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KLUNK
KLUNK

2002 Ford Expedition

The Verdict

35 Check Engine

The 2002 Ford Expedition has 388 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (143 complaints) and body (135 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 35/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Expedition, consider the 2025 model year which has 93% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 93% fewer complaints

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35

Klunk Score: Check Engine

More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20004803024416339
20012542213315941
2002135236214325
20031778413520551
20049439707023
200562135115831
200668132418014
20078428206320
20087431121712
2009133543
201027212710
201129171618
201228581461
2013273101139
2014151171028
2015417454922
20165647324827
20179471876140
201876840119113
2019121533137158
20208042855200
2021484146382
2022486201911
2023305998
20243981263
2025154223

By Category

Engine
143
Body
135
Electrical
62
Transmission
25
Brakes
23

By Severity

1
141
2
150
3
5
4
91
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 4

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.

24mo ago
Brakes 1

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.

25mo ago
Engine 2

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.

49mo ago
Brakes 1

re: IR 11467550. See attached photo.

50mo ago
Brakes 1

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.

50mo ago
Body 4

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.

55mo ago
Engine 1

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.

66mo ago
Body 2

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DISCONNECTS AT RANDOM TIMES.

80mo ago
Engine 2

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 .

83mo ago
Electrical 1

CRUSE CONTROL NOT WORKING AND NO HORN

104mo ago
Brakes 4

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

109mo ago
Engine 1

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.

112mo ago
Engine 1

I WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD BY WORKER AT SHOP THAT EVERYTHING UNDER HOOD WAS RUSTY AND CHANCES ARE THAT THIS TRUCK WAS IN THE NEW ORLEANS FLOOD (KATRINA) IT WAS DOWN HILL FROM THEN. EVERYTHING STARTED TO MALFUNCTION.

112mo ago
Body 1

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.

112mo ago
Body 2

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.

114mo ago
Engine 1

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.

116mo ago
Engine 1

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.

118mo ago
Engine 4

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.

122mo ago
Engine 2

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.

123mo ago
Engine 4

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.

123mo ago

388 total

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