VehicleVerdict

2002 Ford Excursion problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2002 Ford Excursion sits mid-pack among Excursion years: 150 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 104, with 5 recalls and 4 closed investigations. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (37), tires & wheels (31), and brakes (17), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

150

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Excursion years?

Excursion NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted635 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 10 complaints2000: 635 complaints2001: 240 complaints2002: 150 complaints2003: 139 complaints2004: 125 complaints2005: 84 complaints2010: 1 complaints
Excursion NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Excursion years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Ford Excursion problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3725%
Tires & Wheels3121%
Brakes1711%
Speed Control1611%
Electrical System107%
Body & Structure64%
Steering53%
Fuel System53%
Suspension53%
Transmission43%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Seat Belts32%
Airbags21%
Lighting21%
Other11%
Trailer Hitch11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2002 Ford Excursion have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V352000LightingJuly 13, 2011 · 26,715 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

07V553000EngineDecember 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

06V286000Speed ControlAugust 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE BEING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR MORE THEN 10 HOURS OR MORE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. *AK THE MAIN BODY OF THE FIRE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 20, 2005 · fire

LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN ROLLOVER CRASH. EXACT DEFECT UNCERTAIN (HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY) BUT PROBABLY RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCKED WITH INABILITY TO STEER VEHICLE AS RESULT. ALSO, SEVERAL MONTH HISTORY OF DIFFICULTY WITH BRAKES FOR MONTHS WITH IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE DESPITE 4 VISITS TO FORD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 1, 2006 · crash

LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN ROLLOVER CRASH. EXACT DEFECT UNCERTAIN (HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY) BUT PROBABLY RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCKED WITH INABILITY TO STEER VEHICLE AS RESULT. ALSO, SEVERAL MONTH HISTORY OF DIFFICULTY WITH BRAKES FOR MONTHS WITH IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE DESPITE 4 VISITS TO FORD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 1, 2006 · crash

WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT WILL GO TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY, ENGINE WILL NOT REVV, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. VEHICLE WAS REARENDED AFTER CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP. THEN, STARTED TO ACCELERATE, AND VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK THERE WERE 6…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 23, 2002 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED A MELTED FUSE BOX. THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 7, 2008 · fire

2002 Ford Excursion — common questions

Is the 2002 Ford Excursion reliable?

It is close to typical for the Excursion: 150 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 Excursion problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (37 complaints), tires & wheels (31 complaints), brakes (17 complaints).

Does the 2002 Ford Excursion have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Ford Excursion. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Ford Excursion under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Excursion years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Excursion years to avoid are 2000, 2001. The cleanest record among Excursion years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.