The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 122 of 340 complaints (36%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (21) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 578 in 2001 to 340 in 2002.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 340
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $3,900–$4,800
- Combined MPG
- 13–16
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,150–4,800 | 3,900–4,800 | 3,900–4,800 | 4,450 | 4,150–4,800 | |
| Combined MPG | 13–15 | 13–16 | 13–16 | 14 | 13–15 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–13 / 15–18 | 11–14 / 15–19 | 11–14 / 15–19 | 12–13 / 16–18 | 12–14 / 16–18 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 592–684 | 555–684 | 555–684 | 635 | 592–684 | |
| Complaints filed | 890 | 578 | 340 | 615 | 297 | |
| Recalls issued | 11 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 55 | 38 | 19 | 57 | 49 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 199 | 95 | 69 | 36 | 15 | |
| Injuries reported | 43 | 63 | 27 | 70 | 60 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Expedition have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Ford Expedition?
Engine: 122 of 340 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford Expedition get?
EPA rates it 13–16 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Ford Expedition?
EPA estimates $3,900–$4,800 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 12 mpg | 17 mpg | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 4.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 12 mpg | 16 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 11 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 122 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 18 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 46 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 22 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 41 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 36 | 14 | 1 | 21 | 2 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 58 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 18 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Defect
- 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, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
- Consequence
- DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Defect
- 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 CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
- Consequence
- FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- 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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- Consequence
- A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- 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 CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)
STRUCTURE
- Defect
- 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 EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
- Consequence
- THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
- Remedy
- 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 NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.