Total Complaints
415 filings
FORD EXPEDITION · model year
2002 FORD EXPEDITION
415 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002FORDEXPEDITION carries 415 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 25 crashes, 87 fires, 36 injuries, and 4 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 EXPEDITION is engine and engine cooling with 50 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (45) and engine and engine cooling:engine (37). 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 4 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 4 investigation files overlapping the 2002 EXPEDITION. 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.
415
Complaints
25
Crashes
87
Fires
36
Injuries
4
Deaths
Crashes Reported
25 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 50 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 45 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 37 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 33 |
| ENGINE | 27 |
| SEAT BELTS | 15 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 12 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 10 |
| TIRES | 10 |
| SUSPENSION | 9 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 9 |
| STRUCTURE | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
Recalls (4)
06E05600013/06/2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
05V38800007/09/2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
03V09400007/03/2003
STRUCTURE
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 EX
06E06700001/08/2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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, REFLECTIV
Recent Complaints
20240720FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
20240606VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 r
Mileage: 163,745
20240606SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 r
Mileage: 163,745
20220623FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
20220623VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
20220623SERVICE BRAKES
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.
20220607SERVICE BRAKES
re: IR 11467550. See attached photo.
20220604SERVICE BRAKES
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.
20220105FireFIRERELATED
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
Mileage: 146,457
20220105FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Mileage: 146,457
20210119ENGINE
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.
Mileage: 256,547
20191124SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DISCONNECTS AT RANDOM TIMES.
20190907FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 .
Mileage: 153
20190907SEAT BELTS
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 .
Mileage: 153
20190907SUSPENSION
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 .
Mileage: 153
20171203ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CRUSE CONTROL NOT WORKING AND NO HORN
20171203VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUSE CONTROL NOT WORKING AND NO HORN
20170710FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Mileage: 183,000
20170710FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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
Mileage: 183,000
20170504ENGINE
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.
Compare 2002FORDEXPEDITION to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2002 FORD EXPEDITION have?▼
The 2002 FORD EXPEDITION has 415 NHTSA complaints, 25 crashes, 87 fires, 36 injuries, and 4 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 FORD EXPEDITION?▼
Yes, the 2002 FORD EXPEDITION has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 FORD EXPEDITION?▼
The most-complained component for the 2002 FORD EXPEDITION is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 50 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 2002 FORD EXPEDITION 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.