2002 Ford Expedition Problems, Recalls & Reliability
415 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Ford Expedition, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 39/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 105,500 miles.
Below average
Where 2002 sits among all Expedition years
What owners report
“Sitting in a parking lot sounded like something hit my car . Engine started running very bad . For the 2 time a spark plug had blown out of the engine. Waiting on a tow truck again.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Expedition
“2002 ford expedition i purchased 6 days ago caught on fire in my front yard. The vehicle was not running it was just sitting in my yard. I informed the seller when i purchased the vehicle that the cruise control did not work and a few other things were wrong. I was told to bring the vehicle back on…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Expedition
“The high intensity discharge lights and the bright lights on suv's are very unsafe. Ph”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Expedition
“While driving, the right rear tire had split open in the sidewall causing the tire to flatten. Ts scc”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Expedition
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Expedition
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 313 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 84,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 49,800 and 123,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
Fix: 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.
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…
Fix: 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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 05V388000.
Technical service bulletins
102 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2002 Ford Expedition. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2002 Expedition TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Ford Expedition reliable?
The 2002 Ford Expedition drew 415 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 39/100, scored against the model's worst year (2000).
What are the most common 2002 Ford Expedition problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Ford Expedition are engine (122 complaints), speed control (58), and electrical (54).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Expedition problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Ford Expedition problems around 84,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 49,800 and 123,000 miles.
Does the 2002 Ford Expedition have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.