Page 4 of 7 · complaints 151–200 of 340

2002 Ford Expedition complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 30, 200894,600 milesCA

THE SPARK PLUG IN MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER THIS HAPPENED, I TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED AT A NON-DEALER MECHANIC. EVERY MECHANIC I CALLED SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE AND THE THREADS BEING INSUFFICIENT. AND THAT MOST OF THE REPAIRS ARE NOT LASTING SO THE SITUATION ESCALATES TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE LOSING MONEY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY DID NOT CREATE. THE DEALER FIXED MY CAR AND SAID THAT THE FIX HAS NO WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT COST ME $1116.98 TO REPAIR. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON. AND THAT 1 IN 100 OF THE REPAIRS DO NOT HOLD. THE SPARK PLUG REPAIR IS RECOMMENDED AT THE 100K TUNE-UP MARK. MY CAR HAS HAD ALL MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURING INCLUDING THE EVERY 3K MILE OIL CHANGES. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO MY CAR. IT WAS NEAR BUT NOT OVER THE 100K MARK. AND EVEN IF THE SPARK PLUGS HAD BEEN CHANGED AS RECOMMENDED, THE COIL WOULD HAVE STILL BLOWN BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE THREAD ON THE ENGINE, NOT THE PLUG ITSELF. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FORD KNOWS THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING SAFE CARS ON THE ROADS. THANK YOU, VICKI BEZIO *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 25, 2008140,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE FOUND RECALLS LISTED FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF HIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSURE IF THEY PERTAINED SPECIFICALLY TO HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 24, 2008105,000 milesGA

# 3 SPARK PLUG BLEW FOR THE SECOND TIME AND DESTROYED THE MOTOR HEAD. NOW HAVE TO REPLACE HEAD AND HAVE BEEN QUOTED AROUND $3000 TO FIX A PROBLEM FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT AS WELL AS CONSUMER AFFAIRS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 5, 200883,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. IN 2006, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A RECALL. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND BRAKE FLUID BEGAN TO LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FAILURE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 30, 200898,000 milesKS

2002 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 5.4L - JULY, 2008 SPARK PLUG/COIL ARE BLOWN OUT OF #6 CYLINDER. OCTOBER, 2008 SPARK PLUG/COIL ARE BLOWN OUT OF #3 CYLINDER. WITH COIL STILL FIRING NEAR EXPOSED CYLINDER BEING INJECTED WITH FUEL, CHANCE OF FIRE IS SUBSTANTIAL. SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AND COILS REPLACED. APPARENTLY NEED TO INSTALL HELI-COIL KITS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Oct 15, 2008125,000 milesTX

2002 FORD EXPEDITION SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED. LAST DROVE 8 HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE. DEALER DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH ON 11/30/05 (AS PER RECALL) AND MY DOCUMENTATION FROM DEALER SHOWS THIS SERVICE WAS DONE. HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED BY DEALER OF NEW PART AVAILABILITY. SO WHAT CAUSE THE FIRE? DID HAVE A FUSE BLOW ABOUT 6 DAYS PRIOR. THIS IS THE FUSE THAT INCLUDES CONTROL OF THE SHIFT LOCK. TRUCK IS TOTALED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 6, 2008117,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION WITH A 5.4L ENGINE THAT HAS JUST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A BLOWN OUT SPARK PLUG AND COIL. IN MORE THAN HALF OF THE 5.4L ENGINES PRODUCED BY FORD BETWEEN 1990 - 2005 HAVE EXPERIENCED A BLOWN OUT SPARK PLUG AND COIL. THE PLUG THREAD WITHIN THE CYLINDER HEAD ARE INADEQUATE RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF YOUR HEADS OR TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE LOCK-N-STITCH METHOD WHICH IS FORD APPROVED. THE REASON I AM RAISING THIS CONCERN IS THAT THIS SITUATION HAS AFFECTED SO MANY VEHICLES YET FORD STILL CONTINUES TO PRODUCED EQUIPMENT SET UP TO FAIL. I ALWAYS SEE RECALLS ON ITEMS THAT ARE DEFINITELY SAFETY ISSUES BUT ARE A CHEAP FIX BUT WHEN IT COMES TO COMPLEX PROBLEMS THAT ARE COSTLY TO REPAIR AND VERY COMMON AMONG THE SAME STYLE AND SIZE ENGINE IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS WELL. AT THIS TIME I AM NOT SURE OF THE RESULT IN DAMAGE OR INJURY EXCEPT FOR MAYBE THE PERSON WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 11, 200867,000 milesOR

I HAVE A 2002 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPEDITION, AND IT JUST BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG AT 66 THOUSAND MILES OR SO. DEALER SAYS IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM SEEING A HUGE AMOUNT OF THESE V8 TRITON ENGINES BLOWING OUT SPARK PLUGS ON THE INTERNET, AND ATTEMPTED CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS. IT LOOKS LIKE THE ENGINE THREADING IS MESSED UP AND THE PLUGS BLOW OUT. ALL THE PLUGS ARE ORIGINAL FACTORY. I SMELLED FUEL AFTER A LOUD POP HAPPENED, AND I WAS WORRIED THE ENGINE MIGHT EXPLODE FROM GAS VAPOR, BUT I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY THANK GOD. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Aug 12, 2008155,000 milesCA

I BOUGHT MY FORD EXPEDITION (2002) BRAND NEW, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE REGISTERED OWNER AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE. MY FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE AT OUR FAMILY MEDICAL FACILITY (RANCHO BERNARDO) AFTER AN HOUR OF BEING OFF AND PARKED. THE MEDICAL FACILITY ANNOUNCED A CAR ON FIRE WITH DESCRIPTION AND I RAN OUTSIDE AND CALLED 911 BUT FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AS I WAS STILL ON THE PHONE. THANKS TO THE LIGHTNING SPEED OF RB FIRE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO ANYTHING EXCEPT MY VEHICLE. THE FIREFIGHTERS ON THE SCENE TOLD ME THAT THEY SUSPECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. IT ONLY BURNED INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT - IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE. AN INDEPENDENT FIRE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED AFTER COMPLETING HIS INVESTIGATION THAT THE VEHICLE FIRE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT IS ALWAYS ON FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY DUE TO HIGH REPAIR ESTIMATES. ON 8/5/2008 MY INSURANCE COMPANY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM ME FOR A LITTLE OVER THE KBB PRIVATE PARTY VALUE DUE TO RECENT VEHICLE ADD-ONS I PROVIDED RECEIPTS FOR. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WAIVED THE DEDUCTIBLE. MY FAMILY (3 PEOPLE) WAS DOWN TO 1 CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AND WE ALL WORK AND GO TO SCHOOL. ON SEVERAL DAYS I HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR AND DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE TO COVER THESE COSTS AND HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED FOR THE DAYS I HAD TO RENT A CAR.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 30, 200861,258 milesWA

MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION THREW OUT A SPARK PLUG(#3) AFTER I STARTED IT. THE CAR SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE EVENT. FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN ONLINE, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A HEAD REPLACEMENT BUT I COULD NOT AFFORD THE $3,700 THEY WANTED. I HAD TO CHOOSE THE HELICOIL FOX AT $600 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY GUARANTEE ON THIS FIX OR HOW LONG IT WOULD LAST. *TR UPDATED 07/17/08

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 15, 2008142,748 milesFL

ENGINE BACKFIRED BLOWING OUT NO. 7 SPARK PLUG STRIPPING OUT CYLINDER HEAD. HAS BACKFIRED BEFORE SPLITTING NO. 3 SPARK PLUG. CAUSING THE VEHILCLE TO BE UNUSABLE UNTIL REPAIRD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 13, 200892,000 milesCA

2002 FORD EXPEDITION - OUT OF THE BLUE, THE CAR BLEW A SPARK PLUG. IT WAS TOWED, DID FULL TUNE UP AND NEW SPARK PLUG. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH BLOWN PLUGS AND FAULTY ALUMINUM HEADS IN MY YEAR AND MAKE. IT WAS $500.00. 2 WEEKS LATER SAME PLUG BLEW OUT. HAD TO TOW AGAIN. MY CHOICE WAS EITHER NEW CAR OR DROP A NEW ENGINE IN THE CAR. A NEW HEAD WOULD HAVE BEEN A BAND-AID. I HAD TO PUT A NEW ENGINE IN, THE ENGINE AND THE LABOR WERE $6,000.00. I SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO THIS FOR A 2002 THAT I PAID OVER 30,000.00 FOR. SEVERAL MECANICS SAID THEY ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE OF THESE COMING IN THEIR SHOPS FROM YEARS 2000-2002 IN DIFFERENT FORDS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 12, 2008107,000 milesKS

SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM ENGINE. ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS IN THE VEHICLE. EJECTED AT START UP OF ENGINE. HEADS WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED AND HELI COIL INSERTS INSTALLED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 11, 200858,000 milesMA

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM WINDSHIELD LEAK. THOUGHT IT WAS MOONROOF DRAINS, HAD THEM CHECKED & CLEANED AT DEALER. STILL LEAKING. KEEP HEARING ELECTRICAL CLICKING NOISES FROM UNDER DASH AND SOMEWHERE IN BACKSEAT WHENEVER IT RAINS. DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER NO LONGER WORKING, REAR HEAT/AC BLOWERS INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 4, 200857,000 milesIA

I HAVE RECEIVED LETTERS FROM FORD STATING THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN MY CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING SUCH LETTERS FOR OVER TWO YEARS. I HAVE ON AT LEAST SIX OCCASIONS ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THIS REPAIRED AT ONE OF SEVERAL LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS. I AM CONSTANTLY INFORMED THAT THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PARTS AND THEY CANNOT SCHEDULE THE REPAIRS. IF THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, FORD NEEDS TO MAKE IT A PRIORITY TO MAKE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. MY MOST RECENT LETTER IS DATED MAY 20TH, 2008.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed May 27, 200857,000 milesTX

OTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND I STRUCK HIS VEHICLE BROADSIDE WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. CAR IS TOTALED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 9, 200884,400 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, HEARD "POP" UNDER DASHBOARD (FUSE PANEL) AND RADIO WENT OFF. REPLACEMENT FUSE BLEW IMMEDIATELY UPON REPLACEMENT. REMOVED RADIO AND REPLACEMENT FUSE IMMEDIATELY BLEW AGAIN. SUSPECTED GROUND IN POWER CIRCUIT TO FACTORY STEREO, VERIFIED WITH TEST LIGHT. SHORTED CIRCUIT, 797 IN THIS VEHICLE, IS HOT AT ALL TIMES (NOT SWITCHED THROUGH IGNITION). SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION BY OWNER SHOWS THAT MAIN WIRING HARNESS BEHIND DASHBOARD WAS NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED AT FACTORY. THE MOUNTING POINTS INSTALLED IN THE HARNESS WERE NEVER INSTALLED IN THE CORRESPONDING HOLES IN THE BODY, ALLOWING THE HARNESS TO SAG APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES BELOW ITS CORRECT POSITION (AND PRESUMABLY RUB AGAINST METAL PARTS BEHIND THE DASHBOARD). DUE TO THE FAULTY FACTORY INSTALLATION, THE HARNESS CAN NOT BE RAISED FAR ENOUGH TO BE PROPERLY INSTALLED WITHOUT REMOVING AT LEAST PART OF THE DASHBOARD AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG (DEALER SAYS ENTIRE DASHBOARD MUST BE REMOVED, A SIGNIFICANT COST ITEM). DEALER MECHANIC HAS VIEWED HARNESS AND AGREES HARNESS WAS NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED. SUBJECT HARNESS ALSO CONTAINS WIRING FOR AIRBAGS, INSTRUMENT PANEL, TRANSMISSION CONTROL, REAR LIGHTING, TRAILER CONTROLS; BASICALLY EVERY CIRCUIT IN THE VEHICLE WHICH IS CONTROLLED FROM OR HAS INDICATION IN THE DASHBOARD. OWNER IS STILL TROUBLESHOOTING AND ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR. *TR

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash1 injured
Filed May 5, 200831,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY RECOMMENDED THAT THE DEALER SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 32 DAYS WHILE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31000.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 11, 2008TX

MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION EXPLODED, LAST NIGHT ON APRIL 11TH. *TR

Tires1 injured
Filed Apr 8, 200867,000 milesTX

TIRE DETREADED ON OUR WAY TO SAN ANTONIO FROM EDINBURG RIPPING OFF THE SIDE FENDER AROUND THE TIRE. THE BOTTOM PART OF THE TRUCK CAVED IN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 1, 2008115,000 milesCA

#1 SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM CYLINDER HEAD DAMAGING COIL AND PLUG WIRING THIS IS 2ND INCIDENT COSTING OVER 4000 DOLLARS TO REPAIR HEAD REPLACED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 28, 200881,222 milesMD

A FACTORY INSTALLED ORIGINAL SPARKPLUG IN MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Mar 27, 2008116,000 milesAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE IN THE UP POSITION. WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DROPPED. WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOWN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL UP, IT BECAME DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO DRIVE. SHE HAS NOT YET SPOKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 17, 200878,841 milesCT

2002 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 5.4L TRITION ENGINE SUFFERED SPARK PLUG "BLOW OUT". *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 14, 2008KY

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THAT THERE IS A SAFETY DEFECT WITH SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FOR MY VEHICLE. IN THIS LETTER I'VE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SET UP A TIME/ DATE FOR REPAIRS. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT "THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART IN" AND WOULD "CALL ME" WHEN IT ARRIVES. ITS BEEN ALMOST A MONTH AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. WHAT MY NEXT RECOURSE OF ACTION? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 3, 2008131,000 milesCA

THE #3 SPARK PLUG ON MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION EJECTED FROM THE CYLINDER. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I AM NOW LOOKING AT A $2,200 REPAIR BILL! *TR

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jan 24, 200874,000 milesSC

I HAVE A 2002 EXPEDITION AND AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNLATCHING. I LOOKED IT UP AND THE 2001 WAS RECALLED. I CONTACTED FORD AND WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT IS FAULTY BUT NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. THEY WON'T FIX IT. IT WILL COST ABOUT $150. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT AND THEY HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BELTS AND THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR INJURED. WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT I WON'T RIDE IN THAT SEAT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 3, 200897,433 milesTX

ON DECEMBER 22, 2007 WHILE TRAVELING WE HEARD A 'POP' IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THEN THE SOUND AN SMELL OF EXHAUST ESCAPING THE ENGINE. WHEN TAKEN TO BOB TOMAS FORD IN MCKINNEY TEXAS I WAS TOLD THE THE #3 SPARL PLUG HAD BEEN EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE HEAD WHICH HAD STRIPPED THE THREADS. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM BUT THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND WAS NOT PROVIDING ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO WERE NO LONGER COVERED BY A WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE HAD 97,433 MILES WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE TOTAL REPAIR BILL WAS $3375.20 TO REPLACE THE RIGHT HEAD. I REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM FORD AFTER POINTING OUT THAT THE MAINTANCE SCHEDULE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE DID NOT REQUIRE A CHECK OF THE SPARK PLUGS UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAD REACHED 100,000 MILES. FORD STATED THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN ANY WAY.*CN

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed Jan 2, 200850,000 milesSC

ON EVERY FILLUP OF GASOLINE I HAVE GASOLINE VAPORS INSIDE THE CAR WHICH NECESSITATES MY OPENING WINDOWS TO RID THE INTERIOR OF THE STRONG FUMES. THERE IS NO SPILLED LIQUID AND MY SHOES ARE CLEAN AND ALL WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING AND THE HAVOC IS OFF. I AM IN FEAR OF FIRE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR MORE THAN 4 YEARS AND HAS BEEN REPORTED OVER 10 TIMES TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.*CN

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 24, 2007102 milesMO

WE OWNED A 02 FORD EXPEDITION WHICH GAVE ME NO PROBLEM AND I LOVED AND OWNED IT OUT RIGHT. IN AUGUST OF 07 THE EXPEDITION BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG FROM THE ENGINE WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC THEY SPECULATED RIGHT AWAY WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE AND UPON CHECKING IT OUT FOUND THERE SPECULATION TO BE TRUE. I PHONED OTHER MECHANICS WHO IMMEDIATELY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR ENGINE AND THOSE SURROUNDING IT. IT HAS OBVIOUSLY HAPPENED ENOUGH TIMES FOR SEVERAL MECHANICS TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND STATE THAT FORD WAS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. MY HUSBAND WENT TO SPEAK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHO RESPONDED THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND THEY WERE ONLY AWARE OF A FEW INCIDENTS AND WERE GOING TO DO NOTHING ABOUT OUR PROBLEM. WE ENDED UP HELI COILING THE PLUG AND HAVING A TEMPORARY FIX. WE NO LONGER HAVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I COULD NOT TRUST THAT IT WOULD NOT BLOW A SPARK PLUG AGAIN AND WE HAVE CHILDREN AND NEED A RELIABLE VEHICLE. I'M VERY DISCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT I NOW HAVE A CAR PAYMENT WHEN I DIDN'T BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE BUT THE MECHANICS HERE SEEM TO BELIEVE IT IS HAPPENING FAR TO OFTEN AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. AGAIN I OWNED THE EXPEDITION OUT RIGHT AND AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THE FACT THAT I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. VEHICLES DON'T JUST BLOW A SPARK PLUG FROM THE ENGINE. THANK YOU TANYA BISHOP *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 12, 200797,000 milesAZ

TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 10, 2007TX

2002 EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER EDITION IT'S BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR AWHILE, AND JUST RECENTLY THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THEN THE LOVELY ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAVE SNOWBALLED. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY LOCKS START LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELVES. THEN THE WARNING LIGHTS START GOING OFF (AIRBAG, THEFT DEVICE, ABS, BATTERY). THEN IT STARTS TO SHAKE AND I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL, AND NOTHING HAPPEN EXCEPT IT ROLLS FORWARD SLOWLY, LIKE I'M IDLING THROUGH THE LIGHT. I MADE IT TO THE 7-11 PARKING LOT JUST BEFORE IT DIED. I'VE GOT NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG, ONLY THAT I'M EITHER THE OWNER OF A VERY LARGE PAPERWEIGHT, OR MY TRUCK IS POSSESSED. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Dec 7, 200780,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE ON A STEEP HILL. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. SHE DID NOT PARK ON THE HILL BECAUSE SHE FEARED THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL AWAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY REPLACED BOTH BRAKE CABLES, ROTORS, AND REAR PADS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 1, 2007134,689 milesAZ

ON 10/30/07 AT 12:30AM A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE ON MY CAR LOT AND BURNED ONE OTHER VEHICLE TO THE GROUND. THE EXPEDITION WAS JUST DELIVERED TO US FROM THE AUTO AUCTION THE DAY PRIOR. IT WAS PARKED, LOCKED, WINDOWS UP, KEYS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IT CURRENTLY HAS THE OPEN RECALL 05S28 ON IT AND HAD NOT YET BEEN PERFORMED. THE ENTIRE FRONT HOOD, GRILL, ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WHERE BURNED TO THE POINT OF NON-EXISTENCE OR MELTED MATTER. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 24, 200784,500 milesSD

ON 7/3/2007 I HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND AND SMELLED GAS COMING FROM UNDER MY ENGINE. WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO SIOUX FALLS FORD, THEY SAID A SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT. WHEN I ASKED IF THAT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PLUG MAY HAVE BEEN PUT IN INCORRECTLY. I HAVE NEVER HAD THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, SO I KNEW IT WAS A FACTORY PLUG, BUT THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THEY HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT. I SPENT $800 TO HAVE THE IT RE-THREAD. 4 WEEKS LATER, A DIFFERENT SPARK PLUG DID THE SAME THING. AT THAT TIME, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD CHECK ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE TIGHT. 4 WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THAT PLUG AND THE PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY CLAIMED THAT THEIR REPAIRS HAD NOT CAUSED THIS, BUT I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN-AROUND ON ALL OF THIS SIMPLY BECAUSE I AM A WOMAN. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Oct 22, 2007TX

THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT WAS UNDER RECALL CAUSED MY 2002 EXPEDITION TO CATCH FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD GONE DOWN WHEN THE RECALL WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED, BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ONE EVER CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. *JB

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Oct 22, 200759,315 milesTX

MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELT DOES NOT STAY LATCHED. TODAY IS THE MOST RECENT EVENT, SEVERAL SIMULAR EVENTS HAVE HAPPED OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS. *TR

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball JointCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 18, 200789,002 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE CHECK AND THEY REPLACED THE LOWER DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINTS. A FEW WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, HIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. HE DROVE HIS VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE JUST REPLACED 500 MILES AGO. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT WHOEVER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS DID NOT CHECK HIS ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE AUTO SHOP AND HAS YET TO BE COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,002.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 17, 200771,000 milesAZ

MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION 4X4, 5.3L ENGINE WITH 71K MILES HAD THE #3 SPARK PLUG BECAME DISLODGED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ~65 MPH. TURNS OUT THE THREADS ON THE CYLINDER HEAD ARE STRIPPED. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IS AWAITING BEING FIXED. IF I CHOOSE TO HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACED, IT WILL COST ~$3000. I'VE READ OTHER ARTICLES AND COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO'VE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WITH THEIR FORD TRUCKS. I BELIEVE THERE IS SUFFICIENT DATA TO SUGGEST FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 24, 200776,400 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLINKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OFF. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE CONSUMER STATED DEALER INFORMED HER THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPEDITIONS, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT IS 82,362 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 76,400. EQ-10203932-4200, DATE RECEIVED 12/12/07. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Sep 19, 2007NC

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 THE DAY THAT IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. BEFORE I LEFT MY HOUSE, I WAS INFORMED BY A NEIGHBOR THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. I DO HAVE A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT. RECEIVED 12/12/07 . 64200. UPDATED 12/12/07

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid
Filed Sep 18, 2007FL

MY 2002 EXPEDITION WAS RECALLED IN 2005 TO REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS. A FUSED WIRING HARNESS WAS INSTALLED TO PROTECT THE LIVE CRUISE CONTROL CIRCUIT FROM INITIATING A FIRE IF THE BRAKE SENSING SWITCH MEMBRANE LEAKED BRAKE FLUID. YESTERDAY, 17 SEP 07, MY CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. THE BRAKE SENSING SWITCH AT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS COMING OUT OF THE SWITCH WERE SOAKED WITH BRAKE FLUID. BRAKE FLUID WAS ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DISCONNECTED THE WIRING HARNESS THE AREA OF THE SWITCH INTO WHICH THE WIRING HARNESS WAS PLUGGED WAS FULL OF BRAKE FLUID. BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT OF THE SWITCH. THE SWITCH MEMBRANE WAS INDEED BROKEN. I ASSUMED (WRONGLY) THAT THE NEW FUSED CRUISE CONTROL BUNDLE HAD PROBABLY SPARED ME A FIRE. I TOOK MY CAR TO FORD TODAY. THEY CALLED CORPORATE REGARDING PAYMENT ISSUES. I WAS INFORMED THAT FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR BILL. THIS SPECIFIC COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT THE BILL PER SE, BUT ABOUT MY CONCERN FOR SAFETY. AS IT TURNED OUT, THE NEW FUSED HARNESS DID NOT BLOW THE FUSE--FORD DID NOT REPLACE THE HARNESS. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE "HOT" FUSED WIRING HARNESS WAS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE SENSOR WHILE IT WAS COMPLETELY IMMERSED IN BRAKE FLUID. THERE IS STILL A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. I HAVE KEPT THE OLD BRAKE SWITCH, BUT AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, THE FUSED WIRING HARNESS WAS NOT REPLACED SINCE THE FUSE WAS NOT BLOWN (THE FUSE CANNOT BE REPLACED--THE ENTIRE BUNDL

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Sep 13, 2007SC

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER HOOD AS A RESULT OF VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. FILING CLAIM FOR RESULTING TOTAL LOSS OF 2002 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER. PLEASE CONTACT FOR DETAILS AND ENGINEER REPORT. (REPORTED BY INS CO). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 8, 200785,990 milesCA

MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION (83,000 MILES) ON THE WAY HOME FROM LAKE POWELL BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. WE WERE 350 MILES FROM HOME ON VACATION AND HAD TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE AND ADDED EXPENSE TO RETURN HOME IN TIME FOR OUR JOBS. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN ST GEORGE, UTAH AT A FORD DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE SPARK PLUG ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN. THERE IS NO ASSISTANCE FROM FORD FOR REPAIRING THE WELL KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 29, 200762,000 milesCO

VEHICLE THREW A SPARK PLUG WITHOUT WARNING WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS STRIPPED OUT THE PLUG SOCKET REQUIRING REBUILDING OF THE ENGINE HEADS TO REALLY FIX IT CORRECTLY TO BE SURE IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. MECHANIC EXPRESSED THAT THIS WAS COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES. DESTROYED THE SPARK COIL AND WIRING AS IT BLEW OUT. COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TOWING A TRAILER. WE WERE LUCKY IT WAS LATE AND TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Aug 13, 200792,000 milesAL

AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN GARAGE, SMELLED BURNING RUBBER AND CALLED 911. WAS ABLE TO ROLL VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE AND FIRE DEPT PUT OUT FIRE UNDER HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jul 20, 2007MS

I NOTICED TODAY THAT THE SIDE WALL TIRES ON MY MICHELIN -CROSS TERRIANIN SUV RADIAL X TIRES APPEAR TO HAVE CROSS CUTS IN THE SIDEWALLS ON 3 OF 4 TIRES (ONE WAS RECENTLY REPLACED). ANOTHER THE RUBBER APPEARS TO BREAKING OFF, LEAVING A WHITE COATING BEHIND THE RUBBER. PLAN TO TAKE TO DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE TIRES, BUT AM DOUBTFUL THE WILL ACT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Jul 16, 200774,000 milesIN

FIRST I HAD A FUSE BLOW,THAT PREVENTED THE CAR FROM BEING PUT INTO GEAR. ONCE THE FUSE WAS REPLACED, IT WAS FINE. A WEEK LATER,WHILE STOPPING AT A GAS STATION,WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. WITHIN MINUTES THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. IT WASN'T UNTIL LATER THAT I FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NATION WIDE! I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALER,THAT WAS NOT A FORD DEALER, SO I RECEIVED NO RECALL NOTICES! THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Jul 11, 200748,000 milesTX

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION, EDDIE BAUER EDITION WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. FOR NEARLY A YEAR DOME LIGHTS AND WINDOWS CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION AFTER REPLACING FUSES MANY TIMES. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THERE COULD POSSIBLY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WHICH WILL BE COSTLY TO REPAIR. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 11, 2007106,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO A BLOWN SPARK PLUG CYLINDER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG CYLINDER. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND PERFORMED A TUNE UP. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS OF JULY 11, 2007, THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 106,710 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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