Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
On the evening of July 7th, 2015 at approximately 10:45 p.m. We heard a commotion outside our apartment complex and discovered my '02 Expedition fully on fire and being doused by the local fire department. It had just come back from repairs that afternoon - to the pigtail switch and re-wiring in the steering column due to loss of turn signals and radio. Not only was my car destroyed, but the cars on either side were damaged, as well as damage to the apartment complex. We retained an attorney and our initial report from the fire department stated the cause as "faulty wiring." the private fire investigator we retained has advised our attorney that the fire is due to the flawed cruise control system that has been the cause of hundreds of other fires in Ford vehicles. We intend to pursue this matter legally and would sincerely appreciate any assistance or advise your office can provide.
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.
5 amp fuse popped. Replaced with another 5 amp fuse. Shift lock solenoid attached to brake master cylinder caught fire. Fire was contained and controlled. Minimal damages. Unsure of vehicle drivability. Could have happened during transit. Condition unsafe.
About two weeks before my car wouldn't go into drive I had it towed to the dealers. They fixed the problem it was a brake switch and solenoid. That needed replacing $300.00 later its fixed. During the weekend my cruise control light kept flashing. My mother, daughter and I were waiting for my son who was at track practice on Monday 4-25-2011. We were waiting in the car and listening to the radio. I started my car to make sure it was going to start. As I started it was full of smoke so I open the hood and there was a little spark fire. I look into my car to find water and I returned to attend to the problem and it was in full flame. I called the fire department to report fire. The parking lot was full of parents and children also waiting for there children. There's serious fire damage under the hood wires and sensors. I have taken pictures as proof. Oil spills from the reservoir. …
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. …
A fuse blew & the windows wouldn't go up. When I replaced it smoke started pouring out from under the hood of my Ford Expedition 2002, eddie bower which was parked in my garage. I took out the fuse & tried to back the Expedition out of the garage but I couldn't take it out of park. I put the fuse back in & flew out of the garage smoke again coming out from under the hood. I took out the fuse & open the hood. The smoke was coming from a senor on the master cylinder. I sprayed the fire extinguisher on it and unplugged it. I put it in the shop & they change the cruise control brake switch. The same part was recalled on my f150 xlt 2000 pick-up. My cruise control & horn won't work now & the shop doesn't know what is wrong to fix but I can put the fuse in & the windows go up & down, & we can drive it. …
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 vehicle was parked and a neighbor notified the contacxt that vehicle was on fire. The fire fighters and police departments were called. The hood burned off the vehicle. The paint on the driver's side burned off the vehicle, the driver's side windshieldwas missing, and the interior was completely destroyed. The driveway was also damaged, and a tree burned. A police report was filed. Ford stated that there was nothing that they could do. However, he gave them his VIN and never received a call to confirm if this vehicle was affected by the recall NHTSA recall number: 06e056000). The failure and current mileage were 75,000.
My 2002 Ford Expedition spontaneously caught fire on September 12, 2005 while it was parked in front of my home (with the keys out, doors locked, windows up, etc.) a neighbor's lawn servicer saw the fire and rang our doorbell to alert us. I called 911, but by the time the fire department got there, the entire front end of the truck had literally melted away in the fire. The hood, front glass, front tires, front panel, etc. Were completely destroyed and the truck is a total loss. The fire burned and destroyed a large patch of grass and blackened the pavement in front of my home. Thankfully, no one was injured.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Expedition. While starting the vehicle, an abnormal noise was heard from the engine. In addition, the vehicle stuttered without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the plug and ignition coil were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted eight months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the same failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of…
Electrical complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Ford Expedition, 14% of the model year's 340 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Expedition electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Ford Expedition, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Expedition electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 22 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.