FORD EXCURSION · model year

2002 FORD EXCURSION

150 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002FORDEXCURSION carries 150 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 9 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 EXCURSION is tires with 16 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (15) and vehicle speed control (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2002 EXCURSION. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

150
Complaints
18
Crashes
9
Fires
11
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

150 filings

Crashes Reported

18 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
TIRES:TREAD/BELT7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR6
ENGINE6
SUSPENSION5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
TIRES:SIDEWALL4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL4
STRUCTURE3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
POWER TRAIN3

Recalls (5)

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

09V39900013/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS

11V35200013/07/2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 TH

07V55300005/12/2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

06V28600001/08/2006

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Recent Complaints

20230926POWER TRAIN

As I was driving the transfer case and drive shaft dropped out of truck. Broken bolts and no warning.

20230926SUSPENSION

As I was driving the transfer case and drive shaft dropped out of truck. Broken bolts and no warning.

20210329STRUCTURE:BODY

LARGE PATCHES OF PAINT TOPCOAT PEELING FROM VEHICLE ROOF, ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE OF PRIMER HAVING BONDED/ ADHERING TO SEPARATED TOPCOAT, PEELED PAINT IS IDENTICAL ON BOTH SIDES, OBVIOUSLY PRIMER INTENDED TO INTEGRATE TOPCOAT WITH SUBSTRATE WAS FAULTY AND NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Mileage: 201,352

20190905ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER THE FAILURES, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED A MINUTE OR MORE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES, IT TOOK UP TO FOUR ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT HESITATED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V553000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

Mileage: 210,000

20190606TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY R/T TIRES (NA), SIZE: LT285/75/R16. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE WAS REPLACED BY ALLEN TIRE (LOCATED AT 1725 SUPERIOR AVE, COSTA MESA, CA 92627, (949) 646-5236) DUE TO A BULGE IN THE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE SET OF TIRES WERE A REPLACEMENT SET. THE TIRE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14T014000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 170,000

20180525CrashWHEELS

HAD A B F GOODRICH LT315/75R16D ALL TERRAIN KO, DOT: BFAUHX111211, FRONT LEFT TIRE EXPLODE WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WAS DRIVING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 65, ABOUT 16 MILES SOUTH OF BRANSON, MO. I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 65 MPH IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON A CLEAR DRY DAY WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON 4-23-11, SAM'S CLUB #6361, VEHICLE HAD 91,461 MILES. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 5-8-18, THE VEHICLE HAD 136,896 MILES. (45,435 MILES). WHEN THE TIRE EXPLODED IT SEVERED THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BEING TOTALED.

Mileage: 136,896

20180328ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER KEPT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WOULDN'T GO AS FELT LIKE YOU WANTED TO TURN OFF IT WOULD STALL WE HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING IN THE TRUCK ENGINE EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING SEEMS GOOD TRANSMISSION DOES NOT HAVE ANY METAL SHAVINGS I DID NOTICE THAT FOR SOME REASON THE ELECTRICAL PANEL HAVE MELTED IT WAS ALL COMPLETELY MELTED AND THEY BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO MELTED AND STUCK TOGETHER I'M NOT SURE BECAUSE WE STILL HAVEN'T I MEAN TRANSMISSION HAS NO SIGNS THAT SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT I THINK THIS IS VERY THING I THINK THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR A VEHICLE TO JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND IMAGINE IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAFFIC THANK GOD THAT THERE WASN'T THAT NOBODY WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME CUZ THE TRUCK JUST STOPPED AND IT WAS NOT GOING

20180328POWER TRAIN

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER KEPT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WOULDN'T GO AS FELT LIKE YOU WANTED TO TURN OFF IT WOULD STALL WE HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING IN THE TRUCK ENGINE EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING SEEMS GOOD TRANSMISSION DOES NOT HAVE ANY METAL SHAVINGS I DID NOTICE THAT FOR SOME REASON THE ELECTRICAL PANEL HAVE MELTED IT WAS ALL COMPLETELY MELTED AND THEY BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO MELTED AND STUCK TOGETHER I'M NOT SURE BECAUSE WE STILL HAVEN'T I MEAN TRANSMISSION HAS NO SIGNS THAT SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT I THINK THIS IS VERY THING I THINK THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR A VEHICLE TO JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND IMAGINE IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAFFIC THANK GOD THAT THERE WASN'T THAT NOBODY WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME CUZ THE TRUCK JUST STOPPED AND IT WAS NOT GOING

20180115CrashSTEERING

WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE I FELT A POP AND THEN THERE WAS NO STEERING CONTROL. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TIE ROD CONNECTION TO THE PITMAN ARM HAD SNAPPED.

Mileage: 259,000

20170627TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION EQUIPPED WITH SUNFULL MONT-PRO HT781 TIRES, SIZE: LT265/75/16. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, WHICH CAUSED A BUBBLE IN THE TIRE. WITHIN LESS THAN A THOUSAND MILES LATER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE RETAIL FACILITY WHERE THE TIRES WERE SOLD AND INSTALLED WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,999.

Mileage: 166,000

20160821ENGINE

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXCURSIONS AND 2 TIME SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM THE MOTOR.

20160117ENGINE

I STARTED MY TRUCK AFTER SITTING FOR 36 HOURS AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE BAD EXHAUST LEAK ..AFTER BEING CHECKED OUT BY MECHANIC FOUND THAT A SPARK PLUG AND COIL HAS BEEN SPIT OUT OF MOTOR ..I HAD THEM REPACE SPARK PLUG AND COIL ON TOP WHICH REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ..TODAY I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN 10 MILES AND AFTER STOPPI G TO GET GAS THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN !

Mileage: 167,000

20131114ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BLEW THE NUMBER SIX SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE SPARK WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

20130716VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

Mileage: 176,000

20130609TIRES

ON 6/5/2013, I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH AND TREAD SEPARATED FROM RT. REAR TIRE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO ADJACENT LANE. DAMAGE TO QUARTER PANEL AND RUNNING BOARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE FAILURE IN THE PAST 45 DAYS.THE TIRES ARE BFGOODRICH 265/75R/16 COMMERCIAL TA LOAD RANGE E. THE FOUR NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON 2/28/2011 AND HAVE APPROX. 14,300 MILES OF WEAR AT TIME OF FAILURE. THE OTHER TIRE (LEFT FRONT) FAILED ON 4/19/2013. BECAUSE OF STRONG FRONT END VIBRATION, I INSPECTED THE FRONT TIRES. I FOUND THAT IT WAS OUT OF ROUND DUE TO BELT SEPARATION. THE DEALER REPLACED THIS TIRE ALSO. *TR

Mileage: 86,800

20130511ENGINE

ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, A SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

20130208FireSERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. THE CONTACT LATER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD STARTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION AND CENTRAL COMPUTER WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER MODULE, TRANSMISSION AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER LEAKED ONTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO FIRE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A POTENTIAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

20120627ENGINE

THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD (CYL #3), DAMAGING THE THREAD, THE SPARK PLUG, THE SPARK PLUG BOOT AND THE IGNITION COIL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THIS VEHICLE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE FIRST WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO AND THAT WAS THE PLUG IN CYLINDER #5. THE SAME DAMAGE OCCURRED. *TR

20120402FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

ENGINE PERFORMANCE SUDDENLY BECAME ERRATIC AND VERY ROUGH RUNNING. IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND WENT HOME/ HAD TOWED TO FORD DEALER. DEALERSHIP RAN $250 DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT CAME BACK CLEAN. I WAS DIRECTED TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL AS AIR MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE FUEL INJECTION LUBING SYSTEM ALONG WITH CHANGING THE FUEL FILTER. ON PERFORMANCE OF FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT, TECHNICIAN DIRECTED MY ATTENTION TO WHAT APPEARED TO BE SMALL PIECES OF METAL TRAPPED IN AND ON TOP OF FILTER ELEMENT. MECHANIC SAID THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH METAL THE RESULT OF DELAMINATION OF THE INNER LINING OF THE FUEL TANK IN FORD DIESELS. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS MANY MANY COMPLAINTS TO BOTH FORD AND NHTSA OVER THIS ISSUE. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKES, AND TRAILER BRAKES WHICH COULD EASILY RESULT IN LOSS OF LIVES. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD AND MY COMPLAINT HAS BEEN DULY NOTED AND REGISTERED. *TR

20120131ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V553000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 2002FORDEXCURSION to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 FORD EXCURSION have?
The 2002 FORD EXCURSION has 150 NHTSA complaints, 18 crashes, 9 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 FORD EXCURSION?
Yes, the 2002 FORD EXCURSION has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS:HUB. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 FORD EXCURSION?
The most-complained component for the 2002 FORD EXCURSION is TIRES with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2002 FORD EXCURSION safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.