Problems · by component

2002 Ford Expedition power train problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Expedition cite power train, 7% of all 383 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
28
7% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“CAR STARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS IN THE MORNING BUT IT DID NOT SHIFT ANY GEAR, CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS CHECKING THE VEHICLE THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE ENGINE AND THE WHOLE FRONT OF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2015Power train, Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 10691689
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS SPECIFIC NECESSARY BUT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FUSE BOX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,793.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2013Power train, Electrical systemODI 10554325
“ON DECEMBER 21ST 2012 I LEFT TO DROP MY DAUGHTER AT DAYCARE... WE GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND I FOUND I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" AND HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND START IT (ALSO FOUND THAT THE WINDOWS AND WIPERS WEREN'T OPERATING AT ALL EITHER) ... MY DAUGHTER STATED "MOMMY, I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING" AND MY ASSUMPTION WAS THE FUSE HAD BLOWN... I DROVE A FEW BLOCKS AND DROPPED HER OFF AND THEN STOPPED A BLOCK AWAY AT THE LOCAL CONVENIENT STORE AND UPON EXITING THE STORE CAME OUT AND FOUND FLAMES POURING OUT OF MY DRIVER SIDE WHEEL/ HOOD AREA. THE 7-11 EMPLOYEE HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND I WAS INFORMED AND SHOWN BY THE CARY FIRE DEPARTMENT WHERE THE FIRE HAD STARTED AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT PART IN WHICH I'M THE FOURTH OWNER OF. IT TOOK THREE WEEKS TO GET A REPLY FROM THEIR GENERAL COUNSEL DEPARTMENT AND IN MY EYES THIS NEEDS TO BE EXPEDITED AS I'M PAYING FOR A RENTAL CAR THAT I CAN'T AFFORD... I'M NOT IMPRESSED BY LACK OF URGENCY AS I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO GET TO AND FROM WORK WHICH IS HOW I PROVIDE FOR ME AND MY CHILD. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2013Power train, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10493648
“REAR DIFFERENTIAL CONTROL LINKS RUSTED THRU AND BROKE. THIS ALLOWED THE DIFFERENTIAL TO MOVE TOWARD THE REAR. WHEN IT MOVED FAR ENOUGH THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND BROKE OFF AT THE REAR YOKE. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF EXPEDITIONS AND NAVIGATORS ON THE ROAD...SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. *TR UPDATED 6/13/13 *CN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2012Power trainODI 10487262
“FORD TRITON 4.6L ENGINE SPARK PLUG BLOW-OUT OCCURRED TURNING A CORNER AT 30. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED SPUTTERING AND LOST POWER. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN COMPLETELY BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AND TAKEN SOME ADDITIONAL HEAD WITH IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10411137
“MY 2002 FORD EXPEDITION HAS ALWAYS HAD TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS. OVER THE YEARS, IT WILL SOMETIMES NOT GO OUT OF 4X4 WITHOUT SOME GENTLE COAXING. JUST THE OTHER DAY, IT SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I STARTED TO HEAR A SOUND LIKE I WAS DRAGGING SOMETHING. WHEN I STOPPED, I HAD TO DRIVE IT IN MANUAL 2 JUST TO GET IT HOME. AT HOME, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND WAS ACTING LIKE THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP WHEN I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE HAD SHIFTING PROBLEMS FOR THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE (I HAVE HAD IT FOR 8 YEARS....) THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS BEEN THIS DRASTIC. IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION..... *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 18, 2011Power trainODI 10377116

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.