RoadVitals

2002 Ford Expedition Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints 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.
21
Latest Jun 23, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 340 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Ford Expedition submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
Fuel system
Filed Nov 30, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO BE EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED FROM THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06E056000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
10807563
Incident
Nov 23, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi
EngineFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Dec 31, 2014

SPARK PLUG POPPED OUT MY IGINITION COIL AND THE THREADING SECTION IS STRIPPED. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AN EXPLORATION SOUND OCCURRED. ALSO, MY DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WON'T STAY LITE EVEN WITH REPLACEMENT LIGHT UNIT. ALSO CAR STALLS WHEN CAR IS FACING DOWN A HILL, EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. *JS

NHTSA ID
10669326
Incident
Dec 27, 2014
Mileage
155,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE FRAYING AND COMING APART, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO CORROSION. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE 2002 FORD EXPEDITION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,328. UPDATED 9/13/11 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 10/28/11

NHTSA ID
10416709
Incident
Jul 19, 2011
Mileage
70,328 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 18, 2010

SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF ENGINE HEAD OF 2002 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINE WITH 89,100 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326229
Incident
Apr 18, 2010
Mileage
89,100 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 12, 2010

SPARK PLUG EXPLODE,WHEN DRIVING AT 45MPH, CAR WARRANTY INSURANCE DENY CLAIM DUE THAT THEY SAID IS FOR A BAD TORQUE, HOWEVER THOSE WERE INSTALLED AT FACTORY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10319123
Incident
Feb 10, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 31, 2009

SPARK PLUG FLEW OUT OF ENGINE...WAS REPLACED BEFORE WITH A HELICOIL KIT BUT SAME ISSUE OCCURRED TODAY. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I HEARD IT SHOOT FROM THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10297710
Incident
Dec 31, 2009
Mileage
156,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2009
Fire reported

FORD TRITON ENGINE SPITTING SPARK-PLUGS OUT OF ENGINE RESULTING IN GASOLINE BEING SPRAYED ALL OVER ENGINE. COSTLY REPAIRS ARE MINIMUM $400+. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES TO ME AND I CAN ANTICIPATE IT HAPPENING ON THE REMAINING 4 CYLINDERS IN MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM FORD IS AWARE OF, GASOLINE IS BEING SPRAYED ON 1000'S OF ENGINES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. BAD DESIGN BY FORD. ALUMINUM HEADS ON IRON ENGINE. DUH. MY INVESTIGATION HAS DETERMINED THAT THERE ARE 1000'S OF FORD OWNER WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM YET FORD IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEIR REPAIR SHOPS WILL CHARGE ANYWHERE FROM $400 TO $1600 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE MY REMAINING 4 CYLINDERS GO AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS BAD DESIGN REPAIRED. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10288991
Incident
Sep 2, 2009
Mileage
41,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 2, 2008

ON EVERY FILLUP OF GASOLINE I HAVE GASOLINE VAPORS INSIDE THE CAR WHICH NECESSITATES MY OPENING WINDOWS TO RID THE INTERIOR OF THE STRONG FUMES. THERE IS NO SPILLED LIQUID AND MY SHOES ARE CLEAN AND ALL WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING AND THE HAVOC IS OFF. I AM IN FEAR OF FIRE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR MORE THAN 4 YEARS AND HAS BEEN REPORTED OVER 10 TIMES TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.*CN

NHTSA ID
10213502
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
Mileage
50,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 23, 2007
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND A NEIGHBOR NOTIFIED THE CONTACXT THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED. THE HOOD BURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE PAINT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELDWAS MISSING, AND THE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE DRIVEWAY WAS ALSO DAMAGED, AND A TREE BURNED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. FORD STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. HOWEVER, HE GAVE THEM HIS VIN AND NEVER RECEIVED A CALL TO CONFIRM IF THIS VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY THE RECALL NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 06E056000). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 75,000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10188646
Incident
Apr 22, 2007
Mileage
75,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 26, 2007

FUEL DELIVERY FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE HEADING DOWN HILL. FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS CLOSE TO HALF FULL. ENGINE QUIT ABOUT 3 - 5 MINUTES. ABLE TO RESTART ON LEVEL GROUND. THIS IS NOT SAFE. CAR DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10180833
Incident
Jan 26, 2006
Fuel systemTransmission
Filed May 15, 2006

OVER A COURSE OF ONE YEAR OF PURCHASING VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES FOR AN ENGINE/TRANSMISSION ISSUE, UNSURE AS FORD HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD, THEY DENIED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. AS OF TODAY, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED ALTHOUGH DRIVABLE, FOR HOW LONG UNTIL IT GIVES OUT?*JB

NHTSA ID
10157583
Incident
May 23, 2005
Mileage
47,449 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 28, 2005

THE FUEL READS INCORRECTLY , AND WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HILL, THE VEHICLE HESITATES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10109183
Incident
Jan 27, 2005
Mileage
62,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 27, 2005

MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION WILL SHUT OFF AT INCLINES OF MORE THAN 15 DEGREES EVEN WITH MORE THAN 10 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE TANK. THIS PROBLEM IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH ALL 2001 AND 2002 EXPEDITIONS AS ADMITTED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY REFER TO THIS DEFECT AS A MERE "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CAN OCCUR AT ANYTIME WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT AN INCLINE WHEN THE FRONT IS LOWER THAT THE REAR. THIS MEANS THAT I CAN FEASIBLY RUN OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL OR MOUNTAIN, LOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR. THIS IS A VALID SAFTEY CONCERN AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY IN HILLY OR MOUNTAINOUS AREAS. AT THE VERY LEAST I COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL AND BE STRANDED IN AN AREA THAT IS UNSAFE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE VEHICLE AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS AND OFFER SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF WEAK EXCUSES TO WHY THEY FEEL THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS NOT AT RISK HERE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10108033
Incident
Jan 3, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2004

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START - SAFETY PROBLEM. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AT ROD BAKER FORD DEALERSHIP AS HAVING A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $766.00. *AK *TC *JB

NHTSA ID
10103042
Incident
Dec 13, 2004
Mileage
51,563 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 10, 2004

MY 2002 EXPEDITION 4.6 HAS FOR THE PAST YEAR STALLED OUT ON AN INCLINE WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS. IT WILL ALSO REVVED UP AND LURCH FORWARD WHEN RESTARTED, EVEN WHILE STANDING ON BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED MANY THINGS AND HAS NO REASON WHY IT DOES THIS. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH. THIS IS A 2002 AUTOMOBILE AND THE 21ST CENTURY, THIS SHOUDL NOT BE HAPPENING TO A NEW CAR. A DEALERSHIP SHOULD NOT BE UNABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL, BEFORE A LAWSUIT ENSUES.

NHTSA ID
10098580
Incident
Oct 15, 2004
Mileage
48,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 15, 2003

GAS GAUGE REGISTERED A HALF OF TANK GAS. SUDDENLY WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HILL VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. *AK THE VEHICLE CONSUMED 1/4 TANK OF GAS TO TRAVEL 8 MILES. WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AGAIN, IT READ FULL. AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING DOWN HILL, IT STARTED UP AGAIN AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. CONSUMER CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT SHE IS UNABLE TO DRIVE OR PARK ON A INCLINE (NOSE-DOWN) WITH LESS THAN A 1/2 TANK OF GAS. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10034205
Incident
Aug 19, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Apr 13, 2003

ON THE 2002 FORD EXPEDITION I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PICK UP IN THE GAS TANK IF THE VEHICLE IT IS MOUNTED IN THE CENTER OF THE TANK AND IF THE VEHICLE IS BELOW OR AT A 1/4 OF A TANK AND PARKED ON A GRADE AT ALL THE FUEL WILL NOT PICK UP AND RUN OUT OF FUEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL THIS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF YOU WORK DOWN TOWN AND PARK ON A GRADE THEN YOU HAVE 2 CHOICES COAST TO A LEVEL AREA WITH NO BRAKES OR CALL FOR HELP. LUCKILY MY WIFE'S EXPEDITION HAS ONLY DONE IT HERE AT THE HOUSE WHERE SHE PARKS ON A HILL BUT MOST OF THE TIME I TRY TO KEEP IT ABOVE A 1/2 OF A TANK TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM. I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD CHECK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND LET ME KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10014321
Incident
Apr 6, 2003
Mileage
29,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 22, 2002

I JUST PURCHASED A NEW 2002 FORD EXPEDITION FROM A LOCAL DEALER AND HAVE JUST RETURNED IT FOR SERVICE. MY PROBLEM IS TWO-FOLD: FIRST, THE GAS GAUGE REGISTERS ON FULL FOR THE FIRST 200 OR SO MILES AND THEN WORKS ITS WAY RELATIVELY QUICKLY TO THE HALF FULL MARK, WHERE IT THERE IS ONLY 3 OR 4 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT IN THE TANK (FORD CLAIMS IT HOLDS 26 GALLONS). SECONDLY, TRYING TO FILL THE TANK WITH GAS, AS YOU WOULD ANY OTHER VEHICLE, IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND TIME CONSUMING. TWO OR MORE VEHICLES WILL FUEL UP AND LEAVE BEFORE I CAN COMPLETE THE TASK. WHEN HAVING AN ESTIMATED 4 GALLONS LEFT IN THE TANK, UPON REFUELING, THE PUMP WILL STOP BETWEEN 11 AND 12 GALLONS, AND ACCEPT ANOTHER 10 TO 12 MORE GALLONS AT 4 TO 6 TENTHS AT A TIME,. BUT GET THIS, THE TANK WILL SHOW FULL WITH ONLY 12 GALLONS IN IT!! THE SELLING/SERVICING DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I SAY THAT'S WRONG, AND IT'S UNSAFE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO RUN OUT, OR KNOW HOW FAR YOU CAN REALLY GO ON A TANK. (NO IDEA IF THE TANK WAS REALLY FULL) HOW ABOUT THE EXTRA EXPOSURE TO THE GASOLINE FUMES THE EPA IS TRYING TO LIMIT US TO AND KEEP OUT OF THE ENVIRONMENT. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT FUEL GAGES HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME AS WELL AS FUEL TANKS. NOT KNOWING WHEN OR WHERE A VEHICLE (NEW VEHICLE) IS GOING TO RUN OUT OF FUEL IS DANGEROUS FOR NOT ONLY THE DRIVER BUT ALSO OTHER DRIVERS. THE FUEL TANK FILLING PROBLEM IS INEXCUSABLE. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED BY FORD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT. DT

NHTSA ID
768747
Incident
Sep 26, 2002
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Sep 23, 2002

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT FOUR DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND LUNGED SIDE TO SIDE, THE TIRES WERE BALANCED TO TRY AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM WAS STILL NOT RESOLVED.*YH

NHTSA ID
567578
Incident
Apr 12, 2002

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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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .