A CLASS ACTION SUIT IN THE FUTURE.

NHTSA ID
10938939
Incident
Dec 27, 2016
Mileage
129,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 25, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10918916
Incident
Oct 23, 2016
Mileage
147,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2016
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10874409
Incident
Jun 14, 2016
Mileage
180,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 23, 2016

IDLING AT A METERED RAMP I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE IN LINE WAITING FOR MY TURN AT THE METERED LIGHT.THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ROLLED FORWARD AND I FOLLOWING SUIT. I DID NOT TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR BUT MERELY RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE TRUCK SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES BEFORE IMPACTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AS I STERNLY APPLIED THE BRAKES THE ENGINE SETTLED DOWN AND ALL SYSTEMS WORKED AS EXPECTED FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY COMMUTE. 5/23/2016 APPROX. 7:25 AM CDT. SUNNY AND CLEAR WEATHER APPROX 63 DEGREES F. "NORMAL" HUMIDITY. MY DAUGHTER IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND WHEN ASKED IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HER THE ANSWER TO MY SURPRISE WAS YES.

NHTSA ID
10870278
Incident
May 23, 2016
Mileage
219,000 mi
Body & structureEngineOther / unspecified
Filed May 18, 2016
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN EARLIER THAT DAY FOR ABOUT 2 TO 3 MILES AND THEN IT WAS PARKED INSIDE A PRIVATE MOBILE HOME PARK. AFTER 30 TO 45 MINUTES HAD PASSED, AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD OUTSIDE THE MOBILE HOME PARK; THE VEHICLE EXPLODED AND WAS ON FIRE. THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE HOOD AND NOW IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS OCCURRED ON APRIL 18TH, 2016. WE CONTACTED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND THEY INFORMED US THAT A RECALL BACK IN 2005 WAS ISSUED. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOT HELPED US OUT IN THIS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10865679
Incident
Apr 18, 2016
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STUTTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLUG AND IGNITION COIL WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED EIGHT MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID
10865245
Incident
Jun 25, 2015
Mileage
89,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 30, 2016

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK, WHEN IT STARTED TO MAKE A CRAZY NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND POP THE HOOD AND I NOTICED THAT MY PLUG ON RIGHT SIDE HEAD, HAD BLEW OUT. I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE IT IN THE CONDITION THAT IT WAS IN. I UNDERSTAND MOST WILL SAY THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER, WHEN THIS HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, IT COULD VERY WELL BE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE THAT I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR.

NHTSA ID
10852364
Incident
Mar 9, 2016
Mileage
161,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 30, 2016

THE PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE CHANGED FUSES, BULB( EVEN THOUGH BOTH WERE GOOD), AND HAVE CHECKED WIRING AND CAN NOT GET IT TO WORK. THIS IS VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT I AM THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPEN TO.

NHTSA ID
10852363
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
Mileage
160,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 12, 2016

SPARK PLUG SHOT FROM ENGINE. HAS 112500 MILES ON SUV. WAS ICE AND SNOW ON BACK ROAD 30 MILES FROM HOME AT 14 DEGREES. SOUNDED LIKE ENGINE BLOWING UP. THEN LOAD PING SOUND IN MOTOR AND LACK OF POWER. ENGINE SHUT OFF ON IDLE. WAS STUCK. HAVE NOT SERVICED YET. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. THIS 5.4 L TRITON SHOULD RUN FOR LONGER THAN 110,000 MILES. MY OLD DODGE WOULD NOT AND DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUE AND IT HAD 130,000 MILES WHEN IT WAS WRECKED.

NHTSA ID
10819870
Incident
Jan 12, 2016
Mileage
112,500 mi
Seat belts
Filed Dec 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD UNLATCH INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000.

NHTSA ID
10811530
Incident
Dec 21, 2010
Mileage
123,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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