Four problems related to engine clicking and tapping noises have been reported for the 2002 Ford Expedition. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Expedition based on all problems reported for the 2002 Expedition.
After starting the vehicle a loud popping sound could be heard from the engine on the passenger side and then all the sudden a fire erupted in the back of the car at the location of the sound. The ignition coil was ripped from its bolt and the spark plug was ejected. The fire department was called to extinguish the flames. Thank goodness I was not driving it with my three kids or we could have been seriously injured. All across the u. S this is happening, does someone have to die before measures are taken?.
March 17, 2010 I was stopped at a traffic light on leland and loveridge with my 4 small children in the vehicle. The light turned green, I stepped on the gas and heard a pop. Then a continous extremely loud popping noise. I turned into the arco and had the vehicle towed. The car was taken to rivera auto repair inc. On March 22, 2010. The #3 spark plugged had popped out. They had to do a sleeve and replaced the spark plugs along with the ignition coil on the plug. After my research, this is very common in the 2002 Expeditions because of a defect in the engine. At the time of incident, I had 81909 miles on the vehicle. I do have the old parts. It seems that Ford is aware of this problem but refuses to do anything about it. I am glad I was not on a freway. They must be waiting for someone to get killed from this defect. Here is a website with several complaints like mines, spark plugs popping out on their own. Including # 3 like mines. . Read more...
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Expedition. The contact heard a clinking noise coming from under the hood when the vehicle was started. She inspected the vehicle and noticed that the spark plug blew off. The mechanic confirmed the failure, but was unable to determine the cause. The consumer stated dealer informed her this is a common problem with Expeditions, the mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The powertrain was unknown. The current is 82,362 and the failure mileages was 76,400. Eq-10203932-4200, date received 12/12/07. Updated 12/12/07.
We were traveling at about 30-40 mph on a sharp curve on a freeway on-ramp. We experienced a loss of power and a very loud popping noise. We pulled over since driving at freeway speeds seemed impossible. We were stranded in a very dangerous spot about 100 feet in front of the freeway on-ramp. After aaa informed us it would be about an hour for a tow truck and an accelerating vehicle came within inches of our car, my family and I decided to abandon the vehicle and climb a very steep and dangerous embankment. I feared for my three kids and wife's the whole time waiting for the tow truck. We were towed to a Ford dealer where they told us( a week later) the number three spark plug had blown. The usual problem with these engines. The plug blows because there are only five threads for the spark plug in these aluminum heads. The new design from Ford now has 12 threads. We decided to have the whole engine replaced since this cost less than having two heads replaced. Its 5500 for the engine and 3500 per head. We wanted both heads since the other head would be prone to the same problem. I think Ford should own up to this problem because eventually there are going to be serious consequences to someone as a result of this. We were only inches away from this happening.