2002 Ford Expedition: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 1, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 120,000 miles · FL

Ford triton 4.6l engine spark plug blow-out occurred turning a corner at 30. The vehicle immediately started sputtering and lost power. I had to immediately pull over and get the vehicle off the road. The spark plug had been completely blown out of the engine block and taken some additional head with it.

Filed Apr 28, 2011 · Engine · 162,000 miles · TN

While driving my 2002 ford expedition (5.4l) on the interstate, I heard a loud pop and the vehicle immediately lost power and decelerated in heavy traffic. The nearby ford dealer determined that the no.7 spark plug had "blown out". The dealer indicated that they "see this all the time" with this engine. The vehicle was at the same dealer a few weeks prior, and had the no.8 spark plug replaced (while addressing an ignition coil problem).

Filed Jun 13, 2010 · Engine · 120,000 miles · KY

While driving my youngest daughter to school there was a loud bang from under the hood and a noticeable loss of power. It sounded like the car had a severe exhaust leak. When taken to my local dealer I was informed that a spark plug had blown out of the engine and that this was a very common occurrence with the 2002 5.4 liter engine. I was told that repairs would run anywhere from $700 to $3500.

Filed Mar 24, 2010 · Engine · 81,909 miles · CA

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. Http://www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2002/ford/expedition/engine consequences to such problem can be loss of power, fuel spurting out of the plug opening into the engine compartment, fires can start from vapors being ignited by loose spark plugs. Ultimate consequence would be death. I don't feel I should be responsible for the repair bill when ford has been aware of this defect in their engine. There is consensus that the spark plug threads on the engine are not strong enough to hold the spark plugs because they're aluminum. Please investigate this complaint before someone gets seriously injured or dies from the result of a blown spark plug since it appears to be very common on these types of vehicles. Thank you!

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Engine · 69,977 miles · NY

Spark plug pooped out of my truck twice now...lost power....fuel spurting out of the plug opening into the engine compartment....very costly repairs. It is happening all over the united states....probably worse issues then the current toyota recall in progress now. Go to this web-site and learn more:http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_spark.html . I am afraid of driving this truck now since this issue is dangerous...to lose power while driving on the highway and gas coming out into the engine compartment.

Filed Oct 13, 2009 · Electrical · 7,000 miles · NY

I was driving on a highway and proceeded to pass another car in the middle of my pass my car threw a spark plug and coil out of its head. My car immediately loss power and my car began to shake. At this moment a 18 wheeler headed towards me and my son . This was a very serious situation.that could very easily have been deadly. Since then it has happened several times at least 10 times every time this happens they have rethread plugs and put new coil in car very costly and time consuming.

Filed Jul 11, 2007 · Engine · 106,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford expedition. When the contact started the vehicle, he noticed smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the cause of failure was due to a blown spark plug cylinder. The dealer replaced the spark plug cylinder. Approximately two weeks later, while driving 65 MPH uphill, the vehicle lost power. The mechanic replaced the spark plugs and performed a tune up. The following day, while driving 65 MPH uphill, the vehicle lost power again. The dealer stated that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. As of july 11, 2007, the engine has not been replaced. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage is 106,710 and failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Sep 7, 2006 · Engine · CA

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.

Filed Apr 10, 2006 · Engine · 36,046 miles · AZ

Blown spark plug on a 2002 ford expedition. Mileage:36046 cylinder number 3 I took the truck to ford 4 days before the incident as I had been hearing a slight ticking nose coming from engine. Ford dealer told me to keep driving it until something bigger happened as my extended warranty might not cover all labor costs if they couldn't find the problem. Turns out it was small exhaust leak around the threads of the plug. Once the plug blew on the highway approximately 65 MPH loud noise and loss of power. Now the vehicle needs a new head and will be with dealer for over a week.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · MI

Dt: the contact owned a 2002 ford expedition and on friday a spark plug blew out the side of the engine through the right cylinder head and caused the vehicle to lose power. *ak

Filed Jan 27, 2005 · Fuel system · TX

My 2002 ford expedition will shut off at inclines of more than 15 degrees even with more than 10 gallons of fuel in the tank. This problem is an inherent problem with all 2001 and 2002 expeditions as admitted by ford motor company and they refer to this defect as a mere "characteristic" of the vehicle. The problem can occur at anytime when the vehicle is at an incline when the front is lower that the rear. This means that I can feasibly run out of fuel while driving down a hill or mountain, lose power steering and power brakes and be involved in an accident where serious injury or death could occur. This is a valid saftey concern and I do not feel comfortable driving the vehicle especially in hilly or mountainous areas. At the very least I could run out of fuel and be stranded in an area that is unsafe. This is unacceptable functionality of the vehicle and ford motor company should address these concerns and offer solutions to the problem instead of weak excuses to why they feel the general public is not at risk here.

Filed Sep 15, 2003 · Fuel system · OK

Gas gauge registered a half of tank gas. Suddenly while traveling down a hill vehicle lost all power. *ak the vehicle consumed 1/4 tank of gas to travel 8 miles. When the consumer got into the vehicle again, it read full. After the vehicle lost power while going down hill, it started up again after a couple of minutes. Consumer came to the conclusion that she is unable to drive or park on a incline (nose-down) with less than a 1/2 tank of gas. *ph