Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2002 Ford Excursion: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Excursion years.
174 owner complaints, most about engine and engine cooling. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Excursion?The 2002 Ford Excursion has 174 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and tires. Owners most often flag engine-specific problems (gas): exhaust manifold studs/bolts are prone to breaking. spark plug thread issues: early models (up to 2002) have minimal thread engagement leading to plug ejection; 2004-2005 models have problematic two-piece plug designs that can seize and break.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Ford Excursion vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Excursion years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the Excursion?
Across the 6 Excursion model years we track, complaint volume runs from 65 (2005) to 550 (2000). With 174 complaints, the 2002 Excursion sits about the same as the model's median of 174.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 Excursion
exterior lighting:tail lights
Campaign 11V352000FORD 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.
vehicle speed control
Campaign 06V286000ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
vehicle speed control
Campaign 09V399000FORD 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Campaign 07V553000ON 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.
Show 1 more recall
wheels:hub
Campaign 07E106000CERTAIN 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.
What owners say across generations
Owner sentiment is strongly positive regarding the vehicle's core purpose: immense size, robust towing capability, and durability.
- Very frequentEngine-Specific Problems (Gas)
Exhaust manifold studs/bolts are prone to breaking. Spark plug thread issues: early models (up to 2002) have minimal thread engagement leading to plug ejection; 2004-2005 models have problematic two-piece plug designs that can seize and break.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Excursion. See the full Excursion owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Excursion listings typically run $10,400–$19,549 across 2000 to 2005 model years.
Other Excursion model years
Compare every Excursion year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Excursion against its rivals
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