Ford · Expedition · 2002
4
Recalls
340
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Ford Expedition has 4 recalls and 340 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine and engine cooling (85 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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 Status
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy Status
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 Status
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 Status
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
re: IR 11467550. See attached photo.
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.
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.
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.
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DISCONNECTS AT RANDOM TIMES.
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 .
CRUSE CONTROL NOT WORKING AND NO HORN
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 Ford Expedition has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 340 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Ford Expedition.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Ford Expedition.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Ford Expedition are engine and engine cooling (85 reports), vehicle speed control (43 reports), electrical system (25 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2002 Ford Expedition. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.