2002 Ford Excursion Problems
Shopping for a used 2002 Ford Excursion? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 174 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Engine Problems the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2002 Ford Excursion has 174 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2002 Ford Excursion Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Ford Excursion has 174 owner complaints, 15 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Ford
- Model
- Excursion
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 174
- Crash-related complaints
- 15
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2002 Ford Excursion problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Tire Issues
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Tire Issues, Brake System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2002 Ford Excursion?
The 2002 Ford Excursion shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2002 Ford Excursion
Inspection Focus
- Inspect engine for known issues such as stalling or overheating.
- Check tire condition and ensure proper maintenance.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake and suspension components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect engine for known issues such as stalling or overheating.
- Check tire condition and ensure proper maintenance.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake and suspension components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Ford Excursion, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2002 Ford Excursion are concentrated in engine problems and tire issues, with a moderate number of brake system and unintended acceleration reports. The data suggests potential concerns with these components, though the confidence level is low due to the limited sample size.
- Engine Problems account for the highest number of complaints among all components.
- Tire Issues are the second most reported component, with 29 complaints.
- Unintended Acceleration has 19 complaints, which may be a safety concern.
- Engine Problems
- Tire Issues
- Brake System
Full breakdown
All 2002 Ford Excursion complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Excursion. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 39 | — | 2 | — | |
| Tire Issues | 29 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 20 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 19 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 18 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | 2 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Diesel | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Excursion. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
As I was driving the transfer case and drive shaft dropped out of truck. Broken bolts and no warning.
LARGE PATCHES OF PAINT TOPCOAT PEELING FROM VEHICLE ROOF, ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE OF PRIMER HAVING BONDED/ ADHERING TO SEPARATED TOPCOAT, PEELED PAINT IS IDENTICAL ON BOTH SIDES, OBVIOUSLY PRIMER INTENDED TO INTEGRATE TOPCOAT WITH SUBSTRATE WAS FAULTY AND NOT ACCEPTABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER THE FAILURES, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WA…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY R/T TIRES (NA), SIZE: LT285/75/R16. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE WAS REPLACED BY ALLEN TIRE (LOCATED AT 1725 SUPE…
HAD A B F GOODRICH LT315/75R16D ALL TERRAIN KO, DOT: BFAUHX111211, FRONT LEFT TIRE EXPLODE WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WAS DRIVING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 65, ABOUT 16 MILES SOUTH OF BRANSON, MO. I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 65 MPH IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON A CLEAR DRY DAY WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC…
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER KEPT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WOULDN'T GO AS FELT LIKE YOU WANTED TO TURN OFF IT WOULD STALL WE HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING IN THE TRUCK ENGINE EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING SEEMS GOOD TRANSMISSION DOES NOT HAVE ANY METAL…
WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE I FELT A POP AND THEN THERE WAS NO STEERING CONTROL. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TIE ROD CONNECTION TO THE PITMAN ARM HAD SNAPPED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION EQUIPPED WITH SUNFULL MONT-PRO HT781 TIRES, SIZE: LT265/75/16. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE…
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXCURSIONS AND 2 TIME SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM THE MOTOR.
I STARTED MY TRUCK AFTER SITTING FOR 36 HOURS AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE BAD EXHAUST LEAK ..AFTER BEING CHECKED OUT BY MECHANIC FOUND THAT A SPARK PLUG AND COIL HAS BEEN SPIT OUT OF MOTOR ..I HAD THEM REPACE SPARK PLUG AND COIL ON TOP WHICH REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ..TODAY I WAS DRIVING T…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BLEW THE NUMBER SIX SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE SPARK WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. THE MANUF…
ON 6/5/2013, I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH AND TREAD SEPARATED FROM RT. REAR TIRE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO ADJACENT LANE. DAMAGE TO QUARTER PANEL AND RUNNING BOARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE FAILURE IN THE PAST 45 DAYS.THE TIRES ARE BFGOODRICH 265/75R/16 COMMERCIA…
ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, A SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKE…
THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD (CYL #3), DAMAGING THE THREAD, THE SPARK PLUG, THE SPARK PLUG BOOT AND THE IGNITION COIL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THIS VEHICLE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE FIRST WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO AND THAT WAS THE PLUG I…
ENGINE PERFORMANCE SUDDENLY BECAME ERRATIC AND VERY ROUGH RUNNING. IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND WENT HOME/ HAD TOWED TO FORD DEALER. DEALERSHIP RAN $250 DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT CAME BACK CLEAN. I WAS DIRECTED TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL AS AIR MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE FUEL INJECTION LUBI…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V553000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDEN…
#4 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE HEAD, THREADS DESTROYED. FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE FORD 5.4 TRITON ENGINE HEAD AND THAT FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE AND TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Ford Excursion.
Safety recalls
2002 Ford Excursion recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Ford Excursion. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
WHEELS:HUB
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2002 Ford Excursion buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Ford Excursion reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 174 owner complaints, 15 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 Ford Excursion shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Excursion?▾
#1: Engine Problems (39 complaints). #2: Tire Issues (29 complaints). #3: Brake System (20 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Ford Excursion?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Ford Excursion?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Ford Excursion, NHTSA complaints include 15 crash-related reports and 13 fire reports out of 174 total complaints. 14 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Ford Excursion have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Ford Excursion. A major recall area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Ford Excursion?▾
The 2002 Ford Excursion shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Excursion reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2002 Ford Excursion based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.