Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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's fianc e 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 fianc e was attempting to drive the vehicle the following day, the brake pedal was depressed but was firm, requiring the contact's fianc e to step on the brake pedal to drive. The brake pedal remained on the floorboard and was inoperable, causing the contact's fianc e 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. …
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.
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.
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
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. …
My vehicle was functioning fine. I ran an errand, came home , parked my 2002 Ford Expedition under the parking shed and went into the house. Not over 45 minutes later my younger sister came and told me that my car was sparking and smoking. When I went to check on my truck I could see smoke and flames. I ran into the house to get the fire extinguisher and used it to put the fire out. I am fearful of driving this vehicle again but my insurance company feels that it can be repaired but can they assure me that this car won't experience the same sort of malfunction? What should I do? I want to drive a Ford Expedition but I don't want to drive this one anymore. I had to undo the battery later because sounds of sparks and the smell of burnt wire was still coming from the vehicle. What if this issue creates a chain reaction to my electrical system? I need a reliable car not a scary one. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Expedition. While driving less than 60 MPH, the vehicle jumped as if the accelerator pedal had suddenly been depressed. The contact also smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the parts needed for the repair were on backorder. The cruise control switch was disconnected and the dealer stated that the fluid was leaking from the cruise control, which burned components of the speed control sensor and the connector. Both components needed to be replaced. She found NHTSA campaign id number 05V388000 (vehicle speed control), which stated that the manufacturer would disconnect the cruise control due to the possibility of a fire. The VIN was included in the recall; however, Ford refused to assume any liability for the additional failures due to the initial recall. The failure and current mileages were less than 140,000.
2 - electrical problems the first problem resulted in about $800 worth of repairs - a wire underneath the dash grounded itself on the frame of the automobile. This showed itself by blowing several fuses as well a shutting down the ability to put the car in gear once started. It took several weeks to realize the exact problem. Replacing fuses helped, but blow several days later. Many options such as the power windows, radio, rear wipers, running board lights, interior lights, etc. Would not work. The second instance is even more alarming - the speed control deactivation switch caught fire while in the garage. My wife was at home at the time. She needed something out of the car. When she opened the door to the garage she noticed that the garage was full of smoke. She called 911. The fire department got the car out and extinguished the fire.... We were lucky.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and shut off when it caught on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the cruise control and master control sensors needed to be replaced as per the instructions of NHTSA recall campaign id number: 05V388000 (vehicle speed control). The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was advised that the vehicle would not be repaired under the recall because the contact was sent notice of the recall and never responded in order to have the vehicle repaired. The contact stated that he never received notification of the recall. The failure and the current mileages were 171,297.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat, smoke, or burn.
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.
Acceleration complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2002 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Ford Expedition, 17% of the model year's 340 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Expedition acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-388 (vehicle speed control, Sep 7, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Expedition acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 25 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.